Clarion Corp. is the latest aftermarket automobile entertainment system manufacturer to step up to the plate with iPod support. The company announced Thursday plans to unveil a new in-dash DVD player/monitor for automobiles that will feature full iPod integration. Clarion also announced plans to introduce a new CD receiver with similar capabilities. Both new products will debut at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada in January.
The VRX755VD features a touch-screen seven-inch monitor that provides an onscreen control pad to provide iPod users with playlist, song and artist information, a clock and sound enhancement features. The device will be on sale in February, 2005. Clarion did not provide pricing details, but other automobile DVD systems in its product line with similar specifications (absent of the iPod integration) range from $1,800 to $2,000.
Clarion indicated that by mid-2005, it will roll out an iPod interface product compatible with devices that feature Clarion’s CeNET technology, including other CD receivers and in-dash DVD players with monitors.