Skip to main content

AV Zones

AV Zones represent audio and video listening/viewing areas that can play content from various sources. Each AV zone is linked to a regular zone and extended with AV-specific configuration like source assignments, on/off macros, and volume control.

Overview​

AV Zones bridge standard zone control with AV-specific features:

  • Source Routing: Assign audio/video sources to zones
  • Macro Integration: Execute complex AV sequences on power on/off
  • Volume Control: Dedicated volume device support
  • Matrix Routing: Automatic matrix switcher integration
  • Multi-Room Audio: Coordinated control across rooms

Viewing AV Zones​

The main grid displays all configured AV zones with the following columns:

  • Zone ID - Link to parent zone
  • On Macro - Macro executed when zone turns on
  • Off Macro - Macro executed when zone turns off
  • Address - Matrix switcher address or routing identifier
  • Volume Device - Separate volume control device (if applicable)
  • Enabled - Whether AV features are active
  • Sort Index - Display order

Grid Actions​

  • Add - Create a new AV zone
  • Edit - Modify an existing AV zone
  • Delete - Remove AV zone (keeps parent zone)
  • Sort - Reorder AV zones
  • Reload - Refresh the grid data

Quick Actions​

  • View AV Sources Icon - Open the AV Sources grid filtered to this zone's sources

Creating an AV Zone​

To create a new AV zone:

  1. Click Add in the grid toolbar
  2. The AV Zone Creator opens
  3. Configure all settings (see sections below)
  4. Click Save

AV Zone Creator​

AV Type​

Select the type of AV zone:

  • audio - Audio-only zone (ceiling speakers, soundbar, etc.)
  • video - Video zone (display, projector, etc.)

Zone Selection​

Choose how to assign the parent zone:

Create New Zone (default):

  • Enter a zone name in the text field
  • A new zone is automatically created and linked to this AV zone

Use Existing Zone (checkbox):

  • Toggle the "Use Existing Zone" checkbox
  • Select an existing zone from the dropdown
  • Useful when you already have a zone configured in System > Zones

On/Off Macros​

On Macro

  • Select an existing macro from the dropdown, or click Create to generate a new macro automatically
  • Executed when the zone turns on
  • Typical steps: turn on receiver, select input, set volume

Off Macro

  • Select an existing macro from the dropdown, or click Create to generate a new macro automatically
  • Executed when the zone turns off
  • Typical steps: mute audio, turn off receiver/display

Address​

Matrix switcher output number or routing identifier used for automatic video/audio routing.

Simple Address:

  • Enter the output number directly (e.g., 1, 2, 3)

Advanced Addressing (checkbox): When enabled, four separate address fields appear for systems with independent audio and video routing:

  • Video Routing Address - Video matrix output number
  • Video Endpoint Address - Video endpoint identifier
  • Audio Routing Address - Audio matrix output number
  • Audio Endpoint Address - Audio endpoint identifier

These combine into a single address string in the format: vr=X|ve=Y|ar=Z|ae=W

When to use advanced addressing:

  • Separate audio and video matrices
  • Systems with distinct routing and endpoint addresses
  • Symetrix or similar DSP integration with independent routing paths

Volume Device​

Optional device for independent volume control. Select from the device dropdown.

Leave blank if: the source device or zone device controls its own volume.

Set if: a separate receiver, amplifier, or zone processor handles volume.

Local Sources​

Select which AV sources are available in this zone using the multi-selector.

Create Source On Macros (checkbox):

  • When checked, GEM automatically generates an "on" macro for each selected source
  • Useful for setting up routing when each source requires different switching commands

Create Source Off Macros (checkbox):

  • When checked, GEM automatically generates an "off" macro for each selected source

If unchecked, you can select existing macros from dropdowns for each source instead.

Hidden Global Sources​

Use the multi-selector to hide specific global sources from this zone. Global sources (sources not assigned to any specific zone) normally appear in all zones. Use this to exclude ones that don't apply.

Zone Settings​

Enabled - Toggle to enable/disable AV functionality for this zone.

