CasaTools Launches Hardware for PC-based Multiroom Audio Software

The step-up card is the XLe, which supports up to five PC-based audio sources and four external sources. The external sources plug into the card, and all nine sources are routed via an HDMI cable to a distribution hub, which CasaTools calls an "expansion box."

The expansion box then distributes audio to up to 12 zones via the customer's own amplifier. Four expansion boxes can be daisy-chained together with an HDMI cable for a total of up to 48 stereo zones.

The box includes a set of I/Os for triggers and relay-based control of low-voltage devices. When the doorbell rings, for example, the whole system can mute.

How Do You Control it?

We all know how to operate NuVo, Russound and other traditional multiroom audio systems. There are keypads and touchscreens and a variety of other proprietary devices, and sometimes a Web-based interface for controlling the system via a PC or PDA.

How do you control this CasaTools concoction?

The answer: It's all in the software, which CasaTools does best. At EHX, the company demonstrated control of its system via a PC, a TV (through the Media Center interface), an iPhone, Nokia N800, Samsung Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), VidaBox vPad tablet and some other off-the-shelf devices.

The software is as flexible as other systems on the market. Simply touch the room, select the source (or artist or playlist…) and adjust the volume through any interface.

As with other systems, you can synchronize zones ("Party" mode) so they're all playing the same music. In fact CasaTools offers a Party feature that some of its competitors don't: "You can set the volume so that all the zones change relatively," says Krinker.

In other words, if all zones are set to different volumes, changing the volume of the entire group will alter the volumes relative to their current settings. With many other systems, altering the volume of a group of zones would set each zone to the same volume.

Can You Live Without Keypads?

The beauty of traditional multiroom audio systems is their plethora of keypads and other inexpensive in-room interfaces.

Today, CasaTools does not offer these conveniences; however, the expansion boxes do include Cat 5 ports for future keypad functionality. No, those connections do not support other vendors' keypads at this time.

There's one more thing: The entire system relies on a PC. If it goes down, so does your multiroom audio system. It wouldn't be the first whole-house controller based on a PC—and certainly they're getting more popular -- but the usual procedures should be employed to optimize the machine for the task. (See: "Optimizing Media Center: Stripping it Down, Setting it Up.")

Pricing and Availability

The XLi and XLe will be released late in the second quarter, along with the new CasaTunes v2.05 software.

Estimated retail costs are $750 for the XLi and $1,500 for the XLe and one expansion box (v2.05 included with both). Additional boxes are expected to retail for about $1,000.