(Redirected from TDK Life on Record)
Public (K.K) | |
Traded as | TYO: 6762 |
---|---|
Industry | Electronics |
Founded | December 7, 1935; 83 years ago as Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kōgyō K.K. |
Headquarters | Nihonbashi, Chūō, , |
Area served | Worldwide |
Shigenao Ishiguro (President) | |
Products | Currently: Electronic components, Power supplies, Sensors Previously: Cassette, CD, DVD, Blu-ray |
Revenue | JP¥ 1,271.7 billion US$ 12 billion (2018)[1] |
JP¥ 85.6 billion US$ 807.9 million (2018)[1] | |
JP¥ 63.5 billion US$ 598.7 million (2018)[1] | |
Total assets | JP¥ 1,905.2 billion US$ 17.9 billion (2018)[1] |
Total equity | JP¥ 831.2 billion US$ 7.84 billion (2018)[1] |
Number of employees | 102,883[1] |
Website | www.global.tdk.com |
TDK Corporation (TDK株式会社TDK Kabushiki-gaisha), formerly TDK Electronics Co., Ltd (東京電気化学工業株式会社), is a Japanese multinationalelectronics company that manufactures electronic materials, electronic components, and recording and.[2]
'TDK' is an initialism of the original Japanese name of the company: Tokyo Denki Kagaku Kōgyō K.K. (Tokyo Electric Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.). The company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indices.
History[edit]
A TDK SA-90 compact cassette
Tdk Life On Record Trek Max A34
TDK was founded in Tokyo, Japan, on 7 December 1935 to manufacture the iron-based magnetic material ferrite, which had been recently invented by Yogoro Kato and Takeshi Takei.[3] In 1952 and 1957 they began production of magnetic tapes, with compact cassette tapes following in 1966; it is for these that the company is most widely noted. TDK used to manufacture an extensive portfolio of magnetic and optical media, including several formats of videotape and blank CD-R and recordable DVD discs until the recording business was sold to Imation in 2007.
Operations in the USA began in 1965 with a New York City office,[4] and European operations began in 1970 with an office in Frankfurt, West Germany.[5]
In 1980, TDK developed a multilayering technology to create chip capacitors and inductors inside personal computers, laptops, smartphones, and other electronic devices.
In 1986, TDK acquired SAE Magnetics and introduced high-density recording heads to their product offerings.[6]
In the 1990s TDK's Mass Storage Division included brushless DC spindle motors, magnetoresistance (MR) heads, and thin-film heads.
Since 1997 TDK has gradually withdrawn from the production of compact cassettes. First with the MA-X and AR ('Acoustic Response'), then the AD ('Acoustic Dynamic') and SA-X line in 2001 and 2002 respectively, then the MA ('Metal Alloy') line in 2004. The SA ('Super Avilyn') and D ('Dynamic') lines were withdrawn in 2012 under Imation ownership. Industry trends see the company moving into new forms of media; in 2004 TDK was the first media manufacturer to join the companies developing BD post-DVD technology.[4] TDK operated a semiconductor division in California for about a decade, but divested it in 2005.
In late 2007, Imation acquired TDK's recording business, including flash media, optical media, magnetic tape, and accessories, for $300 million.[7][8] This also included a license to use the 'TDK Life on Record' brand on data storage and audio products[9] for 25 years.[7] In September 2015, Imation announced that it had agreed to relinquish this license[10] and would cease selling TDK-branded products by the end of the year.[11]
Since the 2000s, TDK has turned its focus to the development, manufacture and sales of electronic components, HDD heads and suspension, and power supplies.
