Channel Plus multi-zone amplifier

[jr_away]

I'm looking at implementing xlobby for a huge house that has just been smartwired. Does anybody have experience with this:

http://www.channelplus.com/product_deta ... oductId=89

Selling on Ebay for just over $1000 including 6 keypads and 6 IR emitters. Allows any zone to play any input (taking care of the synch issues) ... would be great if xlobby could control this baby rather than having to use the sound card preamp to handle volume.

[rhinoman]

Xlobby can send signals from a usbuirt to an external device so should be able to contol that device.

[rbziggy]

Xlobby can send signals from a usbuirt to an external device so should be able to contol that device.

Yes, but I had a look at the channelplus device out of interest. It seems to have separate input for IR via its own wired in zone controllers (one for each zone). It's not very clear to me how you get the usbuirt to talk to these (6) different controllers. I could not see an obvious 'on-unit' IR receiver that would allow you to control each zone separately from the zone controllers. Couldn't see an RS232 port either (which might provide for such serial control from XL).

Suggest you check v carefully!

Rgds

[hjackson]

"It seems to have separate input for IR via its own wired in zone controllers (one for each zone). It's not very clear to me how you get the usbuirt to talk to these (6) different controllers. "

Wow, what a headache. You would have to buy 6 different USBUIRTs, then use Girder (via Xlobby) to individually activate the specific USBUIRT for the zone you want to control. Or for almost half the price, you can get a 6 zone 35 Watt per channel amp with automatic zone power-up (when music is sensed). http://www.htd.com/12channelamp.html With the money saved you could get 2 PDA's for FULL control of your music.
Rant On: I've asked it once, I've asked it a million times. How the hell are you going to navigate through a MP3/album collection with a keypad if you can't see what you are browsing? And why the heck would I want a keypad on the wall except for the fact that it looks cool? Has it not already been established that we are lazy people and we want to control our AV remotely from our seats? That's the whole reason why we use remote controls in the first place! :Rant Off
I think you will find that keypad controls have poor utility in any reasonable sized music library. This is why a client/server system as is used in Xlobby is THE best solution. Although more expensive, several PDA clients (you could also use a cheaper Palm based PDA if it has a web browser, or if the room already has a PC, you can use that as the client) will prove to be a more practical solution.
Good luck.

hjackson

[jr_away]

Thanks for the responses. Looks as if this device may not be suitable after all. Glad I checked! I see that the keypads plug in via RJ45 ports, perhaps there is a protocol that can be hacked if somebody is brave enough to buy one without knowing!

Re wall keypads: IMHO there are lots of reasons to use them even if they are not perfect. For a start they are "grandma-proof" unlike a PDA which may send many visitors into melt-down. Second, the ability to alter volume and source is always useful- for example at parties where you may not want Uncle Bob to screw with your playlist and add obscene Punk anthems. Third, many of us are happy with a set of standard channels- classical, pop, 80's, whatever- and are perfectly happy to just click channel 1 for classical when guests arrive rather than fossicking around. And fourth, having keypads for these reasons does not prevent use of a PDA if that's what you want.

This particular installation has been heavily wired to avoid WIFI. The plan is to use a wall touchscreen/media center extender via Browser to select playlists etc then allow volume/source changes in each room via a keypad or RF remote control. Any further advice appreciated!

I'd have to say I'm not completely happy about controlling source/volume via the sound card rather than amplifier. It seems more logical to establish genre or personal sources that run all the time, and just select one via keypad or remote when/where you want it. I'll have to think about that.