Universal Electronics Introduces New Frontier in Universal Control with Groundbreaking Control Plus

Universal Electronics Introduces New Frontier in Universal Control with Groundbreaking Control Plus Technology

UEI Control Plus technology delivers a seamless, simplified entertainment setup and control experience across AV devices in the home

SANTA ANA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) (Nasdaq: UEIC) today announced availability of its UEI Control Plus platform, a groundbreaking technology that enables a seamless, simplified home entertainment setup and control experience across AV devices. UEI Control Plus combines traditional infrared control technology with emerging control protocols across Internet Protocol (IP) and HDMI with Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) to give users ultimate control of their AV equipment.

Users have long been frustrated with the complicated setup of their AV equipment. Which HDMI port is the DVD player plugged into? What input does the TV need to be on? What mode does the remote need to be on to control the AV receiver? This input and mode confusion translates to numerous support calls to cable operators and CE manufactures, often driving up support costs.

CEC technology works over HDMI to enable control of devices using a single remote. However, this feature often requires that all of the devices in the AV stack system are of the same brand, are HDMI connected, and each device has CEC enabled. Since CEC is not uniformly implemented across brands and devices, this leads to inter-brand compatibility issues.

UEI Control Plus technology has been developed to facilitate simplified control across these different implementations. UEI Control Plus uses CEC when available to automatically sense device type, model, and brand of all devices in the AV stack to enable simplified setup of universal control. Where CEC has missing information, UEI leverages its extensive IR and IP device control database with over 100 metadata tags to find and send the correct control code for the device. During operation, UEI Control Plus technology delivers true one-touch viewing functionality. With a single press of a button, Control Plus software can power up devices, switch to the active input, set audio sources if connected and start content playback to get the user to their favorite show or movie instantly. The UEI Control Plus technology also enables smart device control of all devices in the AV stack via Wi-Fi®. Smartphones, tablets, and smart controllers can be used to enable app based setup and control of the entertainment experience.

UEI Control Plus is available in two implementations:

• For a source device such as a set-top box, DVD player or over-the-top (OTT) box.
  OEMs can add a HOME key to the remote control so that with a single button press, the user immediately switches their home theater system to the OEM's content or service.

• For AV Receiver and Television manufacturers.
  UEI Control Plus can be implemented as one-button activity switching to allow any user to move seamlessly between watching a recorded TV show, playing a movie on their Blu-ray player, playing games on their game console, or just relaxing and listening to music on their digital media player. All this happens seamlessly with no complicated setup or macro programming required.

"UEI Control Plus has been over a year in development, and as industry leader, we are excited to be able to bring this level of simplicity to universal control. Our vision has always been to bring automated device control setup and intuitive control to a mass consumer product. With UEI Control Plus, we believe that we have created a very compelling product offering for our OEM partners that allows them to focus on delivering great audio and video content without worrying about common universal control consumer challenges," said Paul Arling, chairman and chief executive officer of UEI. "We look forward to demonstrating our solution to customers and working closely with them to integrate UEI Control Plus into their products and services."

UEI Control Plus will be demonstrated, along with other innovative entertainment control technologies, at the Universal Electronics Booth at CES, in South Hall 1, Booth #20211, January 8-11, 2013.

About Universal Electronics

Founded in 1986, Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) is the global leader in wireless control technology for the connected home. UEI designs, develops, and delivers innovative solutions that enable consumers to control entertainment devices, digital media, and home systems. The company's broad portfolio of patented technologies and database of infrared control software have been adopted by many Fortune 500 companies in the consumer electronics, subscription broadcast, and computing industries. UEI sells and licenses wireless control products through distributors and retailers under the One For All® brand name. For additional information, visit our website at www.uei.com.

All trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe-Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words and expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timely development, delivery and market acceptance of UEI Control Plus and other products and technologies identified in this release; the continued penetration and growth of the products and consumer technologies identified in this release; and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward looking statement due to such risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligations to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

Universal Electronics Inc.
Benny Canady, UEI Corporate Marketing and Public Relations
714-918-9500
bcanady@ueic.com

KEYWORDS: United States North America California Nevada

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