News

NetStreams Displays IP-Based, Networked Audio Distribution System-DigiLinX (11/3/2004)

Multi-room audio system distributed over an Ethernet network using TCP/IP protocol provides web access control

NetStreams, America's leading Networked Audio solutions provider, will showcase its new line of distributed audio products, DigiLinX, at the Spring Electronic House Expo in Orlando, Florida. Show attendees can experience this groundbreaking new technology at booth # 1024 from March 11-13, 2004 at the Orange County Convention Center.

Networked Audio marks a fundamental change in the way audio is distributed and controlled in a multi-room system. DigiLinX is comprised of IP-based audio products networked to distribute audio and control signals over an Ethernet network, using TCP/IP to multiple rooms. Conformance to internationally accepted standard protocols assures easy and elegant interfacing with a wide variety of systems and products, and control via any web browser equipped device (in addition to NetStreams keypads). Examples of interfaces that NetStreams believes will become popular with its customers are in-wall IP-based touch screen keypads, PDAs, web tablets, and PCs.

"We are very passionate about high-quality music reproduction throughout the home," said Herman Cardenas, founder and chief executive officer of NetStreams. "Our vision of providing superior audio performance, simplified operation, seamless integration, and a plan for the digital future of whole-house entertainment is achieved with the introduction of DigiLinX."

Networked Audio offers completely scalable systems with virtually unlimited sources and zones, more choices of user interfaces through open communication (TCP/IP), easy integration with other home systems, even remote programming, troubleshooting and upgrades.

The first DigiLinX products are comprised of several components:

AudioLinX(tm)-IP-based set-top/rack-mount audio distribution/control center and sophisticated non-blocking Ethernet switch. An optional networked XM(r) Satellite Radio Module is designed to fit into the Digital Expansion slot in the AudioLinX.

TouchLinX(tm)-IP-based 4" color touch screen keypad with an integrated web server, and 4-port Ethernet switch designed to interoperate with other DigiLinX products. A software upgrade will offer Voice-over-IP for room-to-room intercom and whole house paging. TouchLinX keypads will also display video from IP-based cameras.

SpeakerLinX(tm)-IP-based digital amplifiers offering programmability, control and reporting over a network. Larger models can be placed in a rack, or in a room near the speakers. Smaller models are designed to mount on or in speakers.

SwitchLinX(tm)-IGMP (Internet Group Message Protocol) enabled, multicasting, non-blocking 24-port Ethernet switch designed specifically for handling the high demands of networked audio/video distribution products. An AudioLinX server, which contains one SwitchLinX module, has inputs for native networked sources. Additional SwitchLinX modules can be employed to expand the network audio inputs.

MediaLinX(tm)-IP product that allows legacy (analog) sources to participate in a DigiLinX networked audio system by converting the source's analog or S-PDIF output into streaming audio, in real time, including representing the source's IR controls as TCP-IP controls on the network. Each MediaLinX supports one (1) legacy source with discrete IR output and power sensor input.

DigiLinX offers a scalable system enabling virtually unlimited rooms and virtually unlimited sources. Using standard TCP/IP, DigiLinX has the most advanced integration capabilities available in distributed audio today. Seamless communication with other home systems such as lighting control systems, home automation systems, security systems and more is easily achieved. DigiLinX's open architecture allows those systems to feed information for display and control, in real-time, eliminating the need for multiple keypads on one wall. In addition to selecting sources from the KeyLinX(tm) keypads, owners can finally browse their digital music content or XM Satellite Radio meta data via the keypad's color LCD or any web enabled device. Listeners can select their ID-tagged music by genre, album, artist or song title.

www.netstreams.com