AUDIO BRIEFS
Staff -- TWICE, 11/12/2001
ELAN Adds VIPs
Lexington, KY. — Elan has signed up additional suppliers for its VIP (VIA! Integration Partner) program, which is designed to ensure the seamless integration of VIA! touchpanels with other manufacturer's home systems and A/V products. The newest VIP participants are B&K, Lexicon, Audio ReQuest and Jandy/Waterpik. They join charter members Enerzone Systems, Apex, HAI, Kenwood, LiteTouch, Lutron and Vantage. ELAN launched the VIP program after the introduction of its SC-4 system controller, which ties the VIA! 6.4-inch color touchpanel to RS232-based home entertainment, lighting, HVAC and other systems. Used alone, the VIA! touchpanel controls IR devices.
Samsung Yepps It Up
Ridgefield Park, N.J.—Samsung's smallest Internet audio portable to date is also its fastest in the time it takes to transfer music from a hard drive to the device's embedded memory. The YP-30S Yepp, shipping at suggested $169, features a download speed of 7Mbps, making is possible to transfer 64 minutes of 128Kbps MP3 music in less than 10 seconds, the company said. It measures 1.7x2.5x0.67 inches and comes with neck strap, belt clip and arm strap. It also features a voice recorder.
Audioaccess Trio Due
Middletown, Conn. — Madrigal plans fall availability of three Audioaccess-brand custom products: two 12-channel amps and a video switcher. The 12-channel MA-361 amp, due at around $5,000, is a digital amp rated at 12x100 watts into 8 ohms with all channel driven. Each stereo zone also features seven-band graphic EQ. The MA-362 amp is rated at 12x50 watts into 8 ohms, 4-ohm stability, and bridgeability. Its expected price is approximately $2,000. The VX-241 video switcher, at around $1,500, can drive 100 meters of standard coax cable. It switches eight composite video signals. When multiple units are cascaded, it can switch S-video, component or RGB.
