Yamaha Sets Company Records For One Month Receiver Market Share Increases In April 2008

Company Claims Introduction of its ‘63’ Series Receivers and Continued Popularity of RX-V3800 and RX-V1800 Models Led to Strongest Sales Month in Years [The following is a release from Yamaha]

June 15, 2008

Yamaha Electronics Corporation, the innovator in home theater, digital audio and video reproduction, announced today the company achieved record increases in surround sound receiver with amplifier dollar share from March 2008 to April 2008 in the A/V specialty channel (5.7% increase to 44%); electronic superstore channel (9.8% increase to 32%); and total retail channel (7.47% increase to 31.4%), according to The NPD Group’s retail tracking service. These monthly increases are records for the company and Yamaha attributes them to its just released spring line up of moderately-priced (under $1,000) RX-V863, RX-V663, RX-V563, RX-V463 and RX-V363 receivers, as well as to the continued popularity of its upper-end RX-V1800 and RX-V3800 models. April saw Yamaha with #1 market share in the A/V receiver category overall as well as in the A/V specialist and electronic superstore channels. The new product line is icing on the cake to the company’s most recent fiscal year which ended in March with Yamaha holding the #1 position in the AVR market overall as well as #1 position in the A/V specialty and electronic superstore channel in AV receivers. NPD data also reports that four Yamaha receivers (RX-V663, RX-V863, RX-V1800 and RX-V3800) were among the top ten surround sound receivers with amplifiers in the A/V specialty channel for April 2008. In all the company owned over half of the top 25 selling models for that channel during the month. High Performance and Value Yamaha’s spring receiver line introduction included five models (RX-V863, 105Wx7, MSRP $999.95; RX-V663, 95Wx7, MRSP $549.95; RX-V563, 90Wx7, MSRP $449.95; RX-V463, 105Wx5, MSRP $349.95; and RX-V363, 100Wx5, MSRP $229.95) that integrated such features as 1080p-compatible HDMI switching, wireless Bluetooth audio playback and improved Apple iPod-compatibility (with Yamaha’s new optional YDS-11 iPod dock accessory), XM and Sirius Satellite Radio compatibility (except for the RX-V363), four system-configuring SCENE modes and improved CINEMA DSP Technology. The RX-V863 also has the distinction of being the most affordably-priced HD Radio receiver on the market, enabling listeners to enjoy FM station signals with CD-quality audio and improved AM station signals without static and hiss. The receiver also displays HD Radio’s transmission of content information, such as song titles and artist names. At the top of the line, the RX-V863 and RX-V663 support the newest Blu-ray HD audio surround sound formats, such as the “lossy” Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio formats and “lossless” Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio formats. The RX-V863 enhances analog video and upscales 480i or 480p content to full HD (1080p) and has 1080p-compatible HDMI 1.3 with 3 HDMI inputs and 1 output. The RX-V663 digitally upconverts analog video to HDMI and, along with the other four units in the line, has 1080p-compatible HDMI with 2 HDMI inputs and one output, which offers improved picture quality and a seamless single cable solution to a TV monitor. All models in the line feature Yamaha’s proprietary Compressed Music Enhancer technology, which restores the lost high and low frequency audio detail that occurs when music is being “compressed” as it is downloaded onto iPods or other portable audio players. The result is a more natural sounding listening experience that better recreates the original music performance when experienced through a home audio system. Consistent High End Sellers The RX-V3800 (140w x 7; $1,699.95 MSRP) and RX-V1800 (130w x 7; $1,299.95 MSRP) offer unsurpassed home theater audio and video realism. Both models feature full HD audio format capability, including lossless Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound, Yamaha’s acclaimed Cinema DSP processing engine, video upscaling to 1080p, and support of the latest HDMI 1.3a specification. Both models are compatible with the Apple iPod, via an optional docking station (YDS-11), and allow playback of XM Satellite Radio’s standard and XM HD Surround content. New Yamaha iPod Dock Yamaha’s latest iPod dock accessory (YDS-11) links the devices to select Yamaha AV products and seamlessly enables all the content on an iPod to be enjoyed via a home entertainment system. Docked iPods can be controlled by a Yamaha receiver’s remote control, and navigated by on-screen display on a television or monitor. In addition, iPods are automatically charged as they rest in the dock, so they are always ready to be taken on the go. The YDS-11SL is currently available for a suggested retail price of $99.95 and is compatible with the iPod Touch, Nano, Click Wheel (including the latest iPod Classic) and Mini models. The unit features a simple single cable connection, and eliminates the need for any other adaptor to operate or charge an iPod. For more information, write Yamaha Electronics Corporation, P.O. Box 6660, Buena Park, CA 90620; telephone (714) 522-9105; email infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com/hometheater.

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