LAS VEGAS —
Onkyo will adopt Avnera-developed
Rocketboost wireless-audio technology this
year in AV receivers to deliver music wirelessly to
a second audio zone, the company announced at
International CES.
All Onkyo receivers introduced in 2011 will
connect via the company’s proprietary U-port to
an optional Rocketboost transceiver module to
transmit audio to a remote Rocketboost receiver
module, which will either be built into or plugged
into planned Onkyo Zone 2 audio systems.
Onkyo’s first Zone 2 system will be a compact
one-piece unit with networking capability, built-in
speakers, iPod/iPhone dock and optional Rocketboost
card. The system will be the first of a growing
line of Rocketboost-enabled Onkyo products,
the company said.
Product details and prices will be announced
when the products ship in the spring.
Rocketboost delivers uncompressed 24-bit,
96-kHz digital audio, is easy to set up and use,
and is fully compatible with Rocketboost products
from other manufacturers, said marketing
manager Paul Wasek.
The compatible products include products
sold by Best Buy under the retailer’s Rocketfish
private-label brand.
Both Best Buy and Onkyo USA’s Japan parent
are investors in Avnera, which developed the
technology.
Best Buy has applied the Rocketboost name
to the technology when used in its private-label
Rocketfish brand of wireless-audio products.
The chain has also been recruiting major CE
suppliers to embed Avnera technology in their
branded products and market the technology under
the Rocketboost name.
