News(?) on the Halo DVD

[P-Stone]

Mail from me to Parasound :
So...
How is that Halo DVD coming along...???

Answer from Parasound :
Progress but not yet completed. Looks like late spring by the time it is released. The prototypes have stunning video and audio characteristics thus far and I expect that they will get better. We’ll post more info on the website when we are closer to releasing it but in the meantime you can email me and if I have any info I’ll let you know.

---------------------

Hopefully, not to long now (fingers crossed)...

P..

[SpOoNmAn]

good grief, more for us to buy..

Brent, any more updates? lol

[Peter Nielsen]

Excellent news! Perfect timing! My old workhorse (Sony DVP-S7700) is probably about to throw in the towel soon (for instance it has developed very noticable layer changes)...

:banana: :dothewave: :banana:

Peter

[nicholtl]

Hehe, a bunch of rainbow colored jellybeans doing the wave sandwiched by two air-humping bananas. Nice! Hopefully their DVD player with have HDMI output, play HDCD/XRCD/SACD/DVD-A, Blu-Ray and/or HD-DVD, have no chroma bug or Y-delay problem, a large memory buffer, Burr-brown DAC's (although maybe not necessary if HDMI is the next step in evolution), and fantastic build quality.

I want it to be black. Or gunmetal graphite. Enough silver already.

[SpOoNmAn]

I want it to be black. Or gunmetal graphite. Enough silver already.

never enough silver!!!!

are you mad!?

lol

[mags]

I'll have to go down the road and ask how it's coming along.

[mikepinkerton]

I sure hope if they put HDMI into their dvd player that they put HDMI switching into their pre-pro. That's the main thing that's keeping me from even looking at a C2.

-Mike

[nicholtl]

never enough silver!!!!

are you mad!?

lol

I would be if I had as many cool toys as you! I saw your photo album. Wow, your bike is rad. Your paintballing buddies look pretty good too. But I'll bet my boys could take yours out. =)

By the way, good thing you have a carpet in your listening room. Without it I'd think you'd be in a reflection/rarefaction nightmare.

[SpOoNmAn]

I would be if I had as many cool toys as you! I saw your photo album. Wow, your bike is rad. Your paintballing buddies look pretty good too. But I'll bet my boys could take yours out. =)

By the way, good thing you have a carpet in your listening room. Without it I'd think you'd be in a reflection/rarefaction nightmare.

it still is quite reflective, the lease is up in 5 months and I dont know if im staying. If I do, Ill be doing some acoustical work for sure.

Ahh my bike, my baby, spring can't get here soon enough!!! silver bike, silver audio rack, silver on my paintball gun...hmmmm

I need to buy another xbox and get a silver skin for it :B

I have pics of my paintball buddies up?

checking...

that group pic is from yeeeeears ago in my back woods at the old house. We play every sunday at a local field I help to run, we average about 30 players, which reminds me, I have to get ready in a few.

good to see someone else plays :T

wow did we get waaaaaaaaay off topic...sorry guys.

so whens that dvd player due out?!?!?!

8)

[Peter Nielsen]

I want it to be black. Or gunmetal graphite. Enough silver already.

Yes, but if it is black, then Parasound MUST provide new chassis parts in black for my JC1, A51, C2, and T3... Otherwise, make it match! :B

(Personally, I would *love* a set of replacable chassis parts to make all my Parasound black... I like black. All my Maggies are black on black, not white on cherry like the MG20.1 in my avatar)

Peter

[nicholtl]

Did the girl come with your speakers as well?

[Peter Nielsen]

Did the girl come with your speakers as well?

No... I prefer blondes :B

Peter

[bhuskins]

We'll have a DVD player one of these days and assume it will be silver. I expect it to be a top notch universal player. It's not an issue of designing a player...that work has already been done. Now it's a matter of getting one built and that's where they're at. Hopefully spring, but these things tend to drag out as we are all aware. Publicly, Parasound is saying nothing about the DVD player. To me that means we are still a couple to a few months away.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[Peter Nielsen]

Brent,

Do you have any inside info on whether there is going to be just one model, or two in different price categories like the C1/C2 ? (They were obviously talking about D1/D2 back at CES 2002. I wonder if this still holds...)

Thanks,
Peter

[Peter Nielsen]

Let's also hope that the HALO DVD can easily be made region free...

[bhuskins]

I'm not sure if we'll see 2 models at first or not...maybe one in Halo and one in Classic...this is speculation on my part.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[Ray]

Hi,
There are roumers that the D2 will be released in June. At the moment, there are 50 American dealers playing with it (Brent?)...
It has HDMI and DVI-D!


If they are starting the release with a D2 (maybe without a tft display), then there will be a D1 later on (with a display like the C1).

That would be nice, a D2, P2 and a A51!

Cheers,

[bhuskins]

Here's what I'll say...

It won't be called the D2. The D1 and D2 were prototype devices. You could probably guess what the next likely name will be though. Expect something in the New Classic line as well.

