Music to My Ears
Crestron's Answer to The iPod Challenge
There are many ways to attach an iPod to our whole house music system. Crestron's new iServer is taking the job very seriously. It goes beyond the usual "docking way of life". The iServer is a permanent home for our iPod. If you don't mind hiding away your little wheely friend for good, here is what you get in exchange.
Your iPod will still be accessible from your computer (Mac or PC) using the USB over IP software, called Crestron Sync. iTunes will find and connect to your iPod, locked up in the drawer of iServer, just like if it were plugged in directly to your comupter's USB port. You can upload new songs without ever needing to take it out of the drawer.
It is important to know that while you are connecting to the iPod from iTunes, it is not available for the music system to use. After you have disconnected the iPod from iTunes, depending on the number of songs you have, there will be a 2 - 8 minutes database reloading time, while the iServer is still not available for music playing.
Why is this database synching is necessary? Crestron provides, simultanious search and browse functionality from upto 80 independent touch screens or keyapds. Crestron uses the database in the iServer's memory for that.
Crestron provides effortless connection of the iServer to Adagio, the integrated multi zone entertainment system family. Connecting the iServer to a "regular" Crestron multi zone audio video distribution system is also possible.
The iServer communicates with the main CPU via Ethernet, the response time to commands is therefore quite fast. It can display the album's picture of the currently playing music on the newer generation touch screens, which are capable of showing dynamic graphical content.
The navigation of the iServer from the touch screens is quite different from what we used to, while cranking its wheel on our own. Not to mention the iPod touch or iPhone. Crestron's browsing method is more similar to their previous audio server generation, the AAS.
The overall experience using the iServer is good. It is one of the most cost effective media servers, available on the market, today. It can play all the popular audio formats, and it plays video as well. Having our usual playlists, is also a very convenient feature.