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Philips Sharpens Pronto Family With New ProntoPro NG
INDIANAPOLIS, September 5, 2003 – Philips Electronics unveiled its latest intelligent remote, ProntoPro Next Generation (NG) (TSU7000), today at the Custom Electronic Design Installation Association Show (CEDIA). Designed to integrate seamlessly into any home theater environment, the ProntoPro NG features a sleek, cutting edge design with a new 3.8” high-resolution color touch screen. The ProntoPro NG offers users endless control possibilities and the ability to customize their home theater experience.
Utilizing the latest thin film transistor, (TFT) technology, the 32 MB remote boasts the best screen readability available. Recognizing an infrared (IR) code database of more than 800 brands, users need not worry about compatibility between their home theater system and the ProntoPro NG. Additionally, the remote features improved RF technology and an optional RF extender providing users the ability to control components out of line-of-sight, including equipment hidden in cabinets and devices in other rooms.
“With the addition of the ProntoPro NG to our intelligent remote line up, Philips can offer users a remote control solution for all lifestyles,” said Candido Peterlini, marketing manager, Philips Electronics. “The ProntoPro NG is the combination of our latest technologies, as well as improvements based on consumer feedback. We’ve created products that are designed to adapt to the users, rather than the users adapting to the product. Building on the long tradition of the Pronto family, the TSU7000 strengthens Philips’ market leadership position in the touch screen remote control segment. ”
For the ultimate in personalization, the ProntoPro NG includes Philips ProntoProEdit NG software, providing consumers the ability to completely customize their remotes’ interface. Utilizing the software, users can create state-of-the-art configurations as well as customize button colors, channel icons and background colors. Ease of use is enhanced by the new alpha blending feature, which greatly reduces setup time when using custom backgrounds and buttons. With the addition of the RF extender and the ProntoProEdit NG software, the ProntoPro NG provides users the opportunity to go beyond the borders of imagination. The ProntoPro NG (TSU7000) will be available in limited quantities as of December 2003 and will have a suggested retail of $999.99.
About The Pronto Family
Introduced in 1998, the Pronto family of universal remotes boasts a single solution for consumers to control home theater and other infrared devices in the home including the iPronto TSi6400, ProntoNEO TSU500 and the Pronto NG TSU3000.
Specializing in media access and control, the iPronto provides users with a versatile solution to control their home theater, as well as the increasing number of electronic home automation products available. The iPronto gives users the ability to configure the touch screen with the help of the PC editing software, iProntoEdit. The product can be completely customized to the comfort level of the end user. The result is the flexibility to control multiple windows of information with simple dashboard finger navigation.
The system, through broadband connection, also allows users to view information about their favorite program with the Electronic Program Guide with media selection, access the Internet to check news and email - has an always-on Internet connection by which new features and software can be sent to the unit on customer request as well as utilize the multiple remote control functions. By utilizing wireless technology WiFi® (IEEE 802.11b), the iPronto is able to control devices out of the line-of-sight. Battery powered, the iPronto includes a charger and a lithium ion battery. Currently available, the Philips iPronto has a suggested retail price of $1,699.99.
The TSU3000 features 4 MB of memory and sports a stylish gray and polished silver casing and displays images on a 16 gray scale LCD. The TSU3000 includes USB connectivity for quick and easy access to ProntoEdit NG. The touch screen remote features exterior controls for additional ease-of-use. The four-directional navigation button allows users to easily browse through the menu screens, vertically and horizontally, to control their home theater devices. With a blue backlit LCD for easy viewing while watching movies with the lights turned down, the TSU3000 is the perfect universal remote for the home theater enthusiast. The Pronto NG TSU3000 has a suggested retail price of $399.99.
The ProntoNEO TSU500 offers a more affordable option for consumers who want the benefit of a universal remote control that is customizable and easy-to-use. The ProntoNEO features a backlit touch-screen LCD display so users can select their favorite TV show simply by touching the screen. The unit incorporates 15 hard buttons for basic functions and utilizes cursor control for easier navigation through satellite or cable-box graphic interfaces. With the on board universal database and included NEOedit software, users can customize their touch screen after connecting or synching-up the remote to any PC. Unlimited macro command capability is available as well. The ProntoNEO offers an intuitive graphical user interface and holds 1MB of flash memory. The ProntoNEO has a suggested retail price of $199.99.
