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Does this product work with anything other than an iPod? |
| A: |
OutCast and all Soundcast products work with any MP3 player and any playlist. The iCast dock is designed to accomodate the iPod product line and the connector serves to both control the iPod and charge it at the same time. The iCast has a 3.5mm mini-jack on the back which can accomodate any MP3 player. When used in this way, the track controls on the OutCast will not function. Soundcast designed an alternative transmitters, the Universal AudioCast (UAT) to provide you with the ability to control tracks on any computer's (PC or MAC) media player software playlist directly from the OutCast. The UAT also has a 3.5mm mini-jack input for use with MP3's. The UAT is sold separately.
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| Q: |
What is the life expectancy of the OutCast battery?
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| A: |
OutCast uses a Nickel Metal Hydride battery that is rated by the number of charges it can take before expiring. Our NiMH battery is rated at a minimum of 500 charges before requiring replacement. Generally we expect them to perform much better than this, and they have in fact, but the documented specification meets a minimum standard. The trick with NiMH batteries is to run them until they are completely empty and the charge light on the OutCast indicates they need to be charged (blinking red light... don't you just hate em?). They do not develop a memory but NMh batteries like to be fully drained. This maximizes their useful life. Charging them after each use is unnecessary and may shorten their life. If you are unsure of how much battery life is left, charge the OutCast a few hours before you use it. These batteries do slowly trickle discharge so it is better to charge them just before you need to use them, rather than right after you do so.
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| Q: |
Can the OutCast be connected to my home audio receiver to take that sound outside? |
| A: |
The OutCast has two transmitter options, the iCast or the Universal AudioCast Transmitter. Both of these have stereo line level input. The cable kit that comes with either transmitter includes an RCA to mini-jack cable for iCast and RCA to RCA cables for UAT. Just take the line level output of the audio receiver and connect it to the line level input of the transmitter and you are in business. (Caution: Make sure that you do not have an iPod docked in the iCast transmitter if that is what you are using for this application).
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| Q: |
Can the OutCast work with other wireless systems? |
| A: |
We do not work wirelessly with other systems. Our proprietary system is much more robust and uses significantly different technology than any other wireless product. If there is an output available on the other wireless system, connect it to the iCast or UAT and use the OutCast to play the music. Note that the track controls on the OutCast will not function in this application. OutCast works with one of Soundcast's two transmitters, the iCast transmitter or the Universal AudioCast transmitter (UAT). Both of these take line level input and come with assorted cables.
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| Q: |
What do you mean by "weatherproof"? Is the OutCast waterproof or not?
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| A: |
OutCast is designed to be fairly water resistant. It is not waterproof, meaning if you drop it in the pool we get to sell you two! Seriously, the OutCast is built to be used and if left outside it will not sustain damage from the elements. Obviously it is not designed to be left outside permanently but it can handle weather issues quite well. Sprinklers, dogs, rain, snow, sleet and hail will not keep it from its appointed duty of sounding good. What you should keep in mind is that it is a high quality device and it does need to be recharged. Even though it's finish includes ultra-violet protection from the sun, It is best left in a sheltered location when not in use. If properly maintained it will give you many years of excellent service. With respect to "beach wear", the unit should not be buried in the sand. Sand is no more an enemy of the OutCast than water, however care should still be taken. |
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| Q: |
Why doesn't the OutCast have a remote control?
Why can't I have something that shows me what the tracks are?
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| A: |
OutCast is designed primarily as an outdoor product. Remote controls come in two flavors: IR (infrared) and RF. In the case of IR, obviously Mr. Sun has something to say about it. IR doesn't work well at all in sunlight and so this was not something we considered. The RF option and MetaData (being able to see tracks etc) take up one full radio channel. We determined that it was more desirable to be able to support two systems for our initial product than to support MetaData and remote control. Soundcast transmitters (iCast and UAT) each can support two receivers EG: one transmitter can support two OutCasts, or one OutCast and one SpeakerCast (cool product that does have an IR remote for indoor use. . .check it out!). At some later time we will offer multi channel products that provide remote with MetaData, but not for now. Interestingly there are other products that interface well with our products and provide remote operation.
