Yamaha MusicCast Expands Home Audio to Every Room (original) (raw)

In 2003, Yamaha introduced a functioning wireless multi-room audio system called MusicCast. Since then, a lot has changed in the multi-room and wireless connectivity space. To compete, Yamaha delivered a total revamp of its MusicCast concept for modern audio systems, with a particular focus on wireless usability.

Yamaha Corporation of America

Wireless multi-room, or whole-house audio, has made inroads in recent years, Sonos being a well-known example. Still, there are others, including HEOS, Play-Fi, Samsung Shape, Apple Airplay, and Qualcomm AllPlay, that offer ways to control and listen to music and audio throughout your home.

MusicCast Core Features

What We Like

What We Don't Like

MusicCast's central pitch is its wireless control. Through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, you can send, receive, and share music and audio through compatible Yamaha products. These products include home theater receivers, stereo receivers, wireless speakers, soundbars, and powered wireless speakers. The downside is that it's a closed system, meaning its products and features are only designed to work with other Yamaha MusicCast devices. It's also not backward-compatible with the older versions of Yamaha MusicCast.

Apple Airplay, Pandora, Spotify, SiriusXM, Rhapsody, and any Bluetooth audio device can be played through MusicCast. Any turntables, audio cassette decks, Blu-ray/DVD players, and other receiver-based hardware can be controlled and played through speakers on the MusicCast app. The app is separate from Yamaha's iOS and Android AV Controller App, but you can navigate between the two for tighter control of home theater components.

MusicCast supports hi-res audio playback for compatible products. If a product is not compatible with hi-res audio, MusicCast down-converts the signal to 48 kHz, which is roughly equal to CD quality. It is DLNA-compatible, which means it can access and distribute audio from DLNA certified devices, such as PCs, NAS (Network Attached Storage) drives, and media servers.

There are a couple of downsides. MusicCast cannot send 5.1/7.1 channel audio from a MusicCast-enabled receiver to an external playback device, but it can provide a two-channel mix-down for multi-room or multi-zone distribution.

MusicCast and Alexa

Yamaha MusicCast can be used with Amazon Alexa devices, including Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, and Amazon Fire TV. Once set up, you can use Alexa to control compatible wireless speakers around your house. You can also combine MusicCast, select Echo devices, and Bluetooth for additional access and control options.

How to Install and Launch Yamaha MusicCast

Once you have a MusicCast-enabled receiver, soundbar, speaker, or home-theater-in-a-box system, follow these instructions to get it up and running.

These instructions may vary slightly from device to device.

  1. Turn on and connect your MusicCast-enabled product to your home Wi-Fi network.
    Make sure the firmware for the MusicCast-enabled receiver or speaker is up to date.
  2. Download and open the Yamaha MusicCast Controller app on a smartphone or tablet. Follow the instructions.
  3. Select the Connect button on the MusicCast-enabled device that you'd like to control.
    Depending on the product, you may need to press and hold the Connect button to trigger the discovery operation.
  4. On the MusicCast Controller app, select Next. The app begins the discovery process to identify and connect the MusicCast-enabled device.
  5. As instructed by the app, navigate to your phone's Wi-Fi settings, and switch to the network labeled MusicCast Setup.
  6. Return to the MusicCast Controller app, select your home Wi-Fi network, and enter the password.
  7. Enter a location name to describe the room or device you are connecting.
  8. Select Next. If you like, add a photo to indicate the room with the device you are connecting. You can use a stock image or a photo from your library.
  9. Select Next. Your MusicCast-enabled device is now controllable through the MusicCast app.

Yamaha MusicCast Products

To broaden the compatibility of products that work with MusicCast, Yamaha provides firmware updates for several older models, including the following:

Some Yamaha products that have built-in MusicCast capability include:

Yamaha MusicCast: The Bottom Line

There are several competing multi-room audio systems, and some of the popular ones, like Sonos, offer a broad range of compatible products. Some also have apps that are easier to use. If you own a Yamaha receiver, soundbar, or home-theater-in-a-box system, MusicCast may be the most practical solution.

The limitations of MusicCast are that it's not compatible with wireless speakers, receivers, and software from competing brands like HEOS, Play-Fi, or Sonos. Also, you can't use receivers made before 2018 to control surround sound wirelessly.

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