CES 2000 Front Page | Ultimate Home Theater | Loudspeakers | TVs & Rear Projectors | 2-Channel Electronics | Affordable AV | Internet Audio & MP3 | DVD, PTV & DSS | Recordable CDs & DVDs | Accessories & Miscellaneous
DVD players are now part of the A/V landscape. Costs continue to come down, offering greater benefits and features even in entry- level products. A key feature provided in all new DVD players is assured compatibility with CD-R and CD-RW discs. Of course, every manufacturer had new players. Here are just a few that offer a little something extra. Sherwood Newcastle demonstrated its first video product, the V-756 DVD/CD Player, which incorporates both a Dolby Digital and DTS decoder. The built-on decoder processes both Dolby Digital Extended Surround and DTS-ES 6.1. The analog outputs for the additional center rear speaker (requiring amplification) makes it possible to get localized rear channel effects from DVDs encoded with the new 6.1 digital surround format. The two digital inputs and accompanying video inputs expand a system, so it is possible to add DSS and HDTV sources. decodes Dolby Virtual Surround and Circle Surround on sources played on the V-756 or on programs routed through the rear channel digital inputs 24bit/96kHz audio DAC and 27MHz/10bit DAC March delivery for $799.95 Now, for those who want to store their entire DVD library in a mega-changer, along comes the Pioneer Elite DV-F07, which stores up to 310 DVDs (and/or CDs). unique on-screen cataloging system that displays disc titles Auto Update scans new discs added to the player to determine if it is a DVD or CD Max out the player? It’s possible to add a second unit for a 602-disc capacity. Component, S-Video and composite inputs are provided. Optical and coaxial outputs are supplied to pass through Dolby Digital, DTS or 24bit/96kHz information to an outboard receiver or processor. Analog L/R outputs are provided as well. Virtual Dolby Digital processing provides for systems without digital surround decoders. The player is controllable by remote, keyboard or mouse via a PS/2 interface on the front panel. An RS-232 port is provided for connection to a PC or disc management system such as the Escient PowerPlay system (explained in detail in CEDIA coverage). available in February for $1,300 Sony DVP-C670D and DVP-C660 5-disc DVD changers Units feature custom parental control that locks out certain titles. The DVP-C670D has a 200-disc memory, while the DVP-C660 is limited to 50 discs. Component inputs are available on both, along with composite and S-Video. The DVP-C670D offers a digital enhancer to define edges of the image for a sharper picture. A built-in Dolby Digital decoder is found on the DVP-C670D, along with the appropriate connections for hook-up to a Dolby Digital-ready receiver. Available in July, the DVP-C670D will run $499, while the DVP-C660 will sell for $ 399. Samsung is ready to ship the DVD-700, a five-disc carousel DVD changer that also offers up a Dolby Digital decoder. Incorporating a 24bit/96kHz audio DAC and a 10-bit video DAC, the DVD-7000 sells for $499. In the spring, Kenwood will release the DV-403 with component outputs for a projected retail price of $250.If you’re looking beyond entry level for a DVD player with more than just the usual complement of features, you might want to step up to the next level of performance that only a progressive scan player can offer. Of course, these players require a TV/projector with the ability to display the higher quality images. Delivering a DVD with its proprietary Super ColorStream PRO™ progressive scan video outputs, Toshiba unveiled the SD 9200 and the Cinema Series SD 6200 DVD players. Super ColorStream PRO uses an advanced digital filter and decoding process that employs 4x oversampling of the Y component video signal (black and white information) and 8x oversampling of the Pr and Pb signals (color information). The circuit results in a flicker-free video image with improved edge definition and significantly enhanced color detail, purity and resolution. The 27bit/54MHz video DAC can virtually eliminate image-degrading artifacts. The SD 9200 employs the exclusive 3D-DNR Video Noise Reduction system to reduce random video noise, generally noticeable in background images. Dolby Digital and DTS decoder plus an HDCD filter For superior two-channel 24bit/96kHz performance that might be found on DVD-Video content, this model is equipped with an Advanced Multi-Bit Delta-Sigma converter. It also parallel-processes the L/R audio signal three times for low distortion of two-channel sources. DVD-Audio decoding and playback via six analog outputs Quick Menu navigation from the on-screen menu that displays only the relevant commands specific to the particular playback mode the player is currently engaged in, for faster and easier menu choices high-mass vibration resistant cabinet The SD 6200 should ship in May for $1,199.99 and the SD9200 will be available in August for $1,999.99. Toshiba also introduced four more players ranging in price from $549.99 to $349.99, with a staggered release between February and June. All have Dolby Digital decoders and HDCD processing built in. Harman Kardon Signature Series 3.0 DVD Player Dolby Digital and DTS pass through and HDCD processing employs a 10-bit video DAC and 24bit/96kHz audio DAC internal plug-in board replaces the processing engine for an upgrade to DVD-Audio RGB and Y/Pr/Pb component video outputs along with standard S-Video and component outs 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 internal flash memory memorizes user preferences for thousands of discs to specify surround modes, aspect ratios and so on, automatically recalling the data 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. currently selling for $1,999 Proton PDV-2001 Progressive 480p DVD Player Digital inputs allow the built-in progressive scan circuit to scale any external NTSC 480I video input to 480p. The circuitry doubles the available scan lines for greater detail and color saturation. employs a 27MHZ/10-bit video DAC auto-detect and auto-switch film/video mode Dolby Digital and DTS compatible via the coax and optical digital outputs; 75-ohm BNC connectors supplied for component video outputs cost: $1,200

