Integra is the high end home theater arm of Onkyo USA and builds a premium line of home theater components. The DPS 8.3 is currently their top of the line DVD player ... and it shines. In addition to offering playback of DVD-Audio discs, this universal player reads multi-channel SACD, DTS 96/24, MP3, CD-R/RW and DVD-R/RW. And its progressive scan video outputs deliver a video performance that you’ll immediately recognize as superior.

Setup of the DPS 8.3 was simple and it's operation is about as easy as it gets. When you first start up the unit an onscreen wizard asks you a few questions about your TV screen size, audio connections etc. and automatically configures the unit for your system components. From there all you need to do is load a DVD and away you go. With the remote control unit you can do everything but feed the cat if you need to (see the list of features below) ... but in general just sit back a play / pause / skip forward and back / slow motion ... and enjoy the show. If the DVD you are playing has the extra features, you can select different languages for the dialogue, change camera angles and manipulate almost any combination of options imaginable. 

Audio controls (for CD's and SACD's) include repeat play, random play etc. and you can even program the unit to play the tracks in your favorite order. You can use the search function to find your favorite tune or there is an MP3 Navigator so you can search a CD-R or CD-RW to find the track that you want to listen to.

We are using the DPS 8.3 in our Home Technology Demonstration Project with a plasma screen and the picture quality is awesome to say the least.  Progressive scan is a must with high definition displays and this unit seems up for the task. I haven't tried a SACD as yet but the audio quality from a plain old CD is excellent. 

It's a new world of sound and vision when you get into this level of equipment ... and although I'm sure there are "better" or "more expensive" units on the market I'm just not sure if the human senses can tell the difference. This unit has all the features you'll need now or in the foreseeable future.

MSRP for the DPS 8.3 is approximately $1200.

Features:

THX®Certified		Ultra
DVD Audio Decoding
SACD Decoding
Progressive Scan
Dts®/Dolby®Digital/Digital Audio Output
Built-In Decoder		DD / DTS
Direct Digital Path
VLSC (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry)
96 Khz-48 Khz SELECTABLE DIGITAL OUTPUT
Audio DACs		192 kHz/24-Bit
Video DAC		108 MHz/12-Bit
Video Circuit On/Off Control
Dynamic Range Control
Video Black Level Control
Digital Outputs		2 Optical/1 Coaxial
Analog Audio Output
CD-R/Rw Playback Capability
DVD-R/RW Playback Capability*
Mp3 Playback
Mpeg Playback		-
Component Output		2 (1 BNC, 1 RCA)
S-Video Output		2
Composite		2
Passes Pluge Signals
Programmed Memory Playback
8-Language Soundtrack Capability
Dimmable Display		3-mode + Off
Bi-Directional Rs-232 Port
IR In/Out		1/1