DVD-Video Field Swelling
By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 1/6/2001
LAS VEGAS -As year-to-date unit sales of DVD video players approaches the 9 million mark, virtually every major manufacturer of audio and video equipment planned to showcase new models at CES.
DVD video player introductions literally fit every description from super-low-priced products targeting mass merchants to DVD video players that will record, as well as spit out, progressive-scan signals for new digital television sets.
A growing trend at the upper midprice range to the high end is the inclusion of either DVD-Audio or Super Audio CD playback capability, which will bring high-resolution multichannel sound to music-only formats. Additionally, many new video players are designed to play CD-R and CD-RW discs encoded with either standard Wav music files (the same format used in audio CDs) or MP3 files download from the Internet.
The following is a glance at some of the DVD-Video player introductions manufacturers are planning this week.
Aiwa planned to show its 2001 video lineup highlighted by an expanded assortment of DVD players, including two five-disc changers and two single-disc models, one of which is a portable AC/DC unit. All new DVD players will play MP3-encoded CDs.
Denon will demonstrate its first DVD video player with 480-line progressive-scan video output.
The DVD-2800 incorporates Pure Progressive Scan decoding technology, employing the silicon image/DVDO Image Enhancement Engine chipset. It features an Advanced Cubic Interpolating Deinterlacer with four-field processing that is able to detect and correct motion artifacts on a pixel-by-pixel basis-unlike other systems that utilize full-frame detection only-to produce a flicker-free picture.
The player employs 3/2 pull-down detection and deinterlacing, Denon said, because some DVD program material includes incorrect 3/2 pull-down "flags," where the flag indicator does not match the actual encoded content, resulting in severe motion artifacts. It will carry a suggested retail price of $799.
JVC is showcasing its new DVD-Audio player (XV-D723GD) with progressive-scan video output. Instead of using 3/2 pull-down methods to convert 24-fps film-based source material for video display rates, JVC uses its "direct progressive-scan output" system that employs a high-speed MPEG2 decoder that works at twice conventional speeds for direct conversion of 24-fps sources to progressive 60-fps video formats.
The system is said to eliminate picture artifacts that can arise from other interlace/progressive conversion techniques.
The player is currently shipping at a $799.95 suggested retail price.
Marantz is demonstrating its first progressive-scan DVD-Video player, the DV7100. It includes 10-bit, 27MHz video processing, 24-bit audio DACs with 96kHz/24-bit audio output, and Marantz' High Definition Amplifier Modules. Also slated is the brand's first combination DVD-Video/multichannel SACD player.
Meridian is introducing a next-generation DVD player, model 596, which will play DVD-Video, CD-Audio, Video CD, Super VCD and MP3-encoded CD formats, and features time-domain data accuracy using a DVD-ROM opto-mechanical system with triple-buffering through memory. Also including is Meridian's "FIFO" de-jittering circuitry and 192-kHz/24-bit audio DACs.
It is currently available at a $4,250 suggested retail price.
Panasonicis showing a new DVD-RAM recording deck, model DMR-E10, which uses 4.7GB DVD-RAM media. It features progressive-scan output capability, internal Dolby Digital decoding, advanced MPEG2 encoding, four selectable recording modes (XP/SP/LP/FR), two-channel Dolby Digital audio recording, time base correction input, jog/shuttle dial and onscreen menu icons. It is compatible with DVD-RAM/DVD-Video/Video CD and audio CD formats.
Eight DVD-Video players are planned, including five with progressive-scan capability, and four of them are compatible with DVD-Audio discs. All models include Panasonic's "Enhanced Theater Experience" feature packages with advanced virtual surround sound, cinema mode and dialogue enhancer.
Model DVD-RP51 is the entry progressive-scan model, which adds switchable 480i/480p component video outputs, black level control, and built-in Dolby Digital and DTS decoding. The step-up model DVD-R61 includes DVD-Audio compatibility.
DVD-RP91 plays both DVD-Audio and DVD-RAM discs and includes progressive-scan output with signal processing for 4:4:4 video and 4:3 shrink. Other features are 54MHz/12-bit video DACs, and MPEG digital noise reduction.
Model DVD-H2000 uses a high quality video circuit designed for high-end projector owners. It includes discrete 480p/480i video out and 480p with BNC terminals, illuminated joystick remote, and DVD/CD text display.
Also included are two five-disc changers. Model DVD-CV51 offers a front-loading rotary design. Model DVD-CP71 adds DVD-Audio and progressive-scan video output capability.
