Part 4

 

  Electronic manufacturers Panasonic and Technics have a very strong showing at the CEDIA Expo 2000. From a variety of HDTV-ready displays such as the PT-52DL10 Digital Light Processing (DLP) set and two plasma models, the 42-inch PT-42PD2-P or the 50-inch PT-50PD2-P . All the above are 16:9 widescreen displays and deliver workable light output figures for a normal room. As previously seen on the Enjoy the Music.com New Page, the world's first consumer mass market oriented DVD recorder, the DMR-E10 DVD-RAM recorder, was also being showcased. On the audio side of things, DVD-Audio components from Panasonic and Technics such as their DVD-A7 DVD-Audio home player, DVD-LA85 portable DVD-Audio player. The DVD-PA65 and DVD-LA85 are the first fully portable units on the market that will play DVD-Audio discs. Gives new meaning to high-quality music on the go.

As for those great portable DVD-Audio units, both models measure less than 1-inch thick while the DVD-LA85 weighs only 1.3 pounds and the DVD-PA65 weighs in at a featherweight 0.7 pounds. Both models can use Panasonic's five-hour rechargeable battery pack (optional with the DVD-PA65, included with the DVD-LA85). Two-channel DVD-Audio uses a sampling frequency of 192kHz which is more than four times that of CD pleaser. All new Digital-To-Analog Converter (DAC), based on MASH* technology and refined by Panasonic for 192kHz/24-bit DVD-Audio use, gives the portables the ability to distinguish levels of sound using 24-bit quantization (vs. 16-bit maximum for CD).

The DVD-LA85 offers a built-in 7" widescreen LCD screen for watching DVD-Video discs on the go. The aspect ratio can be changed to accommodate 4:3 standard TV dimensions or the 16:9 widescreen ratio supported by many DVD titles. A 10-bit video DAC is also included. The DVD-LA85 has built-in, front-firing stereo speakers (albeit, very small ones). Surround sound dts and Dolby Digital dual decoder are also included.

The DVD-PA65 is strictly a portable DVD-Audio/Video home deck without a built0in screen. Digital audio out (optical), 5.1 audio output, and a compact 36-key remote control are included. Suggested retail pricing for the DVD-LA85 is $1,599.95 while the DVD-PA65 is $699.95.

 

 

The Panamax new INTELLIMAX power distribution unit incorporates a Panja interface so that custom installers can easily integrate home theater equipment into an electronic home system. Eight AC receptacles are included where two are always on, two are "switched," and four are "current-sensing." The switch on-off outlets are generally used for components that cannot be controlled by infrared (IR) signals. The INTELLIMAX Current-Sensing Outlets communicate with the Panja home automation system as to which home theater components are turned on or off to eliminate accidental component switching during macro execution(s). Of course surge protection and over/under voltage sensing is included.

 

 

Not one to be outdone by their rivals, Sharp Electronics Corporation is showing their new DV-L80U portable DVD player. The included 8" screen is the largest offered on the market to date (most are only 7"). The unit measures just 8.2" x 6.1" x 1" (WxHxD) and weighs in at about two pounds without the battery or two pounds, thirteen ounces with battery. A 3.5 hour battery life, built-in Dolby Digital Audio Decoder (5.1 channels and Dolby Pro Logic), DVD-RW (!!!) integrated technology and remote control round out some the features offers. Of course S-video input, composite video input or six channel audio output compatibility is also included to ease of use in a home or office environment. Suggested retail price is $1,599.99. Of course Sharp was also proudly using their 1-bit technology audio amplifier.

 

 

Critically acclaimed and longstanding authorities in the video processor industry, Faroudja, Inc. introduced its new flagship DVP5000 digital video processor/scaler. Also present will be a preview of their prototype of the Faroudja's Digital Cinema Director which is a sophisticated processor that offers digital SDI inputs and digital HDTV SMPTE 292 output. Another prototype at the show is a DVD transport, the Digital Cinema Source DC100, with digital SDI output. These two units when used together offer a completely digital signal path from the video source to the projector.

Moving away from prototypes and into real product offerings, Faroudja is also exhibiting its DVP3000 and DVP2200 Digital Video Processor/ Scalers. As for the new flagship DVP5000, it is the first video processor in the world to automatically upconvert 1080i (interlaced) high-definition signals to 1080p (progressive) resolution. The unit optimizes the performance of high-end 9-inch and 12-inch CRT projectors as well as fixed-panel displays (LCD, DLP, D-ILA, plasma, etc.) with resolutions of 1280 x 1024 and above. The DVP5000 also automatically upconverts HDTV 480p signals to 960p, while 720p signals pass through the device. Standard 480i sources can be upconverted to 1080p! Awesome!!!

Faroudja's unique Scan-Lock(tm) Bandwidth Expansion technology is included. It optimizes each output scan rate to produce excellent edge detail without harsh ringing artifacts. Of course various aspect ratios can be achieved from anamorphic to letterbox and 4:3 sources. Scan-rate scaling allows the DVP5000 to convert lowly NTSC signals (15.75kHz) to any computer rate up to SXGA resolution as well as HDTV rates of 1080i, 720p, and 1080p. The processor's rear-panel connections includes a special HDTV input and 480p component inputs to accommodate the new progressive DVD players. Other inputs include standard component, S-video, and composite. RGB and component outputs maximize flexibility, and the unit can be controlled with the included multi-component IR remote or from a computer via the RS-232 serial port. A YPrPb output option allows the DVP5000 to connect to the growing number of entry-level HDTV-ready sets in which an RGB output may not be compatible.

DVP5000 Rear Panel

Also showing are their DVP3000 which comes with the same powerful combination of capabilities and features as the DVP5000, with one exception. Only the DVP5000 features automatic HDTV line doubling, from 1080i to 1080p. Lower on the food chain of video processing is their DVP2200 for those looking for a lower cost option while still retaining many of the key features and picture processing capabilities of Faroudja’s other digital video processors. It offers scan rate scaling to 480p and 600p and built-in aspect ratio control. The DVP2200 converts conventional interlaced video to high-resolution, progressively scanned signals, with significantly enhanced detail, color, and accuracy. The DVP5000 and DVP3000 digital video processor/scalers are available now at suggested retail prices of $25,995 and $19,995, respectively. The DVP2200 is available at a suggested price of $7,995. A program is available to upgrade any DVP3000 to a DVP5000. 

 

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