Harman Kardon DVD 50 Wins CEA Innovations 2001 Design And Engineering Award

15-Mar-01

Built-In MP3, HDCDÆ Decoding, And Wealth Of High-End Features Make Harman Kardonís DVD 50 The Ultimate DVD-Video ChangerThe Harman Kardon DVD 50 DVD-Video Changer has received a prestigious Innovations 2001 Design and Engineering Award from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The Innovations awards program is one of the industryís most recognized, honoring excellence in the latest designs and concepts in consumer electronics.Recognizing the need for a single digital entertainment source component designed to handle virtually every popular digital audio and video format, Harman Kardon has introduced its DVD 50, among the worldís most advanced and versatile five-disc DVD-Video changers. The DVD 50 is the first five-disc DVD changer to include built-in MP3 decoding from CD discs. And, with its built-in HDCDÆ processing, the DVD 50 delivers ultimate-quality compact disc playback. The DVD 50 also provides unsurpassed video performance, incorporating features such as progressive scan component video outputs and 10-bit video D/A conversion with 27MHz filtering.Tom McLoughlin, Harman Kardon President, noted, ""Today, as more and more consumers seek a single audio/video component that can accommodate both their digital video and audio playback needs, the DVD changer is becoming the centerpiece of a completely integrated home entertainment system. Acknowledging this trend, Harman Kardon has designed the DVD 50 to be among the most versatile home entertainment source components available today, breaking new ground with MP3 compatibility, and with capabilities well beyond those of previously available DVD video changers. We are extremely gratified that the DVD 50 has been chosen as an Innovations award winner in recognition of its exceptional engineering and distinctively elegant design.""The DVD 50: The New Standard In DVD Video Changer PerformanceThe DVD 50 is the worldís first five-disc DVD video changer to offer MP3 decoding and progressive scan. Its built-in MP3 decoder provides playback of compatible MP3-encoded CDs, converting the MP3 signals into conventional analog audio that is output via the left and right analog audio outputs. This enables a listener to enjoy MP3 listening through any stereo or audio/video receiver. The DVD 50 can also play back both CD-R and CD-RW discs, as well as DVD-Video discs, CDs and Video CD discs.The Harman Kardon DVD 50 is engineered for unsurpassed video and audio performance in every respect. To deliver maximum video quality, the DVD 50 offers high quality progressive scan component video outputs that reconstruct the 3:2 pull-down process and deliver full 60-frame playback for the ultimate in DVD-Video picture quality, when used with a compatible video display device. This results in a remarkably realistic image with extraordinary detail and color purity, along with an almost complete absence of visible scan lines and motion artifacts. The DVD 50 also employs a precision 10-bit video D/A converter with 27MHz filtering for the highest possible resolution and color accuracy, with an improved video signal-to-noise ratio. In addition to progressive scan output, the DVD 50 includes standard scan rate component video (Y/Cr/Cb), S-Video, and composite video outputs.The DVD 50 incorporates a Wolfson 24-bit/192kHz audio D/A converter for extraordinary resolution and sonic accuracy, and compatible playback of high resolution 96/24 audio discs. The DVD 50 is compatible with both DolbyÆ Digital and DTSÆ Digital Surroundô 5.1-channel discs and also includes a built-in HDCD decoder that allows listeners to enjoy the full sonic benefits of the improved resolution, dynamic range and musical realism provided by the HDCD format. Thanks to its precision digital filter, the HDCD decoder also improves the sound quality of conventional non-HDCD-encoded CDs. The DVD 50 includes coaxial and optical digital outputs, plus standard downmixed analog audio outputs and a downmixed stereo headphone output for private listening.The DVD 50 takes user convenience to a new level. Its comprehensive, easy-to-use on-screen menu system and full-function, back-lit remote control make initial setup and operation simple and intuitive, and the player offers a wide variety of viewing options, such as multiple aspect-ratio selection (widescreen 16:9 or standard 4:3), multiple viewing angles, a choice of multiple language soundtracks and subtitles, and still and motion digital zoom. The DVD 50 also provides a number of picture search and scanning options, such as 4-Speed Smooth Scan (x2, x4, x8, x100), 4-Speed Super Fine Slow Motion (x1/2, x1/4, x1/8 and x1/16) and frame-by-frame advance, along with a choice of program-play and repeat-play options. Additional convenience functions include MP3 Text and CD Text display, a play-1/exchange-4 disc playback function that allows users to exchange up to four DVD discs in the changer while watching a fifth disc without interruption, and more.The Harman Kardon DVD 50 carries a suggested retail price of $649 and is now available.The DVD 5: An Exceptional DVD Changer ValueIn addition to the DVD 50, Harman Kardon offers its DVD 5 five-disc DVD video changer at a suggested retail price of $549. The DVD 5 includes a wealth of high-end performance and convenience features that make it the ideal DVD changer for a wide range of high performance home entertainment systems, such as component video outputs, 10-bit video processing, Dolby Digital and DTS compatibility, 24-bit/96kHz audio capability, and much more. The DVD 5 utilizes premium AKM audio DACs to deliver exceptional sound quality, and offers total ease-of-use with full remote control operation.

For more information about Harman Kardon, visit www.harmankardon.com.

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