News Release：Pioneer Introduces Two DVD-Audio/DVD-Video Compatible Playersand Other Related Products

TOKYO, Japan, October 4, 1999 --- Pioneer Corporation announced its introduction of two new DVD-Audio/DVD-Video compatible players and related products to the Japanese domestic market.

< Planning Concept >

DVD-Audio will reproduce the highest quality of sound that people never experienced before. DVD-Audio achieves the highest quality stereo sound reproduction with a high sampling rate and bit depth of 192kHz/24bit, which any digital sound source could not reach nearer. Also DVD-Audio enables you to enjoy a new dimensional musical atmosphere with its high quality multi-channel mode, which reproduces true musical excitement through 96kHz/ 24bit sampling 6-channel digital sound. DVD-Audio will also offer you many interactive functions with still or moving pictures. You can enjoy versatile merits of DVD-Audio, for example, listening to related information about the album artist, video display of lyrics, artist commentary, audio/video discography and other menu-driven information, which the artist and software makers wish to convey.
Pioneer has gathered all its state-of-the-art technologies and developed products that will reproduce the full potentials of this new audio media. Based on the product planning concept, "to create a Home Concert Hall", users will be invited to turn his house into a concert hall as well as a home theater, to enjoy both DVD-Audio and DVD-Video viewing at their highest quality. For this mission, Pioneer introduces a group of DVD-Audio related products. They are two DVD-Audio/DVD-Video compatible players, fully digital control amplifier, power amplifier with a S/N ration of 125dB and channel separation of 115dB, and a speaker system that will reproduce ultra-high-quality sound.
The Pioneer group will aggressively develop DVD related products, from software to hardware and the company will start authoring service of DVD-Audio disc and disc pressing business at its domestic subsidiary company, Pioneer Video Corporation from October this year.

< Main Features for DV-AX10 and DV-S10A >

1 ) The Industry's first DVD-Audio/DVD-Video/Super Audio CD(only DV-AX10)/CD/Video CD Compatible Player.

2 ) State-of-the-art Technologies to reproduce the full potentials of the DVD-Audio Format.

1. The Industry's Top Class high-performance 192kHz/24-bit DAC
   Each audio channel of the DV-AX10 is equipped with the high-performance DAC 'PCM1740', developed together with Burr-Brown Japan Corp. who has a high reputation in development of DACs for high-end audio products. The DV-S10A has a high-performance 'ΔΣ(delta-sigma)' type DAC, which will reproduce the ultra-high quality sound of 192kHz/24-bit sampling rates, six-channel high-quality 96kHz/24-bit sampling rates, two-channel stereo and surround sounds.
2. Built-in 192kHz/24-bit High-Sampling Digital Filter (only DV-AX10)
   The DV-AX10 is equipped with a High-Sampling Digital Filter, placed in the digital audio processor, which will digitally remove the cumbersome harmonic distortion and efficiently reproduce only the 192kHz high-sampling frequency. The Digital Filter was developed with the cooperation of Nippon Precision Circuits Inc.
3. Newly Developed Pure Audio Clock Reference Function
   In order to reproduce a high-quality sound, the 'Pure Audio Clock Reference Function' will automatically convert the crystal oscillator to either 44.1 lineage frequency (44.1kHz, 88.2kHz, 176.4kHz) or 48kHz lineage (48kHz, 96kHz, 192kHz) frequency. Further more, the function will automatically turn off the unused oscillator to avoid unwanted resonance that will lead to sound degradation.
4. CD Digital Direct Function
   By bypassing the DSP processor and processing the audio signals through the shortest route, sound degradation can be avoided. The sound quality will be approved in CD playback as well as DVD-Audio playback.
5. High-bit IC
   Both players are applied with a 'High-bit IC' in each audio channel. The IC will automatically convert 16-bit digital signals to a predicted but ideal smooth frequency wave at a 24-bit depth. CD software will also be reproduced with an even natural sound compared to regular CD players.
6. Video Off Function
   To even improve the sound quality, the minutest noise generated from the video circuit will be eliminated.
7. Built-in DTS/Dolby Digital Decoder
   Both models have a built-in '*DTS (Digital Theater System) & *Dolby Digital Decoder'. By connecting the player to a 5.1ch ready audio/video amplifier, the same surround sound effect of a movie theater can be reproduced at home, as well as DVD-Audio multi-channel playback.

