From: hollan@INRS-Telecom.UQuebec.CA (Rene Hollan)
Newsgroups: rec.audio,sci.electronics
Subject: Sony DST Multi-room mini-review
Keywords: multi-room, digital
Date: 28 Sep 92 14:29:30 GMT
Organization: INRS Telecommunications

The following is a mini-review of the Sony DST multi-room system. (Net folk
have provided me with valuable information lately, so I thought I'd share
some information that may be of interest and isn't easy to come by (at least
it wasn't for me)). This is a long post (more than 100 lines), so if you're
not interested, skip it now.

This review is based only on information provided in Sony's Digital Signal
Transfer System Master Room Kit and Digital Link Room Kit manuals - I have
not used the equipment itself, but am considering the eventual purchase of
a multi-room system (or designing my own). Any errors or omissions are
unintentional. I'd like to hear about other multi-room systems that people
know about as well.

1.0 OVERVIEW

This system uses RG-59 coax (i.e. "cable") wiring to distribute audio and
video to as many as 16 zones from a master location. An MX-RF1 RF
splitter/combiner accepts connections from the master TA-DM1000ES unit and
a cable (or antenna) feed and distributes them to as many as four locations.
Each such feed can be split further so as to accomodate up to 16 different
locations (and the master room).

2. Master Unit: TA-DM1000ES

The TA-DM1000ES supports unbalanced stereo analog inputs (read RCA
connector) from a tuner, two CD players, a cassette deck, a second cassette
deck or DAT deck, a VCR, a second VCR or Laser Disk player, and TV or
AUX audio. Unbalanced stereo analog outputs are provided for the record
inputs on the cassette and VCR decks. One of the CD players may be connected
via an optical digital input as well.

Both video connections support composite video input and output as well as
the audio input/output (obviously). There is no provision for S-Video.

Main outputs include unbalanced stereo audio and composite video, as well
as a RF cable connection for a TV tuner (or VCR tuner). An audio processor
loop input/output is provided. The audio output is available at pre-amp
output and headphone connections and is adjustable with a volume control.

As a convenience, six switched AC outlets are provided on the rear panel and
can handle a total of 900 watts.

Control of attached components is achieved with five 4-pin control-S
connections for Sony audio components, two control-S mini-plug connections
for Sony video components, and seven IR flasher mini-plug connections for use
with components using IR remote control. Control-S and IR mini-plug inputs
are provided to control the unit, as well as a front panel IR sensor.

Connection of Sony control-S controlled equipment is straightforward. Other
equipment (with the exception of a Tuner) can be controlled by programming
the codes (the TA-DM1000ES has an IR learn mode) for Power ON/OFF (video
devices only), PLAY, STOP, PAUSE, REWIND, FAST FORWARD, SEARCH NEXT, and
SEARCH PREVIOUS for each of these devices in the TA-DM1000ES and using IR
flashers.

3. Remote Control: RM-P1

The RM-P1 remote control has universal PLAY, STOP, PAUSE, REWIND, FAST
FORWARD, SEARCH NEXT, and SEARCH PREVIOUS buttons. The master unit translates
these for each device as appropriate. The remote can also be taught the
codes for 0-9, ENTER, TV/VIDEO, channel up/down, TV on/off, and TV volume
up/down for a television. In addition, it can be taught to have the TV switch
to a video input when a video source is selected. Tuner preset (next and
previous), master volume, 20 dB muting, disk skip (for Sony multi-disk
players), cassette side select (Sony units only), power, and "priority"
controls complete the remote control button set. The "priority" button allows
one to "take over" a unit that is already in use (perhaps controlled from a
remote location). One does not have to take over a unit to monitor it.

4. Remote Receiver: TA-DL100

The TA-DL100 remote receiver has connections for RF in (cable and DST signals)
from the MX-RF1 splitter/combiner, RF out (to a local TV or VCR), an RMR-TP1
wired control panel, IR receiver, local unbalanced analog stereo audio input,
variable unbalanced analog stereo audio out (for connection to an outboard
amp), speaker connections (using an internal 2x40W amp). Back panel controls
include an "address switch" to identify the receiver, and bass and treble
(+/- 8dB) controls to compensate for room accoustics. This unit can be
controlled via the wired RMR-TP1 panel or the RM-P1 remote control (using a
wired IR receiver). The wired panel allows control of power on/off, source
selection, volume, and muting and includes an IR receiver.

5. Signal Distribution

Up two three different audio source signals (CD1 and two others) can be
digitally distributed (44.1 kHz sampling) to any and all remote locations
simultaneously. As well, a single video source can be distributed. The
video portion is broadcast on cable channel 66. The audio that accompanies
video transmission is distributed as an analog signal :-( (and appears to be
monoaural, to boot :-(  :-( ).

6. Quirks and Deficiencies(IMHO)

The CD1 optical digital input is used to provide the CD1 signal broadcast to
remote locations, but the CD1 analog input is used to provide the CD1 signal
in the master room.

Only one digital audio input (optical) is accomodated at the master location.

No provision is made for digital audio output in remote locations.

No provision is made for switching S-Video in the master location.

No provision is made for balanced audio connections (O.K., so this is a
commercial product, and I'm picking nits).

Video is broadcast as a standard TV channel, subject to all the bandwith
limitations associated with this scheme. Acompanying audio appears to be
mono.

Recording can only take place in the master location, using the TA-DM1000ES
front panel. When recording, remote control of the source and recorder is
not possible (This is probably a useful safety feature).

A third stereo audio + composite video input is provided behind a "hidden"
front panel on the TA-DM1000ES, and can only be selected at the TA-DM1000ES.
This can be used to support connection to a camcorder.

So, wadda ya tink? Personally, I'd like to see more support for digital
audio inputs and outputs, more audio channels distributed and/or better
video distribution and S-Video support. I wonder what the next generation of
the Sony DST system will be like (should I wait?).

How does this compare with other multi-room distribution systems?


- Rene Hollan
hollan@inrs-telecom.uquebec.ca