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What is distributed audio? |
Distributed audio systems were designed to eliminate the stacks of
audio gear and furniture in listening rooms. They typically have 4 inputs and 6
amplified outputs using a “black box” which is centrally located (e.g.
basement). It connects selected sources like CD players and tuners to listening
room speakers and is controlled by keypads.
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What makes digital systems better? |
Compared to traditional analog systems, digital systems deliver
crystal
clear sound from source devices to distant speakers without power loss, hum,
noise, distortion or frequency roll-off. Additionally, digital system
specifications are the same at 1000 ft as they are at 1 ft. Systems can also
grow one source and one room at a time all the way to 1024 each so the
homeowner only pays for what he needs.
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What are the system’s audio
specs? |
Touchscreen Amplifier
- Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (+.16 dB to -.58 dB)
- Total harmonic distortion (THD):
- <0.08% @ 1W (20Hz to 20kHz, 8 Ohms)
- <0.4% @ 25W (20Hz to 20kHz, 8 Ohms)
- <0.4% @ 35W (20Hz to 20kHz, 8 Ohms)
- Power:
- TS1-4/50 — 50 Watts Max (25 watts per channel on average)
- TS1-7/70 — 70 Watts Max (35 watts per channel on average)
Audio Encoder
- A to D sampling: 24 bits at 48 kHz (Note: CD players output only 16 bits at
44.1 kHz)
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): .007%
- Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz (-.38 dB to +.02 dB)
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| How
many SKUs does the system
have? |
6 main SKUs — Touchscreen Amplifier 4.7 Inch, Touchscreen Amplifier 7 Inch, Vibe Dock, Vibe Wall Dock, Audio
Encoder and Audio Server.
2 accessory SKUs — Bezel Insert (Black or white, with 10 color options), Power Coupler
4 Application Module Add-ons — Climate, CCTV, Security, Weather |
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What is included with each SKU? |
Touchscreen Amplifier – Touchscreen Amplifier, Power Supply
Audio Encoder – Audio Encoder, IR Control Cable, Power Supply
Power Coupler – Power Coupler
IR Learning Device – IR Learning Device, USB Cable
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Do you use digital audio
compression and if so, doesn’t that reduce sound
quality? |
The system provides uncompressed PCM encoding
(lossless) to
preserve
original audio quality. |
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| What
is the audio delay between
multiple Touchscreen Amplifiers? |
A few milliseconds - indiscernible. |
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What sources can I control? |
CD players, CD changers, AM/FM tuners, satellite
radio, satellite
TV, cable,
tape decks, iPods. iPod-like devices without IR control can be manually controlled
(e.g. in a kid’s bedroom) but played throughout the house. |
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| What
are the user touchscreen controls? |
Volume, mute, 5 band graphic equalizer, source
select, sleep timer, balance, LCD contrast, brightness, default power-on
volume,
display on/off, display language, and night modes. |
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Can the homeowner use a source’s
original IR remote in the listening room? |
Yes, the Touchscreen Amplifier will pass through
all the IR remote
commands. |
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| Will
the Touchscreen Amplifier’s
backlight adjust to the room’s ambient
light level? |
Yes, a built-in light sensor automatically
brightens and dims the
touchscreen’s backlight. |
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How about cost? |
The system is competitively priced with analog
systems, especially
if a 4 x
6 system needs to grow
or shrink by a port or two – the Colorado vNet system scales with homeowner
needs. |
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| Can
the system be included in a
mortgage? |
We have been told by bankers the system can be
included in the
mortgage, but
we suggest the homeowner check to be sure. |
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Is the system Federal Trade
Commission compliant? |
In 2004, the FTC mandated new guidelines covering
audio power
claims and
testing procedures. Manufacturers are now required to pass the required tests
or risk being fined and having their products being pulled from the market. All
Colorado vNet products pass the new requirements. |
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Do I need to centrally locate sources and Encoders? |
No, the system permits sources and Encoders to be
located anywhere in the house. For example, if the homeowner wants his CD
changer on his office desk so he can conveniently change CDs, that’s fine. Just
add an Encoder nearby and plug it into the network jack and the music is
available anywhere he wants it.
