| INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Philips Consumer Electronics announced the introduction of its multichannel Super Audio CD (SACD) player that includes DVD Video functionality, allowing consumers to experience the best sound and vision in their home theater. Philips will target the SACD1000 to a broad audience, and will introduce it at the end of this year. The product prototype was unveiled at the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) 2000 Expo in Indianapolis, Ind.
"We are very excited by the sound quality offered by SACD," said Frank Pauli, Vice President and General Manager of Philips Disc Systems. "Everybody who hears the pure and realistic sound quality that SACD delivers is captivated. Our SACD player will have six channel output, and will include DVD Video, which we believe will be a very attractive combination for everybody who likes to enjoy the best in sound and video."
The SACD1000 will feature a stylish silver design with an easy-to-use interface. In addition to playing Super Audio CD, it can play back DVD-Video, VCD and CDDA, is compatible with many audio and video related formats, including DSD, PCM, MPEG2, AC3, DTS and supports CD-R and CD-RW playback. The targeted introductory price will be approximately $2000.
Super Audio CD, developed by Philips and Sony, is the evolution of the CD format. It uses the latest DSD (Direct Stream Digital) technology to deliver superior sound reproduction quality, with the ability to render all the nuances of a live performance. This technology closely reproduces original analog waveforms, producing a clearer, more natural sound that captures the musical atmosphere and emotional impact of the source material with outstanding realism. Using a sampling frequency 64 times higher than that of CD, Super Audio CD offers an extremely pure and natural sound.
Compatibility with existing CDs and CD players
Philips regards compatibility as a key factor for the success of Super Audio CD, ensuring that users can play all their existing CDs on Philips new Super Audio CD players. The SACD format features an optional hybrid disc (two-layer disc) -- a technology that enables the consumer to play the discs on any existing CD player.
Hybrid disc production line installed
In addition to the introduction of SACD, Philips and Sonopress recently announced the development of a SACD hybrid disc production line in the Sonopress factory in Gutersloh. This is the first step in the agreement to jointly develop Super Audio CD hybrid disc production facilities. The hybrid production line has now been installed and is in the beginning process of production. The hybrid disc production line has been developed by Sonopress with the support from Toolex International NV and Philips Electronics.
SOURCE: Philips Consumer Electronics |
