RE: Charmed Quark - automation software - AVR300

["David Pullen" <dpullen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tony

It would be great to get Arcam to implement something like xAP/xPL but I
think that would take some time (if it ever happened). However, it
should be relatively easy to write a connector for the Arcam that runs
on a PC that is connected to the Arcam. The connector could do all the
work of converting between the Arcam protocol and xAP/xPL.

The Arcam is on my shortlist (which is why I mentioned it) but I am
still working on the AV/Family room itself, which has been a major
project (ie virtually a rebuild!). It certainly sounds excellent and
pretty well-priced. I haven't seen a full review but the "First
Tests"
in What HiFi gave it 5* unreservedly. I particularly like the way in
which channels could be redirected, eg biamping of the front channels
and the easy addition of other power amps. The serial control was a real
bonus as I have found very few AV receivers with the capability. The
serial commands are documented in the user guide that you can get from
the support area on their website. The implementation is not perfect but
it is smarter than most. It provides two-way comms and changes via the
remote or the front panel result in a message being issued over the
serial port :).

BR
David


Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2004 16:03:56 +0100 (BST)
From: lists@xxxxxxx
Subject: Charmed Quark - automation software

A rarity (for me!) - a 100% ON topic post ;)

Thinking about getting the Arcam AVR300 amp mentioned elsewhere, I
stumbled across this software:
http://www.charmedquark.com/index.htm

this is yet another home automation controlling program, though it
controls some more esoteric devices such as dvd players, A/V amps etc.

Thought it might be of interest to some of you, and was wondering has
anyone had any experience of this and/or has any comments on it?

And has anyone from the xAP/xPL camp been talking to Arcam to get them
to
support one of their protocols, since the amps are PC conrollable? ;)

cheers,

T.