NuVo Renovia System — Installation Guide

Installation guide for the NuVo Renovia System — a whole-house multi-zone audio distribution system that uses HomePlug powerline networking (rather than dedicated CAT5 speaker/control wiring runs) to bring NuVoNet audio control and playback to existing homes without extensive new wiring.

System Overview

The Renovia System's key innovation is using HomePlug® 1.0 Plus powerline technology to carry both audio signal and source metadata over a home's existing AC wiring, avoiding the labor-intensive task of running dedicated network cable to every zone. Core components:

• NV-RVM Main Source Hub — central source input hub with two built-in AM/FM/SIRIUS-ready tuners, 6 stereo 3.5mm source inputs, NuVoNet ports, IR outputs, and RS232 for third-party home automation control.
• NV-RVZA50 Zone Amplifier + NV-RVZA50PS Power Supply — 50W per-zone amplifier installed at a standard outlet location; up to 8 zones.
• Control Pads — NV-I8GCP (dual gang OLED), NV-E6GCP (single gang OLED), NV-CTP36 (color touchscreen), and NV-WCPS (wireless handheld) — each provides source/volume control and now-playing metadata.
• NV-RVSAT Site Analysis Tool — a Hub/Zone tester pair used to verify every candidate outlet's HomePlug signal quality before committing to an install location.

Front/Back Panel Reference — NV-RVM Main Source Hub

Front panel: Power button, Standby LED (red), Audio Stream LED (blue, lights while streaming), Control TX LED (green, transmit diagnostic), Control RX LED (yellow, receive diagnostic), front NuVoNet RJ45 port (temporary/service use), and a USB port for downloading configuration and firmware from the Renovia Configurator software.

Back panel: System On 3.5mm trigger output (5V), 6 IR outputs (for non-NuVoNet source control), Mute/Page trigger input, RS232 (third-party home automation), 3 NuVoNet RJ45 connections, coax antenna input (AM/FM), 6 stereo 3.5mm Source Inputs (1&2 override internal tuners; 3&4 are overridden by an NV-RVIPD NuVoDock if connected), SIRIUS input (8-pin, for NV-SCH1 tuner module), iPod inputs 3&4 (NV-RVIPD NuVoDock), Aux Out (fixed-level Zone 16 preamp output for driving a separate stereo receiver), and the AC power cord — which doubles as the powerline network connection carrying audio and metadata to every zone.

Pre-Installation: Site Analysis Tool (Required)

Before installing anything, every candidate hub and zone outlet should be tested with the NV-RVSAT tool pair to confirm HomePlug signal quality:

1. Plug the black NV-RVSAT-H Hub Test Tool directly into the outlet where the NV-RVM will live (no extension cords). It will search for the Zone Test Tool.
2. Set the time, name the Hub room, and set the Site number via the tool's on-device menu.
3. Identify and pre-filter likely interference sources (see below) before testing to save time.
4. Plug the NV-RVSAT-Z Zone Test Tool into each candidate zone outlet. Name the room/outlet using the tool's menu, then press OK to run the two-stage test: Stage 1 is a signal-streaming (STR) test, Stage 2 is a channel-quality-matrix (CQM) test — about 1 minute total.
5. Results are graded Good (70–100%), Marginal (60–69%), or Poor (below 60%). Only use Good outlets if possible; avoid Poor outlets entirely.
6. If a desirable outlet tests Poor/Marginal, look for unfiltered interference on the same circuit, unplug suspect devices and retest, or add an NV-HPNF HomePlug Noise Filter.
7. Connect the Hub Test Tool to a PC via USB to retrieve the SAT.log file for records / NuVo tech support.

Common interference sources to filter or avoid: low-cost surge suppressor power strips, cable boxes/electronics with external power supplies, wall power supplies, battery chargers, clock radios, dimmer-equipped lamps (touch lamps), and small motor devices (paper shredders, vacuums, coffee grinders). Low-voltage/dimmer-controlled lighting circuits should also be tested since they're hard-wired.

