Audio Video News

Accurate Imaging Technologies has launched a complete lineup of new products as part of their Digital Pathway Series. The new products were debuted at the CEDIA EXPO 2002 in Minneapolis September 27-29.

The Digital Pathway Series offers a variety of high-performance video projectors, digital video image processors and advanced DVD players that work together to keep the video signal in the digital domain, avoiding the frequent up- and down- conversions that are characteristic of other transmission schemes, and which degrade picture quality. The Digital Pathway approach is said to result in clearer, "more filmlike" images.

In addition to excellent pictures, Accurate Imaging’s goal is to provide several solutions that make complex, sophisticated equipment and systems easy to operate. The company believes that CRT-based displays "have the best capability of reproducing the shades of gray, the range of colors, and the black levels that distinguish film from other sources," and has put its resources behind creating excellent CRT-based products.

Accurate Imaging’s premier line of new CRT-projectors include the Ultimate 9—the company’s flagship $50,000 9" CRT projector, with extensive convergence and setup features for significantly improved image quality; the Ultimate 8, a similar 8" CRT-based projector, with a suggested retail price of $34,000. The company also offers the "Accurate 8," described as "a powerful 8" CRT projector featuring a variety of image enhancing modifications." Suggested retail price on the Accurate 8 is $26,500.

For those with space constraints, Accurate Imaging offers the "Modular 9" and "Modular 8," with separate the electronics from the CRTs, for a unique two-piece front projection system. This creates a 50% smaller footprint for mounting or placing the projectors, with the electronics fitting into a cabinet or rack mount. Pricing for both is to be announced soon. The company also offers an upgrade path for its projectors, called the "Ultimate X-Modification," said to raise the level of performance and long-term stability in any Accurate projector to the maximum possible. Suggested retail price for the X-Mod is $6,000.

The $5000 Digital Pathway DP-DVD Player provides a single digital output using a BNC connector, with S-Video and composite video are provided for other video sources. The DP-DVD also features state-of the art audio components for "imaging and sound staging associated with high-end audio performance." A single digital coax output and analog stereo outputs make the DP-DVD an ideal source for whole-house audio distribution.

Accurate Imaging also offers video processing options, including the $4000 Digital Pathway HDI-SC1 Internal HD Scaler Card that fits inside the projector, providing another digital input (BNC connector), an S-Video and composite input. The digital input receives a signal directly from the DVD’s digital output and upconverts the incoming signal to high definition - either 720p or 1080i, user selectable. A camera that plugs into the card will automatically adjust color accuracy, grayscale and luminance in 250 screen zones.

The Digital Pathway Ultimate HD Processors takes any digital input from the DVD player or any standard NTSC video input (4:2:2) and upconverts them to either 720p or 1080i. The HDTV up-converter uses an individual microprocessor for every pixel in the image for the ultimate in video processed pictures, according to a September 26 announcement. The Model 1 is based on a single board design while the Model 3 is a triple board design offering more motion adaptive interpolation for a crisper, sharper and more accurate image. The Model 1 retails for $45,000 while the Model 3 sells for $55,000.

Combined with either HD Processor, the Digital Pathway HD DAC Card receives the digital output from the Ultimate HD Processors and converts it to RGB. The retail price for this card is $3,500.

Accurate Imaging offers installation and technical support by experienced home theater technicians in the field. The company was founded by James Wellnitz, former president and CEO of Vidikron of America; and Bob Rosser, president of Ultimate Entertainment and Systems Design, an Arizona-based company specializing in the design and installation of high-performance custom home theater environments. Address: 16000 N. 80th Street, Suite A, Scottsdale, AZ 85260