Blaupunkt Doubles Radio Signal Strength In New San Francisco

BROADVIEW, ILL.— Blaupunkt introduced what it calls the first car stereo with a dual Digital Directional Antenna (DDA) system that is able to add signals from two different antennae to double the radio signal strength.

Called the TwinCeiver system, it has a second tuner circuit and a second antenna, which are integrated by a digital processor. The TwinCeiver does not simply switch from one antenna to another as in other multiple antenna systems, according to Blaupunkt. Instead, it uses ultra-fast digital processing to evaluate, compare and combine the audio signals from the two antennae, according to the company.

The TwinCeiver system is available in the new top-of-the-line San Francisco CD 72. Other features include a built-in 4 by 65 watt amplifier and a new 4 by 13-band parametric equalizer. The unit also has Dynamic Sound Adjustment (DSA), which was available in the previous San Francisco. This feature has a microphone that "listens" to the acoustic characteristics of each individual car and then automatically adjusts the radio's equalizer to correct for anomalies. It also has technology for automatic real-time corrections to compensate for road noise.

The San Francisco includes 5-volt pre-amp outputs for all four channels. It began shipping in October at a suggested retail price of $749.99.

Also new from Blaupunkt is the IVSC-5502 a highly integrated video controller that allows up to five sources and monitors to work in the car at the same time, with individual control of each. It also provides systemwide, IR remote control and integration with the in-dash radio head unit. Each of five users can select up to five different sources. Blaupunkt also claims the unit is easy to install. The IVSC-5502 is expected to ship in May 2003 at a suggested retail price of $349.