Harman Kardon DVD 31 Progressive-Scan DVD Player

Harman Kardon DVD 31 Progressive-Scan DVD Player

Product Description
Amazon.com Product Description
The Harman Kardon DVD31 is a versatile DVD audio/video player designed to meet the high performance standards of both audiophiles and videophiles. On the sound side, it provides complete audio control and bass management for DVD-Audio playback using analog outputs. On the video side, it performs progressive scanning, also referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, which creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. The DVD31 also offers 3:2 pulldown, which reassembles the frame sequence of your original film-based content from DVDs to more accurately reproduce the original 24-frame-per-second material.

The DVD31's comprehensive array of audio adjustments allows you to adjust the time delay, output level, and speaker size selection for excellent audio reproduction from all speakers in a multichannel home entertainment system. For quality, the DVD31 uses a Wolfson 192kHz/24-bit audio D/A converter, along with premium internal components in the audio signal path.

The DVD31 provides excellent video playback when used with a high-definition display, thanks to its leading-edge digital video technology that uses pixel-by-pixel processing, rather than the line-by-line technique employed by conventional DVD players. This is accomplished by using a digital signal processor for superior picture quality and smoother, more realistic images with more detail.

In addition to playing DVD-Audio and DVD-Video, the DVD31 plays Windows Media Audio (WMA), VCD, CD, CD-R/RW, WMA, MP3, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM multisession, and 96 kHz/24-bit audio discs, and it's also compatible with JPEG still-image files stored on compact discs. The player can also simultaneously play MP3 tracks and JPEG images and coordinate the two, automatically changing images with each MP3 track played in slideshow presentations. The unit's program, random, and repeat play modes operate with the files and folders on MP3 and WMA discs, as well as with DVDs and CDs.

The DVD31's key picture-search and convenience functions include frame-by-frame advance, smooth fast-scanning at x2, x4, x16, and x100 speeds, fine slow motion at x1/2, x1/4, x1/16, and x1/100 speeds, three picture-zoom settings with panning capability, parental lock, and many additional features.

The player includes progressive-scan and standard-scan component video outputs, which can output simultaneously with the S-video and composite video jacks. It also provides both coaxial and optical digital output, multichannel analog output, and stereo analog audio outputs. It comes with a full-featured, backlit, ergonomically designed remote control.

What's in the Box
DVD31 DVD player, instruction manual, remote control.

Product Description:
Harman Kardon DVD31 - This model is similar to the Harmah Kardon DVD22 but adds the ability of playing DVD Audio discs. Capable of playing DVD-Video , DVD-Audio, MP3, Windows Media and JPEG discs, the DVD31 is as versatile as they come. With progressive scan processing and an audio control system that includes bass management and output-level trims, whatever goes in will come out looking and sounding its absolute best. Wolfson 192kHz/24-Bit Audio Output DAC Still Image Playback of JPEG CDs 60-Frame Reconstruction and Pixel-by-Pixel Processing MP3 Text Capability Linear-PCM Audio at 44kHz-96kHz/16-24 Bits 2x and 4x Digital Zoom (Still and Moving Picture) Programmed Play of Up to 32 Tracks on One CD Repeat Play of One Track, One CD or an A-B Selection Video Test Screen with Image Adjustments Simplifies Optimization of Video Display Video-Off Mode for Audio Playback Aspect-Ratio Selector Unit Size (WDH) - 17 3/10 x 12 x 2 Weighs 7.5 pounds 1 Year Parts and Labor Harman Kardon limited warranty Illuminated Remote

Harman Kardon DVD 31 Progressive-Scan DVD Player
Average customer rating:

Audio syncing problems

Good Dvd player but dont listen to Electronics Fan "Paul"

DVD Player Review

Very flawed

Good A/V quality, with some annoying issues

Harman Kardon DVD 31 Progressive-Scan DVD Player

Manufacturer: Harman Kardon
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

All | DVD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
DVD Players | DVD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics
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Product Features:

Plays DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, VCD, CD, CD-R/RW, WMA, MP3, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM multisession, 96 kHz/24-bit audio, and JPEGs on disc

Progressive-scan processing, 3:2 pulldown, 60-frame playback

Video outs: progressive-scan and standard-scan-rate component video, S-video, composite (usable simultaneously); audio outs: coaxial and optical digital, multichannel analog, stereo analog

Bass management, Dolby Digital, DTS passthrough, analog/digital outputs, multichannel support, 192 kHz/24-bit D/A converter

Measures 17.31 x 2 x 12 inches (W x H x D)

ASIN: B0000D8HRL

Amazon.com Product Description

The Harman Kardon DVD31 is a versatile DVD audio/video player designed to meet the high performance standards of both audiophiles and videophiles. On the sound side, it provides complete audio control and bass management for DVD-Audio playback using analog outputs. On the video side, it performs progressive scanning, also referred to as 480p for the number of horizontal lines that compose the video image, which creates a picture using twice the scan lines of a conventional DVD picture, giving you higher resolution and sharper images while eliminating nearly all motion artifacts. The DVD31 also offers 3:2 pulldown, which reassembles the frame sequence of your original film-based content from DVDs to more accurately reproduce the original 24-frame-per-second material.

What's in the Box
DVD31 DVD player, instruction manual, remote control.

