June 26, 2004

By: Braden Debruyn
Website: http://www.booming-car-audio.com

Unwired Technology Revolutionizes Automotive Entertainment Via Release Of WhiteFire Digital Wireless Format

Unwired Technology, the world’s largest supplier of wireless headphones to the automotive market, introduces its WhiteFire digital wireless format, a breakthrough in automotive entertainment systems.

WhiteFire technology enables reception of up to four stereo or eight monaural audio channels simultaneously via wireless headset, giving passengers the ability to select audio from various inputs such as DVD movies, CD players, video games, Internet devices, radios, or other devices installed in their vehicles.

The first product to employ WhiteFire technology will be an Unwired-branded wireless headphone system for the automotive aftermarket, slated for release near the end of 2002. A select group of Unwired’s OEM customers are expected to introduce similar systems under private label in early 2003.

However, the company is planning to aggressively license WhiteFire technology to manufacturers of other entertainment devices as well, particularly those employing a Digital Signal Processor such as automotive head units and home stereo systems.

WhiteFire technology’s inherent flexibility and discrete, Infrared wireless delivery method gives it instant applicability for any product generating audio, data, or compressed video. Unwired Technology believes WhiteFire will ultimately find applications in a wide variety of institutional and consumer settings, including visitor headsets used at museums, multiplex theaters, and houses of worship, as well as home theater and auto entertainment systems.

Today’s passenger vehicles, particularly SUVs and vans, are rolling entertainment centers containing a broad range of video and audio products,” said Lawrence Richenstein, president of Unwired Technology.

With the overwhelming popularity of such systems, vehicle owners are looking for ways to allow passengers to listen to, and switch between, different devices. WhiteFire gives people the ability to enjoy the entertainment they want, when they want it, without affecting other passengers.

Each WhiteFire-equipped wireless headphone contains a channel selector button that shifts from one audio source to another, and four LEDs that indicate which channel is currently being used. WhiteFire technology delivers high quality, digital mono or stereo sound that enables users to enjoy a variety of channels in much the same way as entertainment systems found on commercial airliners.

Three-Part Automotive System WhiteFire technology is implemented in vehicle entertainment systems using a series of three devices. The first, an encoder box, is connected to each audio source; this box generates the WhiteFire signal for in-vehicle 'broadcast'. Second is an LED transmitter installed in the vehicle headliner; this unit emits the IR signal. Third is the wireless headphone itself.

For products equipped with a DSP such as DVD players, automotive head units, or home audio receivers, WhiteFire's proprietary code can be embedded into the DSP, eliminating the need for an encoder box. The technology can also be used to drive speaker systems, language translation devices and more.

Because IR is line-of-sight technology, it is especially applicable for homes and buildings where separate broadcasts are desired for each room. In movie theaters, for example, WhiteFire can enable viewers to hear a single movie in multiple languages, while museums can provide audio commentary unique to each gallery.

Licensing Opportunities Available Unwired Technology is currently in discussions with several of its major customers with regard to licensing WhiteFire technology. Unwired sees opportunities for licensing to manufacturers of consumer entertainment systems, home and commercial speakers, automotive electronics suppliers, video platform manufacturers and others.

About The Author:

Braden Debruyn 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.