Audiovox is massing an impressive horde of consumer electronics companies with Klipsch the latest addition. The $166 million acquisition puts Klipsch under the same corporate umbrella as Acoustic Research, Terk, Energizer, Jensen, and RCA although Technicolor actually owns the classic trademark and Audiovox simply licenses it for products.

This purchase is expected to reap near-immediatly cash for the company as the purchase rang in just north of $166 million and Klipsch is expected to hit $170 million in sales this year alone. This is thanks brand’s perception as a leading speaker company and great distribution channels such as Best Buy. Hopefully Audiovox’s involvement won’t taint that because, well, Audiovox’s rep isn’t exactly on the same level.

Per your inquiry regarding our RCA eReader, as a result of the recent price drops in the market (Kindle/Nook/Sony) our primary focus has shifted to international opportunities.

That’s funny: who wouldn’t want a no-name e-reader from a no-name brand at a premium price, even if it used B&N’s bookstore and was branded with the leftover trade dress of a failed TV company? Expect a large shake-out in the e-reader space, friends. The little guys won’t make it.

Tuners and posers have been putting PS2s into cars for as long as the system has been out, but Audiovox is targeting a completely new crowd. Its new VOD10PS2 system combines the gaming system that can also play DVDs with a 10.2-inch 16:9 LCD screen and packs it all into a roof-mountable package. Plus, the system comes with two wireless controllers, two fold-flat IR wireless headsets, two games, and a remote. A built-in 16 channel FM modulator can be used as long as other passengers don’t mind hearing Ratchet & Clank. Sure, the PS2 might be almost 10 years old, but who cares?

PS3 games are damn expensive and no one in their right mind would let their kids bring them on a road trip. PS2 games, however, can be had at garage sales nationwide. Or, if you’re traveling and your kids get tired of whatever the hell they are playing, stop at any Blockbuster and you can probably snag one for $5. But the system costs $949 plus installation. Yeah, that’s a lot.

NEW YORK, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Audiovox Corporation (Nasdaq: VOXX) announced the delivery of another industry first in rear-seat entertainment, the VOD10PS2 Mobile Video PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system. This category changing mobile video system is an all-in-one, overhead, drop-down that combines the best of Audiovox’s award winning overhead systems with the gaming industry’s #1 selling system, PlayStation 2. The integration of the PlayStation 2 system in the Audiovox overhead video system is seamless. No extra hardware needed, no wires draped across the back seat passengers.

“This RSE system allows the consumer to give their ‘restless’ back seat occupants options in travel; watch a DVD or play one of their PlayStation 2 games,” said Tom Malone, president of Audiovox Electronics Corp. “The PlayStation 2 system offers a huge library of more than 1,800 games for all types of interests, and now we’re making it easy to play them all in a vehicle by fully integrating PlayStation 2 into the car’s entertainment system with no wires and no extra hardware.”

The VOD10PS2 features a 10.2 inch 16:9 LCD screen with built-in dome light and includes everything you need to start gaming right out of the box two wireless game controllers, two fold-flat IR wireless headphones and two PlayStation 2 game titles (Ratchet & Clank(R): Going Commando and Hot Shots Golf(R) 3). This system (MSRP: $949.99) also includes a remote control, built-in 16 channel FM Modulator with FM transmitter function, and comes with both Shale and Pewter trim rings and snap on covers to integrate the system to the vehicles interior.

Malone continued, “PlayStation(R) is one of the most respected brands worldwide and they have built the PlayStation 2 system into one of the leading entertainment choices for people of all ages. Audiovox is the undisputed leader in mobile video and has been since the category’s inception. This combination of industry leaders gives our dealers a winning product while providing the consumer with entertainment convenience that before now was anything but convenient.”

This system is being marketed both under the Audiovox and Advent Brands and will be available for sale in North American at all major retailers at car dealerships respectively.

Tonight in Manhattan at the gala that is CES Unveiled, Audiovox announced three new products to solve your iPod docking, wireless speaker and in-car entertainment needs.

The AR5100 is a shiny blade-like docking station with sensitive touch controls, component-video out, “horn-loaded tweeters, a ported enclosure, and premium audio crossovers.” It will be available next month for $200.

If you’re looking to take your 5.1 speaker system wireless then the ARW51 may be what you’re looking for. It’s said to deliver 16 bit CD quality sound too. Look for it next month with a price tag of $700.

