DVP-NS999ES Video Performance and Build Quality

Chroma Upsampling Error - Not in this player?

I've seen a number of sites that describe this problem in detail and list many DVD players that show signs of a "Chroma Bug." I've also seen a number of AV Forum discussions regarding the same issue, some of which claim that the Sony DVP-NS999ES player also has the problem. In no way am I trying to do a disservice to sites that have accurately documented this problem with other players, but from what I've seen, with the DVD's we used to evaluate, the Sony DVP-NS999ES does not appear to have a Chroma Bug. To verify this, I viewed key parts of several DVD's where this bug is usually 'obvious' on players with this problem, such as Toy Story and others, in addition to the Avia Guide to Home Theater DVD. Using the Avia DVD, I displayed actual Chroma Delay graphics and without question, I saw no signs of the Chroma delay or distortions with this player.

Now this problem does exist with other players, some of which are from Sony, but I think there are times where it may be misinterpreted by viewers who are not certain what to look for. There are other problem that can occur in Home Theater set up which may appear to be a Chroma Bug, but it may not be from the DVD Player. For example, if there is a substantial impedance mismatch between the player and the monitor, it is possible to get ghosting that may appear to some as the Chroma Bug. Also, if the cables themselves are not made well and have bad solder joints or there are inconsistencies between the three cables, there can be an actual chroma delay that is a result of a cable problem. For more information on the component video cables used to connect your DVD player, check out Audiohoilc's Component Video Cable - The Definitive Guide article.

What ever the case may be, we did not see a Chroma Bug with this player, so it seems Sony resolved the issue with this release or at least nullified it to the point that it isn't visible for us normal folks ;) in most home theater environments.

Precision Progressive Scan

The DVP-NS999ES features Sony's proprietary Precision Cinema Progressive System, which incorporates Pixel-by-Pixel I/P Conversion technology. This helps balance DVD-video elements and reduce/remove distortion found in some original formats, thus ensuring the best possible picture quality.

Additional elements of the Precision Cinema Progressive system include the Super Sub Alias Filter, which improves signal-to-noise and frequency response resulting in crisp, clean images. In addition, the players Noise Shaped Video» (NSV1) feature uses the sigma delta modulation technique to reduce video noise for added picture quality. These features ensure that the DVP-NS999ES produces breath taking DVD video playback.

Build Quality

DVD players can be vulnerable to vibrations in the disc or optical pickup. Vibrations can occur during play of a loud, deep base movie, or other external sources. Sony implemented a frame and beam construction to provide rigidity and an anti-resonant design by implementing vertical and horizontal beams.

Further ensuring optimized performance and design, the model's spindle, motor and optical pick-up base are bolted to a sub-chassis.

The base unit is mounted on the subchassis called the mechanical deck. This is a self-contained box formed of Sony's Buck Molding Compound, which resists vibration and resonance.

The Precision Drive» 2 with Dynamic Tilt Compensation is Sony's second generation optical pick-up, which provides fast access and steady tracking by applying a high responsive serve tilt to the pick-up in order to compensate for some imperfections found in some discs.

A word of caution though. The loading tray has four low profile guides to help the user align the DVD/CD. Since the profile of these guides are so low, it is possible to load the DVD/CD slightly off axis and it can result in potentially jamming the unit. Just be careful when loading a DVD. Fumbling around in a dark room may not be the best idea when loading another DVD into the player.