On operation

If the player is brought directly from a cold to a warm location, or is placed in a very damp room, moisture may condense on the lenses inside the player. Should this occur, the player may not operate properly. In this
If you have any questions or problems concerning your player, please consult your nearest Sony dealer.

Table of Contents

WARNING. 2 Welcome!. 2 Precautions. 3 About This Manual. 6 This Player Can Play the Following Discs. 6 Notes About the Discs. 8 Index to Parts and Controls. 9 Guide to the Control Menu Display. 14

Hookups. 17

Hooking Up the Player. Step 1: Unpacking. Step 2: Preparing the Remote. Step 3: Connecting the Video Cords. Step 4: Connecting the Audio Cords. Step 5: Connecting the Power Cord. Step 6: Quick Setup. 29

Playing Discs. 33

Inserting Discs. Playing Discs. Resuming Playback From the Point Where You Stopped the Disc (Resume Play). Using the DVDs Menu. Selecting ORIGINAL or PLAY LIST on a DVD-RW. Selecting a Playback Area for a Super Audio CD. Playing VIDEO CDs With PBC Functions (PBC Playback). Selecting and Playing an MP3 Audio Track. Various Play Mode Functions (Program Play, Shuffle Play, Repeat Play, A-B Repeat Play). 44
Searching for and Managing Discs (Disc Explorer). 50
Displaying the Disc Information. Filing Discs in the Folder (File Mode). Labeling Discs and Folders (Edit Mode). Sorting Discs (Sort Mode). 55 58
Searching for a Scene. 60
Searching for a Particular Point on a Disc (Search, Scan, Slow-motion Play, Freeze Frame). 60 Searching for a Title/Chapter/Track/Scene, etc. 61 Searching by Scene (PICTURE NAVIGATION). 63
Viewing Information About the Disc. 65
Checking the Playing Time and Remaining Time. 65 Checking the Play Information. 67

Sound Adjustments. 69

Changing the Sound. 69 SURROUND Mode Settings. 70

Enjoying Movies. 74

Changing the Angles. 74 Displaying the Subtitles. 75 Adjusting the Picture (VIDEO CONTROL). 76
Using Various Additional Functions. 80

Connect the player directly to the TV. If you pass the player signals via the VCR, you may not receive a clear image on the TV screen.
CD/DVD player Connect directly
Consumers should note that not all high definition television sets are fully compatible with this product and may cause artifacts to be displayed in the picture. In case of 480 progressive scan picture problems, it is recommended that the user switch the connection to the standard definition output. If there are questions regarding our TV set compatibility with this model 480p DVD player, please contact our customer service center.
Step 4: Connecting the Audio Cords
Refer to the chart below to select the connection that best suits your system. Be sure to also read the instructions for the components you wish to connect.

Select a connection

Select one of the following connections,
Components to be connected TV Surround effects: TVS DYNAMIC (page 71), TVS WIDE (page 71)

through

Your setup (example)

Connection

(page 24)
Stereo amplifier (receiver) and two speakers Surround effects: TVS STANDARD (page 71) or MD deck/DAT deck Surround effects: None

(page 25)

AV amplifier (receiver) having a Dolby* Surround (Pro Logic) decoder and 3 to 6 speakers Surround effects: Dolby Surround (Pro Logic) (page 93)

(page 26)

AV amplifier (receiver) with 5.1 ch input jacks and 4 to 6 speakers Surround effects:
Dolby Digital (5.1 ch) (page 101) DTS (5.1 ch) (page 101) Super Audio CD Multi channel (page 101)

(page 27)

or AV amplifier (receiver) with digital input jacks having a Dolby or DTS** decoder and 6 speakers Surround effects:
Dolby Digital (5.1 ch) (page 101) DTS (5.1 ch) (page 101)
z Hint If you have an AV amplifier that conforms to the 96 kHz sampling frequency, use connection D. * Manufactured under license from Dolby Laboratories. Dolby, Pro Logic, and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories. **DTS and DTS Digital Surround are registered trademarks of Digital Theater Systems, Inc.

Connecting to your TV

STOP DVD-RW

Selecting a Playback Area for a Super Audio CD
z Hint You can also select MULTI/2CH from the Control Menu (page 15).
Selecting the playback layer of hybrid Super Audio CDs
Some Super Audio CDs consist of an HD layer and a CD layer. You can select the playback layer you want to listen to.

SACD MULTI/ 2CH SACD/CD

Press SACD/CD while the player is in stop mode.
Each time you press the button, an HD layer or a CD layer is alternately selected. When playing a CD layer, the CD indicator in the front panel display lights up.
For details about Super Audio CDs, see page 101. Each play mode function works only within the selected layer or playback area (page 44).
Selecting a playback area on a 2 channel + Multi-channel Super Audio CD
Some Super Audio CDs consist of a 2 channel playback area and a multi-channel playback area. You can select the playback area you want to listen to.
Press SACD MULTI/2CH while the player is in stop mode.
The following display appears.
Press SACD MULTI/2CH repeatedly to select an item.
MULTI: Plays a multi-channel playback area. 2CH: Plays a 2 channel playback area. The MULTI indicator in the front panel display lights up when playing a multichannel playback area.
Playing VIDEO CDs With PBC Functions (PBC Playback)
PBC (Playback Control) allows you to play VIDEO CDs interactively by following the menu on the TV screen.
z Hint To play without using PBC, press./> while the player is stopped to select a track, then press H or ENTER. Play without PBC. appears on the TV screen and the player starts continuous play. You cannot play still pictures such as a menu. To return to PBC playback, press x twice then press H.
Depending on the VIDEO CD, Press ENTER in step 3 may appear as Press SELECT in the instructions supplied with the disc. In this case, press H.
./> H X/x x ENTER ORETURN
1 Start playing a VIDEO CD with PBC

functions.

A menu appears.
2 Select the item number and track
you want using X/x or the number buttons.
3 Press ENTER. 4 Follow the instructions in the
menu for interactive operations.
Refer to the instructions supplied with the disc, as the operating procedure may differ depending on the VIDEO CD.

To return to the menu

Press O RETURN.
Selecting and Playing an MP3 Audio Track
You can play selected tracks on DATA CDs (CD-ROMs/CD-Rs/CD-RWs) recorded in MP3 (MPEG1 Audio Layer 3) format.
JAZZ 1(90) SHE IS SPECIAL ALL YOU NEED IS. SPICY LIFE HAPPY HOUR RIVER SIDE 5 TAKE TIME,TAKE TIME
4 Press X/x to select a track, then

press ENTER.

The selected track starts playing. When a track or album is being played, its title is shaded.
To go to the next or previous page

Press c or C.

To return to the previous display
C/X/x/c ENTER ORETURN MENU/ SORT

To turn off the display

Press MENU/SORT.
z Hint You can also display the lists with the MENU button on the player.
1 Select a disc (page 35). 2 Press MENU/SORT.
The list of MP3 albums recorded on the DATA CD appears.
1( 30) ROCK BEST HIT KARAOKE JAZZ R&B MY FAVORITE SONGS CLASSICAL SALSA OF CUBA BOSSANOVA
About playback This player can play MP3 audio tracks recorded in the following sampling frequencies: 32 kHz, 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz. The player cannot play audio tracks in MP3PRO format. If you add the extension.MP3 to data not in MP3 format, the player cannot recognize the data properly and will generate a loud noise which could damage your speaker system. The playback order may be different from the edited order. See The playback order of MP3 audio tracks (page 43) for details. About the list display Only the letters in the alphabet and numbers can be used for album or track names. Anything else is displayed as *. ID3 tags cannot be displayed.
3 Press X/x to select an album, then
The list of tracks contained in the album appears.

