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Yamaha MusicCast: What Is It and How Does It Work?
MusicCast sends home audio to every room, but there are some limits
By Robert Silva Robert Silva Writer San Diego State University Robert Silva has extensive experience in consumer electronics and home theater product sales and sales supervision; he has written about audio, video, and home theater topics since 1998. Robert has articles published on HBO.com and Dishinfo.com plus has made appearances on the YouTube series Home Theater Geeks.
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lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 2, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email
In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section MusicCast Core Features MusicCast and Alexa Step-by-Step: Install and Launch Compatibility Bottom Line 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.
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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.
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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 Connects receivers, wireless speakers, and soundbars to one wireless ecosystem controlled by a smartphone. Works with Apple AirPlay, Amazon Alexa, Pandora, Spotify, SiriusXM, Rhapsody, and any Bluetooth audio device.
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Works with turntables, audio cassette decks, Blu-ray/DVD players, and other physical media connected to a compatible receiver. Compatible with hi-res audio and DLNA. What We Don't Like A closed system designed to work only with other Yamaha MusicCast devices.
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Cannot send 5.1/7.1 channel audio from a MusicCast receiver to an external playback device.
Wireless surround sound only works with Yamaha receivers made during or after 2018.
Wireless surround sound only works with Yamaha receivers made during or after 2018.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 supports compatible wireless sub and surround options.
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If you want to control those devices through MusicCast, you need a MusicCast-compatible receiver.
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.
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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.
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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.
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Download and open the Yamaha MusicCast Controller app on a smartphone or tablet. Follow the instructions. Select the Connect button on the MusicCast-enabled device that you'd like to control.
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Depending on the product, you may need to press and hold the Connect button to trigger the discovery operation. On the MusicCast Controller app, select Next.
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The app begins the discovery process to identify and connect the MusicCast-enabled device. As instructed by the app, navigate to your phone's Wi-Fi settings, and switch to the network labeled MusicCast Setup. Return to the MusicCast Controller app, select your home Wi-Fi network, and enter the password.
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Enter a location name to describe the room or device you are connecting. Select Next.
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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. Select Next.
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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: RX-V479 through RX-V779 home theater receiversAVENTAGE RX-A550 through RX-A3050 home theater receiversYHT-5920 home theater-in-a-box system Some Yamaha products that have built-in MusicCast capability include: RX-S601/S602 Slim-Line home theater receiversR-N402/602/303/803 network stereo receiversAVENTAGE CX-A5100/CX-A5200 AV preamp and processorsRX-V481 through RX-V781, RX-V483 through RX-V683 home theater receiversRV-V485 through RX-V685 home theater receivers (includes MusicCast Wireless Surround)AVENTAGE RX-A660 through RX-A3060, RX-A670 through RX-A3070 home theater receiversAVENTAGE RX-A680 through RX-A3080 home theater receivers (includes MusicCast Wireless Surround)WXA-50 wireless streaming amplifierYSP-1600/2700/5600 soundbars and SRT-1500 TV speaker baseBAR 400 soundbar (includes MusicCast Wireless Surround)WX-010 and 030 remote wireless bookshelf speakersModel 20 and 50 wireless speakers (compatible with MusicCast Wireless Surround)NX-N500 powered monitor speakerSub100 wireless sub (compatible with MusicCast Wireless Surround)MusicCast VINYL 500 Wi-Fi turntableYamaha 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.
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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.
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Also, you can't use receivers made before 2018 to control surround sound wirelessly. Was this page helpful?
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Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire The Truth About Wireless Speakers for Home Theaters How to Connect Your TV to an External Audio System The Yamaha YSP-5600 Dolby Atmos Digital Sound Projector Yamaha RX-V483 Review: Good Value, though Lacking Format Support The Complete Guide to Home Audio Systems for Beginners What Is Wireless Home Theater? How to Make Wired Speakers Wireless The 6 Best Mid-Range Home Theater Receivers of 2022 The 6 Best Two-Channel Stereo Receivers of 2022 What Is Hi-Res Audio?
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The Basics The Difference Between Home Theater and Stereo Receivers Yamaha's R-N602 and R-N402 Stereo Receivers With MusicCast Tips to Set Up and Get the Most From a Sound Bar The 5 Best High-End Home Theater Receivers of 2022 Which Wireless Audio Technology Is Right for You? The 8 Best Home Theater Starter Kits for Under $500 in 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies
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