The advantage of having a distributed audio system is that it gives you the ability to have music, and more recently video, streamed into multiple rooms of your house.

Some factors to look for include:

Number of sources – How many inputs (CD players, iPods, microphones, etc), can you connect to the system?

Number of zones (subzones) – How many rooms (zones) can you stream music into?

Rack mounting – Will the system fit nicely into your equipment rack, or is it a standalone system?

Remote control – Can the system be controlled via remote control?

Smart phone interface – Can the system be controlled via iPhone/iTouch, Blackberry or any other 3G-enabled ‘smart’ phone?

Ethernet connectivity – Can the system connect to you local/home area network (LAN/HAN) to play music stored on your PC?

iPod/MP3 player dock – Can your system interface with your iPod (the most pervasive electronic media device in the world)?

Wireless protocol – Can your system operate on your wireless network, or do you need to run extra cabling in your house?

Software platform – Is your system (and therefore system’s interface) based on Windows, Linux, or a proprietary software?

Supported audio formats – Does your system support only the common audio files (direct input from CDs and MP3s), or can it play WMA, AAC, WAV, AIFF, FLAC, etc?

Cabling connectivity – Does the system require a specific cabling configuration (Cat 5, 6, 7) to operate?

Internet radio – Can your system pick up radio stations from around the world?

Control system integration – Can your system connect into your whole-house control system, or is it standalone?

Universal remote compatibility – Does your system require a separate remote control to operate, or can it be consolidated into a universal remote?

Media centre integration – Can your system interface with your home theatre PC?

Distributed video – Can your distributed audio system also distribute video?

Distributed video zones – How many zones can your system distribute video into?

Distributed HD video – Can it distribute high definition video?