ClassÈ Audio Brings DVD Player To Delta Series

8-Jul-05

ClassÈ Audio has enhanced its Delta series of audio-video components with a new DVD player. In addition to DVD-Video discs, the ClassÈ CDP-300 also plays DVD-Audio, standard CDs, DualDisc, and discs encoded with MP3, WMA and AAC audio formats. The newest ClassÈ also handles Video-CD, S-VCD and JPEG picture discs.As the first ClassÈ Delta series DVD player, the CDP-300 shares the industrial design and control screens found throughout the range. It is in fact the first DVD Player to offer touchscreen control and video preview on the front panel. The preview feature allows audiophiles the option of enjoying a pure music listening session without the noise often associated with projectors and other display devices. Simply navigate DVD-Audio (or DVD-Video) discs from the front panel and listen under quiet, ideal conditions.The CDP-300 DVD Player utilizes a slot-loader mechanism for reading discs. It was chosen for its superior disc-handling characteristics, reliability and control options. Fitting neatly within the delta series modelís black control strip, the slot is illuminated by a soft blue light to assist when loading discs in a darkened room. From its specially designed, vibration-absorbing feet to its strong and rigid chassis and DVD-ROM drive, the CDP-300 is a ìfrom the ground-upî design, serving as a high-quality and reliable disc-playing platform with audio and video signal paths fully optimized to deliver the experience.The presence of jitter (time base distortion) at the point of conversion from digital to analog increases distortion and robs the playback system of resolution. To reduce jitter in the CDP-300, digital audio signals of all types (CD, DVD, DVD-Audio, etc.) are routed through a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) and sample rate converter to de-correlate them from the MPEG decoder (video) clock. The result is that all digital sources are recreated as 24-bit/192kHz signals and re-clocked before being output to the D-to-A converters. By attacking jitter at its source, the ClassÈ Design Team makes great sounding audio possible from a variety of digital formats. Three stereo DACs (with 8x filters) have been selected to perform the delicate process of converting digital audio to analog. Each channel of each stereo DAC is itself converted as a differential signal. Six channels of analog audio are output in single-ended format on RCA connectors, while the front left and right channels are also available balanced on XLR connectors. These channels are truly balanced, having been taken as differential outputs from each channel of a stereo DAC. The latest flat panel displays and certain projector models can display as many as 1080 horizontal lines at once. In order to capitalize on this new, higher resolution capability, the CDP-300 DVD Player utilizes newly developed video processing circuitry, making it the worldís first DVD player to offer a full implementation of all HDTV resolutions. Digital video on HDMI is available at 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p. In addition to deinterlacing and scaling functions, the CDP-300 employs extensive digital processing to reduce ìmosquito noise,î improve edge definition, adaptively control color/contrast ratios and improve chroma transient performance. Said another way, the CDP-300 performs complex mathematics to deliver a sharper, clearer, more compelling image than has been possible from earlier DVD player technologies.As with audio, the performance of video circuitry owes partly to the individual components and partly to the execution of an overall design strategy. The fact is, high-end players often use similar parts, but usually reach quite different levels of performance. The CDP-300 uses state-of-the-art component parts, employed to maximum advantage and built with precision and care. But its true value is only realized by playing familiar music recordings and watching your favorite movies.Audioï Compatible with CD, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DualDisc, Video-CD, S-VCD, MP3, AAC and WMA formats.ï All audio formats are up-sampled to 24-bit/192kHz prior to Digital-to-Analog conversion.ï Classe Audioís Re-clocking circuit topology effectively attenuates clock jitter mechanisms that are present in most other DVD playback solutions.ï All audio formats are decoded internally before Digital-to-Analog conversion. A concurrent IEC958 (SPDIF, AES/EBU and TOSLINK) output is provided. ï DVD-Audio is output as IEC958 (SPDIF, AES/EBU and TOSLINK) for decoding in a Surround Sound Processor with a concurrent 2-channel analog audio downmix. -over-ï 6 analog audio outputs are provided with RCA connections (single-ended). Front Left and Right outputs are also supported in balanced format.ï Audio and video are synchronized during DVD-Video playback.Videoï Worlds first high-end DVD Player to offer a full implementation of all HDTV resolutions.ï Digital Video output on HDMI can be de-interlaced and scaled to the following resolutions: 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p.ï Analogue Video output on YPrPb/RGB can be de-interlaced and scaled to the following resolutions: 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p and 1080i.ï Extensive digital video processing to reduce video ìmosquitoî noise, improve edge definition, adaptively control color/contrast ratios and improve chroma transient performance.Controlï Touchscreen user interface with video preview modeï Bi-Directional RS-232 Controlï CAN BUS ports for inter-ClassÈ component communicationï Rear panel IR and DC trigger socketsï IR Remote control with backlight and ClassÈ system Function Keys.The ClassÈ CDP-300 is manufactured entirely by ClassÈ at its Quebec facilities. Its striking aluminum chassis, fascia and touchscreen front panel combine quality, performance, and function in stunning harmony. The CDP-300 will be available June 2005, at a manufacturerís suggested price of $6,500 (US).

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