Beginning in 2005, TDK has acquired all manner of electronic device manufacturers including passive component developers, sensors manufacturers and power supply companies. These areas remain TDK’s focus today.[6]
Since 2016, Shigenao Ishiguro has been President and CEO of TDK.[12]
Key acquisitions and joint ventures[edit]
- 1986: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd., a magnetic head maker based in Hong Kong[13]
- 2000: Headway Technologies, a magnetic head maker based in the United States[13]
- 2005: Amperex Technology Limited, a Lithium Polymer battery company based in Hong Kong[13]
- 2005: Lambda Power Division, a group of power supply businesses of London-based Invensys PLC.[14]
- 2008: EPCOS, an electronic device manufacturer based in Germany[15]
- 2016: Micronas Semiconductor Holding AG, a magnetic sensor company based in Switzerland[16]
- 2016: Hutchinson Technology Inc., a manufacturer of HDD suspension assemblies based in the United States[17]
- 2017: RF360 Holdings Singapore PTE Ltd. – a joint venture with Qualcomm Inc. (USA)[18]
- 2017: InvenSense, Inc., a sensor specialist based in the United States[19]
- 2018: Chirp Microsystems, a developer of low power, ultrasonic 3D-sensing solutions based in the United States[20]
- 2018: Faraday Semi LLC, a developer of miniature Point of Load (PoL) solutions based in the United States[21]
Sponsorship and advertising[edit]
The TDK sign at Piccadilly Circus in London.
TDK has sponsored the IAAF World Championships in Athletics since the 1983 inaugural event in Helsinki.[22]
TDK sponsored Ajax for several years in the 1980s during which it won UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1987. From 1993 to 1999, TDK were also the sponsors of the English football club Crystal Palace, who were promoted to the Premier League twice during this era, though lasting for just one season before being relegated on both occasions. TDK was also a minor sponsor of the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Team during the early 90's. It is a current sponsor of the IAAF World Championships in Athletics. It also sponsors activities and events such as those at The Cross nightclub in Central London, and since 1990 has had a prominent sign at Piccadilly Circus although it was announced in November 2014 that they would not be renewing the contract.[23]
TDK has owned a sign on One Times Square since 2000. The screen is placed under that of Toshiba and can be seen during the annual Times Square New Year's Ball Drop.[24]
Since 2001, TDK has supported performances of some of the world’s distinguished orchestras in Japan within the company’s 'TDK Orchestra Concerts' program. TDK's 'Outreach-Mini Concerts' and 'Special Rehearsals and Main Concert Invitations' additionally serve as avenues for the company to attract younger audiences.[25]
In 2002, the company's consumer electronics division was the presenting sponsor of the Third Annual Jammy Awards, with the TDK Live Performance of the Year award honoring the best live performance that was legally available on the Web as a free download. The award was given to the band moe. for their performance at the Bonnaroo Music Festival.
TDK's own football club, based in Nikaho, Akita, recently split from the corporation to become independent football club Blaublitz Akita, with the aim for the professional leagues.
Tdk Life On Record Headphones
Museum[edit]
TDK operates a company museum in Nikaho, Akita, Japan. The museum is open to the public, free of charge. Among its exhibits are a comprehensive history of the company, its products and technologies, and emerging developments.[26]
TDK products[edit]
- D60 audio cassette from 1979
- D-C180 - This three hour audio cassette was unusually long
- VHS-C video cassettes
- Blank DVD The blackheads: the africans of mesopotamia.
- DDS-3 data cartridge
References[edit]
- ^ abcdefTDK Corporation. 'Financial Results for FY March 2018'(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 2018-11-28.
- ^'TDK Japan site: motto and principles'. Archived from the original on 2006-08-23.
- ^'TDK Hong Kong site'. Archived from the original on 2006-08-21.
- ^ ab'TDK Japan site: corporate history'. Archived from the original on 2017-03-27.
- ^'TDK Europe site: corporate history'. Archived from the original on 2007-10-17.
- ^ ab'TDK: Our History'. Archived from the original on 2018-11-28.
