An on-screen display enables you to adjust the threshold of film and video detection for each individual disc. Sony ES Series DVD-video players can even store your setting for use the next time you play that title!
In addition, the DVD-Video players of Sony ES enable you to adjust the threshold of film and video detection. So you can optimize the I/P conversion for the specific DVD you're watching. You get I/P conversion that's not only amazingly smooth, but also exquisitely tuned to the individual needs of each DVD. When you're done watching, the players can store the setting in memory. So each time you play that title, you'll automatically get just the right conversion!
Three I/P conversion modes for interlaced video origination (all models)
Many of today's DVDs feature concert videos, documentaries, current events, sports, nature footage and other subjects originally captured on conventional, interlaced video. Video based I/P conversion creates new pixels from existing information. For example, to enable progressive scan output of an odd video field, the player must create the pixels that compose all the even

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scanning lines. Unfortunately, this can result in motion blur. Horizontal lines in the scene can flicker on and off. Other areas can suffer from an unnatural shimmer. For this reason, any high-end progressive scanning system must solve the problem of motion artifacts for footage shot on video.

Scanning lines

EVEN future
I/P conversion of interlaced video originated material. The red pixel, on an even scanning line needs to be created for the current, odd field. If not done properly, this can result in zipper-like edges on moving objects, line flicker and unnatural shimmering.
Sony's Pixel-by-Pixel Active I/P conversion overcomes these problems with built-in motion detection and three distinct video conversion algorithms: one for still objects, a second for moving objects and a third, just for slow-moving objects. As with film origination, the algorithms are applied separately for each individual pixel. So all three can be applied to different parts of any given scene!

EVEN Past 3

EVEN Past 1

ODD current

Time sequence

ODD Past 2

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Still Processing

Moving Processing

Still Part

Moving
The typical video frame includes pixels from on-screen objects that can are still, moving and moving slowly. Sony Pixel-by-Pixel Active I/P conversion applies separate processing for each.

DVD-Video Interlaced Playback DVD-Video Progressive Playback
Progressive scanning effectively doubles both the video bandwidth and the sampling frequency. While only the luminance (Y) channel is shown here, this doubling also occurs for the two color difference channels (PB and PR).

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27 MHz Sampling, Progressive Scan
Signal Loss Analog Filter

Video Signal

Noise included with signal

Frequency in MHz

For progressive scanning, running the D/A converter at the minimum frequency of 27 MHz makes it extremely challenging to design the analog low-pass filter. The filter (red curve) must be steep to avoid cutting into the video signal (blue) or including some of the noise (pink).
The solution to this problem is to run the A/D converter at a higher frequency than 27 MHz. This process shifts the aliasing noise up in frequency, opening up substantial room between the video signal and the noise. With more room, we can relax the design of the analog filter, which can be far milder in slope, and far more effective at optimizing both the picture detail and the picture clarity.
108 MHz Sampling, Progressive Scan (DVP-NS999ES)
Full detail of signal retained

Analog Filter

Noise well separated from signal
Oversampling at the 108 MHz frequency of the DVP-NS999ES makes a huge difference. Now the noise is far removed from the video signal. A gently sloping analog filter can effectively control noise while delivering all the video detail to your television.
Oversampling has been used successfully in CD players for decades. And while the video equivalent is harder to achieve, the effect is the same. The D/A converter of the DVP-NS999ES shifts the sampling frequency from the standard 13.5 MHz to 108 MHz. For progressive scan playback, that's 4x oversampling. For interlaced playback, it's a whopping 8x oversampling.

