News

CEA Announces Portable Media Player Connection Standard (14/6/2007)

Allows Consumers to Play and Charge Their Devices in Vehicles and Homes

The Consumer Electronics Association's (CEA)(r) Mobile Electronics Committee announced the publication of CEA-2017, Common Interconnection for Portable Media Players. This standard defines electrical and mechanical properties for a connector that will pass audio, video and associated metadata signals, control signals, and power between portable electronic devices and in-home and in-vehicle audio/video systems. It will also allow consumers with products that support the common connector to play and charge their portable media devices in their vehicles and their homes.

"CEA's Mobile Electronics Committee brought together over 100 companies to develop CEA-2017. These companies represent all sectors of the portable device industry, including portable device manufacturers, connector manufacturers, chip makers, accessory manufacturers, automobile manufacturers and the content community," said Brian Markwalter, CEA vice president of technology and standards. "This is a prime example of how CEA's Technology & Standards programs can react to an industry need by ensuring that all stakeholders have a voice."

"This standard marks a milestone in the development of open industry standards. With its publication, this common connector standard will more easily enable device interconnectivity in the homes and cars of consumers," added Microsoft Corporation's Dave McLauchlan, chair of the Portable Device Media Interconnect working group.

The Mobile Electronics Committee is co-chaired by Jack DeBiasio, OEM project manager, Scosche Industries Inc. and Jim Tranchina, vice president of engineering, Audiovox Corporation. Participation in CEA standards activities is open to companies and organizations with direct and material interest. CEA membership is not required to participate.

www.CE.org/standards