Panasonic Introduces Its First DVD Player With Built-In Dolby Digital And DTS Decoders

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC) today announced the retail launch of its model DVD-A320, its first DVD player to offer built-in decoders for both Dolby DigitalÆ and DTSÆ Digital Surround.""The DVD-A320ís built-in dual decoders provide a convenient way to enjoy all the benefits of DVDís theatre-like sound, without having to buy and connect separate decoder components,"" says Rusty Osterstock, Assistant General Manager of Panasonicís DVD Division. ""This player represents Panasonicís commitment to bring added value to the DVD consumer. ""Offering incredible digital surround sound, DTS is the sound system of choice for many movie theatres. When connected directly to an A/V receiver with five or six discrete inputs, the DVD-A320 with its built-in DTS decoder produces the astounding 5.1 channel digital surround sound offered by DTS encoded DVD movie discs and CDs.In addition, for use with Dolby Digital encoded software, the advanced Dolby Digital decoder delivers crisp, theater-like sound using six discrete audio channels, and allows users to control speaker configuration, delay time, master volume and speaker levels. The DVD-A320 features a 10-bit video DAC (digital-to-analog converter) for crisp, high quality video pictures, and a 96 kHz, 24-bit audio DAC for the highest sound quality. Further contributing to performance is discrete component video out, which digitally separates the video signal down into its luminance (Y) and separate chrominance (PR and PB) elements - allowing delivery of a reference-quality picture with precise color reproduction when using a compatible TV. Another performance feature is Virtual Battery Operation, which prevents the AC power noise from entering the audio circuitry, thereby isolating sound localization. The new player is also loaded with convenience features, like Panasonicís Quick Start mechanism, which puts a video image on-screen in just 5 - 6 seconds, twice as fast as last yearís models. When the disc begins to play, users can select menu options, start the movie, or preview chapters. The Chapter Preview feature conveniently refreshes your memory if you should miss part of a movie (if, for example, youíve fallen asleep right in the middle of the story!) To quickly review the previous chapters, just press the Play button twice. The player will automatically play the first 3 seconds of each chapter in sequence until it catches up to the point where you left off. You can also scan forward or backward in up to 100 times normal speed, with no video distortion. Film aficionados will appreciate the Digital Cinema Mode feature, which gives viewers the option of enhancing picture detail in dark scenes - resulting in a more realistic, theatre-like image. Sometimes, a movieís soundtrack can overwhelm a scene. The Dialogue Enhancer feature conveniently solves this problem. When activated, Dialogue Enhancer boosts the volume of the center channel - where most of the principal dialogue emanates when playing a Dolby Digital 5.1 disc - by 6 dB, so viewers donít have to strain to hear the dialogue in a noisy scene. The DVD-A320 also features Digital Picture Mode, which allows the user to choose from among four pre-set viewing modes for optimal enjoyment: Normal, Fine, Soft and Cinema. The Cinema mode has a setting for manual adjustment of contrast, color, brightness and equalizer. Monitor Select lets the user set up the DVD player according to the type of monitor connected (direct-view TV, CRT projection, LCD projection or rear projection). Even without a full-blown home theatre system, users may enjoy superb audio thanks to the playerís Advanced Virtual Surround Sound feature. It creates a simulated 5.1 channel effect, downmixed from either a 5.1 channel or two-channel Dolby Digital soundtrack, from the stereo speakers of any home audio system. For convenient operation, on-screen menu icons allow instant selection of such functions as language, camera angle or chapter selection. The unit offers crystal-clear scan in five speeds, ranging from slow motion to high speed, in both forward and reverse. At the highest setting, users can search at an incredible 100 times normal speed - a real help for rapidly locating desired points on a disc. Additionally, the DVD-A320 features an illuminated, universal remote with joystick control.In addition to the component video output terminal, the player offers S-video outputs, standard audio/video outs and an optical digital audio output. The DVD-A320 is available at a suggested retail price of $499.95.For more information, contact Crystal Jenisch at Panasonic 201 348 7154 jenischc@panasonic.com.