Rockwell Collins to offer HD virtual surround sound on second generation dPAVES™ IFE system

Rockwell Collins today announced that it will offer HD virtual surround sound on its second generation dPAVES™ airline in-flight entertainment (IFE) system later this year. The announcement was made at the 2011 Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) Expo in Seattle.

Integrated into Rockwell Collins' dPAVES high-definition media server (HDMS), the virtual surround sound, provided by SRS WOW HD™, fully immerses passengers in a theater-like experience that is tunable to any headset. According to Dave Austin, vice president and general manager, Cabin and ElectroMechanical Systems for Rockwell Collins, WOW HD's 'on the fly' processing allows any media file type to be output with virtual surround sound over headphones ? a first for the industry – giving passengers a consistent HD entertainment experience.

This new enhancement adds to the growing list of innovative technology advancements for the second-generation dPAVES IFE system including:

• 12" 16:9 LCD HD or 10.4" LCD retractable overhead monitors

• HDMS that offers 160 gigabytes of solid-state digital audio and video storage capability, integrated pre-recorded announcements and music functionality with embedded Airshow moving map

• An easy-to-use, intuitive touch-screen entertainment control panel (ECP) for the HDMS. The ECP's 'on-the-fly' configuration control reduces workload for the cabin crew and maintenance teams.

• Optional Flyable Data Loader which radically simplifies IFE system data loading process by utilizing a multimedia drive, and USB and Ethernet ports

Rockwell Collins' second-generation dPAVES system can be installed on any new and in-service single-aisle aircraft by Boeing and Airbus including the Boeing 737 Sky Interior.