Multi-Room System

Multi-room systems let you listen to music and, in some cases, watch video in any number of your home’s rooms. Basic systems consist of another set of speakers in a second room with individual control. The most complex systems let you listen and watch any source in any room of the house - even shower proof TVs are available! Full-blown multi-room systems let you use different sources in different rooms - watch TV in one room while listening to music in another.

Types of multi-room

There are two types of multi-room system, wired and wireless. WIRED MULTI-ROOM Systems such as the Cambridge Audio Incognito use a fully wired network. Components are linked by CAT5 or CAT6 cable and coaxial cable. The CAT5/6 cable is a multi-function, low resistance network cable that carries sound and power. Video is carried by standard co-axial cable. Speakers are wired up with standard speaker cable. Due to the potential complexity of wired multi-room systems we recommend that they are professionally installed. Pros * Constant wired connection for no dropouts and consistent performance * Guaranteed interference free - will not affect other wireless devices such as garage doors, remote controlled toys, home hubs etc. * Allows good quality video to be routed throughout the home * Capable of immensely complicated system networks including full home automation Cons * Requires professional set-up in most cases * Restricted remote access - must be in sight of a sensor * Internet radio/music access and music streaming have to be separately incorporated * Permanent installation - it’s much harder to take it with you when you move home! Use a wired network for a high quality home installation when both sound and video are required. Ideal for complex systems with home automation such as curtain closing. WIRELESS MULTI-ROOM Systems such as the Sonos system use a wireless multi-room design. This creates a wireless network around your home that carries audio, control and, in some cases, video (not currently available on the Sonos). It works in a similar way to a Wi-Fi home hub and, in some cases, this can even be incorporated to the multi-room system. Sonos are more advanced than others in having specified their own ‘mesh network’ called SonosNet. As the name suggests, this uses multiple points of transmission rather than a single hub, thereby giving more reliable network coverage than, say, your wireless home network hub. SonosNet is also less likely to be ‘grounded’ by too many people being in your home or be overloaded by high bandwidth information. A further advantage of this type of system is that connection, either wired or wireless, to your home network hub gives streaming access to music stored on your PC and also Internet music services such as Last.fm. Pros * Quick and easy to set-up * Easy to expand * Take it with you when you move home * Built-in control of and access to Internet radio and music * Easy to stream from computer * Control with PC, Mac, iPod Touch, iPhone or radio controller Cons * Video performance either poor quality or not yet available * Wireless systems have the potential to dropout  * Potential for interference with other wireless systems * Bandwidth and, therefore sound quality is usually compromised over a wired system. Use if you want a quick and easy system set-up and the ability to expand without extra drilling and plastering. Take it with you when you go. Easy access to Internet radio/music sites.

What you can do with multi-room

* Listen to music in other rooms in your home * Watch video in other rooms in your home -  * Listen to the same music in all rooms * Listen to different music sources in different rooms * Watch the same video in all rooms -   * Watch different video in different rooms -  * Any combination of the above 4 -  * Control the system from any room * Control the system from anywhere in your home, even when not in sight of sensor -  * Link to your home network hub and stream music from your computer -  * Listen to Internet radio and music services such as Last.fm -  * Control the music with your iPod Touch or iPhone -  SWAN - Structured Wiring Audio Network Luxury Multi-Room System SWAN stands for Structured Wiring Audio Network and is the first multi-room audio system designed specifically for structured wiring enclosures. SWAN's electronics are based on ADA's award winning Suite 16 System. It has its own radio tuner, the SDTM Dual Tuner (two tuners of your choice - XM, Sirius, & HD AM/FM) and works with ADA's family of keypads and touch screens as well as Phone Suite telephone interface, iHome music servers and iBase iPod docking stations. What makes SWAN different is its design that now makes it possible to house most of the system's components in a structured wiring box. SWAN is also modular, beginning with eight sources playing to four zones and expanding to up to 48 zones. Several structured wiring boxes can be ganged together for these larger systems. Sonically, SWAN sings as it employs ADA's high-current class A/B power amplification that makes it possible to power as many as four pairs of speakers per audio zone. While SWAN can easily be integrated into a custom built home, SWAN is also ideally suited for co-ops & condos, MDUs, and tract homes. SWAN is perfect for any environment where space is a premium. SWAN is also incredibly easy and cost effective to plan for. Each source component, keypad or touchscreen, subwoofer, and preamplified output requires its own Cat.-5 cable and speakers wire directly to the system via speaker wires. That's it...wiring made simple. Also, as the electronics are easy to install, developers will appreciate that in addition to the structured wiring and structured wiring box, there are very few other upfront costs when deploying SWAN in new projects. Finally, SWAN falls under the guidelines set fourth by Fannie Mae as it is permanently installed in the electronic panel and can be included in a home mortgage. So for new homebuyers, SWAN can cost just pennies a day to enjoy. And like all ADA components, SWAN is built to last. Ideal for MDUs, Tract Homes, Coops, Condos and Luxury High-Rises Clears Fannie Mae Guidelines for Inclusion in Mortgages Fits Standard Structured Wiring Enclosures Uses Typical Cat-5 Cable & 16/4 Speaker Wire 8 Audio Inputs to 4 Zones, Expandable to 48 Zones SDTM SWAN Dual Tuner (XM, Sirius, HD AM/FM) Works with ADA Keypads, Touch-Screens, Sources & Accessories Integrates With Other Touch Screen Control Systems PC Program to Setup, Save, Load, and Remote Monitor