Event Ghost and Audio Receiver

[zootoxin]

I have quite a bit of computer knowledge but very little audio knowledge.

What I would like to achieve is a system where I have an audio box [reciever/amp/cinema thing - I don't know which] connected to speakers around my flat.

Let's say

Living Room
Bedroom
Kitchen

The audio box would also be connected to DVD Player, PS3 and Media PC.

All pretty straight forward so far....But

I would like to be able to use event ghost to select different scenarios (on two levels if possible)

Level 1

Music for 1 source to selected speakers.
E.g. Music from Media PC to play in Kitchen. or DVD audio playing only in Living room or CD playing in all rooms.

Level 2 (if possible)

Audio for selected source to selected speakers simultaneously
E.g. Music from CD player in Kitchen whilst DVD audio playing in living room.

Right, I think the above makes sense..

How do I do it?

[piert]

You need to control your audio receiver and instruct it via the computer to switch according to your desired scenarios. You have several options:

Use a sophisticated audio receiver that can be controlled via LAN or RS 232 and use one of the plugins for Eventghost that have been developed for the respective receivers.
Examples (source http://www.eventghost.net/docs/pluginlist.html)
Onkyo AV Serial
Control Onkyo A/V Receivers via RS232
Onkyo ISCP
Controls any Onkyo Receiver which supports the ISCP protocol.

Another option would be to use an infrared transmitter connected to your PC, for example the:
USB-UIRT
Hardware plugin for the USB-UIRT transceiver.
(source http://www.eventghost.net/docs/pluginlist.html)

In this scenario you need to have your computer near your audio equipment since the IR blaster needs direct 'line of sight' to control your equipment. Also, you need to 'train' your IR transmitter to emit all the commands you need it to transmit before it is operational. I use this option, but I suspect option one would be more convenient, as all commands are already available in the plugin to control the respective amplifiers (at least I think they are).

There are many many possibilities to activate the various scenario's upon request (through timers, upon start or close of programs, through network broadcast, webpages, voice control etc.).

This is going to require some time investment on your side, but the results can be quite spectacular....

Good luck
Perry

[zootoxin]

Hey Perry,

Option One sound the best to me!

Thanks for the advice and the luck...