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Parasound Halo D3 Universal Player DVD Players

Parasound Halo D3 Universal Player DVD Players 

DESCRIPTION

HDMI Out, Faroudja DCDI, Scaling, & XLRs

Parasound's Halo line of home theater amps and processors is a tough act to follow. But the Halo D 3 Universal disc player is a worthy addition to the Halo series. The D 3 offers the ultimate feature set for DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, and SACD playback. Talk about a no-compromise movie and music machine!

The Parasound's impressive features list starts with an HDMI 1.1 digital output, allowing you to take advantage of the latest standard for the best picture quality available today. HDMI offers video that stays in the digital format for the purest signal between your digital source gear and your digitally compatible TV or monitor.

This ensures that DVDs retain the highest level of realism and detail with no potentially degrading conversion to analog along the way. And while you're watching the HDMI feed from your D 3, you can also take advantage of the the simultaneous output of HDMI, Component Video, S-Video, and Composite Video for seamless integration of the D 3 in a multi-room installation.

The Purest Analog Audio, Too

The D 3 also includes balanced two-channel analog output with XLR jacks for the best possible sound quality, and video and digital audio circuits can be turned off for the purest analog audio. Premium op amps for all channels and specially selected parts in key areas contribute to the 'flagship' sound of the D 3.

On the digital audio side, DVD-Audio and multi-channel SACD boast bass management. And SACD goes directly to audio DACs as a DSD bit stream for maximum signal integrity. The 192 kHz, 24 bit audio DACs are state of the art all the way.

DCDi Tames the Jaggies

The D 3 features one of the most sophisticated arrays of video processing suites available today, including a 216 MHz/12-bit precision video DAC. That's a huge amount of processing power. The rear panel HDMI digital audio/video output with HDCP delivers full compatibility with high-end video displays.

Faroudja DCDi processing is included for precision progressive scan performance. DCDi stands for Directional Correlational Deinterlacing. This technology eliminates the jagginess that can plague digital video sources, especially with graphics or during action scenes. DCDi's unique algorithm identifies all the moving edges in a scene and adjusts the angle of interpolation at each pixel so that the interpolation always follows the edge instead of crossing it, eliminating staircasing or jagged edge artifacts. The end result is smooth, almost filmlike video.

Built-in Video Scaler

There's no need to invest in a separate video scaler when you own the Halo D 3. The sophisticated internal video scaling engine for the digital output is the equal of stand-alone scalers, offering selections of 480p, 720p, or 1080i output. It is capable of simultaneous output of progressive scan component video and interlaced composite video for optimal performance

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-1 of 1  
[Mar 25, 2007]
PeruvianSkies
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Incredibly solid build and construction, easy to use and navigate. Top-notch sound performance with superb detail and depth. I noticed a huge improvement in my system in the overall bass control and tightness. Soundstage is incredibly large and sophisticated and the upconverting makes all CD's sound improved, especially remastered or HDCDs. Best word to really describe this player is "smooth".

This machine plays anything you can throw at it and does that with excellence. This machine is designed for those who are audio/videophiles indeed. Great connections in back for all types, including XLR. Runs smooth, looks great, and sounds sublime.

Weakness:

The 5.1 analog jacks in the rear are a bit too close together for those using RCA interconnects with locks it can become a bit tricky to get them connected, this is typical of just about ALL players out there though.

The PURE ANALOG or PURE DIGITAL setting does not save when you turn the machine off and you need to re-activate it each time you turn on the machine.

Almost all of the machines control needs to happen from the remote, which could be a problem if you ever lose the remote or if it stops working. You are unable to make setting changes from the front panel of the machine.

Machine does not allow you to completely dim the front console for those looking to truly blacken the room when watching films or TV.

When it comes to the world of Hi-Fi and Home Theater it can be difficult to find a player that can handle all formats and do them all very well. Universal Players are not always the most sought after because purists still prefer a separate CD player from their DVD player. SACD players are also hard to come across that really meet all the expectations of Audiophiles.

Parasound's HALO D3 is one remarkable player as it seems to be designed and created by people that understand that the high-end world of audio and video can come together in one sweet package. This unit sounds and performs as great as it cosmetically looks. It's also very easy-to-use for those that just want something basic, yet it also has advanced features for those that like to tweak. The D3 is capable of playing in PURE DIGITAL or PURE ANALOG in order to isolate the machine CD or SACD playback without any internal video interference for better performance.

The D3 also comes with a video scaler built in for optimal HDMI 1080i putput and has all the features you could want for improving picture quality overall. I am primarily using this machine for CD and SACD playback, but it also does a great job with DVD-Video and DVD-Audio.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Music Hall, Denon, Marantz, Creek, and NAD.
OVERALL
RATING		 4
★★★★★
★★★★★
VALUE
RATING		 5
★★★★★
★★★★★
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