Harman Kardon DVD 31 Progressive-Scan DVD Player

Harman Kardon DVD 31 Progressive-Scan DVD Player
Manufacturer: Harman Kardon
Product Type: CE

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Harman Kardon DVD31 - This model is similar to the Harmah Kardon DVD22 but adds the ability of playing DVD Audio discs. Capable of playing DVD-Video , DVD-Audio, MP3, Windows Media and JPEG discs, the DVD31 is as versatile as they come. With progressive scan processing and an audio control system that includes bass management and output-level trims, whatever goes in will come out looking and sounding its absolute best. Wolfson 192kHz/24-Bit Audio Output DAC Still Image Playback of JPEG CDs 60-Frame Reconstruction and Pixel-by-Pixel Processing MP3 Text Capability Linear-PCM Audio at 44kHz-96kHz/16-24 Bits 2x and 4x Digital Zoom (Still and Moving Picture) Programmed Play of Up to 32 Tracks on One CD Repeat Play of One Track, One CD or an A-B Selection Video Test Screen with Image Adjustments Simplifies Optimization of Video Display Video-Off Mode for Audio Playback Aspect-Ratio Selector Unit Size (WDH) - 17 3/10 x 12 x 2 Weighs 7.5 pounds 1 Year Parts and Labor Harman Kardon limited warranty Illuminated Remote
Amazon.com Product Description
The Harman Kardon DVD31 is a versatile DVD audio/video player designed to meet the high performance standards of both audiophiles and videophiles. On the sound side, it provides complete audio control and bass management for DVD-Audio playback using analog outputs. On the video side, it performs progressive scanning, also referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, which creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. The DVD31 also offers 3:2 pulldown, which reassembles the frame sequence of your original film-based content from DVDs to more accurately reproduce the original 24-frame-per-second material.

The DVD31's comprehensive array of audio adjustments allows you to adjust the time delay, output level, and speaker size selection for excellent audio reproduction from all speakers in a multichannel home entertainment system. For quality, the DVD31 uses a Wolfson 192kHz/24-bit audio D/A converter, along with premium internal components in the audio signal path.

The DVD31 provides excellent video playback when used with a high-definition display, thanks to its leading-edge digital video technology that uses pixel-by-pixel processing, rather than the line-by-line technique employed by conventional DVD players. This is accomplished by using a digital signal processor for superior picture quality and smoother, more realistic images with more detail.

In addition to playing DVD-Audio and DVD-Video, the DVD31 plays Windows Media Audio (WMA), VCD, CD, CD-R/RW, WMA, MP3, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM multisession, and 96 kHz/24-bit audio discs, and it's also compatible with JPEG still-image files stored on compact discs. The player can also simultaneously play MP3 tracks and JPEG images and coordinate the two, automatically changing images with each MP3 track played in slideshow presentations. The unit's program, random, and repeat play modes operate with the files and folders on MP3 and WMA discs, as well as with DVDs and CDs.

The DVD31's key picture-search and convenience functions include frame-by-frame advance, smooth fast-scanning at x2, x4, x16, and x100 speeds, fine slow motion at x1/2, x1/4, x1/16, and x1/100 speeds, three picture-zoom settings with panning capability, parental lock, and many additional features.

The player includes progressive-scan and standard-scan component video outputs, which can output simultaneously with the S-video and composite video jacks. It also provides both coaxial and optical digital output, multichannel analog output, and stereo analog audio outputs. It comes with a full-featured, backlit, ergonomically designed remote control.

What's in the Box
DVD31 DVD player, instruction manual, remote control.

Average customer rating: 4.5 Still an excellent product 4 years later! Best monitor I've ever owned. Best monitor I've ever owned. It's time for an LCD monitor! An Excellent 15" LCD Flat Panel Monitor

NEC 1530V-BK 15" LCD Flat Panel Monitor Manufacturer: NEC Product Group: CE Binding: Electronics ASIN: B000056B2L

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Weighing only 10.4 pounds and sporting a screen that's less than 3 inches thick, the monitor is so thin and light that, taking it out of the box, we had an instinctive reaction of "this can't be high quality--it's too light!" However, we soon changed our mind. Setup was a snap, and the No-Touch Auto Adjusting technology adjusted many display settings for us from the very first use to efficiently use every pixel of space on the screen. Having tested many monitors before, we're wary of automatic setup functions, as they often don't work as well as promised. But the first time we turned on the 1530V, it had ideal settings for our test PC.

In our tests, the 1530V's 1,024 x 768 resolution, 0.3-millimeter dot pitch, and a 200:1 contrast ratio provided remarkably crisp images. (Although you can use the monitor at a 640 x 480 resolution, 1,024 x 768 is optimal and recommended.) Text that was small and light against a dark background did suffer from slight shadowing, but the effect was negligible. The color was astounding: rich, fully saturated hues across the rainbow, producing vibrant greens and warm skin tones. The monitor handled graphics-intensive applications with ease: we loaded test images into Photoshop, watched streaming media videos, and tested animation programs. We never caught a single flicker. And when we ran a program that would benefit from reducing the contrast, the onscreen controls were readily accessible and completely intuitive. Also, the monitor's base, which is just over 6 inches deep by 10 inches wide, kept the monitor stable even when the screen was tilted to extreme angles.

Meeting VESA standards, the 1530V is wall and arm mountable for commercial use, and the power and PC cords plug in beneath a removable casing, keeping your desktop (or wall space) tidy. The 1530V is compatible with PCs and Macs as well as Sun, Silicon Graphics, and other workstations and X-terminals. The three-year warranty includes parts (even the backlight) and labor. --Ariel Meadow Stallings

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