Residential Audio & Video Systems Copyright © 2005 Heathkit Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved Presentation 16 – A-Bus ® Audio Distribution Systems

2 Objectives At the end of this presentation, you will be able to:

3 Define A-Bus and explain how it differs from traditional analog audio distribution systems. Identify the components of a typical A-Bus system and explain the purpose of each. Identify the nature of the inputs and outputs of each component in an A-Bus system. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of A- Bus compared to tradition analog audio distribution systems.

4 What is A-Bus? A registered trademarks of LeisureTech Electronics Limited in Australia. An analog audio distribution technology. Introduced in the United States in 2000, it has quickly become popular as an alternative to traditional analog audio distribution. The de facto standard for analog audio distribution via CAT5 cable.

5 The A-Bus® and A-Bus Ready® logos

6 Traditional Analog Audio Distribution Centralized Audio Amplifier. Audio distributed as high level analog signals. Audio distributed via 16 gauge (or larger diameter) speaker wires. Minimal equipment at outlying sites, two speakers, volume control, and possibly a remote control extender.

7 A-Bus Characteristics Uses CAT5 or better cable. Uses multiple outlying amplifiers instead of a single centralized amplifier. Distribution center distributes audio and power to the outlying amplifiers. User can readily control centralized equipment from outlying locations.

8 A-Bus Advantages Less cable loss. Balanced output less susceptible to noise pickup. Easy to install. Remote control from outlying sites is an integral part of system. Wiring may be suitable for upgrade to digital distribution system at a later date.

9 A-BUS ® HUB IN OUT VDC CD Player Interface Module Hub Room 1 Room 2 AMP

10 Interface Module

11 A-BUS ® HUB IN OUT VDC

12 A-BUS Hub

13 RJ-45 Connector Strain Relief Crimp Contacts Latch Wires

14 Blue/Blue-White Pair Brown/Brown-White Pair Orange/Orange-White Pair Green/Green-White Pair

15 Cat5 Cable Right Audio IR Signal Power Ground + - Left Audio + - Status A-BUS Function

16 Cat5 Cable WireA-BUS Function BrownPower Brown/WhiteGround BlueIR Signal Blue/WhiteStatus GreenLeft Audio Green/WhiteLeft Audio (Common) OrangeRight Audio Orange/WhiteRight Audio (Common)

17 Integrated Cable Bundle Two CAT 5e and Two RG-6 CAT 5e UTP RG-6 Coax

18 Master Bed Den J.D.’s Room Bean’s Room Guest RoomOffice Kitchen Media Room INPUT OUTPUT Coax Distribution Hub A-Bus Distribution Hub Ethernet Distribution HubSERVICE INPUT HUB Zone Distribution Area Hub Area A-Bus Hub

19 Amplifier/Volume Control Amplifier Volume Control

20 CAT5 Cable Punch-Down Block Speaker Wires

21 IR Control in A-Bus Hand-held Remote IR Detector Interface Module IR Cable Audio Source

22 A-BUS ® HUB IN OUT VDC Audio Source Interface Module Hub Room 1 Room 2 AMP

23 The IR Cable

24 A-BUS ® HUB IN OUT VDC CD Player Interface Module Hub Room 1 Room 2 AMP

25 Local Room Input Module

26 Zone A Out Zone B Out Zone C Out Zone D Out IR OUT 24 VDC IN IR IN

Residential Audio & Video Systems Copyright © 2005 Heathkit Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved End