Alpine

May 2009 – Consumers who desire better sound quality from their car audio system may not always want a full-blown system overhaul. Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, answers this need with the KTP-445 Head Unit Power Pack, which is now available in stores.

An easy, cost-effective upgrade, the Head Unit Power Pack enables consumers to upgrade the power of their system and improve the sound performance of their head unit. It measures a slim 6 inches x 2 inches x 1.125 inches and is designed to fit neatly behind the dash in most vehicles. Its direct plug-and-play application does not need additional wiring or tuning. The KTP-445 connects to any 2005 and newer Alpine head unit that has a black power harness.

The KTP-445 boosts the original power from a head unit's typical built-in amplifier and increases it to a 45W RMS x 4 output at CEA-2006 Power Ratings. Its advanced digital design delivers extremely clean power, making the bass tighter and highs clearer. The unit's high efficiency digital technology keeps it running cool in even the most exertive conditions and minimizes drain on the vehicle's battery. A high/low gain switch allows for proper gain settings, whether or not a subwoofer is part of the system.Read more

January 8, 2009 – Three years ago, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., unveiled the industry’s first aftermarket head unit designed to deliver a fully integrated iPod experience in the vehicle. Building on its leadership experience and expertise in the category, the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions today breaks new ground with the introduction of the iXA-W404, its first 2-DIN touch-screen Digital Media Station.

The iXA-W404 features a brand-new touch-screen graphical user interface (GUI) that works similar to the iPhone and iPod Touch, so that consumers can have a familiar user experience when controlling their car audio system. The iXA-W404 meets the specifications for the “Made for iPod” and “Works with iPhone” compatibility. As a dedicated iPod receiver, it does not have a CD/DVD disc drive; instead, it has an AM/FM tuner and a high-speed USB input for optimal iPod/iPhone connection and pure digital sound from the iPod. Users also can connect USB memory devices and MTP-based MP3 players via the USB input. Any iPod with a 30-PIN dock connector is compatible with the iXA-W404. Read more

October 2008 – Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. just introduced a new product that provides a multitude of entertainment options and navigation in one sleek in-dash system. The IVA-W203/P1 audio/video/navigation (AVN) system offers drivers touch-screen control over various digital media sources, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and navigation.

“The in-car environment has become more complex, with features such as iPod, Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD Radio, DVD video and navigation becoming the norm,” said Stephen Witt, vice president, marketing, Alpine Electronics. “Alpine’s IVA-W203/P1 delivers a completely integrated, easy-to-use solution to meet this new definition of the driving experience.” Read more

October 2008 – As more and more states require “hands-free” cell phone use while driving, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, offers a new Bluetooth solution for in-car use. The new KCE-350BT Bluetooth Interface Module is now available to aid drivers by allowing hands-free conversations to be handled through the vehicle’s sound system.

The new KCE-350BT is a fully integrated solution that works with all of Alpine’s Bluetooth-ready 2007 and 2008 model head units, including the IVA-D106, IVA-W505 and IVA-W203 Mobile Multimedia Stations with touch screen monitors. “Caller ID,” “Missed Calls,” “Dialed Calls” and “Received Calls” information is displayed on and controlled through the connected Alpine head unit. Pressing the dedicated “Phone” button on the 1-DIN head units or the phone pickup soft key on the Mobile Multimedia Stations picks up incoming calls. When a call comes in, other audio being played is automatically muted. Read more

Alpine just introduced the new IVA-W505 DVD/CD head unit with 7-inch monitor which serves as the ultimate audio/video plus navigation “hub” for the vehicle. It has everything a driver needs at his/her fingertips – touch-screen control over almost any digital entertainment source (satellite radio, HD Radio with multicasting, MP3/WMA players), as well as iTunes Tagging and Bluetooth and iPod connectivity.

It also serves as the in-dash docking station for Alpine’s Blackbird portable navigation device. The motorized faceplate slides down to a 90-degree angle to reveal a DVD/CD slot and dedicated Blackbird slot. Once the Blackbird is docked, all of its navigation features and user controls are transferred to the IVA-W505’s display, for an audio/video plus navigation (AV+N) in-dash system. Read more

April 2008 – Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, announced its IVA-W505 Mobile Multimedia Station ($1,100 SRI) is now shipping to authorized Alpine dealers in the U.S. and Canada. The IVA-W505 is a full-featured DVD/CD/MP3/AAC/WMA/DivX audio/video head unit that boasts a new, intuitive graphical interface and touch-screen control over virtually any digital media source in the car, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. The 2-DIN unit also serves as the in-dash docking station for Alpine’s PMD-B200 Blackbird portable navigation device, enabling consumers to enjoy the car-to-car convenience of a portable unit while also gaining the myriad benefits of a fixed navigation system.

“The IVA-W505 is the ultimate navigation and entertainment command center for the vehicle,” said Stephen Witt, vice president, marketing and product planning, Alpine Electronics. “It can serve as a base for an audio/video plus navigation system, and it is one of two Alpine in-dash units that offer the new iTunes Tagging feature.” Read more

November 2007 – For consumers seeking convergence of their must-have everyday technologies and their vehicle’s factory system, Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, today introduced the eX-10 Advanced iPod Controller with Bluetooth. The eX-10 is a new dash-top solution for iPod playback and Bluetooth connectivity that works with the vehicle’s factory system. The eX-10 consists of a no-installation display unit that sits on top of the dash, a remote control and a power module that plugs into the vehicle’s cigarette lighter. The eX-10 was recently announced as a winner of a CES Innovations 2008 Design and Engineering Award, for the In-Vehicle Control/OEM Integration category.

“The demand for iPod and Bluetooth in the car is skyrocketing, and consumers previously have not been able to integrate these technologies into their existing sound systems through one product. With Alpine’s new eX-10, consumers can easily add both iPod music playback and Bluetooth hands-free operation for cell phones into their vehicles with one simple, add-on solution,” said Stephen Witt, vice president, Marketing, Alpine Electronics. Read more

October 2007 – Alpine Electronics of America, Inc., the industry-leading manufacturer of automotive mobile media solutions, today announced that the company’s innovative CDA-9887 IMPRINT™ head unit has started shipping. The CDA-9887 is a CD/MP3/WMA/AAC receiver that is the first aftermarket head unit to incorporate Alpine’s IMPRINT sound architecture. Based on Audyssey Labs’ MultEQ® technology, the unit improves the in-vehicle listening experience by removing acoustical problems inherent to all vehicle interiors. This automated tuning process tailors the sound system to each vehicle’s interior, allowing the sound system to accurately reproduce music as the artist intended it to be heard.

The interior space of a vehicle is a challenging environment for accurate sound reproduction because it distorts sound quality, making it difficult to create a system that delivers music as crisp, clear and defined as originally intended. The variety of surfaces and materials, as well as the size and shape of the car’s interior, collectively impact how the sound reaches the ears of the driver and passengers. Alpine partnered with Audyssey Labs to develop an automotive application of their powerful MultEQ technology. Audyssey’s research into the fundamental causes of acoustical distortion resulted in their creation of MultEQ, a breakthrough technology platform for minimizing sound distortion caused by the listening environment. Read more