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[sle118]

Hello all,

Is it possible to create a "virtual zone" that links 2 or more zones together? 

Suppose I have 3 USB Audio Devices attached and defined like this:

• Living Room
• Dining Room
• Basement

I would like link Living Room and Dining room in a Zone named "Main Floor" so they play the same media ALL the time.

Is this possible?

If not, is it possible to have 2 or more Zones ALWAYS Synchronized?

Thanks!

[Matt]

Currently zone synchronization is a one-time thing. (in the Zones menu)  This may be adequate.

The issue is that since different zones can target different soundcards with slightly different clocks, so it's really hard for us to force a continual sync.

A hardware splitter / switch is probably the best way to lock zones together if they need to stay in sync right down to the last millisecond.

[sle118]

Actually, I would rather use a software solution as opposed to a hardware splitter since Bluetooth allows wireless transmission of the signal (not tested yet).

I don't mind a small drift in the from sound cards as the speakers will be located in different rooms. Because they are separated by several feets, there is already a "natural delay" occuring when sound travels.

If you add a feature to keep multiple zones "synched", (with a tolerance to drift), I would definetly test it (beta is fine). This would definetly be a "sell" for me and for every one out there leveraging their PC as the main audio source in the house.

Could you please add the feature?  Either allow to "lock" multiple zones together or add "virtual zones" where multiple zones are defined.

Thanks!!

[Matt]

You can synchronize zones using Zone Manager. (and configure the relative delays)

Or right-click the DSP/Equalizer button on the top of the player and look at the synchronize menu choices.

[sle118]

You can synchronize zones using Zone Manager. (and configure the relative delays)

Or right-click the DSP/Equalizer button on the top of the player and look at the synchronize menu choices.

This partially works...  When skipping a song or queuing an album, the zones must be manually synchronized... 

Is it possible to tie 2 or more zones as described in my previous posts?  If not, can you add this as a feature?

[lpcalcaterra]

I would like to see this feature added as well.
"Locked" or "retained" sychronization should be doable from a software stand point.

 I realize that if there is not a lot of support for this feature the likelyhood of its addition is slim.

Thanks to the MC Team for creating & supporting a superior product = MC12

Larry

[Mastiff]

I disagree, the difference in sound cards makes it almost impossible to do syncronized playback reliably and precicely. With syncronized playback I mean that you should be able to go from one room to another and stand in the doorway with sound from both zones without hearing any difference at all. Anything else is useless, at least to me. So my solution was to use one zone as the master zone and feed the output from that to other sound cards' input.

[lpcalcaterra]

Mastiff,
Yes the delay with the different sound cards does pose a problem. I my case I am using a  Delta 1010LT cards for separate zones. The delays between zones is minimal.

My solution (yet to be implimented) is to add additional zones (additional sound card required).  These zones would be a static combination of my other zones do the the hardwiring requited. The output of the new combo zone would be split to 2 automatic A/B input switchs. http://www.smarthome.com/97252728.html.

In my case I am using remote controls (RF & IR) & Girder to control MC. When Combo zone output started I will run a girder multi group event that would stop the individual zones.

YES it is an expensive solution!  But it "should" work.

Larry

[sle118]

I disagree, the difference in sound cards makes it almost impossible to do syncronized playback reliably and precicely. With syncronized playback I mean that you should be able to go from one room to another and stand in the doorway with sound from both zones without hearing any difference at all. Anything else is useless, at least to me. So my solution was to use one zone as the master zone and feed the output from that to other sound cards' input.

This may be a limitation to you, however I must point out that if the zones are designed carefully, you should not suffer too much from the lack of synchronisation of a millisecond precision. Also, depending on the house size, you DO notice a difference between 2 rooms when the speakers are far enough from each other. 

I have been using an FM transmitter fitted with a better antenna to broadcast and I COULD hear synch differences just because sound travels at less than the speed of light.

Your solution is inventive, though, and must be serving you well.

[sle118]

I would like to see this feature added as well.
"Locked" or "retained" sychronization should be doable from a software stand point.

Larry,  I agree with you on this.  There is no need to synchronize to the millisecond. Analog solutions are better/cheaper for this.

Thanks to the MC Team for creating & supporting a superior product = MC12

Agreed too!

Although I have found some glitches, this is the best Media Player I have seen in a long time with all the features built-in! I spent a lot of time in the past few days ripping CD's once again, adding Cover Art, deleting duplicates, etc.  I love it! 

... And I would love it even better with a small change to the multi-zone handling 

[sle118]

Hello all,

Is it possible to create a "virtual zone" that links 2 or more zones together? 

Suppose I have 3 USB Audio Devices attached and defined like this:

• Living Room
• Dining Room
• Basement

I would like link Living Room and Dining room in a Zone named "Main Floor" so they play the same media ALL the time.

Is this possible?

If not, is it possible to have 2 or more Zones ALWAYS Synchronized?

Thanks!

So is this thread dead already?

Is there a suggestion box where I can post this?

I think that this could be a good addition to the product.

In the mean time, I will rely on a stereo FM transmitter for the car, modified with a 1/2 wavelength antenna which is sufficient to get "acceptable" sound quality throughout the house.

Thanks to everyone that posted here.