| Windows XPe displaces Linux in home music server |
Sep. 01, 2006
 [Updated Sep. 1] -- Elan Home Systems has switched from Linux to Windows XP Embedded in its networked home music server line. The switch to Windows XP Embedded in the VIA!dj II Digital Music Server enabled adding "literally dozens of new dealer-requested features" to the product, according to the company.
Elan describes the VIA!dj II as a multi-output digital audio storage and music management system that provides access to music from a VIA! touch-panel, or from a network-enabled television. The device offers easy storage, management, access, and distribution of music collections throughout the home, according to the company.
Elan's Windows XPe-based VIA!dj II and its touch-panel controller
(Click image to enlarge)
The VIA!dj II series is based on a 1 GHz processor, as opposed to 533MHz in the earlier model, according to a company spokesperson. The line includes three models, which differ in the number of independent audio outputs and disk storage capacity: - VIA!dj-s -- one pair of audio outputs, 160 GB hard drive
- VIA!dj -- 4 pairs of audio outputs, 160 GB hard drive
- VIA!dj-hc -- 4 pairs of audio outputs, 250 GB hard drive
All units have the following features in common: - Additional audio outputs -- 1 digital optical, 1 digital coaxial
- Audio inputs -- 1 pr. analog, 1 digital optical, 1 digital coaxial
- Video outputs -- composite (NTSC or PAL), S, and VGA
- 10/100 Ethernet, RJ45
- RJ11 modem port
- 2 USB Type A
- RS232 control port
"The new VIA!dj II models offer all of the acclaimed features found in the original VIA!dj, along with many great new additions, making it the system of choice for Specialty Dealers," stated Elan president and chief technology officer Bob Farinelli. "With an enhanced iPod interface that allows customers to use iTunes to view and transfer content to their iPod, on-line upgrades, a new easy-to-use PC and Mac interface, back-up and restore, and WMA file support, the new VIA!dj II models fill a void in the market through the delivery of state-of-the-art features at an incredible price."
Advantages of Windows XP Embedded over Linux
"The driving force behind the rollout of the new VIA!dj II's is the incorporation of the Windows XP Embedded operating system," the company said, in a statement.
According to the company, the switch to Windows XP Embedded has enabled the addition of "literally dozens of new dealer-requested features into the updated product line and brings to market the most complete, feature-rich line of digital music management systems available today," and has resulted in a product that is "faster, more powerful, and with unmatched reliability."
The Windows XP Embedded platform simplifies programming of the VIA!dj II series, enables an enhanced Apple iPod interface and transfer protocol to move files between an iTunes library and the VIA!dj, and simplifies backup and restore to network-attached storage, according to a CRN report.
"These were things that really weren't possible or easy with the Linux system," Farinelli noted, as quoted by CRN. "The speed to come out with new features is a lot higher because there's a lot more talent out there that knows these platforms than there are with Linux."
Availability
The new VIA!dj II's are available now, priced at $2,350 (VIA!dj-s II), $3,800 (VIA!dj II), and $4,950 (VIA!dj-hc II), according to the company. The devices will be on display in Elan's booth at CEDIA Expo 2006 in Denver, in September.
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