About MP3 audio tracks

You can play MP3 audio tracks on CDROMs, CD-Rs, or CD-RWs. However, the discs must be recorded according to ISO9660 level 1, level 2, or Joliet format for the player to recognize the tracks. You can also play discs recorded in Multi Session. Refer to the instructions of the CD-R/RW device or recording software (not supplied) for details on the recording format.
The playback order of MP3 audio tracks
The playback order of albums and tracks recorded on a DATA CD is as follows. Structure of disc contents

Tree 1

Tree 2

Tree 3

Tree 4

Tree 5

chapter, or track, and press ENTER.

Playback starts.

z Hints If there are more than 9 titles, chapters, or tracks, V is displayed at the bottom right of the screen. To display the additional titles, chapters, or tracks, select the bottom right scene (located at box 9) and press x. To return to the previous scene, select the top left scene (located at box 1) and press X. You can also select PICTURE NAVIGATION from the Control Menu (page 14).
Depending on the disc, you may not be able to select some items. The sound is muted when using this function.
Viewing Information About the Disc
Checking the Playing Time and Remaining Time
You can check the playing time and remaining time of the current title, chapter, or track. Also, you can check the DVD/Super Audio CD/CD text or track name (MP3 audio) recorded on the disc.
When playing a DVD VIDEO or DVDRW T *:*:* (hours: minutes: seconds) Playing time of the current title T*:*:* Remaining time of the current title C *:*:* Playing time of the current chapter C*:*:* Remaining time of the current chapter When playing a VIDEO CD (with PBC functions) *:* (minutes: seconds) Playing time of the current scene When playing a VIDEO CD (without PBC functions), Super Audio CD, or CD T *:* (minutes: seconds) Playing time of the current track T*:* Remaining time of the current track D *:* Playing time of the current disc D *:* Remaining time of the current disc When playing a DATA CD (MP3 audio) T *:* (minutes: seconds) Playing time of the current track

TIME/ TEXT

1 Press TIME/TEXT during playback.

T 1:01:57 PLAY

To check the DISC MEMO, DVD/Super Audio CD/CD text, or track/album names (MP3 audio)
Press TIME/TEXT repeatedly in step 2 to display the Disc MEMO or text recorded on the DVD VIDEO/Super Audio CD/CD/ DATA CD. The DVD/Super Audio CD/CD text appears only when text is recorded in the disc. You cannot change the text. If the disc does not contain text, NO TEXT appears. In this case, you can label the disc if it is a DVD or CD (page 55).

Time information

z Hints You can also select AUDIO from the Control Menu (page 15).
DISPLAY/ FILE You cannot change the sound for Super Audio CDs. Some DVDs prohibit changing sounds during playback. In this case, change the sounds using the discs menu (page 38).
1 Press AUDIO during playback.

1:ENGLISH

Displaying the discs audio information
Press DISPLAY/FILE during playback to display the Control Menu. Select AUDIO using X/x. The channels being played are displayed on the screen.
For example, in Dolby Digital format, multiple signals ranging from monaural to 5.1 channel signals can be recorded on a DVD VIDEO. Depending on the DVD VIDEO, the number of the recorded channels may differ.

Current audio format*

ALL 123 12(27) 18(34) T 1:32:55 1: ENGLISH

SURROUND Mode Settings

You can enjoy surround sounds while playing discs, including Dolby Digital and DTS DVDs, even if you have only 2 or 4 speakers. Select the surround mode that best suits your speaker setup.
PLAY DVD PROGRAM FORMAT DOLBY DIGITAL 3/2.1 L LS C LFE RS R
Currently playing program format**
* PCM, DTS, or DOLBY DIGITAL is displayed. The channels in the currently selected track are displayed by numbers as follows: For Dolby Digital 5.1 ch:

Rear component 2

DOLBY DIGITAL 3 / 2. 1
Front component 2 + Center component 1 LFE (Low Frequency Effect) component 1
1 Press SUR during playback.

TVS DYNAMIC

**The letters in the program format display indicate the following sound components: L: Front (left) R: Front (right) C: Center LS: Rear (left) RS: Rear (right) S: Rear (monaural): The rear component of the Dolby Surround processed signal and the Dolby Digital signal LFE: Low Frequency Effect signal
z Hint When playing Dolby Digital and DTS sound tracks, LFE is enclosed in a dotted line when the LFE signal is not being output.
2 Press SUR repeatedly to select
one of the surround modes.
See the following explanations given for each item. For 2 speaker setups TVS DYNAMIC TVS WIDE TVS NIGHT TVS STANDARD
For 4 to 6 speaker setups (If you select NONE in the setting of REAR in SPEAKER SETUP (page 94), you cannot select these modes.) NORMAL SURROUND ENHANCED SURROUND VIRTUAL REAR SHIFT VIRTUAL MULTI REAR VIRTUAL MULTI DIMENSION

To cancel the setting

Select OFF in step 2.

For 2 speaker setups

After step 3 of Adjusting the picture items in MEMORY, press X/x to display the GAMMA adjustment bar, and press ENTER or c.
The GAMMA adjustment display appears.
0% 1: ENGLISH 96 OFF 1: ENGLISH 160 2: FRENCH 192 3: SPANISH RESET
Current Gamma setup value
Press X/x to select areas of an image.
The upper region adjusts the dark areas and the lower region adjusts the light areas.

Dark areas

Adjusting the brightness of selected areas (Gamma Correction)
Depending on your TV or viewing environment, images on the screen may lose definition when a certain area of the image is so light that it appears washed out, or so dark that it blends into the surrounding dark areas. By correcting the Gamma value, you can adjust the brightness of selected areas to get a clearer image. While the BRIGHTNESS adjustment controls the brightness of the entire image, the GAMMA adjustment is useful when only some portions of the image need adjusting. Example: You are watching a movie that is rich in shadows and you want to see the hidden details of the scenery. If you use the BRIGHTNESS adjustment, the entire image will become brighter, losing definition in the areas that were initially bright. The GAMMA adjustment enables you to select the dark part and gradually increase its brightness without sacrificing the overall definition.
Selected areas of an image

Light areas

Press C/c to adjust the brightness level of the area that you selected.
C decreases the level (darkens the area), and c increases the level (lightens the area). The level can be adjusted between 16 and 235. The level for the dark areas can never be greater than the light areas.
0% 1: ENGLISH 120 OFF 1: ENGLISH 160 2: FRENCH 192 3: SPANISH RESET
Darken Lighten Gamma value and the position of the bar change in accordance with your adjustment
Repeat steps 2 and 3 to adjust the brightness level of other areas that you select.
Try to keep the line that connects the brightness level of each area as smooth and straight as possible, as shown below.
How to lighten the dark areas of an image
How to darken the light areas of an image
0% 1: ENGLISH 94 OFF 1: ENGLISH 160 2: FRENCH 192 3: SPANISH RESET
0% 1: ENGLISH 105 OFF 1: ENGLISH 150 2: FRENCH 159 3: SPANISH RESET
To prevent the image from appearing overly altered, do not give the line any sharp changes. Gradually make the adjustments while viewing the image on your TV screen. Press O RETURN to stop making adjustments to the image.
The GAMMA adjustment bar appears and the adjusted gamma values are stored in memory.
To reset only the gamma value to the default setting

FULL NORMAL Select this when you can change the aspect ratio on your TV. Select this when you cannot change the aspect ratio on your TV. Shows a 16:9 aspect ratio signal with black bands on left and right sides of the image, and a 4:3 aspect ratio signal with black bands on all sides of the image.
PROGRESSIVE Select this when you have a TV that can accept progressive signals.
About the COMPONENT VIDEO OUT/SCAN SELECT switch
The COMPONENT VIDEO OUT/SCAN SELECT switch on the rear panel of the player selects the signal output from the COMPONENT VIDEO OUT jacks: interlace, progressive, or selectable. The switch takes priority over the setting made in COMPONENT OUT.

