Clarion is Out of This World First Car A/V Components Go Into Space:

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    CYPRESS, Calif., Dec. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarion, a global leader in
 the mobile electronics industry, announces its 7-inch DVD Multimedia
 Station VRX935VD and 6-disc DVD Changer VCZ625 (both U.S. market models)
 have been selected to provide entertainment to crewmembers and scientists
 from many countries working on the International Space Station (ISS). This
 is the first time that car A/V components will be used on the ISS.
 
     (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071217/CLM066-a )
 
     (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071217/CLM066-b )
 
     (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070106/CLSA003LOGO )
 
     The International Space Station is a cooperative project jointly
 pursued by the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada, and several European
 countries. A rotating crew of two or three since November 2000 has
 continuously inhabited it. With the aim of providing the resident crew with
 an environment that resembles the conditions on earth, NASA drew up a plan
 to install a DVD player for relaxation. Various possibilities were
 explored, but the fact that the batteries on the ISS provide the same
 voltage as found in 12 Volt automotive systems led to the decision to use
 equipment originally designed for car use. After stringent tests of various
 products by major manufacturers from around the world, the Clarion
 Multimedia Station VRX935VD (replaced by a future model) and 6-disc DVD
 Changer VCZ625 were selected to provide playback capability for a range of
 formats including DVD, CD, CD-R/RW, and MP3. The renowned reliability of
 Clarion's automotive DVD players played a major role in the decision.
 
     The VRX935VD and VCZ625 models incorporate advanced automotive-use
 technologies developed by Clarion, were modified and integrated into a
 purpose-built unit for use on the ISS. Currently, the units are awaiting
 launch at the Star City complex of the Russian Federal Space Agency. On the
 ISS, the units will be installed close to the residential area for the
 crew.
 
     A word from the developers at Clarion
 
     We are extremely pleased that products developed by our team have found
 recognition for quality and reliability among top-level engineers engaged
 on such a large-scale international project. The automotive environment
 presents a number of challenges such as heat, dust, and condensation that
 make it tough for high-tech products to work reliably. Of course, space
 goes far beyond such mundane conditions, but the fact that these components
 have been deemed capable of operating in such a novel environment will be
 an inspiration for us as we continue to work towards creating products of
 true quality.
 
     Clarion's motto as encompassed by the initials H.M.I. is to present a
 "Human Mobile Music Media Interface." We develop and market our products on
 a global scale and are thrilled to imagine that these products will soon
 contribute to the relaxation and social interaction of astronauts and
 scientists from many different countries, working on a project of
 international significance.
 
     About Clarion:
 
     Clarion Corporation of America, headquartered in Cypress, California,
 is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Clarion Co. Ltd., which joined the
 Hitachi-group companies as a consolidated subsidiary in 2006. Clarion
 Corporation of America ranks among the top 150 North American OEM Suppliers
 and is recognized by an independent research firm for the highest customer
 satisfaction for 6CD radios in new vehicle's sold in the U.S. Clarion, an
 international leader in mobile electronics since 1940, conducts research,
 development, engineering, design, manufacturing, sales and marketing of
 vehicle entertainment, navigation, rear vision, communications and security
 products for the automotive, marine and recreational vehicle environments.
 Clarion has over 10,000 employees worldwide and 12 factories in 10
 countries, with marketing and sales affiliates in Europe, North and South
 America, Asia and Australia. Clarion is located on the Web at
 www.clarion.com.
 
 
 

SOURCE Clarion