News

Dedicated Devices Introduces New Class of Digital Device That Simplifies Access and Management of Homeowner's Digital Entertainment Content (25/11/2004)

DDi Announces New Platform as Central Networking Point for Sharing Digital Information Throughout the Home

Dedicated Devices, Inc. (DDi), designer and manufacturer of a new generation of digital home networking solutions, today announced its first set of products that give homeowners an easy, secure and reliable way to access, manage and distribute digital content. DDi's new products serve as the home's central networking point, with the convenience of a private home network for sharing music, video, photos, as well as Internet access, files, printers and other equipment throughout the home.

DDi's new products are aimed at the new residential market, where up to 1.7 million new homes are estimated to be built per year(1). According to market research firm Parks Associates, 5.2 million U.S. households are expected to install structured wiring by 2005, growing to an estimated 10.7 million by 2008. In addition, during the next year, consumers are expected to purchase over $150 billion in digital entertainment products and content.(2)

Designed to be easy to use and upgrade, DDi's products are also reliable, secure, and always on. DDi's products combine the attributes of the personal computer, consumer electronics and networking equipment into a single product and what becomes the center of a new home's digital infrastructure.

DDi's New Products

DDi's Digital Distribution Center is a dedicated device that enables centralized management, distribution and storage of digital content so homeowners can enjoy music, video and photos anywhere in the house, whenever they want. The Digital Distribution Center acts as the audio server, video server, and photo server for the whole-house digital entertainment system. This device includes an eight-zone, commercial grade residential gateway and firewall, internal digital media storage, and four USB 2.0 expansion ports. The flexible design of the Digital Distribution Center allows for adding new functionality, which will include higher capacity storage modules and software upgrades for future home entertainment and control applications.

DDi's Digital Player is the bridge between the Digital Distribution Center and the homeowner's TV or stereo equipment. The Digital Player uses standard audio/visual cables, connects to a TV or stereo, and communicates with the Digital Distribution Center over a home network using a standard Ethernet (Cat-5/5e) connection. Using the DDi Remote Control and easy-to-read and use menus on a TV screen, homeowners can browse through and select their collection of music, video, photos and files stored and managed on the Digital Distribution Center.

Previously, installers were faced with added complexity when installing networking products in the home. Earlier solutions that were geared for high-end custom homes, often required extra programming time and expertise from installers. Today, professional installers can quickly and simply install DDi's products into new homes. For homebuilders, DDi's products allow them to offer prospective homebuyers innovation and a means of protecting the consumer's investment in a home that will support future digital technologies and entertainment. Since DDi's technology is easily installed as part of a structured wiring system in new homes, it serves as the central networking point for a convenient home network. As a single integrated digital platform, homeowners can distribute their digital content throughout the home more efficiently and cost-effectively than separate components. As a built-in solution, the cost of this technology can be amortized over the life of a home mortgage.

Leviton Integrated Networks

DDi has a co-branded distribution agreement with Leviton Integrated Networks, the residential structured cabling division of the Leviton Manufacturing Company, North America's leading manufacturer of electrical and electronic wiring devices. Leviton's 6,000 distributors worldwide can extend their product offering, which already includes wiring devices and structured cabling to comprise a whole-house audio/video networking solution. These distributors can now deliver a full range of electronic entertainment components to provide their installers a competitive edge, with innovative technology from DDi.

Pricing and Availability

The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the Digital Distribution Center is $2,250 and is $299 for the Digital Player and Remote Control. DDi's products are available for order mid-December through Leviton-certified contractors.

www.dedicateddev.com