IMET Corporation's Product Design Collaboration on the Yoostar(TM) System Gives Consumers a New Way to Enjoy Movies

IMET Corporation's Product Design Collaboration on the Yoostar(TM) System Gives Consumers a New Way to Enjoy Movies

BRISTOL, Pa., Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- When Tom Krol attended a New York tradeshow last summer and exchanged information with his booth neighbor he had no expectations it would lead to anything significant for his product development firm, IMET Corporation. But just a few weeks later, the President received a call from his new contact with a huge lead. The vendor had been in touch with a company looking for mechanical and electrical support for a unique new product idea, and thought of IMET for the job. "Once I got the referral I immediately made the call," says Krol, "and the next morning I was on a train to NYC to have a meeting with Yoostar Entertainment Group."

He learned that Yoostar was developing an interactive system which would allow users to insert themselves directly into movie scenes using green screen technology. "It's 'movie-oke,'" Tom explains. "So you can 'star' in a famous scene by recording the part to replace or play alongside your favorite character. I knew this product could completely change the face of home entertainment and I wanted IMET to be a part of it." While Yoostar had the software designed, they needed to ensure the camera system would be mechanically and electronically viable. With IMET's total-solution style to product development and prototyping abilities both in-house and overseas, it was quickly determined they would be a good fit to take Yoostar's idea from concept to production.

Krol immediately assembled a team to handle the modeling of mechanicals and design of all electronics. Because the system had to include a studio-grade webcam as well as a dual microphone for echo cancellation, one of the toughest aspects proved to be the electrical spacing within the camera's housing unit. IMET and electrical engineer Kurt Goszyk came up with a 2-board solution, utilizing printed circuit boards set horizontally and vertically inside the mechanical housing. A third board was designed for use in a wireless remote control, which included an RF transmitter to interact with the camera unit.

By December of 2008, initial working prototypes were being assembled by IMET to have ready to showcase at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show the following month. "I clearly remember putting together prototypes on Christmas Eve," said Tom. Despite the tight deadlines, the CES proved to be a huge success for Yoostar, with CEA president Gary Shapiro previewing the system and claiming "Yoostar(TM) epitomizes what CES is about -- innovation, content, technology and enhancing life."

With IMET working to ensure the software was Windows-Qualified for compatibility with home computer operating systems, Krol sent team member Brian Dougherty to China to source manufacturers and act as vendor liaison during the final prototyping and production stages. Multiple tools were created in China and evaluated by IMET for final production while color schemes and finishes were finalized to enhance the unit's innovative design. "IMET handled all development aspects with professionalism and responsiveness to ensure we got the right results," says Scott Wilker, Yoostar's VP of Global Operations. "It was great to work with a team that was so committed to our success."

The Yoostar(TM) system premiered exclusively in Bloomingdale's stores nationwide on August 26th, 2009, and is already positioning to be the must-have entertainment system of the holiday season. "We're proud to be a part of such a revolutionary product," Krol says, "and look forward to continuing our work with Yoostar through product and manufacturing support."

IMET Corporation is headquartered in Bristol, Pennsylvania and provides complete product development services to technology-based industries.

   Contact: Tom Krol, President, IMET Corporation   215-788-5256   tkrol@imetcorporation.com   http://www.imetcorporation.com/   

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Source: IMET Corporation

CONTACT: Tom Krol, President, IMET Corporation, +1-215-788-5256,
tkrol@imetcorporation.com

Web Site: http://www.imetcorporation.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment