RCA and TERK-brand Replacements for "Rabbit Ears" Feature Thin Profile, Improved Performance for Reception of Over-the-Air Digital TV Broadcasts

LAS VEGAS, January 7, 2009, International CES, Booth 11006-10506 - What started with an engineering concept in an Indianapolis-area laboratory is fast revolutionizing the TV antenna market in America. Audiovox Accessories Corporation today announced that it will expand its line of flat omnidirectional TV antennas with the introduction of nine new RCA and TERK models, including several that offer enhanced outdoor reception in discrete, weather-resistant designs.

The project to develop a flat antenna that would outperform traditional dipole "rabbit ears" designs started in the radio-frequency laboratories of Audiovox Accessories Corporation.  The engineering challenge was steep: develop a new way of receiving finicky digital TV signals with an array that can be concealed in an exceptionally thin, compact enclosure. 

The result was the RCA ANT1500, an antenna roughly ten inches square and less than an inch thick that was launched last Spring. 

For 2009, the line expands to encompass high-style designs from both the RCA and TERK brands, all on display at Audiovox Booth 11006-10506 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

 "Our design effort goes far beyond the move to make a TV antenna inconspicuous near a new flat-panel TV," said Hank Caskey, vice president of reception for Audiovox Accessories Corporation. "With the transition to all-digital TV broadcasting, we knew that we'd have to develop a more robust reception system to keep a digital TV or converter box tuner locked on to the broadcaster's signal. Feedback from nearly 100 broadcasters who have tried this new antenna design is very encouraging. Most everyone is impressed with both the performance and the aesthetics. By combining styling that consumers want in their living rooms with performance that solves their reception needs, early sales of the expanded RCA flat omnidirectional line have helped retailers see dramatic growth in unit sales of reception products." 

Flat Outdoor, High-Gloss TERK and RCA Models Coming Soon

Utilizing the same patent-pending technology used in the flat indoor antennas, the new RCA ANT800 is designed for outdoor use with a watertight and UV-resistant enclosure that will ensure years of performance. The unique 360-degree design receives digital TV signals from any direction to solve digital TV reception problems. The small paintable unit has multiple mounting options to blend in with the house. The RCA ANT800 will be available in early 2009 with a suggested retail price of $89.99.

TERK will be offering the first small outdoor antenna featuring the patent-pending Audiovox technology. The flat omnidirectional model FDTVO, can be mounted on the side of a home or near the roofline as well as in an attic. Available in early 2009, this antenna discretely delivers improved performance through a weather-resistant enclosure and patent-pending antenna design. The suggested retail price is $119.99.

Stylish RCA Indoor Antennas

Two new RCA indoor antennas are being introduced. With a new, beautiful high-gloss black finish to complement the most sophisticated flat-panel TV products, the slim profile ANT1600 is approximately 10-by-9-inches in size. It offers omnidirectional reception capability to receive digital TV signals from all around the antenna. The ANT1600 will be available in the Spring with a suggested retail price $59.99.

An amplified version that provides clear reception of HDTV and UHF/VHF signals, model  ANT1650B, will also be available in the Spring.  It has a suggested retail price of $79.99.

The currently available RCA flat omnidirectional antenna lineup includes the 10-by-11-inch ANT1500 and amplified ANT1550 models as well as the slightly smaller ANT1400 and amplified ANT1450 models. Two inexpensive flat antennas are ideal replacements for traditional "rabbit ear" style antennas. The RCA ANT1000 and the ANT1050 are thin enough to sit on top of a typical flat-screen TV or easily mount to a wall or in a window. The ANT1000 has a suggested retail price $12.99, while the ANT1050 has a suggested retail price $19.99. 

Award-Winning Styling and Performance from TERK

An indoor antenna with signature TERK style and performance that blends perfectly with high-end home electronics, the FDTV1A includes a tri-function stand that permits the unit to be placed vertically or flat for inconspicuous use or mounted on a nearby wall. The unit includes an extremely low-noise amplifier

(10-13dB) with optimized gain to prevent the signal from becoming over-saturated, a common problem when amplified antennas are used to receive digital signals. 

