We’re about to purchase an HTD Lync whole home audio system. We were about to purchase the HTDNET accessory, but then the salesman said that if we’re connecting a home automation system via RS-232, we wouldn’t need the HTDNET.
I’ve seen people talk about the possibility of this working, but I haven’t seen any posts of anyone who’s actually set it up.
Has anyone set up their HTD system to be controlled by Vera? If so, how? I have the RS-232 protocol for the HTD system, but am worried that this is beyond my skill level to really figure out.
Basically, should we attempt to set this up to be controlled by Vera via the RS-232 or just go with HTD’s wifi remote system (it’s $149)?
I need my whole-home amplifier to be on a different floor than VERA. So while the Russound support for VERA may be great, it is apparently direct connect RS232 to USB only, not via TCP/IP - which in my mind would be required to be really great…
I use a PortServer to connect to my Russound units. RS-232 RJ-45 Serial-to-Ethernet | Digi PortServer TS | Digi International It is RS-232 to Ethernet. However, I hacked up my own Russound plugin and don’t use the supported plugin. The Russound units I got were around $550 for 4 zones; I got 3 of them and hooked them up to the PortServer.
I am also wanting to use the HTD system. I need 2 6 zone units, but hope a plug in can be done in Vera for it. Right now I’m waiting to see a plug in before I purchase. HTD tech support says they cannot do it right now.
I think I paid about $100 more for basically the same features. The Russound system I ended up with is certainly nicer though. I got a model which isn’t marketed any longer from a Russound dealer on Ebay. I know there is a lot of uncertainty around purchasing on Ebay and warranties but I had no problem. The seller was more than willing to work with me when my unit was DOA. Since he is a Russound dealer the RMA process went right through Russound. Russound even worked with me on troubleshooting the issue before issuing the RMA. I am happy to refer him to anyone interested.
You can add things like a door bell with a Russound add on. I think the only thing the HTD Lync system offers which you don’t see in Russound systems is the input at the keypad. Easily fixed with blutooth sources. Such as this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009OBCAW2
Yes. 8 zones, per device. There is no reason you couldn’t simply add more amps. This is the same way HTD devices work. You would split the input to both amps.
As far as the Russound plugin being solid. Well, it does what it says it does. Not sure what else you could ask for. It also has support in AutHomation which I personally find very useful.
I could see HTD as being a reasonable system if there were a Vera plugin, but there isn’t. Really there is no comparison in my mind between something like Russound and Sonos. I guess Sonos would be good if you were an apartment dweller or something like that where you couldn’t put speakers in your walls or ceilings. Otherwise it’s just an entirely different world. The slickness of having the speakers built in and spread apart and the wall mounted key pads beats the bag out of having boom box type things on shelves all over the place.
Well done on the Nuvo. I’ve always been quietly envious of the 24bit / 96HZ streaming & decoding!
The Sonos to Russound comparisons are as S-F put it, completely different worlds. Amplified and unamplified, speakers or not, decentralized wireless mesh (and wired) audio streaming vs centralized wired sound distribution and control points. The Nuvo and Sonos, being decentralized, tie into top end systems better than the Russound. As far as I can see, the Russound seems more for ambient. The good thing is they’re interoperable.
If you have a Nuvo you’re happy with, can you use that to drive the Russound or whatever you end up with? I’m looking at driving my six zone Russound MCA-C3 with a circa 2007 ZP80 streaming my 12,000+ lossless tracks from my synology NAS & RDIO, and putting the play 1, 3 and 5 in areas not set up (garage, gym, gym bathroom) with Russound. Once I get the Myro Russound Sonos Adapter, maybe more Sonos Zones will get added to drive the Russound since I could get 3 ZP90 that do more for the same price as a Russound Streamer.
Of course for critical listening I’m not throwing away my Harman Kardon / Polk / Sonos zone either!
S-F, my biggest question/ concern about the entire A/V is controlling the entire system without wall plates. The HTD no keypad system seems to work that way control each zone via there website interface. Is the russound system the same? If so that seems like a great deal, I have heard great thing about russound.
