Yamaha Introduces MusicCAST, The First Interactive Wireless Home Music Network System

23-Sep-03

Yamaha Electronics Corporation announced their new MusicCAST, the first interactive wireless home music network system capable of playing high-quality music in up to seven independent locations. The MusicCAST offers the ability to store an entire music library on its hard drive and distribute whole-house audio without dedicated installation and wiring.At the heart of this system is a ""Server"" (MCX-1000) with an interactive on-screen GUI (graphical user interface) which stores music on an 80 GB hard drive, and utilizes a built-in CD-R/RW drive. At the other end are ""Clients"" (MCX-A10), self-contained wireless receiving systems that provide access to and play music supplied by the MusicCAST server.Using the IEEE 802.11b network protocol, the Server streams user-selectable audio sources to remote Client units, allowing music to be played from one central location to any location in the home. The Server-to-Client communication system can achieve up to five wireless connections and additional wired connections to make up to a total seven discrete Client locations. Each Client can be sent a different song or can listen to the same song simultaneously, even at different times in that song. Each Client is equipped with the same IEEE 802.11b as the server, and can receive wireless signals, either indoors or out. Clients can connect to existing home networks using Cat. 5 wiring. An RS-232C serial port allows interactivity with the Yamaha A/V receiver features including automatic DSP selection and volume adjustment. Clients are outfitted with 17-watt x 2-channel Yamaha digital amplifiers, a pre-out terminal for use with current audio systems, and an audio input for connecting an external or ""local"" source. Other features include timer function, an LCD display and joystick for control, a wireless remote control, and on-screen display utilizing a TV monitor. The MusicCAST Server also incorporates a CD-R/RW drive that allows you to transfer music to and from the hard drive. Music is saved in its original form to the 80 GB hard drive. The recording format is PCM and/or MP3. By using the external inputs on the rear of the unit, the Server has the ability to store or stream real-time audio from external sources. MusicCAST comes with a CD recognition database and will automatically display and save an audio CD's information such as artist, album, track, and music genre. With an Internet connection, the latest CD recognition information (track, artist, album) can be accessed through Gracenote CDDB and updated. Another significant CD-R/RW recording feature of MusicCAST is Yamaha's original Advanced Audio Master Quality Recording System, designed to obtain high-quality sound from CD-R audio recordings. For more information about Yamaha Electronics Corporation, visit www.yamaha.com/yec.

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