This Player Piano Gets Songs Off the Internet
Yamaha just announced the release of its new Disklavier player piano, which now comes with an 80-gigabyte (GB) hard drive and Internet capability for streaming downloads of 'live' songs to literally play in your living room (these "songs" contain the data needed to make the instruments ivories move). Ever since radio took over the limelight some 65 years ago, real instruments such as the piano have struggled to remain as mainstays in the home. But now that the Yamaha Disklavier Mark IV can play itself in your home -- much like an old-school player piano -- it may be back in the living room to stay.
Built on a Linux operating system for easy upgrades, the Disklavier also features a Wi-Fi touchscreen remote to allow you to control your piano through walls so that while you're on the veranda eating canapes you can change up the mood for your guests in the living room. Or, for those interested in having a bit more fun with their new player piano, the Disklavier also incorporates karaoke file compatibility with microphone inputs and text displayed on the Tablet Remote Control.
Subscription service to the DisklavierRadio streaming service, which features classical as well as songs from the likes of Elton John and the Beatles, is $19.95 per months, or $199.95 per year. Songs can be downloaded to the hard drive from the DisklavierMusicStore. Or you can just play your CDs in the embedded tray or merely hook up your iPod for added convenience.
The Disklavier Mark IV starts at $35,000 and is available now at Yamaha dealerships.
From Yamaha.