3 ) High-Quality DVD-Video Picture

1. Film Fidelity Progressive-Scan Process Circuit
   A Progressive-Scan Process Circuit has been applied in the players to conduct progressive scanning within the player. By using the '2-3 method' converted data of movie film recorded DVD software, and compensating the NTSC display's horizontal lines by following the original film data, a natural-like progressive picture can be enjoyed*. Further more, video recorded DVD software can be enjoyed at a smooth picture with Pioneer's original "motion ready type processing" method.
   * This can be practical only when the connected display is 'progressive scan ready'.
   (Pioneer follows technical formats approved at the CPTWG, regarding Progressive scan output rights.)
2. Newly Developed "Component Frame DNR PRO" Circuit
   The newly developed "VQE3" Video Quality Enhancer is applied in the video part, and will separate the disturbing noise from video signals and set an ideal parameter for the three-color signals (Y, PB, PR), to result in a noise-free clear picture. Together with the 'Film Progressive Scan Circuit', a high-quality picture extremely close to the original film will be reproduced.
3. Newly Developed "Fine Focus Digital Filter" Video Filter
   The video digital signals that are read from the disc will not only be converted to a finer resolution, but also the video noise level will be controlled by the 'Fine Focus Digital Filter' built-in the "VQE3" Video Quality Enhancer, to result in a high-quality picture.
4. 'Picture Adjustment Control' & 'DVD Disc Picture Quality Set-up Memory' Function
   As a supplement to the 'YNR', 'CNR', 'Detail', etc. parameters, 'Progressive Motion', 'White Level', etc. have been newly added. So the user will be allowed to change picture settings to achieve the best picture quality the user whishes. The player will memorize the settings of these parameters and automatically playback the titles at the same conditions when the disc is set (memorizes up to 15 DVD titles).

4 ) Other Features to realize a high-quality audio and video

• 'Acoustic Damper Tray' and 'Double Air-lock Door' to eliminate vibrations.
• Circuit R-core Power Trans exclusive for High-Quality Audio (only DV-AX10)
• Component Video Output Terminal for direct Y, PB and PR video connection.
• CD-R playback ready High-Precision 'Twin-Wave Focus Pickup'
• Digital Accurate Servo for a stable playback
• High-Precision 10-bit NTSC Encoder & 10-bit Video DAC
• FL Dimmer

5 ) Others

1. 15-step Trick-Play & Reverse Playback Function
   Both players feature the 'Trick Play Processor' for smoother trick play operations. The 16Mbit memory offers a variety of frame advance/reverse and slow motion plays in forward and reverse directions. It includes an exclusive circuit for users to enjoy various reverse special effects beyond the capabilities of conventional DVD players, including normal-speed reverse playback function.
2. Jog & Joy Stick Remote Controller
   To promote simplicity even further, the players come with a wireless remote controller having a 'Jog & Joy-Stick' that allows control of the actual frame of the disc being watched. All commands can be easily controlled by a simple "fiddle" on the knob forward or in reverse to advance the picture, slow it down, reverse or stop it completely. As an added convenience, all keys related to this feature are laid out in a logical order, and are lighted-up automatically when the remote controller is in use.
3. New GUI (Graphic User Interface)
   The new GUI has two modes that will allow easy control of the player functions and features to any kind of user. 'Basic mode' will show only basic functions needed for simple playback, and 'expert mode' for full control of features and functions of the players. The changes can be made even when a disc is being played. Further more, the 'Set-up Navigator' feature will provide a new level of simplicity to setting up a DVD player for first time use. By simply following the navigator, your home theater system will be customized to be an ideal home theater.
4. 'Program Memory' & 'Auto-Program' Playback
5. 'Resume Function' for automatic-playback from the point the user stopped viewing, even after the player is once turned off.
6. 'Quick Start' Function

< Main Specifications >