Automotive Mobile Audio Video

Every car owner wants a car audio system. Some are satisfied with low-end models but others are always on the lookout for latest technologies. Most of us look for the best deals on quality and price. Discount car audio systems can be found at auctions, secondhand and online stores. Some suppliers offer discounts if you are willing to forgo certain frills like a warranty. Money can also be saved if you install the system on your own instead of hiring someone to it. With so many brands and types of car audio systems to choose from, consumers have many options while the manufacturers face competition to sell their products at attractive prices.

One of the easiest ways to get discounted products is through popular shopping websites like eBay. Manufacturers promote their products through discounts. At times, they offer great deals like buy-one-get-one-free, or cash discounts.

Always read the terms and conditions carefully. There should be a clear mention of which brands and products are covered under the warranty and which are not. Details should also be made available on warranty period, refunds, shipping fee, defect repair, servicing, delivery time, cancellation policies and money-back guarantees, etc. Sometimes, delivery charges are so high that discounts are useless. Some websites also collect product and supplier reviews from people who have purchased a certain product. Prospective buyers can go through the reviews to have a better idea. Reputable websites claim to provide correct specifications, but there is always room for error. It is wise to check the specifications personally before ordering. Also, check if all necessary attachments are being provided or will cost extra.

Buying a discounted car audio system does not mean that you are getting sub-standard items. You need to decide what you want. You might come across gray market goods being sold at very low prices without any guarantee that may not be worth the money. Buyers should read terms and conditions carefully, and make a purchase only if everything is agreeable.

If you live in a hurricane prone area and you have found yourself evacuating at least two times per year then it makes sense to put a mobile video system in your SUV. Why you ask? Well, consider the evacuation in Houston Texas during hurricane Rita, which turned at the last-minute and slammed into Louisiana's southwestern coastline.

Some people evacuating the city said they were in traffic 15 hours just to get as far as Dallas or San Antonio. If you have a mobile video player in your SUV installed prior to the mandatory evacuation then while stuck in traffic all day and watch movies or DVDs. If you live in Florida or along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama or Texas you should definitely get a mobile video for your car. How much does a mobile video system costs?

Well, some of the ads that we see from Best Buy or Circuit City show a good mobile video system for his lowly as $499 and more expensive systems up into the $3000 range. Anyone who has ever been stuck in one of those colossal traffic jams trying to get away from a large category hurricane strike knows exactly what I am saying and they would also advise the purchase of a mobile video system for your car or SUV. Please consider this in 2006.

Just when you thought you could not afford an mobile video system for your car or SUV the prices are coming down like never before and there are also many sales going on as well as cheap Chinese knockoffs hitting the market and lowering the price even more. Even for a brand name system you can pick one up for now for as low as $499. This is exciting knowing that you can outfit your car with a new Mobil video system just like you have always wanted.

Of course we also know that fuel prices are also going up and so maybe you can spend time watching videos in your car while it is parked in the driveway rather than driving around in wasting the gasoline. The mobile in car video systems industry is saying that sales are not is robust as they have thought they would be at this juncture meaning you can really get a bargain.

The industry does say that sales are O. K. and more and more people give begin to consider owning an in-car video systems due to a lower prices and then the sales will return and probably exceed expectations. Nevertheless, the cost of a gallon of gasoline does impact the industry as it takes money away from the consumer as they consider purchases for aftermarket auto accessories.

So, it is recommended that you shop all the ads for in car mobile audio systems and video systems to find the best deal because prices are coming down and this is a good time to buy. Please consider this in 2006.

The first thing that many of us do after getting in our automobile is to switch on the radio. It is a simple way in which many people seek a few moments of relaxation while on move. People at times like to play loud music and feel the energy, play soothing music to soothe frayed nerves, or listen to news, updates or interesting programs to stay connected. Whatever the reason, a car audio system is the most popular car accessory nowadays. Automobiles come with an audio system from manufacturers, or get custom ones later to suit individual preferences.

The history of car audio dates back to the 1930s, when the Galvin brothers introduced the first car radio, named Motorola (‘motor’ meaning motion and ‘ola’ meaning sound). Innovations kept happening in many parts of the world. It took another forty years to develop audio amplifiers, in a quest to develop something just more than a radio. Since then, there have been more and more sophisticated devices which can stand the temperatures and vibration of automobiles. Modern speakers are not even visible, but produce good acoustics and sound quality.

