DIGITAL K2

CD/DVD Audio Sound Quality Improvement Technology

--- New �gDigital Direct�h Concept Makes It Possible To Produce Recordings That Are Closer To The Original Than Ever ---

Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC) and Victor Entertainment, Inc. have co-developed an exciting new technology that for the first time makes it possible to realize the true potential of digital audio. Known as �gDIGITAL K2�h, this powerful new system brings dramatic improvements in sound quality to formats such as CDs and DVD-Audio. More importantly, Digital K2 can be applied to every stage of CD software production ? recording, mastering and cutting.

What Digital K2 does is very simple. It completely eliminates from the digital signal transmission any artifacts that might alter or degrade sound quality. And it does this at every stage of the production process ? from analog-to-digital conversion output during recording to actual cutting during disc manufacturing. By providing sound quality that�fs closer to the original sound through a system that could fairly be described as �gdirect cutting�h, Digital K2 makes the �gDigital Direct�h concept* a reality. (For details, refer to the description on page 3.)

�gDIGITAL K2�h is a bi-directional code transmission system based on JVC�fs unique �gK2 Interface�h technology which eradicates all artifacts that might alter or degrade sound quality from the digital signal transmission system. Furthermore, in order to accommodate not only CDs but also next-generation audio media including DVD Audio, operation speed and precision were increased and the whole system was packaged in a compact module unit that can easily be connected to a wide range of equipment and used in many different applications.

�gDIGITAL K2�h technology is applicable not only to audio media such as CDs and DVD Audio, but also to a far wider range of digital media and equipment including computers, communications and broadcast equipment.

Page 2.

Features of DIGITAL K2

1. Excludes any quality-modifying factors ? jitters and ripples ? in the digital signal transmission system, to transmit only the digital �gcodes�h to make production and manufacturing of music software that�fs closer to the original sound.

2. Bi-directional code transmission system enables systematization with a wide range of digital equipment.

3. Realizes the �gDigital Direct�h Concept* when used in each process of Recording, Mastering and Cutting.

(For details, refer to the description on page 3.)

(Two patents pending)

In addition to �gDIGITAL K2�h technology, Victor Entertainment, Inc., will release high-quality �g20bit K2�h and �gxrcd2�h series CD software produced and manufactured using JVC�fs unique sound quality improvement technologies from now and continuing onward in the domestic market.

About DIGITAL K2

Theoretically, with digital audio, the sound quality never changes as long as the �gcode�h is not changed. In practice, however, sound characteristics vary depending on the digital signal transmission system. This is because �gnon-code components�h (ripples or jitters) contained in the digital signal can affect the original code.

The �gK2 Interface�h is a system that instantaneously reads out only the theoretical �g1�h and �g0�h signal components from a digital signal that includes �gnon-code components�h (the cause of sound characteristic degradation), and generates a new pure signal based on a reference clock signal in another block (Reception block) which is completely separated from the Transmission block. (See Fig. 1)

In the new �gDIGITAL K2�h system, as shown in Fig. 2, the basic principle in the reception block is extended in both directions so that the above operation is performed in both the transmission and reception blocks. At the same time, the entire system is modularized to enable use in a wide range of applications.

Page 3.

(Fig. 1)
Operation Concept of Digital Signal Transmission System with DIGITAL K2

(Fig. 2)

Basic Concept of DIGITAL K2

Conceptual Diagram of Recording, Mastering and Cutting Process with DIGITAL K2

(1) Improvement of A/D Conversion Precision in Recording/Mastering Process and Exclusion of Sound Characteristic Modifying Factors in Digital Signal Transmission System in D/A Conversion Process

The analog process section (mixing console, A/D converter, D/A converter) and digital process section (digital recorder/player, etc.) are separated from each other and signal transmission is done by code transmission using the �gDIGITAL K2�h system. By preventing the digital process section from affecting the analog process section, A/D (analog to digital) conversion accuracy is greatly improved and the introduction of artifacts that might affect sound characteristics during D/A (digital to analog) conversion is prevented.

(2) High-Quality Disc Manufacturing in Cutting Process

The master tape playback section (digital master, digital player) is separated from the cutting system using �gDIGITAL K2�h while signal transmission is performed using the code transmission system. This completely excludes non-code components (artifacts like jitter and ripple which might affect sound characteristics) that might otherwise be superimposed on the digital signal applied from the master playback machine from being introduced into the cutting system.

When used together with JVC�fs previously developed �gK2 Laser Cutting�h system, this enables extremely high quality disc manufacturing, producing glass masters with extreme precision and extreme purity.

* �gDigital Direct�h Concept In the CD software production process, a �gmaster tape�h is created for use as an interface between mastering and manufacturing. However, due to differences in the media used (tape, hard disk, MO, etc.) or the hardware used, artifacts which could affect sound characteristics may be generated. This can result in sound quality differences in the final CDs. Although a normal master tape is used with the new �gDIGITAL K2�h system, artifacts which could affect sound characteristics on the master tape are excluded, making it possible to realize the equivalent of a �gDigital Direct�h concept.

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(c)copyright 1998 VICTOR COMPANY OF JAPAN, LIMITED. All rights reserved.