Integrates Microsoft Windows Media Center for Whole House Audio
CasaTools, a leader in whole house audio systems, today announced two new whole house audio solutions for controlling and listening to audio throughout the house at the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo. Both solutions support Microsoft Windows Media Center and share an advanced DVD-audio quality PCI-e sound card.
“As the Microsoft Media Center continues to grow in popularity, more households are asking for an integrated whole house audio distribution solution,” said David Krinker, CEO of CasaTools. “CasaTunes was developed to plug n’ play with Microsoft Windows Media Center and PC environments easily for a multi-source, multi-room music system with a single click from a PC, a TV remote or touchpad.”
CasaTunes XLi, a basic version, plugs into almost any PC. Just hook up the CasaTunes XLa or a third-party amplifier, and speakers to output music and users can listen to music in up to six rooms of their home. Users can listen up to five separate sources of music; four internal sources such as songs stored in Microsoft Windows Media Center or Windows Media Player, Internet radio or music from a USB connected iPod and one external source of music, such as an XM Tuner. CasaTunes XLi is designed for the next generation of home automation by bringing a quality audio system to an IT centric home owner.
CasaTunes XLe, a professional version, also plugs into a PC and includes a separate box that can control music in up to 12 rooms of a home. Scalable, CasaTunes XLe can support up to four boxes and 48 rooms. The speaker set in each room can be changed independently from other rooms for special effects or better balancing. The XLe includes five internal and four external music sources to choose from in each box with integration to a home theater, doorbell and paging system. CasaTunes XLe is ideal for larger homes, multi-home dwellings and offices.
In both versions, zones can be set up to control certain areas of the home, like the kitchen, living room and dining room. The left and right balance, bass and treble adjustment of zones can be set and stored. Music can be selected by Album, Artist, Song Title, user assigned genre or playlist.
CasaTunes has built-in support for playing songs protected with Microsoft’s Digital Rights Management (DRM) giving users access to a virtually unlimited collection of music available from several online music sites.
CasaTunes XLi is expected to be available this month and the CasaTunes XLe during Q4. Both will be sold through partners and authorized resellers, dealers, integrators and installers.
About CasaTools
CasaTools designs multi-room audio software and hardware solutions for Microsoft Windows Media Center and networked PC environments, allowing users to control and listen to music throughout the home. Its flagship product line, CasaTunes, is currently available through a network of sales partners. Founded in 2006, CasaTools is a privately held entity headquartered outside Orlando, FL with offices in Florida and Colorado. Visit www.casatools.com for more information.
