Preview: madVR’s Envy Core Video Processor Might Be the New Benchmark Below $5,000
madVR Labs, an industry leader in high-performance video processors for media rooms and home theaters, has added 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 still delivering the best-in-class, award-winning video processing the Envy is known for.
Broader Customer Base: The Envy Core has been designed to make madVR Envy video processing accessible to a broader customer base. It is practical for use with more modestly priced TVs and projectors, media rooms, and home theater systems while providing advanced performance and features of the more advanced Envy Pro MK2 or Envy Extreme MK2.
Compact Yet Powerful: The Envy Core is very compact 17.25” x 13.5” x 3.5” (2U) and weighs about 20 pounds. This makes it great for media rooms or home theater setups, especially when space is at a premium, or for mounting behind a TV or in a small cabinet.
Despite its compact size, the Envy Core leverages the full power of an Nvidia 4060 GPU and runs ultra cool and quiet, without sacrificing quality.
Video Processing: The Envy Core provides HDR dynamic tone mapping, upscaling to 8K, instant aspect ratio and black bar management, next-generation non-linear stretch, subtitle management, and its MotionAI provides superior motion interpolation by operating at the per-pixel level with very fine control over the amount of soap opera effect (more details in our comparison chart later in this article).
Feature Unlock: The Envy Core delivers processing capabilities that the Envy line is known for. For those seeking an even more enhanced experience, the aftermarket Core Premium Package is available directly from madVR Labs at the introductory price of just $995. This adds additional features and enhancements and doubles the warranty to four years from the original purchase date of the Envy Core. This provides lifetime coverage that is fully transferable, including the extended warranty, to a new owner if sold. Other Core Premium package features include:
- Dynamic Subtitle Overlay
- Auto Activation of JVC and Sony Lens Memory over IP
- Select AI Based Artifact and Noise Reduction features
- Select Advanced Test Patterns
- Unlimited User Profiles
Ease of Use: The Envy Core has the same intuitive interface and user-friendly menu system as the Envy Pro and Extreme. This makes it fast to install and easy to operate.
Firmware Updates and Future Features: Firmware updates with ongoing improvements and new features is included. Some advanced future features will be available to those with the Core Premium Package and higher editions, while other advanced future features will be exclusive to the Envy Pro and Envy Extreme.
Warranty and Support: The Envy Core comes with a 2-year warranty on parts and labor, which doubles to 4 years with the purchase of the Core Premium Package. The warranty period starts from the date the Envy Core is purchased.
Additionally, the free madVR Envy Academy Online training course at is the first of its kind in the video processing market to help customers quickly master the Envy and understand how to best use it and tailor it to their preferences.
From Richard Litofsky, Co-founder & CEO of madVR Labs: “We are thrilled to introduce the Envy Core, our more affordable Envy model, which makes our innovative video processing technology accessible to a wider audience. The market has been asking for an affordable option that packs the core functionality from our high-end models, and the Envy Core delivers just that. This launch is a testament to our continual innovation and commitment to providing unparalleled performance and exceptional value to our customers.“
From 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 the madVR Envy video processing to more moderately priced media rooms and home theaters. The compact form factor and lower price point are particularly attractive for such installations. The Envy Core is the perfect complement for installations across multiple TVs within a home, while the Envy Extreme MK2 will continue to serve as the centerpiece in the main theater. This addition strengthens our offerings and best meets the diverse needs of our customers.“
Comparison
For the complete comparison chart, go to: https://madvrenvy.com/specs
| Envy Core | Envy Core w/Premium Pack | Envy Pro Mk2 | Envy Extreme MK2 | |
| Price | $5,995 ($4,995 promo price) |
$995 add-on for Envy Core | $9,495 | $15,995 |
| Frame by frame 4K HDR dynamic tone mapping | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Preset HDR “Looks” to choose from, based on your preferences | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI-based Upscaling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI-based Upscaling to 5K24/50/60, 8K24/60, and any custom resolution up to 8K60 | – | – | – | Yes |
| MotionAI (per-pixel, AI-based motion interpolation) | – | – | – | Yes |
| Bi-directional non-linear stretch for scope screens (remove or reduce sidebars) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bi-directional non-linear stretch for 16:9 screens (remove or reduce top/bottom bars) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI-based anamorphic stretch upscaling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Subtitle Management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sharpening and Edge enhancement | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Texture detail enhancement | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI-based compression artifact reduction | – | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AI-based grain and noise reduction | – | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Banding reduction | – | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ringing reduction | – | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Frame packed 1080p24 3D support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 3D Luminance Boost (up to 4x brighter to compensate for active shutter glasses | – | – | Yes | Yes |
| Gaming Mode (lower latency processing) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HDMI 2.0b HDCP 2.2 18.0 Gbps input ports | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| HDMI 2.1 HDCP 2.3 48.0 Gbps output ports | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| HDMI 2.0b HDCP 2.2 18.0 Gbps zero-latency pass-thru | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Additional outputs via DisplayPort 1.4a, HDCP 2.3, 32.4 Gbps (future expansion) | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| CPU processing power (cores/threads) | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 | 6/12 | 6/12 |
| Free access to the Envy Academy Online course (50 lessons) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Firmware update notices, with one-touch download & installation from the Envy menu | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote technical assistance from authorized dealers (“madAssist”) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in test patterns | Standard | Advanced | Advanced | Advanced |
| Paid option for future hardware upgrades | – | – | – | Yes |
| Rack mount ears and screws included | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rack units | 2U | 2U | 4U | 4U |
| Unit dimensions with feet (WxDxH) | 17.25 x 13.5 x 4.1″ 438 x 343 x 104 mm |
17.25 x 13.5 x 4.1″ 438 x 343 x 104 mm |
17.31 x 17.44 x 7.56″ 440 x 443 x 192 mm |
17.31 x 17.44 x 7.56″ 440 x 443 x 192 mm |
| Shipping dimensions (WxDxH) | 23 x 18 x 9″ 594 x 467 x 235 mm |
23 x 18 x 9” 594 x 467 x 235 mm |
23 x 26 x 14″ 583 x 660 x 356 mm |
23 x 26 x 14″ 583 x 660 x 356 mm |
| Shipping weight | 23 lbs 10.5 Kg |
23 lbs 10.5 Kg |
46 lbs 20.9.6 Kg |
48 lbs 21.8 Kg |
Initial Impression
The quality of video processing can make or break your home theater video experience, and just about every TV and video projector incorporates some level of video processing capability. However, with all the possible variables that can affect video quality, an external video processor may be required to do the job.
The madVR Envy product line provides an excellent video processing option for high-end home theater applications. Having seen madVR video processing solutions at several Trade Show demo setups, I have seen how well they work.
Those wishing they could afford to add madVR ENVY video processing to their system, but have been taken back by the high price, might see the ENVY Core as being a more affordable (albeit still expensive) option.
Price & Availability
The MADVR Envy Core has an introductory price in the USA of $4,995 (regular price is $5,995) through December 31, 2024, through direct contact with MADVR and authorized dealers such as Audio Advice
Tip: For those seeking an even more enhanced experience, the aftermarket Core Premium Package is available directly from madVR Labs at the introductory price of just $995.
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