Installing the Main Source Hub and Sources

• Locate the NV-RVM in an audio closet, rack, or entertainment center near the sources.
• Never plug the Main Source Hub into an external surge protector — this can absorb/block the HomePlug signal. The NV-RVM has its own built-in MOV surge protection. If the outlet is shared with a cheap surge strip, use an NV-HPNF isolator filter. Never use an extension cord with the Hub.
• Four NV-VEC1 IR emitters are included for controlling non-NuVoNet sources — plug each into the numbered IR output matching the corresponding source input, and attach the emitter head over that source's IR receiver.
• For NuVoNet sources (NuVoDock for iPod, Music Port, SiriusConnect tuner), connect a NuVoNet CAT5 cable from the source's NuVoNet output to one of the Hub's 3 NuVoNet inputs, plus a stereo mini-to-RCA audio cable into the matching numbered source input.
• Sources 1 & 2 default to the internal AM/FM tuners unless another source is plugged into those inputs, overriding them.

Installing a Zone Amplifier (Certified Electrician Required for Power Supply)

1. Choose an outlet that tested Good or Marginal with the Site Analysis Tool.
2. Cut power to the circuit, cut a hole for a dual-gang high/low-voltage combination mounting box (NuVo recommends Arlington LDVR2, or Carlon BH234R + SCDIV divider — a divider between high and low voltage sections is required by code).
3. Wire the black (hot), white (neutral), and ground leads from the Renovia Power Supply to the electrical wire using wire nuts, then install the Power Supply into the high-voltage side of the box.
4. Terminate the zone speaker wire (Left-, Left+, Right-, Right+) into the Zone Amplifier's Euro connector.
5. Set the Zone Amplifier's 12-position rotary switch to a unique zone address number (1–8) using a small screwdriver. Duplicate addresses trigger a conflict warning: LEDs flash in groups of three and warning tones sound through connected speakers on both conflicting amps.
6. If using an in-wall Control Pad, run CAT5 (EIA/TIA 568A or 568B, consistent on both ends) from the Zone Amplifier's NuVoNet jack to the Control Pad location.
7. Mount the Zone Amplifier over the installed Power Supply, secure with the 4 screws, and install the cover plate (held by magnets plus one set screw).
8. On power-up: amber Power LED = powered; green Control LED flashes on control message traffic; blue Audio Stream LED lights when receiving audio from the Hub.

HomePlug channel matching: If the Main Source Hub's HomePlug channel has been changed from the default (A) in System Settings, each Zone Amplifier's rotary channel switch must be set to match, or the zone will show a "Zone Address" connection error.

Control Pad Quick Reference

• NV-I8GCP (dual gang): 8-line OLED display, Menu, Power, Play/Pause, OK (cycles sources / selects menu item), Up/Down volume-and-scroll arrows, Forward/Reverse, IR receiver for the NV-GRC1 remote.
• NV-E6GCP-DC (single gang): same core functions in a single-gang screwless wall plate footprint.
• NV-CTP36 Color Touch Pad: full-color display with album art (with MPS4 Music Port), status icons for Party Mode, Exclusive Source, Mute, Sleep, Lock, Do Not Disturb, and Page, plus transport buttons and Home/Power buttons.
• NV-WCPS Wireless Control Pad: battery-powered handheld with OLED display, current time/battery indicator, and a Zone button to switch which zone it's controlling.

Accessories

• NV-I8DLS IR Learning Station: connects via RS232 to a PC and to the Renovia amplifier to capture and test IR codes for new source equipment into the Configurator Software's IR Library. Hold the source remote 8–10 inches from the IR Sensor when learning a code.
• NV-MI1 Mute Interrupt Adapter: connects to the Hub's EXT. MUTE input; accepts up to two doorbell chime voltages and up to two telephone lines (RJ-11) and triggers a momentary system mute when the phone or doorbell rings.
• NV-GRC1 Remote Control: hard-button handheld remote for zone power, volume, source select, favorites (1–12), mute, sleep timer, and display dimming — works via the Control Pad's IR receiver.

Specifications

Troubleshooting

Package Contents — NV-RVM Main Source Hub

• NV-RVM Renovia Main Source Hub
• 1x NV-T2FAA Active AM/FM antenna
• 4x NV-VEC feedback IR emitters
• 1x NV-REM1U rack ear mounts (pair)
• 1x NV-AC2 RG6 antenna cable, 2m
• 4x NV-CMRS3B 3.5mm-to-RCA stereo audio cables, 3 ft, black
• 1x NV-PC2NA power cable, 2-wire, North America

NuVo Technologies LLC, Hebron, Kentucky USA — nuvotechnologies.com