- ^ abAustin Modine (2007-04-19). 'Imation buys TDK's recording media biz'. The Register. Archived from the original on 2015-09-12. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
TDK is to sell its recording media business to Imation for $300m in stock and cash. [.] Under the agreement, Imation will use the TDK brand for present and future recordable magnetic, optical and flash media products worldwide. The right is revokable by TDK after 25 years.
- ^'Imation and TDK Agree to Imation's Acquisition of TDK Brand Recording Media Business for $300 Million in Stock and Cash'Archived 2012-07-10 at Archive.today, Press Release, Imation.com, 19 April 2007.
- ^'Imation Corp: Our History'. Imation Corporation. Archived from the original on 2015-09-10. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
Imation acquired the recording media business of TDK Corporation (2007), with an exclusive license to the TDK Life on Record brand for data storage and audio products.
- ^'Imation Announces Steps to Accelerate Strategic Transformation' (Press release). Imation via Reuters. 2015-09-28. Archived from the original on 2015-12-17.
As part of its efforts to become a pure-play data storage and security company, Imation reached a definitive agreement with TDK under which [.] Imation’s license rights to the TDK Life on Record trademark will terminate
- ^'TDK Life on Record'. Archived from the original on 2015-12-11. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
Effective December 31, 2015, Imation Corp. will no longer be selling products licensed under the TDK Life on Record brand.
. - ^'TDK Executive Lineup'. Archived from the original on 2017-09-27. Retrieved 2015-11-27.
President and CEOShigenao Ishiguro
. - ^ abc'company_profile_2018_e_00.pdf'(PDF). Archived from the original(PDF) on 2018-11-28.
- ^'TDK to acquire Lambda Power Division from Invensys'. Archived from the original on 2018-11-28.
- ^'TDK to Acquire Germany's Epcos'. Archived from the original on 2018-11-28.
- ^'Japan's TDK says to buy Swiss Micronas Semiconductor for up to $215 million'. Archived from the original on 2018-11-28.
- ^'TDK to buy Hutchinson Technology for $126 million'. Archived from the original on 2018-07-01.
- ^'Qualcomm, TDK Prep $3bn RF Joint Venture'. Archived from the original on 2018-11-28.
- ^'TDK Agrees to Buy InvenSense for About $1.3 Billion in Cash'. Archived from the original on 2018-11-20.
- ^'Chirp Slurped up by TDK'. Archived from the original on 2018-11-28.
- ^'TDK buys Faraday Semi for power chip and 3D packaging technology'. Archived from the original on 2018-11-28.
- ^'IAAF World Championships in Athletics'. TDK Corporation. Archived from the original on 2018-11-29.
- ^'Where is the world's best billboard site?'. BBC News. 19 November 2014. Archived from the original on 2018-11-29.
- ^'Outdoor Advertising'. TDK Corporation. Archived from the original on 2018-11-29.
- ^'TDK Orchestra Concerts'. TDK Corporation. Archived from the original on 2018-11-29.
- ^'About the TDK Museum'. TDK Corporation. Archived from the original on 2018-11-29.
External links[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to TDK. |
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=TDK&oldid=902157273'
The Bluetooth speaker market is becoming aggressive. Companies are figuring out how to pack in a bevy of sought-after features like water-proofing, shock-resistance, NFC-connectivity and more into a smaller form factor. Not just that, the price for a well-stocked, portable option has come down significantly.
A noted example of this is the TDK Life on Record TREK Flex. For $129 (about £119, AU$166), a lot is on the table here. Better yet, I've seen it for as low as $99. You'll find almost every attractive feature under the sun stocked into this speaker. Even if you don't see yourself using its sporty lifestyle capabilities, this Bluetooth speaker is still a smart buy.
Design
The TREK Flex is champion of features that help it stand up to rugged handling and gentle water play, but you'd never guess that based on looks alone.
Its capabilities, of which there are several, are masked in a sophisticated, cylindrical presentation. This speaker is the size of a large coffee mug and also similar in weight to one that's full of delicious joe.
