Kenwood Is First Major Audio Company To Introduce Entertainment Hub

New Entreô Stores And Streams Music, Also Plays CDs, Internet Radio, And Custom Play Lists Throughout The Home

14-Jun-01

Kenwood USA Corporation is the first major consumer electronics manufacturer to introduce an entertainment hub, a single component that stores and streams compressed and uncompressed music files as well as Internet radio, and serves as a main controller for other Kenwood Sovereignô components in a home entertainment system. Jointly developed with OpenGlobeô, Inc. the new Kenwood Sovereign Entreô allows users to create play lists via on-screen menus, connect and control other Kenwood Sovereign components, and store and play MP3 or WMA music files on its 20 GB hard disk drive. A built-in CD recorder allows creation of compressed and uncompressed audio CDs for use in the car or with a portable player. Entre, which streams multiple audio programs simultaneously to different rooms in a house, will reach stores this summer. ìEntre complements Kenwood Sovereign systems by providing access to new media such as compressed MP3 music files and Internet radio,î said Bob Law, Kenwood Vice President of Sales and Marketing. ìThis component gives independent specialty retailers the opportunity to increase sales because of the added value and functionality it brings to other Kenwood Sovereign components.îIntegration With Kenwood Sovereign ComponentsPart of the new Kenwood Sovereign line of premium audio/video components, Entre makes it easy to access both internal and external audio, and to control other Kenwood Sovereign components. The unitís RS-232 ports allow Entre to connect to other Kenwood Sovereign components, including four new A/V receivers and two new 400-disc DVD mega-changers. It neatly integrates all the componentís functions with an easy to use on-screen menu displayed on the video monitor. For example, DVDs and CDs stored in a compatible Kenwood Sovereign changer can be accessed with cover art, title, track, artist, and genre information via online databases such as CDDBÆ Music Recognition Serviceô and OpenGlobeô MovieDB, and may be displayed on a television monitor. Connect Entre to a Kenwood Sovereign A/V receiver and it seamlessly integrates listening of standard AM/FM radio with Internet radio. Select receiver functions can be controlled with on-screen video menus.Although Entre supports playback of both MP3 and WMA music files, it will only store compressed audio files in the MP3 format. Play lists of all stored MP3 music files can be created, and music libraries compiled by making selections from on-screen menus. Entre incorporates a built-in CD recorder and users will be able to ìburnî both standard, uncompressed CD audio tracks as well as compressed MP3 files onto CD-R and CD-RW discs.In addition, Entre provides a USB connection on the front panel, enabling easy connection and download of compressed audio to MP3 players with a USB port (however, music can not be uploaded to Entre through this port).Entre is capable of storing hundreds of hours of compressed music on its internal hard disk, and simultaneously streaming different audio programs (such as MP3 files and Internet radio) to different rooms using the Home PNA 2.0 protocol. Home PNA 2.0 uses a home's existing phone wiring to create a network for streaming audio at 10 Mbps without laying new wires. Kenwoodís Axcessô, a remote portal available later this year, will make it possible to play streaming audio in any room with a phone jack. Entre can stream multiple audio files through four Axcess portals at once and not interfere with standard phone, fax, or DSL modem services. Additionally, later this year Kenwood will be introducing an application that will allow transfer of both MP3 and WMA files from a computer desktop to the Entre, as well as setup of the Entreís metadata Home PNA.OpenGlobe TechnologyThe services provided by OpenGlobe, an Indianapolis entertainment technology company, complement Entre by simplifying access to on-line entertainment media, bringing new insights to users about their entertainment interests, and providing them with purchasing opportunities without having to leave their chairs. Kenwood has worked with OpenGlobe to develop a user interface thatís simple to use, yet allows complete management of the Entreís functions and delivery of the full benefits of the following services:- Access to Internet radio stations- Access to Internet databases such as CDDB Music Recognition Service and OpenGlobeís MovieDB- Downloading graphics and related content pertaining to CDs, DVDs, and artists.- CE-Commerce allows for on-line purchasing of CDs, DVDs, and more.Additional functions provided by OpenGlobe include ongoing CE-Commerceô services that enable consumers to purchase items such as DVDs or CDs online, surf the Net, and send and receive e-mail. The Internet connection also allows Kenwood and OpenGlobe to automatically upgrade the entertainment hub software so that the user always has the latest version.Entre will be available mid-summer from authorized Kenwood Sovereign dealers for an MSRP of $1,800. For more information about Kenwood USA Corporation, visit www.kenwoodusa.com.

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