LAS VEGAS — Dual Electronics is expanding its selection of multimedia receivers, launching its first three multimedia receivers with MHL-enabled HDMI inputs, and launching its first two headrest monitors and first in-ceiling flip-down monitor.
The company is also unveiling its first big-screen multimedia receiver with 10.1-inch display, which is detachable; an expanded marine selection; and an expanded selection of head units that control Pandora on a USB-connected iPhone.
Two of five new CD receivers are the company’s first head units with Motion Control technology, which lets users control the most often-used functions by waving their hand in front of the radios. Controlled functions include play/pause, tune/track and volume up/down.
DisplayLink is the name that Dual is applying to its MHL-enabled HDMI inputs, which let users mirror the displays of connected Apple and Android phones smartphones onto a larger in-dash screen via HDMI adapter cables. Compatible phones consist of MHL-enabled Android phones, Apple’s Lightning-equipped iPhone 5, 5s and 5c smartphones, and 30-pin iPhone 4 and 4S phones. The Android phones, Lightningequipped iPhones and 30-pin iPhones each require a different adapter cable.
The technology appears in the single-DIN DV1014BH with detachable 10.1-inch screen as well as in the DV614BH and DV714BH multimedia receivers. The three head units display whatever is showing or playing on the smartphone’s screen and is billed as a universal solution compatible with Apple and select Android smartphones, a spokesperson said. It does not require an app.
In other unveilings, Dual is expanding its selection of amplifiers under the specialist-targeted Axxera brand to 17 models from three. The new products include the brand’s smallest amps ever, Axxera’s first five-channel amp, and an assortment of new features, including amplifier bridge mode on three Power series mono amps to connect two mono amps together to double the power.
In the marine market, Dual is adding 10 new SKUs, including its first round gauge-hole receivers; its first marine head units with Media Transfer Protocol (MTP), which enables the playback and control of music stored on newer USB-connected Android phones equipped with MTP; and an expanded assortment of mechless digital media receivers (DMRs).
Additional details on the introductions follow.
In head units, 14 new in-dash receivers consist of five CD receivers, two mechless receivers and seven DVD-multimedia receivers, marking a significant expansion of Dual’s multimedia selection. The models deliver expanded smartphone connectivity via DisplayLink, built-in Bluetooth, direct USB control of iPods/iPhones and control of Pandora on a USB-connected iPhone.
The multimedia heads feature the DisplayLink MHL/HDMI input. They include the 10.1-inch DV1014BH. They also display the video of an iPhone 4 and 4S when connected via USB and composite-video cable.
Five of seven multimedia units feature built-in Bluetooth, making Bluetooth available in a total of seven Dual-brand multimedia models, up from two in the 2013 lineup.
The single-DIN multimedia receivers feature motorized 7-inch screens, and the double-DIN models feature fixed 6.2-inch displays. All new multimedia models feature new, intuitive and colorful graphical user interface.
Three CD receivers and one new mechless receiver feature control of Pandora on a USB-connected iPhone. Pandora control becomes available in five models in 2014, up from one.
Two universal headrest monitors with DVD, the DVH704HD with 7-inch monitor and the DVH904HD with 9-inch monitor, feature LEDbacklit HD displays, DVD/CD/USB playback, HDMI and USB inputs, iPod/iPhone playback, MHL connections to Android phones, interchangeable skins, built-in FM modulator, IR transmitter and remote.
