JVC XV-501BK DVD Player

JVC, developer of the audiophile extended-resolution compact disc (XRCD), knows a thing or two about audio. In the XV-501, JVC employs its own P.E.M.D.D. (Pulse Edge Modulation Differential-Linearity-Errorless D-to-A) Converter. We found the sound quality from the unit's two-channel analog outputs markedly better--more "open," with outstanding depth and detail--than the sound from other players in its general price range, especially in playing 24-bit, 96-kHz musical programs. The XV-501 also sports the now-obligatory combination of Dolby Digital and DTS surround outputs, though you have no choice but to channel these through a Toslink optical digital connector as the player does not offer a coaxial output--an option common to most players these days.

It's becoming traditional for manufacturers to provide some form of "virtual surround" compensation for users who don't yet have surround setups. JVC's is called 3D Phonic--and while we heartily recommend the player, we cannot recommend that you use this feature, which merely sets the sound awash in phasey reverb.

On the video side, the XV-501 has all the trimmings: a composite video output for standard TVs; an S-Video output for delivery of 500-plus lines of resolution to compatible TVs; and a state-of-the-art component video output, which divides the color spectrum into three primary bands for a cleaner picture at the viewing end (on a compatible set, of course).

While the S-Video and component-video images looked very good, the composite-video image was a touch grainier than might be desired. This trait is ameliorated, however, by another of the XV-501's features, the Video Fine Processor (VFP). The VFP filters the component-video signal, using delay compensation and noise reduction to provide crisp, low-noise (low-interference) pictures. You can adjust the VFP positions to your taste: Sharp, Soft, or Manual.

The familiar computer-like graphical user interface (GUI) offers a menu from which you access the rest of the XV-501's features, which include digest, zoom, and strobe functions. The digest function shows the first scenes from nine titles (or chapters) on the disc in a 3-by-3-inch grid. You can choose the desired titles or chapter by moving the cursor to the appropriate scene. (DVDs themselves call this feature "scene selection.") The strobe function shows a series of consecutive stills in the 3-by-3-inch grid. The fun zoom function enlarges an area of the screen image to four times its normal size.

In all, this DVD-video player is a solid choice for any high-end home theater.

Pros:

• Above-average audio quality through analog outs
• Flexible video outputs
• Fast access time to tracks/chapters

Cons:

• Composite-video image slightly grainy
• No coaxial audio output