VIA!dj II Models Boast Microsoft XPE Operating System and Larger Hard Drive for Extended Listening
LEXINGTON, KY — ELAN Home Systems, announced today the highly anticipated release of the company’s next generation of Digital Music Servers, the VIA!dj II series. This innovative server line consists of three new models; the VIA!dj II, VIA!dj-s II single output, and VIA!dj-hc II high capacity, offering storage, management, easy access, and enjoyment of music collections throughout the home. The announcement was made by Bob Farinelli, ELAN’s President and Chief Technology Officer.
“The new VIA!dj II models offer all of the acclaimed features found in the original VIA!dj, along with many great new additions, making it the system of choice for Specialty Dealers,” stated Mr. Farinelli. “With an enhanced iPod interface that allows customers to use iTunes to view and transfer content to their iPod, on-line upgrades, a new easy-to-use PC & Mac interface, back-up & restore, and WMA file support, the new VIA!dj II models fill a void in the market through the delivery of state-of-the-art features at an incredible price.”
The driving force behind the rollout of the new VIA!dj II’s is the incorporation of the Windows XPE operating system (OS). Faster, more powerful, and with unmatched reliability, the new OS has allowed ELAN to add literally dozens of new Dealer-requested features into the updated product line and brings to market the most complete, feature-rich line of digital music management systems available today. With the August shipping of these new models, ELAN will phase out the previous VIA!dj products so that Dealers may install the latest and greatest for every client going forward.
ELAN attributes the on-going success of the company’s VIA!dj line, in the face of the iPod’s growing popularity, to the fact that it is a stationery, robust server that seamlessly integrates with touch panels around the house. This makes it very usable and allows PC centric users and media collection (CD) centric users to enjoy both worlds.
ELAN’s release of the three different VIA!dj II models allows Dealers to address and meet the varied needs of today’s consumers, making it the system of choice. The four-output VIA!dj II and VIA!dj-hc II each enable users to listen to different songs in different rooms at the same time, with the “hc” model providing the same, plus massive amounts of storage for the client with extremely large collections. The single-output VIA!dj-s II provides all the benefits of digital music management by playing one song at a time throughout the house. All models easily tie into ELAN’s multi-room and control systems, providing viewable artist, album and song information on VIA! Touch Panels and standard TVs.
The VIA!dj II and VIA!dj-s II feature 160GB hard drives offering storage for more than 3,500 hours of music at STD WMA. The higher-end VIA!dj-hc II, with its new 400GB hard drive, offers massive storage of nearly 9,000 hours of music at STD WMA. The three models combined provide a music management solution for every job, offering ELAN Dealers a feature set and and price point needed to best accommodate every client.
Among the many new features included in the updated line of music servers are the PC & Mac user interface that allows the customer to control their VIA!dj II, edit content, and import cover art using the built in web-browser interface, a drag and drop audio files option from a PC or Mac and an enhanced iPod interface that allows customers to use iTunes to view the content of VIA!dj’s and transfer music to their iPod. The line also features new browsing capabilities that enable browsing by track, era, year and alpha-numerically, in addition to artist, CD, and genre, and 6 recording qualities — WAV (uncompressed), standard MP3 (128kB), medium MP3 (192kB), high MP3 (320kB), and support for standard & high WMA record & playback.
The new VIA!dj II’s are available and now shipping at MSRPs of $2,350 (VIA!dj-s II), $3,800 (VIA!dj II), and $4,950 (VIA!dj-hc II). All models come with a new expanded 2-year manufacturer’s warranty, and will be featured on active display in ELAN’s booth #159 at the upcoming CEDIA Expo 2006 in September in Denver, CO.
About ELAN Home Systems:
ELAN Home Systems is a leading manufacturer of innovative, award-winning Multi-Room audio/video and home automation systems. Based in Lexington, KY, the company’s systems were the first to integrate audio, video, phones and third-party products to create a seamless, easy-to-use “whole house” experience. The company’s unique products provide complete lifestyle, feature-rich solutions, yet can be configured to fit the specific needs of every homeowner. ELAN products are distributed through a comprehensive channel of select dealers and distributors throughout the United States, Canada and 58 countries worldwide. To learn more, visit www.elanhomesystems.com.
ELAN is a trademark of ELAN Home Systems, LLC, Lexington, KY. VIA! is a registered trademark of ELAN Home Systems, LLC. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Press Contacts:
Steven Style or Justin Kroesser
The Steven Style Group
New York, NY
t) 212-465-1290
f) 212-465-1299
e) stevens@stylegroup.com
justink@stylegroup.com
OR
Cat Fowler
ELAN Home Systems
Lexington, KY
t) 859-269-7760 x161
f) 859-268-2132
e) cfowler@elanhomesystems.com
