1005WHC26 Philips DVP900S

9/8/05

10:50 AM

Page 55

Mid-range DVD players>GROUP TEST
Upscales DVD to 1080i and 720p SACD but no DVD-Audio hi-res music

Philips DVP9000S 400

Philips first serious DVD player for ages rattles the established mid-market players with pin-sharp picture and bags of style
For the past year or two Philips has ducked the quality end of the DVD market to fight it out with supermarket specials under 100. The DVP9000S represents a dramatic return to form, packing high spec into a well-built machine. The circular display and illuminated jog-dial are pure class and even the programmable remote control cuts a mean silhouette on the coffee table. Inside is no less glamourous. There is a full complement of Faroudja, NSV and Cirrus Logic goodies to enhance and improve performance including motion adaptive de-interlacing and video format upscaling for both component and HDMI connections. This gives you the option of 720p or 1080i high-definition output to both officially HD-Ready TVs and older flat panel TVs that boast a high-res panel but lack an HDMI input. The audio hasnt been neglected either with 192kHz/24bit DACs and the ability to play SACDs in stereo and multi-channel and MP3 CDs. DiVX playback is strangely absent especially considering many of Philips budget players offer this facility and the

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RATINGS
STYLE FEATURES PICTURE SOUND VALUE OVERALL EASE OF USE #####
DVP9000S has no truck with DVDAudio, although more through politics than technology. Interestingly, CD playback can be upsampled to Direct Stream Digital (SACD) format, effectively giving CDs a high-res boost in the same way video up-scaling to HD quality improves the picture.

Helping hand

Nice touches include a help-line, that offers a line of explanation for each feature when activated, and independent bass management for both SACD multichannel and DVD surround sound. Even connectivity is very good, boasting an HDMI port, progressive component output and both electrical and optical digital audio outputs. Aside from an aversion to DVD-Audio discs, this Philips competes head-on with the Yamaha, Pioneer and Denon models, looks nicer and is at least 100 cheaper. Could this be the biggest upset since Goliath said hell never hit me from there with that?
FANTASTIC DETAILING AND EDGE DEFINITION ON A PAR WITH THE VERY BEST PLAYERS
Disc access is rather slow but through the HDMI output a scaled 720p image is immediately impressive with fantastic detailing and edge definition on a par with the very best players. Blacks are inky, colours are rich and bold, and the scale from full black to full white is excellent. Spot the DVP9000S playing Shrek as you walk the aisles of Dixons and its super-vivid picture will stand head and shoulders above other models.
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TEST SCENE

> >The Hulk

Up close and personal

Look closer and its not all roses however. The super-fine detailing seems to amplify artefacts on the disc transfer creating notable patches of digital banding on graduated colours. Examine the image in detail, such as the close-cropped faces in The Hulk, and you will also see block colour errors (particularly greens and reds) that can rob the image of depth and naturalness. Against the awesome detail and superb black levels these are minor issues but they are also issues the competitors dont suffer as much. Not so with the sound, the DSD upsampling infusing music with a clean top-end sparkle rarely heard in a DVD player. The DVP9000S is a good allrounder and if your budget wont stretch to the 500 plus machines, then those picture abberations could be easy to live with I
Close-cropped faces on this mean green DVD give players a real work out for naturalness. The Philips is crisp and vivid with just a hint of dodgy processing

AT A GLANCE

FEATURES 720p/1080i upscaling DSD audio upsampling SACD, MP3 playback Progressive scan output Programmable remote GUI menus CONNECTIONS HDMI output Component output S-video output RGB Scart Electrical digital audio Optical digital audio Multi-channel output Stereo audio output

Classy and distinctive

Comprehensive connectivity

Programmable remote

www.philips.co.uk 9070

WHC OCTOBER 2005 55

Philips Cineos DVD/SACD Player

DVP9000S

Turn up your experience with high definition
Yearning for multi-channel surround sound movies and sound? Experience state-of-theart audio and video technology with this DVD/SACD player that promises an intensifying music and movie experience.
Unrivalled audio and video performance HD video output to 720 and 1080i 216MHz/12bit video upsampling for improved picture quality DCDi from Faroudja and Digital Crystal Clear Sound in detail Multi-channel Super Audio CD for total music immersion Metal chassis & circuitry for best audio performance DSD-upsampling for smoother and sweeter sound from your CDs Advanced Bass Management for optimized bass response Plays it all Music: SACD, CD, MP3-CD, CD-R and CD-RW Movies: DVD, DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW, (S)VCD

DVD/SACD Player

Specifications Picture/Display
Aspect ratio: 4:3, 16:9 Features: Digital Zoom display, Next/Previous Album Search, Next/ Previous Track Search, Repeat one/album/all, Repeat Play, Resume Playback from stop, Shuffle album/all, Shuffle Play MP3 sample rates: 8, 11.025, 16, 22.050, 32, 44.1, 48 kHz