Car audio systems come in a wide range of brands, setups and prices. After deciding on a budget, you can look at the possible options. Car audio systems are available in at both regular and discounted prices. Basic things which are difficult to change later should be selected with thought and care. For instance, whether a unit is able to play CDs, cassettes, radio or all of these should be looked at first. Some parts, like speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers, crossovers, equalizers, and mobile video (VCRs, television, DVD and navigation) can be upgraded later. Component compatibility between different brands and options for add-ons should also be looked at.

High-end installations have more functions and are relatively expensive. However, even with a lower budget you can get a decent system. In short, the decision should be based on a system’s ability to play tapes, CDs and the radio. Some people feel satisfied with a radio, plus a tape player and are not tempted by CD players. It should have a decent sound quality. We can imagine the irritation felt when a favorite track or program does not sound clear and sharp.

Subwoofer enclosures are an essential part of any music lover’s car sound system, because they are affordable and easy-to-install accessories that instantly add bass to your system. But choosing a set is trickier than you think – in fact, there are literally hundreds of ‘low-frequency reinforcement’ subwoofer enclosures to choose from.

Subwoofer enclosures protect your subwoofers and greatly affect sound quality. Generally speaking, you should purchase subwoofers that come subwoofer enclosures, because manufacturers specifically designed the enclosure to compliment your sub. But if you already have subs in place, and just need enclosures, you can find them. All you need to know is how to choose from four different types: tube, ported, sealed or bandpass.

Experts say that each type of enclosure produces a unique sound. Sealed enclosures are found to deliver highly accurate, ‘hard-hitting’ bass sounds. If you do not like a ‘boom’ sound quality, then this type of subwoofer enclosure is perfect for you. It produces a crisp and clean sound for any type of music.

Bandpass subwoofer enclosures, on the other hand, deliver ‘thick’ bass, perfect if you want to listen to loud music. It works really well with certain types of beat such as hip-hop and reggae. But, if you tend to listen to different music genres, then perhaps something a bit more generic is best like the ported subwoofer enclosure. Experts agree that this type is the most versatile. Any kind if music sounds good with it. Ported subwoofer covers also amplify sound, so it’s perfect if you have limited power but want to play loud music.

Finally, there’s the tube subwoofer cover. These types are the ‘basic’ choice – the one you should get if you can’t decide from among the three previously mentioned. Tube subwoofer covers are very compact and complement any type of music beautifully.

In this 21st century just about every household has a DVD player in there house. Some have just the basic setup with a DVD player connected to a television, other go to the extremes and the latest technologies in home entertainment. Although this is common technology, the new and latest craze is to have a DVD player or entertainment system in your car. Now like any type of technology there are the small cheap systems and the large fully packed expensive systems. In this new craze what ever type of car DVD player you get, I can tell you that you will be in a movie viewer’s paradise.

In this 21st century just about every household has a DVD player in there house. Some have just the basic setup with a DVD player connected to a television, other go to the extremes and the latest technologies in home entertainment. Although this is common technology, the new and latest craze is to have a DVD player or entertainment system in your car. Now like any type of technology there are the small cheap systems and the large fully packed expensive systems. In this new craze what ever type of car DVD player you get, I can tell you that you will be in a movie viewer’s paradise.

How to Buy a DVD Player

1. Make sure you know what range of car DVD players you can afford. Not every person is going to be able to afford or want the top of the range high end systems. Work out what price you can afford and than work out after that what in that price range you want. Don’t do it the other way round and buy something you can not afford.

2. Buy one that is not going to out date easy. Although I said only spend what you can afford, try to get a system that is going to be in the past and of no use in the future.

3. Make sure that you take test DVDs and CDs with you. Like ordinary DVD and CD player there are different formats that can be played on them, some of the different formats are DVD-R, DVD-RW, CD-R, CD-RW and more. Make sure that you take a DVD and CD disc that you have created at home so that you can test to see if the player you are buying is going to play them.

4. Make sure that you install a car DVD player in the right spot. Before you go ahead and have a DVD player installed in your car, make sure that you inspect it to find out where the best position is put it. Getting an expert opinion can be helpful too.

5. Getting a good quality antenna is also a recommended additive if you want to be able to watch television on the player. Diversity antennas or dual-antennas are specially designed for this and will give you crystal clear television while you are on the road.

6. If you have a small budget buying an all-in-one DVD player is a great choice. These units are simple to use and are very portable. An all-in-one in one unit normally comes with the DVD player, speakers and screen all in one unit.

