Panasonic and Car Toys Launch First-Ever Mobile DVD Theater

9 April 1999

Panasonic and Car Toys Launch First-Ever Mobile DVD Theater in U.S. PANASONIC CONSUMER ELECTRONICS First ever mobile DVD player is demonstrated by Mark Dombrosky, Panasonic senior sales representative (background) to Dan Brettler, president of Car Toys. The Panasonic system went on sale here first, with other roll-outs continuing around the country. A dash-mounted player accepts DVD movies for rear-passenger-only viewing on 7-inch LCD screens. The soundtrack can be heard through the vehicle�s audio system or a new 5-channel digital surround system, just like in the movies�except on wheels. Manufacturer�s suggested retail price for player and screen is $2,400. (PR NewsFoto)[PH]

    SEATTLE, April 9 -- Panasonic and Car Toys today kicked off
sales of a new mobile DVD theater -- an in-dash DVD player, processor and rear
monitor -- the first of its kind available to U.S. consumers.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990409/NYF044 )
    "Panasonic is proud to work with Car Toys for this exciting product
launch," said Gene Kelsey, vice president and general manager of Panasonic's
Audio Division.
    "The availability of the first in-dash DVD player is a landmark in
consumer electronics' history and we're pleased that Car Toys could help make
it a reality."
    In addition to the mobile DVD theater system that was custom installed in
a mini-van for use at the kick-off event, mobile DVD theater systems have also
been installed in a sport utility vehicle and sedan for product demonstrations
around the country.  The product roll-out will also be supported by a national
advertising campaign and product availability at additional retailers
nationwide throughout the Spring.
    At 7" x 2" x 6-5/8" (WxHxD), the new player, model CX-DV1500, fits in the
dashboard like any double din-size car stereo and delivers the video and audio
benefits of DVD-format movies with digital surround sound and conventional CD
audio playback.  The flat 7-inch diagonal LCD monitor, model CY-VM1500, is
designed to be installed for rear passenger viewing between the front seats,
in an overhead rear panel, or elsewhere in the back of the vehicle.
    While the system can use the automobile's existing speakers for audio
playback, in full mobile theater mode, the DVD player can be combined with the
CY-AC300 Dolby Digital(R)/DTS(TM) (Digital Theater Sound) processor along with
three amps to drive front and rear, center and subwoofer speakers.
    "It's very exciting to be the first retailer to have this product to offer
to consumers," said Car Toys president and CEO Dan Bretter.  "Our sales staff
and installers have vast expertise in consumer electronics products and are
very eager to sell the first in-dash DVD player to consumers in the U.S.
market."
    Since its beginnings in a single small store in Bellevue, WA with a total
of three employees, Car Toys has grown to 21 stores throughout Washington,
Oregon and now Colorado, with approximately 400 employees.  It is arguably the
largest independent mobile electronics retailer in the U.S. and was the 96th
largest consumer electronics company in 1997, making it the only car audio
retailer in the "top 100" list of consumer electronics retailers that includes
larger retailers such as Sears, Circuit City, and Best Buy.
    "Panasonic has been a leader in DVD since its inception," says Kelsey.
"We brought technical innovations to market that made DVD possible, marketed
the first portable DVD player and now we're on the leading edge once again as
the first consumer electronics manufacturer to make mobile DVD theater
available to the public."
    Panasonic mobile electronics products are marketed in the United States by
Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a division of Matsushita
Electric Corporation of America (MECA).  MECA is the principal North American
subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., of Japan,
one of the world's largest producers of electronic and electric products for
consumer, business and industrial use.  (Consumers seeking more information on
the company's products can call Panasonic's Customer Call Center at
800-211-PANA or access Panasonic's home page at http://www.panasonic.com.
Media interested in Panasonic press releases can gain information via the
Panasonic Web site or through New Directions Public Relations' toll-free
fax-back system at 888-734-7490.)

    Dolby and Dolby Digital are registered trademarks of Dolby Laboratories
Licensing Corp.
    DTS is a trademark of DTS Technology, LLC.