Theta Introduces Carmen II DVD/CD Transport

Powerful New Home Theater Engine Features Theta-Enhanced
Systems, Power Supplies and Circuits for Unprecedented Audio and Video

AGOURA HILLS, CA, Aug. 15, 2002--Theta Digital, long acclaimed as America's most advanced manufacturer of high-end digital audio and video products, has introduced the Carmen II DVD/CD Transport.

Carmen II is a completely new edition of Theta's original Carmen DVD/CD Transport. Much more than a modification, Carmen II was conceived as the ideal marriage of an audiophile CD transport with a videophile DVD transport. To achieve its goal of offering both the highest quality and the most extensive array of features possible at an affordable price, Theta redesigned and enhanced virtually every internal component of the original Carmen, equipping Carmen II with a new DVD board and drive, new audio and video circuits, a new power supply, and a new front-panel display.

Unlike lesser transports, Carmen II can handle digital audio at 44.1, 48, and 96 kHz with resolutions of 16, 20, and 24 bits. In addition, it incorporates an advanced drive mechanism with twin laser diodes-650 nm for DVD and 780 nm for all CD formats-making it completely compatible with just about any disc or format available.

The advanced drive mechanism includes special low-jitter digital servo circuits to control the motor speed, laser tracking and focus. It also automatically selects the proper laser for the type of disc being played, enhancing read-out precision and keeping errors to an absolute minimum. Additional circuits use sophisticated parametric statistical analysis to correct errors introduced by fingerprints, dust and warping

Carmen II has a massive new, shielded, 65-watt main DC power supply. The power supply is highly filtered at both the input and output stages to keep unwanted noise from degrading the power used by the signal processing circuits. Both CD and DVD sections are addressed separately, with interaction between the circuits kept to a minimum.

Separate, extremely low-jitter clocks for both the CD and DVD playback dramatically reduce digital noise that can degrade sound and picture. The audio and video circuits are also isolated from each other, and multiple regulated sub-power supplies are dedicated to each section, as well as to individual areas within the sections.

Each power supply and circuit incorporates integral RF suppression filters to further reduce interaction between the stages of each independent circuit, and between the audio and video sections. This enhances audio and video reproduction still further, allowing the finest details to be seen on DVD and the smallest nuances to be heard in the audio.

Carmen II's soundstage possesses qualities of width, depth, height and layering that achieve a remarkable three-dimensional presence. From the slightest rustling of leaves to the impact of a meteor hitting the Earth, Carmen II makes you believe you're where the action is.

On the video side, Theta's new Digital Direct Ultra-Sync II Progressive Scan System de-interlaces the video signal in the digital domain before it is converted to analog. Theta-designed discrete video filters and high-speed video amplifiers-with 108-mHz, 12-bit video digital/analog controllers-are now coupled with Faroudja Laboratories' acclaimed DCDi™ deinterlacing technology, assuring a superbly rendered 480p picture, free from the motion artifacts one sees using mundane players containing off-the-shelf progressive scan solutions. All this is standard on Carmen II, while the Ultra-Sync System was a costly option on the earlier unit.

Add to this the innovative design of Theta's proprietary ultra-low jitter video re-clocking circuits and video correction software, and the result is stunning clarity, true-to-life colors and impeccable video performance.

The Graphic User Interface is easy to read, facilitating choices among Carmen II's vast array of features.

Carmen II's digital audio outputs include RCA, BNC and AES/EBU connectors able to accommodate a broad variety of formats, including Dolby Digital, PCM, DTS, MP3, CD-R, and CD-RW (CD Audio and Video CD formats); as well as MPEG1 and CD-ROM (for which some format restrictions apply).

An expanded array of video outputs includes Composite on RCA, two S-Video connectors, three Component Video / RGB Video (Y, Cr/Pr, Cb/Pb) connectors on BNC, and a 15-pin "D" connector [VGA] for the special Ultra-Sync II 480p Progressive Scan output. These accommodate Component Video with Sync on Green (H/V Sync. can be added to Sync. on green), and RGB with either Sync. on Green or H/V Sync.

Other outputs include a single-direction RS-232 control port, and a rear IR input connector for added remote control capabilities. Front-panel controls on Carmen II cover Motion (using Faroudja DCDi processing), Film, Animation, RGB/Component, and H/V Sync.

A 4:2:2 Serial Digital Interface (SDI) for Video, to keep the signal in the digital domain, is available as an option. Keeping the signal in the digital domain, rather than subjecting it to further conversions to analog and back again, avoids major sources of degradation, which can be particularly noticeable in high definition video systems. The picture quality on flat-panel plasma screens and digital video projectors is particularly revealing of the performance advantages of SDI's purer digital signal. A Digital Video Interface (DVI) will be available at future date.

Carmen II's chassis has been designed for a smaller footprint of 19 x 31.5 x 13 inches, and is available in both Silver and Black in standard and rack-mount configurations. The approximate weight is 23 lbs.

The Carmen II is available now from authorized Theta dealers.

For further inquiries, click here.