Monster Cable Selects Digital Harmony IEEE-1394 Certification
Exclusive Agreement To Use Digital Harmonyís Consumer Product Certification Centers
Digital Harmony Technologies Inc., the leading provider of standard IEEE-1394 interface modules for consumer electronics, launched at CES 2000 a cable certification program with Monster Cable Products Inc., the worldís leading manufacturer of premier audio, video and computer cables. As part of the agreement, Monster Cable will produce only Digital Harmony-certified IEEE-1394 cables, providing consumers with the new, high-speed digital media cables. In a separate agreement, Monster Cable will manufacture Digital Harmony-certified consumer electronics devices used to connect non-1394 audio/video devices (e.g., CD players, VHS VCRs, televisions, etc.) to the new IEEE-1394 bus, currently used on Apple FireWire computers and Sony i.LINK video products. Monsterís Legacy Adapter devices are part of the growing family of Digital Harmony-certified devices planned for release next year. Digital Harmony Technologiesí standard1394 OEM interface modules and certification services are gaining momentum from manufacturers interested in adding the plug-and-play interface to their products. Reliable and upgradeable, Digital Harmony modules are used in DVD players, digital TVs, A/V receivers, set-top boxes, loudspeakers, and other devices. Digital Harmony-powered home entertainment systems can be comprised of up to 63 audio/video devices from multiple manufacturers, located in any room of the house. Certified devices are plug-and-play out of the box, easily connected using IEEE-1394 cables, and simple to control using a single remote control known as the Digital Harmony Composerô. Monster Cableís reputation for high-quality products and strong market share across many retail channels will provide easy access for consumers entering the new world of digital home entertainment. Monster joins Digital Harmonyís growing family of major manufacturer licensees in the home theatre and home control markets including Boston Acoustics, Connect TV, Denon, Harman/Kardon, Onkyo, Panja, Sensory Science, and more. Beginning in 2000, consumers will be able to choose Digital Harmony-certified devices from any of these manufacturers, including Monsterís cables and accessories. ""By utilizing Digital Harmonyís test certification and logo program, Monster cables will be the worry-free consumer choice for connecting digital devices from many manufacturers. Itís a powerful partnership that provides consumers with an elegant solution to digital home entertainment systems,"" said Noel Lee, President and Founder of Monster Cable. Monster Cableís Digital Harmony-certified cables are capable of transmitting hundreds of channels of digital audio (including Dolby Digital, MP3, PCM, and DTS) as well as compressed video such as MPEG and DV on a compact cable, at speeds of up to 400 megabits per second. Co-branded with Digital Harmonyís logo, the new Monster cables will have XLNÆ construction to eliminate crosstalk and noise between conductors and self-polishing 24k gold contact connectors for error-free data transfer. Both companiesí technologies support upcoming audio/video formats such as DVD-Audio and HDTV. Digital Harmony-certified Monster cables will be available in 6-6 pin configuration for use with HDTV converters, digital VCRs, powered loudspeakers and DVD players, as well as 6-4 and 4-4 pin for DV camcorders and computers. ""Through the co-branding partnership with Digital Harmony, Monster Cable will give consumers a popular and reliable way to connect Digital Harmony-certified devices,"" said Lee. He continued, ""Monster Cable chose Digital Harmony because they share our belief that these complex digital products must be tested to guarantee interoperability to the benefit of consumers who expect devices to work together intelligently. Digital Harmony exemplifies our commitment to new product lines and categories that enhance the consumerís transition from analog to digital,"" finished Lee. ""The Monster Cable name is synonymous with consumer value, providing higher quality, improved performance, and expanded functionality,"" said Mark Bridgwater, Vice President of Marketing at Digital Harmony. ""Our IEEE-1394 interface modules provide manufacturers with these same great values and, beginning this year, consumers will look for both the Monster Cable and Digital Harmony logos when purchasing digital consumer electronics."" About Digital Harmony Technologies Digital Harmony powered the worldís first multi-vendor IEEE-1394 home entertainment system in early 1999. Based in Seattle, Washington Digital Harmony Technologies Inc. (www.digitalharmony.com) sells standard hardware/firmware modules for adding high-speed 1394 interfaces to audio/video devices (e.g., DVD players, A/V receivers, televisions, etc.) Digital Harmony Certification Centersô test all devices for compatibility before they are sold at retail; the Digital Harmony logo - the consumerís seal of approval - indicates that the device will operate harmoniously with others in a home entertainment system. Digital Harmony Technologiesí customer list includes Boston Acoustics, ConnectTV, Denon, harman/kardon, Meridian Audio, Onkyo, Peavey Electronics and Panja. About Monster Cable Monster Cable Products, Inc. based in Brisbane, California is a leading manufacturer and marketer of high performance audio/video cables for home entertainment systems including audio amplifiers, A/V receivers, DVD players, CD players, camcorders, tuners and speakers.