newbie help please - long post

["marcmchawi" <marcmchawi@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello,=20

I have just bought my first home and am interested in automating it.=20
My only experience so far is a Phillips Pronto for all my AV=20
equipment and a Lutron light switch.=20

I know what I want to achieve, but am unsure of where to start. I=20
have read a lot on various websites but really need some assistance=20
from those who know.=20

Here are the things I wish to achieve.=20

1. Distribution of AV to more than one room - At present I have a=20
DVD, Sky box, VHS, X-box, CD/Minidisc all running through a Yamaha=20
DSP A2 amp into a Panasonic Widescreen TV. I want to be able to=20
distribute this to the lounge and bedroom with IR control, maybe=20
even housing all the equipment in Node 0. I have seen a new Yamaha=20
amp that has 3 zones -  2 video and 1 audio only - how do I get the=20
signals to the right place. Do I use some of the stuff I've seen on=20
www.kat5.tv or do I buy very long s-vhs leads

2. Whole house audio =96 I know top end systems are out of my price=20
range, so just some hardwired speakers in the kitchen, bedrooms and=20
maybe bathroom will do. I have an Ipod and have seen the Seaonce=20
port which I like and would want to use this as the main library of=20
songs anyone know how this connects to the amp and how do I control=20
the volume in each room

3. Lighting =96 I love the idea of auto occupancy lighting, but I am=20
unsure of what other levels of control this offers? Do I opt for=20
hardwired pir or the stcik on RF versions

Thanks in advnace