Nuggets: Panasonic DVD has lots-o-features...

Justin Pearse ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 09 Mar 1999 15:04 GMT

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DVD with acronyms!

The latest entrant in the entry-level DVD player market is Panasonic's DVD-A160. Picture quality is enhanced with a 10-bit video DAC and sound is looked after by DTS (Digital Theatre System) 5.1 channel digital audio output, as well as Dolby Digital output. In addition to playing PAL system DVDs, it can also play encoded Region 2 NTSC titles (sure to make the yanks happy!)

The Dialogue Enhancer claims to give increased clarity of speech in scenes with loud ambient sound levels, while VSS (Virtual Surround Sound) offers surround sound using only two front speakers. Other useful features include Chapter Review, which automatically plays the first three seconds of a previously viewed film before proceeding with normal play, and the Quick Start function which brings up a requested picture within 5 seconds. The DVD-A160 will be available in April for £379.95.

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