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216 MHz Sampling, Progressive Scan (DVP-NC555ES, CX777ES)
Full detail of signal retained Video Signal Analog Filter Noise well separated from signal Noise
Oversampling at the 216 MHz frequency of the DVP-NC555ES and DVP-CX777ES is even more dramatic
The DVP-NC555ES and DVP-CX777ES go further still, all the way to an amazing 216 MHz oversampling. This corresponds to 8x oversampling for progressive scan, 16x for interlaced playback. It's the most powerful oversampling that Sony has ever built into a DVD player. You get superb clarity with the effective suppression of video noise, while enjoying the full video bandwidth for breathtaking picture detail.
Noise Shaped Video circuitry (all models)
While 108 MHz and 216 MHz oversampling deals with noise outside the video frequency range, another circuit reduces noise within the frequency range. That's important because the perceived transparency and depth of the video image depends on controlling noise. Sony's D/A converter uses Noise Shaped Video circuitry to shift noise from inside the visible frequency range to outside. Even though the overall noise level remains the same, the perceived noise is dramatically reduced. What's more, once shifted, the out-of-band noise is further suppressed by the analog filter. The result is reproduction without flecks or specks of unwanted color. You'll see a video picture that's vibrant, deep, transparent and clean.

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Noise Shaped Video and the higher 108 MHz and 216 MHz sampling frequencies work together to cut video noise for improved transparency and clarity.
Super Sub Alias Filter circuitry (all models)
The benefit of the 108 MHz and 216 MHz sampling rates is delivered by the Super Sub Alias Filter circuits. In comparison to most previous designs, these filters are now far more effective for two powerful reasons. First, the sampling rates are higher ever. Second, while some previous designs deployed Super Sub Alias Filter circuitry on the black-and-white (luminance) channel only, all ES Series DVD players use these filters on all three video channels: luminance (Y), blue color difference (PB) and red color difference (PR). This results in a consistently clean, clear, vibrantly detailed color picture.
The typical filter leaves traces of the clusters of aliasing noise, which look like lumps in the top diagram. Super Sub Sampling Alias Filter circuits on the Y, PB and PR channels control this aliasing noise more effectively.

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"Below Black" reproduction (all models)
The DVD format dictates specific quantization for specific brightness levels. For example, full black corresponds to a quantization of 16 while full white corresponds to 235. However, direct-view CRTs, plasma panels, CRT projectors and LCD projectors each have specific needs. For example, LCD projectors are subject to "black float" and can benefit from a calibration "below black." CRT direct view televisions tend to loose dark detail when viewed in brightly-lit rooms. Historically, gamma adjustment has matched the grayscale of a video camera to the general transfer characteristics of CRTs. Sony's Graphical Gamma Adjustment matches the grayscale performance of ES Series DVD players to the specific transfer characteristics of your display. Used with a commercially available calibration disc, the Graphical Gamma Adjustment can achieve ideal reproduction. The system enables you to make adjustments to gamma much like a graphic equalizer adjusts audio frequency response. As with an audio equalizer, aggressive adjustment can yield unnatural results. The controls are best used to make gamma curves that are smooth and subtle. Sony's control offers eight points of correction, each with 8-bit precision. And you can always return the gamma controls to the industry-standard "flat" state at the touch of a button.

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)

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

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would make it difficult to place all five speakers at equal distance from the listening position.

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Mastering for Super Audio CD multi-channel sound assumes that speakers will be placed according to the international ITU-R standard (left). Unfortunately, most practical listening rooms don't match this standard exactly. Speaker Time Alignment applies a delay to selected speakers to "move" them into proper position (right). In this example, time delay pushes back the apparent position of the SL and SR speakers to match the L, C and R speakers.
To resolve the problem, Sony developed a 1-bit Digital Signal Processor LSI, the CXD9722. This LSI enables you to apply a carefully timed delay to each individual speaker. Sony provides this delay in 150-microsecond increments. Because most people can't make the mental leap from microseconds to speaker distance, Sony calibrates the delay as distance, in 5-cm (2-inch) increments. Each 150 microseconds of delay "moves" a speaker back 5 cm (2 inches). In this way, Speaker Time Alignment adjusts the "virtual position" of each speaker, enabling you to synchronize the arrival time of sound for all five speakers. You can even change the perceived distance of the subwoofer in relation to the other speakers. With Speaker Time Alignment, you'll experience multi-channel sound as it was meant to be heard. You'll get the effect of perfect speaker placement, even if your actual placement is far less than perfect!

