harman international (HAR) Snapshot

On June 13, 2013, Harman International Industries, Incorporated announced that effective July 1, 2013, Sachin Lawande will be appointed as President of the Infotainment Division, and Michael Mauser will be appointed as President of the Lifestyle Division. Effective as of July 1, 2013 Mr. Lawande will no longer serve as the Co-President of the Lifestyle Division and Mr. Mauser will no longer serve as the Co-President of the Infotainment Division.

Harman International Industries, Incorporated introduces three new audio/video receivers that seamlessly mesh versatility, quality and efficiency to create a peerless multimedia experience. The Harman Kardon(R) AVR 1510, AVR 1610 and AVR 1710 feature the brand's iconic styling and unmatched sound reproduction in addition to enhanced support for streaming and external devices. The three new AVRs deliver a powerful audio experience as well as an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly design. The Harman Kardon AVR 1x10 Series utilizes new HARMAN GreenEdge(TM) technology, which provides dramatic energy savings without compromising premium performance using digital power supply to improve efficiency without compromising on Harman Kardon legendary sound performance. A smaller, lightweight design also results in a lower carbon footprint. The new AVR Series offers more ways to connect with support for compatible Apple devices including the iPad, iPhone and iPod touch. Functionality extends to up to six HDMI devices, all 4K pass through, 3D-ready to accommodate Blu-ray players, videogame consoles, computers, Apple TV, HDTV cable boxes and more. MHL input also allows high-definition content to play from a camera, phone or tablet directly to the big screen. In addition, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, vTuner(TM) Internet radio and DLNA 1.5 introduce multiple streaming options for optimal functionality and accessibility. The new Harman Kardon AVR 1610 will be the lower price point, high-features AVR with Bluetooth on board on the market. The Harman Kardon AVR 1610 and AVR 1710 are the first AVRs on the market to feature Roku Ready MHL support. By simply connecting a Roku Streaming Stick(TM) via the MHL port on the back of the AVR, consumers can instantly access the Roku(R) experience -- featuring more than 750 entertainment channels -- directly from the AVR remote control. The AVR 1610 and AVR 1710 will also celebrate the introduction of the new HARMAN NSP Natural Sound Processing. Natural sound reproduction aims at recreating an acoustic event in its wholeness. That not only includes traditional fidelity features such as low distortion and realistic loudness, but also the correct localization of individual sources and orchestras, their sizes, shapes and distances, and in particular a sensation of the performance space where the original recorded event took place, or a plausible artificial space created by the content producer. The Harman Kardon AVR 1510, AVR 1610 and AVR 1710 are powered by a new switch mode digitally based power supply provides uninterrupted power to the acclaimed Harman Kardon high-current, ultra wide bandwidth amplifier design for top sonic performance with a sleek, modern design. Dolby(R) TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio(TM) decoding create an immersive audio/video experience to enjoy any media.

Harman International Industries, Incorporated to deliver the new NTG5 infotainment system for the all new Mercedes-Benz' luxury S-Class vehicles. This next-generation premium infotainment unit from HARMAN combines wireless connectivity with HARMAN's enhanced navigation functionality to both simplify and enhance the user experience. The new multi-seat entertainment concept, every passenger in the car can enjoy personalized entertainment while sharing content within the car. What's more, it provides all seats with access to automotive-grade apps such as news and social networks through a safe and intuitive applications portal. The NTG5 infotainment unit offers Mercedes' vehicles with a broad set of features for entertainment, connectivity, and navigation. The systems' advanced design means front and rear seat screens are networked for seamless access and sharing of entertainment features, information, and content among all passengers. All screens support HD video, and the front dash screen additionally supports 'split-view mode', allowing driver and passenger to access and see different content on the same screen. And, The Driveshow feature, the passengers can follow the route on their screens that highlight points of interest along the way. The NTG5 also delivers wired and wireless mobile device integration including a WLAN hotspot in the head unit. A dedicated media interface allows drivers and passengers the choice of connecting both their iOS and Android devices via USB or Bluetooth. The system also supports Message Access Profile (MAP), equipping the vehicles with mobile office features like e-mail and SMS, which can be handled in a safe and intuitive way via an animated 3D human--machine interface (HMI) with high-end graphics in HD resolution. Additional to that, the messages can be read-out to the driver in 18 languages. Also, the infotainment system enables the passengers to browse the internet for free and access various automotive-grade apps. For example, passengers can listen to internet radio stations, check the weather or traffic on their destination, share content on social media, browse or download maps and much more. The system also includes car related assistance and services including emergency calling. Major HARMAN technology advances are also visible in the HDD navigation within the NTG5 system. Navigation routes can be made clearer to the driver through realistic 3D city models that show realistic buildings and route markers. Using sophisticated layered graphics, drivers can see "through" buildings and obstacles on the route ahead to anticipate road maneuvers. The navigation system can fully be controlled via speech -- for example, if the user is looking for a point of interest he merely has to call it out in his natural voice and the system starts searching for it. All route planning can be done via Google maps on a home computer, and these personal routes are automatically transferred to the head unit via the Mercedes user portal. In addition to this, HD Live Traffic incorporates real-time traffic information in the route planning.