30 March 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WOODBURY, NY — At Electronic House Expo 2006 (EHX), Audioaccess, a division of JBL that provides advanced whole-house audio/video solutions, announced it will begin shipping its Audioaccess aDock iPod docking station and multiroom audio interface in April 2006. The aDock allows a compatible iPod to interface with an Audioaccess multiroom audio system, enabling the iPod to play music in any room in the system, and providing two-way operation of the iPod from a Color Audioaccess Touchscreen Controller (CATC) in a remote zone or from a Web-enabled device such as a computer, Internet tablet or PDA.
Chris Robinson, Audioaccess director of sales and marketing, pointed out: “More and more consumers are seeking ways to listen to their iPod players through their home entertainment systems, and our Audioaccess aDock facilitates seamless integration of the iPod’s versatile music storage and playback capabilities with the whole-house music distribution and two-way control functionality of an Audioaccess multiroom audio system. Thanks to our aDock, our customers can easily enjoy all their favorite iPod music from anywhere in their homes — with the superior sound quality that is the hallmark of every Audioaccess multiroom audio component.”
Audioaccess and iPod: Providing High-Quality Music Anywhere in the Home
The Audioaccess aDock is a tabletop holder that operates in conjunction with Audioaccess system interface components and the Audioaccess PX-700 Multiroom Audio Controller, a multiroom audio component that offers flexible whole-house music-distribution capabilities and exceptional sonic performance. The aDock can be used with all compatible iPod models equipped with a docking connector.
To install the aDock in an Audioaccess system, it is connected via a single proprietary cable to either the Audioaccess CATC/2WSI Two-Way Serial Interface, or the soon-to-be released CS-IP Audioaccess Control Server. Both products are flexible, “intelligent” two-way interface units that link an outboard home device, such as the iPod, with the PX-700 and the Color Audioaccess Touchscreen Controller, a wall-mountable touchscreen controller that provides operation of an Audioaccess PX-700-based multiroom audio system from a remote zone.
In addition, the CS-IP provides an IP (Internet protocol) address and a user control display to a Web-enabled device, allowing a compatible PC, Internet tablet or other Web-compatible wired or wireless device, such as a PDA or cell phone, to control the iPod and the Audioaccess multiroom system.
Both the CATC/2WSI and the CS-IP include internal software that enables them to be configured to communicate with the iPod when it is placed in the Audioaccess aDock. Once the CATC/2WSI or the CS-IP is configured, it interprets the data sent from the iPod and converts it for display on a CATC; the CS-IP also translates the iPod data for display on a Web-enabled computer or device.
In addition, the Audioaccess aDock provides both unbalanced and balanced audio feeds to the system, enabling the transmission of audio signals for up to 1,000 feet of Cat. 5 cabling. The iPod is also powered from the aDock, with no batteries or external power adapter required.
The two-way functionality that is facilitated by the aDock and the Audioaccess system components enables the iPod to send operational information to the Audioaccess system, and a CATC or Web-compatible device to control the iPod from a remote location. All iPod menu information, such as artist, album and track information, is displayed on the CATC or Web-enabled device, and all iPod music-playback functions, such as start, stop, pause and next track/previous track, are accessible via remote operation.
The Audioaccess aDock’s compact size enables it to be easily placed in a convenient location in a home entertainment system, providing a user with ready access to his or her iPod for listening at home or on the go.
The Audioaccess aDock multiroom audio interface for the iPod will begin shipping in April 2006 at a suggested retail price to be announced.
The Harman Consumer Group (HCG) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of high-fidelity loudspeakers, audio and video components, and multimedia systems for use in homes and automobiles, and with computers. The group’s brands include JBL, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel, Audioaccess and Lexicon.
HCG is a division of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. Harman International (www.harman.com)
is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high-fidelity audio products and electronic systems for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. The company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HAR.”
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For additional information, contact:
Frank Doris
FM Group Public Relations
631-385-1304 ext. 402
frank.doris@fm-group.net
Audioaccess, JBL and Harman International are registered trademarks of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
