News Release：Pioneer Introduces Three New DVD-Video Players

DVL-909

DV-505

DVL-K88

TOKYO, Japan, January 5, 1998, ----- Pioneer announced its introduction of two DVD/LD compatible players and one DVD player, all for consumer use to the Japanese domestic market.

< Planning Concept >

In 1997, the total number of DVD-Video players shipped from each manufacturer rose to approximately 200,000 pieces in the Japanese domestic market. DVD-Video software titles are predicted to be continuously released, to an astounding number of over 1,000 in a short time. DVD is on the move to secure its position in the market of 1998.

Pioneer has cultivated the whole DVD market by announcing a number of related products, starting with five DVD-Video players in 1996. Last year, the consumer use flagship model, the DV-S9, which is full of original State-of-the-Art technologies was introduced to the Japanese domestic market in order to have consumers enjoy the full potential of DVD.

And today, Pioneer announces three new models, which adopt the same technology applied in the model DV-S9. The three models have their own characteristic to answer the needs of any type of user. The "DV-L909" LD/DVD compatible player for both LD and DVD user, the "DV-505" DVD player basic DVD use, and the "DVL-K88" which will allow not only movie lovers, but also Karaoke lovers to entertain themselves.

Pioneer will continue to develop and introduce DVD related products to have consumers to enjoy a totally new world of entertainment.

< Newly Developed Technologies >

• Two LSIs for High Quality Picture and Sound
  By inheriting Pioneer's State-of-the-Art technologies applied in its flagship model DVD-Video player, the DV-S9, a high quality picture and sound will be assured.
• Viter-bi RF Decoder
  The data processing LSI contains Pioneer's original error correction system to improve correcting ability up to a maximum 1/several-hundred data error level, by using statically analyzed parameters through RF (Radio Frequency) data reading.
• AV1 Chip MPEG Decoder
  The AV1 Chip MPEG Decoder combines the MPEG2 decoder and audio decoder into a single chip resulting to reproduction of a hi-quality picture and audio with no interference to analog signals.

< Main Features for DVL-909 and DV-505 >

• DVD/LD(LD-G)/Video CD/CD(CD-G) Full Compatible Playback(only 909)
• 10bit Accurate NTSC Encoder and 10bit Video DAC IC(both 909 and 505)
  The NTSC Encoder and Video DAC (digital to analog converter) IC will provide a consistent D/A conversion process of 10bit video data into equivalent analog signals to result in a high picture quality. The adoption of a 10bit type has made even more precise calculation compared to a conventional 9bit type.
• 96kHz/20-bit D/A Converter(both 909 and 505)
  The DV-L909 and DV-505 features 96kHz/20-bit DAC wide-band technology, superb 20-bit resolution, and sampling at a rate of up to 96kHz to exhibit a superior hi-response and perfect reproduction of the original sound quality of DVD discs.
• Hi-bit Legato Link Conversion(both 909 and 505)
  The CD and DVD recording process cuts off signals bellow 16 and 20-bits, increasing quantization noise and creating a jagged waveform, so that the reproduced sound is different from the original. The built in a Hi-Bit Legato Link Conversion processor will restore the lost signals by expanding the original waveform using DVD/CD data. This expands dynamic range up to an audible level, smoothening waveforms to restore fidelity to the original sound, in all of its naturalism and subtlety.
• Full-Featured Special Effect DVD Play & GUI Remote with One-Touch
  Jog/Shuttle Control (only 909)
  A variety of frame advance/reverse and slow motion play in forward and reverse directions will be capable. Combined with the jog/shuttle control and the GUI-based operating environment, special effects playback brings about exceptional versatility and comfort to DVD operation.
• 8-bit Digital Memory for LD Playback & Digital Noise Reduction(only 909)
• Virtual Dolby Surround Function(both 909 and 505)
  The Virtual Dolby Surround function will allow a realistic surround sound effect ambience (equal to Dolby Pro-Logic Surround effect that basically needs 5 individual speakers to reproduce) by the use of only two front speakers under Dolby Lab. certification.
• Quick-Turn Both-Side Playback for LD(only 909)
  The Quick-Turn Mode will allow automatic resume play from the end of one side to the other.
• Frame and Field Step Play for LD Playback Function(only 909)
  A clear field picture can be realized when frame advance/reverse and slow motion play in forward and reverse directions when put at pause.
• Component Video Output Terminal(only 909)
  The Luminance (Y), Chroma blue (Cb) and Chroma red (Cr) signals can be directly connected to display or data projector for a clear high quality picture.
• Dual Focus Pickup(only 505)
  A Dual Focus Pickup has been applied to offer elimination of the need for mechanical switching between lenses and optical axis adjustment, to result in a operation responsively at optimal focus length at all times.
• Digital Accurate Servo(both 909 and 505)
  The new Automatic Jitter Adjustment ready Digital Servo reads precise signal reading that provides stable data tracing from DVD software. The gain level of both focus servo and tracking servo will be automatically adjusted to minimize jitters for each individual disc.
• Transfer Rate Indication(both 909 and 505)
  The amount of data transferred from the disc will be indicated simultaneously.
• Condition Memory & Replay Memory Function(both 909 and 505)
  When selections are made of "Aspect Ratio", "Soundtrack", "Sub-Title", "Playback Mode (ex Cinema/Animation)" and "OSD position" of a given disc, the player will identify the certain disc and recall the same settings to activate the pre-set condition automatically when the disc is set for playback(memorizes up to 30 discs). The Continue Play Memory will not only allow playback from where you left off, but also memorize the selections made above with only a single push of a button (memorizes up to 5 discs).

< Main Features for DVL-K88 >

• DVD/LD(LD-G)/Video CD/CD(CD-G) Full Compatible Playback
  DVD, LD, Video CD and CD-G Karaoke software can be also replayed besides movie and music software.
• Hi-Fi Multi-Channel Function
  Functions such as "duet" or "harmony" with original "guide vocal" and "cancellation of guide melody" are possible. One can even sing a duet song alone. Also, with a simple operation, the guide vocal level can be set to decline when one sings through the microphone.
• Convenient Song Selecting and Programming Function
  Songs can be found and selected by the artist name, genre or even by the type of song (ex. Duet song). The next song can be programmed for playback even when one is singing.
• One Phrase Replay Function & Main Melody Medley Function
  "One Phrase Replay" --- Only the first phrase of the programmed song will be replayed
  "Main Melody Medley" --- One can listen to the main melody line of several songs in a row
• Vocal Scoring Function
  In "Normal Mode", an on-screen indicator will show whether one is singing in or out of tune and actually score the singer with a maximum of one hundred points. In "Competition Mode", the on-screen indicator shows ones singing score and the competitor's, letting you know which is singing better.
• One-Touch Karaoke Function
  One can enjoy Karaoke with music software, which has a pre-recorded vocal. With a simple push of a button, the vocal will be eliminated.
• Favorite Song Function
  When selections are made of "Key Control", "Guide Vocal" and "Guide Melody" of a given song, the player will identify the certain song and recall the same setting and activate the pre-set condition setting automatically when that song is replayed.
• Video CD Noise Reduction IC
• 10-bit Video D/A Converter IC & 96kHz20-bit D/A Converter
• Condition Memory Function & Replay Memory Function