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1. What is the difference between multi-source
and single-source hubs/ MCUs?
A single source hub (Octopus MCU100) will allow you to listen to one audio
source in each room at the same time. A multi-source hub (Octopus MCU300)
will allow you to listen to different audio sources in each room at the
same time.
2. What entertainment equipment can I connect?
Octopus 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 Octopus.
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 Octopus Cat 5 cable?
If you wish to, you can use any type of Cat5 or CAT5e cable. Octopus 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 Octopus speakers?
No, you can use most types and makes of speakers, although ours are a good
match as they have been optimised for the Octopus system. A professional
dealer/ installer can recommend the best solution.
6. How does an Octopus Multi-Room Entertainment
System cost?
The cost of an Octopus Multi-Room Entertainment System is very much dependent
on your home and how you design your system. We believe that Octopus 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 Octopus?
Unfortunately Octopus 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 Octopus 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 Octopus Multi-Room with other
home automation systems?
Octopus can be fully integrated with Octopus 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 Octopus 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 Octopus
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.
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