Now Available: Major New Viper SmartStart™ Release From Directed Electronics Offers Control of Home Alarms

VISTA, Calif., April 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Directed Electronics, maker of the award-winning Viper SmartStart, which lets users start, track and control their car from virtually anywhere with their smartphone, is pleased to announce the immediate availability of home control features on the Viper SmartStart app.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110420/LA86694)

"By integrating interactive security services from Alarm.com in the Viper SmartStart app, users can not only control their car, but also arm and disarm their home alarm quickly and easily using their smartphone," said Mike Simmons, Executive Vice President of Directed Electronics. "With control of the things customers access on a daily basis in one convenient app, we are one step closer to replacing the keychain with the smartphone thanks to Viper SmartStart."

A quick flip of the wrist toggles between the car control and home control screens in the Viper SmartStart app. With the integration of the industry leading interactive security services from Alarm.com, users can now arm and disarm their home security system with one touch using their smartphone.

Home security system remote arming and disarming, powered by Alarm.com, is the very latest feature of the award-winning Viper SmartStart.  Depending on the features and installation of their compatible Viper system, Viper SmartStart also allows users to:

• Start their engine to control their cabin temperature
• Lock and unlock their doors from anywhere
• Pop the trunk
• Control the horn or siren as a panic alert or car finder
• Receive security alerts pushed to their smartphone

Users can also take advantage of the useful SmartPark feature, which remembers where the car is parked each time the user locks the car using their smartphone, as well as Viper Motor Club roadside assistance, which is available at no additional charge with all Secure Service Plans.

Viper SmartStart GPS

In addition to the new Home Control feature, Directed Electronics has also just released Viper SmartStart GPS (model number VSM250) which allows users to control, locate and track their vehicle using their smartphone, with additional family safety and social networking features. With Viper SmartStart GPS, parents can get alert notifications pushed right to their smartphone if their teen driver is speeding or drives where they're not supposed to.

Viper SmartStart is currently available on the iPhone, BlackBerry and Android platforms. Current users can update their app to v2.2 to receive home control features. To enable smartphone control of an Alarm.com-enabled home security system, please visit www.alarm.com  to find an authorized dealer.

About Directed Electronics

Headquartered in Southern California, Directed Electronics is the largest designer and marketer in North America of consumer-branded vehicle security and remote start systems (sold under Viper®, Clifford®, Python®, Autostart® and other brand names). Directed Electronics is also a supplier of mobile audio products sold principally under the Orion® brand name, and digital OEM Integration products sold under the XPRESSKIT® brand name. Directed Electronics markets its broad portfolio of products through many channels including leading national retailers and specialty chains throughout North America and around the world. Founded in 1982, the company's primary operations are located in Vista, California and Quebec, Canada. For more information, please visit www.directed.com. Directed Electronics is a business unit of DEI Holdings, Inc.

About Alarm.com

Alarm.com is the industry leading technology provider of interactive security solutions. Through advanced wireless monitoring and web-based services, Alarm.com helps protect hundreds of thousands of residential and commercial customers throughout North America. Alarm.com's products and services are offered exclusively through a network of over 1,500 licensed and authorized Security Dealers.  Visit www.alarm.com to learn more.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release that are not historical fact constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements typically are identified by the use of terms such as "may," "should," "might," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate" and similar words, although some may be expressed differently. Shareholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results of DEI Holdings to be materially different from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include competition in the consumer electronics industry, development of new products and changing demand of customers, reliance on certain key customers, decline in consumer spending, reliance on certain manufacturers and their ability to maintain satisfactory delivery schedules, disruption in supply chain, shortages of components and materials, economic risks associated with changes in social, political, regulatory, and economic conditions in the countries where the company's products are manufactured, quality installation of products by customers, significant product returns or product liability claims, compliance with various state and local regulations, risks with international operations, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, claims related to intellectual property, ability to service debt obligations, restrictive terms of the company's senior secured credit facility, vulnerability to increases in interest rates, disruption in distribution centers, ability to raise additional capital if needed, dependence on senior management, ability to realize on investments made in the business, and integration of acquired businesses. Certain of these factors, as well as various additional factors, are discussed from time to time in the reports filed by DEI Holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. DEI Holdings disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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BlackBerry® and related marks and logos are owned by Research In Motion Limited and are registered and/or used in the U.S. and elsewhere.

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SOURCE Directed Electronics