Kenwood To Launch DVD-Audio Players In U.S. First Half Of 2000

Citing its influential role in the development of the format, Kenwood USA Corporation will introduce its first DVD Audio players in the United States during the first half of 2000. The introduction will include several different models in various configurations, with some that will be Universal DVD-Audio/Video players. The line-up will also incorporate many technologies that are exclusive to Kenwood. ""Our engineers served on several of the groups that were responsible for developing the format's specifications and we are proud to announce our entry into the U.S. DVD-Audio market with a strong line of products,"" comments Joe Richter, President of Kenwood USA Corp. ""We will bring out our DVD-Audio line-up during the first half of next year because we feel that it is important that software be available for consumers to use with our players, and to minimize any dealer confusion during the upcoming holiday selling season."" Consumer Benefits Of DVD-Audio Format The first major audio software format development since the introduction of the compact disc in 1982, DVD-Audio will offer many improvements over other audio delivery formats. The format's extremely large data storage capacity (about seven times greater than standard CDs) allows audio to be recorded in multichannel formats with far greater resolution than is possible on CDs. Multiple versions of a program can be stored on a single disc, one of which can be encoded in the CD standard, offering backwards compatibility with present-day CD players. For example, a single DVD-Audio disc could contain a 74-minute, 6-channel program with 24-bit resolution, as well as a 2-channel version of the same program in 16-bit resolution to match the current CD standard. The DVD-Audio standard also provides for the inclusion of video information on the disc. This could take many forms, including song lyrics, artist and recording information, or still graphics. For more information, contact Brian Towne at 310 639 9000 or visit the Web site at www.kenwoodusa.com.