7. Controlling your multi-room audio system
It's been a tough day. You punch a few buttons on your wall-mounted keypad and the kitchen is flooded with heavy rock-tracks. Work is still on your brain and the music sounds softer than usual. You pump up the volume and bass levels and the tension slowly drains away.
Meanwhile – sensing your angst – your partner escapes down the hallway, out the French doors and onto the deck. With the touch of a button on a discreet outdoor keypad the night air fills with the softness of classic love songs. This could turn out to be your lucky night after all.
Away in the lounge, the kids are getting their fill of burgers, fries and R&B. As they jump about the room they flick and change between music tracks and 91 ZMs radio DJ.
It's almost as if the controls and technology don't exist – just the music. With the right control interface, that's the way multi-room audio can be for you too.
There are several ways to control a multi-room audio system. If you can, have a play with some of the different controllers on the market and see which ones you feel comfortable using.
Remote controls:
Multi-room remote controls can be teamed up with infrared sensors positioned throughout your home. Press a button on the remote and the network of infrared sensors will relay the command back to the relevant source component. A good remote can control several components with ease.
Controlling music zones
A multi-room remote will let you select and play music in a 'zone'. A music zone is a room or area of your home or yard that you listen to music in. A zone might be called 'bedroom1', or 'lounge' or 'patio'. And each zone is set up with its own speakers. Simply select a zone to play music in and the speakers in that room are called into action. It makes control logical and easy, don't you reckon?
Keypads:
Placing a few keypads around your home can be handy. Perhaps you'd like one beside your bed so you can switch tracks and radio stations to suit your morning mood. Keypads are very discreet (about the size of a light switch) so they won't dominate your décor.
One keypad can control several components and offers a number of controls for each component. The level of control varies, depending on which keypad you're using and what components it's connected to.
Wireless control:
If you don't want to fuss about with the wiring and installation of in-wall keypads or infra-red sensors throughout your house, you might be interested in some wireless control options.
Wireless controllers work much the same way as a remote control does, except they can send control signals through walls and floorboards. They can have colour screens and plenty of graphical icons to make selections quick and simple.
Mixing and matching controls
Simple control is the goal. The good news is that you don't need to worry about the details of which models and brands of controller will work with your components. A good Entertainment Specialist will be able to sort it out for you. You just get to play.
Wired or wireless?
Don't waste hours or days looking at the wrong type of multi-room products. One of the first and biggest decisions you need to be make is whether a wired or wireless solution will be better for you. The answer can be very straightforward.