CEA Announces Portable Media Player Connection Standard

Business Wire, May 15, 2007

Allows Consumers to Play and Charge Their Devices in Vehicles and Homes

ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Consumer Electronics Association's (CEA)[R] Mobile Electronics Committee announced the publication of CEA-2017, Common Interconnection for Portable Media Players. This standard defines electrical and mechanical properties for a connector that will pass audio, video and associated metadata signals, control signals, and power between portable electronic devices and in-home and in-vehicle audio/video systems. It will also allow consumers with products that support the common connector to play and charge their portable media devices in their vehicles and their homes.

"CEA's Mobile Electronics Committee brought together over 100 companies to develop CEA-2017. These companies represent all sectors of the portable device industry, including portable device manufacturers, connector manufacturers, chip makers, accessory manufacturers, automobile manufacturers and the content community," said Brian Markwalter, CEA vice president of technology and standards. "This is a prime example of how CEA's Technology & Standards programs can react to an industry need by ensuring that all stakeholders have a voice."

"This standard marks a milestone in the development of open industry standards. With its publication, this common connector standard will more easily enable device interconnectivity in the homes and cars of consumers," added Microsoft Corporation's Dave McLauchlan, chair of the Portable Device Media Interconnect working group.

The Mobile Electronics Committee is co-chaired by Jack DeBiasio, OEM project manager, Scosche Industries Inc. and Jim Tranchina, vice president of engineering, Audiovox Corporation. Participation in CEA standards activities is open to companies and organizations with direct and material interest. CEA membership is not required to participate. For more information about or to join the Mobile Electronics Committee or its working groups, please contact Megan Hayes at mhayes@CE.org.

CEA leads technology manufacturers in fostering CE industry growth by developing industry standards and technical specifications that enable new products to come to market and encourage interoperability with existing devices. CEA maintains an unmatched reputation as a credible and flexible standards making body and has earned ANSI accreditation. Through more than 70 committees, subcommittees, and working groups, the CEA Technology and Standards program provides a unique and efficient forum where technical professionals throughout the industry develop a unified technology roadmap and address technical issues critical to CE industry growth. Are you part of the process? For information about CEA Technology and Standards, visit www.CE.org/standards.> About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the consumer technology industry through technology policy, events, research, promotion and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA represents more than 2,100 corporate members involved in the design, development, manufacturing, distribution and integration of audio, video, mobile electronics, wireless and landline communications, information technology, digital imaging, home networking, multimedia and accessory products, as well as related services that are sold through consumer channels. Combined, CEA's members account for more than $140 billion in annual sales. CEA's resources are available online at www.CE.org, the definitive source for information about the consumer electronics industry.

CEA also sponsors and manages the International CES - Defining Tomorrow's Technology. All profits from CES are reinvested into industry services, including technical training and education, industry promotion, engineering standards development, market research and legislative advocacy.

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