DVD playback - Buyers Guide

Emedia Professional, March, 2000

Sony has introduced two five-disc DVD changers, the DVP-C670D and the DVP-C660. Both changers feature Sony's Precision Drive system and Advanced SmoothScan picture search. The changers allow up to 200 discs to be parentally locked, preventing them from being played. The DVP-C670D also adds Digital Image Enhancer technology, which helps to sharpen images, and Dolby Digital decoding. The DVP-C670D will be available for approximately $500, and the DVP-C660 for approximately $400.

Sony's new single-disc players include the DVP-S360, the DVP-S560D (which features Dolby Digital decoding), and the DVP-S570D. The three players are expected to be available at suggested prices of $250, $300, and $500 respectively.

Sony has also introduced two DVD portables, the DVP-FX1 and the DVP-F5. Sony's DVP-FX1 is a portable DVD/CD player with a seven-inch LCD TFT 16:9 display. Widescreen DVD titles can be viewed in their correct aspect ratio. The player is housed in a magnesium alloy case, and includes a lithium ion battery. Sony's DVP-F5 features the same design features as the DVP-FX1, but without the LCD screen. The DVP-FX1 will be available at an estimated price of $1,500, while the DVP-F5 will be available at an estimated price of $600.

Finally, Sony has unveiled its DVD Dream System (DAV-S300). The 5.1-channel system features a digital switching amplifier to deliver 180 watts of system power, an AM/FM receiver, and Dolby Digital and DTS decoding. The DAV-S300 will be available at an estimated price of $600.

(Sony Electronics, Inc., 3300 Zanker Road, San Jose, CA 95134; 408/955-5068; Fax 408/955-5340; http://www.sel.sony.com)

I-Jam Introduces DVD-ROM Drive, First-of-Its-Kind DVD/MP3 Player

I-Jam Multimedia LLC has announced two new DVD products, the IJ-888 and the IJ-883. The IJ-888 is a DVD/MP3 combo player that works with home theater systems. Key features include a jogging knob to adjust playing speed, support for eight languages and 32 subtitles, and a 10-bit video DAC, which offers a horizontal resolution of more than 500 lines. A Dolby Digital/DTS RF output allows the user to connect to any Dolby Digital AC-3 5.1 home theater system. The IJ-888 can also playback MP3 files from a disc, and includes a karaoke feature. The IJ-883 is an internal DVD-ROM drive for the computer. The drive sports 6X DVD and 32X CD-ROM read speeds. The IJ-888 and IJ-833 both support single- and dual-layer CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-Video, and VCD. The IJ-888 will be available at an estimated retail price of $229, while the IJ-883 will be available at an MSRP of $129.

(I-Jam Multimedia LLC, 1208 Remington Road, Schaumburg, IL 60173; 888/326-4526; Fax 847/839-1277; http://www.ijamworld.com)

Pioneer Unveils Second-Generation DVD Player

Pioneer New Media Technologies has announced the DVD-V7400, its second-generation DVD-Video player. The DVD player features Y, C-R, and C-B video output terminals, which allow connection to a range of monitors and displays. Both NSTC and PAL video playback are supported, as well as Pulse Coded Modulation (PCM), Dolby Digital, and Digital Theater Systems (DTS) format. The weekly timer function of the DVD-V7400 has been increased from 7 to 21 days, and now supports up to three events per day. User selections can be stored in the player's Flash RAM memory. The player supports DVD-R (3.95GB and 4.7GB), CD-R, and CD-RW discs. Additional features of the DVD-V7400 include mouse and keyboard control, frame search capability, video blackboard functions, and DVD barcode/Laser Disc barcode compatibility.

(Pioneer New Media Technologies, Inc., 2265 East 220th Street, Long Beach, CA 90810-1639; 310/952-2111; Fax 310/952-2990; http://www.pnmt.com)

Clarion to Incorporate Sigma DVD decoder into AutoPC

Sigma Designs, Inc. has announced that its REALmagic EM8400 DVD decoder has been designed into the DVD video subsystem of Clarion's AutoPC. The AutoPC was developed using Intel's Extended Temperature Pentium MMX processor and Microsoft's Windows CE operating system, and offers voice-activated controls, computing, GPS satellite navigation, vehicle diagnostics, and hands-free telephone use. LCD screens can be installed so passengers can watch DVD movies. According to Clarion, the AutoPC can be installed just as any other aftermarket car stereo system.

(Sigma Designs, Inc., 355 Fairview Way, Milpitas, CA 95035-3024; 408/262-9003; Fax 408/957-9740; http://www.sigmadesigns.com)

Acer to Include WinDVD on PCs

Acer, Inc. has announced that InterVideo's WinDVD software DVD player will be incorporated in a number of its current computer lines, including Aspire and AcerPower. WinDVD can play back DVD, SVCD, VCD, MPEG1, MPEG2, MP3, AVI, and AC3 files. DVD APIs, including DirectShow, DirectDraw, and DirectSound, are also supported. The player features software video window scaling, software and hardware sub-picture alpha blending, software video signal de-interlacing, and software color and brightness control. WinDVD can run on Windows 95, 98, NT4, and 2000.