The Drive for More Entertaining Products Leads to Great New in-Dash Audio Video Systems from Pioneer
LAS VEGAS--Consumers seeking great audio and video quality in the car have a solution for unlimited entertainment on the road with the introduction of two new multimedia systems from Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. Both the AVH-P4900DVD and AVH-P5900DVD are packed with more audio, video and connectivity capabilities for the best in-car entertainment experience. The DIN units are sized to fit most vehicle dashboards and offer a choice of a 6.5- or 7-inch video screen, great audio quality and easy connectivity to either XM® or SIRIUS® satellite radio, iPod® and Bluetooth® cell phones.
“Today’s technophiles are looking for new ways to share the growing number of short, funny video clips available free from so many online sources. Adding a high-quality video screen to the dash of a car offers a great solution to share the latest videos with friends,” said Larry Rougas, vice president of marketing and product planning for the mobile entertainment division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “When a popular new video hits one of the social networking sites, you don’t want to be the last person to have seen it. A quick download to DVD or video iPod and you can bring it with you in the car and be first on the block with the ability to show it off.”
Video
Both units offer high-quality motorized LCD screens for playback of DVDs or downloaded DivX® video content. The AVH-P4900DVD has a 6.5-inch screen and the AVH-P5900DVD has a slightly larger 7-inch screen. Pioneer is known for its high-quality video products for home and in-car use, and consumers can be assured that its screens will offer best-in-class video reproduction.
Sound
Both systems offer high-power MOSFET50 amplification, pre-am outputs and two-way crossovers for great sound quality in the car. The processing includes Pioneer’s Bit Map Expander for compressed audio files to fill in the areas of music that are missing after compression. This adds a fuller, richer sound quality for MP3, WMA and AAC compressed audio.
Convenience
A rotary volume control on the AVH-P5900DVD makes it easy to scroll through play lists to find the perfect song for the occasion. Five different graphic user interface styles are offered to customize the look of the screen to match a mood. Different graphics can be selected for different times of day or a single style can be used to match the dash of the vehicle. Both units offer the choice of red or blue illumination.
Connectivity
The AVH-P5900DVD provides complete connectivity to satellite radio, portable music devices and Bluetooth cellular phones. At the back of the unit, an auxiliary input accepts connection to virtually any portable audio device with mini jack outputs.
The system features a built-in iPod Direct control feature utilizing an optional iPod cable (CD-I200), simplifying the connection of the popular player and eliminating the need for external devices. Music content and information from an iPod are accessed at high speed and displayed directly on the large touch screen monitor. Similar to the scroll wheel on an iPod, the search bar appears on screen to display play lists, genre, album and artist folders. The system is also compatible with iPod video players with basic controls on screen.
Consumers with Bluetooth cellular phones can take advantage of the AVH-P5900DVD’s Bluetooth hands-free capability. With the optional CD-BTB100 Bluetooth adapter, enabled cell phones can be synched to the system, letting users carry out phone conversations through the vehicle’s internal speakers and the microphone included with the adapter. The AVH-P5900DVD automatically mutes the audio when a cell phone is in use. Phone numbers can be stored and dialed through the unit’s touch display or pushed wirelessly directly from a cell phone. The system also features caller identification when phone numbers are stored in its internal phone book.
The system also features the A2DP Bluetooth protocol, allowing wireless audio streaming from Bluetooth-enabled audio players. In addition, the AVRCP protocol is supported allowing for simple operation of the audio player via the touch screen.
Satellite radio tuners from either XM or SIRIUS are compatible with both units.
Pricing and Availability
The AVH-4900DVD will be available in March 2007 with a suggested price of $800. The AVH-P5900DVD will be available in May 2007 with a suggested price of $1000.
Pioneer’s Mobile Entertainment Division is known for offering the kind of in-car products that make driving more enjoyable by offering high-quality audio and video, advanced connectivity and ease-of-use. Its focus is on the development of new digital technologies including audio video, navigation and satellite radio, while maintaining its strong heritage in products for car audio enthusiasts and sound competitors. The company markets its products under the Pioneer and Premier brand names. When purchased from an authorized dealer, consumers receive a limited warranty for one year with Pioneer products and two years for Premier electronic products.
Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., and its U.S. Web address is www.pioneerelectronics.com. Its parent company, Pioneer Corporation, is a leader in optical disc technology and a preeminent manufacturer of high-performance audio, video and computer equipment for the home, car and business markets. The company focuses on four core business domains including Blu-ray Disc and DVD, display technologies, navigation and Digital Network Entertainment.™
PIONEER is a registered trademark of Pioneer Corporation.
DIVX is a registered trademark of DivX, Inc.
BLUETOOTH is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
IPOD is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
XM is a registered trademark of XM Satellite Radio Inc.
SIRIUS is a registered trademark of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.