16:9 aspect ratio TV

4:3 aspect ratio TV
To switch the video signal format
If you have selected PROGRESSIVE for a TV that does not accept signals in progressive format 480p, or if the softwares video signals are not suited for progressive video signal conversion, view the image in Interlace format.

Custom Settings (CUSTOM

SETUP)
Use this to make playback related adjustments and other settings. Select CUSTOM SETUP in the Setup Display. To use the display, see Using the Setup Display (page 87). The default settings are underlined.
CUSTOM SETUP AUTO POWER OFF: AUTO PLAY: DIMMER: PAUSE MODE: PLAYBACK MEMORY: TRACK SELECTION: CD DIRECT: OFF OFF BRIGHT AUTO ON OFF OFF
PAUSE MODE (DVD VIDEO/DVD-RW only)
Selects the picture in pause mode.
AUTO The picture, including subjects that move dynamically, is output with no jitter. Normally select this position. The picture, including subjects that do not move dynamically, is output in high resolution.

PLAYBACK MEMORY

The player can store SUBTITLE and other settings of each disc for up to 400 discs (Playback Memory). Set this function ON or OFF.
ON OFF Stores the settings in memory when you eject the disc. Does not store the settings in memory.

AUTO POWER OFF

Switches the Auto Power Off setting on or off.
OFF ON Switches this function off. The player enters standby mode when left in stop mode for more than 30 minutes.
The following settings are stored in memory. ANGLE (page 74)* AUDIO (page 69)* VIDEO CONTROL (page 76)** SUBTITLE (page 75)*
* DVD VIDEO only **DVD VIDEO/VIDEO CD only

AUTO PLAY

Switches the Auto Play setting on or off. This function is useful when the player is connected to a timer (not supplied).
OFF ON Switches this function off. Automatically starts playback when the player is turned on.
The player can store the settings of up to 400 discs. When you store the setting of disc number 401, the first disc setting is canceled. The Playback Memory function cannot be used for DVD-RWs in VR mode.

1 Follow steps 1 through 4 of Using
the setup display (page 87) to select SPEAKER SETUP in the Setup display.
SPEAKER SETUP DVD: SUPER AUDIO CD:
2 Select DVD or SUPER AUDIO
CD using X/x, then press ENTER.
Example: when DVD is selected.
SPEAKER SETUP (DVD) SIZE: DISTANCE: LEVEL(FRONT): LEVEL(REAR): OFF TEST TONE: LARGE FRONT: LARGE CENTER: LARGE(REAR) REAR: SUBWOOFER: YES
3 Set the following items in the
order that they are explained below.
The default settings are underlined.
To return to the default setting
Select the item, then press CLEAR. Note that only the SIZE setting does not return to the default setting.
Selects the size of the speakers. FRONT
LARGE SMALL Normally select this position. Select this when the speaker cannot reproduce adequate bass frequencies.

SUBWOOFER

YES Select this if you connect a subwoofer to output the LFE (low frequency effect) signals from the subwoofer. Select this if you do not connect a subwoofer.

CENTER

LARGE SMALL Normally select this position. Select this when the speaker cannot reproduce adequate bass frequencies. Select this if you do not connect a center speaker.
The cut off frequency for the subwoofer is fixed at 120 Hz. If your speakers are too small to reproduce low bass frequencies, utilize a subwoofer for low frequency sound. When you set the speaker settings to SMALL, the bass redirection circuitry will be activated and the bass frequencies for the speakers are output from the subwoofer. Even if there are fewer than 6 speakers connected, the player distributes the audio signal components to the front speakers.
LARGE (REAR/ SIDE) SMALL (REAR/ SIDE) Normally select this position. Select according to the rear speakers position*. Select this when the sound distorts or the surround effects are difficult to hear. Select according to the rear speaker position*. Select this if you do not connect rear speakers.

DISTANCE

Sets the distance from your listening position to the speakers. Set the distance to your front speakers in FRONT first (A). Then adjust the values in CENTER (center speaker B), REAR (rear speaker C), and SUBWOOFER (D) to reflect the actual distance to your center speaker, rear speakers, and subwoofer.
* Rear speaker position Correctly specify the location of the rear speakers to enjoy the surround effect. Set to SIDE, if the location of the rear speakers corresponds to section A below. Set to REAR, if the location of the rear speakers corresponds to section B below. This setting affects only VIRTUAL REAR SHIFT, VIRTUAL MULTI REAR, and VIRTUAL MULTI DIMENSION mode (page 72).
The default adjustments are in parentheses.

L (0 dB)

B D A (4~50 ft) A (4~50 ft)
Set this between 6 dB and 0 dB in 0.5 dB increments. Set this between 6 dB and 0 dB in 0.5 dB increments. Set this between 12 dB and 0 dB in 0.5 dB increments.

R (0 dB) CENTER (0 dB)

Be sure to change the value in the Setup Display each time you move the speakers. Start from the front speaker. The default adjustments are in parentheses.
FRONT (10 ft) Set this between 4 and 50 feet in 0.25 foot increments.
SUBWOOFER (When SIZE is set to the (DVD: 5 dB/ default settings): SUPER Set this between 10 dB AUDIO CD: and +10 dB in 0.5 dB 0 dB) increments. (When SIZE is not set to the default settings): Set this between 15 dB and +5 dB in 0.5 dB increments.

LEVEL (REAR)

Varies the level of the rear speakers. Be sure to set TEST TONE to ON for easy adjustment. The default adjustments are in parentheses.
L (0 dB) R (0 dB) Set this between 12 dB and 0 dB in 0.5 dB increments. Set this between 12 dB and 0 dB in 0.5 dB increments.
CENTER (10 ft) Set this within 6 feet of the FRONT setting in 0.25 foot increments. For example, if FRONT is set to 6 feet, CENTER can be set between 0 and 12 feet. REAR (10 ft) Set this within 18 feet and +6 feet of the FRONT setting in 0.25 foot increments. For example, if FRONT is set to 18 feet, REAR can be set between 0 and 24 feet. Set this within 18 and +6 feet of the FRONT setting in 0.25 foot increments. For example, if FRONT is set to 18 feet, REAR can be set between 0 and 24 feet.
To adjust the volume of all the speakers at one time
Use the amplifiers (receivers) volume control.

TEST TONE

The speakers will emit a test tone. Use this when you use the 5.1CH OUTPUT jacks and adjust LEVEL (FRONT) and LEVEL (REAR).
OFF ON The test tone is not emitted from the speakers. The test tone is emitted from each speaker in sequence.

SUBWOOFER (10 ft)

If each of the front or rear speakers are not placed at an equal distance from your listening position, set the distance according to the closest speaker.

LEVEL (FRONT)

Varies the level of the front speakers. Be sure to set TEST TONE to ON for easy adjustment.
Adjusting the speaker volume and level

Select SPEAKER SETUP in the Setup Display. Select TEST TONE and set to ON.
You will hear the test tone from each speaker in sequence.
From your listening position, select LEVEL (FRONT) or LEVEL (REAR) and adjust the value using X/x.
The test tone is emitted from both left and right speakers simultaneously.
Select TEST TONE and set to OFF to turn off the test tone.
The test tone signals are not output from the digital jack.

