Little Zone 2 Gotchas

[starford]

I've been playing with Zone 2 functions on my C1, and have found a few things out via trial and error-

1. For video, you have one option: composite video. Clever specifications readers may have picked this out of the specs list, but I missed it. There are no S-Video or Component outputs associated w/Zone 2 specifically. You could used the Record S-Video output, but that one always shows what on the main screen, and can't be switched seperatly.

2. I had to connect the audio as a standard line-in to the Zone 2 amp (a receiver, actually). I tried to set the receiver in 'theater-direct' mode, bypassing the gain stage, and got a lot of ground loop buzz. This presents a problem: I now have two gain stages in-line for this output; the Halo's Zone 2 volume (default set to -20 dB) and the receiver in Zone 2. To get any meaningful volume out of it I had to run the Halo's Z2 gain all the way up to 0 dB. Since the default at power-on is -20, it means I have to turn it on and run the volume up on the C1 just to get started. I checked w/HaloContol, and -20 is the highest default gain setting for Z2 available.

3. Operating the system from Z2 requires every function to be prefaced with a press of the Zone button. This is because I have the IR receiver in Z2 wired to the main IR repeater block. I think I have to do this so Z2 IR commands for other devices (DVD, for example) get repeated out to them by the dist. block. If I wire Z2's IR pickup direct to the C1, how will the other gear see the commands? Will the C1 repeat them out? Hmmm...

I haven't tried to use any digital outputs on Zone 2 has theres nothing in Z2 that can decode them. I assume that would all work as expected.

[Chris D]

Good info, Starford! Here's something else I'm trying to figure out regarding Zone 2, that I can't quite determine from the manual:

Can the C1/C2 output ANY audio signal input to the analog left and right zone 2 audio output? This would include analog input, balanced input, 7.1 inputs, and digital inputs. Or does it only output analog outputs?

Here's why I ask: I want to be able to send audio from any source to my Zone 2, which I have hooked up to an all-home audio system. I need to know whether I can go with only digital connections from a satellite and DVD player, and possibly a 7.1 connection to a DVD-A/SACD player, or whether I have to hook up an ADDITIONAL stereo analog connection to these items just for zone 2 output capability.




CHRIS
Luke: "Hey, I'm not such a bad pilot myself, you know"

[starford]

To expand a little on this activity:

I bought a Xantech ZC21 to solve the Zone 1/2 problem, and have had limited success with it. This unit is essentially a simple version of Xantech's big multizone repeater block, optimized for two zone operation. It gives you two discreet IR receiver inputs and three IR repeater outputs, one specific to Zone 1 (a pass-through for the Zone 1 IR receiver), one specific for Zone 2 (ditto) and one that combines them called Common.

This looks like the ideal solution for the C1/2. I cabled the Zone 1/2 IR repeater outputs directly to the C1 and cabled the Common output to the (already existing) amplified block to flash all the rest of the repeaters. This gives me control over the racked gear from any room and unique inputs to the C1 for each room.

The problem is it doesn't work. Or, I should clarify, the C1 doesn't seem to discriminate between Zone 1 and Zone 2 commands. The ZC21 seems to be doing it's job, as each room's pickup does creates a signal on the Zone 1/2 outputs and Common output. The C1, however, treats all remote commands as if they're coming from the main zone. The idea was that IR commands arriving on the Zone IR input would be treated as if they were for Zone 2 only (ie prefaced with the Zone button everytime). I think the Xantech is OK and the Halo is broken (or not software enabled).

Maybe more testing will reveal some answers...

[jkscherk]

starford,

I too went through all of the things you've done...and then some. Here's the missing piece of the puzzle: the main IR input and the zone IR input on the back of the unit treat signals exactly the same. In other words, just because you plug into the zone IR, doesn't mean that it only affects zone. You still need to preceed all commands with the zone button. This is in direct contradiction to what the manual states. I verified with Tony at Parasound and he informed me that the person who did the tech writing was wrong.

Personlly I think this a completely crappy answer and solution. What the heck is the point of having a zone input and a main input if they do the same thing?! I would REALLY hope that this is addressed in the next software update.

John