What's happening between January 10- 13, 2012. At the Consumer Electronics Show today (January10, 2012), Alpine is announcing new exciting products and technologies launching in 2012.
Look for all these new products coming soon to an authorized Alpine retail store near you.
Alpine expands its new advanced Bluetooth wireless technology to offer ease-of-use and improved sound quality, two areas, which greatly affect the user experience and sound. Features included: secure simple pairing (SSP), display of phone battery level, cellular signal level, received message icon and easy call waiting use. Sound quality for streaming music is improved thanks to Alpine's own digital sound processor (DSP)-tuned audio (on select models). Hands-free calls are enhanced with a sound maximizer for clearer reception. The driver can mount the separate, external microphone in the spot best suiting his or her needs (such as on the visor).
That's not all! Select models offer direct control of Pandora® internet radio from an Android™ or BlackBerry® smartphone, through Bluetooth wireless technology (on select models). Pandora stations can be controlled using the buttons or soft keys on the Alpine unit. Users can rate songs with thumbs up or thumbs down, bookmark songs for purchase later and create new Pandora stations with the touch of a button.
HD Radio Technology offers digital broadcasting across the U.S. and provides advanced audio and data features to enhance the listening experience. There are over 2,000 AM and FM stations broadcasting with HD Radio Technology with more than 1,300 additional digital-only FM HD2/HD3/HD4 multicast channels sending new, exciting programming.
New for 2012 and exclusive to Alpine is the Smart Reception Management feature for HD Radio reception. Smart Reception Management is a group of settings allowing the user to choose between solely digital signals, solely analog signals, a hybrid of the two signal types, or the Digital MC setting. The Digital MC setting allows for hybrid listening on the main HD Radio channel, but keeps the digital signal on the HD Radio multicast channel, so the multicast channel is maintained even in areas with weak digital signal. This avoids bouncing between the main HD Radio channel and the HD Radio multicast channel.
New for 2012 is direct Pandora control on Alpine units from Android and BlackBerry devices. The CDE-135BT, CDE-HD137BT and CDE-HD138BT CD receivers have Pandora control from Android or BlackBerry smartphones, using Bluetooth® wireless technology. Pandora control from an iPhone is available on the CDE-136BT CD receiver, through a direct USB connection. The IVE-W535HD AV head unit and INE-S920HD and INE-Z928HD AVN systems can access Pandora from iPhone, Android or BlackBerry smartphones.
The new X-Power amplifiers have over 10 percent higher rated power than their 2011 predecessors and have a -24dB low pass filter. The PDX line welcomes a new 5-channel model with 50% more power than its predecessor and can be used as a 3-way active system. Also new for 2012 is a second-generation 4-channel power pack with more power.
The INE-Z928HD AVN system boasts an 8-inch WVGA screen, although its chassis fits into a standard 2-DIN dash opening. To accommodate this large screen in the dash, Alpine is also introducing a line of Perfect Factory Integration Technology (F.I.T.) dash kits specifically for the INE-Z928HD. The INE-Z928HD, along with the Perfect F.I.T. concept, received a 2012 CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award in the In-Vehicle Audio Video category. Rounding out Alpine's new AVN lineup is the INE-S920HD 6.1-inch AVN system.
More than half of the subwoofer models are new and come from the Type-R, Type-S and Type-E lines. A distinction of Alpine subwoofers has been the exclusive H.A.M.R (High Amplitude Multi-Roll Surround) technology, which is a suite of features that work together to produce extreme excursion without sacrificing cone area. This technology had previously only been available in the Type-X and Type-R models. But now for the first time, H.A.M.R. technology will also be incorporated in the redesigned Type-S series and the budget friendly Type-E subwoofers, thereby expanding this essential feature across all subwoofer lines.
The VPX-B104R sensor system utilizes four OEM-grade ultrasonic reverse sensors for parking that are installed in the vehicle's rear bumper. When used in conjunction with an Alpine camera system, the VPASS system helps guide the driver when backing into a parking space. When the parking space is viewed on the in-dash screen, a three-color grid (red/yellow/green) is overlaid onto the lines of the parking space in nine zones (three each to the rear, rear left and rear right). If an object is detected in any of the zones, the grid is highlighted and audible warnings are emitted. Precise distance measurement behind the vehicle is also displayed, for additional peace-of-mind for the driver.
Alpine offers four new head unit receiver models which will be compatible with the SXV100 SiriusXM Connect Vehicle Tuner and the new SXV200 SiriusXM Connect Vehicle Tuner, which will be available during the second quarter of 2012.
Alpine's new SiriusXM compatible models include the INE-Z928HD, the largest aftermarket AVN system with an 8-inch screen. Two other screen-based systems and a single-DIN CD receiver round out Alpine's SiriusXM compatible lineup. All models display SiriusXM programming information such as artist, song title and channel name.