The new Linux-based home multimedia distribution system generated the loudest buzz at this year’s CEDIA (custom electronic design and installation association) trade show, according to Computer Reseller News, which has published a feature article previewing Monster’s ultra-high-end “Einstein” system, expected to ship by March next year.

According to CRN, Einstein product manager Chris Greene credits Linux with enabling Monster to behave “more like a consumer electronics legacy device, eliminating the boot process that delays start-up and shut-down.”

Einstein appears to comprise six separate devices, all or most of which appear to be based on Linux. Together, the systems enable users to distribute media such as DVDs, broadcast and recorded video, satellite radio, and recorded music to multiple output devices within the home. Monster’s ultra-high-end Einstein components include:

• Nucleus, a $4,000 controller that handles media distribution, and provides a control interface for home lighting, security, and VoIP systems
• Electron, a $2,500 media adapter/client.
• Photon, a $2,400, 200-disk DVD disc changer capable of playing two DVDs at once.
• Neutron, a $5,000 RAID-5 storage array with a capacity from 960GB to 7.2TB.
• Astro, a $1,500, three-zone Sirius satellite radio tuner.
• Tron, a $1,300 seven-inch LCD touchpanel.