And last but not least is the Advent Quick Connect system for your car. With two wired mounting pods and a removable 7-inch screen with built-in DVD player what more could you ask for on those long dreaded family trips with the kids. The system can be installed as a single or dual DVD system. This will retail for $1,099.

We don’t really hear much about Audiovox UTStarcom these days. In all the time I’ve spent staring at other peoples phones, I’ve come across but a handful of UTStarcom handsets. Am I in the minority here?

Regardless – someone out there thinks UTStarcom’s phones are worth a chunk of change. A group of private investors from AIG Investments has snatched up UTStarcom’s Personal Communications division for a cool $240 million, with an additional $50 million on the line be it that the deal proves profitable over the next three years.

Not much is changing, from what they’ve announced thus far: The new group will be known as Personal Communications Devices, LLC, the original management team is staying on board, and the main focus will continue to be on the manufacturing of North American market handsets.

The video is kind of Le Boring but go ahead and take a look at Audiovox’s Small Wonder camcorder. It’s small and it’s certainly a wonder. $149.

We like it when companies introduce products that just might start up a whole new market, like this Anyware (geddit!?) PC from Audiovox/Jensen. It’s a tablet-like thing that runs Windows XP, has a 30GB HD, GPS, touchscreen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and much other goodness. It’s basically a detachable car PC. Think of it in the category of devices like Nokia’s N810, but a little more robust. And you pay for that: at $1,500 it’s not for the hobbyist. But if you’re a truck driver or other type of road warrior, it could be just what the doctor ordered.

NVX3000PC [Jensen]

On your way from point B to point A? Why not bring all your DVDs with you to watch while you drive! Audiovox was kind enough send us the Audiovox D7000XP portable DVD player with 7-inch LCD.

You can enter to win by simply emailing us at contest@crunchgear.com with the super secret subject line found in our Facebook group. Sneaky, eh?

After waiting in a cab line for half an hour and then coughing up $20 to get from our hotel to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) I hit the show floor for my first meeting at 9:30 with Seagate. Last time I spoke with the company reps back at DigitalLife in New York, they promised me big announcements for CES. And while the new products aren’t life altering, they’re definitely cool. Well, as cool as a hard drive can get.

Seagate announced/launched a new series of external hard drives called FreeAgent aimed at consumers. And by “consumers” I mean people who don’t care about how they’ve backed up their data, just that it’s backed up. Oh and that the drive is aesthetically pleasing while doing so. Seagate pretty much nailed the goal across the board from packaging to design to included software. The FreeAgent Pro (320GB, 500GB, 750GB sizes) pictured above are priced from $199.99 (320GB) to $419.99 (750GB) and features one of the smartest design touches I’ve seen on an external hard drive. The base of the drive comes standard with USB and eSATA ports, but can quickly be removed and replaced with a FireWire base or whatever other port should come in the future. It’s just a simple bit of future proofing, but cool nonetheless.

As you can see, the packaging is consumer friendly, steering away from typical tech-spec language found on most backup drives. Plus, the drives use Memeo’s software for backing up and syncing your files.


There was also the FreeAgent Go (80GB, 120GB, 160GB) priced from $129.99 to $189.99 and FreeAgent Go Small (12GB, $139.99 ) that use USB to give you mobile access to “your computing environment.” This includes software for managing your Web favorites, passwords and settings, IM, e-mail, contacts and digital files.

Next, I hit the Hitachi booth for a quick tour of its new displays. I’ll keep this one short. They have some new plasmas that are worth checking out if you’re in the market, including the 50-inch P50H401 out in February at an MSRP $2499.95. (50-inch is the new 42-inch.) Thumbs up. The company’s LCD Rear Projection Full HD1080 Series on the other hand, was disappointing. The picture quality was okay, but there was something strange about the actual texture of the screen that hurt the overall beauty of the display. Thumbs down. Also, the new DVD HDD camcorder that lets you record to either DVD or hard drive is pretty kick ass. Especially if you’ve got people in your household that just want to pop a DVD in and record and those that like to dump it on a computer and edit.

After Hitachi was a big press tour for Audiovox’s booth. The best products announced centered around their XM satellite radio module. The module, about the size of a matchbox, basically allows you to carry your account from receiver to receiver so you’re service is no longer tied to a single device. Here’s a few short videos of the different products that use it.

