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NetStreams' Musica Audio Distribution System Offers Seamless Integration with Imerge's XiVA Tacta - The Next Generation in Media Control Software (13/12/2004)

Musica's Compatibility with XiVA-Tacta Provides Users Simple Control of Up to Four Sources in Six Different Zones Via Wireless PDA Devices

NetStreams, the leader in IP-based Networked Audio/Video distribution, is pleased to announce its partnership with Imerge Ltd., a recognized European leader in Internet-connected hard-disk based audio products and media appliances. The Musica Distributed Audio System, long noted for its simple installation, superior sound, and ease of use through its interactive keypad operation, now integrates with XiVA-Tacta, the latest addition to Imerge's XiVA family of products. This innovative control application works in conjunction with all XiVA powered hard disk music servers and gives the user full control of their entire music library - anywhere in the home, from the palm of their hand. "Our team is committed to the design of cutting-edge solutions that give users easy access and control of their audio systems from any room in their homes," said Herman Cardenas, founder and chief executive officer of NetStreams. "Our IP-based approach aims to provide impressive scalability, expandability, utility and compatibility with tomorrow's source components. This makes us a natural fit for XiVA's technology, which is rapidly becoming the de-facto standard for the next generation of CE products that are Internet-enabled."

XiVA technology comprises embedded software and hardware reference platforms that power the next generation of networked hard disk based Media Appliances. XiVA makes it easy to receive, record, store, access and manage vast amounts of digital A/V content using cost-effective, fast, hard disks as the primary storage medium. XiVA gives revolutionary multiple access to any piece of content, from any room in the house, at the same time and forms the heart of an entertainment-centric home network or home gateway application. A new Internet based entertainment service, XiVA-Net, is designed to work together with any XiVA powered media appliance to deliver personalized content direct to the user.

"We are extremely pleased to be working with NetStreams," stated Steve Croft, head of technology licensing at Imerge. "This partnership further strengthens the position of XiVA as the leading technology for CE companies looking to develop next generation home entertainment products."

XiVA-Tacta's integration with the Musica Audio Distribution System enables a wireless PDA to control up to four sources in six different zones. The centerpiece of the system is Imerge's new SoundServer S2000, which can play up to four independent music streams. The S2000 stores hundreds of hours of music and conveniently browses a collection by album name, artist name or genre. It allows simultaneous playback of different tracks in up to 3 different rooms, and it provides convenient ways to access the music collection through a variety of multiroom controllers.

Driven by XiVA-Tacta software, complete music metadata is displayed on a convenient touch-screen remote control, along with categories of albums, artists, genres or custom playlists. XiVA Tacta offers intuitive browsing and two-way control of digital media, all delivered through a rich and dynamic user interface. The software hot syncs with the SoundServer downloading all the album information onto the PDA via IR control. Communication between the PDA and the SoundServer happens over 802.11b or g wireless networks.

Other sources are controlled with a three-screen interface. The various screens allow users to browse the music database on the PDA and select the music they want to hear. The Source Control Screen controls the functions of the source selected in a given room or "all rooms". The Preset Control Screen activates a desired preset for a tuner, satellite receiver or other sources, and the Settings Screen permits adjustments to bass, treble, loudness, balance and other settings. XiVA-Tacta and Musica offer the convenience of a multi-source, multi zone system displaying complete music data information at the user's fingertips.

NetStreams Musica 4602 System is an easy-to-install and easy-to-operate audio distribution system capable of playing up to four different sources independently and distributing them to as many as six rooms (expandable to 18). In addition, the system allows for listening to an additional local source (XM, CD player, cassette tape player, tuner, auxiliary input, etc.) in one room using an optional AudioPort or with the installation of an innovative in-wall amplified keypad which features an integrated FM Tuner. Users can listen to different sources at the same time throughout the home. Compensating gain adjustments at the inputs ensure that all sources are distributed at equal levels. Each room is controlled from a simple yet elegant keypad that sports a mini-widescreen LCD graphic display that clearly depicts the status of the system. One of the distinguishing differences about the Musica 4602 System design is that the amplifiers for each room are located within that room as an integral part of the wall mounted keypad. Most other systems have the amplification for all the rooms located in one place near the source equipment.

www.imerge.co.uk
www.netstreams.com