Extreme DVD and Changers
Gone are the days when you have to ask if a DVD player is compatible with a DTS source. If your next DVD player doesn’t have a 24-bit/96kHz DAC, all I can say is, I hope you bought used. Many of the newer high-end units are delivering progressive scan capabilities, meaning the DVD’s 480p (progressive) video signal doesn’t need to be converted to interlaced video, which eliminates visible scan lines and prevents the loss of image quality. Aside from this and other obvious features you’d expect from players in this category, the following units are labeled "extreme" for many reasons.
Meridian showed off the 800 Reference CD/DVD Player. Using a high-speed DVD-ROM drive, the 800 reads the audio and video data asynchronously in blocks, while the electronics used to manipulate and decode the digital (audio and video) data is placed on plug-in cards. The DVD-ROM drive is replaceable and two slots are actually provided. Using the RS-232 port, the unit’s internal software can be updated directly from Meridian’s web site. The 800 provides three levels of memory-based de-jitter and error correction, promising to eliminate jitter completely, audible or measurable. The exclusive and innovative 800’s digital filter automatically upsamples data, doubling its sampling rate, allowing 48kHz/20-bit DVDs to be upsampled to 24-bit/96k. Meanwhile, 44.1kHz 16-bit CDs are reproduced at 88.2k with a 24-bit word length. Capable of being used as a stand-alone preamp, the 800 Reference CD/DVD Player has five digital inputs plus a digital tape output with functions for volume, mute and phase. Complimenting all 500 and 800 series Meridian products, the 800 Reference CD/DVD Player sells for $12,000 to $16,000, depending on its card configuration.
Proceed (Madrigal Labs) is ready to finally release the much-anticipated PMDT, Modular DVD Transport ($5995). Sans any analog audio outputs or internal DAC, the PMDT is a high- performance DVD transport capable that requires a digital processor such as the Proceed AVP. The unit’s hardware and software can be configured (via an RS-232 port) to also read DVD-Audio discs. Increasing overall audio performance from a DVD device, the PMDT optimizes audio independent of video while still maintaining A/V synchronization. System setting defaults help automate basic selections bypassing the usual navigation of DVDs. Once the unit has been programmed with settings such as English, Dolby Digital and widescreen, the PMDT will automatically navigate through the menu options to implement your preferred settings. It will even recall settings of a DVD that has been previously played. Individual discs can have separate settings. BNC connectors are used for the composite video output for a more stable connection. Three different types of digital audio connectors are provided (SPDIF, Toslink and AES/EBU XLR). The RJ-45 connection is used to link to other Proceed components, which facilitate system automation.
Escient will soon be delivering PowerPlay™, their newest hardware/software solution for extensive DVD libraries. Like the TuneBase, which only handles CDs, the PowerPlay supports up to 200 DVDs (or CDs) per player. However, up to 15 changers can be linked together, allowing control of 3000 discs. Escient’s proprietary software provides extensive and varied navigation and programming operations that can be viewed via any monitor, projector or their new ETP-1000 Touch Panel ($1,500). Artwork and track information is culled from Escient’s unbelievable database that consists of 400,000 CDs and nearly 3,000 DVDs. When/if you have a disc Escient cannot recognize, all information may be entered manually with the supplied infrared keyboard. The PowerPlay is fully compatible with the IEEE-1394 (Firewire) architecture, for ease of installation and quicker transfer of data from the discs to the controller. $5,000 almost seems cheap for such innovation and convenience.
Harman Kardon’s $1,999 Signature Series 3.0 DVD Player is one of a host of new DVD products to incorporate the HDCD circuit. Both RGB and Y/Pr/Pb component video outputs are provided. An internal plug-in board can replace the processing engine for an upgrade to DVD-Audio. An RS-232 communication port allows for future upgrades that will enhance operability between HK products. It can also be used to connect to computer and touch panel control systems. The internal flash memory memorizes user preferences for thousands of discs to specify surround modes, aspect ratios and so on, for automatic recall every time the disc is reinserted. The exclusive VelvetGlide™ drawer mechanism incorporates aluminum strengthening rods on both sides of the disc platter for additional stabilization to minimize jitter.
Pioneer showed the PDV-LC10 portable DVD player, which should be in stores now, retailing for $1,545. This makes the PDV-LC10 the most expensive on-the-go DVD device. However, Pioneer has ensured that the extra cost is worth it by employing a seven-inch active-matrix 16:9 LCD screen, the largest of any portable DVD player. Headphone jacks are provided for private listening. A digital output is provided for hooking up to a sound system with Dolby Digital/DTS decoding capabilities. Even a thin credit-card-sized remote is included. The unit is travel ready in a sleek, ultra-thin compact chassis.
