HARMAN PRO GROUP DEBUTS HiQnet SYSTEM ARCHITECT™ VERSION 1.2 WITH SUPPORT FOR ADDITIONAL CROWN, JBL PROFESSIONAL AND dbx PRODUCTS

HiQnet™ poised for sustained momentum with support for new Harman Pro Group products added to HiQnet System Architect™ version 1.2

LONDON, ENGLAND, 10 September, 2006 - Underscoring the broad international momentum of its HiQnet™ network control and communications protocol for professional audio systems, the Harman Pro Group today released version 1.2 of HiQnet System Architect™ configuration and control software for HiQnet audio systems, with support for additional new products from JBL Professional, Crown International and dbx. In addition, HiQnet System Architect version 1.2 features new functionality including Device Folders for better workflow and Proxy Support enabling enhanced remote connectivity and control.

HiQnet System Architect version 1.2 includes support for the newly introduced dbx DriveRack® 4820, the next generation of the highly successful DriveRack family for touring and installed sound applications. From Crown International, HiQnet System Architect 1.2 supports its first USB-compatible devices - the Crown CDi Series amplifiers for installed sound applications, the Crown XTi Series of portable PA amplifiers and the Crown DSi 1000, DSi 2000 and DSi 4000 cinema amplifiers from its acclaimed DSi family. In addition, the Ethernet-based and CobraNet-compatible Crown CTs 4200 USP/CN and CTs 8200 USP/CN multi-channel amplifiers are also supported. In doing so, HiQnet System Architect 1.2 provides contractors with greater component choice, while ensuring HiQnet-enabled connectivity, integration and control.

JBL Professional's VERTEC® Series, the de-facto worldwide standard for high performance touring acts and increasingly the line array of choice for large installed applications in worship, performing arts and sports also gains support from HiQnet System Architect 1.2. Specifically, support for the powered JBL VERTEC DP Series VT4881ADP-AN and VT4887ADP-AN, and CobraNet-compatible variants VT4882ADP-CN and VT4887ADP-CN are included in this release.

Device Folders are a new System Architect 1.2 software feature and enable the system design workspace to be organized hierarchically in a manner similar to a Windows directory structure. Devices can be easily added to and removed from Device Folders to assist with the organization of the venue into virtual zones, rackrooms or racks of devices, for example. Proxy Support enables a user to connect remotely to just one device within a system and from there be able to address the entire system making the process of connecting to a remote system far simpler.

System Architect has been written to make use of a plug-in architecture enabling drivers for new Harman Pro audio technologies to be developed and integrated in the future. The protocol's adherence to the universal plug and play (UPnP™) standard enables connected HiQnet devices and control PCs to configure IP and HiQnet addresses automatically. Transport independent, HiQnet has been engineered to traverse any cable type including Ethernet, serial, USB and Firewire.

"Contractors, tour sound companies and portable PA system owners now have unprecedented integration capability and choice right at their fingertips," says, Rick Kreifeldt, Vice President, Harman Systems Development and Integration Group. "HiQnet System Architect brings together the cumulative power of the individual products and makes the power of the system much greater than the sum of its parts!"

HiQnet System Architect version 1.2 is available for immediate, free-of-charge download at http://hiqnet.harmanpro.com. Install CDs with full product data will be available from the Harman Pro PLASA stand #G43 where System Architect 1.2 will be available for demonstration. In addition, the HiQnet-compatible Soundcraft Vi6 digital console will be demonstrating its ability to recall HiQnet device and system presets over a HiQnet network, directly from the console's internal cue-list.

Underscoring its commitment to training and support of HiQnet, the Harman Pro Group will offer a one day hands-on System Architect training course for end-users at PLASA. The course will cover an overview of the application, configuring and controlling HiQnet devices and explore the advanced system design tools contained within HiQnet System Architect.