Additional Information

Troubleshooting
If you experience any of the following difficulties while using the player, use this troubleshooting guide to help remedy the problem before requesting repairs. Should any problem persist, consult your nearest Sony dealer.
, Even if your TV is compatible with progressive format 480p signals, the image may be affected when you set COMPONENT OUT to PROGRESSIVE. In this case, set COMPONENT OUT to INTERLACE. , You have selected VIDEO OFF (page 35).
The picture does not fill the screen, even though the aspect ratio is set in TV TYPE under SCREEN SET UP.
, The aspect ratio of the disc is fixed on your DVD.
The power is not turned on.
, Check that the AC power cord is connected securely.

There is no sound.

, Re-connect the connecting cord securely. , The connecting cord is damaged. , The player is connected to the wrong input jack on the amplifier (receiver) (page 25, 26, 27). , The amplifier (receiver) input is not correctly set. , The player is in pause mode or in Slowmotion Play mode. , The player is in fast forward or fast reverse mode. , If the audio signal does not come through the DIGITAL OUT (COAXIAL or OPTICAL) jack, check the audio settings (page 93). , Super Audio CD audio signals are not output from the digital jack.

Picture

There is no picture/picture noise appears.
, Re-connect the connecting cord securely. , The connecting cord is damaged. , Check the connection to your TV (page 19) and switch the input selector on your TV so that the signal from the player appears on the TV screen. , The disc is dirty or flawed. , If the picture output from your player goes through your VCR to get to your TV or if you are connected to a combination TV/ VIDEO player, the copy-protection signal applied to some DVD programs could affect picture quality. If you still experience problems even when you connect your player directly to your TV, try connecting your player to your TVs S VIDEO input (page 19). , You have set COMPONENT OUT in SCREEN SETUP to PROGRESSIVE even though your TV cannot accept the signal in progressive format. In this case, set the COMPONENT VIDEO OUT/SCAN SELECT switch on the rear panel of the player to INTERLACE. COMPONENT OUT in SCREEN SETUP is automatically set to INTERLACE, and reset the COMPONENT VIDEO OUT/ SCAN SELECT switch to SELECTABLE. Normally leave the switch in this position when using the COMPONENT VIDEO OUT jacks.

Sound distortion occurs.

, Set AUDIO ATT in AUDIO SETUP to ON (page 92).

The volume is low.

, The volume is low on some DVDs. The volume may improve if you set AUDIO DRC to TV MODE (page 92). , Set AUDIO ATT in AUDIO SETUP to OFF (page 92).
The surround effect is difficult to hear when playing a Dolby Digital, or DTS sound track.
, Check the speaker connections and settings (page 27, 29, 93). , 5.1 channel sound is not recorded on the disc being played.
The sound only comes from the center speaker.
, Depending on the disc, the sound may come from the center speaker only.
The title of the MP3 audio album or track is not correctly displayed.
, The player can only display numbers and alphabet. Other characters are displayed as *.

Operation

The remote does not function.
, The batteries in the remote are weak. , There are obstacles between the remote and the player. , The distance between the remote and the player is too far. , The remote is not pointed at the remote sensor on the player. , The COMMAND MODE switch setting on the remote does not match the setting on the player (page 18).
The disc does not start playing from the beginning.
, Program Play, Shuffle Play, Repeat Play, or A-B Repeat Play has been selected (page 44). , Resume play has taken effect (page 37).
The player starts playing the disc automatically.
, The disc features an auto playback function. , AUTO PLAY in CUSTOM SETUP is set to ON (page 91).

The disc does not play.

, The disc is skewed. , The player cannot play certain discs (page 6). , The region code on the DVD does not match the player. , Moisture has condensed inside the player (page 3). , The player cannot play a recorded disc that is not correctly finalized (page 7).
Playback stops automatically.
, While playing discs with an auto pause signal, the player stops playback at the auto pause signal.
Some functions such as Stop, Search, Slow-motion Play, Repeat Play, Shuffle Play, or Program Play cannot be performed.
, Depending on the disc, you may not be able to do some of the operations above. Refer to the operating manual that comes with the disc. Additional Information
The MP3 audio track cannot be played (page 42).
, The DATA CD is not recorded in an MP3 format that conforms to ISO9660 Level 1/ Level 2 or Joliet. , The MP3 audio track does not have the extension.MP3. , The data is not formatted in MP3 even though it has the extension.MP3. , The data is not MPEG1 Audio Layer 3 data. , The player cannot play audio tracks in MP3PRO format.

The disc is dirty. , Clean the disc with a soft cloth (page 8). The disc is not inserted correctly. , Re-insert the disc correctly. The front cover automatically opens and the player enters standby mode. , Check that there is nothing wrong inside the rotary table, such as a fallen disc. After you have checked the inside of the rotary table and resolved any possible problems, press H.
The front cover does not open and LOCKED appears on the front panel display.
, Child Lock is set (page 36).
The front cover does not open and TRAY LOCKED appears on the front panel display.
, Contact your Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility.
Data error appears on the TV screen when playing a DATA CD.
, The MP3 audio track you want to play is broken. , The data is not MPEG1 Audio Layer 3 data.
E XX To prevent a malfunction, the (xx is a number) player has performed the self-diagnosis function. , Contact your nearest Sony dealer or local authorized Sony service facility and give the 5character service number. Example: E 61 10

Glossary

Chapter (page 10, 15, 61)
Sections of a picture or a music feature that are smaller than titles. A title is composed of several chapters. Depending on the disc, no chapters may be recorded.
Dolby Digital (page 27, 93)
Digital audio compression technology developed by Dolby Laboratories. This technology conforms to multi-channel surround sound. The rear channel is stereo and there is a discrete subwoofer channel in this format. Dolby Digital provides the same discrete channels of high quality digital audio found in Dolby Digital theater surround sound systems. Good channel separation is realized because all of the channel data are recorded discretely and little deterioration is realized because all channel data processing is digital.
double-layer and single-sided DVD is 8.5 GB, a single-layer and double-sided DVD is 9.4 GB, and double-layer and double-sided DVD is 17 GB. The picture data uses the MPEG 2 format, one of the worldwide standards of digital compression technology. The picture data is compressed to about 1/40 (average) of its original size. The DVD also uses a variable rate coding technology that changes the data to be allocated according to the status of the picture. Audio information is recorded in a multi-channel format, such as Dolby Digital, allowing you to enjoy a more real audio presence. Furthermore, various advanced functions such as the multi-angle, multilingual, and Parental Control functions are provided with the DVD.