Local Sources Only - When enabled, the zone only shows its locally-assigned sources. When disabled, both local and global sources appear.

Sort Index - Display order in AV interfaces.

Managing AV Sources​

Click the View AV Sources icon on any AV zone row to open the AV Sources page filtered to that zone. This shows a grid of all sources assigned to the zone where you can add, edit, delete, sort, and reload sources.

See AV Sources for details on source configuration.

Common Workflows​

Creating Single-Room Audio Zone​

For a room with ceiling speakers:

  1. Click Add on the AV Zones grid
  2. Set AV Type: audio
  3. Enter zone name: living_room_audio
  4. Set On Macro: Create (auto-generates)
  5. Set Off Macro: Create (auto-generates)
  6. Set Address: 1 (output on audio matrix)
  7. Set Volume Device: audio_matrix (if it handles volume)
  8. Select local sources: Sonos, Spotify, Radio
  9. Enable the zone
  10. Click Save

Creating Home Theater Zone​

For a dedicated theater room:

  1. Click Add on the AV Zones grid
  2. Set AV Type: video
  3. Enter zone name: theater_video
  4. Create or select On Macro (turn on projector, receiver, set defaults)
  5. Create or select Off Macro (mute, power off)
  6. Set Address: 1 (projector output on matrix)
  7. Set Volume Device: theater_receiver
  8. Select local sources: Blu-ray, Apple TV, Game Console
  9. Enable the zone
  10. Click Save

Creating Multi-Room Audio​

For whole-home audio with shared matrix:

  1. Create an AV zone for each room:

    living_room_audio - Address: 1
    kitchen_audio - Address: 2
    bedroom_audio - Address: 3
    patio_audio - Address: 4

  2. All zones connect to the same audio matrix

  3. Assign sources per zone (can be same or different):

    • Shared sources: Sonos, Spotify
    • Room-specific: Bedroom might exclude party sources

  4. Users select source per room independently

Matrix Routing​

Automatic Routing​

When a zone has a matrix address configured:

  1. User selects source (e.g., "Apple TV") in zone UI
  2. GEM looks up the source's matrix input number
  3. GEM looks up the zone's matrix output number (Address)
  4. GEM sends matrix switch command: Route input to output
  5. Video/audio routes to the zone

Advanced Routing​

For systems with separate audio and video matrices, use advanced addressing:

Zone: living_room
  Video Routing Address: 1 (video matrix output)
  Audio Routing Address: 3 (audio matrix output)

Source: apple_tv
  Video input: 2 (video matrix input)
  Audio input: 4 (audio matrix input)

Result: Video routes 2→1, Audio routes 4→3

Troubleshooting​

Source Not Appearing in Zone​

Check:

  1. Source Assignment: Source is assigned to the AV zone (local sources) or is a global source
  2. Hidden Sources: Source is not in the Hidden Global Sources list
  3. Local Sources Only: If enabled, only locally-assigned sources appear
  4. Source Enabled: The source itself is enabled (AV Sources page)
  5. Zone Enabled: The AV zone is enabled

Matrix Not Routing​

Check:

  1. Address Configured: Zone has Address set
  2. Source Input: Source has address or matrix input configured
  3. Matrix Device: Matrix switcher is online
  4. Advanced Addressing: If using separate audio/video matrices, verify all four address fields

On Macro Not Executing​

Check:

  1. Macro Enabled: The on macro is enabled (Automation > Macros)
  2. Macro Assigned: The on macro is assigned to the AV zone
  3. Macro Steps Valid: All macro steps are correctly configured
  4. Logs: Check system logs for macro execution errors

Volume Not Working​

Check:

  1. Volume Device: Correct device assigned in Volume Device field
  2. Device Online: Volume device is connected
  3. Commands: Device supports volume commands in its command set
  • AV Sources - Managing AV source library
  • Zones - Creating parent zones
  • Macros - Creating on/off macros
  • Devices - Configuring matrix switchers and AV equipment
  • Channels - TV channel integration