NEWS
Alpine Electronics Ships Solution For Oem Integration
By CS&P Saff
Posted on Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. announced it is shipping its OEM the new VPA-B211A Vehicle Hub Interface Adapter.

The Vehicle Hub enables consumers to integrate Alpine’s aftermarket video, navigation and multichannel sound, while preserving the appearance and functionality of their factory radio display.

"This is a breakthrough product for the aftermarket. We are giving consumers a way to add aftermarket products and new sources to their vehicles and alleviating any concern for sacrificing the look or functionality of their factory system," said Stephen Witt, vice president, Brand Marketing, Alpine Electronics. "The Vehicle Hub creates new opportunities to add aftermarket products into vehicles where this had previously not been possible."

The Vehicle Hub connects to the existing in-dash OEM video display via a third-party manufactured, vehicle-specific adapter available at authorized Alpine dealers. The VPA-B211A has an Ai-NET input, a dedicated navigation input and two auxiliary inputs. This allows for the addition of a wide array of Alpine products. Alpine1s Interface Adapter lets users bring their iPod into the vehicle with the ability to control the iPod1s playback. The Vehicle Hub also gives users the choice of adding either Sirius or XM Satellite Radio service into the vehicle. By adding a center-channel speaker and subwoofer, plus Alpine's digital processor and controller, the factory radio speakers can be used to create a multichannel sound system.

The Vehicle Hub lets users integrate a rear-seat entertainment system based on Alpine1s DVD player and stand-alone touch-screen monitors. By installing the monitors in the rear-seat headrests, the back-seat passengers can control the DVD player through the monitor1s touch-screen capabilities.

Alpine1s award-DVD-based navigation system is also available as an add-on component through the Vehicle Hub.

All of these products are controlled via the included remote control and incorporate Alpine1s proprietary graphical interface, which is shown on the factory radio display.

Alpine1s VPA-B211A Vehicle Hub Interface Adapter is available at authorized Alpine dealers for a suggested retail index of $300.

www.alpine-usa.com