Sherwood Newcastle Introduces DVD/CD Player With Built-In Processors For 6.1 Audio

For its first video complement to its home component offerings, Sherwood America introduces the Newcastle V-756 DVD/CD processor and player. Equipped with extensive audio decoding capability and two rear-panel digital inputs, the V-756 can process and decode Dolby Digital, DTS and MPEG-2 material including Dolby Digital 6.1 Extended Surround and DTS-ES 6.1 directly during DVD playback or indirectly when such material is received from a direct broadcast satellite transmission or HDTV broadcast. The ability to access this advanced audio decoding from external sources provides a complete and versatile option for effortless system upgrades.The audio prowess of the V-756 does not stop with its ability to decode 6.1 channel material, it uses 24-bit 96 kHz DACís for all channels and also has built-in decoding capability for Circle Surround and Dolby Virtual Surround. Of course, Circle Surround and Dolby Virtual Surround can be applied to DVDís played in the V-756 or to programs routed through its rear panel digital inputs.With 6.1 channel analog audio outputs, the V-756 easily adapts current 5.1 systems with the addition of a powered rear center speaker for DTS and Dolby Digital Extended Surround sound. This new surround format maximizes audio effects from behind and over the listener with the addition of a center rear speaker to the traditional surround sound system. Extended Surround reproduces back surround information via a rear center speaker, while side speakers reproduce left and right surround information. The additional surround channel and properly placed speakers enable a filmís sound designer to create true ""fly-over"" and ""fly-around"" effects that are smoother and much more accurately placed, either directly behind or directly beside the listener. Recent theatrical releases encoded with 6.1 Surround Sound include ""The World Is Not Enough,"" ""Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,"" ""The Bone Collector,"" ""The Haunting,"" ""End of Days"" and ""Toy Story II."" DVDs that are encoded with this new format will play normally with current systems and provide the extra surround channel when played over systems properly equipped for 6.1 Extended Surround.The unitís digital audio inputs and video inputs with switching functions not only accommodate additional video sources, but also offer seamless expansion capability as well. ""Many consumers would like to add digital satellite or a HDTV tuner to their system, but lack the input capacity in their current receiver or preamplifier. We accommodate these new entertainment sources and add the digital audio processing they offer,"" said Jeffrey Hipps, Senior Vice President Marketing and Sales.The V-756 also has impressive video credentials as well. Video is processed by C-Cubeís advanced Ziva-3 processor and by a 27 MHz/10Bit DAC for over 500 lines of resolution. Other video features include: Component video output; programming by title, chapter and track; 5-step forward picture search; 4-step reverse picture search, 4-mode repeat; 2x and 4x Zoom, 3-Scene Memory and Front Panel Jog/Shuttle Dial. The V-756 is even compatible with Sherwoodís Digi-Link III component control protocol. The V-756 will begin shipping in March at a suggested retail price of $799.95With the Newcastle V-756, Sherwood enters one of the fastest growing segments of the consumer electronics market. Projections estimate DVD player sales will exceed $1 billion in 2000. Pending final encoding standards, the player/processor will be produced with all DVD Audio capability and can be easily updated for consumers by local service providers or third-party providers.

For more information, contact Jeffrey Hipps, Sherwood America, jeff@sherwoodamerica.com, 714-228-6511.