Introduction Meridian’s 800 is their flagship source component, responsible for reference level playback of compact discs, DVD-Video discs, DVD-Audio discs and beyond. The 800, like its AV preamp brother, the Meridian 861, is vastly configurable and highly programmable, allowing the end user to elicit incredible playback feats with true ease. Pricing starts at $19,440 for a basic CD/DVD transport, while a fully loaded unit complete with 5.1 analog outputs, Meridian’s proprietary digital output and an internal video processor weighs in closer to $25,000. Music lovers dedicated to stereo-only playback can use the 800 as a CD player and/or high-performance audio preamp that drives the owner’s existing high-end stereo amplifier(s) and speakers. Alternatively, the 800 can be directly and digitally connected to Meridian’s cutting edge digital speakers. If you subscribe to the less is more theory, these configuration options are as good as it gets, and if you are simplifying a stereo system, you can sell off ...

Introduction Now that the huge media hype over DVD has waned a bit and we are seeing an array of hardware options and plenty of software, it's time to take this exciting new format very seriously. It's no longer a matter of when is it going to be the best time to buy a DVD player, but rather which one is the best buy for you. Sony, one of the driving forces behind the DVD format, has added the DVP-S3000 to its DVD player line up. Featuring a 10-bit video digital-to analog converter, an exclusive MPEG-2 decoder and a Dual Discrete optical pickup, the DVP-S3000 will appeal to consumers looking for high quality audio-video performance on a modest budget. The Details The DVP-S3000's front panel provides more functionality than many DVD players, yet it retains an uncluttered and stylish appearance. All menu options are controlled via the remote control or directly from the front panel ...

Introduction This DVD player/Dolby Digital receiver combo offers an integrated all-in-one box solution offered at a list price of $499.99. When I first heard of the DVS3000, and was subsequently assigned to review the product, I thought that it was just a matter of time before we started seeing this type of unit arriving on the home theater scene. I wondered what would be next: mini-stack/executive-style systems? Probably. For now, we'll concentrate on present-day activities involving the DVS3000, also known as Power3. To begin by describing a few of its basic features, the DVS3000's integrated receiver offers a 200-watt amplifier section, which breaks down to 40 watts per channel. The amplifier has a frequency response rating of 10 Hz - 20 kHz, with a signal to noise ratio of 72 dB, with total harmonic distortion of 0.07%. As far as audio processing goes, the DVS3000 delivers 24-bit/96 kHz playback and a Dolby Digital ...

Introduction The Aiwa DX-DW1 is a portable DVD/CD player that measures six-and-one-half inches wide by seven-and-one-eighth inches deep by two-and-one-eighth inches high. This baby bear of a DVD player lists at $1,000.00. $1,000 you might say … come on! The $200.00 DVD price barrier was broken months ago. I know – I know, that's a lot of porridge. Read on. Our story begins with the features of the DX-DW1. First, the unit contains a five-and-four-fifths inch active matrix color TFT (thin film transistor) display that can adjust 180° from the closed position. Located below the screen are the manual set-up, brightness, color and mode controls buttons. The first three of these controls are self-explanatory. The mode control allows you to switch between screen aspect ratios: full screen, which displays 16 x 9 or widescreen; normal, which leaves left and right black borders; zoom, which enlarges the picture from the center point of the display to ...

Introduction The Kenwood DV 2070 is a DVD player that gives you a high-end interface and style on a modest budget. At $850, it comes equipped with many of the tricked-out features you need for a your home theater. The DV 2070 passes a DTS and Dolby Digital 5.1 signal with ease and will play DTS as well as traditional 16-bit 44.2 kHz CDs. The Kenwood DV 2070 is not outfitted with DVD-A capabilities, but it can output a sampling rate as high as 96 kHz with 24 Bit DAC resolution. The 2070 is also outfitted with component video outputs. The most striking feature of the Kenwood DV 2070 is its simple to use and elegant interface. The DV 2070 is far from the black box school of audio video component design. The Kenwood DV 2070 features a highly stylized silver front plate that lights up with a icy blue DVD logo. The trick ...