Progressive Scan. TV pictures
scan every other line, displaying on the screen all odd numbered
lines in 1/60th of a second. This is called a Field. The second
field scans the even number lines. The human eye retains the image
of the two fields, combining them into a single frame at 30 per
second.
Progressive scanning is found in computer displays, and scan the
first, second, third, fourth scan lines etc. Since the time difference
between sequential lines is shorter, each line's part of the image
matches the next line more accurately. This minimizes jaggies
and produces a smoother image.
Now, progressive scan can be found in the most inexpensive of
DVDs. But, as with any technology, the quality and execution of
the design is critical and intrinsic to the performance. Sony
uses its own chips and a very advanced algorithm to change the
interlaced picture into progressive using pixel by pixel, instead
of line by line.
CineMotion. The American TV system
NTSC, uses 30 frames per second, with each frame made up of two
fields. Motion picture film uses 24 frames per second. This causes
a mismatch. To overcome the 24 film vs. the 30 frame video rate,
a 3/2 pull down system was developed. The first film frame is
displayed 3 times, while the second only twice.
The Sony 999 determines whether the original material was film
based or video based. By detecting the 3/2 sequence within the
video, a reverse pull down sequence is performed allowing the
progressive scan output to more closely approach the original
film.
With HDTVs that display progressive scan pictures the result is
a more photo like picture.
The CD. Imagine a computer or calculator
or cell phone from 20 years ago. They would be considered dinosaurs.
There has been great progress in digital technology.
The CD samples audio 44,100 times per second. Each sample is given
a 16 bit word. Sony felt, that if a new audio format was to be
introduced it should reproduce every nuance of sound from a master
tape. It should offer no compromise. Other "new" audio
formats like DVD-A really use the same technology as the old CD,
but with 20 or 24 bit words and higher sampling, like 96 or 192k.
The Super Audio CD. Direct Stream
Digital is the new digital audio technology Sony and Philips developed
for this next generation digital audio player. Instead of 44,100,
the music is sampled 8 million eight hundred and twenty two thousand
times. Many processing steps, like adding dither are eliminated.
The waveform almost looks analog.
The original $5000 SCD-1 Super Audio player appeared on the front
cover of almost every hifi magazine around the world. Audio critics
love this new format. Many manufacturers, besides Sony, now make
SACD machines and many record companies have released music in
the SACD format. There are now over 1000 titles of music on SACD.
There are now machines for less than $150 that play SACDs and
DVDs.
Above, the DVPNS999ES is a precision
DVD player with SACD. It uses separate boards for audio and video,
R-core power transformer, and frame and beam construction. It
has a fixed base unit for superior tracking and Precision Drive
2 that moves only the laser assembly to track the disc. The video
DA operates at 108MHz. Vertical edge compensation, 14 bit processing,
noise shaped video, high speed buffer and output capacitorless
coupling insure the highest quality video, CD and SACD multichannel
music playback.