Toshiba Adds Three New Models To Industry's Most Advanced Lineup Of DVD-Video Players For 2001

2-Jul-01

Toshiba, the leader in DVD technology, builds upon its reputation for innovation, quality and value with the introduction of three new high performance DVD-Video players for 2001, each with MP3 CD playback capability. With the addition of two ColorStreamÆ progressive scan-equipped players, including the SD3750 and the five-disc carousel SD3755, Toshiba now offers a lineup of eight advanced DVD-Video players, including five progressive scan models, three full-featured DVD-Audio players, and the ultra-portable SD-P1500 featuring the industry's largest widescreen LCD display (8 inches). ""With a broad selection of innovative models in all price ranges, Toshiba provides consumers with the widest choice in high quality, high value DVD,"" noted Craig Eggers, Director of Product Management for DVD. ""DVD is rapidly assuming its role as the focal point of the home entertainment experience in American homes, and as a prime developer of the format, Toshiba recognizes our responsibility to lead the industry with the broadest range of players that extend DVD's full potential.""Ongoing Commitment To Progressive Scan TechnologyToshiba was the first manufacturer to introduce a DVD player equipped with ColorStream PRO progressive scan technology and the company has continued to refine and improve this important image-enhancing feature. ColorStream PRO is characterized by a flicker-free video image with demonstrably improved edge definition and enhanced color detail. Every nuance of the video signal is reproduced, yielding 540 horizontal lines of resolution. To further enhance picture quality, a built-in 10-bit/54 MHz video DAC contributes to an artifact-free picture during playback of fast motion and highly detailed scenes.Toshiba Super ColorStream PRO technology, first introduced in the flagship SD9200, achieves its superior image-enhancing capability by utilizing advanced analog and digital filtering to process the entire video signal and significantly reduce associated video noise in the progressive scan image. The result is the purest most natural and film-like video images available today. Key to this process is an advanced frame detection circuitry that elegantly identifies and displays native 24-frame film-based content as 60 complete frames of video, utilizing advanced 2:3 conversion techniques. The resulting images are precise, highly detailed, and free of the motion artifacts that occur in conventional progressive scan players.Toshiba progressive scan-equipped DVD players are the ultimate ""future-ready"" video source components and the ideal companion for any one of Toshiba's 14 HDTV-compatible display devices. The combination of a Toshiba progressive-scan equipped DVD player and a widescreen HD-compatible display device yields an unsurpassed home theatre experience, with on-screen images that are virtually film-like in quality. In addition, because all Toshiba progressive scan DVD players feature 8:8:8 oversampling of interlaced color signals, they are the ideal source component for interlaced display on an analog color television set. DVD-Audio For Audiophile-Quality PerformanceDVD's inherent advantages in high-density storage make possible a higher level of digital audio performance than any other packaged medium previously available. This potential for audio perfection is maximized by Toshiba DVD-Audio players (SD4700 and SD5700), as well as the flagship Model SD9200. DVD-Audio can deliver up to 192 kHz/24-bit stereo audio (compared to 44.1 kHz/16-bit for standard CD audio). Advanced resolution DVD-Audio represents a remarkable improvement in sound quality that is far superior to compact disc, with wider frequency response, vastly improved dynamic range and resolution, exceptional warmth and clarity, and a far more natural sonic presentation. Importantly, DVD-Audio can also deliver up to six channels of full-bandwidth content. The effect is one of total immersion in the music. Listeners have compared the experience of DVD-Audio to being present in a concert hall where they can actually ""hear"" the ambience of the room, with every aspect of the musical performance, including subtle harmonics and hall reflections recreated in vivid detail. Since the introduction of DVD, audio performance has been a major focus for Toshiba and the company has continued to introduce enhancements that have contributed to the growth of DVD and its acceptance as a high quality digital audio medium as well as an advanced platform for video performance. This year, the majority of Toshiba DVD-Audio players are equipped with leading-edge 24-bit/192 kHz D/A converters from Analog DevicesÆ, designed to deliver the highest possible sound quality from any digital source. Further reflecting Toshiba's commitment to exemplary audio performance and the versatility of its products, the SD2700 and SD5700 feature HDCDÆ precision filtering and decoding, a process that provides true 20-bit audio resolution from the growing number of HDCD-enhanced discs. The patented HDCD precision filtering process also enhances the playback sound of conventional CDs. With HDCD precision filtering decoding, a Toshiba DVD player is literally transformed into a superb audiophile-quality CD player, capable of providing the full sonic benefits of the thousands of HDCD-encoded CD titles now available.Additionally, virtually all Toshiba DVD-Video players offer playback of CD-R for additional flexibility in music listening enjoyment.MP3 Playback