7. However if you have quite a large budget and are going for a component system you will be looking at have multiple screens and most of the components will be separate. These component systems normally have the sound component played directly into the car stereo and the option to use headphones. You will also see that most of these systems will have screens in the back of seat headrests and ones that pop up out of the dashboard. These systems are quite complex so I recommend that if you get one you shop around and get an expert option.

Remember those brutally long road trips? You remember them, it felt like time was standing still, and you and your family had been driving for an eternity. More or less all of us had those experiences when we were children with our family, and if you're lucky enough you're getting ready to experience those same things with your own family such as I am. Thankfully thanks to technology a lot of things are easier today then they were when I was a kid. Including entertaining the kids when we head out on summer vacation to visit friends and relatives. No more “are we there yet” or “how much longer” all thanks to the car DVD system. To those of you who are skeptical on the idea, it's understandable, why have a DVD system in your automobile. Of course it's not for everyday use, but trust me when you need it, it's a life saver.

Is your car or van equipped with a auto DVD system? This feature is becoming more of a standard option then a luxury these days. People all over are picking up this feature whether they are big travelers or not. Whether it's an hour out of town or a few days to another state a car DVD system makes the drive easier. Children and teens alike love the option.

Last summer my family and I headed out on the road for a four day extravaganza. Something I would normally dread as my children make a habit of playing with every toy they bring in the first thirty minutes. How ever this year I have a DVD system in our van, so I made sure to stock up on a bunch of move titles, and headed out on the road. Not once did we hear are we there yet, the movies kept them entertained for the entire part of the trip on the road, what a relief.

If you're considering purchasing a new car or van with a DVD system, or possibly adding on to your current family vehicle there are a few options. The best place to evaluate those options is on the Internet, with a few clicks you can easily compare features, pricing, and available accessories for different models both factory and after market. Don't you think it's about time you rid yourself of the dreaded “are we there yet” and exchanged it for a peaceful trip, when the little ones are entertained by a few movies.

How to install an Amplifier:

1.) Disconnect the battery terminals: Just be safe. Do this.

2.) Run the power cable from the battery to the location of the amp or distribution block. (To read more about running wires, click here)

If you run it through any sort of sheet metal, be sure to protect the power cable with a rubber grommet, or some other protective device.

Be sure you have plenty of slack at both ends of the cable. This will make your life easier, trust me!

Be sure you run the power cable away from any RCA cables. I usually run the power cable down the side of the vehicle that the battery is installed on, and run the RCA cables down the center of the vehicle.

Once the cable has been run and secured, leave it alone for the time being. Don't hook it up, cut it or do anything else with it!

Be sure the power cable is secured with wire ties or some other means, BUT! Not until you have run the cable, and determined that the cable is going to work out where it is located.

3.) Find a suitable ground point close to the amplifier

This point should attach to the vehicle's chassis, and be a solid connection.

Run your ground cable from the amp (or distro block).

Just like with the power cable, this wire should be secured and protected. It should not be installed in a location that will distress it.

Use a piece of sandpaper to remove any paint or finish from your ground point. Use it to also sand away any rust or residue on your ground point. You want a good solid connection, so you'll want to see nice shiny metal.

Prepare an appropriately sized ring terminal

If your ground cable is going to be attached with a ring terminal (the most recommended means), attach it now. Remember! Do a good job here. We're looking for a strong, solid electrical connection. If you can use solder, I would recommend it!

Use a washer when attaching your ring terminal to your vehicle's chassis.

Finally, cover the ground point with something non-conductive. Also, Find some spray paint or finish that will protect your ground point from rust.

4.) Be sure to run RCA cables and the remote turn on!

Pull your head unit out of its mounting location.

If it's not already hooked up, hook up your remote turn-on wire to the head unit's wiring harness.

Determine which RCA cables will go to each channel on your amp(s). I find it useful to have a 4-channel cable and an additional 2-channel cable for your subwoofers. This makes it easier to run all of the wires at once.

Run your RCAs and remote turn-on. Keep the RCA cables away from any sort of power cable, especially the power cable for your amp(s). It's OK to run the remote turn-on wire with the RCAs.

Make sure all cables are secured and not installed in a way that will distress them. Be sure they aren't pinched, scraped or kinked during any sort of driving activity. In any places where they'll need protection, be sure to cover them with a tough material.

