CasaTunes has added the ability to control and supply streams of music to multiple RTI AD systems (Audio Distribution Systems). CasaTunes Streamers will now supply three, four, or eight streams of music to the inputs of the RTI audio distribution systems and switch them to any of up to 64 rooms.
The combination of a CasaTunes Streamer and one or more RTI AD systems creates a complete multi-room audio solution that can be used with or without RTI processor control, thanks to the ability of CasaTunes to control the AD systems. CasaTunes is also releasing an updated driver for RTI control systems that makes it easier for dealers to create powerful user interface designs for CasaTunes and integrate with lighting, TV, HVAC, and other control user interfaces for wall mounted panels, handheld controllers or in RTI panel apps for Android and iOS.
“Our RTI dealers are asking for additional integration and support as homeowners were looking for simple ways to control all technology in the home,” said Kim Knapp VP of CasaTunes. “These improvements are part of CasaTunes’ continuing support for integration of CasaTunes multi room audio into a controlled home.”
CasaTunes can supply streaming music from any of multiple Internet music services, such as Pandora, Spotify, or SirusXM, and music from disc-based iTunes or Windows Media. Using CasaTunes Air, customers can also use CasaTunes AirPlay integration to stream music from iOS devices directly to any room or combination of wired and wireless rooms. The resulting CasaTunes-RTI combination can be controlled by CasaTunes iOS and Android apps or integrated into an RTI controlled home using the CasaTunes driver.
“CasaTunes has added powerful new features that allow dealers to seamlessly integrate and control whole house media via CasaTunes in homes with RTI-distributed audio systems,” said Scott Kelley, vice president of sales and marketing for RTI. “With these latest enhancements it has become even easier to add CasaTunes to an RTI home automation system.”
The latest CasaTunes driver includes a way for dealers to integrate CasaTunes more quickly into existing designs. In addition, the new driver makes browsing for new music more intuitive, allows the dealer to add a keyboard, and includes other improvements. For current users of CasaTunes, the new method of browsing for music is similar to browsing with the CasaTunes native apps. The new keyboard allows the homeowner to search across all or individual services for the artist, album or song, create new Pandora stations and create CasaTunes Playlists.
The latest CasaTunes software and the latest version of the RTI driver and user interface examples are available here.