There are zero dealers playing with it currently (if there were 5 dealers (much less 50) playing with it, I would likely be one of them.)

The outputs will be robust for sure and will have to include HDMI.

I wouldn't anticipate a player with a TFT. It's too costly at this stage of the DVD life cycle.

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HTGuide Sponsor

[Chris D]

I'll let someone else post... info as to WHEN we might see something?

[bhuskins]

Soon, is all that I'll say at this point...

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HTGuide Sponsor

[Hoffa]

I guess since it is "almost ready" and will make it to market soon, what are the chances of it being HD compliant - ie BluRay and/or HD-DVD? The rumors a while back were that it would be a universal player, just wondering if this is now substantiated in one form or another?

I can't wait .. I love my Halo A52, and I would like to add some more Halo products

[bhuskins]

Read the posts over at A V S about HD-DVD and Blue Ray...we may never see either. There are real discussions going on right now between Sony and Toshiba that are attempting to pave the way to one HD format. It will likely be a format that takes the best from both. This could delay things substantially. Needless to say, It will be a while before any of the independent companies like Parasound come out with a HighDef DVD player, especially if the final format hasn't even been announced.

By the way, these stories are verifiable on Google News. This is also exactly what happened when DVD was introduced. There was an 11th hour agreement put in place that shared the licensing between the prominent players (Sony and Toshiba).

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HTGuide Sponsor

[Chris D]

One centralized HD format would be a very good thing for everyone. That would be so great if we could make it happen.

So we're back to talking about a Halo player as non-high def, eh? I hope it's still universal.

[nicholtl]

Agreed. One format, as opposed to HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, would be truly ideal. I'm definitely willing to wait extra for that to become a reality.

[NMyTree]

I'm stunned.

Another attempt by the Audio/Video world to do something that makes sense.

[Hirogen]

Hehe, a bunch of rainbow colored jellybeans doing the wave sandwiched by two air-humping bananas. Nice! Hopefully their DVD player with have HDMI output, play HDCD/XRCD/SACD/DVD-A, Blu-Ray and/or HD-DVD, have no chroma bug or Y-delay problem, a large memory buffer, Burr-brown DAC's (although maybe not necessary if HDMI is the next step in evolution), and fantastic build quality.

I want it to be black. Or gunmetal graphite. Enough silver already.

HDMI output; will (and should) be definitely there I think.

HDCD; on a DVD player? Nice to have but if it comes without this it won't be a dealbreaker for me.

XRCD; non-issue, works on all CD players as far as I know, it's not a format that needs special hardware to be played back.

SACD; face it, it's dead. I won't be surprised if it will NOT be supported.

DVD-A; same as SACD.

Blu-ray and/or HD-DVD; I really don't see any of these two being implemented in the 1st incarnation of the Parasound DVD player. My guess is the DVD player that will be announced in a couple of months, will be based on the *current* DVD standard that's out there (after the format war is finally over Parasound could release a second HD capable DVD player).

Btw, if this DVD player will be able to play back CD-DA (redbook), and it most likely will, than it would be very cool if it could also play back CD-R's (orangebook part2). Same for DVD's that I burned myself.

[Ray]

SACD; face it, it's dead. I won't be surprised if it will NOT be supported.

Dead ? LOL, you sure missed something!


Btw, if this DVD player will be able to play back CD-DA (redbook), and it most likely will, than it would be very cool if it could also play back CD-R's (orangebook part2). Same for DVD's that I burned myself.

Did you ever hear a copied cdr or dvd on good equipment? If so, you will never burn again!

Cheers,

Ray

[bhuskins]

That's funny, because most CD's used for demo at CES are ripped compilation discs. It all depends on how the disc is made in my opinion. If the file stays in the WAV format, it should be an EXACT copy if burned correctly.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[nicholtl]

I have no doubt you're right, Brent. I guess it's just the thought of something not being the original generation that irks most people, including me.

[Peter Nielsen]

That's funny, because most CD's used for demo at CES are ripped compilation discs. It all depends on how the disc is made in my opinion. If the file stays in the WAV format, it should be an EXACT copy if burned correctly.

:agree: As long as the ones are ones and the zeroes are zeroes, it doesn't matter... There is no such thing as a "good one" and a "good zero". In the digital domain everything is black or white. As long as a digital signal is transferred error free, it doesn't matter if the media etc. costs one cent or a million dollar. People trying to tell otherwise are selling snake oil...

(But then again, the FUD applies. The sellers of the million dollar media may rightfully claim that it will preserve the ones and zeroes for a million years and it's hard to argue against that.... Then again, they will probably void your million year data-loss-free warranty unless the medium is stored in a vaccuum chamber or something along those lines... :B )

Peter

[Ray]

Hi Brent,

[QUOTE=bhuskins]That's funny, because most CD's used for demo at CES are ripped compilation discs. It all depends on how the disc is made in my opinion. If the file stays in the WAV format, it should be an EXACT copy if burned correctly.

Yes, its all about the way a copy has been made. But there are still a lot of people thinking that burning a cd is the same as pressing one.

