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Alpine Ships First Aftermarket DVD-Based Navigation System in North America

2 November 1999

Alpine Ships First Aftermarket DVD-Based Navigation System in North America

 The DVD PowerNav System Offers Unprecedented Computing Speed and Continuous
   Coverage on One Disc; Raises Benchmark for In-Vehicle Navigation Systems

    TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 2 -- Alpine Electronics, the
industry-leading manufacturer of high-performance mobile electronics, today
announced the shipping of the first aftermarket DVD-based Navigation and
Information System to its network of authorized dealers.  Alpine is the global
leader in mobile navigation systems, with more than seven generations of
product development and nine years marketing experience in the Japanese and
European markets.
    Alpine is the first manufacturer to expand the North American navigation
business into a two-media product strategy.  With both CD-ROM and
DVD-ROM-based navigation technologies in the marketplace, Alpine is the first
company to offer consumers a choice of systems that now defines a category of
product in North America.
    Similar to Alpine's award-winning CD-ROM based navigation system, the new
NVE-N851A DVD PowerNav System is the most advanced in-vehicle, Global
Positioning Satellite (GPS) linked computer available in North America.  The
DVD PowerNav system offers the same door-to-door route guidance system that
allows drivers to be safer and more efficient on the road.  The DVD-ROM data
capacity enables the system to cover the entire continental U.S., plus the
greater Vancouver and Toronto areas, on a single disc.  This eliminates the
need for multiple CD-ROM Changes when traveling cross-country.
    The biggest advancement of the DVD-ROM platform is the software's
operational speed.  DVD-based navigation dramatically increases the
speed-of-route calculation and off-route recalculations, making the system far
more responsive in a vehicle.  The DVD system operational speed is ten times
faster than other navigation systems on the market.  It also incorporates an
embedded CD Audio technology that delivers enhanced voice guidance, including
specific freeway entrance/exit names; 16:9 wide screen aspect ratio graphics;
and full integration with Alpine's Mobile Mayday(TM) telematics system.
    "Alpine's goal is to offer the best and most powerful mobile multimedia
products to consumers," said Stephen Witt, Alpine's vice president of Brand
Marketing.  "We're shifting our navigation platform to DVD to ensure we
deliver the highest performance and value available to consumers.  Alpine is
aggressively pursuing ways to advance navigation technology and get more
drivers to realize the time savings and safety benefits a navigation system
can yield."
    Mapping and information for the DVD PowerNav is available on a single
Alpine Smart Map Pro DVD for easy loading and future upgrades.  The Smart Map
Pro DVD-ROM stores thousands of pre-programmed points of interest (POI) around
the U.S. and parts of Canada, and will be updated to keep up with the
ever-changing road systems and locations.  Alpine's DVD software incorporates
the Navigation Technologies (NavTech(R)) map database and the Info USA(R)
points of interest/business information database for state-of-the art
precision and detail.
    Alpine's DVD PowerNav System is available with a choice of three monitor
options: the TME-C005AS Control Monitor, a new 4.6" LCD monitor with built-in
control buttons; the TME-M750, a new 6.5" LCD monitor with large 16:9 wide
screen display and video inputs for entertainment sources; or the CVA-1005,
the flagship 6.5" wide screen motorized in-dash Mobile Multimedia Station for
integrated audio, video, navigation and telematics, featuring 16:9 wide screen
GUI for Drivers graphics for all sources.
    The DVD PowerNav, model NVE-N851A, has a Suggested Retail Index (SRI) of
$2000.  The SRI's for the three monitors are: TME-C005AS Control Monitor at
$600; TME-M750A 6.5" Wide-Screen Monitor at $800; and the CVA-1005 Mobile
Multimedia Station at $1300.

    About Alpine Electronics
    Alpine Electronics is one of the world's leading mobile electronics
companies.  Alpine is the only manufacturer specializing in mobile multimedia,
an integrated system approach incorporating audio, video, security, telematics
and navigation products for the mobile environment.  With research and
development facilities in Asia, Europe and the U.S., Alpine is the global
leader for in-vehicle navigation systems in Japan, North America and Europe
for the after-market and for OEM factory installations.  Visit Alpine's Web
site at http://www.alpine1.com to discover the future of Mobile Multimedia or call
(800) ALPINE-1 for the closest dealer.