A system for accomplishing bi-directional digital audio data and control communications in a vehicle interior, comprising: a host end comprising host components that comprise a host transceiver, a host digital signal processor that outputs a master clock signal and audio data, and a low-voltage power supply; a plurality of remote nodes (20,30,40,20a) connected together serially, each remote node comprising remote components that comprise a remote transceiver, first and second low voltage differential signaling, LVDS drivers/receivers, and a remote low-voltage power supply that provides power to the other remote node components; a shielded two-wire communication network that carries LVDS signals and connects the host end to one of the remote nodes and each remote node to either one or two other remote nodes in a daisy-chain configuration; wherein the host end is enabled to transmit and receive over the communication network digital audio data and digital control signals, wherein the audio data and the control signals are transmitted together in discrete data frames that each comprise forward data sent from the host end and return data sent from a remote node, and wherein the remote nodes are each assigned a regular frame slot such that they send return data to the host transceiver at regular intervals; and wherein the source of low-voltage power at the host end is coupled to the communication network via a signal isolator, the remote power supplies each have an input coupled to the communication network via a signal isolator to derive the power for the remote nodes from the power coupled to the network by the host end, and the shield acts as a common current return for the power. a host end comprising host components that comprise a host transceiver, a host digital signal processor that outputs a master clock signal and audio data, and a low-voltage power supply; a plurality of remote nodes (20,30,40,20a) connected together serially, each remote node comprising remote components that comprise a remote transceiver, first and second low voltage differential signaling, LVDS drivers/receivers, and a remote low-voltage power supply that provides power to the other remote node components; a shielded two-wire communication network that carries LVDS signals and connects the host end to one of the remote nodes and each remote node to either one or two other remote nodes in a daisy-chain configuration; wherein the host end is enabled to transmit and receive over the communication network digital audio data and digital control signals, wherein the audio data and the control signals are transmitted together in discrete data frames that each comprise forward data sent from the host end and return data sent from a remote node, and wherein the remote nodes are each assigned a regular frame slot such that they send return data to the host transceiver at regular intervals; and wherein the source of low-voltage power at the host end is coupled to the communication network via a signal isolator, the remote power supplies each have an input coupled to the communication network via a signal isolator to derive the power for the remote nodes from the power coupled to the network by the host end, and the shield acts as a common current return for the power.