Alpine Shows Video iPod-Ready Car Stereo

LAS VEGAS — Alpine announced it will ship one of the first car video systems that will work with a video iPod and the first to be compatible with the not-yet-deployed Sirius satellite video service for the car.

Alpine will launch this summer a bolt-on module for its 10.2-inch flip-down monitor/DVD model PKG-RSE2 introduced here at International CES. The module has a slot for a video iPod which can stream video and audio to the car video system. The RSE2 will ship this April at a suggested retail of $799. No price was available for the module. The RSE2 is also compatible with Sirius' planned satellite video service, due in 2007.

Alpine also introduced several other products and prototypes at CES that are designed to make its car stereo head units compatible with the iPod and other burgeoning handheld formats.

The company showed a Bluetooth adapter that is stereo capable and can wirelessly stream music from Motorola's new iRadio capable cellular phones. Motorola launched the iRadio music service at CES. It uses broadband Internet and Bluetooth to deliver 435 commercial-free music “channels” to cellular phones. Consumers can also create channels using music in their personal collection. The cost of the service is expected to be approximately $7 a month, and the first iRadio cellular phones are expected to be available in the second quarter.

The Alpine Bluetooth adapter, compatible with iRadio, can also be used for hands-free cellular communication while driving. Model KCA-100B will ship this March at $220 suggested retail price.

Finally, Alpine showed a prototype video iPod adapter that will stream audio and video to other Alpine head units, and an adapter to stream music from satellite radio/MP3 portable players such as the new Pioneer Inno, or Samsung Helix and Nexus handhelds. “Our whole strategy is centered on this connectivity approach,” said marketing VP Steve Witt.