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-8408543271337494497&hl=en
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-3364359282805724762&hl=en
http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=7607831658580562740&hl=en
Next stop was speaker-company Altec Lansing. Fortunately they didn’t have too much going on, but there were a handful of items worth mentioning. Altec is making a big push into headphones, selling “upgrades” for those looking to replace the buds included with their digital audio player. Headset-manufacturer Plantronics is the parent company for Altec, so this makes good sense. They’ve also taken over retail distribution of a couple sets of Ultimate Ears headphones that sell for $129.95 and $89.95.

Hey, it’s my first iPod dock of the day! The inMotion iMV712 ($349.95) has an 8.5-inch widescreen LCD that’s quite nice for viewing content off your 5G iPod.

The back of the unit holds a 4-inch side-firing subwoofer to go with the 3-inch neodymium speakers. Truthfully it was so loud on the LVCC floor, I couldn’t tell how they sounded, but I’m sure they’ll show up in a CompUSA or Best Buy for you to check out. Mostly, it was just a nice design.

Altec also showed off two home-theater speaker systems: the $999 PT8051 and $599 PT7031. The big difference? The PT7031 is a single-speaker setup while the PT8051 adds a wireless rear surround.

Again, it was too loud at the show to really tell how the sound was, but I’m hoping to get my hands on a set to test them out. At least they look decent.

It’s now going on 1 p.m. and I’m headed back to the bowels of the South Hall to check out stuff from dreamGEAR/i.Sound and ION Audio.

If you’re not familiar with dreamGEAR or i.Sound pick up a copy of Sharper Image’s next catalog and you’ll see their stuff. They make a very broad variety of iPod accessories, but mostly speakers. Nothing too crazy, well, other than the plasma globe thing above. Unfortunately, everything has a certain cheap appearance to it that I can’t get past. Though, they did show me a version of their InConcert speakers (looks a bit like Apple’s iPod Hi-Fi) with a built-in DVD player. It’s perfect for someone looking to boost the sound of a bedroom TV and adding an iPod dock and DVD player in the process.

It’s now 1:45 p.m. and I meet up with my last meeting at the LVCC, ION Audio. Owned by Numark, ION is the more consumery end of the business and makes among other things USB turntables that let you dump your vinyl onto your computer without having to hassle with pre-amps and all manner of other nonsense. Just put a record on, plug in to your PC and play.

There’s also a whole host of upcoming iPod accessories such as the iProjector for turning your 5G iPod into a movie projector. Combined with their new iPA03 portable PA system (with iPod dock, of course) and a giant wall/garage door/bed sheet and you’ve got yourself a mobile movie theater. If you’re interested in listening to or creating digital music at all, keep an eye on ION in 2007.

Finally, it’s nearly 3 p.m. and I’m getting off the LVCC floor for a suite meeting with iRiver.

]]> http://techcrunch.com/2007/01/16/ces-2007-dear-diaryseagates-hard-drives-ipod-accessories-galore-and-exhaustion/feed/ 0 tcbucket http://techcrunch.com/2006/12/21/audiovox-buys-thomsons-ce-accessories-rca-brand/ http://techcrunch.com/2006/12/21/audiovox-buys-thomsons-ce-accessories-rca-brand/#comments Thu, 21 Dec 2006 15:58:42 +0000 Contributor http://crunchgear.com/2006/12/21/audiovox-buys-thomsons-ce-accessories-rca-brand/ I’ve had a pretty negative opinion of Audiovox’s products since high school when I witnessed a friend jam a piece of cardboard into his car’s Audiovox tape deck to get the player to work. It’s a silly thing I know, but still, it’s there. Another company I have similar feelings about is RCA, a once-great brand reduced to being slapped on seemingly bargain equipment.

So I really don’t know how to feel about Audiovox picking up Thomson’s consumer electronics accessory business along with rights to the RCA brand for them. The purchase price was $50 million, plus a five-year fee related to the RCA brand. Regardless of my prejudices, Audiovox is a big company that’s been buying up several smaller companies including Jensen, Advent, Terk, Acoustic Research and Road Gear. Adding a CE accessory brand to that mix is certainly a good move, but it’s going to take a lot more than simply buying a company to restore the image of RCA being a top name in electronics in my mind.
Audiovox [company site]

The adapters will be sold under the Terk brand name (the antenna people!), using UWB to send high-definition video streams wirelessly around your place of occupancy or business. It’s non-line-of-sight so you can send signals through walls and ceilings with wired transmission quality from HDMI, component video, composite video and analog audio sources output to HDMI with full HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) support.

Audiovox Teams with Tzero to Deliver Wireless Multimedia Adapters [press release]