NetStreams® New MediaLinX™ MLA101 Integrates with Polk Audio’s Component XM Radio Tuner

Posted by Marketing Ma... on Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - 02:36 pm:

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Austin, TX – February 23, 2005 – NetStreams, the pioneer in Networked Audio/Video distribution, has just announced a new addition to its revolutionary line of DigiLinX IP-based multi-room audio products – the MediaLinX MLA101. A step up from the MLA100, the MediaLinX MLA101 legacy audio converter integrates seamlessly with the world’s first component XM Radio tuner, the XRt12 manufactured by Polk Audio. The two products interface via a serial-to-RS232 connection, allowing for XM Radio listeners to select XM radio stations on DigiLinX’s TouchLinX touchpanel controls, as well as see all the data bundled with each song, such as artist, title, or genre.

“Adding the newest model MediaLinX to our DigiLinX line opens up a host of integration possibilities with RS-232-controllable products,” said Herman Cardenas, CEO and founder of NetStreams. “Polk Audio is the first of many manufacturers who are releasing IP-compatible products that integrate with DigiLinX. The shift to using IP-based products will take home entertainment to a new level of richness, with product performance becoming more impressive, and capabilities becoming more varied. DigiLinX is the premier platform for harnessing all of the functions of IP products with a control interface that’s completely intuitive for any user.”

The MediaLinX MLA101 (as well as the MLA100, introduced in Fall 2004), both convert audio from legacy sources, in real time, to TCP/IP lossless audio streams for playback over the DigiLinX multi-room audio/video system. The MLA101 adds a 3.5mm input to RS-232 for communication via RS-232 with legacy sources, such as CD/DVD players, cassette decks, radio tuners, etc.

In the fall of 2004, NetStreams successfully partnered with Polk Audio to integrate DigiLinX with Polk Audio’s LCi-p Series speakers, the first IP-addressable loudspeakers. Al Baron, Polk Audio’s product line manager, says he is pleased with the synergy generated from such high-tech couplings: `We’ve received wonderful feedback on our IP-addressable speakers so it was natural for us to build our XM Tuner to play through DigiLinX. The flexibility of IP communications is giving custom installers the flexibility to build audio distribution systems that integrate virtually any audio source with never-before-seen simplicity of control. We’re very pleased to be working with NetStreams on setting the standard for the future of home entertainment.”

The Polk XRt12 reference tuner is designed to be a permanent part of any home audio system, delivering XM Radio programming. It is easy to connect to any home audio system and comes with everything necessary to enjoy XM radio the day it arrives. Its unique video output allows the display of channel information, artist name, and song title on any TV screen or touch screen throughout the home. NetStreams’ TouchLinX in-wall color touchpanels show this information throughout the DigiLinX system.


DigiLinX: The First IP-based Networked Audio/Video Distribution System

DigiLinX uses NetStreams’ patent pending StreamNet™ technology to distribute audio over CAT5e using TCP/IP on an Ethernet network. DigiLinX converts audio from legacy sources (Tuner, CD Player, other) in real-time, to uncompressed audio streams, allowing up to 24-bit, studio-quality audio to be distributed throughout a home or commercial facility. StreamNet automatically solves the synchronization of an audio source to multiple rooms over a TCP/IP network, a function that no other system has been able to provide. By taking advantage of today’s cutting-edge computer networking technology, DigiLinX can give users access to literally millions of sources in an infinite number of rooms or zones.

About Polk Audio

Polk Audio is an international manufacturer of home and car loudspeakers, with headquarters in Baltimore Maryland. Polk Audio are The Speaker Specialists®, designers and manufacturers of loudspeakers for home, car and office. Founded by Matthew Polk and George Klopfer in 1972, Polk Audio holds over 45 patents for advances in loudspeaker design and technology. Polk products are distributed the US and Canada and in over 50 countries. Consumers can reach Polk Audio by phone (800) 377-7655 or by email polkcs@polkaudio.com.

About NetStreams

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NetStreams provides sophisticated networked audio leading the marketplace in technological innovation. NetStreams is committed to utilizing state-of-the-art human engineering to create home entertainment products that are truly user-friendly and future-compatible. NetStreams is creating the future of home entertainment today.

For additional information on NetStreams and its innovative products, please visit www.netstreams.com <http://www.netstreams.com/> .

NetStreams is a registered trademark of NetStreams LLC. MediaLinX, DigiLinX, and StreamNet are trademarks of NetStreams LLC. Polk Audio and The Speaker Specialists are registered trademarks of Polk Audio.

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