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| Q: |
When I play my music from my computer, I have to turn the volume up almost all the way to hear anything. What is going on? |
| A: |
It is important to check the volume setting on your computer and make sure it is at 80%-90% of maximum level. Windows master volume does control what output you get from Soundcast products when played through your PC. |
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| Q: |
I have an MP3 player that has a built in Bluetooth capability. Do you have a speaker system that I can interface it with? |
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All of Soundcast's systems use our proprietary 2.4GHz technology. It uses entireley different protocol than Bluetooth systems. Our products are built for reliability and we do not interface with other systems directly, although there are some 3rd party devices that are compatible. |
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| Q: |
Can the OutCast system be run without the battery installed and connected to AC power? |
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Yes, the system can run wthout the battery installed while connected to AC power. While the system is weatherproof, for safety reasons, you should not use it in the manner described above where water is present.
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| Q: |
What iPods will the iCast system support? |
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The iCast will support all iPods from 3G on. This includes the iPod Touch and the iPhone models. iPhone 3G and Nano-Chromatic models will play though all iCast transmitters, but will require iCast transmitters produced after January 2009 to charge. (Apple's charging circuitry changed and iCast transmitters produced in 2009 accomodate this change and charge iPhone 3G and Nano-Chromatic models. With January 2009 production and forward however, older iPod 3G products will not charge in the iCast dock. ) |
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| Q: |
When my iPod hits complete charge, the receiver module goes into a pause mode and does not continue to play until the play button on the receiver unit is pressed. How can this be resolved?
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If you turn off the "repeat" function your iPod will stop playing when it reaches the end of the playlist or album. Make certain that "repeat" is selected on your iPod. This is most likely the cause of this problem. The iCast charging system has no relationship to what you are experiencing. |
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| Q: |
I am having trouble gettting sound out of my Soundcast System. I can faintly hear sound when I turn my receiver to full volume. My sound card is at full volume and my headphones work fine when patched through transmitter. What am I doing wrong? |
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It is important to check the volume setting on your computer and make sure it is at 80%-90% of maximum level. Windows master volume does control what output you get from Soundcast products when played through your PC Next, make sure that both the power light (green) and the link light (blue) are on and steady on both the transmitter and the receiver. If not, check the sliding channel switch on the back of each unit to make certain that both "ends" are on the same channel, 1, 2 or 3. Next make certain that the 3.5mm mini jack plug is inserted all the way in the socket on the transmitter and the RCA plugs are properly seated in the receiver module. It is also pretty important, though it sounds dumb, to check that you have connected the transmitter and the receiver to power and that the connectors and plugs are seated and fully inserted. |
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| Q: |
Do the Soundcast products interfere with other wireless devices or systems? |
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Current Soundcast systems operate on a frequencey hopping 2.4GHz radio. This effectively hops around RF traffic in the 2.4GHz license free band. Normally robust wireless systems accomodate each other by sending redundant packets of data so that none is lost. There are other systems that are not as robust as Soundcast and may occassionally drop signal as a result of being too near to the Soundcast transmitter. If you encounter this, move the Soundcast transmitter as far away from the other transmitter as is feasible. Our system is designed to be transparent to all other 2.4GHz devices. We are not affected by microwaves, cordless phones, routers etc. and we are also careful not to affect these other devices. In some instances we have heard that our transmitters may cause interference, but this is rare and can be easily cured by moving the transmitter at least 24 inches from other 2.4GHz devices. |
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| Q: |
Does the iCast system introduce a delay? Can it be used for rear speakers where the front speakers are wired?
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iCast systems have a fixed delay of 64ms (milliseconds) which is audible, even for surround sound information. Out Universal AudioCast Transmitter (UAT) has two user selectable delay settings: "M" (multi-room applications) transmits signal at the same 64ms as the iCast, while the "S" (same or single room) setting is at 15ms. For a rear speaker application as you describe, we suggest you purchase the UAT set at "S". |
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| Q: |
Where do I get the adapter for the iCast transmitter?
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Early models of the iCast transmitter shipped with 6 or 7 then applicable inserts to accomodate various iPods and provide support for them while in the dock. Later models utilize the "Universal Dock" approach which allows you to use the insert that came with your iPod. This was changed to accomodate as many iPod changes as Apple can produce. |
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When I try to use my UAT I cannot get iTunes to work. What am I doing wrong? |
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This is an easy one. iTunes likes everybody to be in their seats when they enter the room. The trick is to hook everything up, add power and THEN call up iTunes. |
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Can I use the UAT with my home theater system?
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You betcha! The UAT comes with a USB cable AND an adapter plug that will allow you to plug it into any outlet. The inputs are standard RCA's and we provide the cables in a variety of forms. Just connect to your tuner left (white) and right (red) outs add power, and you can use OutCast, SpeakerCast or our iCast receiver on the other end to get audio signal. |
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