The removable amplifier on the FDTV1A allows the viewer to test the antenna with or without amplification in order to achieve the best possible reception, even in high-power broadcast environments. The antenna is tuned to be impedance-matched at the end of the coaxial cable (75 ohms), insuring steady reception from the antenna to the tuner. Winner of a 2009 CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award, the TERK FDTV1A receives digital TV signals from all directions with patent-pending 360-degree technology.

Available early in 2009, the TERK FDTV1A has a suggested retail price of $89.99.

Later in the Spring, Audiovox will ship two additional new TERK indoor TV antennas. The ultra-compact FDTV2 passive antenna and the amplified FDTV2A antenna will offer design-conscious viewers two attractive options for in-home reception.

The FDTV2 has a suggested retail price $49.99, while the FDTV2A has a suggested retail price of $69.99.

Superior Outdoor Performance

Designed to deliver superior reception performance in a very small design, the RCA ANT751 outdoor antenna can be easily and discretely mounted on the roof, siding, eaves or chimney, or in the attic. At about three feet long, the exceptionally small Yagi-style antenna can receive digital TV broadcasts up to 40 miles away. Ideal for the majority of U.S. homes, as well as apartment buildings, the ANT751 outperforms many larger antennas thanks to its exceptional gain.

The RCA ANT751 will be available early in 2009 with a suggested retail price $79.99.

For more information on the RCA and TERK antennas, visit http://www.audiovox.com/.

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Audiovox (NASDAQ:VOXX) is a recognized leader in the marketing of automotive entertainment, vehicle security and remote start systems, consumer electronics products and consumer electronics accessories. The company is number one in mobile video and places in the top ten of almost every category that it sells.  Among the lines marketed by Audiovox are its mobile electronics products including mobile video systems, auto sound systems including satellite radio, vehicle security and remote start systems; consumer electronics products such as MP3 players, digital camcorders, DVRs, clock radios, portable DVD players, portable GPS, flat-panel TVs, extended range two-way radios, multimedia products like digital picture frames and home and portable stereos; consumer electronics accessories such as indoor/outdoor antennas, connectivity products, headphones, speakers, wireless solutions, remote controls, power & surge protectors and media cleaning & storage devices; Energizer-branded products for rechargeable batteries and battery packs for camcorders, cordless phones, digital cameras and DVD players, as well as for power supply systems, automatic voltage regulators and surge protectors. The company markets its products through an extensive distribution network that includes power retailers, 12-volt specialists, mass merchandisers and an OE sales group. The company markets products under the Audiovox, RCA, Jensen, Acoustic Research, Energizer, Advent, Code Alarm, TERK, Prestige and SURFACE brands. For additional information, visit our Web site at http://www.audiovox.com/.

Except for historical information contained herein, statements made in this release that would constitute forward-looking statements may involve certain risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements made in this release are based on currently available information and the Company assumes no responsibility to update any such forward-looking statement. The following factors, among others, may cause actual results to differ materially from the results suggested in the forward-looking statements. The factors include, but are not limited to, risks that may result from changes in the Company's business operations; our ability to keep pace with technological advances; significant competition in the mobile and consumer electronics businesses as well as the wireless business; our relationships with key suppliers and customers; quality and consumer acceptance of newly introduced products; market volatility; non-availability of product; excess inventory; price and product competition; new product introductions; the possibility that the review of our prior filings by the SEC may result in changes to our financial statements; and the possibility that stockholders or regulatory authorities may initiate proceedings against Audiovox and/or our officers and directors as a result of any restatements. Risk factors associated with our business, including some of the facts set forth herein, are detailed in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2008 and Form 10-Q for the fiscal second quarter ended August 31, 2008.

Press Contact: 

GLA Communications

Dave Arland, 317-701-0084

dave@arlandcom.com