Sony's Car Stereo Line Provides Connectivity at an Attractive Price

For drivers on a budget who want to listen to their digital music player, satellite radio or HD Radio™ on the road, Sony today announced four very connectable Xplod® in-dash head units.

For about $140, the new top-of-the-line CD receiver (model CDX-GT520) provides the most options for connectivity in the car. The well-designed head unit supports MP3 and non-DRM WMA and AAC codecs. It is also iPod, satellite radio and HD Radio ready. Plus, it features front, rear and subwoofer preamp outputs; has a flip-down detachable faceplate; and a 13-segment, LCD with blue LED display; and blue key illumination.

A November 2006 survey from Forrester Research, an independent research firm, shows that satellite radio and iPod/MP3 connectors are among the most commonly purchased in-car electronics that car owners purchased last year. The survey also shows that these will be popular features again this year. (NACTAS Q4 2006, Forrester Research, Inc.).

"Our new head units are packed with connectivity options at prices that won't break the bank," said Mike Kahn, director of marketing for mobile electronics at Sony. "You don't have to buy a new car or spend a lot of money to get the latest car audio technologies."

One of the most economical models is the CDX-GT420IP CD receiver for about $130, which comes with an iPod control interface. The included 4.9-foot cable has a 30-pin connector made for most iPod players and provides full menu control. The unit's selectable front and rear/sub preamp outputs can be used to control the frequency and output level of an external amplifier. Other features include MP3 and non-DRM WMA playback, red key illumination and blue LED screen.

The CDX-GT320 unit provides versatility, with iPod, HD Radio and satellite radio compatibility. It offers MP3 and non-DRM WMA playback support and two preouts. At about $80, the CDX-GT120 CD receiver has one preout and a detachable faceplate with a blue 13-segment LED screen.

Each new unit features an auxiliary input on the faceplate, facilitating the use of portable music players in a vehicle with a standard 1/8-inch mini jack cord (not supplied). They also feature 52 watts X 4 high-power output.

The CDX-GT520, CDX-GT420IP and CDX-GT320 head units come with the supplied wireless card remote (model RM-X151), so it's easy to control the music from the front or back seat. The remote is also sold separately ($30) and can be added to the CDX-GT120 model. The models CDX-GT320 at about $100 and the CDX-GT520 at around $140 require additional equipment for satellite radio, HD Radio and iPod compatibility. They work with an iPod adapter (model XA-120IP for about $50) that charges the device and controls it from the head unit. Satellite radio requires a subscription.

Availability

All four of the new head units are now available online at http://www.sonystyle.com/, at Sony Style stores nationwide, at military base exchanges and at retailers across the country.

iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.

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SOURCE: Sony Electronics, Inc.

CONTACT: Linda Barger of Sony Electronics, Inc., +1-858-942-2986,
linda.barger@am.sony.com; or Kimberly Cashion of PainePR, +1-949-809-6730,
kcashion@painepr.com, for Sony Electronics, Inc.

Web site: http://www.sony.com/news