What is the Matrix?

The Matrix, according to the movie by the same name, is control.

When it comes to my clients' audio/video systems, simplified control of the system often begins as a low priority, but usually ends up as a "must have". That's especially true in systems where music and video are distributed throughout the house, which we’ll discuss here.

Smart Remote Control

Take a look at the coffee table in your living room.  Chances are you’ve got a remote for your television, one for the cable box, another one for your DVD player.

You probably have one or two for your sound system as well…and there isn’t a one you can actually read the buttons on.  Worse yet, pressing the wrong button can really put your evening’s entertainment in jeopardy. You shouldn’t dread family movie night.

All remote controls are not created equal. Here’s why.

Your new TV came with this really great remote control. "See how it lights up and changes to my favorite channel Woo-hoo!" But wait...what about the surround sound system? The cable box? The DVD player? The...well, you get the picture—every piece of gear comes with its own remote control. And when you add on extras like remote controlled lighting, draperies and a motorized video screen, the whole thing becomes sheer madness.

What does a "Zone 2" or "Multi-zone" House System mean?

“Zone 2” is a set of connections on a receiver/control center that allow you to run two different music sources at the same time: watch a movie in the family room while listening to FM radio in the den.  On many better  surround receivers, these “Zone 2” connections have a 2 channel amplifier available to them, so you can have music in more than one room without buying an additional amplifier. It’s a great value if you’re adding music to just a room or two in addition to the main room. 
 
“Multi-zone” is usually coupled with the term “multi-room”, as in “multi-room, multi-zone system”.  A zone is any room, or group of rooms, that can have a separate music source playing while another zone plays another music source.

Can I control different music playing in different rooms at the same time?

Yes you can!  This is one of the nicest benefits of a well-designed whole-house music system. 

You can have a movie playing in the family room while a CD plays in the kitchen.  That is just the starting point—more flexible systems can even go beyond that: FM radio plays in the study, music from Satellite Radio or Satellite TV plays outside by the patio, CDs are going in the master bedroom, while a movie is showing in the den, all at the same time, with independent control over volume, content, even tone!  The number of rooms you can have music in is only limited by your imagination and budget!  All of this is operated with an easy-to-use keypad control, or even a touchscreen, on the wall, or a sophisticated but simple-to-operate wireless remote control.  Our in-home system designers and installers can make it happen.