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[newsposter]

Need to add comprehensive support for USB radio sticks and XM/Sirius receivers.

Support for multiple optical SPDIF output (and input?) is mandatory.

[JimH]

Support for multiple optical SPDIF output (and input?) is mandatory.

Couldn't you do that with zones?

I'm going to move this to a new thread.  I don't want to start another request thread.

[newsposter]

Yes, multiple optical in/out would be appropriately handled with zones.

Perhaps, for the sake of clarity, come up with a new class of zones, nothing too fancy, just a new name.

[benn600]

Do many others use zones heavily--several audio cards wired to distant stereo systems?  What wiring do these setups use?  How do you handle playback in several rooms all from a central control location?  It is more usable to have a HTPC at each location.

[JimH]

Do many others use zones heavily--several audio cards wired to distant stereo systems? .

It can be done with one sound card if it has multiple outputs.  A 5.1 card, for example, will have 6 channels that can be split into 3  2-channel zones.

More here:
http://wiki.jrmediacenter.com/index.php/Zones

[benn600]

Can someone who is using multiple zones in a moderate or advanced setting post details about their setup?  I'd like to hear what some of the possibilities are.  How would one handle long distance runs around a home for powering multiple rooms?  Wouldn't this be considered the less advanced configuration, generally speaking--basically that placing a dedicated HTPC in each area offers more flexibility by giving the full interface to each area.  Otherwise, you would have to remotely control the MC box from all over.

It would be interesting to see a super-duper system power multiple audio & video devices with separate input controls (remotes) so a single server could handle everything.  Again, this is relying a lot on a central machine though.

[newsposter]

multiple zones is another user option.  Since optical spdif cables can be run hundreds of meters, it gives users a huge option in centralizing audio output and input in a hub arrangement instead of a distributed network setup.

On the other paw, this wheel has already been at least partially invented by both Pioneer (gaak) and Onkyo.  It's the control software that lacks.  If MC could be taught to completely control and manipulate the ethernet-capable products from these and other makers it would be a great first step.

[benn600]

I think a lot of people are content with AUDIO.  That's where my setup is drastically different.  Any media areas that I have set up are fully audio & video compatible.  Yes, having in-wall speakers everywhere with a central MC box would be neat but I've gone the route of stuff everywhere.  Lately I like to focus on fewer, better media areas.  As long as MC is at the center of it all, I think it's good.