Ray

[Peter Nielsen]

But there are still a lot of people thinking that burning a cd is the same as pressing one.

Then take them to an optician! Where is the artwork??? That's what you pay for.

I buy the CD for the artwork and for putting in my CD-collection. Then I make CDRs for use in the car where I would NEVER use an original. Artists with copy protection will effectively be neglected since I can't listen to them in the car. Some say caveat emptor, I think it backfires on the artist... (Copy protection never stops me from buying the CD, but it results in that I will never listen to it and promote it to my friends, since I can't listen to it in the car and thus the record eventually falls into oblivion...)

Peter

[Ray]

[QUOTE=Peter Nielsen]:agree: As long as the ones are ones and the zeroes are zeroes, it doesn't matter... There is no such thing as a "good one" and a "good zero". In the digital domain everything is black or white. As long as a digital signal is transferred error free, it doesn't matter if the media etc. costs one cent or a million dollar. People trying to tell otherwise are selling snake oil...

The quality of the transfered digital signal can only be good if the information was correctly read by the laser. A laser has more problems reading a burned image because the information on a burned media contains only dark spots (a change in color because of the burn process) These colors can change over time due to sunlight. A pressed media contains holes which are easier to read.
Testresults do show that a burned media contains more read errors than a pressed one. So, the digital signal will contain more bad zeroes and ones.

Its that simple!

Ray

[Hoffa]

:agree: As long as the ones are ones and the zeroes are zeroes, it doesn't matter... There is no such thing as a "good one" and a "good zero". In the digital domain everything is black or white. As long as a digital signal is transferred error free, it doesn't matter if the media etc. costs one cent or a million dollar. People trying to tell otherwise are selling snake oil...

Peter

Yes and that is what error correction is for An excellent read (for those mathematically inclined) is http://web.usna.navy.mil/~wdj/reed-sol.htm

In short, just cause a burned cd rom has more bit flips does not mean that it WILL sound any worse. Depends on the number of errors. Some can be repair based on these algorithms. Even perfect fresh out of the case CDs will have error. You won't ever read a CD and have no error correction take place.

[Peter Nielsen]

A laser has more problems reading a burned image

SOME lasers may have problems, some don't... It's that simple :B

If you use substandard equipment to burn the CD-R, you can expect substandard results and vice versa. As always, YMMV.

Peter

[Ray]

Hi Peter,
Your right about getting better results when using better equipment. But I cannot believe that people spent x0,000 dollars on good equipment and just play copied music.

But I think we get a bit of topic :W

HI Brent, Still nothing in stock ?

Ray

[bhuskins]

HI Brent, Still nothing in stock ?

Ray

I've got a lot in stock...

What do you need? Feel free to email me at huskins@charter.net

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HTGuide Sponsor

[NMyTree]

Any updates or new information on the Halo P2 Pre Amp and the long-awaited Halo Universal Disc Player?

[Ray]

Yeh, if the names D1 and D2 are no longer in the race, what about the U1 and U2?

But I think their problem is that they need so much time to complete the box, that the unit would be outdated when they would release it. :W

So, I think we will never see one. :cry:

[P-Stone]

Latest info i got :

Contacted Parasound for an update on the Halo DVD. I was re-directed to the norwegian distributor, which it seems, are developing the player. Or, they are in close contact with the developers.

They told me that if Parasound approves the beta design in the next two weeks, they will be introducing the Halo DVD at CEDIA in september.

The player will support SACD and DVD-A. And it will also be upgradable to next-generation technology, such as BlueRay or HD-DVD, when OEM loaders become available.

So, not too long now, i hope...

P..

[Chris D]

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh, baby. Interesting concept, to be upgradable to high-def disc technology when it comes out.

Now, that means that we need to have high-res digital passing and decoding, too, so I'm still hoping we see DVI switching with DVD-A and SACD decoding capabilities added to the C1/C2 and Classic 7100.

[mags]

Latest info i got :

Contacted Parasound for an update on the Halo DVD. I was re-directed to the norwegian distributor, which it seems, are developing the player. Or, they are in close contact with the developers.

They told me that if Parasound approves the beta design in the next two weeks, they will be introducing the Halo DVD at CEDIA in september.

The player will support SACD and DVD-A. And it will also be upgradable to next-generation technology, such as BlueRay or HD-DVD, when OEM loaders become available.

So, not too long now, i hope...

P..

It's almost a year ago since I was in their offices and got a peek at the player in development. At that time they had just received new mainboards from Parasound, and they were beginning to tinker with them. The guys were very excited about the player back then.

[Chris D]

Well, yes, I suppose if we rehash the "we've waited so long, why haven't we seen the DVD player yet" topic, we've been seeing evidence of a Parasound Halo DVD player for about... maybe 3-4 years now. It's come and go. We can only hope it does make it to market. Personally, just so nobody loses hope, I think we're seeing signs it's really going to happen this time.

[hamtor]

Any updated rumors or news about this dvdplayer?

[FrankG]

So then you make you own CDplayer with parasound look :B