An in depth look at Casa Tunes

Casa Tunes Review Document

Mirror Link

Ever since I first got in to Media Center, one of the first things I started searching for was a whole home audio solution that played nicely with Media Center. I liked the idea of being able to play the same music in two different rooms at the same time and for it to be in sync. I liked the idea of being able to play different music in different rooms at the same time and also to have a party mode where all rooms would play the same music at the same time. Zoned Audio!

Unfortunately Windows Vista / Seven Media Center does not provide these features out of the box so your only option is a 3rd party solution.

Searching Google nearly 3 years ago and Casa Tunes was the only real thing I could find and over this time things remain pretty much the same. Recently I’ve had the opportunity to take an in depth look at Casa Tunes which is a whole home audio solution with Windows Media Center integration. I’ve written a detailed review of this product and anyone who is seriously interested in purchasing Casa Tunes should take a look at the review here which is in PDF format.

Overall I like the Casa Tunes concept and functionality and the way it works, read the full review for my thoughts about the product.

Clubhouse Tags: Clubhouse”, Media Center”, Story”, Casa Tunes”, Zoned Audio”

Whole home audio solutions from CasaTunes

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 http://www.casatools.com/ for more information.

CasaTunes hardware products.



































Source