ES Series DVD-Video/CD/SA-CD Players Technical Background
Version 3.0; June 2, 2003

Introduction

In 2002, the Sony DVP-NS999ES DVD player established an entirely new Reference Standard for the category. It introduced new advancements in video D/A conversion, new benchmarks in the coordination of audio and video signals and new refinements in the purity and integrity of the digital video signal. Now Sony extends these technological breakthroughs to two additional ES components: the DVP-CX777ES Disc Explorer 400-disc changer and the DVPNC555ES 5-disc changer. It's no accident that these remarkable components come from Sony. And it's no coincidence that they're part of Sony ES, the Elevated Standard in audio and video. After all, Sony co-invented the technology that DVD is based upon the Compact Disc. We developed the error-correction and coding technology inside every DVD disc and player. And we're involved in every link of the DVD chain, from movie and music production to DVD authoring, mastering and replication. No wonder Sony has consistently created top DVD players. DVP-S7000 (1997). Sony's first DVD player was quickly hailed by magazine reviewers as the "Reference Standard." It became the centerpiece in the A/V systems used to review DVD titles, televisions and other DVD players. DVP-S7700 (1998). A long list of audio, video and construction refinements enabled enthusiasts to achieve even higher performance. DVP-S9000ES (2000). Sony's first DVD player with progressive scan 480P output, this was also the first with Super Audio CD playback and the first to wear the badge of Sony ES. DVP-NS900V (2001). Sony reinvented progressive scan DVD with pixel-bypixel I/P conversion and Sony extended Super Audio CD entertainment with multi-channel playback. DVP-NS999ES (2002). Sony deployed Precision Cinema Progressive circuitry, along with a 14-bit/108 MHz video D/A converter, Speaker Time Alignment and Audio-Video Alignment.
Sony's latest DVD-Video players bring this exalted technology to an even broader range of potential customers. Video Performance.. Audio Performance.. Construction Quality. Convenience.. At a Glance. Appendix A: Progressive, Interlace and DVD. Appendix B: The Super Audio CD Format. Page 3 Page 20 Page 29 Page 37 Page 42 Page 44 Page 50
ES Series DVD-Video/CD/SA-CD Players; Version 3.0

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Video Performance
Precision Cinema Progressive circuitry (all models)
The purpose of today's high-end home theater systems is to recreate the look and sound of the movie theater. This includes the vivid detail and seamless coherence of the film frame. A crucial technology for achieving this goal is DVDVideo playback with progressive scanning, "480P" output. This works with the many of today's "HD capable" and "HD monitor" televisions, which offer 480P inputs. For example, Sony markets this capability as the Hi-Scan 1080i chassis. In this context, 480P outputs have been promoted as a must-have feature in high-end DVD players. However, there continue to be important differences in how DVD players generate the 480P signal. The DVP-NS999ES was the first to incorporate Sony's Precision Cinema Progressive system, a comprehensive approach that incorporates two significant circuits to deliver a picture that comes closer than ever to the original movie theater experience. Pixel-by-Pixel Active interlace-to-progressive (I/P) conversion Vertical Edge Compensation
Pixel-by-Pixel Active I/P Conversion (all models)
Interlace-to-Progressive (I/P) conversion is a potentially tricky process. Simplistic solutions like "frame memory" can end up creating motion artifacts that mar the final result. These appear as zipper-like patterns on the left and right edges of moving objects. (See Appendix A for the full story.) Players with "3-2 reverse conversion" overcome this limitation, maintaining the integrity of the original film frames. But extracting the full potential of the DVD-Video format requires even more. Different types of DVD material require different types of conversion. An I/P conversion strategy optimized for material originally shot on film will not get the best results for material originally shot on video, and vice versa.

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The mathematical algorithms of Sony's Pixel-by-Pixel Active I/P conversion have been committed to silicon in this Large Scale Integrated circuit (LSI), the Sony CXD9698R.
Sony solves the problem with Pixel-by-Pixel Active I/P conversion that includes built-in motion detection. This enables us to generate the ideal progressive scanning output for each type of DVD source. Film originated material. For footage originally shot on 24-frames per second film or film-like 24-frame progressive video, the Sony system automatically and flawlessly detects the 3-2 cadence and performs full 3-2 reverse conversion. Mismatched film frames are never "force-fit" into a single video frame. The system adds no motion blurring. You'll enjoy twice the vertical resolution of conventional interlace video, for an experience that's less like watching television and more like watching film. Film originated material on a DVD-R/RW or DVD+R/RW. DVD recorders complicate the I/P conversion processes, because these recorders capture everything as interlaced video. That means movies, even if they were originally shot on film, are recorded as 30 frames per second interlaced, not 24 frames per second progressive. There are no First Field Repeat Flags (FFRFs), leaving many DVD players unable to guess at the original frame structure. In this case, conventional 3-2 reverse conversion will not work, but Sony's Pixel-by-Pixel Active I/P conversion will. Thanks to built-in motion detection, the Sony system does not depend on FFRFs. So you get accurate reproduction on DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW discs. Film material intercut with interlaced video material. Sony's Pixel-byPixel Active I/P conversion applies appropriate processing for film elements and video elements, even when they alternate in rapid-fire sequence, as they might during the "making of" documentary on a movie DVD. The Sony

Sony's Vertical Edge Compensation uses a broad range of pixels on the lines immediately above and below to calculate a pixel on moving edges. This controls the jaggedness that can sometimes distort edges in the video picture.
Vertical Edge Compensation uses the built-in motion detection to judge motion at the pixel level and to detect edges. When the circuit detects an edge, it refers to other edges within the field. The circuit then assembles data from a broad range of pixels on the lines immediately above and below to calculate the new pixel. This smoothes out the stair steps and results in consistent, naturallooking lines throughout the picture. It's just one more way that Sony raises the standard in DVD-Video picture quality.
14-bit D/A Converter (DVP-NS99ES) 12-bit D/A Converter (DVP-NC555ES, CX777ES)
The binary word length used in video digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion helps determine the gray scale performance of the picture. This can be seen, for example, in the play of light across the face of an actress, as the light of a candle falls off into shadow. Longer word lengths contribute to smoother, more realistic transitions from dark to light. Starting with the DVP-S7000, Sony led the way with 10-bit video digital-toanalog conversion. The DVP-NS900V raised the performance to 12-bit conversion, producing four times the grayscale levelsperformance now also achieved by the DVP-NC555ES and CX777ES. The DVP-NS999ES incorporates the Analog Devices ADV7304A, a 14-bit video D/A converter. This produces yet again four times the grayscale levelsa total of 16 times as many as earlier, 10-bit designs.

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The 14-bit video D/A converter also includes the video encoder and processing for Macrovision Copy Protection.
Sony applies the extended binary word length both to DVD's luminance (Y) black-and-white channel and to DVD's two color difference channels (PB and PR). So you get more accurate rendition of colors from the deepest black to the brightest highlights.
108 MHz D/A converter (DVP-NS999ES) 216 MHz D/A converter (DVP-NC555ES, CX777ES)

In DVD-Video playback, the ultimate in picture detail comes into direct conflict with the ultimate in picture clarity. Detail is a function of the video "bandwidth" or "frequency response." The highest resolution details occupy the highest video frequencies. Clarity is a function of video "noise." In the worst case, noise appears as "snow" or flecks and specks of unwanted color. In more subtle examples, noise appears as a texture or graininess not present in the original picture. Sony ES Series players achieve a remarkable combination of superb fine picture detail and excellent clarity, thanks to 108 MHz and 216 MHz oversampling in the D/A converter. To understand how oversampling can have such a powerful effect on picture quality, it helps to understand the concepts of digital sampling and aliasing noise. Digital recording systems work by "sampling" the original source at a specific rate, or "frequency." The frequency of sampling is determined by the Nyquist Theorem, which dates back to 1928. Harry Nyquist calculated that the sampling frequency needed to be at least twice the highest frequency in the signal you need to record. For Compact Disc, which records audio frequencies up to 20,000 cycles per second (20 kHz), we need 44,100 samples per second (44.1 kHz). Because the video signal is much more complex, the frequencies are far higher. To capture the exceptional fine picture detail of DVD, the black-andwhite or "luminance" channel records frequencies out to 6,750,000 Hz (6.75

