Video Distribution

["Andy Laurence" <andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've been looking up video distribution solutions recently.  I plan to
have a play with MCE 2005 at some point and establish whether that meets my
needs.  The alternative to MCE is a video distribution system using a
matrix switcher and video transmission over CAT5 (or similar).  I thought
I'd found the ideal solution in the form of the Opus Octopus system (http://www.opus-technologies.co.uk),
but firstly, it only supports composite video, and secondly, the video
module only switches locally.  I'd then need to distribute the video from
Node0 seperately.  I'm not willing to shell out on the more expensive
solutions, but as always, I'm open to bargains and grow-yer-own solutions.

What I'm trying to achieve is exactly what the Octupus solution achieves. 
That is, being able to pick up a remote control for the DVD player, or
toppy, or anything else, walk into any zone, press play, and watch it.  Of
course, what I'd like is RGB, and the possibility of upgrading to component
or HDMI in the future.  I'd rather not have to fiddle around with macros on
a multitude of programmable remotes, so I'd like a solution that does all
this at the back end.  I suppose what's really needed is a number of IR
zones for transmit and receive.  These zones need to recognise what device
I'm trying to control, and where from.  The system then needs to switch to
the correct source for the zone I'm in, and apply the relevent command.

Now I've written it down, perhaps it's too much to ask.  Thinking out loud
here, I wonder if I could connect multiple video switching units to the
Opus controller to gain RGB video switching, and use either baluns or KAT5
to distribute the result?  That would allow for HD over component in the
future too.  Anyone got any ideas other than a Pronto for each room?  It's
a shame that the Opus unit gets so much right, then fails at the final
hurdle - distributing the video feeds.

Cheers,
Andy