Audio Video News

On September 13, San Francisco-based Dolby Laboratories announced the availability of a new reference multichannel decoder, the DP564. The new tool is able to decode every Dolby® consumer format, making it the "perfect solution for monitoring in DVD, digital TV broadcast, and postproduction applications," according to an official announcement. The DP564 debuted at the International Broadcasting Convention held September 13–17.

The DP564 enables decoding and monitoring of all Dolby Digital and Dolby Surround content, and supports the latest technologies, Dolby Digital Surround EXTM and Dolby Surround Pro Logic II, as well as all four modes of Dolby Pro Logic II: Movie, Music, Pro Logic, and Matrix. With preset keys for emulating different home-listening configurations, the DP564 is the "perfect tool" for ensuring that the best possible audio reaches all listeners, whether they have top-of-the-range home theaters or budget mono TVs, the company claims.

"The DP564 is not just a decoder, but an analysis tool, which can provide a wealth of information to aid the quality of an encode," said Steven Samwell, technical supervisor at London DVD house Stream Digital Media. "With the user-friendly interface, graphical display, and wide array of connectivity, the unit has unlimited potential." The unit includes a Dolby Headphone processor for monitoring surround sound with regular headphones. Dolby Headphone processing allows for more accurate monitoring—and lower listener fatigue—in environments where headphone listening is necessary. Advanced features include multiple digital inputs, as well as comprehensive monitoring control, linear timecode (LTC) output for syncing to video, Ethernet-streaming audio input, and a large front-panel display including output level metering. "DVD facilities and DTV operations will welcome the new features that will make it easier to monitor and assess the quality of their audio," said Dolby marketing development manager Jason Powell.

Lexington, KY–based Thiel Audio has announced a new subwoofer, the SW1, and a new high-performance in-ceiling speaker, the "HigherPlane." Both products will make their official debut at the CEDIA Expo 2002 in Minneapolis September 27–29.

Thiel claims that the SW1 is "the most advanced and versatile subwoofer system available," with the company's patent-pending SmartSub technology enabling it to overcome the problems exhibited by conventional subwoofers, in particular, poor integration with the system's main speakers and altered response due to nearby walls. The SW1 measures 11" W by 20" D by 23.5" H, weighs 108 lbs, and uses two high-performance, high-output 10" drivers powered by a high-efficiency, 1000W switching-mode amplifier. A ten-year warranty is part of the $4800 retail package. An optional companion piece, the SC1 Controller, selling for $2800, can be used in "augment mode" to extend the bass range of the main speakers or in crossover mode to transfer the bass energy from the main speakers into the subwoofer for higher output levels.

Based on Thiel's PowerPlane in-wall speaker and PowerPoint surface-mount design, the HigherPlane is intended for high-performance in-ceiling applications. The HigherPlane uses the same high-performance time-and-phase correct coaxial driver and crossover design as both the PowerPlane and PowerPoint, for much higher levels of resolution and realism than are typically possible with conventional in-ceiling loudspeakers, Thiel claims. The two-way system is enclosed in a "rigidly braced cabinet" that reduces unwanted vibration for greater clarity, with a paintable 11" aluminum baffle. Suggested retail price of the HigherPlane is $1200 per speaker.

Onkyo has announced the arrival of three new progressive scan DVD players, all of them moderately priced but offering great performance, including 24-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converters for exceptional audio reproduction. The $200 entry level DV-SP300 and $300 DV-SP500 are single-play units. The DV-SP500 features Onkyo's "Vector Linear Shaping Circuit" (VLSC), said to generate "a smoother output than conventional analog filtering circuits." The $300 DV-CP500 is a five-disc changer with "true random playback" capability. The three players are equipped with Onkyo's Direct Digital Path digital outputs and are also capable of playing CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, and MP3-encoded CDs. All three models are available now.