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MHz). This means that DVD samples the video luminance channel at 13,500,000 Hz (13.5 MHz), as part of the DVD-Video format specification. CD Audio DVD-Video Channel Bandwidth 20,000 Hz 6,750,000 Hz Sampling Frequency 44,100 Hz 13,500,000 Hz
Digital recording systems sample the analog input signal at a specific rate or frequency at least twice the highest frequency of the channel. For DVD-Video, the sampling frequency is 13,500,000 times per second (13.5 MHz).
Nyquist sampling only works properly if the analog output is carefully filtered of the aliasing noise that the digital process incurs. Fortunately, the aliasing noise is consistently higher in frequency than the highest video frequencies we want to recover. The noise appears in clusters at each multiple of the sampling frequency, plus and minus the video bandwidth. Unfortunately, the noise is very close to the video frequencies. The player must use a very steep analog filter, which must be carefully constructed to pass all the video frequencies and block all the aliasing noise. Normally, even slight errors in the analog filter could cut the highest video frequenciesdegrading picture detail or allow some aliasing noise to pass throughdegrading picture clarity. While these requirements are difficult for interlace scanning, progressive scanning sets even more stringent requirements. Because progressive scanning outputs twice as many horizontal lines per second, progressive playback effectively doubles channel bandwidth to 13.5 MHz and doubles sampling frequency to 27 MHz. Players need a minimum of 27 MHz sampling in order to output a progressive signal. Luminance Channel (Y) Bandwidth 6.75 MHz 13.5 MHz, effective Luminance Channel (Y) Sampling Frequency 13.5 MHz 27 MHz, effective

Block diagram of the DVP-NS999ES video circuit. You can see the separate digital circuit board (left) and analog circuit board (right). At center, you can see the nine channels of low-pass filtering. On the right are the video buffer op amps.
Output Capacitor-Less (OCL) coupling (DVP-NS999ES)
In typical audio and video design, an output capacitor prevents the accidental passing of DC offset voltage from one piece of equipment to the next. However, the mere presence of the output capacitor can affect the video frequency response and literally tinge the television picture with unwanted shading. And these effects can't be corrected by your television's picture controls. Sony's answer is a rigorous design that controls DC offset voltages

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from the start. You get reliable operation without performance-robbing output capacitors.
Carefully selected parts (DVP-NS999ES)
More than a labor of technology, the DVP-NS999ES represents the enthusiasm that Sony engineers share with high-end videophiles. That's why the player incorporates a variety of carefully selected resistors, inductors, semiconductors and capacitors. Each plays a specific role in maximizing video performance. Low Distortion Film Capacitors. While electrolytic capacitors are suited to power supply filtering, film capacitors are especially proficient for sound and picture. Many of these low-distortion capacitors contribute to the outstanding performance of the DVP-NS999ES. Oversized output resistors. Output resistors determine the impedance of the analog output circuits. Most designers avoid large resistors. But Sony incorporates large resistors of uncommonly tight tolerances. This contributes to the high slew rates required for wideband video. Output Signal Relay. To simplify connections to your television, the DVPNS999ES uses a common set of component video terminals for both progressive and interlaced output. Naturally, this requires output switching. While conventional designs use semiconductor switches, Sony employs a high-quality mechanical relay. It's a more expensive design that delivers more positive connections, lower resistance and lower noise across the switch. Progressive and interlaced output can be selected via on-screen menus or via a switch on the rear panel.
Wide pitch output jacks (DVP-NS999ES, NC555ES)
Sony engineers even anticipated the high-grade output cables that videophiles are likely to use. On the DVP-NS999ES and NC555ES, Sony deliberately spaced the Y/PB/PR output jacks further apart than common practice, the better to accommodate heavy-gauge cables and plugs!
The spacing or "pitch" between the component video output jacks is wider than usual, to accommodate heavy-gauge cables and plugs.

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Audio Performance
In addition to DVD-Video and Compact Discs, all of these models also bring home sumptuous high-resolution audio, playing back both stereo and multichannel Super Audio CDs. You'll hear the inner detail of choral ensembles. The reverberation trailing from a guitar chord. And the acoustic space surrounding the instruments. With Super Audio CD, you hear every nuance of sound reproduced with incredible ease and clarity. (For the full story on Super Audio CD and its innovative Direct Stream Digital encoding process, please see Appendix B.)

Multi-channel Super Audio CD playback (all models)
Sony ES Series DVD-Video players take full advantage of the latest generation of multi-channel Super Audio CD music. Multi-channel Super Audio CD gives producers the ability to capture the precise ambience and reverberation that give any concert hall, jazz club or recording studio its characteristic "sound." Multi-channel Super Audio CD doesn't just bring the performer to your room; it puts you into the performer's space. The result can be overwhelming. By combining this fully dimensional soundstage with the uncanny clarity of DSD technology, Sony ES Series DVD players offer music reproduction that's nothing short of brilliant.
DSD decoder LSI (all models)
The Super Audio CDs 1-bit signal is processed and decoded by Sony's CXD2753 DSD decoder LSI. This integrated circuit makes intelligent decisions regarding the incoming data to form the 1-bit audio signal. The LSI first reads the Watermarka feature protecting Super Audio Compact Discs from piracyand then decodes the incoming data. The LSI uses internal memory to take data that's output intermittently from the disc, rearrange it and order it into continuous 1-bit audio streams. This LSI also reads sub code data such as the Table of Contents, track number, track time, and text data.

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Multi-channel DSD decoding is handled by a Sony Large-Scale Integrated circuit (LSI), the CXD2753R. It's another of many exclusive Sony LSIs in the ES Series DVD players.
Multi-Channel Management (all models)
Home theater speaker configurations vary considerably. Some enthusiasts have built upon audiophile-grade stereo systems. These systems may have large, full range Left and Right speakers that produce bass so deep that any subwoofer would be extraneous. In this case, the Left and Right speakers may well be considerably larger than the Center and Surround speakers. Other systems may have five matching satellite speakers, plus a subwoofer. Some systems may have no Center channel speaker, while others have no Surround speakers. The DSD decoder LSI provides multi-channel management to achieve optimal multi-channel reproduction with all these speaker configurations.
Speaker Time Alignment (all models)
For optimum playback, the mastering engineers who create CDs need to anticipate the speaker configuration over which the music will be reproduced. In stereo, that configuration is simple: two identical speakers ideally set an equal distance from the listener. In a multi-channel sound, the ideal is slightly more complex. Multi-channel Super Audio CD is designed to conform to an international standard, called ITU-R. This envisions that the listener sits in the exact center of a circle of five identical speakers, with each speaker occupying a specified position in the circle. (For the Low Frequency Effects or LFE channel, the subwoofer can be flexibly placed outside the circle.) The ITU-R circle makes a great reference for studio engineers. But few home environments can accommodate exactly this setup. Even if you did have five identical speakers all the way around, the rectangular shape of most rooms

Separate speaker settings (all models)
These DVD players also provide speaker size and location settings for Super Audio CD playback that are separate from the settings you make for DVDVideo and other formats.
How the CXD 9722 works (all models)
As the diagram below shows, the CXD9722 receives input signals from either the DVD/CD Data input terminal or the Super Audio CD Data input terminal,

