CES: Pioneer's Bluetooth Car Audio Systems

Pioneer Electronics Inc. today introduced new car audio systems that meet the growing demand for MP3 playback by allowing consumers to connect portable music players directly to their car stereos. The new line of Pioneer and Premier car stereos include six models with iPod Direct capability, eight with USB connectivity, and eight with Bluetooth compatibility, four of which have Bluetooth direct.

From the entry level to the flagship models, Pioneer and Premier single CD players have been cosmetically redesigned for improved dash integration. The headunits utilize rotary volume control, which offers ease of use and versatility to scroll through audio and function menus. On the entry level models LED displays were used while mid and upper end models take advantage of Pioneer's signature Organic EL display technology.

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For added convenience, a rotary commander is used in most Pioneer players to control 90 percent of the features and functions of the unit. The rotary commander combines the operation of a rotary knob, joystick and button to control most audio and function features. This is particularly helpful in swift retrieval of music files.

Pioneer and Pioneer Premier in-car CD players include the following connectivity features:

— USB Control - Pioneer's DEH-P6900UB and Pioneer Premier DEH-P690UB have an input for the popular USB drives often utilized with computers. A user can connect the USB drive itself or most portable music players and iPods with a USB connection directly to the car stereo for direct control without any special adapter. Connected products are fully controlled by the Pioneer headunits at high speed including those that have iTunes DRM (Fairplay) and WMDRM content.

— iPod Direct Control - A total of six Pioneer and Premier headunits have built-in iPod Direct control, making it easy to retrieve the music information from an iPod. Models with this feature also include multi-line display for more music information displayed directly on the screen of the Pioneer stereos.

— BLUETOOTH Wireless Technology – The DEH-P7900BT and Premier DEH-P790BT have built-in Bluetooth enabling hands-free cellular operation utilizing the speakers in the car and supplied microphone. The car stereo headunit connects to as many as five Bluetooth-enabled cellular phones. In featured units, the car stereo holds an entire phone book for voice activated phone calls, caller ID and hands-free operation.

— Audio Streaming – Bluetooth audio streaming allows users to transmit music wirelessly and control (play, stop, pause, track up/down/forward/rewind) Bluetooth enabled portable audio players through the Pioneer car stereo headunit using Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) and Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP).

— Auxiliary Input – Integration of other portable devices is easy with built-in auxiliary inputs. Each unit features a mini-jack port for quick connection of any portable device allowing the user to hear content from a portable music player through the Pioneer stereo.