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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board. This suppresses noise caused by fluctuations in the power supply and other externally-induced voltages.
On the DVP-NS999ES, the Sony CXD9675R (left) is a high performance audio D/A converter for 5.1-channel output. A separate D/A converter, the Sony CXD9674TN (right) serves two-channel stereo sources.
Separate analog audio circuit board (DVP-NS999ES, NC555ES)
The digital audio, digital video, analog video and servo control circuits inside a DVD player are potential sources of radiated noise. Low-level signals in the analog audio circuits are particularly susceptible to this noise. That's why the DVP-NS999ES and NC555ES isolate the analog audio circuits on their own board. It's one more measure to help maintain the purity of both DVD-Video sound tracks, and Super Audio CD music. In addition, the DVP-NS999ES uses six separate, identical audio circuits to handle the 5.1 channels. This ensures uniform frequency response and gain characteristics at the output. Sony's careful design not only maintains the sonic purity of multi-channel Super Audio CD signals, but also preserves the crucial left/right and front/rear symmetry of 5.1 DVD-Video surround signals.

On the DVP-NC555ES, a separate printed circuit board for analog audio employs six separate, identical circuits to handle the 5.1 channels of output.

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Audio Shield Plate (DVP-NS999ES)
The DVP-NS999ES prevents even minute interference between the analog video and analog audio circuit boards. The boards are separated by a substantial shield plate that includes a copper sheet to block radiation.
This substantial, copper-lined shield plate protects the analog audio board from even subtle distortions caused by the analog video board.
Wideband digital outputs (DVP-NS999ES)
To deliver a high quality digital signal, the DVP-NS999ES employs a widebandwidth optical module. It can achieve transmission speeds over 13 Megabits per second. This offers plenty of headroom for the 4.6 Megabits per second required by 96 kHz/24-bit outputs. The coaxial output delivers comparable quality thanks to a high-performance pulse transformer. Both digital outputs assure superb dynamics while holding noise and distortion to the bare minimum.
Audiophile-grade components (DVP-NS999ES)
Two capacitors with identical circuit values can have quite different sound quality. For this reason, Sony engineers have taken the time to choose topquality audiophile-grade components throughout the DVP-NS999ES. The op amps, resistors, capacitors and more have been individually selected and matched for their sound quality. For example, carbon resistors with nonmagnetic leads have been chosen for their higher handling capacity. We chose film capacitors for their superior audio characteristics. We even considered the power plug. Sony engineers chose a grounded, 3-pin plug for superior mechanical and electrical characteristics.

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Sony's choice of a grounded AC input assures a more stable electrical and mechanical connection.
Gold-plated output jacks (all models)
To maximize electrical conductivity and minimize the effects of oxidation over time, the audio, composite video, S-Video and component video output jacks are plated with gold. Noise at the contact points is held to a bare minimum.

The DVP-NC555ES uses a high-strength frame, with a broad plate to separate the chassis into two sections. The disc carousel and drive occupies the bottom while the electronics occupy the top.
For example, the DVP-NC555ES is built upon a thick, high-strength frame to reduce unwanted resonance and vibration. Because the top and sides of the case are particularly prone to vibration, the case of the DVP-CX777ES incorporates extensive anti-resonant damping material. This helps suppress vibration for cleaner, more natural sound. The DVP-NS999ES goes further still with Sony's Frame and Beam (FB) chassis.

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A generous application of anti-resonant damping materials to the top and sides of the DVP-CX777ES case.
Frame and Beam chassis (DVP-NS999ES)
Sony's Frame and Beam (FB) chassis uses a thick, high-strength frame which gains additional rigidity from two metal beams that cross the top of the chassis. Extensive internal cross bracing adds even more strength. As a result, the Frame and Beam chassis suppresses vibration.
The Frame and Beam (FB) construction of the DVP-NS999ES is supremely strong to suppress resonance.
Off center insulator feet (DVP-NS999ES, NC555ES)
To prevent shelf-borne vibration from entering the chassis, Sony's insulator feet locate the screw hole off center. By varying the radius from screw