5.) Run all of your speaker wires.

Now it's time to run more wires! Run speaker wires from your speakers to your amp's installation location.

Just like with all of the different wires above, be sure they are secured and protected.

6.) Hook up all of the wires at the amplifier!

Hook up the RCAs, speaker cables, remote turn on, power then ground.

7.) Hook up a fuse holder near the battery.

Be sure you have this piece of equipment (and a fuse) before you even attempt to hook your amp up to your vehicle's electrical system. Seriously!

The fuse holder MUST be within 18" of the battery.

Be sure the fuse holder is connected solidly to the power wire.

Be sure you have the right sized fuse!

Be sure the fuse holder is mounted in a safe place, and the power wires are all secured away from any moving parts.

8.) Hook up any special battery terminals

If you have any fancy-schmancy battery terminals, now is the time to be sure they're connected properly. Be sure they are secure and protected. Hook up any other of your vehicle's cables to the battery. If you can get covers for your new battery terminals, I would recommend them.

9.) Reconnect the battery.

Put your shiny new terminals on those battery posts!

10.) Test!

Before turning your system on, turn the amplifier gains all the way down. Turn on your system and listen. Does everything work? How much noise do you hear? Is there audible distortion (If so, don't listen for long!) If everything's square, move on to the next step!

11.) Permanately Mount your amplifier

I hope that before you have gone through the previous nine steps, you have thought about how your amp fits into your system, and how you plan to install it. If not, I BEG OF YOU to think about this first. Figure out where you want your amp, how you'll get power to it, and what (if any) components will be installed near it. Also, don't be a fool! Be sure you've budgeted so you can actually afford everything you need for your amp to be installed FLAWLESSLY. Taking just a small amount of time to think about this stuff will pay off for a smooth install, and great sound. If you don't plan, you will screw it up.

When you mount your amp, you'll want to be sure you are protecting it from any sort of physical damage and heat. Car amps are tough, but you need to be sure that you are installing it in a way that protects your amp from these hazards.

Soooooo, to protect your amp from physical damage (because they are usually installed in places where they are prone to damage such as in the trunk or under the seats), it is best to build some sort of enclosure for it. This enclosure should be big enough to contain the amp (and possibly some fans), as well as the appropriate wiring. You will also want to be able to easily access the controls. If you really like to tweak your system, you might want to make your amp rack easily removable, but also keep theft in mind. Be creative on how to protect it. The truth is, you can get really fancy here, or just do something quick. Both will work.

Another thing to keep in mind when building an enclosure for an amp or mounting the amp in a place that is hot or has poor airflow is that the amp will get HOT. Heat damages electronics, so you should figure out a way to keep your amp cool and happy. Use fans, or even redirect the air conditioner!

One last thing about amps: I have found that if your amp is mounted to metal, it is sometimes prone to noise. I recommend mounting your amp to a piece of wood before installing it. This will prevent any sort or weird ground loop effects that introduce noise to your music.

12.) Tweak!

Now that you've installed your amp(s), you're pretty excited to get rollin. Step 1: Be sure all of the amp's gains are down, the bass boost is off, and the crossovers are set to the correct frequency band.

Get one of your favorite CDs, preferably one that is clean sounding. I have found classical and jazz to work great, but alternative and pop work as well. Try to avoid really loud or bass heavy music. If you must, try to use a more melodic CD: Not one that's just all bass, or noise, you know? The important thing is that the CD is representative of what you normally listen to, because it's YOUR system, and it's YOUR music. Darn tootin!

Step 2: Power on!

Step 3: Turn your head units controls to neutral. EQs off, loudness off, fade and balance centered.

Step 4: Turn the volume up until you hear distortion (you know it when you hear it, and go on to step 5), or the volume control is all the way up. (go to step 6)

Step 5: If you hear distortion, back the volume up until no more distortion is heard. At this point, you know how loud your system is gonna go before it starts distorting, sounding horrible, and smoking speakers. (Move on to step 7, and lower your volume!)

Step 6: If your head unit goes all the way up, and doesn't distort, you have a good unit that your amp can handle. Go to your amp, and while the music is playing, slowly turn up the gains. Once you hear distortion, back off a little. Turn your head unit's volume down!

Step 7: Now go to your head unit. Set all of the eq, loudness, crossover controls, and dsp that you want. Repeat steps 4-6 with all of these controls set to how you want them.

