Universal Electronics Poised To Ensure Remote Control Plays Pivotal Role In Digital Home Networking
Amid the debate as to whether personal computers, remote controls or a combination of devices will control the two-way communication among electronic devices in a home networking system, Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI; Nasdaq:UEIC) is poised to ensure that the remote control --the device of choice among consumers - plays an integral role in how people control technology on the home front. UEI has announced that it is gearing up for anticipated growth in the home networking industry by offering for the first time mass customization of a line of competitively priced, quality wireless remote controls and microchips that will be shipped faster than anyone else. As the telecommunications industries continue to converge, consumers increasingly will have ready access to integrated lifestyle technologies that fuse their home entertainment and information experiences. ""Using wireless controls to operate their networked home systems will make consumers more comfortable in this brave new world,"" said UEI President, COO and CFO Paul Arling. UEI said it hopes to spur market activity in the home networking arena by simultaneously providing universal remote controls that are easy for consumers to set up and use, and addressing head-on some of the concerns original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have about product costs and delivery turnaround time. ""Our new standardized Catalyst remote control and Performance IC chips are a direct response to OEM concerns about time and money,"" Arling noted. ""These ready-to-go remotes and chips are pre-tooled, low-cost and world-class. This line of semi-standard products lowers our engineering costs and reduces assembly time,"" he explained. ""These products also give us new-found flexibility to accommodate lower-volume business that we couldn't profitably pursue before. With these adjustments to our marketing mix, UEI continues to do its part to lower costs and minimize turnaround time in the supply chain."" The ergonomically designed Catalyst 34 and 48 remotes operate as many as eight home entertainment and information devices, such as TV; VCR/DVD/Laser disk; cable/digital satellite; and audio devices, such as CD, mini disk, amplifier, tuner. They feature stock UEI-patented features that offer unique and advanced technology, and yet can be customized to include additional options, such as backlighting and ""learning,"" typically associated with higher-end remotes. Built-in features for both models include infrared code compatibility from UEI's library of 80,000 operating codes; upgradeability to prevent obsolescence; nonvolatile memory that won't lose settings when batteries die; pre-programmed device default settings; custom logo, silk screening, color system; and key definition. The Performance IC chip, which offers UEI's unsurpassed infrared code library and embedded firmware in four different models, is available in 8K and 15K products to meet the needs of both basic and higher-end, more inclusive product designs. ""With Performance IC chips, our engineers do it all for OEMs vs. the ""self-serve"" approach. UEI offers customers a lead time that is best in the industry and ready-to-order standardized chips that need only be customized and delivered - faster than anyone in the business,"" Arling said. ""While there certainly are roles for other controlling devices in a home networking environment,"" Arling stated, ""they simply are not as reliable, versatile or easy to use as wireless remotes. Most consumers are already familiar and comfortable with using a universal remote control to operate their home entertainment systems, and a home theatre is one of the most popular applications of an integrated home system. These two factors provide UEI a significant springboard into this developing market. Remote controls will definitely continue to play a pivotal role in the networked home,"" he said. ""Meanwhile, UEI is developing a number of exciting new wireless technologies that are perfectly suited for controlling everything from TVs to temperatures in a networked environment,"" Arling said, ""including ever more advanced-function wireless controls, touch-screen remotes, keyboards and even remotes with built-in keyboards."" About Universal Electronics Universal Electronics Inc. based in Cypress, Calif., manufactures and markets pre-programmed, easy-to-use universal remote controls principally for home entertainment equipment and the subscription broadcast market. The company's product lines under development include wireless keyboards, touch-screen remotes and combination remote/keyboards. UEI sells its proprietary technologies and products to companies involved in the cable industry, private-label customers and consumer electronics manufacturers. The company also sells its remote control products to distributors and retailers in Europe, Asia, South America and Australia under the One For All(R) brand name.