If you want to stream music from your computer to your home stereo system—or think you might want to set up a multi-room wireless music system but are daunted by the cost and complexity of other systems on the market—Logitech’s new Wireless DJ might merit some consideration.
The Wireless DJ system connects uses Logitech’s Music Anywhere wireless system to stream music from a PC to a stereo or speaker setup, streaming any PC audio format (including MP3, iTunes, WMA, Internet radio streams, podcasts, and more) and provides wireless control from your couch, countertop, or favorite napping spot with a wireless remote featuring an integrated blue, backlit LCD display and iPod-like mechanical scroll wheel control.
“Today tens of millions of people are using their PC as a digital music hub to centralize their music collections and to discover new music” said Dale Pistilli, Logitech Media Control Group’s director of product marketing in a statement. “Wireless DJ Music System gives people full access to all of that great music anywhere in the home and the Wireless DJ remote puts control of that music in hand. It’s a complete yet affordable solution that’s easy to set up and doesn’t require a complicated home network.”
The Music Anywhere transmitter plugs into a USB port on a computer, while a corresponding Receiver/Dock plugs into a stereo system using standard RCA connectors or a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Wireless DJ Music sytem then stream music to the receiver, with wireless ranges of up to 50 meters for both the remote and the Receiver/Dock devices—the system can handle up to four additional Receiver/Dock devices, enabling multi-room audio setups. On the PC, users install and configure Logitech’s StreamPoint software, which aggregates playlists audio files, podcasts, Internet streams, and other audio from sources like iTunes, Windows Media Player, and Musicmatch Jukebox (now Yahoo Music Jukebox), creating a music and audio library that can be browsed and managed using the Wireless DJ remote.
The Logitech Wireless DJ requires Windows XP, and should ship in the U.S. and Europe in late September, and carries a U.S. suggested retail price of $249.99. Add-on Receivers (to connect additional stereos/speaker systems) will be priced at $79.99 apiece.
