Anyone doing Multi-Zone Audio control all via PC?

[Livin]

Looking for 'free' ways to do multi-zone audio control. I thought maybe someone here was using EG to control multiple instances of WinAmp or something like that.

Please share...

[CollinR]

I do it with SageTV but it wouldn't be hard with winamp either.

You'll need the following plugins:
NetworkEventSender
NetworkEventReciever
Winamp
and on the main system you would probably want the webserver plugin too.

[Livin]

I should have elaborated/clarified I'm looking for Multi-Zone Audio, not Distributed (Streaming)...

Multi-Zone Audio vs Distributed (Streaming)

Multi-Zone = Zone Unit distributes audio directly to speakers in multiple locations. Single Unit is controlled from multiple locations but is essentially controlling a single unit/interface.

Distributed (aka Streaming) = Distribution Unit (usually with no local control) sends audio to multiple Receivers which, in turn control each zone separately.

CollinR,
So in my case, the 'main system' you talk about is my HTPC and the only system. I'd like to use the HTPC to run/control all zones via the internal sound card. Then control it via a web interface and XBMC (both on HTPC)

I' be using my Windows Mobile phone's WiFi to run the web site to control the web interface on the HTPC and set each zone to different music and/or different volume levels.

[CollinR]

eh Well thats even easier you'll need the webserver and SoundMixerEX plugin.

EDIT: and obviously mulitple sound cards or a multizone card.

[Melloware]

It's not free but J. River Media Center has AWESOME support of multiple Zones. it support Audio and Video playback too.

http://www.jrmediacenter.com/

The only reason I know about it is because I wrote an iPhone/iPod client for the application so you can control your music and your zones from anywhere in your house.

http://melloware.com/products/rivermote/

[Livin]

eh Well thats even easier you'll need the webserver and SoundMixerEX plugin.

EDIT: and obviously mulitple sound cards or a multizone card.

is there any documentation on how to do this?

I did not find much of anything on the SoundMixerEX plugin either.

[Livin]

anyone?

[Livin]

It's not free but J. River Media Center has AWESOME support of multiple Zones. it support Audio and Video playback too.
http://www.jrmediacenter.com/

I think I might go this route... would be cool if EG had a plug-in for it to have direct control. Ideally I'd like to make it seamless with XBMC, which is what I use 99.9% of the time.

[Melloware]

Yeah like I said I knew you were looking for a free solution. But they have a 30 day trial and setting up your multiple zones is really easy from what it looked like. I think its the main feature of JRMC that separates it from any other player. I don't have a multi-zone setup so I can speak for it only that if you go to their forums people rave about the zone support.

[Livin]

Mellow,
I've been trying JRMC and cannot get the music routing... and support on the JRMC site is pretty lacking.

Maybe a coder would be willing to take on the project in EG? I 'think' ASIO4ALL does all the heavy lifting and that would leave the interface, in EG, to assign the WinAmp instances to an output (from ASIO4ALL) and to read the media library and send the command to WinAmp (which I think the WinAmp plugin can take care of).

Any takers?

[sjolof]

I do use a speakerswitch that I control via RS232.
It has a 32-channel capability (I use 8 zones).
You can set on/off, volume level etc on each channels. You can also make macro┬┤s.

I use EG to send RS232 commands that is coming from my webpage┬┤s links (http://localhost/?zon1_on...)

In the center of my house I have a "server" with a 15" LG touch screen where I control music and also lights (using Telldus Tellstick).

Thanks to that I┬┤m control everything from my webserver I can use my Nokia N800, or phone, other laptop... to surf into that page.
I have integrated this control in the Squeezebox software so I can choose all music from there also.

Lots of bad english text above, but I hope you┬┤understand a little bit.

The speakerswitch is sold by HACS (www.hacs.com) and I use the ESS system.
Sorry to says they are out of funds for the moment...

/Magnus

[bolets]

i controll my 3 audio zones with EG, usb-uirt and a marantz reciver with A and/or B sound. Works great.

[Livin]

Magnus,
This looks like a nice solution with a few caviets...
1) expensive!
2) serial control... not usb (most computers only have 1 serial port, some have none these days)

bolets,
Can you explain the setup and control config?

[sjolof]

Livin,

If you skip the touchscreen you need a pc with eg running, amplifier (I use a 2-channel), speaker switch and a bunch of speakers. Amplifier and speaker switch costed me apr. 650EUR.

You can use RS232, X10 or IR to control the switch. USB-RS232 adapter works fine.

Example:
Here is the command in EG for increase volume level of all channels when using link who ends with "?alla_upp"
<Macro Name="Alla_Upp">
<Event Name="alla_upp" />
<Action>
Serial.Write(u'[0007]')
</Action>
</Macro>


Here is the command in EG for decrease volume level of all channels when using link who ends with "?alla_ned"
<Macro Name="Alla_Ned">
<Event Name="alla_ned" />
<Action>
Serial.Write(u'[0008]')
</Action>
</Macro>

You just have to map everything (volume level 8 on channel 4 is serial string "XXXX" etc...)

Here is a pic from where I just touch what zone I┬┤d like to control and a popup window appear.
There I can select on-off, volume level (in 12 steps and +-)


I also have connected my home security system (which I have added a web server board) and Tellstick and also a I/O-board (to see if garage door is open or not etc...)

If you compare the price of this system with others it┬┤s a bargain. Everything is web-based and you can reach it from wherever you can find a network/internet.

/Magnus

[CollinR]

Look'n good sjolof! I too do the web interface quite a bit now, albeit mine is setup for low resolution PDAs and mobiles.

Livin, do you have 2 soundcards in the machine to play with?

Keep in mind what most of these guys are doing with speaker switches is same content in all zones, dunno if thats what you desire or not.

If you have 2 soundcards just install Winamp twice and configure each install to use a different soundcard. Be sure to enable "allow multiple instances" then under plugins, output, configure each to use whichever soundboard you desire.

Add the SoundFX plugin to EventGhost and build a couple of macros.