Selling 12V: OEM Integration
Retaining high fidelity from a secondary source
By Brett Solomon
XM-KEN/PIO DMX V. 1
OEM Integration used to be a matter of retaining a head unit or amplifier and changing other equipment. Because of the addition of mobile video and satellite radio, the purveyors of OEM Integration equipment have been working late nights in order to develop products for the new formats.
The advent of satellite radio and DVD mobile video has increased the consumer’s sensitivity to retaining the cleanest audio signal, and installers are seeking to add additional sources to play through the stock stereo systems without using an FM modulator that reduces the fidelity of the source.
The most current wave of new products in OEM Integration are those that can inject Satellite Radio into an OEM head unit without the use of the FM modulator. Also included in this group are the products that can provide sound from a secondary entertainment source such as a DVD player or video game system (so the owner of a car can listen to the audio portion of a DVD through the stock stereo).
Blitzsafe’s XM-Digital Connect Interface line for connecting the Pioneer XM tuner to select OEM radios was first slated to ship in March, but the company said those models should be shipping early this month. (Blitzsafe in January announced an XM-Digital Connect Interface, Model XM-KEN/PIO DMX V. 1, $95 SRP), designed to make a Kenwood Sirius-ready radio work with Pioneer’s XM tuner. At press time, the company said the Kenwood-Pioneer model was shipping.)
As we transition from analog to digital formats, OEM integration devices that can retain the fidelity of the digital source will become more important for retrofitting today’s vehicles as well as future vehicles.
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Universal iPhone Interface
Blitzsafe iPhone Interface
Our new iPod & iPhone USB charging cable will attach to our current iPod interfaces through the use of a small inline adapter. This will allow you to use your new iPhone 3G and all up and coming iPods with the Blitzsafe interface you already have.
The new Blitzsafe iUI iPhone™ universal interface is a new genre in iPhone™ interfaces that will work with any OEM head unit in any vehicle that already has an auxiliary input, or auxiliary converter already installed. The iUI will also work with any aftermarket head unit with an auxiliary input.
This device connects to any auxiliary input, and to the bottom connector of your iPhone™. When connected, you will get the cleanest sound, plus it will also charge your iPhone™ while you are using it. The iUI will continue to charge the iPhone™ after vehicle ignition is switched off.
New Blitzsafe Website!
ENGLEWOOD, N.J. — We have finally redesigned our website! Check out the online store, dealer locator, helpful support section and more!
We plan on continuing to add helpul product information to this site and providing our customers with the best selection of OEM and aftermarket integration products. Keep checking back as we continue to add more and more features to the site. Any comments can be directed to blitzsafe@blitzsafe.com.
CD Changer Converter - Mercedes Benz 1996 MY
BlitzSafe announces their new electronic CD Interface for Alpine CD Changers to Mercedes Benz OEM Radios for Model Year 1996. This development is significant as Becker the manufacturer of the radios and Mercedes Benz has embarked on a “take no prisoners” position, due in part to major losses suffered to after market CD Changer installations. Mercedes Benz/Becker have just released their new Model 1492 which incoporated changes in the hardware and software which will allow only Mercedes Benz CD (OEM) Changers to work with their radios. BlitzSafe, the leader in aftermarket interfaces for Mercedes Benz has just developed their new version 2 Electronic Interface Converter which allows the new 1492 and prior 1692 Becker radios to interface with Alpine CD Changers. This interface is the only electronic converter available in today’s market. All other CD Converters are just cables reconstructed, and are now rendered useless.
Cellular Telephone Interface / Mercedes Benz and BMW
BlitzSafe announces their new cellular telephone interface for Mercedes Benz C-Class, E-Class, EW-Class and BMW 5, 7 & 8 series cars. This development accelerates the installation of a standard motorola phone, including voice activated models or the flip phone booster kit. The cars are pre-wired for the Mercedes Benz or BMW phones made by Motorola but will not work with any other Motorola phone unless the BlitzSafe interface is used. The additional plug-in factory correct connectors in the kit simplify and cut the installation time to approximately 15 to 20 minutes. When installed the phone will operate the power antenna and its tri-band capabilites as well as allowing hands-free operation through the factory stereo speakers. The hand set is installed in the factory armrest.
Kit includes:
- 1 BlitzSafe Cellular Interface
- 2 Transceiver Cable Mounting Screws with Washers
- 1 Tri-Band Antenna Cable
- 1 External Speaker Driver Board
Mercedes Benz:
- 1 E/EW-Class Hands-Free Microphone Adaptor
- 1 C-Class Hands-Free Microphone Adaptor
BMW
- 1 BMW Hands-Free Microphone Adaptor
BlitzSafe Announces New Website Update for the Millenium!
