The rollover switch allows each person to listen to the whole-house iPod, while also allowing any individual to listen to their own iPod through their speakers.

“A rollover,” as I like to call it, essentially is a signal-activated A/B switch with an amplifier on board.

Its purpose in life is to allow homeowners to share speakers with the whole-house audio system and a local television set.

When properly installed, the customer simply turns on the television and uses the TV control to adjust the TV sound through the speakers. When turned off, the speakers work for the whole-house audio signal.

The problem is, unfortunately, many TV manufacturers are taking the variable audio output jacks off of their jack packs, not allowing for ideal installation.

The rollover system can work with a fixed audio output, but it then requires an additional line level attenuator, preferably one that is remote controlled, to achieve the desired results.

The iPod Switch
The iPod has recently sprung up as another product that could be enhanced with a rollover amplifier.

Several manufacturers have developed docks that allow metadata from the iPod to appear on keypads throughout the home.

The problem is, simply, that many of our clients have multiple iPods spread throughout different family members.

What I want to hear is probably different from what my son wants to hear. It is a rare moment when we both want to listen to the same thing at the same time.

However, if I take advantage of rollovers for each resident’s primary listening room, each person can listen to the whole-house iPod, while also allowing any individual to listen to their own iPod through their speakers—a win all the way around.

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