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Russound DMS3.1 is First Player with Multiple AirPlay Streams
Three independent Airplay streams put Russound DMS3.1 Streamer “over the top”
Russound did an “excellent job” all around with the Streamer, “but the three streams of AirPlay puts it over the top,” Morgan says.
The Russound DMS3.1 appears to be the first in the world that enables users to deliver multiple streams of wireless audio simultaneously to AirPlay-enabled devices. As it happens, Russound recently released its own AirPlay-enabled AirGo outdoor speakers, but any AirPlay device will do.
RELATED: How To: Installing Russound Streamer and Integrating with C Series Multiroom Audio
“You get three totally independent AirPlay streams,” said Russound product manager Walt Zerbe during the recent Integrated Systems Europe (ISE 2012) show in Amsterdam. “You can mix and match the sources and where to send them.”
Getting Apple’s approval on Russound’s multi-stream AirPlay system was “not that difficult,” Zerbe says. “We just had to decide to do it, and then it took time. We wanted to make sure to run everything by Apple.”
He adds that it was important for Russound to work closely with Apple throughout the process to gain trust and credibility.
In addition to the unique multi-stream AirPlay feature, the Streamer can access and play back any content from any DLNA device on the network. It has a USB port for plugging in a hard drive, and it has a built-in AM/FM tuner with RDS metadata support.
Morgan says Russound did an “excellent job” with Internet radio. “It’s the first one I’ve ever used that really makes sense.”
Although the Streamer can be integrated into virtually any multiroom audio system, it is optimized for Russound’s own C Series multizone systems. Fred Harding of distributor Capitol Sales provides step-by-step instructions on integrating the DMS3.1 with C Series components, and offers a review of the Streamer.
Russound has been a little quiet lately in the R&D department since it introduced the Collage powerline-based audio system more than three years ago. Between that huge investment and Russound’s complicated acquisition of Colorado vNet, the company has been a little preoccupied.
But dealers and distributors (and Russound itself) agree that the Streamer puts Russound back on the map in terms of innovative multiroom audio solutions.
[continues]
Visit Russound and Worthington Distribution at EHX 2012, March 15-17, Orlando, Fla.
Russound Digital Media Streamer DMS-3.1
Features and specs provided by RussoundRussound's DMS-3.1 Digital Media Streamer provides network-based digital music to your multiroom system. As an Apple Certified AirPlay accessory, audio content can be sent to the DMS-3.1 from computers using iTunes, iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.
Catch the weather on your local AM/FM radio station, listen to a live talk show on SiriusXM Internet Radio, play music stored on your network drive, stream an online music service provider or tap into a portable USB drive. Separate source connections mean three streams plus AM/FM are always available to listeners in a multiroom audio setting.
The DMS-3.1 has an Ethernet connection for network access and playback of digital audio files on LAN-connected DLNA devices. When connected to the internet through the home's network, the DMS-3.1 can stream content from online radio stations and music service providers.
A built-in AM/FM tuner with RDS feedback adds local radio as a listening choice, and multiple USB ports accept connections for playing content from USB storage devices.
The DMS-3.1 is designed to work seamlessly with the C-Series Controllers, using its preconfigured source names and settings. It supports intelligent user interfaces with media menus and metadata displayed on system keypads and touchscreens.
Russound DMS3.1 Streamer (click to enlarge)
Standard Features
- Listen to streaming music, internet radio, and stored music files
- 4 Source chassis provides three independent streams plus AM/FM radio
- Preconfigured for seamless integration with C-Series controllers
- Apple Certified AirPlay Accessory
- Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20KHz
- Audio Source Outputs: (4) Stereo RCA jacks
- Line Audio Output: 2 Vrms
- Digital Audio Inputs: (3) USB 2.0/1.1 ports
- Communication ports: 1 Ethernet RJ45, 10/100 BaseT
- Music File Formats: MP3 (CBR, VBR), WAV (8, 16-bit), OGG Vorbis, FLAC (8, 16-bit). AAC, AAC+
- Tuner Frequency Range: AM 530 - 1710 kHz; FM 87.7 - 107.9 MHz
- Antenna Impedance AM: 300 Ohm balanced
- Impedance FM: 75 Ohm unbalanced
- Sensitivity: AM: @20 dB S/N 55 dB; FM: @30 dB S/N 6 dB max 12 dB
- Image Rejection: AM: 33dB FM: 80dB
- S/N ratio: AM: 45dB FM: 60dB
- Input Trigger: 12VDC (required)
- Output Trigger: 12VDC 100 mA
- Power Requirements: 100-240VAC 50/60Hz 11W; (Autoswitching Power Supply); IEC 320 type connector/3 terminal; detachable power cord
- Standby Power: < 1.0 W
- Dimensions: 17” W x 8.5”D x 1.7”H (43 x 21.7 x 4.3cm)
- Weight: 9.0 lbs. (4 kg)
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Article Topics
News · Product News · Audio · Distributed Audio · Video · Digital Media · Events · ISE · Wireless A/V · Russound · Apple Airplay · Ise 2012 · Streamer ·About the Author
6 Comments (displayed in order by date/time)
I love Russound and I sell a lot of them, but this pcompton is right… Russound move the time is now… The iPad apps is excellent and the final user love that, that’s we want tu see in a keypad…. Color and grafic plus control lutron, light touch, aprilaire and alarm system…. System like élan G, crestron prodigy and xantech have the grafic and also control other device…
Move Russound…....