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| Can
I rack mount the Encoder? |
Yes, 8 Encoders will fit in a single Middle
Atlantic Decora™ 3U rack panel. Alternately, the Encoder can be mounted as a
set
top box. |
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| Can
I commission the system before going on
site? |
Yes, it’s designed to permit programming either
on-site or off-site. Once the system is commissioned, all setup data is
retained and can be moved to the site without concern. |
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| Do
I need to be an IT expert? |
No, we made it network plug and play (e.g. IP
addresses are automatically assigned). |
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| How
easy is it to use the Wizard in vNet Builder
during commissioning? |
Installers like the step-by-step wizard software
– no training necessary. The software has two main jobs – 1) create custom CE
device names (e.g. “Dad’s Office CD Player”) and 2) load IR codes from the
included database, the “learn” mode, or from imports. |
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| What
is the maximum cable length between
Encoder and Touchscreen? |
1,320 feet using three repeating Ethernet
switches (330 feet per leg). |
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| How
much bandwidth does the system consume? |
3 Mbps per active source. |
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| Does
the system need its own network? |
Yes, it avoids data congestion on the homeowner’s
network. Since most structured wiring installations double up on wiring and
jacks, the second network is typically available. |
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| What
are model numbers and FRU numbers
(Field Replacement Unit) for the product line? |
| Audio Server, 400/3 |
AS2-400/3 |
| Audio Server, 800/3 |
AS2-800/3 |
| Audio Server, 1200/6 |
AS2-1200/6 |
| 4.7 Inch Touchscreen with Amplifier |
TS1-4/50 |
| 7 Inch Touchscreen with Amplifier |
TS1-7/70 |
| TS1 Bezels and Inserts |
Please call for available selection |
| Vibe Dock |
ID1-1 |
| Vibe Wall Dock |
ID1-1W |
| Audio Encoder |
AN1-1 |
| Power Supply for TS1 Models |
18-0069 |
| Audio Encoder Power Supply |
18-0047 |
| Power Coupler |
PC1-1 |
| IR Learning Device |
LD1-1 |
| vNet Builder™ Software Available for
download |
Software
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| What's
happening to the CA1-70 touchscreen? |
With the release of the TS1-7/70 we will be phasing out the CA1-70. The TS1-70 has a higher screen resolution
and more designer options, and provides an elegant replacement for our popular touchscreen.
Colorado vNet will continue to offer technical support
and warranty service for all previously purchased CA1-70 touchscreen models.
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| Do
I need to buy my CAT5e cable through Colorado vNet?
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No, unlike our competitors, you can buy your cable from your favorite
suppliers without affecting the system warranty. It keeps your costs down and
convenience up. |
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| How does the rocker-style touchpad work?
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The basic technology uses capacitive sense,
similar to ATM machines. The
circuits electronically interpret the touch location of your finger. This data
is then mapped to the software to permit unique button sizes, locations and
functions (up, down, on, off). Builder™ software provides several templates to
make the job easy. |
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| How
do I print those gorgeous keypad labels with custom graphics?
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Through vNet Builder™ Software you can import any
number
of JPEGs, etc. for
backgrounds. You can also use third party tools such as Adobe Illustrator to
provide special affects (e.g. alpha blending) before importing. |
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| What’s the best way to get a rocker-style touchpad to match the wallpaper?
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Photograph the wallpaper and use the image as a
background for the Touchpad
label. Also insert a piece of wallpaper into a clear cover faceplate. (Home
Depot carries Paper-It-Wallpaper, single gang SKU 830321, dual gang SKU
830356). When done with care, the entire assembly will blend perfectly with the
wallpaper. It looks great! |
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| Can
the vNet system integrate with other systems (Crestron, AMX, etc.)?
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Yes – the RS-232 Gateway allows the vNet system to
be integrated with third party systems. |
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| Who
receives the emails about system problems?
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The integrator configures the addresses that will
receive these. Multiple
addresses may be configured. |
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| Can
motor speed be controlled?
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The Dimming Module is designed to control both
lamp and motor loads. Each
leg will control up to a 1/8 HP variable-speed motor load, and with ganging up
to a 1 HP motor may be controlled. |
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| Can
sunrise, sunset and time of day be used to govern system behavior?
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Yes. The bridge uses zip codes to determine
sunrise/sunset times, and these
can be used to trigger or govern events. For example, outdoor PIR-actuated
lights can be configured to turn on only after sunset. |
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| Is
coding needed to implement advanced conditional control logic?
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No – even advanced conditional logic up to three
levels deep is done with a simple GUI. |
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| What
are the differences between the Starhub 10 and Starhub 20?
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The Starhub 10 and Starhub
20 are designed to mount in
a wall cabinet and support up to 10 or 20 module connections, respectively, and are
daisy-chainable for expansion. |
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| How
does the system support the construction phases? Can I delay purchasing
equipment until near finishing?
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The Wall Cabinets and Dimmer Module Rough-In Kits
are the only components
installed during rough-in. Romex may be pulled at any time, and the Dimming
Module Rough-In Kit provides for temporary construction lighting if desired.
Both the Wall Cabinets and Dimmer Module Rough-In Kits include mud guards to
protect their interior until finishing phase, when the remaining modules are
installed. |
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| Is
the system UL listed? Other certifications?
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Yes, all components of the system are UL or ETL recognized and are labeled for inspection. |
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| What
is meant by “No Central Processor”? How does the system execute
conditional control logic?
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Unlike traditional systems which use central
processors to evaluate inputs and
create conditional control commands, the vNet system uses distributed
intelligence. Each module contains its own microprocessor and instructions for
how to respond to events. In the event of a processor failure, only the
affected module needs to be replaced, and the rest of the system continues
operating normally. |