Sony is adding fuel to the already red-hot market for DVD entertainment with the release of three new DVD-Video players offering multi-channel Super Audio CD (SACD) playback. Now both movie and music lovers can experience the highest quality video and audio performance in one player.

``DVD is booming with sales of players and software at record highs,'' said Tim Baxter, senior vice president of Sony Electronics' Home Entertainment Products Division. ``As people increasingly turn to in-home entertainment, the technology behind our new line-up provides a single, complete solution to address the needs of even the most selective home theater enthusiasts.''

According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), sales this year of both DVD players and DVD software will far exceed 2000 figures, with DVD player sales almost doubling to approximately 13 million. At this rate, the number of DVD players sold since their introduction in 1997 could rocket to 27 million.

The newest players include the single-disc DVP-NS500V, the five-disc DVP- NC650V and DVP-NS900V model, which offers progressive output.

Continuing the Legacy of Superior Audio

Following last November's successful introduction of the DVP-S9000ES, the first ``reference standard'' DVD player in the U.S. with SACD capability, Sony has incorporated the SACD multi-channel playback feature in the new line. According to Baxter, SACD represents ``the ultimate in sound quality'' with proprietary technologies that minimize distortion for a heightened music experience. Each of the newly available units is equipped with multi-channel audio outputs for compatibility with multi-channel sources. They also incorporate flexible speaker management capability to fit various types of home theater environments.

All three units in the new line also incorporate CD-R/RW playback for music enthusiasts who enjoy creating and listening to their own personally recorded music mixes and which is ideal for consumers looking to replace their current CD systems. And, in addition to multi-channel SACD playback capability, the new line features Dolby Digital(TM) and dts® 5.1 channel decoding which ensures 5.1 connection with receivers.

Delivering Superb DVD-Video Picture Clarity

All three models are equipped with Sony's Digital Video Enhancer, providing sharper edge detail on video images by minimizing imperfections such as ``overshooting'' and ``ringing.'' The benefits are even more spectacular when the product is paired with a high-performance television, such as one of Sony's FD Trinitron® Wega® XBR® or rear projection Hi-Scan(TM) TV sets.

Other features include Precision Drive(TM) 2 System with Dynamic Tilt Compensation to ensure better, faster and more accurate playback of flawed and imperfect DVDs, along with Block Noise Reduction for maximizing picture quality of MPEG2 images by eliminating unwanted artifacts in scenes where gradated images and the movement of objects between two fields are present.

A perfect player for a second room or for consumers new to the DVD market, the entry-level DVP-NS500V offers the added value of Super Audio CD technology in a simple, comprehensive component. The DVP-NC650V is ideal as the centerpiece to a full home entertainment system in an enthusiast's living room.

In addition, Sony's DVP-NS900V model combines ``future-ready video with future-ready audio,'' according to Baxter. It features 480P (progressive) output with full 3:2 reverse pull-down conversion powered by a new film- detection system for well-balanced, progressive conversion for both film and video material.

The DVP-NS500V, DVP-NC650V, and the DVP-NS900V are all currently available at retailers for about $300, $400, and $1,000 respectively.