DVP9000S/93

Product highlights
HD video output in 720p/ 1080i 216MHz/12bit video upsampling Video Upsampling is a technology that decreases distortion to dramatically improve picture quality. Digital Crystal Clear DCDi Digital Crystal Clear is a package of picture innovations that digitally adjusts and optimizes picture quality to optimal contrast, color and sharpness levels. Multi-channel Super Audio CD Multi-channel SACD is a new generation music format that offers ultra high quality music reproduction. With a 5.1 multi-channel surround sound and full CD compatibility both forward and backward, what results is unsurpassed audio performance for your listening pleasure. Metal chassis & circuitry The player features reinforced chassis by using extensive bracing and shielding to reduce the negative effects of stray EMI and vibration. Audio circuitry is constructed with audiophile quality parts that are carefully selected based on extensive subjective listening tests and backed by excellent measurements results. The components in the critical audio path are carefully chosen and matched for superior audio performance. CD upsampling to DSD DSD Upsampling is a sound processing technology that converts and enhances the signal from a standard audio CD to provide clear smooth sound. Advanced Bass Management Advanced Bass Management is a feature that allows the user to finetune the bass attributes of the system, such as cut off frequency and cross-over slope, to get the best bass response possible in their room regardless of the room size and equipment type. Multi-format Music with SACD Multi-format playability allows you to play most disc formats for maximum disc compatibility and listening pleasure
Crosstalk (1kHz): 108 dB D/A converter: 192kHz/24-bit/ DSD hybrid Distortion and Noise (1kHz): 95 dB Dynamic Range (1kHz): 98 dB Signal to noise ratio: 115 Sound Enhancement: 3D Virtual Surround, Night Mode, Upsampling to DSD Sound System: AC-3 Dolby Digital Decoding, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital (AC-3), Dolby Prologic, Dolby Prologic II, Dolby Prologic Surround Sound, Dolby Surround, DTS

Still Picture Playback

Playback Media: Picture CD Picture compression format: JPEG Slide show

Connectivity

Video Playback
Compression formats: MPEG1, MPEG2 Playback Media: CD-R, CD-RW, CD-R/CD-RW, DVD, DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD-RW (Video mode), DVD-R, DVD-Video, MP3-CD, Picture CD, SVCD, Video CD, Video CD/SVCD Disc Playback Modes: A-B Repeat, CD Text, Chapter repeat, Disc Menu, Fast Forward, Fast Forward/Reverse (2-Speed), Favourite Track Selection, Introscan, OSD, Pause, Repeat, Resume Playback from Stop, Scan, Screen Saver, Skip, Slow Backward, Slow Forward, Slow Motion, Standard Play, Still Picture, Title Repeat, Zoom Video disc playback system: NTSC, PAL Video Enhancement: 720p and 1080i, Digital Crystal Clear, Faroudja DCDi, Motion Adaptive De-interlacing, Smart Picture, Video Upscaling
Other connections: Analog audio Left/Right out, Analog audio Multi-channel, ComponentVideo out Progressive, Composite video (CVBS) out, Digital coaxial out, Digital optical out, HDMI out, S-Video out

Convenience

Child Protection: Child Lock, Parental Control User convenience: Compass GUI, Menu Languages Display Type: LCD, On Screen (OSD) On-Screen Display languages: English, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish Remote Control: Unified Remote Control

Accessories

Included Accessories: Audio Cable, Batteries for remote control, Power cord, Safety & warranty booklet, Scart Cable

Audio Playback

Dimensions
CD Playback Enhancements: Next/Previous Track, Repeat, Resume Play Compression format: Dolby Digital, DTS, MP3, MPEG2 Multichannel, PCM Playback Media: CD-R, CD-RW, MP3-CD, CD, MP3-DVD, SACD Multichannel, SACD Stereo Disc Playback Modes: A-B Repeat, Scan, CD Text
Product dimensions (W x H x D): 435 x 79 x 315 mm Product weight: 5.3 kg
Power supply: 100-240VAC, 50/60Hz Standby power consumption: <1W
SCAN MODE Pr INTERLACE PROGRESSIVE Pb Y CENTER

COMPONENT

PCM / DIGITAL / DTS / MPEG

~AC MAINS

VIDEO S-VIDEO COAXIAL OPTICAL MIXED 2CH
MAIN SUB WOOFER SURROUND 6CH DISCRETE
Multi-format Movies Multi-format playability allows you to play most disc formats for maximum disc compatibility and viewing pleasure.

VIDEO OUT

DIGITAL OUT

AUDIO OUT

Issue date 2009-02-12 Version: 1.0.6
2009 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. All Rights reserved. Specifications are subject to change without notice. Trademarks are the property of Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. or their respective owners. www.philips.com
12 NC: 12772 EAN: 91234 1