Product Description

Harman Kardon DVD31 - This model is similar to the Harmah Kardon DVD22 but adds the ability of playing DVD Audio discs. Capable of playing DVD-Video , DVD-Audio, MP3, Windows Media and JPEG discs, the DVD31 is as versatile as they come. With progressive scan processing and an audio control system that includes bass management and output-level trims, whatever goes in will come out looking and sounding its absolute best. Wolfson 192kHz/24-Bit Audio Output DAC Still Image Playback of JPEG CDs 60-Frame Reconstruction and Pixel-by-Pixel Processing MP3 Text Capability Linear-PCM Audio at 44kHz-96kHz/16-24 Bits 2x and 4x Digital Zoom (Still and Moving Picture) Programmed Play of Up to 32 Tracks on One CD Repeat Play of One Track, One CD or an A-B Selection Video Test Screen with Image Adjustments Simplifies Optimization of Video Display Video-Off Mode for Audio Playback Aspect-Ratio Selector Unit Size (WDH) - 17 3/10 x 12 x 2 Weighs 7.5 pounds 1 Year Parts and Labor Harman Kardon limited warranty Illuminated Remote

Customer Reviews:

Audio syncing problems.......2007-02-07

I was disappointed to find two major flaws in this DVD player -- the first, its failure to provide a digital DVD-Audio signal, is unfortunate but not unforgivable. The analog outs, which require pausing the music and switching to a different input on the remote whenever you want to listen to anything, sound fine.

The bigger problem is the unit's inability to maintain proper syncing of audio with video. When you spend this much on a quality H/K player, you expect WAY more. It's a simple, essential function. But I'd say about 33% of the time, I pause the player at any point in the disc, resume play, and the audio either lags or jumps ahead of the video. I'm forced to pause and unpause until the sound syncs.

Due to these problems, I'm not even going to go into picture and sound quality...I can't get past the two issues mentioned above.

Good Dvd player but dont listen to Electronics Fan "Paul".......2006-01-31

The reviewer below me ( Electronics Fan "paul" ) does not know anything about electronics. -- "Let me begin by saying, while this player does NOT offer HD upconversion, it outperforms the Sony and Samsung upconverting HD players. I carefully compared the three models on my Hitachi 51 RPTV, and found this to clearly be the best."
- First off, he's making the comparison with his hitachi rear projection tv. Of course upconverting dvd players (sony and samsung) won't look good on this tv. You will only notice the vast difference with plasma or lcd displays. If you have a rptv don't bother with upconverting players.!
2nd, again going back to his rptv. --"I saw absolutely NO benefit from using a high-quality DVI connector as opposed to high-quality component cables." - Unless you have hd resolution, component and dvi, even hdmi, will deliver a very similar result with any of these cables.
Anyway, now onto this player. My cousin has the older model and I must say the picture quality is pretty good with his plasma tv. So im assuming this newer model has new features that should make it an even better player.
If you dont have a high resolution tv this is an excellent player but a bit pricecy. But if you do have a high res tv, you may want to look at the upconverting players. They are also a lot cheaper

DVD Player Review.......2006-01-31

The DVD player has done a great job. We have had no problems with it at all.

Very flawed.......2006-01-23

I'm very disapointed with this Kardon product being an avid fan of the past products from the respective company, but this one is off the chart. Playing a DVD movie using either the digital coaxial output or the optical output, the audio plays on and off out of sync. I've pushed the dealying time up and down both on the player and the AVR and it makes no diffrence. That tells me that there is something wrong with decoding device in the player. The DVD31 looks good and offers some great picture rendition. Also the audio rendition is exceptional but I simply can't live up to the fact that it cannot play dvd movies in sync with the audio (or the other way around). Try to avoid this product and lets hope that Harman Kardon will produce a better player in the future.

Good A/V quality, with some annoying issues.......2006-01-06

The audio and video of this DVD player is what you would expect for a $350 unit - very good. It would be nice if it played SACDs, as most of HKs competitors equivalently priced units do. A nice feature is audio delay adjustments for each channel (in terms of ft or meters, not ms), allowing better system setup if you have a receiver lacking this ability. Most buying a DVD player of this caliber have a receiver to match, so this probably doesn't add value to many people's system. Spending 6x what a base DVD player costs at WALMART should guarantee *quality*, and you get it, just as in every other unit of similar price. I think what sets something apart from its competition is the little things you notice. The first thing anyone, audiophile or not, notices, is the intense blue LED that continually draws your eyes away from the TV. I mean honestly, did they not look at this thing in the dark and notice the blinding blue power LED, which is the *one* light that does not go off when you turn the display off? It's nice that all the other lights go out, but that feature is pointless with the remaining laser-like 'on' light. Another thing that annoyed me is that the website picture shows an SCART and gold connectors on the back, while my unit has no SCART (I think this is a foreign thing so I don't care), and no gold connectors. Realistically, I'm sure there's no noticeable difference without gold connectors, but it seems shady to show it with gold connectors, and to not have them. Finally, a real engineering design issue that directly affects the units functionality and performance: It is NOT capable of digital output of DVD-Audio signals! The manual claims that 'The current digital formats do not support the high bit rate of the DVD-Audio format'. Oh but wait, HK's own AVR 520, a receiver from several years ago, is capable of receiving both 96kHz AND 192kHz digital bit streams (at least in stereo), so obviously the format supports it. To make matters worse, the player is actually capable of 96kHz digital output! (Just not when you're playing the music on a DVD-Audio disc.) For example, on the home screen of R.E.M.'s greatest hits, the AVR 520 recognizing the audio as 96kHz digital, but once you play the music, you have to switch to the analog connection to get anything. Compounding things, the player is capable of limiting the PCM digital output to lower bit rates, but apparently not for DVD-Audio. In the end, with analog connections DVD-Audio discs still sound amazing, but using the digital connection would theoretically improve things.

UPDATE 1 YEAR OLD - My unit can no longer recognize DVDs. A few CDs still work. This is the 3rd CD/DVD player I've had stop working within 18 months of purchase.

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