While comprised of several materials, the black grille is the most prevalent on the TREK Flex. Two pieces curve around the speaker, meshing together to form an almost seamless appearance. If you catch the right light, you can see right through the body.
This speaker can stand on end vertically on either end of the cylinder, which makes it perfect for fitting into tight spaces. However, it does seems like there is a correct side and a less correct side. One is more rugged than the other, which displays the spun metal branding.
When laid out horizontally, there's no puzzle involved. There's only one way to lay it. Msmpeng.exe antimalware service executable. The kickstand protrusion jutting out from the band of rubber that wraps around the speaker keeps it from moving around when laying flat.
The main attraction for the TREK Flex's functionality and design is the button panel. Contained beneath a strip of soft rubber that stretches from top to bottom (or side to side depending on which way you orient the speaker), each button offers a subtle click. Each of these functions are lit up with LEDs to indicate battery life, Bluetooth status and volume level.
To finish the design tour, there are a few ports around the backside of the speaker. Lifting a protective rubber flap reveals the simple array: an on/off switch that allows entering in and out of standby mode, a micro USB charging port and an auxiliary port for wired listening.
In short: the TREK Flex is easy on the eyes and incredibly simple to use.
Performance
Just when you thought that the cylindrical design was only for portability and looks, TDK cooked in a bunch of features that leverage the form factor as well.
Let's start out by talking about the rugged build, which is arguably the TREK Flex's main draw. The speaker enclosure offers resistance against shock with a grade of IK07, enough to survive short tumbles. It's also built to resist the elements with a water and dust-resistance rating of IP65. That rating guarantees survivability against dust and a decent amount of water splash – just do not submerge this speaker. It isn't made for underwater expeditions.
As a standalone speaker, the TREK Flex offers plenty to like. Piggy-backing off the pleasing design are a few more desirable traits.
Similar to the way screens have a limited viewing angle, most Bluetooth speakers also suffer from a rather limited cone of sound delivery. Sure, sound can be heard outside of the cone, but not as clearly or with as much definition. Taking advantage of the cylindrical design of this speaker, TDK implemented 360-degree sound to moderate levels of success.
The angles of sound are indeed much wider than that of a strictly forward-firing speaker, but a true 360-degrees isn't what we're getting here. There are few dead zones, areas where sound just isn't emanating from. However, thanks to the open design that the grille puts forward, this emulated 360-degree effect still works pretty well.
The sound performance of the TREK Flex is another of its strengths. Either stood up or laying down on its side, this speaker provides sufficiently deep bass, and it's no slouch when it comes to delivering mids and highs. For also being such a rugged option, I'm impressed with the quality of the sound.
Tdk Life On Record Manual
To touch on the rest of the speaker's features, I listened at a wide variety of rather loud volumes and the battery fell roughly one hour short of its advertised eight hour lifespan. I'm confident that the speaker would have surpassed it at a steady (and generally lower) volume.
Bluetooth connectivity is strong, too. In my studio apartment, my tethered device was 30 feet away at times and it operated without a hitch. Connecting via NFC and utilizing the built-in microphone are both issue-free experiences.
We liked
This Bluetooth speaker contains quite a large feature set for the price and thankfully, the inclusion of these features doesn't come at the expense of battery life and sound performance. In fact, both this speaker's longevity and sound profile are excellent for just over 100 bucks.
If you're a design nut, you're going to want to pick up and hold this speaker as soon as you lay eyes on it. A design ID this strong and sensible is rare at this price point.
We disliked
The 360-degree sound, while still rather effective, doesn't fire in every direction. Therefore, it's not really 360-degrees.
Another minor issue is that upon successfully pairing, the speaker will automatically resume paused music. This is great if you intend on it happening, but too often, it's not exactly ideal.
Final verdict
Simply put, the TDK Life on Record TREK Flex is a great value. No matter what you use it for – beachside jamming, hiking, or just on a bookshelf – you're getting a tremendously designed speaker for a sweet deal.