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to perimeter, this tends to vary the resonant frequency within the footdiffusing one potential path for vibration. To further deaden vibration, the feet of the DVPNS999ES use non-rebound rubber on the bottom.
Locating the insulator feet screw holes off center means a constantly varying radius from the hole to the edge. This diffuses shelf-borne resonance.
Advanced FX Mechanism (DVP-NS999ES)
Not only the chassis but also the disc drive mechanism itself is designed to minimize resonance. Sony's Advanced FX Mechanism includes four important advancements: The Fixed Base Unit improves tracking stability and reduces transport vibration at the source. The Hermetic Shutter controls air-borne vibration. Sony's BMC mechanical deck helps prevent resonance from affecting disc playback. The Precision Drive 2 system helps provide accurate, uninterrupted playback even with warped, scratched or dirty discs.

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

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back to analog using delta sigma modulation at 25 MHz. The D/A converter exhibits superb linearity, equivalent to 10-bit precision. So you get remarkably accurate tracking on DVD, Super Audio CD and CD alike.

The Sony CXD9703 Servo DSP incorporates an on-board Delta Sigma A/D and D/A converters for exceptional tracking accuracy.

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Convenience
Disc Explorer system (DVP-CX777ES)
With 400 discs of entertainment at your beck and call, the DVP-CX777ES promises that you'll never need to rummage through your shelves or fumble with jewel boxes, searching for the movies and music you want. But delivering on this promise required a fast, easy, electronic way to identify and access your discs. That's exactly what the Disc Explorer system provides. Using your television screen as a Graphic User Interface, the Disc Explorer system delivers easy, onscreen access to your discs alphabetically by title, by disc type, by genre and by "folders" that you can organize and name. The player loads information regarding your 400 discs into memory, so it's always available for instant access and display. Sort by disc type. The player automatically recognizes disc type such as DVD and CD. So you can scan discs by type. Sort by slot number. The DVP-CX777ES holds each disc in a sequentially numbered slot. The changer makes it easy to sort and access discs by slot number. Sort by title using CD, SA-CD, DVD Text and Disc Memo function. Many discs have text, including disc title, encoded on the signal layer. This information is automatically memorized and displayed by the DVP-CX777ES. In cases where discs do not already have titles, you can create titles using the Disc Memo function. You can also use Disc Memo operation to store artist name, date of purchase or other information about a disc. You can then search discs alphabetically by title. Keyboard Input. Sony gives you two ways to enter text information for each disc. Use the remote control keys to input any character or plug an industrystandard PC keyboard into the front panel connector and type! Jacket Pictures recorded onto DVDs appear automatically. If there is no jacket picture, you can create one by freezing any scene on the DVD. Sort by folders. Sony enables you to organize the 400 discs into four subgroups. While the folders are initially labeled "A" through "D," you can assign them personalized names, like DAD, KID or JAZ. Even when assigned to these custom folders, discs still appear in the standard folders for "All, "DVD," and "CD." Sort by genre. You can also sort movies and music by types. So you can immediately scroll through an on-screen list of all your Sci-Fi DVDs, for example, or all your Country Music discs. All told, Sony provides ten movie genres and six music genres, for easy sorting.

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Appendix A: Progressive, interlace and DVD.
In video, what appears to be a continuously moving image is actually a series of discrete still pictures, called frames. On the typical direct-view television, each frame is created on the picture tube by an electron beam that moves from the left edge of the screen to the right, illuminating one scanning line at a time. The American EIA television system uses 525 total scanning lines per frame. However, about 45 lines are consumed by the vertical blanking interval and are not displayed on the screen. As a result, the EIA television system is often called 480-line scanning. Due to bandwidth limitations from the early years of television, the EIA system was designed to capture 30 frames per second. The natural way to display these images would be to show the scanning lines in sequence, an approach called progressive scanning. 480-line progressive scanning at 30 frames per second is abbreviated 480/30P or 480P (when discussing the line rate) or 30P (when discussing the picture rate).
Progressive scanning creates the picture by illuminating each line from top to bottom until all scanning lines in the frame are completed. Progressive images are clearer, and sharper. The horizontal scanning lines are far less conspicuous.
Unfortunately, 480/30P creates flicker: the image visibly darkens between frames. In addition, capturing images at 480/30P yields unsatisfactory results in fast-paced action like live sports. For these reasons, the early television engineers developed a solution called interlace scanning. Instead of capturing and displaying all 480 lines in their numerical sequence, the EIA system divides the image into two fields. The "A" field contains the odd-numbered scanning lines (1, 3, 5, etc.) and lasts 1/60 second. The "B" field contains the even numbered lines and lasts 1/60 second. This system can be abbreviated 480/60i