Step 8: Set all of your amp's bass boost or other controls to how you want them. Repeat steps 4-6 again.

Step 9: Once everything sounds good, you're ready to put a cover on your amp enclosure, and be sure your fans are hooked up properly. Put it away and forget it!

Step 10: You're in business! Have fun, and don't wake up your neighbors!

The automotive industry is getting more ideas on how to pamper the passengers. One of the ways is to have a car DVD entertainment system installed. Such a system can really be a life saver to the driver. Why? Imagine, you're headed across the country with your family to visit the in-laws in Omaha, and your kids are driving you nuts. A car DVD system allows you to pop in one of their favorite movies and have them entertained for hours while on the road.

Today's auto market is becoming more and more diversified, with Hummers lining up next to Smart Cars and Geo Metros in dealer lots. Perhaps one of the things many people do when they bought a new vehicle is to customize it with gadgets and accessories. Bored spouses and kids make car DVD systems one of the hottest new upgrades on the automotive consumer market.

There are two main types of in car DVD systems: portable and in-dash. Portable systems, though not as sleek or worry-free as the in-dash systems, are considerably cheaper and more versatile. They are usually powered by your car's 12-volt power adapter but can be converted to run from your home's power supply, allowing you to take the DVD player and monitor into your in-laws house when your happy family arrives.

In-dash car DVD systems are hardwired into your vehicle's entertainment system. They display movies either on a screen in the center-console, on a screen that descends from the roof of the vehicle, or on a screen which flips up from the dashboard. Though these systems aren't portable outside the vehicle, once installed they don't require any extra cords or setup: you can load in your movies and drive away. Screens located either on the center console or which flip up from the dashboard can double as displays for in-car GPS or navigation software, but they can be distracting to drivers. The flip-down screens avoid driver distraction, but they are usually only convenient for back-seat viewing, leaving a front seat passenger to count license plates or play I-Spy with the driver.

In car DVD systems are perhaps the biggest boon to the long family road trip since Car Bingo, and as the technology improves you can expect the systems to get smaller, lighter, and cheaper. Though portable systems are still the choice for families on the go since they require no expensive installation or conversion, more and more auto manufacturers have plans to include built-in systems in their vehicles, especially upscale and family autos.

Trust me; it will be tough to find a driver for your next road trip. The entire family wants to be stretched out in the back seat watching a movie.

The automotive industry is getting more ideas on how to pamper the passengers. One of the ways is to have a car DVD entertainment system installed. Such a system can really be a life saver to the driver. Why? Imagine, you're headed across the country with your family to visit the in-laws in Omaha, and your kids are driving you nuts. A car DVD system allows you to pop in one of their favorite movies and have them entertained for hours while on the road.

Today's auto market is becoming more and more diversified, with Hummers lining up next to Smart Cars and Geo Metros in dealer lots. Perhaps one of the things many people do when they bought a new vehicle is to customize it with gadgets and accessories. Bored spouses and kids make car DVD systems one of the hottest new upgrades on the automotive consumer market.

There are two main types of in car DVD systems: portable and in-dash. Portable systems, though not as sleek or worry-free as the in-dash systems, are considerably cheaper and more versatile. They are usually powered by your car's 12-volt power adapter but can be converted to run from your home's power supply, allowing you to take the DVD player and monitor into your in-laws house when your happy family arrives.

In-dash car DVD systems are hardwired into your vehicle's entertainment system. They display movies either on a screen in the center-console, on a screen that descends from the roof of the vehicle, or on a screen which flips up from the dashboard. Though these systems aren't portable outside the vehicle, once installed they don't require any extra cords or setup: you can load in your movies and drive away. Screens located either on the center console or which flip up from the dashboard can double as displays for in-car GPS or navigation software, but they can be distracting to drivers. The flip-down screens avoid driver distraction, but they are usually only convenient for back-seat viewing, leaving a front seat passenger to count license plates or play I-Spy with the driver.

In car DVD systems are perhaps the biggest boon to the long family road trip since Car Bingo, and as the technology improves you can expect the systems to get smaller, lighter, and cheaper. Though portable systems are still the choice for families on the go since they require no expensive installation or conversion, more and more auto manufacturers have plans to include built-in systems in their vehicles, especially upscale and family autos.

Trust me; it will be tough to find a driver for your next road trip. The entire family wants to be stretched out in the back seat watching a movie.