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both on the left. One of the input terminals is selected, and the signal enters and is sent to a 16 Megabit S-DRAM memory. The signal plays out of memory at a fixed time delay that is determined by the user. Both data writing points and data reading points are controlled within the IC using read and write pointers in the control section. All told, there are nine individual blocks in this IC (Front Left, Front Right, Center, Surround Left, Surround Right, Subwoofer, Stereo Left, Stereo Right and Digital Out). Because the nine blocks can be controlled independently, you can create virtual speaker positions ideal for both Super Audio CD and DVD playback. In addition, since all nine blocks can be controlled simultaneously, all signals can be given the same delay to achieve A/V alignment with the television.
Schematic of the CXD9722 signal processing IC.
High performance audio D/A converters with DSD inputs (all models)
To elicit the full sound quality from Compact Disc, DVD-Video sound tracks and especially from Super Audio CD, these DVD players incorporate powerful audio D/A conversion technology. The D/A converters can handle DSD inputs for Super Audio CD playback as well as high quality DVD-Video signals up to 192 kHz sampling rate with 24-bit word length. This assures compatibility with the widest range of source material. The DVP-NS999ES offers even more, with separate Sony D/A converters for multi-channel and stereo programming. Both of these D/A converters include on-board Variable Coefficient digital filters for extremely accurate rendition of the soundfield on DVD-Video and CD. In addition, on-board DSD filters reduce highfrequency noise in Super Audio CD playback. Finally, both D/A converter ICs employ multi-level delta-sigma D/A conversion, which assures both excellent linearity and remarkably low noise. Balanced outputs on the DVP-NS999ES D/A converters enable balanced transmission of audio signals to the post Low Pass Filter on the audio circuit

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Fixed Base Unit Mechanism (DVP-NS999ES)
On a conventional CD or DVD drive, the spindle, drive motor and optical pickup are mounted on a pivoting base unit. The pivot is necessary because the base unit needs to drop out of the way when the disc drawer is opening and closing. And it needs to swing back up into playing position once a disc has been loaded. Unfortunately, this pivoting mechanism is an open invitation to vibration and resonance. Sony engineers demanded more. For the DVP-S9000ES, they developed the fixed base unit mechanism. Sony's DVP-NS999ES incorporates the second

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generation of this ground-breaking design. In Sony's mechanism, the spindle, motor and optical pickup base unit are rigidly bolted to a sub-chassis, to reduce any possibility of resonance. When you load a disc into the DVP-NS999ES, the disc not only moves laterally into the player, it also descends onto the spindle. Thanks to Sony's design, the disc is always read in a silent, extremely stable non-resonant environment. Vibration is minimized, along with the servo activity that vibration can cause. The sensitive RF preamplifier is protected from servo radiation.
Conventional DVD players use a pivoting base unit (top), prone to vibration. The Sony DVP-NS999ES uses a rigidly fixed base unit (bottom), minimizing vibration and its consequent distortion.
Front view of Sony's Fixed Base Unit mechanism. The loading tray not only slides into the player, it also descends to the base unit, which is fixed to a non-resonant base.
Hermetic shutter (DVP-NS999ES)
When it carries the disc down to the fixed base unit, the loading tray no longer acts like a door to seal the front-panel loading slot. Sony engineers

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addressed this by creating a hermetic shutter. It forms an airtight seal to protect the disc and pickup from air-borne vibration. Even when the speakers in your room are going full blast, the disc rotates in peace and quiet.
To seal off the mechanism from air-borne vibration, the inner shutter descends into position during disc playback.
BMC Mechanical Deck (DVP-NS999ES)
The base unit is mounted on a sub-chassis called the mechanical deck. On the DVP-NS999ES, this is a rigid, honeycomb structure of Sony's Bulk Molding Compound (BMC). Long a fixture in Sony anti-resonant design, BMC is carefully formulated for high strength and high internal loss. Like steel, it has the rigidity required for its structural purpose. But unlike steel, BMC steadfastly resists vibration and resonance. BMC consists of calcium carbonate (a principal component of marble), glass fiber reinforcement and unsaturated polyester. The material is subjected to thermosetting and is formed into the mechanical deck floor, walls and ceiling. Even the disc loading tray is made of non-resonant BMC.

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Sony's Bulk Molding Compound (BMC) is remarkably anti-resonant. And the honeycomb structure of Sony's mechanical deck floor is extensively cross-braced, reducing resonance further still!
Precision Drive 2 system (all models)
The disc condition can have a major effect on proper readout. Ideally, the disc should be flat, centered and free of dust, dirt and scratches. In the real world, no disc is perfect. Slight imperfection in the location of the center hole requires the player to follow a wobble in the track once per rotation. Tilt in the disc surface requires similar, constant adjustment. There are also unavoidable micron-level imperfections, including everyday scratches too small to be seen by the naked eye. Compared to CD, DVD-Video and Super Audio CD use a smaller pit size and shorter laser wavelength that place even greater urgency on accurate tracking. Sony meets these challenges with the Precision Drive 2 system. Sony's system incorporates several advances. Dynamic Tilt Compensation enables the lens to tilt with each undulation of the disc. It operates by applying highly responsive servo tilt to the pickup. This results in excellent stability for superior readout of warped or eccentric discs. Focus Bias Adjustment delivers accurate readout from scratched or dirty discs. Sony's High-speed Stepping Motor provides fast, silent access to DVD chapters and CD tracks. Responsive Servo DSP shortens the wait from the time you insert a disc until playback begins. In the real world, no optical disc is perfectly flat and centered. But with Sony's Precision Drive 2 system, it certainly seems that way.

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Sony's Precision Drive 2 mechanism, including the optical block (upper left) and disc spindle (lower right).
Responsive and accurate servo DSP (all models)
The Precision Drive 2 system of the DVP-NS999ES operates under the control of a fast servo DSP, the Sony CXD9703. It operates at 50 million instructions per second (50 MIPS), an astonishing speed for an ancillary processor. You get instantaneous response to changes in operating conditions, faster and smoother high-speed search and shortened time between disc insertion and playback.
Sony's servo DSP has an astonishingly fast operation speed of 50 million instructions per second (MIPS).
Delta Sigma 1-bit D/A in the Servo DSP (all models)
Just as Delta Sigma modulation stands behind the high sampling rates of the Super Audio CD format, Sony has applied Delta Sigma modulation to the servo DSP. The Sony CDX9703 incorporates a 1-bit Delta Sigma Modulation A/D converter to translate the analog input voltages into binary code. In order to drive the focus and tracking actuators, the output of the servo DSP is converted

Interlace scanning divides the frame into two "fields." The first field presents the odd-numbered scanning lines (1, 3, 5, etc.). The second field presents the even-numbered lines. Compared to progressive scanning, picture quality is reduced and the horizontal scanning lines are far more prominent on the screen.
In the early days of television, when 12-inch diagonal screens were commonly used in living rooms, halving the vertical resolution was not a practical concern. But in today's environment of 61-inch diagonal projection systems, the illusion of a continuous picture on the screen begins to fall apart. Depending on how close you sit to the screen, individual scanning lines become visible and the compromise in vertical resolution becomes an annoyance. That's why many of today's finest big screen televisions have the ability to input and display 480P at 60 frames per second480/60P. When carefully executed, 480/60P can achieve fluid, lifelike fast motion, along with breathtaking image detail. The 480/60P system is also superb for resolving fine print on the screenone reason why 480/60P is the basis of the popular VGA computer display standard.
Film and video origination
Movie film is conventionally shot and displayed at 24 frames per second. In the camera, the entire frame of film is exposed at one time. In the theater, the entire frame is projected at one time. Unfortunately, projecting at the native film rate of 24 frames per second creates flicker. That's why movie projectors use a special shutter to display each frame twice, creating the effect of 48 frames per second.

