CasaTools Launches Hardware for PC-based Multiroom Audio Software

CasaTools is a quiet little company with an enthusiastic following for its CasaTunes software, which brings an elegant PC and TV (Media Center) interface to Russound and NuVo multiroom audio systems.

At the Electronic House Expo in March, the company announced that it's breaking the software-only mold, and delivering hardware that bypasses the need for a third-party multiroom audio system.

"Up until this point, we've sort of been married to NuVo and Russound," says CasaTools CEO David Krinker, "but we felt that the integration [of multiroom audio and the PC/Media Center] could be done better and more cost effectively."

To that end, the company introduced two hardware products at EHX -- the XLi PC card and the XLe card that works in conjunction with an outboard expansion box.

CasaTunes Software

For the uninitiated, CasaTunes software enables users to operate their NuVo or Russound audio systems from a PC or through a TV via Windows Media Center. The software is rich with graphics, and intuitive to use, and very affordable -- just $249 retail.

Virtually any music stored somewhere on the home network can be sent to any room of the house, from the comfort of the couch or home office. This includes XM and Sirius radio (if you have a tuner on your Russound or NuVo system) and iTunes music if an iPod is docked to the PC.

CasaTunes goes two ways, meaning the metadata shows up on NuVo and Russound keypads throughout the house. It makes for a simple and cost-effective solution for accessing and controlling digital content through two of the industry's most popular multiroom audio systems.

To me, it seems like a no-brainer at only $249. Load it onto a $500 PC with Media Center, and you've got an inexpensive, extra-compelling story for your customers.

Introducing CasaTools Hardware

Having honed its software, CasaTools went to work creating hardware that bypasses third-party multiroom audio systems.

First there's the XLi PC card. "It's an internal card. Just add amps and speakers," says Krinker.

The device features four virtual stereo sound cards (with volume, balance, bass and treble control) that accommodates four PC-based music sources simultaneously--Windows Media, Internet Radio, iTunes (in a later release), and an iPod if it's connected to the PC.

In addition, the unit has an auxiliary input to for connecting an external music source. A built-in IR output enables control of this external source.

The XLi distributes audio to six stereo zones simultaneously via six mini jacks. Run these to a 12-channel amp, and you can have six zones of stereo playing up to five different sources.

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.