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Rockwell Collins introduces the next generation moving map products: Airshow 4200 and Airshow 4200i
SEATTLE (September 21, 2004) - Today at the World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) conference and exhibition, Rockwell Collins introduced its new
line of moving map and in-flight information products for commercial aircraft. The new Airshow 4200 is a distributed video-based
product, and Airshow 4200i is an in-seat interactive product. Both products seamlessly integrate with the leading IFE systems
to provide content that is highly customizable and tailored to meet the needs of each airline customer.
“The new Airshow 4200 continues the heritage of the Airshow 420 and 210, but dramatically raises the bar for visually compelling
in-flight information,” said Tim Rayl, senior director, Airshow Systems. “The new 3-D maps in the Airshow 4200 generated
a lot of excitement with early customers, and the interactive Airshow 4200i map product positions us for the next generation
of digital, in-seat IFE systems.
”The Airshow 4200 has been developed with a major advancement in features, functionality, and look-and-feel over previous
map products. It is a full-featured multimedia platform, incorporating a wide variety of capabilities, including 3-D route
maps, real-time news feeds, connecting gate information, and point-of-interest media libraries. For the first time, the Airshow
4200 can be used for full-motion MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 video displays, such as safety briefings, short subjects, advertising,
duty-free, and other non-encrypted content. The Airshow 4200 outputs two channels of NTSC video in a distributed mode to
overhead or in-seat monitors. This allows the distribution of map and flight information on one channel and connecting gate
information, news feeds and similar content on the second channel.
The Airshow 4200i in-seat interactive moving map incorporates many of the same options available with the Airshow 4200, but
instead of “pushing” video to all cabin monitors, 4200i lets each individual passenger “pull” maps, news, and other content
to their seat. Simulations of 3-D route maps are included, along with all of the other map and flight information. Intended
for digital Ethernet-based IFE systems, the Airshow 4200i uses HTML and Macromedia® Flash to optimize distribution.
Both versions of the new map products capture real-time flight information from the aircraft’s flight management computer,
long-range navigation system and aircraft communication systems. Both products also use the on-board ACARS connection to
retrieve current airport terminal information. For Airshow Network news feeds (including WSJ, CNN, BBC, Bloomberg and others)
the Airshow 4200 and 4200i connect to the aircraft’s NATS, Satcom, or Iridium communications systems.
Rockwell Collins moving map products have for years allowed a high level of software customization, giving airlines wide latitude
to tailor the map and information content to their specific needs. Customization is offered by a staff of more than 20 in-house
design experts, and includes everything from unique map resolutions, to geopolitical borders, placenames, flight data, multimedia
content, and more than 25 non-English languages including Arabic, Japanese, and Chinese. For airlines that prefer to manage
their own content and customize the product themselves, Rockwell Collins will offer a PC-based software customization tool.
Initial shipments of the new Airshow 4200 and Airshow 4200i will begin the second quarter of 2005.
Rockwell Collins (NYSE: COL) is a world leader in the design, production and support of communications and aviation electronics
solutions for government and commercial customers worldwide. Additional information is available at www.rockwellcollins.com.
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