Theta's Casablanca marked a new path in home entertainment systems, by bringing together the highest quality video and audio in one no-compromise, no-redundancy, amazingly flexible and changeable controller.

Now with new Casablanca II has been created around the same "Open Architecture" design Theta pioneered in the original Casablanca. Theta's modular design was the first to offer technology and feature upgrades using self-contained field-replacable circuit cards. Both hardware and software are upgradable. The Casablanca II strengthens this tradition and, like the original, is custom-configured for each client.

The motherboard is devoted to signal routing, while various daughterboards carry function-specific circuitry. This open architecture allows owners to configure and upgrade their Casablancas to meet their personal needs. The process is so simple, a technician can perform these transformations in minutes.

In addition, future DSP and control software upgrades will be downloadedable from Theta's Web site at Theta Digital.com to a PC, and then into the Casablanca. Theta makes these upgrades as easy and cost-effective as possible for all its customers. Of course, all original Casablancas can be updated to full Casablanca II capabilities.

Casablanca II purchasers can choose from two quality levels of DACs for digital to analog conversion, both of which processes 24bit/96K. The Superior DACs are three-channel (balanced and single-ended); the Standard quality offers yet another configuration choice (6 channel Single Ended or 3 channel Balanced. These boards can be combined to provide up to twelve channels of audio

Users can also choose six- or 12-channel digital-output boards, which are capable of sending 24/96 data to external DACs, such as Theta's Generation V. A separate tape out DAC lets users record [or send to a second zone] one digital source while listening to a different one.

Casablanca II base model includes Dolby Digital, Pro Logic, and DTS processing. Circle Surround is an option which makes it possible to produce a convincing multichannel soundfield from any stereo (two-channel) source.

The cumulative effect of numerous refinements contribute to the sonic excellence of the Casablanca II.

Theta's proprietary Jitter Jail technology virtually eliminates jitter. The circuitry stores all digital audio in a buffer and reclocks it to the DACs using a high-quality crystal oscillator and DSP algorithm. The resulting rock-stable digital audio suffers none of the problems associated with lesser systems.

For those who value analogue sound, the Casablanca II serves as an audiophile-quality analogue preamp. It's a simple matter to bypass all the digital processing, sending stereo analog input signals directly to front left and right analog outputs with all the clarity and transparency that made the original Casablanca so highly regarded by audiophiles. Serious music lovers can enjoy top-quality analog and digital sound from the same preamp/processor without compromising either.

Theta offers a wide variety of daughterboards for the Casablanca II, including digital-input boards, analog-input boards, processing boards, and DACs for up to 12 outputs (seven or eight full-range, and four or five subwoofers.

Casablanca II's twelve channel capacity includes: front left, right and center; surround left and right; side left and right; center rear; front left and right subwoofer(s); surround left and right subwoofer(s); and surround center or front center sub. Each subwoofer channel carries LFE and crossover information — a key component of Casablanca II's unmatched bass-management program. Systems with two subwoofers can be configured as left/right or front/back.

The Casablanca II's standard RS-232 serial port offers access for Crestron, Phast and other sytem-control devices, as well as the ability to update software on the re-programmable flash memory. It also can be connected to a PC running Theta's optional Windows software, available later this year, which provides complete set-up and control capabilities. Of course, it also comes with an IR remote and a very legible "Blue-Vacuum Fluorescent" front-panel display.

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The Carmen DVD/CD Transport is Theta's third-generation technology plus new design power and superb audio/video capabilities. Unlike lesser transports, the Carmen 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 dual lasers 650 nm for DVD and 780 nm for CD, CD-R, CD-RW, and Video CD — making it completely compatible with just about any disc available today.

Theta's drive mechanism includes special low-jitter digital servo circuits that control motor speed, laser tracking, and focus — and automatically selects the proper laser for the type of disc being played. The drive also uses sophisticated parametric statistical analysis to correct errors caused by fingerprints, dust, and disc warping. Theta's advanced design yields exceptional readout precision and keeps errors at an absolute minimum.

Newly developed audio and video circuits are completely separate from each other, preventing cross talk interference from compromising the quality of either circuit. Separate low-jitter crystal oscillators for video and audio signals allow these signals to be processed independently, further reducing unwanted interaction.

In addition, all data is buffered, re-clocked, corrected for timing errors, and realigned before being output — an exacting process that removes all artifacts from the signals. Further isolation is provided by multiple transformers and highly filtered and regulated power supplies, which include integral RF suppression.

Digital video signals are converted to analog with a 10-bit/27-mHz digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Then the signals are filtered and sent to ultra high-speed output buffers. The result is exquisite picture quality — clear, color-balanced, and finely detailed.

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