Car stereos are stereos that are meant to be installed in cars and enjoyed while driving or riding around the city, along long country roads, or virtually anywhere else. They are seen by many people to be one of the crucial elements to a truly enjoyable ride. Car stereos are specially fitted and shaped to hug the interior of your car or other vehicle, and the sound is balanced so that the car will become the stage for a superior sound. Do not confuse car audio with a car stereo. The car audio refers to the whole sound system found in automobiles. Depending on the preference of the driver, car audios can be or an out-and-out customized delivering an excellent sound quality and listening experience.

Car stereos on the other hand, lie at the heart of the car audio system. The main components are the CD or cassette player, speakers, amplifiers, cables and equalizers.

What to Look for in Car Stereos

Look for a stereo that will give you unlimited recording and playing options while driving. For excellent sound, you can purchase brand name stereos that have little or no distortion or warped sounds. You can add component that can be self-installed like amplifier racks, subwoofer enclosures or speaker pods.

When choosing a model, you first have to consider if the stereo you intend to buy fits the make and model of your car. Most new, sporty models come with sophisticated stereos complete with video inputs, digital time recorder, etc.

What is important is that you choose the one you know and feel is the right one for you – and your car.

Land Rover will soon hit the road with a new level of audio presentations. Freelander, dubbed as LR2 Stateside, is Land Rover’s latest addition. Said vehicle will be the very first vehicle to utilize Dolby® Pro Logic II® 7.1 surround sound. This time Rover deviates from the traditional surround sound with speakers to pave way for a home-theatre like audio experience.

Dolby® Pro Logic II® 7.1 comes with 14 speakers including the center channel, rear surrounds and a subwoofer. The system, which was developed by Alpine, comes with fiber optic connectors, iPod jack and a 440-watts amplifier to satisfy everyone’s audio fantasies. Freelander, is built with better off-road performance and new transverse straight¬-six. Nonetheless, what makes it more appealing is the fact that it has a killer sound system to sweep off other vehicle’s audio presentations. The innovative 7.1 sound system by Alpine, delivers a superior audio experience for everyone to enjoy.

Alpine is renowned for its high-quality music reproduction. In Freelander it has specifically created a special 14 speaker system for Rover Freelander parts. Dave Sheen, Alpine's OEM director says "Alpine believes no matter where you are sat in the car the sound experience should excite. 7.1 channel systems provide just that and with rear fill speakers, passengers are equally enthralled by the surround sound experience, not just those in the front. This is highly important for a family-orientated car like the Freelander 2."

Dolby’s technology works to create a surround sound playback experience that suits the unique environment of Land Rover vehicles. Regardless of the position of the vehicle or the condition of the road, Freelander can still give you the opportunity to enjoy amazing audio.

"We are delighted that such a prestigious and important car debuts the Dolby Pro Logic II 7.1 technology. The technology is in harmony with the Land Rover interior and provides stunning sound wherever you are within the car, and wherever the car takes you," Robin Dyer, VP Europe Consumer Division at Dolby noted.

Freelander’s attractive package will be available in the market this Spring with an striking starting price of approximately $33,000.

CTIA-The Wireless Association(TM) announces the line-up of mobile entertainment events for the upcoming CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment 2005, September 27-29, 2005 at Moscone West in San Francisco. Be there, as hundreds of exhibitors display the next evolution in wireless technology- bringing communication, organization, access and fun to the mobile consumer.

"Traditionally, we think of wireless phones as a unique communication device, something that enables us to stay in contact anytime, anywhere. However, these days wireless phones are much more than that. Over the past few years they've transformed into our all-in-one entertainment gadget allowing us to play games, watch TV, listen to music and so much more," said Steve Largent, President & CEO of CTIA. "Join us in San Francisco as we explore this 'fun side of wireless data' and take a glimpse at the future of mobile entertainment."

--  MECCA 2005 - Monday, September 26, 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
      The Mobile Entertainment Content, Commerce & Applications
      Conference - or MECCA - will feature keynote speakers,
      supersessions, drilldown sessions and case studies examining
      the state of mobile entertainment through in-depth analysis,
      debate and discussion on the details necessary to succeed in
      the mobile entertainment marketplace. For more information on
      MECCA, visit www.billboardevents.com. MECCA is the Official
      CTIA Mobile Entertainment Conference produced by Billboard.