About Philips
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of $30.1 billion (EUR 31.8 billion) in 2002. It is a global leader in color television sets, lighting, electric shavers, medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, and one-chip TV products. Its 164,000 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, consumer electronics, domestic appliances, semiconductors, and medical systems. Philips is quoted on the NYSE (symbol: PHG), London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges.
MARANTZ RC9500 REMOTE: A BOLD NEW TAKE ON "TOTAL HOME ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM CONTROL
Featuring New USB Interface, Full-Color LCD Touchscreen Display, 48MB Flash Memory, Plus a Host of Sophisticated, Easy-to-Use Features
ITASCA, IL, September 8, 2004—Marantz America recently announced the introduction of a bold new look and feel in versatile programmable learning remote controls: the compact touch-screen RC9500. Featuring a USB interface and new full-color LCD touchscreen display, the U-shaped RC9500 provides easy, complete control of every component in a home entertainment system and offers customizable programming along with a host of sophisticated control capabilities. Available later this month, the RC9500 will carry an SRP of $1,199.
Noted Kevin Zarow, Director of Marketing and Product Development, Marantz America, Inc: "The programmable remote control market is one of the fastest-growing in the CE arena, and Marantz is committed to being the number one supplier of high-end remotes. The RC9500 is an incredibly full-featured and easy-to-use remote, and it clearly establishes Marantz's leadership in the category."
A Perfect Union of Form and Function
With its slim horseshoe-shaped design, bright LCD screen and comfortable, ergonomic controls, the Marantz RC9500 is a major advancement in the programmable remote control category. The full-color 240 x 320 pixel LCD touch-screen display, featuring a 65,535 color palette, is fully customizable, and electroluminescent backlighting makes it easy to read in darkened home theater environments.
Maximum Versatility for Custom Applications
In addition to its ease-of-use and unique cosmetic, the RC9500 offers greater versatility than most dedicated custom installation control systems. Because the RC9500 recognizes both BMP and PNG images, it can utilize both types of images from earlier remotes as well as new transparent images. In addition, the remote's advanced Wizz.it9 software has the same look and feel as the Wizz.it1 software utilized in the acclaimed RC5400. The RC9500 features an industry-leading 48 MB of flash memory and a high-performance Motorola DragonBall MC68328 processor for ultra-high storage capacity and complex management capabilities. The RC9500 is USB 1.1, W98SE, WME, W2K and WXP compatible. Setup can be further customized via a PC interface and Windows® PC programming software that enables users to import custom animations, channel icons and even their own graphics and photos.
Completely customizable, the RC9500 features fifteen tactile buttons that allow programming of any audio or video component selected, along with conveniently located "hard" buttons and a cursor control for most-used functions. It also features an extensive complement of additional state-of-the-art features, such as exclusive Jump Forward / Jump Backward commands and a programmable Instant Surf button that calls up any channel at the touch of a single button.
The RC9500 is designed for the ultimate in set-up ease and use. It offers a host of convenient functions such as one-screen access to all the controls of any selected component, and macro capability that enables the user to transmit multiple-step control sequences with a single command. The remote can learn the control codes from virtually every brand of IR remote, can display hundreds of control screens and comes pre-programmed to operate a wide variety of Marantz audio and video products.
The RC9500's additional advanced features include: a setup protection feature that prevents settings from being accidentally changed; an Auto On function that automatically activates the remote when it is picked up; an adjustable backlight and sleep timer; and the ability to import full-color channel icons and personalized graphics.
The RC9500 is fully RF compatible with the optional RX-77 accessory. The RC9500 comes with a recharging unit/docking station, USB cable and rechargeable NIMH battery, eliminating the need for constant battery replacement. Available in September of 2004, the RC9500 carries a suggested retail price of $1,199.
About Marantz
Marantz America is committed to upholding the tradition of technological superiority initiated by founder Saul Marantz. In keeping with this emphasis on quality, Marantz audio and video components are carried only by the nation's premier independent audio/video specialty retailers. Additional information is available at www.marantz.com. Marantz America is a wholly owned subsidiary of D&M Holdings Inc.
About D&M Holdings Inc.
D&M Holdings Inc. (TSE II: 6735) is based in Tokyo and owns the Denon, Marantz, McIntosh Laboratory, D&M Professional, ReplayTV®, Rio® and Escient® brands. Denon, Marantz, McIntosh and D&M Professional are global industry leaders in the specialist home theater, audio/video consumer electronics or professional audio markets, with a strong and long-standing heritage of manufacturing and marketing high-performance audio and video components. The ReplayTV, Rio and Escient brands represent award-winning technologies in digital home entertainment.
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