Marantz showing a DVD player next week.............................
twice.com
DTV, DTS Highlight HiFi '98 Video
- -June 1, 1998
By Greg Tarr
Although precision audio systems will be the main course at HiFi '98 in Los Angeles, a number of video suppliers will be on hand to make sure showgoers get the whole home theater picture.
The coming of Digital TV will be a common theme in many booths, but most demo products will focus on high-end NTSC technologies with DTV compatibility. Additionally, the next-generation DVD players with DTS capability and enhanced video processing will dot the floor.
The following is a glance at what some manufacturers planned to present at the June 9-14 event:
Marantz was expected to make its video statement by showing a 42" flat-screen plasma TV display, front-screen LCD projectors, a second-generation DVD player, and a Super-VHS VCR.
The plasma display, shown at CES in preliminary form, features new styling and is due in late August or early September. The 42" 16:9 screen offers SVGA (640 x 480) resolution.
The DVD-890 DVD player, due no earlier than July, uses a Marantz rather than a Philips chassis and features component-video output and DTS pass-through capability. The targeted suggested retail is $699.99.
The player features a 10-bit video D/A converter and enhanced audio performance. The unit, which uses new precision optics, is said to produce video quality comparable to D-type studio digital masters. It adds component video outputs for enhanced color reproduction and both Dolby Digital (AC-3) and DTS 5.1-channel surround sound pass-through capability.
The DVD-890 is also equipped with two sets of analog audio outputs for users with Dolby Pro Logic A/V receivers or processors.
Other features include: slow motion, freeze frame, dual-speed (2X, 8X) forward and reverse scan, title, chapter and track search functions and repeat modes. On-screen menu selections are controlled with a cursor via a 42-button infrared remote.
Beyond DVD video discs, the player is compatible with CDs and Video CDs.
Marantz will also show its MV-830 S-VHS Hi-Fi VCR, featuring four video heads and precision aluminum alloy transport mechanism for quick tape loading.
Pioneer plans to use the show to highlight its new HDTV-ready 50" flat-screen plasma TV ($25,000 suggested retail), a pair of new DVD players, and a Pioneer Elite 60" rear-projection set, model PRO200.
New DVD players scheduled to be unveiled will include: the DV09, Pioneer's THX certified video player and the Pioneer Elite DVL91, a combination DVD/LD player that will read and pass through DTS soundtracks.
Faroudja is set to demonstrate one of two HDTV-ready rear-screen projection sets it will introduce the year, in addition to its VP600 Presentation Plus video-for-PC video processor/scaler.
For HDTV demos, the company will show its RP4800 rear-screen projection system for the high-end professional and commercial markets. When connected to a compatible DTV tuner/decoder, the system will present HDTV, analog and digital standard-definition TV formats.
It includes a built-in Faroudja line doubler for film-like resolution on the 16:9 widescreen. Internal video processing circuitry will ensure display of all 18 DTV formats, as well as data-grade resolution with all computer systems.
Meanwhile, the VP600, which recently started shipping at a $26,950 suggested retail, is said to offer real-time processing via the patented Picture Plus circuitry to produce high-resolution video for computer displays.
The device digitally upconverts video images from interlaced to progressive scanning modes and maps them into a user-sizable viewing window. All elements of the video window, including its fully adjustable aspect ratio, are controlled from Windows-based software.
The VP600 scans at any rate from 640 x 480 pixels to 1,024 x 768 pixels, with the frequency controlled by the computer's video card. For stability assurance, Faroudja includes a Matrox Millennium II video card with the VP600 for installation in the computer.
Sharp will display two SharpVision LCD projectors, model XVS-96U ($6,995 suggested retail) and XV-H37VU ($3,995). Both units feature component video inputs and can be positioned for front- or rear-screen applications, and ceiling or tabletop mounting. The XV-S96U includes RGB data inputs.
Sharp will also promote its new rebate offers on the two projectors. Now through August 31, the company is offering a $500 rebate on the XV-S96U, and between June 1-September 30 a $400 rebate will be awarded on the XV-H37VU.
Additionally, SharpVision sales director Tom Mykietyn said the company was contemplating a demonstration of a new 12.1" LCD TV display with 640 x 480 resolution. The panel will have a bracket for either wall-hanging or under-cabinet mounting. It was uncertain if the unit would include a tuner, and pricing was not determined.
Theta Digital plans to demonstrate its two DVD transports: DaViD ($4,500 suggested retail), with DTS compatibility, and the company's proprietary digital clocks, and anti-jitter technology, called Jitter Jail.
DaViD will play both DVD videos and audio CDs. The step-up Voyager ($6,500) will play DVDs, CDs, Laserdiscs, VSD, Video CE and CDV discs. The unit features larger power supplies for precision tracking. Both transports recently started shipping to dealers.
Vidikron will demonstrate its HDTV-ready video systems in the high-performance Vision One ($44,995 suggested retail) and Vision Two ($29,995) CRT front projectors. The units offer ultra-high raster scan capability making them compatible with Digital TV tuner/decoders.
Additionally, they can be connected to high-performance video line doublers and quadruplers and will display both high-resolution video and S-VGA (1,600 x 1,200 pixel) computer graphics. The projectors are capable of screen sizes ranging from 90" to 300".
Zenith will once again highlight its foray into HDTV by demonstrating its set-top DTV tuner/decoder -- the Z12C Digital Entertainment Terminal -- and compatible front-screen data-grade projector, the PRO900. |
