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[paul.lovejoy]

I am looking at installing a multiroom audieo/video system in the house 4 zones, 2 sub zones. I have already hard wired thr house with cat 5, sat cable and installed most of the ceiling speakers etc

thinking of this system about £1200 OPUS 300   http://www.opus.eu/

also want to add media storage these systems look good  http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150987357228

not sure about all networking and streaming issues yet still investigating and learning

any advice appreciated especially if i can save a few bob

was origonally going to run everything from a  media storage hard drive and then stream it to each tv via hard wired network with an amp and speaker switch on ground and first floor to control sound etc but not really knowledgable about amps/ohms etc

cheers

[IanF]

Hi Paul

I have a system which I built myself at a fraction of the cost, I too loved the Idea of the Opus system, but I had to compromise to please the wife, so I set out finding what I needed to convert what i already have, I will describe what I have and I hope it gives you some ideas as its fairly easy if you now a little about computers.

I have a NAS system with 4TB of storage that is linked to my home network through Wifi, but as you have Cat 5 cables yours will be able to handle high Def stuff much better.
Linked to this is my home PC which helps me as its in the lounge already, depending on which Windows software you have depends on if you have windows media centre software, i use windows media centre but there are free media centres out there if you don't like windows stuff. I upgraded my PC with a Graphics card with a dedicated HDMI out which i run a 10 meter HDMI cable under the floor boards to my Home cinema Amp, which connects to my TV and projector - The projector is a sore point with me as since i got it i dont seem to get the chance to use it myself, instead my two year old daughter keeps saying " Daddy, Peppa Pig on the big TV" So all that it gets used for is Peppa bloody pig...lol

Anyway back on track, I used some software to back up all my DVD's to the NAS drive the software i use creates a 1 to 1 copy without reducing the quality and keeps the DVD menu and special features intact. So from windows media centre I click on movies and all my DVD's show up, I just high light with a windows remote control press select and my movie plays just like the DVD would. You can add a TV tuner card which will give you access to free-view TV and the possibility to record and pause live TV, but as I have SKY TV I did not bother.

Upstairs i use a Xbox 360 as a media streamer, it links up with the NAS through your network so can do the same, although the xbox does not play the video files like media centre does in regards to VOB files where the PC will play the movie as one file the xbox will break this down and play each chapter on its own, I got round this by getting a second Nas drive and copying all the dvd vob files into Mpeg4 files which the xbox reads no problem and which a sony bravia TV reads also.

I watch Sky upstairs but refused to pay multi room, so I use sky go which streams the SKY TV service over the internet to the Xbox I also have my I phone register with the service for those times I need to hide away from the women in the family and I retreat to my man cave (the garage). This service offers an OK list of channels but not everything SKY offers, but it does me. In all i spent around  £600 pounds on parts to achieve this, Grphics card 10 meter HDMI cable Software.

I hope this offers you some ideas and help

IanF

[paul.lovejoy]

Thanks Ian sounds familiar to what i origonally planed 4 years ago when i started works on the house

the idea then was a segate ext storgae plus a streamer at each tv conected some how to an amp then ceiling speakers. Came across the Opus sysyem only recently and thought wehey answer to all my problems with regards to one remote control for all and simple way to install without lots of amps etc. Big plus as well is you do not need seperate hi fi componets they can all be locked away in a central cupboard, with just a wall plate and remote to use.

when i add up cost etc what i save in seperate amps sort of evens out the cost not sure how the media storage would connect into the Opus System but its says it is possible assume its via one of the audio source connections. The coaix distribution is also taken care of by the opus so assume no requirement for streamers at the tvs.

Looked at the media pc only becuase they start at around £300 and seem to include all the kit etc and software plus a 2tb storage. i still want a secondary network so to speak with central printer etc so other pc points can use throughout the house

What i forgot/did not know was ohms rules etc amp out puts etc so went blindly ahead and installed ceiling speakers add lib fourtunatley enough cables and access to sort out any wiring issues ie seriel/parellel to reduce/increase ohms its just getting my head round doing it, well getting my head round it all really.

May sound like i know what i know what i am talking about but i am struggling with some of it

and another thing not got my head round yet  is in the lounge wanted to continue the theme with ceiling speakers background music really but also install a surround sound system with floor stand speakers etc.

i will post up a layout may be easier