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or 480i (when discussing the line rate) or 60i (when discussing the picture rate). The 480i solution is a compromise that doubles the picture rate but halves the vertical resolution at any given instant. While it is a compromise, the 480i system is highly effective, an elegant engineering solution that has helped make television an essential part of entertainment.
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.

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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.

0311wv25 Sony DVP

9/12/03

11:33 AM

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SONY DVP NS999ES
DVD-Video/Super Audio CD player

The gold standard

Sonys 1,000 flagship DVD deck should be something pretty special, so why does John Archer feel like hes been short changed?
When a certain little company called Sony shouts flagship, we jump. Especially when the flagship product in question is a new top of the range DVD deck. Given how good Sony decks are generally think, for instance, of the 300 DVP-NS930V reviewed a few months back we are practically salivating at the prospect of what the 1,000 range-topper they call the DVP-NS999ES might deliver. optical and coaxial digital audio outputs, and a set of six audio line outs for taking full advantage of the decks onboard multichannel SACD playback decoder. between the sound and the video; two sliding scales for adjusting the progressive scan application depending on your source material; contrast, brightness, and hue adjustments; and a staggeringly comprehensive gamma control system so that, for instance, you can lighten areas that look too dark on your screen without simultaneously brightening light areas. More gimmicky tricks include bit-rate and layer meters, a chapter/title scanner that shows the opening shots from all the scenes on a DVD, and a strobe mode which, obscurely, shows a movie as a series of nine still miniframes at a time. If its tasty internal specs youre after, the NS999 has them in spades. The video DAC is a 14-bit, 108MHz affair, with audio handled by a 192kHz/24-bit DAC. Super Audio CD, meanwhile, has its own state of the art 2822.4kHz/1bit DSD DAC. And yes audiophiles, the deck has a CD Direct mode that deactivates the video circuitry to eliminate the possibility of interference during music listening, as well as audio attenuation and filtering if youve got a specific tone youre eager to recreate. Its worth noting, though, that the progressive scan system is
Rather dour for such a glitzy unit and were not sure about the joystick

OPERATION

The NS999ES seems every bit as well-stocked with features as youd expect such a high-end offering to be. The SACD playback and progressive scan capabilities are just scratching the surface. Lets run through the cute and clear onscreen menus for a start. One highlight we quickly stumbled on here is a dedicated Super Audio CD speaker set-up mode a rarity indeed in the DVD world. Theres an extraordinary amount of flexibility in how you want the picture to look too. For starters, theres a set of five preset modes. But things really get interesting when you head into the userdefinable Memory setting. Clever, in some cases unique, tricks awaiting your consideration here are (deep breath): a Digital Video Enhancer for sharpening or softening edges; block noise reduction; luminance noise reduction; chroma noise reduction; chroma delay for sorting colours that look like theyve shifted horizontally; AV alignment for adjusting the delay

DESCRIPTION

On the surface everything looks in place. Our sample is clad in gold, the LED is clean and bright, the layout is minimalistic, and a touch of flair is provided by a blue light under the DVD/CD/SACD slot. But this surface elegance isnt backed up by as much hardcore build quality as wed expected. Compare it with Denons awe-inspiring and less expensive DVD-2900 and youll see what we mean. The rear panel is more befitting to a reference DVD deck. Heading things up is a set of component video outputs, there to deliver the cleanest pictures and, critically, PAL or NTSC progressive scan signals to any compatible screen. Other highlights include a duo of Scarts (one with RGB output),

