Sony DVP-NS999ES - Manual (Page 11)

ES Series DVD-Video/CD/SA-CD Players; Version 3.0 Page 11
The 14-bit video D/A converter also includes the video encoder and
processing for Macrovision™ Copy Protection.
Sony applies the extended binary word length both to DVD's luminance
(Y) black-and-white channel and to DVD's two color difference channels (P
B
and
P
R
). So you get more accurate rendition of colors from the deepest black to the
brightest highlights.
108 MHz D/A converter (DVP-NS999ES)
216 MHz D/A converter (DVP-NC555ES, CX777ES)
In DVD-Video playback, the ultimate in picture detail comes into direct
conflict with the ultimate in picture clarity. Detail is a function of the video
"bandwidth" or "frequency response." The highest resolution details occupy the
highest video frequencies. Clarity is a function of video "noise." In the worst
case, noise appears as "snow" or flecks and specks of unwanted color. In more
subtle examples, noise appears as a texture or graininess not present in the
original picture. Sony ES Series players achieve a remarkable combination of
superb fine picture detail and excellent clarity, thanks to 108 MHz and 216 MHz
oversampling in the D/A converter.
To understand how oversampling can have such a powerful effect on
picture quality, it helps to understand the concepts of digital sampling and
aliasing noise.
Digital recording systems work by "sampling" the original source at a
specific rate, or "frequency." The frequency of sampling is determined by the
Nyquist Theorem, which dates back to 1928. Harry Nyquist calculated that the
sampling frequency needed to be at least twice the highest frequency in the
signal you need to record. For Compact Disc, which records audio frequencies
up to 20,000 cycles per second (20 kHz), we need 44,100 samples per second
(44.1 kHz). Because the video signal is much more complex, the frequencies are
far higher. To capture the exceptional fine picture detail of DVD, the black-and-
white or "luminance" channel records frequencies out to 6,750,000 Hz (6.75