Alpine Premieres World's First In-Dash A/V Head Unit With 'PulseTouch' Screen Technology

TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 8, 2004 -- You've got to touch it to believe it. Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. today unveiled its new IVA-D300 Mobile Multimedia Station(TM), a powerful DVD-based A/V head unit featuring its exclusive PulseTouch(TM) technology, which uses vibrations, pressure and sound to simulate the sensation of using real buttons on a touch screen. The system has been honored as a 2004 CES Innovations Awards winner for design and engineering excellence.

The IVA-D300's PulseTouch technology provides a radical improvement in human interface design for mobile electronics products by delivering tactile confirmation of on-screen commands through the user's fingertips. The technology can simulate different key styles to provide a unique feel when holding down, tapping, sliding or pushing a button. Users can even feel the edges of each key when tracing their finger over the screen, enabling them to locate buttons while keeping their eyes on the road.

The IVA-D300 Mobile Multimedia Station, featuring a seven-inch wide screen monitor, is the perfect solution for users who want the ability to enjoy multiple audio and video formats in the car, including DVDs, DVD-R/RW, CDs, CD-R/RW disks with MP3/WMA files and AM/FM radio and is XM Satellite Radio ready. The unit allows for the addition of a wide range of in-vehicle electronics, such as a TV tuner, 5.1 multi-channel sound processors and DVD/CD/MP3 changers -- all of which can be controlled using the PulseTouch screen.

In another industry first, the IVA-D300 enables DVD menu keys to be controlled via the PulseTouch display's Direct DVD Menu Touch. This feature is key since DVDs have varying layouts for set-up and playback menus. With this feature, users no longer have to adjust their attention to identify differing DVD menus, since all actions are now accessible by touching the screen. Brightness, color, contrast, tint and sharpness, as well as Alpine's new Visual EQ(TM) control to optimize image quality, can all be adjusted through the PulseTouch display.

"Alpine has broken the mold for touch screen in the car," said Stephen Witt, Alpine's vice president of Brand Marketing. "With its groundbreaking PulseTouch display technology, the IVA-300 sets a new industry standard for human interface design and full multimedia system control."

To ensure premium performance and reliability, the IVA-D300 uses modified versions of the DVD playback and motorized monitor mechanisms used in Alpine's industry's benchmark AlpineF#1Status(TM) products. The IVA-D300 also delivers outstanding sound performance with Bass Engine(R) sound tuning, support for Dolby ProLogic(R), Dolby Digital(R) and DTS(R) formats and Alpine's own Media Xpander(TM) digital sound enhancement technology.

The IVA-D300 works with Alpine's exclusive Amplifier Link(TM) technology, enabling users to control setup and tuning for up to eight amplifiers directly through the PulseTouch display, including the new MRA-D550 Digital Theater Amplifier, which is engineered specifically to work with the IVA-D300. With the purchase of an Alpine VPE-S431 expansion module ($250), the IVA-D300 can control up to three auxiliary audio/visual sources for multi-zone audio and video control for up to two additional monitors.

Alpine's IVA-D300 Mobile Multimedia Station is expected to be available through Alpine authorized dealers in April for a target retail price of $1,500.

About Alpine Electronics

Alpine Electronics is the world's leading automotive consumer electronics system supplier and an ISO certified corporation. Alpine specializes in an integrated platform concept for mobile multimedia with premium components for digital audio/video media playback, digital broadcast reception, and satellite linked navigation. With research and development facilities in Asia, Europe and the U.S., Alpine is the global leader for mobile sound systems and in- vehicle navigation for both after-market and OEM factory installations. Alpine Electronics is a consolidated subsidiary of Alps Electric Co., Ltd., one of the world's premier manufacturers of electronic components for computer, communications and car electronics equipment. Visit www.alpine-usa.com to learn more about Alpine products or to find an authorized retailer.