  --  CTIA Mobile Entertainment Keynote - Wednesday, September 28,
      9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
      Wireless content is making waves in the mainstream consumer
      market as mobile entertainment. Learn how major corporations
      and entertainment companies - including Warner Music Group and
      RealNetworks, Inc. - are staking out their territory and using
      wireless to enhance product and service offerings. There is no
      better way to gain this knowledge than to hear it from the
      mouths of the people driving the wireless industry toward the
      future. CTIA's Mobile Entertainment Keynote Session is a can't
      miss for attendees!

  --  CTIA Entertainment Track - Tuesday & Wednesday, September
      27-28
      Wireless entertainment content has become the standard bearer
      for mobile data success and opportunity, breaking through to
      the mainstream and capturing the interest of both consumers
      and brand owners alike. Including sessions on games, music,
      camera phones, and MMS, among other topics, the Entertainment
      Track will reveal the revenue-generating opportunities these
      innovative applications offer your company, as well as explore
      the technical and business issues affecting the space, such as
      piracy, content rating and development platforms.

  --  M-tertainment Pavilion - Showcasing the hottest mobile trends
      for downloading music, movie trailers, cutting edge video
      games, and much more! The mobile entertainment market is
      surging with new and untapped revenues and CTIA has created a
      place for up and coming companies to spotlight their services.
      This is a one-stop shop so you can stay on top of your game.

CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment 2005, September 27-29, 2005 at Moscone West in San Francisco, CA, is a comprehensive wireless data event, which represents both sides of the industry - Enterprise and Consumer. From the Enterprise side the focus is on integrating wireless technologies into the enterprise and vertical business markets, such as healthcare, government, automotive, retail, etc. Additionally, the show reflects the explosive growth in wireless entertainment - encompassing everything from mobile content to digital cameras and interactive games.

SCF5250 Audio Processor Adds Features to Support the Latest Digital Rights Management and Video Technologies

Manufacturers of portable media players and automotive entertainment systems are striving to meet consumer demand for seamless connectivity between devices. Freescale Semiconductor (NYSE:FSL) (NYSE:FSL.B) is rolling out software libraries for its SCF5250 processor that will help enable new portable and automotive compressed audio and video solutions.

Since going into production in 2003, Freescale's SCF5250 audio processor has been quietly racking up design wins with many of the top digital audio player manufacturers. As the leading supplier of automotive semiconductors, Freescale is uniquely positioned to transfer its audio expertise into the automotive market.

"It looks like the phenomenal growth of compressed audio entertainment is expanding well beyond the home and portable device markets," said Joanne Blight, director, automotive practice at Strategy Analytics research and consultant firm. "In fact, digital and 'soft' audio products are rapidly entering the automotive industry, as satellite radio and MP3 player in-vehicle connectivity are clearly demonstrating. People increasingly want to have the same entertainment choices in their cars as they have on their portable devices and at home. Single-platform technologies that support an easy interface between car and portable devices will be key to meeting both consumer and automotive requirements."

The SCF5250 solution

The SCF5250 is a second-generation audio processor that provides more memory and improved power management over the previous SCF5249 device. Built on the ColdFire(R) V2 core with enhanced multiply-accumulate (eMAC) module, the SCF5250 supports a variety of universal serial bus (USB) interfaces, including the latest USB 2.0 high-speed (HS) on-the-go (OTG) technology.

The SCF5250 supports the latest versions of Microsoft Windows(R) Media Audio (WMA) and Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) 10, as well as JPEG and MPEG4 video formats for mobile displays.

Freescale's extensive software library for the SCF5250 includes real-time operating systems (RTOS); compressed audio codecs; and file systems for compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), hard disk drives (HDD) and flash memories. It also has recording features such as real-time MP3 or adaptive differential pulse-code modulation (ADPCM) encoding for both speech and music (jukebox). In addition, the library incorporates USB mass storage class software stacks and Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) slave support for digital rights management (DRM).

New reference designs for the SCF5250

Freescale reference designs are driving the adoption of the SCF5250 into new markets, allowing product designers to develop new HDD and flash-based digital audio devices. The reference designs include the M5250C3 evaluation board and M5250ADC daughter card that incorporate all of the components and connectivity required for quick and efficient product design.

"As important as any component we supply are the tools we provide customers to help create state-of-the-art products that can be quickly shipped to market," said Flip Lockhoof, operations manager for Freescale's digital audio and radio business. "Our reference designs provide hardware and software support for product developers to transform new ideas into groundbreaking, efficient product designs that satisfy their customers' needs."

