FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5 January 2006
WOODBURY, NY — Harman Kardon announced today that three of its products have received a 2006 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Innovations 2006 Design and Engineering Award from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The honored products are the AVR 740 ultimate-performance 7.2-channel audio/video receiver; the groundbreaking The Bridge iPod docking station; and the strikingly distinctive HS 100 Integrated Home Theater System.
Sponsored by the CEA and endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), the Innovations Awards program is the industry’s most recognized, highlighting product advancements in technology, design and engineering. The AVR 740, The Bridge and the HS 100 are on exhibit at CES in the Harman Kardon suite in the North Tower of the Las Vegas Hilton, January 5 — 8, 2006.
Tom McLoughlin, Harman Kardon president, stated: “We are extremely proud that three of our products have been honored with Innovations 2006 awards. Harman Kardon has always been dedicated to providing components and system solutions that combine the most advanced audio and video technologies with elegant design and ease of use, and these Innovations 2006 awards truly validate our efforts in creating standard-setting products that offer consumers the very best in home entertainment.”
AVR 740: The Ultimate Audio/Video Receiver
Harman Kardon’s flagship 7.2-channel AVR 740 redefines the state of the art in audio/video receiver design. It incorporates a host of the industry’s most advanced technologies, including enhanced iPod home entertainment connectivity. When a compatible iPod* model is connected to the AVR 740 via The Bridge**, entirely new iPod home entertainment capabilities, such as displaying on-screen menus, and providing operation of the iPod via the receiver’s remote control, are enabled.
The AVR 740 features dual-input HDMI 1.1 switching with audio and video processing, and utilizes DCDi (Directional Correlational Deinterlacing) by Faroudja technology to provide upconverted and enhanced high-definition 780p and 1080i video output from 480i and 480p video sources for extraordinary image quality. The AVR 740 also delivers remarkable sonic realism, thanks to Harman Kardon’s EzSet/EQ II feature, which provides automated system calibration and room equalization, including stereo subwoofer adjustment capability.
The AVR 740 incorporates a high-current, ultrawide-bandwidth amplifier section with 7 x 85 watts power output (into 8 ohms, 20Hz — 20kHz, <0.07% THD, all channels driven; 2 x 100 watts in stereo; and ±60 amps of high-current capability), along with leading-edge digital-audio circuitry, including Logic 7 surround-enhancement technology, to provide unsurpassed audio performance.
The AVR 740 offers extensive video, audio and control connectivity along with a wealth of advanced performance and convenience features, including a USB port that allows users to listen to compatible streaming audio from their computers, and operate key music playback functions from the receiver’s remote control; multiroom operation with A-BUS/READY connectivity; XM-Ready satellite radio capability,*** and many additional refinements. The AVR 740 comes with Harman Kardon’s TC 30 activity-based remote control, an advanced yet easy to use remote that provides control of every component in a home entertainment system.
The AVR 740 will be available in February 2006 at a suggested retail price of $3,499.
The Bridge: iPod and Home Entertainment Together as Never Before
The Bridge connects a compatible iPod to a Harman Kardon The-Bridge-ready audio/video receiver (models AVR 740, AVR 640, AVR 440, AVR 340, AVR 240 and AVR 140), and provides listeners with exciting new ways to enjoy their iPod. The Bridge enables consumers to enjoy the massive music storage capacity and versatile digital jukebox functionality of the iPod, combined with the superlative multichannel sound quality of Harman Kardon’s The Bridge-ready receivers.
The Bridge connects to the receiver using a single, proprietary cable. No external power adapter is required. Once connected, The Bridge provides a direct audio and control link between the iPod and the receiver. In addition, the iPod is powered and its battery is charged through the connection.
The Bridge enables remote control operation of a docked iPod via the remote supplied with the compatible AVR. The Bridge and the remote operate in conjunction with Harman Kardon-developed software built into the receivers, providing complete control of iPod audio playback. Selection and track information are visible on both the user’s TV (or video display) and the receiver’s front-panel display, providing ready access to playback functions. Adding to its appeal, The Bridge’s contemporary design, elegant silver-metallic finish and subtle blue illumination perfectly match Harman Kardon audio/video components and systems.
Harman Kardon’s The Bridge is currently available at a suggested retail price of $69.99.
HS 100: Striking Design Meets Outstanding Performance
Harman Kardon’s HS 100 Integrated Home Theater System combines high-quality audio and video and intuitive operation with a striking design that perfectly complements today’s flat-screen video displays and contemporary TV sets. The HS 100 includes an ultraslim receiver/progressive-scan DVD-Audio/Video player, a 5.1-channel loudspeaker package with wall-mountable satellites and a unified system remote control. The HS 100 is designed for complete ease of use, and requires only minimal setup.
The HS 100 plays a wide variety of disc types and is compatible with popular surround sound formats. It features a digital-amplifier section with 5 x 35 watts power output (into 6 ohms, 20Hz — 20kHz, <0.5% THD, all channels driven) and a premium-quality 5.1-channel speaker package to deliver clear, richly detailed sound. The HS 100 incorporates advanced digital-video technologies, such as pixel-by-pixel video processing, to deliver sharp and clear image quality, and offers a wealth of convenience features and connection options.
The HS 100 features a stunning, totally distinctive design. The receiver/DVD player is ultraslim, with an understated yet striking appearance, and the speakers are visually appealing as well, finished in a rich metallic silver to match the receiver/DVD player.
The Harman Kardon HS 100 complete home theater system is currently available at a suggested retail price of $899.
The Harman Consumer Group (HCG) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of high-fidelity loudspeakers, audio and video components, and multimedia systems for use in homes and automobiles, and with computers. The group’s brands include JBL, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel, Audioaccess and Lexicon.
HCG is a division of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. Harman International (www.harman.com)
is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high-fidelity audio products and electronic systems for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. The company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HAR.”
# # #
For additional information, contact:
Frank Doris
FM Group Public Relations
631-385-1304 ext. 402
frank.doris@fm-group.net
*Compatible with all iPod models equipped with a docking connector (iPod not included).
**The Bridge is compatible with the new Harman Kardon 40 Series receivers (AVR 140, AVR 240, AVR 340, AVR 440, AVR 640 and AVR 740). Not compatible with earlier Harman Kardon products, or with other brands of audio/video equipment.
***Optional XM antenna module and subscription to XM service required. Hardware and service sold separately. XM service is not available in Alaska or Hawaii.
Harman Kardon, Harman International and Logic 7 are registered trademarks, and The Bridge and EzSet/EQ II are trademarks, of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
CEA and CES are registered trademarks of the Consumer Electronics Association.
iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
HDMI is a trademark of HDMI Licensing LLC.
DCDi by Faroudja is a registered trademark of Genesis Microchip Inc.
A-BUS and A-BUS/READY are registered trademarks of LeisureTech Electronics Pty Ltd. Australia.
XM-Ready is a registered trademark of XM Satellite Radio.