Adds Music Listening FlexibilityToshiba is committed to providing consumers with maximum versatility and lifestyle benefits from its lineup of DVD players. To this end, four Toshiba DVD players (SD4700, SD5700, SD3755, SD3750) feature MP3 CD playback capability. With MP3, an entire artist collection or genre of favorite music can be pre-recorded on a single CD-R disc, making the DVD player the ideal centerpiece of the home audio entertainment experience during playback. The five-disc carousel Model SD3755, for instance, potentially allows users to enjoy up to 50 hours of continuous MP3 music, or approximately 600 songs.Image Quality Is Paramount In 2001 LineupSuperior picture quality remains a consistent element of Toshiba's DVD strategy for 2001. To this end, all Toshiba players include ColorStreamÆ component video outputs. The ColorStream component video connection, first introduced by Toshiba, is the ideal analog interface between a digital video source and a connected display device. The resulting picture is characterized by superior image purity, incredibly lifelike colors and crisp color resolution.Further enhancing image quality, the majority of Toshiba DVD players feature Video Black Level Expansion circuitry. This capability allows the viewer to choose to set the reference black threshold cutoff to Normal (7.5 IRE) or Enhanced (0 IRE). The Enhanced position expands the overall contrast range in the picture, resulting in richer, deeper blacks, finer tonal gradation and gray scale reproduction. Most Toshiba DVD players also include the capability of reproducing ""blacker than black"" PLUGE signals, a critical feature for calibrating optimum brightness levels in a home theater environment. Model SD2300: NUON-Enhanced FunctionalityToshiba introduces DVD interactivity with its Model SD-2300 with NUONÆ-enhanced functionality. Developed by VM Labs Inc., the 128-bit NUON Media Processor enables the SD2300 to function as complete interactive home entertainment system. The user interface is enhanced with advanced graphic capabilities that provide a compelling look and feel to on-screen menus, multiple overlay capability, and picture-in-graphics displays. NUON technology also provides dramatic advancements in special effects, such as seamless slow-motion, reverse playback images, and a unique 16-power zoom function with digital filtering. For playback of compact discs, the SD2300 features a Virtual Light Machineô mode that provides users with a variety of distinct visuals and graphics that pulse and beat in sync with the music. The NUON-enhanced SD2300 offers complete compatibility with NUON-enhanced DVD movie titles created and distributed by major Hollywood studios, in addition to pure gaming and interactive capabilities. Ergonomic Improvements For Convenience And FlexibilityEase-of-use and viewer convenience have always been a top priority in Toshiba DVD players. For example, many new models feature a highly advanced and intuitive NAVI menu that utilizes bitmap-level graphics and a circular-based icon display for instant access to key menu capabilities. A unique QUICK MENU navigation feature on many Toshiba DVD players ""pre-anticipates"" consumer direction and further enhances ease-of-use. When the ""QUICK"" key on the remote is pressed, an on-screen menu appears, displaying only those commands specific to the particular playback mode in which the player is engaged. This makes interaction with the player faster and easier, eliminating the need to scroll through layers of menu options. A unique FIRST SETUP menu, first introduced by Toshiba, assists consumers in accurately setting up their player to suit their system's capabilities. The FIRST SETUP menu quickly configures the DVD player for 90 percent of all home entertainment applications in a simple and straightforward manner. Many Toshiba DVD players also include front-panel navigation of player menu and disc-based menu functions, a genuine bonus for users who consistently misplace their remote control. Another Toshiba feature accessible via the NAVI menu is the company's Strobe Picture Viewer, which allows users to display high speed action images in successive order by selecting the number of picture ""samples"" desired and varying the time between each successive image. This feature is ideal for examining scenes such as a golf swing or special effect sequence. To that end, most Toshiba DVD players feature four-power picture zoom, enabling viewers to magnify selected areas of the picture by a power of four - another especially useful feature for examining special effects and sports sequences. In addition, all Toshiba carousel models feature 16x power zoom for enhanced close-ups.Selected Toshiba DVD players also include a newly redesigned remote control with a unique toggle switch design, eight-way compass cursor, and Virtual Remote key. When the Virtual Remote key is pressed, an easy-to-read on-screen remote control display appears as an overlay on the video image. The Virtual Remote feature allows users to access key DVD playback functions on-screen, directing their commands entirely from the compass cursor of the handheld remote. This feature provides ideal access to primary player operations in low-light home theatre environments. A remote confirmation feature adds to the convenience of remote operation, providing an audible confirmation ""beep"" whenever a command has been received. For more information about Toshiba America Consumer Products, Inc., visit www.toshiba.com/tacp.

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