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Theatrical release movies aren't the only programs that are originally captured at 24 frames per second on motion picture film. For example, music videos, TV commercials and primetime dramas are often shot on film or film-like 24-frame progressive video. In fact, industry observers estimate that more than 50% of primetime television has been shot on film or 24P video.
Film-to-video transfer and 3-2 pulldown
We've seen that much of television broadcasting starts out as movie film at 24 frames per second. This means not only has it been converted from film to video, it's been converted from 24 frames per second to 60i. A machine called a telecine performs both conversions. Simple arithmetic says that = 2.5. This means that each film frame must convert to an average of 2.5 video fields. A process called 3-2 pulldown performs this conversion. The first film frame is converted to three video fields. The next film frame is converted to two video fields. The next film frame is converted to three video fields, and so on. We get a pattern of 3-2-3-2-3-2 etc, from which 3-2 pulldown gets its name. This pattern averages out to 2.5 video fields for every film frame. The telecine converts a film frame to three video fields by repeating the first field. For example, the first video field may consist of odd scanning lines, the second field consists of even scanning lines and the third field consists of the same odd scanning lines as the first.

Thanks to 3-2 pulldown, movie film at 24 frames per second gets transformed to videotape at 60 interlaced fields per second. Movie frame A is converted to three fields. Movie frame B is converted to two fields. Movie frame C is converted to three fields and so on, in a 3-2-32-3-2 pattern.

Film and video on DVD

In order to fit a feature-length film onto a CD-sized disc, the DVD format employs MPEG-2 digital compression. And one important trick of this compression is to distinguish between footage originally shot on conventional, interlaced video and footage originally shot on film or 24P video. As you would

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expect, DVD stores video footage in its native 60i form. But you might be surprised to learn that most DVDs shot on film or 24P video store the images at the native rate of 24 frames per second! Like material shot on conventional, interlaced video, the typical DVD shot on film is encoded from 60i videotape. But in the DVD authoring process, logic circuits in the majority of high-quality MPEG encoders detect the telltale pattern of 3-2-3-2 in the incoming video fields, the so-called 3-2 cadence. Since repeated fields would waste precious disc space, the DVD eliminates them and replaces them with First Field Repeat Flags (FFRFs) that tell the player which fields to repeat. The remaining fields are reassembled back into their original frames and encoded onto the DVD in progressive scan at 480/24P. This system is 20% more space-efficient than 60i. It's an important advantage because it enables DVDs to hold films that are 20% longer. Or DVDs can encode each frame with 20% more bits, for even better picture quality.
The DVD stores film-originated material at 24Pthe same rate as the original film. First Field Repeat Flags (FFRFs) mark the 3-2 cadence. The DVD player then performs its own 3-2 pulldown to output images at 60i.

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The 24P encoding of film-originated DVDs means that 3-2 pulldown must be performed in the DVD player before the picture can be displayed on a conventional television. The exact pattern of 3-2 pulldown can have a subtle effect on the rendering of motion. So it's important that the DVD reproduce the 32 pulldown cadence of the original master videotape. That's where the FFRFs come in. They identify each field to be repeated as part of a "3."

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At the top are the original film frames, showing a car moving down the street. Next comes the original 3-2 pulldown. Simple frame memory I/P conversion results in a motion blur every time fields from different film frames are combined. (This occurs for two out of every five video framesor 40% of the time!) At bottom, full 3-2 reverse conversion, as featured in Sony's progressive scan DVD players, preserves the integrity of the original film frames.

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Appendix B: The Super Audio CD Format
Because there's so much more to hear.
Super Audio CD is the most fundamental improvement in digital music reproduction since the CD itself. No surprise. It comes from the people who invented the CD: Sony and Philips.
Direct Stream Digital encoding
Other digital systemsincluding the very latest designsuse Pulse Code Modulation (PCM). Unfortunately, PCM record/playback systems require decimation and interpolation filters that can cause problems, including requantization noise, passband ripple and ringing. These degradations can smear musical overtones, muddy the soundstage and compromise overall transparency. Simply increasing the PCM word length to 24 bits or increasing the PCM sampling rate to 96 kHz does nothing to overcome these fundamental problems.
Compared to CD, Super Audio CD is far simpler. Super Audio CD eliminates decimation and interpolation filters.
Direct Stream Digital processing eliminates these problems by eliminating the filters. It enables a 1-bit signal to be recorded directly. Sony's 1-bit system encodes music at an astonishing 2,822,400 samples per second. Thanks to DSD encoding, the Super Audio CD format offers frequency response to 100 kHz and a theoretical dynamic range of more than 120 dB. But specifications alone cannot express the DSD advantage. DSD one-bit encoding strips away entire classes of distortion that have always characterized PCM. The DSD system provides nothing less than a quantum leap in music resolution.

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The DSD pulse train "looks" remarkably like the analog waveform it represents. More pulses point up as the wave goes positive and down as the wave goes negative.
Multi-channel Super Audio CD
Producers also have the option of creating multi-channel Super Audio CDs that can transport you to the acoustic space of the original recording. You'll hear the most convincing soundstage ever presented at home. Super Audio CD multichannel sound is based on the international standard ITU-R speaker setup. So it's directly compatible with many of today's home theater speaker systems. For full compatibility with pure stereo Super Audio CD players, every multichannel Super Audio CD includes a complete stereo rendition from the hand of the producer. You're never at the mercy of a computerized "fold-down" of the multi-channel mix. You'll always hear the producer's original intent.

Center Right LF

Reference Left surround Right surround
Super Audio CD multi-channel sound is based on the international ITUR standard.

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Every multi-channel Super Audio CD includes a separate 2-channel stereo mix, done by the hand of the producernot by a computer.

Backward compatibility

Every Super Audio CD player will play back the 13 billion audio Compact Discs worldwide. So the Super Audio CD format keeps the faith with CD, the most popular digital format of all time. The Super Audio CD format also includes a hybrid disc option that will play back beautifully in more than 700 million CD players, worldwide.
CD Disc diameter Disc thickness Playback side Coding System Sampling Frequency Disc data capacity Disc minimum pit length Disc track pitch Laser wavelength Lens numerical aperture (NA) Playback frequency range (theoretical) Dynamic range (theoretical) Maximum playback time Additional functions 12 cm 1.2 mm Single 16-bit linear PCM encoding 44,100 Hz 680 MB 0.83 micrometers 1.60 micrometers 780 nm 0.45 DC20,000 Hz 96 dB (audible range) Approx. 74 min. (stereo) Text, graphics Super Audio CD (single layer) 12 cm 1.2 mm Single 1-bit DSD encoding 2,822,400 Hz 4.7 GB 0.40 micrometers 0.74 micrometers 650 nm 0.60 DC>100,000 Hz More than 120 dB (audible range) Approx. 110 min. (stereo) Approx. 74 min. (multichannel and stereo) Text, graphics, video

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Sony Electronics Inc. 1 Sony Drive, Park Ridge NJ 07656 http://www.sony.com
2003 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Sony, Because there's so much more to hear, Direct Stream Digital, Disc Explorer, Disc Memo, Hi-Scan 1080i, Precision Cinema Progressive, Precision Drive and SmoothScan are trademarks of Sony. Dolby Digital is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corp. DTS is a registered trademark of Digital Theater Systems, L.P. Super Sub Alias Filter (SSAF) and Noise Shaped Video (NSV) are trademarks of Analog Devices Inc. Macrovision is a trademark of Macrovision Corporation. 1. Multi-brand remote may not be compatible with some brands or models.