Posted 4/10/2008
Jim Carter's Technology Blog
There are several options for controlling a whole house music system out there. There are volume controls, keypads, RF remote controls and LCD touch pads; but what is the right choice for you? By the way, if you don't know what I'm talking about, you're not alone! Read on, curiosity doesn't always kill the cat.
Volume controls are a nice and affordable way to be able to adjust the volume in every room that you have music. The problem is you have no way of changing the sources (CD, radio etc). You also have no way to make adjustments on sources like changing tracks on a CD or changing stations on the radio.
Keypads or RF remote controls are what you want if you want to go to the next level of control. They give the ability to change tracks on CDs or change the radio station, and so much more. The keypads can mount on your wall in a space typically taken up by as little as 1 light switch! They are also programmable, so they make every common step you would take to do something combined into a one touch operation. The remote works in the same fashion with the luxury of being able to carry it around with you without it taking up any space on your wall. The drawback of the remote is that they don't give you the flexibility to have multiple things playing at the same time. As an example, little Johnny may want to listen to Green Day in his bedroom while you listen to Barry Manilow in the kitchen and family room.
Touch Pads are the ultimate because they give you 2 way feedback on what your system is doing. What I mean by that is, you can choose what song you want to listen to, let's say from your CD player or even your iPod. You can even see what radio station you are on. If you have XM or Sirius you can search your channels just like you do on the actual radio without having to leave the comfort of the room you are in! Some of the systems that are available even have touch pads available that can be run wirelessly!
There are many options which can fit into many different scenarios and many different budgets. It all depends on what you want out of your system and how much convenience you want to have to maximize your system. So what's it going to be, the lazy man's special with full control touchpads in every room? Or are you the type that likes running back and forth between your equipment and the room you are in to change things?
Volume controls are a nice and affordable way to be able to adjust the volume in every room that you have music. The problem is you have no way of changing the sources (CD, radio etc). You also have no way to make adjustments on sources like changing tracks on a CD or changing stations on the radio.
Keypads or RF remote controls are what you want if you want to go to the next level of control. They give the ability to change tracks on CDs or change the radio station, and so much more. The keypads can mount on your wall in a space typically taken up by as little as 1 light switch! They are also programmable, so they make every common step you would take to do something combined into a one touch operation. The remote works in the same fashion with the luxury of being able to carry it around with you without it taking up any space on your wall. The drawback of the remote is that they don't give you the flexibility to have multiple things playing at the same time. As an example, little Johnny may want to listen to Green Day in his bedroom while you listen to Barry Manilow in the kitchen and family room.
Touch Pads are the ultimate because they give you 2 way feedback on what your system is doing. What I mean by that is, you can choose what song you want to listen to, let's say from your CD player or even your iPod. You can even see what radio station you are on. If you have XM or Sirius you can search your channels just like you do on the actual radio without having to leave the comfort of the room you are in! Some of the systems that are available even have touch pads available that can be run wirelessly!
There are many options which can fit into many different scenarios and many different budgets. It all depends on what you want out of your system and how much convenience you want to have to maximize your system. So what's it going to be, the lazy man's special with full control touchpads in every room? Or are you the type that likes running back and forth between your equipment and the room you are in to change things?
What do I want to use to control my music in my house?