Philips is highlighting its DVD+RW recordable DVD system. The first deck using the format will be introduced in the first half, when the market for DVD-Video recorders begins to grow, the company said.
The system boasts compatibility with most of the existing and future DVD-Video and DVD-ROM equipment. Consumers will be able to create their own DVDs, recording "up to two hours of content on a single 4.7GB DVD+RW disc in DVD quality," Philips said.
Recordings of up to four hours are also possible at better-than-VHS-video quality. Additionally, Philips said that double-sided DVD+RW discs are possible, and could eventually enable recording up to eight hours of content on a single 9.4 GB disc.
Philips said the first deck "will implement full copy-protection measures, including the Millennium Watermarking solution."
Also expected is Philips' newly launched SACD1000 DVD video player with Super Audio CD (SACD) playback capability. It will play DVD movies, as well as Video-CDs, Audio-CDs CD-R and CD-RW discs, and multichannel music discs using the Sony/Philips-developed SACD format. It uses DSD (Direct Stream Digital) technology to deliver high-resolution sound quality, through 5.1 channels. The targeted introductory price will be approximately $2,000.
Rotelwill showcase its RDV-1080 DVD-Audio player with progressive-scan (480p format) output capability for use with digital television monitors. It also has component video, S-video and composite video connections for use with interlaced analog monitors.
The RDV-1080 lists digital-to-analog conversion of 24-bit audio data sampled at 192 kHz. The unit recently started to appear on retail shelves at a $1,500 suggested retail price. Sampo's next-generation DVD players slated for introduction include the DVE-621 ($149 suggested), with MP3 playback capability, component video output, playback of the DVD/VCD/SVCD/CD/CD-R formats, 2.1-channel and audio with subwoofer output.
Model DVE-820M ($249) is a five-disc changer with component video output, optical and coax digital audio output, 2.1-channel audio with subwoofer output, and full-function remote.
The DVE-780P ($349) will be Sampo's first DVD with progressive-scan (480p) output. It will include RGB video output (VGA), progressive component video output, interlaced component video outputs, optical and coaxial audio output, and MP3 audio playback.
Samsung will present four DVD video players and a DVD-RAM recorder. All feature a new slim cabinet styling.
One of the highlights of the line is the company's first DVD player with both DVD-Audio and progressive-scan video capability offered at a very aggressive price point. Model DVD-A901 is due to ship in August at a $349.99 suggested retail price, and will feature a silver chassis, HDCD and MP3 CD-RW disc decoding, and front jog/shuttle dial, in addition to DVD-Audio and progressive-scan functionality.
Model DVD-N501 will be the company's second-generation NUON-enhanced DVD video player. Due to ship in March at a $299.99 suggested retail, the unit will include HDCD decoding, and a joystick remote to operate NUON's flexible zoom, fast forward, reverse and interactive capabilities.
The DVD-M201 will be Samsung's new entry model, which ships this month at $179.99. The DVD-C601 is a five-disc DVD-video/audio CD changer slated for April at a $249.99.
Samsung's DVD-R2000 DVD-RAM recorder is expected to ship in April at a $2,999.99 suggested retail price. It packages a joystick remote with jog/shuttle dial, two-channel Dolby Digital audio recording, flexible bit-rate recording of 1MB-2.5MB for up to four hours of video per disc.
Sharp is slated to show a portable DVD video player with an 8-inch widescreen LCD monitor panel. Model DV-L80U will incorporate a rechargeable battery pack that affords 3.5 hours of life per charge, a built-in Dolby Digital decoder, DVD-RW playback and a unified remote control. It is currently available at $1,599.99 suggested retail price. Zenith will make an innovation statement with the release in the fall of a recording deck, at a $2,499 suggested retail, based on the Pioneer-developed DVD-RW recordable format.
Zenith said its DVD recorder would also output progressive-scan signals for use with EDTV-capable displays. Discs produced in the deck are said to be compatible with most DVD video players and DVD-ROM PCs in the market. All new Zenith DVD players and recorders will also playback CDs with the MP3-encoded music file format.
This includes a new portable DVD player, equipped with a 7-inch 16:9 widescreen display and due at midyear carrying an $899 retail.
Also planned are two multidisc DVD players with progressive-scan capability. The first five-disc player is planned for midyear at $799, followed in the fourth quarter with an $899 step-up piece. A single-disc progressive-scan model will ship in the spring at $599.
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