Harman Kardon DVD50 5-Disc Progressive-Scan DVD Player

Other products by Harman Kardon

Product Details

Product Manual [953kb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 17.3 x 16.5 x 5.1 inches ; 12.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 17 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000051SDU
• Item model number: DVD50
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #186,236 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1973

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Designed to handle every popular digital audio and video format, Harman Kardon's DVD50 with progressive scan is an advanced and versatile five-disc DVD video changer. The DVD50 is the first DVD changer to include built-in MP3 decoding from CD discs. The DVD50 can also play CD-Rs and CD-RWs as well as DVDs, standard audio CDs, and Video CD discs. With its built-in HDCD processing, the DVD50 delivers the ultimate in quality compact disc playback. Features such as progressive-scan component-video outputs and 10-bit video digital-to-audio conversion, with 27 MHz filtering, provide unsurpassed video performance.

In addition to progressive-scan output, the DVD50 includes standard-scan-rate component-video (Y/Pr/Pb), S-video, and composite-video outputs. A Wolfson 24-bit/192 kHz audio digital-to-analog converter offers extraordinary resolution, sonic accuracy, and compatible playback of high-resolution 96/24 audio discs. The DVD50 is compatible with both Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel discs and also includes a built-in HDCD decoder that allows listeners to enjoy the full sonic benefits of the improved resolution, dynamic range, and musical realism provided by the HDCD format. Thanks to its precision digital filter, the HDCD decoder also improves the sound quality of conventional non-HDCD-encoded CDs. The DVD50 includes coaxial and optical digital outputs, plus standard down-mixed analog audio outputs, and a down-mixed stereo headphone output for private listening.

The DVD50 takes user convenience to a new level. Its comprehensive, easy-to-use onscreen menu system and full-function backlit remote control make initial setup and operation simple and intuitive. The player offers a wide variety of viewing options, such as multiple-aspect-ratio selection, multiple viewing angles, a choice of multiple-language soundtracks and subtitles, and still and motion digital zoom.

The DVD50 also provides a number of picture search and scanning options, such as four-speed Smooth Scan (2x, 4x, 8x, 100x), four-speed Super Fine Slow Motion (1/2x, 1/4x, 1/8x, and 1/16x), and frame-by-frame advance, along with a choice of program-play and repeat-play options. Additional convenience functions include MP3 Text and CD Text display, and a play-one/exchange-four disc-playback function that allows users to exchange up to four DVD discs in the changer while watching a fifth disc without interruption.

Harman Kardon provides a one-year warranty on parts and labor on the DVD50.

Product Description
Harman Kardon DVD changers combine the latest video technology with the company's traditional attention to audio-circuitry detail so that your home-theater presentations look as good as they sound. Harman Kardon 5-disc carousel changers let you enjoy a full evening of entertainment without leaving the comfort of your easy chair. All Harman Kardon DVD changers feature component video outputs, easy-to-use menu systems with full parental control features and a wide range of programming options for both CD and DVD discs, and a backlit remote control - all wrapped up in Harman Kardon's elegant design.The DVD 50 takes DVD performance to the next level. The DVD 50 is equipped with true progressive scan video outputs that reproduce the clarity of DVD video on compatible monitors. Its component (Y/Pr/PB), S- and composite video outputs provide an outstanding picture with a conventional monitor. The audio section is capable of playing back MP3 and HDCD-encoded discs, and both CD-R and CD-RW discs. With room for 5 discs, the DVD 50 can provide nonstop playback of hundreds of hours of MP3 files. It can also display both MP3 and CD text. The Wolfson 192kHz/24-bit audio DACs preserve all of the detail of the original recording.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best, June 9, 2001

By	Big Red 1 (Birmingham, Alabama United States) - See all my reviews

I recently decided to upgrade my DVD player, so I wanted to go top-of-the-line. Harmon Kardon has continually succeeded in that category for decades. As with all of their products, this player is well-built and attractive in its simplicity. It's functions are many and varied, but it's extremely easy to use. No bells and whistles or futuristic gimmicks on Harmon Kardon products, just high-quality electonics. In fact, if the display is too bright for you, it can be dimmed or turned off completely. Its disc format versatility is certainly the first thing that attracted me. You can change discs while watching/listening to another, which is a real plus. It's got a great combo of program features and random and repeat play. And while the back-light on the remote is nice, most of the buttons you have to already know what they are since the button functions are illuminated. But since that's the only negative about this player, my advice is, if you have the money, buy this one.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HK Presses Their Seal Firmly Against This True Masterpiece, December 5, 2001

By	"kawwwwww" (Cranston, RI United States) - See all my reviews

Harman Kardon has always represented itself with a certain philosophy in the way that sound should be delivered to the ear. Some feel that HK actually represents all that is good in the appreciation of reproduced music. I agree. Now, with the image quality of DVD, and particularly the progressive scan, they've confidently joined the video ranks - and, not suprizingly, they excel.

But you don't want to buy this just for its changer capabilities. The charm is in the compatibilty with multiple formats, like MP3. For instance, before Napster had it's wings clipped, I collected about 20 gigabytes of really high grade music from their site. With the HK, playing them back is a very pleasing experience. I feel for the first time that all that effort expended in download-time wasn't wasted.

Harman Kardon continues it's tradition in this highest expression of DVD players. Absolutely worth every penny! Audiophiles and movie buffs alike will not go unsatisfied here.

If you don't have the best sound system, you might wanna upgrade after buying this little jewel. You won't be dissatisfied.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great product but here are a few things it is missing..., June 23, 2001

By A Customer

Great DVD player - very happy with my purchase. Plays many, many formats as you will see in the specs list. But here are a couple things that this does NOT have that many others now do: 1) Count down timer for movies - only shows elapsed time and 2) the random disc function does not block out playing tracks of DVD's. These may not be major items but they would be nice enhancements in the next model from HK.