A unique digital infrared Audio Guide system designed and developed by JVC

JVC PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS COMPANY has announced the installation of a unique digital infrared Audio Guide system at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

The Audio Guide system, designed and developed by JVC, consists of a battery-operated cellphone-sized device and attached earpiece that digitally stores and plays voice-recorded information (including technical information, historical facts and anecdotal stories) in up to nine languages.

This revolutionary new system takes the place of bulky headphones and pre-recorded taped materials and for the first time ever enables non-English speaking guests to fully understand and enjoy tours of museums, art galleries, zoos, aquariums, historical places and theme parks at their own pace.

The installation of Audio Guides at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex enables the world-renown tourist destination to provide its guests, approximately 40% of whom are international, a more richly detailed and fulfilling experience.

In its first weeks of availability, the JVC Audio Guides have sold out regularly, stimulating KSC-VC to consider ordering more of the units and plan for the development of more audio tour modules.

Using JVC’s Audio Guides

Visitors to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex are helpfully directed by staff and signs to the main reception desk where they can rent Audio Guides for $5 a day. Visitors may currently choose one of seven languages, including English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian and Japanese, for their personal audio tour.

Friendly staff program the units to play in the selected language, and instruct guests on how to use special features. All Audio Guide units are provided fully-charged, encased in a leather pouch, with an attached lanyard which allows the unit to be worn like a necklace -- allowing hands-free enjoyment of the complex.

Before venturing into the park, each visitor also gets a pamphlet on using the devices as well as a map showing locations of Audio Guides tour.

At Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex dual modes (visitor-controlled and automatic) virtually let guests design their own tours. Visitors simply view what they like best and key in the corresponding code for particular exhibits. At larger exhibits like Robot Scouts and Universe Theater, the Audio Guides are automatically activated by JVC’s unique infrared transmission system.

With JVC Audio Guides, guests can progress at their own pace, learning about destinations and exhibits in any order. The Audio Guides offer anecdotes and in-depth information on each attraction as well as helpful hints on how guests may better plan their day to ensure that they take full advantage of all that Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has to offer.

The basic unit, JVC’s handheld portable ROM player (XA-GP1BK), is both fun to use and lightweight, weighing less than the average cellular phone. Big buttons and super-large LCD display make for easy operation regardless of age.

Visitors who are hard of hearing or who are not proficient in the language they’ve selected can take advantage of the units’ 'slow-speed' audio playback that allows playback speed to be lowered to 75% of the normal speed with one-touch operation.

An over-the-ear earpiece lets guests instantly and discreetly hear information in their selected language.

A large-capacity lithium battery built into the portable ROM player ensures that the handheld unit stays charged for a full day of touring. Up to 1,000 messages can be recorded on the memory card and the number of times each message is played back can be counted, giving the Kennedy Space Center and other facilities a built-in measuring device for evaluating visitor interest in particular exhibits.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, ranked as one of the most popular Florida attractions, hosted more than 2.7 million attendees last year. It is the first Travel/Tourism facility nationwide to offer JVC’s in-depth self-guided digital audio tour.

JVC’s Audio Guide system was selected by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex as part of a park-wide transformation which was termed a grand move toward revolutionizing the modern theme park experience, by Rick Abramson, president and chief operating officer for Delaware North Parks Services of Spaceport Inc., Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

The first phases of installations have taken place at the main Visitor Complex, the International Space Center, and Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry for use in various exhibits and theaters.

Rick Abramson applauded the adoption of JVC’s Audio Guidance System saying, "Our strong partnership with JVC over the past years has helped us to provide our guests a one-of-a-kind experience that is rich with historical and futuristic technological firsts.

We’ve seen firsthand how effortless the system is to use, how much more meaningful and intense the experience has been for foreign-language speaking guests, and how valuable a tool this is. At Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, JVC’s Audio Guides are already a proven winner.

Scott Watson, JVC vice president, praised the Audio Guide system saying, Our installation at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is everything we’d hoped it would be, and more.

JVC is very pleased that guests of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex are able to enjoy our nation’s astonishing space achievements more fully with this new innovative product from JVC.

We’re thrilled to be a partner with the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and proud of our part in bringing America’s history of space exploration to life for millions of visitors around the world.

About The Author:

Dan Wright is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.booming-car-audio.com. Get the car audio system you want plus accessories and valuable advice.