Multi-Channel Sound, PulseTouch Displays and Digital Media Control Define Mobile Electronics Marketplace in 2004

TORRANCE, Calif., Jan. 8, 2004 -- Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. this year will introduce innovative technology and design achievements that will dramatically raise the bar for the mobile electronics market. Radical improvements in interface design, the wide-scale introduction of multi-channel sound systems and high-tech advancements in digital media handling will usher in a new level of excitement for both mainstream consumers and sophisticated mobile electronics enthusiasts in 2004.

"The mobile electronics market is undergoing tremendous change, and with that, true innovations in technology and design that deliver a definitively better user experience will be more important than ever," said Stephen Witt, Alpine's vice president of Brand Marketing. "With digital media now ubiquitous, performance and value will be defined by sound tuning capabilities, human-machine interface and the ability to personalize the in- car entertainment environment."

Four prestigious CES 2004 Innovations Awards for Excellence in Design and Engineering underscore the achievements showcased in Alpine's product line this year.

Multi-Channel Sound Moves From the Home to the Car

Alpine's company-wide initiative in 2004 is to lead the industry in moving beyond stereo to multi-channel sound with three distinct systems. Following the home electronics market's simplified "home theater in a box" approach, Alpine will offer the mobile industry's first integrated 5.1 system for the vehicle. This integrated system pairs Alpine's new in-dash DVD-based IVA-D300 Mobile Multimedia Station(TM) with its MRA-D550 Digital Theater Amplifier, the market's first digital amplifier featuring a built-in 5.1 multi-channel sound processor -- both 2004 Innovations Award-winners. The components were engineered to work together to deliver a superior sounding multi-channel system with control of all-digital sound tuning through the head unit's seven- inch touch screen monitor. The display uses Alpine's exclusive PulseTouch(TM) technology, making it the industry's first touch panel to provide tactile, force feedback-like sensation to a user's fingers for easier control.

Alpine also will introduce a high-end multi-channel surround sound system that pairs its new IVA-D901 in-dash DVD/CD/AM/FM Mobile Multimedia Station featuring a motorized, high resolution display with its PXA-H701 multi-channel audio processor. Together, these components serve as the centerpiece for enjoying multi-channel sound and offer virtually unlimited variations for building a personalized mobile multimedia system. For DVD-based multi-channel content, the PXA-H701 delivers high performance 5.1 surround sound decoding in Dolby Digital(R) 5.1 and DTS(R) formats.

The PXA-H701 also bridges the gap from two-channel stereo content (CDs, radio, compressed digital media) to multi-channel sound with its on-board Dolby Pro Logic II(R) decoding.

In 2004, Alpine will also offer the industry's first ultra-high end DVD- audio system for the car. The AlpineF#1Status(TM) DVI-9990 DVD-Audio player is a transport-only design that can be matched with either the new AlpineF#1Status PXI-H990 audio processor for incredible multi-channel sound or the AlpineF#1Status DAI-C990 digital/analog converter (DAC) for a superior two-channel system. The DVI-9990/PXI-H990 system also took home a CES 2004 Innovations Award.

Focus on Human-Machine Interface to Make Systems Easier to Use

Alpine will introduce consumers to a much easier way to interface with their DVD entertainment systems in 2004 with the launch of the industry's most advanced touch screen displays in 2004. The IVA-D300 Mobile Multimedia Station showcases Alpine's exclusive PulseTouch(TM) technology, which uses vibrations, pressure and sound to simulate the sensation of using real buttons on a touch screen.

PulseTouch technology provides a radical improvement in 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. Another innovation enables DVD menu keys to be controlled directly through the PulseTouch display.

Alpine will also bring touch screen to the rear seat environment this year with its TME-M770 6.5-inch head-rest style monitor. The monitor's touch screen enables rear seat passengers to use familiar arrow icons for fingertip control of content playback. Users simply touch the icon at the bottom of the screen to play, pause, fast backward or fast forward discs or the four direction arrows to find content within folders. Brightness, contrast, tint and sharpness can all be controlled on the screen, as well as visual equalization to optimize image quality.

Breakthroughs in interface design will also be apparent on Alpine's 2004 line of in-dash receivers. Alpine's top-of-the-line SwingFace(TM) CD receivers, the CDA-9835, CDA-9833 and CDA-9831, take personalization to the max with Alpine's exclusive iPersonalize(TM) button. With iPersonalize, users can customize the head unit's Bass Engine(TM) sound tuning, select one of 512 different colors for their LED illumination and control their subwoofer amplifier system using Alpine's exclusive Amplifier Link(TM) technology -- all through one button on the receiver's face. To make navigating through large MP3/WMA libraries easier, Alpine's head units feature an enhanced user interface called Quick Search(TM) that enables users to find music by genre, artist, album, song or playlist using a button on the front panel.

Improving Compressed Digital Media Handling Through Exclusive Technologies

Alpine will offer 10 different models of in-dash CD receivers in 2004 with MP3/WMA support starting at $230 and XM Satellite Radio support starting at $199. Alpine's MP3/WMA head units feature a 32-bit processor to ensure highest quality playback of files recorded on today's ultra-fast computers and a 500Mhz sound processor called Media Xpander(TM) that restores the original audio detail to compressed digital media formats for truer, more lifelike sound inside the car.

Particularly exciting is Alpine's industry groundbreaking CDA-9820XM CD receiver featuring an integrated XM tuner, another CES 2004 Innovations Award winner. Alpine's all-in-one CD/AM/FM/XM receiver makes it easier for users to enjoy XM's service by simply installing the CDA-9820XM and a new XM Micro antenna (sold separately), without having to purchase a separate XM tuner box.

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.