Will Audio Work over Powerlines? Find out with NuVo Analyzer

Not sure if a home's AC wiring is fit for powerline-based audio?

NuVo Technologies takes the guesswork out of the equation with the new Site Analysis Tool, a companion to the company's Renovia system, which uses the home's existing powerlines (via HomePlug) to deliver multiroom audio..

"The key is giving confidence and assurance to installers that the product [Renovia] is going to be right for the installation," says NuVo president David Rodarte. "One of the things we found is that installers are asking: Is this X10? The new tool will help people understand that a system can be tested in advance and it will work."

The SAT solution includes a hub – which simulates data and audio as if it were a Renovia source hub – and zone units that plug into the proposed locations of Renovia zone amplifiers. An OLED displays the line condition, rated from poor to excellent.

"Like a Cat 5 tester, you would never go on site without one," Rodarte says.

The SAT is a handy tool, but Rodarte says NuVo can rarely find a "poor" or "fair" signal.

"There might be some situations like where there are heavy industrial motors," he explains, "but even there we really haven't found much a problem. We've tried Renovia in the same outlet as a hair dryer and it was no problem."

Line conditioners may create some shorting of signals, he adds, but NuVo will offer a plug-in filter for those situations.

The SAT will ship in Q3.

Renovia should ship in Q4, according to Rodarte. The product has changed little since it was first shown at CEDIA Expo 2008 … with one nice exception. The zone amplifiers are now rated at 50 watts, versus the original 40 watts.