"When I was a young lad, I was not one easily drawn in by full-framed features and fancy accessories. For there was always a bottom line to be found--when I knew who she was, and how she could integrate into my system, the bottom line was, did she output?

As more and more consumers enter the digital revolution, a metamorphosis occurs between the weekend watcher and the videophile. While entry-level DVD players boast a cast of features that deceptively mirror those features found on players at nearly five times their price, it doesn't exactly mean that you'll be getting an "intelligent" player.

In my opinion, companies need not bother to combat this. They simply need to create products for those market shares or forget them entirely and focus on driving technology.

Yamaha happens to be in the fortunate position to engineer products at any price point. Inevitably, those features included among their upper tier offerings today will make their way into the entry-level products of tomorrow. In theory, at least.

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The recent release of the DVD-CX1 5-disc DVD carousel brings several quality features together while keeping pace with the type of user that will likely purchase it--those who are looking beyond just a DVD "changer" and more towards a component with "custom" intentions.

Unique Features - The Yamaha DVD-CX1 features progressive scan output, selectable via the remote control or thru a button on the faceplate of the unit. Direct access to the progressive scan feature is a godsend. Otherwise extra time (and sometimes frustration) must be taken to go into the menu of the player to select the scan mode. (Discs with a frame-rate higher than 24 frames per second often look terrible in progressive scan players due to compatibility issues.)

In addition to the progressive scan feature the DVD-CX1 also offers 3:2 pull-down conversion and a reinforced anti-vibration, copper shielded chassis.

Other performance and custom features include two 4:4:4 progressive component video outputs, two composite and two S-Video outputs. When the outputs are combined with the I/O remote ports and RD-232-C computer control ports, and extended I/R commands, the DVD-CX1 becomes the perfect candidate for multi-room operation.

While I don't categorize the following features as unique, they certainly offer convenience.

Dual-lasers offer compatibility with CD-R/W,
DVD-R/RW/+RW discs as well as MP3 decoding.

The PlayXchange carousel allows for up to four CDs or DVDs to be changed while the fifth is still playing. And the parental lock feature keeps your spouse from showing off your home theater to friends. (You didn't really think that the parental lock was developed for kids did you?)
Click to Page 2 for Installation, Evaluation, and the Final Take.