Soundcast Systems is introducing at International CES the SpeakerCast and OutCast wireless transmission systems to send music from digital music players or personal computers to any room in a house or outdoors.
Soundcast’s SpeakerCast is a high-performance stereo speaker system that can receive music from an iPod when it is placed in the included Soundcast iCast wireless dock. The OutCast is an all-weather full-range, battery/AC operated wireless speaker system for outdoor use. It also includes the Soundcast iCast wireless dock, the firm said.
These new products represent an expansion in the Soundcast line of wireless technology products. During 2006, Soundcast introduced iCast and AudioCast, which offered the consumer a wireless way to link a digital music player and home stereo system without running wires and drilling holes in the walls. With iCast, the user fits an iPod into the transmitter in an Apple-approved dock. The AudioCast transmitter can be connected to any brand of MP3 player or to a personal computer using the supplied accessory cables, the company said.
With plug-and-play installation and no complex programming, SpeakerCast and OutCast can extend the utility of the consumers’ music files by linking the music resource to a distant location.
Unlike competing solutions available to date, both products effectively eliminate outside interference caused by other household devices that share the crowded 2.4GHz band, including microwave ovens and cordless phones. The result is full-range, high-performance sound any place a user wants it — in the home or in the yard or patio, SoundCast said.
SpeakerCast will be available during the second quarter of this year with a targeted retail of $399. OutCast should arrive at the same time and retail for $499. Other versions are slated for release late in the second quarter of this year.