Portable DVDs are coming into their own with several more offerings: Panasonic DVD-LV75 seven-inch 16:9 display in thin profile aluminum case Dolby Digital and DTS decoder chips built in, just patch to a Dolby Digital-ready receiver will ship in April with an expected retail of $1,299 Sony delivers with two models, the DVP-FX1, with a seven-inch LCD TFT 16:9 display, and the DVP-F5, which shares all the same features sans any internal display monitor. housed in a magnesium alloy casing and supplied with a Lithium Ion battery for four hours of use; optional car battery cord is available both pass Dolby Digital and DTS signals to a digital processor/receiver DVP-F5 requires an external monitor, but can be used with Sony's PLM-A35 Glasstron A/V eyewear, which displays an image equivalent to the viewing angle of a 52-inch screen and provides earbuds for audio. DVP-FX1 will ship in May for approximately $1,499, and the DVP-F5 will be available in June for $699. The PLM-35 glasses are an additional $500. Personal Video Recorders (PVR) made their debut in 1999. This year proves that the technology has some staying power, as major manufacturers set up alliances with the two major service providers, TIVO and Replay Networks. Initially, distributed by Philips, TIVO got off to an early start. Now Sony is offering the service with their first PVR, the SVR 2000. It consists of a 30GB hard drive that will record and store up to 30 hours of programming at the highest compression (nine at the lowest compression) setting and retails for $499, plus the TIVO service fees. During the show, Panasonic announced it would be using Replay Networks service when they release a PVR later this year. Additionally, Sharp is in development of a PVR and has already decided on Replay Networks as their service provider. In the meantime, until they are available at retail in Panasonic and Sharp brands, Replay Networks has made some major advances in their service (which incidentally supercedes the features found in the model Jerry Del Colliano reviews for next month’s issue of Audio Revolution). Replay Networks New Services include: Replay Zones provide the viewer with an innovative and simple method for finding and recording a specific show, movie or sporting events. These editorial zones include topics like Movies, Sitcoms, Talk Show Guests, Replay Picks and Create A Theme (user-defined). For instance, see what guests Jay Leno has on for the week and set up the PVR to tape the night your favorite recording artist is performing his or her new single. The Movie Zone is broken down further with sub-categories like Classics, Action Flicks and Science Fiction, making it even easier to find the types of movies you prefer to watch and record for later viewing. A Find Shows feature functions in a manner similar to an Internet search engine that uses a real-time, keyword search to locate specific actors, show titles, show/movie names, directors and/or subject-based shows. Variable-speed slow motion is available for viewing live and recorded programming at three different slow speeds, plus still-frame advance for viewing live or recorded action shots one frame at a time. There is a one-button save-to-VCR feature for easy archiving of recorded shows. The preserve-show feature saves a favorite show or movie on the hard drive indefinitely. The improved Standby mode that turns off the hard drive when not in use. Replay TV sells for $699, which includes the unit and a lifetime service contract. The storage unit records up to 20 hours of material. DBS satellite receivers were the first to embrace true convergence when Echostar incorporated WebTV. Now the Hughes-branded DirecTV satellite receiver has aligned with the mega-giant AOL, offering a digital satellite receiver that provides special services from AOL. In addition to the usual e-mail, chat and instant messaging services they provide online, AOL has created interfaces with a program guide that accesses all available channels from satellite and off-air sources. View DirectTV programs and AOL simultaneously with the receiver’s picture-in-picture feature. Keep one eye on the news while chatting with your buddy in Seattle. Preselect programming allows users to choose their favorite programs. The receiver will always switch to these programs automatically when they come on. Using the advanced 14-day guide, up to 32 preselected DirecTV programs can be recorded and watched at a later time, utilizing the receiver’s built-in 4GB hard drive. Users can customize their own program lists. The receiver is upgradable, using the built-in 56kps modem. This has a Summer 2000 release, price undisclosed.

CES 2000 Front Page | Ultimate Home Theater | Loudspeakers | TVs & Rear Projectors | 2-Channel Electronics | Affordable AV | Internet Audio & MP3 | DVD, PTV & DSS | Recordable CDs & DVDs | Accessories & Miscellaneous

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