Preview: madVR's Envy Core video processor could be the new sub-$5,000 benchmark

madVR Labs, an industry leader in high-performance video processors for media rooms and home theaters, has announced the Envy Core to its product line.

What the Envy Core offers

The Envy Core is half the size, half the weight and half the price of the Envy Pro MK2 while delivering the premium, award-winning video processing that Envy is known for.

Broader customer base: The Envy Core is designed to bring madVR Envy's video processing to a wider audience. It is convenient for use with lower-cost TVs and projectors, media rooms and home theater systems, while providing enhanced performance and features of the more advanced Envy Pro MK2 or Envy Extreme MK2.

Compact yet powerful: The Envy Core is very compact at 17.25 x 13.5 x 3.5 inches (2U) and weighs about 20 pounds, making it ideal for media rooms or home theater setups, especially where space is limited, or for mounting behind a TV or in a small closet.

Despite its compact size, the Envy Core utilizes the full power of an Nvidia 4060 GPU and runs extremely cool and quiet without compromising on quality.

Video processing: The Envy Core offers dynamic HDR tone mapping, upscaling to 8K, instant aspect ratio and black bar management, next-gen non-linear stretching, subtitle management, and its MotionAI offers superior motion interpolation by operating at the pixel level with very fine control over the strength of the soap opera effect (see our comparison table further down in this article for more details).

​Activate function: The Envy Core offers the processing features that the Envy range is known for. For those looking for an even better experience, there is the aftermarket Core Premium Package is available directly from madVR Labs for the introductory price of just $995. It offers additional features and enhancements and doubles the warranty to four years from the original purchase date of the Envy Core. This provides lifetime protection that is fully transferable to a new owner in the event of a sale, including the extended warranty. Other features of the Core Premium package include:

• Dynamic subtitle overlay
• Automatic activation of JVC and Sony lens memory via IP
• Choose AI-based artifact and noise reduction features
• Select advanced test patterns
• Unlimited user profiles

​User-friendliness: The Envy Core features the same intuitive user interface and user-friendly menu navigation as the Envy Pro and Extreme, making it quick to install and easy to use.

​Firmware updates and future features: Firmware updates with ongoing improvements and new features are included in the price. Some advanced future features will be available to owners of the Core Premium package and higher editions, while other advanced future features will be exclusive to Envy Pro and Envy Extreme.

Warranty and Support: The Envy Core comes with a 2-year parts and labor warranty, which doubles to 4 years when you purchase the Core Premium package. The warranty period begins on the date of purchase of the Envy Core.

In addition, the madVR Envy Academy's free online training course is the first of its kind in the video processing market, helping customers quickly master the Envy and understand how to best use it and customize it to their preferences.

​By Richard Litofsky, Co-Founder and CEO of madVR Labs: “We're excited to introduce the Envy Core, our lower-priced Envy model that brings our innovative video processing technology to a wider audience. The market has been asking for an affordable option that offers the core features of our high-end models, and the Envy Core delivers just that. This launch is a testament to our continued innovation and commitment to delivering unparalleled performance and exceptional value to our customers.”

By Jeff Galea, President and CEO of Boca Tech and Automation: “We are incredibly excited about the Envy Core. It allows us to bring the unmatched quality of madVR Envy video processing to more affordable media rooms and home theaters. The compact form factor and lower price are particularly attractive for such installations. The Envy Core is the perfect addition to multi-TV installations in a home, while the Envy Extreme MK2 will continue to serve as the centerpiece in the main theater. This addition strengthens our offering and best meets the diverse needs of our customers.”

Comparison

The complete comparison table can be found at:

First impression

The quality of video processing can make or break your home theater experience, and almost every TV and video projector has some level of video processing capability. However, given all the possible variables that can affect video quality, an external video processor may be required for the task.

The madVR Envy product line offers an excellent video processing option for high-end home theater applications. Having seen madVR's video processing solutions on several demo setups at trade shows, I know how well they work.

For those who want to add the madVR ENVY video processing solution to their system but are put off by the high price, the ENVY Core may be a cheaper (though still expensive) option.

Price & Availability

The introductory price of the MADVR Envy Core is $4,995 in the U.S. through December 31, 2024 (regular price is $5,995). It can be purchased directly from MADVR and authorized dealers such as Audio Advice.

Tip: For those looking for an even better experience, the aftermarket Core Premium package is available directly from madVR Labs for an introductory price of just $995.

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