Build-quality is top notch
Good connections for the money
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Specification
FEATURES Features: SACD playback; DVD-V/CD/ CD-R/CD-RW/MP3/VCD playback; 40-disc resume; chapter scanning; Advanced FX mechanism; bit-rate meter; AV alignment for synching pic and sound; dynamic tilt compensation; 192kHz/24-bit audio DACs; 14-bit, 108MHz video DAC; digital video enhancer with block noise reduction, gamma correction, and other tweaks; progressive scan (PAL, NTSC); black level adjust; SACD/DVD speaker set-ups; CD direct mode; self-diagnosis function SOCKETS Two Scarts (one RGB); optical and coaxial digital audio outputs; stereo audio outputs; 5.1-channel RCA line outs; composite video output; S-Video output; component video outputs DIMENSIONS 430(w) x 113(h) x 349(d)mm WEIGHT 6.4kg TEST DATA Video jitter: 4ns (very good) Signal to noise ratio: -70.2dB (good) Chroma AM/PM: -65.5dB/-61.9dB (average/very good) Chroma crosstalk: -47.5dB (very good) Frequency response (S-video/composite): 5.55dB (excellent)/-5.98dB (very good) Audio Jitter: 574.4ps (below average) CONTACT Sony on www.sony.co.uk
handled by Sonys own technology rather than the Faroudja/Silicon Graphics solution favoured by many rivals. Here we must reflect on a couple of things the NS999ES wont do. One hugely missed absentee is DVD-Audio playback. Sonys own software interest in the SACD format means this exclusion is hardly surprising. But that doesnt make its one-track mind any easier to live with, unless youre happy to be hamstrung into buying discs in just one of todays next-generation music formats. The deck doesnt support JPEG or KODAK picture discs either a pity in this digital photography age, especially given that some rival decks do handle them just fine.
Also contributing to the sense of depth is the fine detail response, which is acute but achieved without any grain. And a final real plus for big screen users is the smoothness of edges. In true high-end style, theres neither shimmering nor jaggedness around even the harshest of borders. In fact, the pictures only tiny problem is that it can, with difficult, low-lit scenes, look a tad processed. But this occurs rarely, and on balance the strengths far, far outweigh this sporadic niggle.
DVD playback is superlative, too. Weve seldom heard movie soundtracks delivered with such subtlety and finesse. But dont think this means the deck cant handle aggressive moments too. In fact, the NS999ES shows an almost uncanny knack for knowing when to put its sensitive side away and get all macho. The only disappointment is ordinary CD playback. Theres plenty of high-end character, but not quite the infinite precision and clarity one or two rival decks deliver.

What we think

WHATS GOOD Picture, sound, connectivity WHATS BAD No DVD-A, high price PICTURE. SOUND. EASE OF USE VALUE.77777.77777.77777.77777

PERFORMANCE

Our disappointment concerning these omissions is partially redressed by the decks performance but not totally. Pictures are strong, particularly when it comes to colour. Theres a richness of saturation and vibrancy that you simply dont find on a budget deck. This, together with an impressive black level, creates a sense of solidity and depth thats hard to resist, especially in progressive mode with a good, high-contrast projector.
Performance isnt that much better than a few lowerpriced decks
The decks audio is excellent in many ways, too but not quite up to the reference standards we might have hoped for. The star is SACD playback. It pulls out all the extra resolution and range you could hope for from the format, together with a polish and richness that adds that all-important fourth dimension of emotion to the multi-channel music experience.

CONCLUSION

Ultimately, we find the NS999s asking price hard to take. This is partly because its performance isnt that much better than a few lowerpriced decks we can think of. But mostly its because the NS999ES doesnt play DVD-Audio discs. When so many other companies are making both audio formats available sometimes with quite excellent quality for the same money or less, we simply cant see any good reason why anyone should want to restrict themselves to just one format by buying this Sony

Also consider.

DENON DVD-2900 Plays DVD-A as well as SACD discs, and sells for 150 less. PIONEER DV-757AI Plays DVD-A as well as SACD discs. It also sports an i.Link digital audio output for piping undecoded high-res audio to a compatible amp. Also, it sells for only 780.

Verdict 77777

An excellent if not quite reference standard performer
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