1. What is the difference between multi-source and single-source hubs/ MCUs?
A single source hub (MCU100) will allow you to listen to one audio source in each room at the same time. A multi-source hub (MCU300) will allow you to listen to different audio sources in each room at the same time.

2. What entertainment equipment can I connect?
Opus 300 is compatible with virtually any piece of entertainment equipment which has an infra-red remote control. This may include tuners, CD players, DVD players, VCRs, satellite digi-boxes etc. The exception to this is Bang and Olufsen equipment which features a very unusual high frequency IR signal that is incompatible with Opus 300.

3. How many rooms can a system serve?
Each MCU100 can serve 4 main zones and each MCU300 can serve 4 main zones and 4 sub zones. 4 MCU’s can be chained together giving up to 16 main zones and (with MCU 300) 16 sub zones. If a larger system is required it is possible to have two or more separate systems running independently giving unlimited expandability.

4. Can I use any Cat 5 cable or must I use the orange Opus 300 Cat 5 cable?
If you wish to, you can use any type of Cat5 or CAT5e cable. Opus 300 provides colour-coded Cat5e cables which make our systems easy to install where multiple runs of Cat5e cable are being used for different systems in a property.

5. Do I have to use Opus 300 speakers?
No, you can use most types and makes of speakers, although ours are a good match as they have been optimised for the Opus 300 system. A professional dealer/ installer can recommend the best solution.

6. How does an Opus 300 Multi-Room Entertainment System cost?
The cost of an Opus 300 Multi-Room Entertainment System is very much dependent on your home and how you design your system. We believe that Opus 300 is one of the best entry-level systems available on the market today, offering high specifications and high value.

7. My home is ‘home run’ with cat5 and speaker cable – can I still use Opus 300?
Unfortunately Opus 300 cannot currently be run over a ‘home run’ Cat5 network, however the
Opus 500 Series Multi-Room Entertainment System can be adapted to run over this cabling
pattern. Click here to read more about the Opus 500 Series.

8. Will I be able to see what radio station, artist and track that I am listening to?
No. The Opus 300 WCU300 Wall Control Keypad features simple and intuitive 6 key operation but does not have an LCD display which would detail track and artist. If you would like a system with full ‘feedback’ on the display, we would recommend our Opus 500 Series Multi-Room System.

9. Can I integrate Opus 300 Multi-Room with other home automation systems?
Opus 300 can be fully integrated with Opus 300 Home Cabling and even fits within the same Cabinet.

10. Where do you recommend that the MCU is located?
The MCU can be located wherever you like! We would suggest that an under-stair cupboard might be appropriate so that all of your audio and video equipment can be stored out of site. Alternatively, you might like to keep your audio-video equipment in the lounge and locate the MCU there.

11. Can Opus 300 pre-wiring be upgraded to Opus 500?
This would very much depend on how your property was wired. We would recommend that a site survey by one of our professional dealer/installers would be the best way of establishing this.

12. How many remote controls can the system have?
You can use as many remote controls as you would like, these can be Opus 300 remote controls
and the original remote controls for your source equipment.

13. Can the system form part of a surround sound set up in my lounge?
Yes. The MCU100 and MCU300 both have a ‘loop out’ facility that allows all the sources that are connected to them to be ‘looped’ to an A/V or surround-sound setup if required. The same sources can then be used for multi-room use around the house and surround sound use in the main room.

14. What advice can you give for keypad location?
When deciding where to put the keypad you should avoid putting in direct sunlight or in close proximity to plasma screens as this can affect IR performance. Care should also be taken locating it near to devices that produce electrical noise such as lighting dimmers. Finally do not mount the keypad where there is line of sight to another keypad as doing this can make it hard to control each keypad individually.

15. Is there a maximum recommended cable run?
Yes, the maximum cable run is 100 feet (30M). Do not use cable lengths greater than this as correct operation cannot be guaranteed as the power provided over the Cat5e cable will not be strong enough.

16. How do I access the CCTV function?
To access the benefits of a CCTV function, a Video Switching Unit (VSU) should be used in conjunction with the MCU. Any CCTV system connected to both the MCU and VSU can then be selected as a source by the WCU and viewed/listened to on the zone’s connected TV and speaker system. For more information on this function, a consultation with one of our professional installers is recommended.

For more information on Opus installations Please contact us