News

The Multi-Room Company introduces new Russound iBridge Bay for integration of Apple Macs into distributed audio systems (5/7/2007)

CEDIA UK Expo 2007

The Multi-Room Company, distributor of custom installation products, is introducing the new Russound iBridge Bay to enable iTunes content to be available throughout the whole house.

By providing a connection between a Mac and an existing RNET(r) system (Russound's proprietary multi-room audio network), the iBridge Bay enables a Mac Mini to be used as a cost effective media server, utilising iTunes, iDVD, iPhoto and other TV/PVR functions. iTunes playlists can be navigated from Uno S1 & S2 RNET keypads and with the more advanced UNO-TS2 touchscreens, full search and play by artist, genre or title is possible.

Not limited to just audio content, the use of a Russound SRC2 remote control in a RNET zone with display device, gives access to the Mac's Front Row interface for search and play of photos, videos and DVDs stored on the computer. All data transmission, audio, video and photo, is routed via one CAT-5 cable, making installation and integration with existing systems simple and quick.

Although the aesthetics are designed to complement the Mac Mini, the iBridge Bay will work with any Intel Core Duo Macs, running OS X 10.4 or higher.

The Multi-Room Company will be working in partnership with Apple Mac Reseller, Grafx, to offer installers the ability to purchase the iBridge Bay with a Mac Mini in various kits, comprising external hard drives, and PVR software.

Robert Hay, business development manager, said: "The ability to integrate a Mac Mini into a multi-room system gives the installer a whole new proposition to offer clients. Their existing iTunes music and video libraries and stored DVDs can now be made accessible via the familiar Russound user interface and Apple Front Row software, anywhere in the house. Distribution of HD video content from the Mac Mini will also be possible using Russound's forthcoming High Definition Video Matrix and the RNET system. We believe this offers a significant competitive advantage to the installers who choose to use Russound products."

www.multi-room.com