TAG Mclaren DVD32R DVD Player

[Lexman]

Discussion of the DVD32R DVD player. Features, benefits, picture quality.

Lex





<A HREF="http://www.catcables.com" <IMG SRC="http://www.htguide.com/lexman/other/sm_logo.gif"

[Buzz Goddard]

This is it.
Concept?
Get the mechanicals right, otherwise everything else is for naught...





Buzz Goddard
<IMG SRC="http://www.tagmclarenaudio.com/icons/logo_inv.gif"

[Buzz Goddard]

The DVD32R is a DVD player of outstanding video and audio quality, is easy to setup and use, and exceeds the high THX™ Ultra standard. On top of that, it proves that a DVD player can achieve reference standard replay of CD, to finally lay to rest the idea that DVD players need to offer anything less than the best CD reproduction.

No short-cut to quality and performance
There are many DVD kits available, pre-packaged solutions around which manufacturers simply add their own casework and logo. A quick and easy route to adding a DVD player to a product range, but fundamentally products with inevitable performance compromises. Very few high-end audio manufacturers are prepared to devote the time and resources necessary to produce a player from the ground up, but for TAG McLaren this was the only way to achieve the performance which is possible with the DVD format.

Best Sound;
The DVD32R uses a top loading transport, allowing its drive motor and servo electronics to be mounted to a heavy, mass loaded sub-chassis. Advanced interface circuitry reduces rise and fall times whilst preventing waveform discontinuities, reducing the demand on the digital interconnects. When used with the AV32R T2L allows the AV32R to fix its clock to provide a low noise, ultra low jitter reference. The result is improved data integrity, reduces jitter and better sound.

Best Picture;
TAG McLaren worked closely with National Semiconductor's field-leading subsidiary Mediamatics, in finding the best MPEG decoder. After long evaluation Pantera-DVD™, the first IC to integrate all back-end functions of a DVD player onto a single chip, was selected. This unrivalled level of integration includes host processing, a 32-bit RISC processor, 10-bit video DACs and the NTSC/PAL encoders. The video circuitry uses broadcast quality components, with video outputs being individually buffered and vertical and anti-flicker filtering to deliver high quality graphics. An in-built test-patterns and electronics test circuitry assist in calibrating the tv for best picture quality.

Upgrade Path:
Building on TAG McLaren's class-leading commitment to upgradability, the DVD32R is scheduled to receive a hardware upgrade to DVD-Audio, Progressive Scan and Digital Video whilst functionality enhancements are distributed through TAG McLaren's website, allowing convenient software upgrades at home (using a PC).

Hold your breath, not coming to the US until end of first quarter 2001 (at least the 2001 part seems appropriate).




Buzz Goddard
<IMG SRC="http://www.tagmclarenaudio.com/icons/logo_inv.gif"

[Lexman]

That's a good looking player Buzz! Looks like it should be an SACD player. But this is the DVD player right? Retail, 5-6K?

Does Tag do their own internals on these players, or underneath is it a Toshiba, Pany, or other Japanese player?

Thanks,

Lex





<A HREF="http://www.catcables.com" <IMG SRC="http://www.htguide.com/lexman/other/sm_logo.gif"

[Buzz Goddard]

It is going crazy in Europe, I could only get two units for CES (one for our suite and one for THX); and one of those is a proto!
It is not a rebadged unit. It is first and foremost a serious mechanical package. The philosophy is to first get the data (be it CD or DVD) off the medium as perfectly as possible. We are using the Pantera-DVD chip set (32bit RISC) for MPEG processing.

It is a transport, no audio processing. Digital audio out only. Upgradeable to DVD-A and digital video out provided a legal interface is established.




Buzz Goddard
<IMG SRC="http://www.tagmclarenaudio.com/icons/logo_inv.gif"

[Buzz Goddard]

First reviews in!!!


For: Outstanding build quality; outstanding specification; terrific performance in every area - including as a CD player.

Against: Nothing - as long as you can afford it, of course.

Verdict: The DVD32R is the perfect complement to TAG McLaren's excellent AV32R processor and 100x5R power amp - but it works pretty darn well in other systems too.

"This TAG McLaren has been well worth the wait. It looks good, it's beautifully made and it's very easy to live with and use. Performance in all areas is well up to par, and it's a fine CD machine. Even at the price, this is an enticing DVD player."

What Hi-Fi? - February 2001




"The DVD32R is nothing short of a masterpiece of 21st century technology, but then, at its price, you'd really expect little else... However, as we're fond of saying at Smarthouse, when it comes to technology, you have to expect to pay for the best, and the DVD32R is, undoubtedly, the very best."
Smarthouse - February/March 2001




Buzz Goddard
<IMG SRC="http://www.tagmclarenaudio.com/icons/logo_inv.gif"

[Daniel Brecher]

Oh now don't make me buy one of these too! I will one day....promise.

Dan (UK)

[Buzz Goddard]

Sorry Dan!

I have a somwhat beatup prototype that I have been using. I do not have a display to do it justice (it looks, of course, fantastic, but I've seen it on a real hi-res system and it is something). I can tell you that it makes the best CD sound I have ever heard when used in conjunction with the AV32R.




Buzz Goddard
<IMG SRC="http://www.tagmclarenaudio.com/icons/logo_inv.gif"

[Daniel Brecher]

I really need to sell my screenplay.

Dan (UK)

[Doug]

To top.





<A HREF="http://www.catcables.com" <IMG SRC="http://www.htguide.com/lexman/other/sm_logo.gif"

[Andrew Pratt]

^

[Buzz Goddard]

"Klang Surround und Bildqualität: überragend"




Buzz Goddard
<IMG SRC="http://www.tagmclarenaudio.com/icons/logo_inv.gif"

[Buzz Goddard]

Translated:"Surround sound and picture quality extraordinary."
Audio - April 2001

And on the audio side, HiFi Choice found:

Remarkable, this two-box combination [DVD32R + AV32R] breaks the 200 psec barrier for low jitter, with a figure of 135 psec even outstripping the very best single-box CD players.




Buzz Goddard
<IMG SRC="http://www.tagmclarenaudio.com/icons/logo_inv.gif"

[Buzz Goddard]

New version 1.16 code released today.




Buzz Goddard
<IMG SRC="http://www.tagmclarenaudio.com/icons/logo_inv.gif"