Pioneer Announces the Introduction of New DVD Car Navigation Products

Pioneer Electronic Corporation announced the introduction of three new DVD-ROM based car navigation systems, two car wide-screen LCD TV and related products to the Japanese market. In 1998, sales quantity of car navigation products in Japan has reached to 570,000pcs., and it resulted in 20% higher than that of the previous year. Especially, DVD-ROM based car navigation products has been rising its market share because of its huge capacity of information data and unprecedented variety of entertaining contents.

The size of main units has become about 40% smaller than the previous models, however, they are installed with latest CPU featuring 32bit RISC Chip, vast volume SDRAM , newly developed drawing processor for more sophisticated map display, LCD pick-up for DVD, and FM Multi-Channel Tuner for receiving VICS and D-GPS. The functionality has been improved a great deal.

1. High fidelity map displays.

Driver's View gives you a realistic map picture as you see from the driving seat.

* 3D-graphic map displays realistic scenery on the right hand side of the screen and normal map will be also displayed on the left side. It is easy for drivers to recognize where they are by referring to the map and the scenery around them.

* Clearly displays even complicated inter-city highway information. Eye-catching gas stations or shops are displayed as land marks with its designed signs.

Visual City Map Display.

* For about 400 cities areas in Japan, the map gives you realistic 3-D illustrations of surrounding buildings.

* High-speed drawing processor enables easy operation (zoom/scroll) of map displays.

2. Featuring easy-operated latest communication function for the first time in the industry.

Hands-free communication with mobile phones by using microphone for voice recognition and speaker for voice-guidance.

Data adapter for communication data is built-in, realizing easy communication functions.

* Weather forecast for the coming two days is downloaded through web site, and utilizing this forecast, the map is displayed as such local weather forecast and the sky view patterns are changed according to the forecasted weather.

When setting the route by car navigation, voice guidance informs the driver of the weather in the destination. at the the expected arrival time. at the expected arrival time will be fine, no rain forecasted, and the temperature will be 18 degrees.

* Weather forecast is provided by Weather Line Company.

* Access to web sites of places shown on the map is easily achieved.

3. Very high accuracy of positioning information.

Equipped with a special chip for processing accurate positioning information; upgraded 3D Highbrid Censor , pulse, GPS, D-GPS and 3D map matching data .Pioneer has been a leader of car navigation products: In June 1997, Pioneer successfully introduced the industry's first DVD car navigation systems to the Japanese market, and in 1998, introduced the industry's first Single Sided, Dual Layer DVD-ROM for its navigation systems. Pioneer's concept in developing car navigation products is to unify its convenient use and entertaining factors. Because traffic safety regulations are becoming strict in Japan recently, the newly developed products feature various functions for the safety driving. For more information, on the latest GPS News see gps for cars.

Author Notes:

Garry Shaima contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.handheld-gps-reviews.com.  A wealth of information about Global Positioning Systems for commercial or personal use.