CasaTunes Upgrades Music-Server Capabilities

By Joseph Palencha -- TWICE, 10/4/2011

Fort Collins, Colo. - CasaTunes has upgraded its music-server-based multiroom-audio system, making it possible to more easily integrate A/V receivers and third-party music sources such a satellite-TV receivers.

The company also added iTunes in the Cloud to the system and launched its first Android Honeycomb app, enabling Android tablets to control its systems via Wi-Fi. The Android tablet app joins CasaTunes apps for Apple mobile devices and Android smartphones. .

With A/V receiver integration, consumers will be able to use the company's in-wall controllers to turn on and control an existing A/V receiver and play music from a central CasaTunes music server through it.

CasaTunes systems ship with out-of-the-box support for A/V receivers from Denon, Harman Kardon, Marantz, Onkyo, Integra and Pioneer. Installers can integrate other-brand AVRs by writing a text-based control file. The CasaTunes upgrade works with receivers equipped with RS-232 port or network IP control. For IR-only receivers, CasaTunes offers similar functionality when using CasaTunes in combination with BitWise Controls automation controllers.

The AVR integration capability is also available in CasaTunes music servers integrated with multiroom-audio systems from ChannelVision, NuVo and Russound.

To integrate a home's other existing music sources to a CasaTunes system, the company now enables installers to create a custom GUI for almost any component using BitWise Controls' Project Editor software. These GUIs can be displayed within the CasaTunes, Android and web-browser interfaces.

To go with Apple's new iTunes in the Cloud service, a CasaTunes system will automatically detect when a new song or other audio file is added to a consumer's iTunes in the Cloud account, enabling the track to be accessed by the CasaTunes system.

 The company's first Android app for controlling its multiroom-audio system is available for tablets based on the tablet-specific Honeycomb (3.0) OS. The company already offers control apps for Apple devices and Android smartphones.

 CasaTunes systems allow for multizone audio installations from six to 48 rooms. The CasaTunes Music Server stores music and also accesses music from PCs , iTunes (in the Cloud), multiple Apple iOS-based mobile devices, and various Internet music and radio services. It also features Apple's AirPlay.