Las Vegas – Blaupunkt will launch three new touchscreen -equipped head units, its first tire-pressure sensor system, and two automotive DVRs as part of Rockford Corp.’s product showcase during International CES.
The head units include the brand’s first vehicle-specific model, which is intended for select 2003 and later Volkswagens and features built-in CAN databus interface to retain factory features. Another model is the brand’s first for the U.S. market with HDMI/MHL input.
Blaupunkt, marketed in the U.S. by Rockford, is displaying the products at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (Artist Ballroom) from Jan. 6-8.
The VW-specific head is the $899-suggested Philadelphia 845, a multimedia/navigation head shipping in the second quarter with 7-inch 800×480 TFT anti-reflective touchscreen, Bluetooth, DVD/CD playback, media playback from USB and memory cards, made for iPod/iPhone USB, playback of music from a USB-connected Android phone via an app, Bluetooth SPP, built-in hands-free microphone, additional external hands-free mic, one front and two rear USB ports, front and rear A/V input, rear-seat entertainment capability, three-band parametric equalizer, four-channel plus subwoofer preouts, and 4×50-watt (maximum) power output.
The other two new head units, both shipping in the first quarter, are the $999-suggested Cape Town 940 navigation/multimedia receiver and $749 New York 840 multimedia receiver.
Capetown is the first Blaupunkt head in the U.S. with MHL/HDMI input, which enables app mirroring on the head-unit display. Bluetooth HID also enables control of all Android apps from the head unit’s touchscreen, and Bluetooth SPP enables touchscreen control of a handful of iPhone apps.
The disc-less double-DIN Capetown features 6.8-inch TFT touchscreen display, navigation display when connected to an optional navigation box, made for iPod/iPhone USB, and Android Open Accessory (AOA) technology, which enables control of music stored on USB-connected Android 4.1 and later phones while charging them. With a free app, the heads search for Android-stored music by artist, album genre, and song title. It comes with memory card loaded with U.S. and Canada maps.
The head also features SiriusXM control, Bluetooth, five-band parametric equalizer, four-channel and subwoofer preamp outputs, 4×50-watt maximum output, and steering-wheel control inputs. It’s the first Blaupunkt head that is SiriusXM Ready.
The New York 840 is a double-DIN CD/DVD player with 6.2-inch TFT 800×480 touchscreen, FM RDS, Bluetooth, AOA, iPod/iPhone USB, front and rear USBs, Pod/iPhone video capability via composite-video input, three-band EQ with eight presets, 4×50-watt max output, four-channel and subwoofer preamp outputs, and steering-wheel interface.
In car DVRs, Blaupunkt is replacing its current models with the $299 BP 5.0 and $99 2.0 FullHD DVRs. They ship in the first quarter.
The $99 2.0 features up to 1080p recording, 2-inch color display, 120-degree viewing angle, loop recording, G-sensor, built-in microphone and speaker, motion detector, and 32GB microSDHC card slot.
The $299 BP 5.0 is the brand’s first car DVR with Wi-Fi for control from a mobile app, Wi-Fi video streaming to the Internet via a Bluetooth-connected smartphone, and optional GPS module, which is a suggested $39. Also new is a waterproof case and rechargeable battery, turning the device into a personal action camera.
The BP 5.0 also features multiple live-camera views, two-way voice communication, 160-degree wide-angle lens, up to 1296p / 30fps Super HD video capture, built-in G sensor, loop recording, built-in microphone and speaker, and 64GB micro SD/ SDHC/ SDXC card slot.
In other car electronics, the $199-suggested TPM 2.14 USB tire-pressure monitoring system comes with 12-volt adapter with display showing individual pressure and temperature readings for each tire.
It also features 1-ampere USB charger, four external pressure sensors, four black and four silver sensor caps, and five anti-theft nuts. It is expected to ship in the second quarter.
