DVX8000 Multimedia Home Theater

Not a PC/TV, not an a/v receiver, this unusual product "is designed to function as a state-of-the-art central digital server [emphasis added] sitting at the heart of an advanced home entertainment system." Make that an "extreme home entertainment" system, to pluck another choice phrase out of the obscurity of a Philips brochure.

Seen from the front, the DVX8000 is a deceptively receiver-like black box. Seen from the back, its hybrid nature becomes apparent, with the familiar RCA-type and S-video jacks of the a/v world on top and the familiar parallel and other ports of the multimedia world on bottom. The two jack panels are even different colors, suggesting two subchassis built into a single, seamless black box.

The DVX8000 includes a DVD drive and TV/FM tuners, and accepts numerous other a/v and audio sources. Processing in the 5.1-channel preamp (no amplification) includes a Dolby Digital/Pro-Logic surround decoder with THX Cinema Re-EQ, and a line doubler -- having that last item in the heart of the system eliminates the extra a/d-and-d/a conversion that otherwise would take place with an outboard or projector-enclosed line doubler. For those with an RGB-capable projector, output is SVGA, in addition to composite and S-video. There's also a Trident 3-D graphics accelerator.

The computing guts include a 233 MHz Pentium MMX processor, 32 MB RAM, 4 MB graphics memory, 3.1 GB hard drive, 3-1/2-inch floppy drive, 33.6 kbps data/14.4 kbps fax modem, two USB ports, one gaming port, 512 KB pipeline burst cache, and 16-bit sound card with Wavetable. The operating system is Win95. If it crashes, PC rebooting is automatic. Unlike competing PC/TV products, this system keeps a/v functions separate from computing functions, so basic signal routing continues to function in the event of a crash.

If any more sweeteners are needed, Marantz's highly regarded RC2000 learning remote control is standard equipment. A wireless keyboard is also provided. And the system comes with a one-year free subscription to an electronic program guide. Available through 200 high-end specialty dealers and custom installers, the system includes 24-hour technical support and a three-year warranty.

MSRP: $5000

Extraordinary Picture Quality