FAQ

1. What does the CAST-1 do?

It adds streaming audio to speakers that aren't smart. Plug it into a 3.5mm line-in, add it to Home Assistant, and it shows up in Music Assistant as a player you can stream to.

2. Do I need powered speakers?

Yes. The CAST-1 outputs line level and has no amplifier of its own, so it needs powered speakers, a receiver, or an active soundbar.

3. My speakers use RCA or 6.35mm inputs, will it work?

4. What power supply does it need?

A 5V 1A USB-C supply is plenty. The CAST-1 is sensitive to power fluctuations and needs constant 5V, so use a quality supply and cable.

5. Do I need Music Assistant?

Music Assistant is how you stream to the CAST-1 out of the box, and your CAST-1 shows up there as a player automatically once Music Assistant is running. The Getting Started guide walks through installing it.
A Squeezelite firmware is also on the way if you'd rather run your CAST-1 as a Squeezelite player instead.

6. Do I need Home Assistant?

Not strictly. The CAST-1 works with Music Assistant on its own, though most people run both. Home Assistant adds the device entities, text-to-speech, and announcements, and our Getting Started guide sets the CAST-1 up through it.

7. What can I stream to it?

Anything Music Assistant can play, including your local library, streaming services, and radio. Music Assistant handles the sources and sends the audio to your CAST-1.
AirPlay and Spotify Connect aren't built into the CAST-1 firmware. Music Assistant has a plugin for each: AirPlay Receiver and Spotify Connect, which make its players show up as AirPlay or Spotify Connect targets. Both are early in development with limited functionality, and Spotify Connect needs a Spotify Premium account.

8. Why are there two media players on my device?

Apollo CAST-1 Sendspin Player is the player Music Assistant streams to, and the one you group with other CAST-1s for multi-room audio. It handles announcements too, forwarding them to the ESPHome player so the music still ducks.
Apollo CAST-1 Player is the Home Assistant media player. Use it for text-to-speech and announcements, which duck the music down and bring it back when they finish. See TTS and Announcements.

9. Can I play the same music in several rooms?

Yes. Group multiple CAST-1s in Music Assistant and they play in sync. Volume can be set for the whole group or per player.

10. Does it need a cloud account or subscription?

11. Can I control playback without opening an app?

Yes, pair a WizMote. Each of the nine buttons is configurable in Home Assistant using the CAST-1 WizMote blueprint. See WizMote Control.

12. Can I connect it with an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi?

Yes, with the Ethernet add-on module. It's a header board that presses onto the top of the case. There's nothing to flash, one firmware covers both connections.
Plug a cable in and your CAST-1 switches over to the wired connection. If it's also joined to your Wi-Fi it keeps both up at once, so Home Assistant doesn't lose the device while you plug or unplug the cable. Take the cable out and it goes back to Wi-Fi on its own.
The Network Connection sensor on the device page shows which one is in use. It reads Ethernet, WiFi, Ethernet + WiFi, or Hotspot.
The setup hotspot never broadcasts while an Ethernet cable is connected. Unplug the cable if you need it back.

13. Can I pair my phone to the CAST-1 over Bluetooth?

Not with the firmware it ships with today. Music reaches your CAST-1 over your network through Music Assistant instead.
The Squeezelite firmware that's on the way adds Bluetooth support, so this will change.

14. What does the Bluetooth Proxy switch do then?

It lets the CAST-1 relay nearby Bluetooth devices back to Home Assistant, extending your Bluetooth coverage. That's for sensors and trackers, not for audio.

15. What are the RGB LEDs for?

The four onboard RGB LEDs are exposed as the RGB Light entity. Change the color, use the Slow Pulse or Fast Pulse effect, or turn them off entirely.