ha ha, you liked that pcompton?
I couldn’t agree more with pcompton. Hey Russound, you know what other Apple product our clients really like and would like to be able to integrate using Russound distribution systems? AppleTV! You know what isn’t possible with Russound’s current product line? Distribution of AppleTV! It scares me that we still have heard no mention of an HDMI solution from anyone at Russound. The DMS-3.1 is pretty fantastic, but let’s not stop there. It’s time for this one time industry leader to come out of hibernation.
distribution of Apple TV? Russound needs that? Here’s an idea, place a 1080p new ATV at EVERY video location. at $100 how can you not do that? For $400 you get four AirPLAY music streams selectable from any iPad, four 1080p independent video streams at each TV. Stop fighting back, I read on here that an installer wants a keypad that looks like an 8000 Samsung, with beautiful graphics, no bezel, etc. He wants to install it in a wall?! So all his clients can get up out of their comfy chair to change a music stream? Or what fast forward the VCR tape? C’mon guys, our clients are carrying around controllers 1000 times better than any “keypad” I know I know ” but you can’t make money selling Apple” Correct but you can make money selling solutions that impress the client, that they show off to others. My clients don’t send their friends to Apple, they send them to me! 
Oh great, so you can stream music from your phone to the speakers on the TV? AppleTV is simply one of many devices we will see that have no component output. Don’t you think clients would like to hear the movie they are streaming from Netflix on the speakers above their head that they paid for? Talk about missing the point!
Since Russound is my favorite company to beat up, I might as well get started. I love how Julie writes….“Russound has been a little quiet lately in the R&D Department”. Julie is a much nicer person than I am. Russound has been a little quiet since 1991.
The reason I’m so hard on you Russound, is because I like you. And I think that somebody at Russound may read my statements and use them to light a fire under somebody’s butt.
So I’ll start with the good. You make pretty solid equipment.
There, I’m done.
Everything else needs to be re-worked. I actually use the C-series for whole house audio, but I don’t install the keypads. I use a control system so I don’t have to install your keypads. They look horrible. I would never install them at a customers house.
You need a “control system” slap an HDMI matrix into your C series, add some lighting. Make it so I don’t have to buy extra parts and pieces from other manufacturers. Get rid of Component !!! Installers can’t do component cables everywhere anymore….Let’s get with the program people. And put the option of using HDMI baluns on the back, and we’ll need 3D too. Are you seeing the picture yet? You need a control system…and you need it yesterday.
And you better make it work.
Now, let’s talk keypads. Go buy all of your competitors keypads, Control 4, Niles, Aton, etc. Look at all of those keypads. They suck too. Don’t do anything that they’ve done.
My suggestion? Take a look at the Samsung 8000 LED TV. Make your keypads look like that, and make them install flush (or near flush) to the wall. And don’t use some garbage graphics. I don’t want to see some big plastic bezel. It looks like crap.
Russound, you need to get back in the game before the guys who are younger than me forget what it is that you actually do.
Russound, the clock is ticking on you. You’ve still got a pretty good name, but you’re getting left behind.
The Airplay is a nice step in the right direction. The outdoor speaker with the airport express stuffed in the bottom is ugly and dumb at the same time.
So please, lets get crackin’. I’m available for motivational conference calls whenever you decide to move forward. Good luck.