Amp in another room
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Discussion

BigBen

Original Poster:

12,110 posts

252 months

Saturday 17th January
quotequote all
Hello,

My current home cinema system is based on an amplifier in the living room where it sits next to a sky box, dvd player etc. The ideal would be to have all the kit (except a PS5) in the basement / server area.

This leads to my question, how can I control all the stuff in the basement? I have a neeo remote which would be perfect but they sold out and stopped supporting it. The ideal would be a remote with some kind of feedback to confirm stuff like the amp being in the right mode etc. Any suggestions?

TEKNOPUG

20,199 posts

227 months

Saturday 17th January
quotequote all
What make and model is the amp?

BigBen

Original Poster:

12,110 posts

252 months

Saturday 17th January
quotequote all
Onkyo TX-RZ840 it can be controlled by IR or RS232 (I think)

Ben

TEKNOPUG

20,199 posts

227 months

Saturday 17th January
quotequote all
Can you not control it over wifi via the Onkyo App on a phone?

BigBen

Original Poster:

12,110 posts

252 months

Sunday 18th January
quotequote all
TEKNOPUG said:
Can you not control it over wifi via the Onkyo App on a phone?
I think it is too old to have that. I was considering replacing it then looked at how much the modern day equivalent is and decided not to.


ARH

1,493 posts

261 months

Sunday 18th January
quotequote all
Can you use something like this from broadlink https://www.amazon.co.uk/Broadlink-RM-MAX-Universa...

I used one of their products for year until recently.

simon_harris

2,531 posts

56 months

Sunday 18th January
quotequote all
How are you managing the hdmi signal? If you can do that with ARC then that will mange the amp from the TV

TEKNOPUG

20,199 posts

227 months

Sunday 18th January
quotequote all
BigBen said:
TEKNOPUG said:
Can you not control it over wifi via the Onkyo App on a phone?
I think it is too old to have that. I was considering replacing it then looked at how much the modern day equivalent is and decided not to.
You could use IR repeaters to send the signals but I don't see any way to actual monitor what any of the settings are. You'd need to replace the receiver for that.

Arrivalist

2,232 posts

21 months

Sunday 18th January
quotequote all
HDMI-CEC If your equipment supports in.

I have a remote Denon AV receiver that I control directly from the TV remote.


BigBen

Original Poster:

12,110 posts

252 months

Sunday 18th January
quotequote all
Arrivalist said:
HDMI-CEC If your equipment supports in.

I have a remote Denon AV receiver that I control directly from the TV remote.
That would work. But I am missing the detail that I want to use the amp to select different sources AND switch between a TV and a projector as required. I suspect this is beyond CEC

Arrivalist

2,232 posts

21 months

Sunday 18th January
quotequote all
BigBen said:
Arrivalist said:
HDMI-CEC If your equipment supports in.

I have a remote Denon AV receiver that I control directly from the TV remote.
That would work. But I am missing the detail that I want to use the amp to select different sources AND switch between a TV and a projector as required. I suspect this is beyond CEC
Yeah, that won’t work for all that functionality.

An RS-232 to Ethernet adapter, plugged into your router would work IF you can then get an app to control the amp. I’m guessing from you post earlier that the amp doesn’t support that.

To be honest, a new amp with app support would solve all your problems.

My Denon is plugged into my router so when I want to change sources, it’s just use the Denon remote or HEOS app.

Best of luck!

Techno9000

209 posts

98 months

Monday 19th January
quotequote all
BigBen said:
Onkyo TX-RZ840 it can be controlled by IR or RS232 (I think)

Ben
As previously mentioned use the Onkyo mobile app.

A quick search found Onkyo documents that say your model is compatible with it...

"Three-zone powered D/A audio distribution is easily managed from your smartphone. With state-of-the art connectivity and custom-installation interfaces included, it’s the TX-RZ840’s visceral presence you’ll find most difficult to resist."

"NETWORK FEATURES
SMART AV Receiver supports multi-room streaming and Onkyo Controller*7"

"*7 Available free at the App Store and Google Play for iPhone, iPad, and Android
devices. Please check device and OS requirements before installation."


Looks like a serious piece of kit! thumbup

Edited by Techno9000 on Monday 19th January 20:49

BigBen

Original Poster:

12,110 posts

252 months

Monday 19th January
quotequote all
Techno9000 said:
As previously mentioned use the Onkyo mobile app.

A quick search found Onkyo documents that say your model is compatible with it...

"Three-zone powered D/A audio distribution is easily managed from your smartphone. With state-of-the art connectivity and custom-installation interfaces included, it s the TX-RZ840 s visceral presence you ll find most difficult to resist."

"NETWORK FEATURES
SMART AV Receiver supports multi-room streaming and Onkyo Controller*7"

"*7 Available free at the App Store and Google Play for iPhone, iPad, and Android
devices. Please check device and OS requirements before installation."


Looks like a serious piece of kit! thumbup

Edited by Techno9000 on Monday 19th January 20:49
That is excellent news thank you. The amp is away being fixed after I blew up one of the channels, but will report back.

I also found a home assistant integration for it today which may provide more scope