Yamaha MCX-1000 MusicCAST Digital Audio Server

by Yamaha

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 23 x 23 x 13 inches ; 25.4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 30 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000C6J5Q
• Item model number: MCX-1000
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,195 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Yamaha's MusicCAST system allows every member of the family to store his or her music collection in one central location, and then wirelessly transmit the collection anywhere in the home. The MusicCAST system is enabled by the MCX-1000 server, which features IEEE802.11b wireless communication with MCX-A10 digital audio clients. The server features a self-contained 80 GB hard drive with the ability to store 1,000 CDs (MusicCAST dealers can install hard drives with larger capacities). The MCX-1000 is also a high-quality recorder with CD-R/RW compatibility that quickly transfers original music to the server. It features CD-MP3 playback, and can create high-quality music CD compilations from stored original music. With its easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI) and built-in CD recognition database provided by the Gracenote CDDB, the server is convenient and straightforward. Additional features include an onscreen video out for video monitor display, pre-amp audio output that lets you connect to existing audio components, LAN (Ethernet) network connection, and a large FL display.

Product Description

The YAMAHA MCX-1000 Digital Audio Server stores and broadcasts music content wirelessly via 802.11b and CAT-5 Ethernet to any location within your home. Separately sold MCX-A10 MusicCAST clients retrieve and play back audio stored on the MCX-1000. Copies CD to hard drive in Linear PCM format Records external sources at 1X via Analog or Digital inputs Analog level control on front panel Creates CDs at up to 8X using built-in CD-Recorder from hard drive PCM files PS/2 port for connecting optional PC keyboard Headphone jack w/ level control IR remote control Dimensions - 4-3/4H x 17-1/8W x 15-5/8D; weighs 24.2 pounds

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very nice product, May 4, 2004

By 

"wizegamer" (Los Altos, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yamaha MCX-1000 MusicCAST Digital Audio Server (Electronics)

I bought one of the MusicCast systems as soon as it was available (after drooling over it at a couple of trade shows). The first thing I did was upgrade the harddrive to 200GB. Required a trip by my dealer to my house, but it gave me much more capacity. The interface is very intuitive. It's very fast at copying from cd to the internal disk. In the background, it converts from PCM to whatever MP3 compression level you've set for default (I always use 320KB). You can remove the PCM version to save space (I keep it for critical listening stuff, but my wife doesn't care, so her PCM's are deleted immediately :-) I have a couple of the MCX-A10 terminals scattered around the house. I've had them connect through ethernet and wireless and seems to work fine for both. Yamaha just released a software update that allows access to the MusicCast database through a web browser. This makes it very easy to fix titles, artists, etc. (You can plug a keyboard into the MusicCast, but it requires powering down which is too much trouble for me). I have to say that the most annoying thing about the MusicCast is the GraceNote CDDB database. Yamaha's implementation is great. The CDDB database is a mess. Album titles are inconistent, misspelled, etc. That's why having the browser editing is such a big deal to me. The best endorsement I can give is that my wife really likes the MusicCast. She was sceptical, but after seeing how it works and being able to browse her music, she's sold. Highly recommended for anyone who just wants to be able to enjoy their music without having to deal with PC's.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another TIVO, May 11, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Yamaha MCX-1000 MusicCAST Digital Audio Server (Electronics)

I can't say enough about this product. I liken this to the enthusiasm most have with Tivo. I bought it last summer when it first shipped. My first one did have a hard drive problem after a couple of days but Yamaha was incredibly responsive and shipped me a brand new one overnight. I was actually very surprised at how easy it was to "get going"....less than 15 minutes including loading my first CD to the hard drive.
Using it is also so straightforward that my kids were able to use it after only a couple of minutes of coaching...they all have their own playlists now which they just love. I actually moved out of my house for a remodel project and set it up in the temporary housing without incident. Also I've gone through one product firmware upgrade and the addition of one "client" also without incident. I have two "clients" in the house and they kids love the ability to play their playlists at the same time in two different rooms.
A couple of things to note...you really need a TV monitor hooked to the server to effectively navigate the menus to do anything more than "play" or "record" (which most people will likely do anyway). Also be aware of the "recording" and "burning" rules/constraints before buying so your expectations are set appropriately if you like to "burn" playlists to CD's for use on portable devices.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Jumbo iPod and then some-Phase II, November 3, 2005

By 

Bach Forever (Northern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yamaha MCX-1000 MusicCAST Digital Audio Server (Electronics)

I purchased the MCX 1000 Server and 2 Clients over a year ago. They have far exceeded my expectations. When I inquired about upgrading the hard disk, the cost was absurdly high. I checked with Yamaha and with Seagate (who make the drives for the Server) and then purchased a 300GB Seagate Barracuda ATA Drive. I now have over 350 classical CDs recorded in full PCM (That is how I play them over my Hi-Fi equipment and on one client). I have upgraded each of the clients by connecting to small amplifiers and bookshelf speakers. The fidelity is consistently high and bright in eith PCM or Mp3 modes. When combined with a Yamaha RX600 Receiver and speakers and a Yamaha Subwoofer, they deliver a highly respectable performance. When played through my higher-end A/V system, the sound is as good as any CD played on a higher end CD player. Bravo. Reservations: As others have mentioned, the Gracenote CDDB is remarkably inconsistent (especially with classical recording). The PS2 connection allows editing with a keyboard and with the correct connection you can edit on a PC.

Phase II: Just purchased a 750GB Hard Drive and will have Yamaha upgrade the MCX-1000. It currently contains 450 CDs in full PCM. I hope to increase this substantially. I now have it networked to three additional systems in my home. PCM by wireless on my main Hi-Fi (music only) system is excellent, with very litlle loss of signal or dynamic range. This remains a marvelous product.