On request and at no additional charge, Freescale provides schematics, layout files and component lists for a 1.8-inch, 20GB HDD reference design that includes a color liquid crystal display (LCD) and support for JPEG and MPEG4 and USB 2.0 HS OTG.

"Our new X5 digital audio player required the performance and security features the Freescale audio processor offered," said Harold Jeon, director, Cowon Systems (Multimedia Device Department), "We've incorporated MPEG4 playback on the X5 to provide our customers a full multimedia experience, and we'll be working with Microsoft to obtain PlaysForSure verification to make sure that experience is consistent and reliable. By using a compact and efficient HDD reference design from Freescale, we were able reach the market quickly with the product style and functionality our customers are demanding."

Freescale is currently developing its next-generation audio processor, which is planned to include on-chip integration of USB 2.0 HS OTG technology with a real-time clock (RTC), as well as an on-chip flexible controller area network (FlexCAN) module for automotive applications.

Product features

SCF5250 audio processor

  --  ColdFire V2 CPU + eMAC

  --  128KB SRAM plus 8KB cache. Compressed audio decoding possible
      with no external SDRAM (MP3, AAC, WMA)

  --  Software modules, including:

      --  Microsoft Windows Media DRM10 support

      --  MP3, WMA, AAC, MP3PRO, Ogg Vorbis decode and MPEG1 Layer 2
          decoder (VCD)

      --  MP3 and ADPCM encoders

      --  Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC, planned for July 2005)

      --  Variable Play Speed (planned for July 2005) supporting
          MP3, WMA, MP3 Pro, Windows Media DRM10, MPEG2 Layer1, AAC,
          Ogg Vorbis, ADPCM and FLAC

      --  JPEG and MPEG4 decode (20 fps at QCIF resolution while
          simultaneously playing audio files)

      --  SRS WOW and other third-party algorithms

      --  ADPCM voice record


M5250C3 evaluation board

  --  SCF5250 running at 120 MHz, memory bus speed of 60 MHz

  --  Monitor/debugger on 2MB of flash with 1.8MB available for
      customer use

  --  On-board 10/100 Ethernet connectivity

  --  SCF5250 software modules support

  --  DRM support

  --  USB 2.0 HS OTG support (requires M5250ADC daughter card)

  --  Graphical interface (requires M5250ADC daughter card)

  --  Power management softwar

Renesas Technology Corp. today announced it has started shipping evaluation samples of a single-chip LSI, jointly developed with NTT DoCoMo, Inc. for dual-mode mobile handsets supporting W-CDMA (3G) and GSM/GPRS (2G) systems. Evaluation samples have been available for customers since the end of July 2005.

With technological development investment from NTT DoCoMo since July 2004, the jointly developed LSI is expected to promote the global use of FOMA(R) and similar 3G mobile handsets. It also reduces costs by incorporating a dual baseband processor handling W-CDMA and GSM/GPRS systems together with a Renesas Technology SH-Mobile application processor. Combining the W-CDMA technology expertise of NTT DoCoMo with Renesas' advanced LSI fabrication, multimedia application processing, and GSM/GPRS technologies, both companies have developed the single-chip LSI that offers high performance together with low power consumption. Customers are now evaluating samples embedded to a reference board for their communication functions.

NTT DoCoMo's Managing Director of Customer Equipment Development Department, Mr. Koji Chiba, made the following statement on the development of the new LSI: "I am very pleased with the successful sample shipments of this dual-mode single-chip LSI supporting both W-CDMA and GSM/GPRS jointly developed with Renesas Technology. I believe that use of this single-chip LSI will lower the cost of FOMA handsets while improving such basic performance features as length of standby time, and will encourage the adoption of FOMA services on a global scale."

"Provision of the single-chip LSI for 3G mobile handsets such as FOMA phones helps further accelerate the proliferation of Renesas' highly integrated, market-ready mobile solution based on the SH-Mobile Series application processor in the 3G market," said Ikuya Kawasaki, Deputy General Manager of System Solution Business Unit 2 at Renesas Technology Corp. "In the coming years, we will continue to develop more advanced LSIs based on the technical experience gained through this project, and will further strengthen our position as a leading mobile phone LSI manufacturer and solution provider."

Renesas plans to begin mass production of the new LSI in the second quarter of 2006. A 3G mobile phone platform incorporating this LSI will also be offered to FOMA and GSM/GPRS handset manufacturers.