BlitzSafe announces their new updated website with new features, including showcasing their entire product catalog, a dealer locator, an online help desk, professional advice and expert questions and answers to the most common questions, the BlitzSafe Application Guide, the ability to have dealers signup online for services and to be included in the dealer locator, and valuable news from BlitzSafe and throughout the OEM industry.
MBALP V.2A2 CD Changer Converter
Mercedes Benz Model for 1997 and 1996
BlitzSafe announces their new electronic CD Interface for Alpine CD Changers to Mercedes Benz OEM Radios for model year 1997 and 1996. This development is significant as Mercedes Benz’s new 1997 radios incorporated changers in the hardware and software that allows for only Mercedes Benz (OEM) CD Changers to work with Mercedes Benz radios (models CM2396, CM2296 and 1692). The MBALP V.2A2 Electronic Interface Converter (Patents Pending) is the reference standard; invented by BlitzSafe, the leader in after-market interfaces for Mercedes Benz and OEM engineering excellence. This electronic interface is the only converter that will allow all Mercedes Benz radios (Model Year 1997 & 1996) to interface with Alpine 5960, 600, 601 and 604 CD Changers. Moreover, this interface is the only convertor available in today’s market for ALL 1996 and 1997 Mercedes Benz radios, and comes with an unconditional lifetime warranty. BlitzSafe continues to prove their superior craftsmanship with unparalleled quality, enhanced engineering and a customer-first attitude.
CD Changer Converter - Porsche Model Year 1996
BlitzSafe announces their new 1996 Interface for the PORSCHE CR210 detachable face radio (model year 1996) to all SONY UNI-LINK 6 Disc, 10 Disc and Mini-Disc CD Changers. This is the first time retailers can install an after-market product before the dealer can install a factory direct product. This means our retailers have the advantage over the Porsche dealership and all other competition, with the ability to interface the Porsche CR210 detachable face radio (model year 1996) with the SONY UNI-LINK 6 Disc, 10 Disc and Mini-Disc CD Changers before anyone else can. Moreover, this interface is the only convertor available in today’s market for the new 1996 Porsche CR210 Radio, and comes with an unconditional lifetime warranty. BlitzSafe continues to prove their superior craftsmanship in OEM engineering by establishing their Mercedes Benz Electronic Convertor (Model Year 1996) as the reference standard and now by bringing a product out to market before the dealers are able to. Another first from BlitzSafe, the leader in after-market interfaces and OEM engineering technology
Blitzsafe witholds new GM kit
ENGLEWOOD, N.J. - BlitzSafe has decided not to ship a General Motors radio replacement interface product because of possible liability issues in the event of an airbag deployment. This interface allows the removal of the OEM GM radio to allow the installation of a aftermarket radio.
BlitzSafe’s interface, called the GM RRD, is a kit that allows users to remove a GM radio and replace it with an aftermarket product without losing some of the car functions, which are now tied into the GM radio. These functions include OnStar voice communications and chimes for door open, ignition key, safety belt fasten, etc.
BlitzSafe’s president Ira Marlowe said the company learned that if an airbag deployed and its GM RRD had a failure and OnStar did not work, then BlitzSafe could be liable. The critical issue is that OnStar automatically contacts the driver when an airbag is deployed and will dispatch an emergency vehicle.
“We don’t know if the radio is considered a piece of safety equipment, like an airbag. So now when we talk about integration there’s a big question,” Marlowes said. “Even if our device works the way it should but then there’s a failure and someone’s life is on the line and emergency service doesn’t get there, what do we do? We’re confirming [the liability issue] and if it’s true, it’s never going to see the market.”
BlitzSafe said it invested a year of R&D in the GM RRD, and it was expected to ship in November at $59.
Marlowe noted that the issue might have implications for the entire aftermarket. “Removing a radio in an environment when you have certain warnings and emergency service notification going through the radio, it becomes a tremendous liability. People are going to be reluctant to pull out their radios. And the aftermarket’s ability to do this, without what we [integrator companies] do, is then threatened.”
In the event of a liability case involving an aftermarket radio, “everyone would be brought in, including the supplier, distributor and the retailer who sold it,” he said.
BlitzSafe Leads the Way with Patent Pending Status
The United States Patent and Trademark Office has issued Patent Pending status for the following BlitzSafe technologies:
- Interoperable interfaces for Satellite Radio
- Auxiliary input
- MP3 and Multi-Port Satellite
- Auxiliary
- MP3
- CD/Satellite Radio
- CD/Auxiliary input
- CD/MP3 and multi-port CD/Satellite
- CD/Auxiliary
- CD/MP3 for OEM and Aftermarket environments
