NETSTREAMS UNVEILS UPGRADED MUSICA AUDIO SYSTEM; FEATURES INCLUDE NEW KEYPADS WITH PLUG-IN FM TUNER CARDS, 5-BAND E.Q., BLUE BACKLIGHTING
Among 11 Major Enhancements Are New “3D Sound” Mode, Burr-Brown 24-bit 192kHz DACs, Improved IR Learning, Sleep Mode w/Gradual Automatic Volume Tapering
AUSTIN, TX – July 6, 2005 — NetStreams, the global leader in networked entertainment systems based on Internet protocol (IP) technology, introduced the Musica 5066 Multi-Room Audio System, offering almost a dozen new features and enhancements. Major changes include in-wall amplified keypads with blue and white backlighting and an optional plug-in FM tuner card. The new MU5066 in-wall amplified keypads also feature a built-in DSP for 5-band E.Q. and 3D Sound control in each zone. The 4-source, 6 zone multi-room audio system can be easily expanded up to 6 source (2 local) and up to 18 zones. Offering greater convenience and ease of use, simpler installation, and superior audio performance over earlier models, all Musica 5066 products are shipping now.
“The new Musica 5066 system offers some smart, unique, new features, improvements in audio quality, and enhancements that dramatically improve the system’s reliability and reduce installation time,” said Herman Cardenas, founder and CEO of NetStreams. “We’ve done a lot to distinguish the products the competition with features that mean a lot to installers and their customers.”
Musica MU5066 In-Wall Keypad/Amplifiers
Although Keypads are the most visible part of the Musica system, it’s what NetStreams has done behind the scenes that is sure to interest installers and delight consumers alike. Three models of amplified keypads at a variety of price points are available for installers to choose the desired keypad for the room — the MU5066KP25S (25watts x 2 with amber/green backlighting), MU5066KP25 (25watts x 2 with blue/white backlighting) and MU5066KP50 (50watts x 2 with blue/white backlighting).
All Musica Keypads now offer many new features including the ability to be upgraded with an optional MU5066DFMT Digital FM Tuner card. When added, the tuner becomes a fifth source available in the room, allowing local FM radio to be broadcast into each individual room in the house. “NetStreams was the first company to come out with a Digital FM Tuner embedded in an in-wall keypad for local room listening and now with our new MU5066 system, any keypad can have this capability,” remarked Cardenas. “We’ve also done some work on improving the reception of our FM tuner. Of course, for best results, NetStreams recommends that the installer run RG6 cable from an antenna mounted in an attic or on a roof.”
A sixth source can be added with an optional Audio Port wallplate, which features analog inputs and outputs.
The sound quality of the new Musica MU5066 keypads is remarkable, thanks to the inclusion of a Texas Instruments Digital Amplifier and Burr-Brown 192kHz, 24-bit D/A converters. The amplifier output can easily be customized for 8, 6, or 4 Ohm speakers in software on the keypads. All Musica MU5066 keypads feature a 5-band graphic equalizer for fine tuning of the sound in each room. The MU5066KP50 keypad adds a special 3D Sound Mode to expand the sound stage in rooms where the speakers are placed closer together.
All Musica MU5066 keypad models now feature the ability to program macros — the MU5066KP25S and MU5066KP25 feature eight, four step macros and the top of the line MU5066KP50 features an additional 10 macros per source to total 48 macros.
Additional technology upgrades include NetStreams’ proprietary “Shhh! Technology,” featuring a gentle sleep timer so the volume level of the audio gradually decreases in the room as you drift to sleep, finally shutting off. Any keypad can now be used to turn one or all rooms ON or OFF with a touch of a button
All Musica MU5066 Keypads give complete control of all aspects of the sound in the room, with the ability to listen to different sources in different rooms at the same time. Convenient when one person wishes to listen to one source in one room, and another person wishes to listen to another source in another room, for example.
Musica MU5066 Audio Distribution Center (ADC)
As the backbone of the system the Musica system, the Audio Distribution Center provides connections for four (4) global audio sources and now offers a number of built-in upgrades to provide even greater sophisticated control, simplified programming, and intuitive use. Installers will appreciate the fact that all Musica 5066 Keypads have enhanced IR capabilities for IR learning and easy programming. Simply learn the IR codes for the source component into the Keypad, and it is automatically stored centrally in the Musica ADC, eliminating the tedious task of programming each keypad with the same information over and over again. Increased memory capacity for longer IR strings and advanced RS-232 control allows for seamless integration with third party control systems, if desired. In addition to IR capabilities, Musica offers discrete channel communication between each keypad and the Audio Distribution Center, for ease of installation.
Additional Advances
According to Cardenas, for those customers who are not yet ready for an entire system, NetStreams has created a new Single Zone Operation Mode. “If the customer wants to start with just one room, they don’t have to purchase the ADC, just take a keypad and Audio Port,
connect it to a local source (CD, or MP3 player for example), and its done. Additionally the MU5066DFMT Digital FM Tuner card can be inserted into the keypad for second source. The Single-Zone Operation Mode is also ideal for builders who want to showcase the system in one room of their model home.”
NetStreams is also introducing a new MU5066MUR2EM network interface module, which allows for the control of the MU5066 system from a PC, Wireless web tablet, or PDA (*web browser and Macromedia Flash required). This network interface module features an attractive pre-programmed user interface, an RS-232 connection (for ADC), and an Ethernet connection (network). The MUR2EM allows for seamless control of up to 18 rooms of audio (with multiple MUR2EM’s in master/slave configuration) and will ship in August.
The new Musica MU5066 Multi-Room Audio System is also compatible with the NetStreams MU290 100watts x 2 power amplifier (sold separately). This power amplifier is perfect for larger rooms or outdoor installations. Up to six MU290 amplifiers can be daisy chained off of one MU5066 keypads to control up to six pairs of speakers in a single zone!
The Musica MU5066 Multi-Room Audio System is now available at AVAD distribution centers throughout the United States and select distributors worldwide. The MUR2EM network interface module will be available mid August 2005.
About NetStreams
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NetStreams provides sophisticated networked audio, leading the marketplace in technological innovation. NetStreams is committed to utilizing state-of-the-art human engineering to create home entertainment products that are truly user-friendly and future-compatible. NetStreams is creating the future of home entertainment today.
For additional information on NetStreams and its innovative products, please visit www.netstreams.com.
NetStreams is a registered trademark of NetStreams, LLC. Musica is a trademark of NetStreams L.L.C. Burr-Brown and Texas Instruments are registered trademarks of Texas Instruments. Macromedia and Flash are registered trademarks of Macromedia.
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