madVR Envy Extreme MK2 Video Processor

The madVR Envy Extreme MK2 Video Processor

The award-winning madVR Envy Extreme uses patent-pending video processing to deliver the ultimate picture quality in your dedicated home theatre. Enjoy the most dramatic yet highly accurate 4K HDR dynamic tone mapping, instant aspect ratio detection, subtitle management for scope screens, and non-linear stretch unlike anything you've ever seen. The Envy also offers unrivalled 8K upscaling, specialized sharpening and detail enhancement, 3D and 1D LUT calibration with unprecedented precision, and much more. The Envy is the first and only dedicated video processor to use machine learning algorithms with real-time video streams, taking your video quality to a whole new level. The Envy installs in minutes and is a joy to use.

With a huge boost in GPU power, upgraded state-of-the-art system components, a completely redesigned cooling system, a new premium backlit remote control, and an exquisite custom case designed from the ground up, the Envy MK2 is the result of one and a half years of meticulous development and engineering.

The Envy Extreme MK2 features the Nvidia 4080 GPU, boosting GPU power by as much as 100% over the 3080 used in the Extreme MK1, while also offering exceptional benefits in cooling and efficiency. This additional GPU power provides important headroom for the Envy to run more concurrent algorithms and at higher quality levels now, while paving the way for future, industry-first AI-based algorithms.

The Envy MK2 features premium upgraded components throughout, now also including ECC RAM and doubled SSD storage and RAM size, setting a new standard for dedicated video processing in the home theatre market. The use of ECC RAM is an especially notable achievement, as it is typically only available in professional workstation and server environments, where stability and reliability are critical. This technology automatically detects and corrects random RAM bit errors, ensuring unparalleled performance and stability in the Envy MK2.

Glacier X2 Cooling System

The Envy MK2's Glacier X2 cooling system further sets it apart from its predecessor, featuring 50% more airflow and larger heat sinks on the GPU, which contribute to improved cooling performance. Hundreds of thermal tests under various conditions were conducted to design the ultimate cooling solution, which includes innovative use of an airflow director to channel air strategically within the case, designing housing that optimally angles the airflow from the bottom case fans, and even repositioning the power supply to the opposite side of the case to ensure maximum airflow for the HDMI input card and GPU.

The MK2 now utilizes three 140mm and two 120mm high-end static pressure fans with exceptional cooling-to-noise ratios. The Envy firmware offers three different presets to balance cooling and fan noise, as well as an advanced mode where the end user can individually set the desired fan curves for the CPU cooler, case fans, and GPU fans. The new GPU fans, along with the case fans and Glacier X2 design, reduce noise to be essentially inaudible from a couple of feet away, especially in Silent mode.

Premium Case & Sophisticated Aesthetics

The Envy MK2 features a brand new, custom engineered all-aluminium 3mm case (5mm in the rear) with a 20mm front plate and custom matching rack ears. The engineering process involved multiple rounds of obsessive prototyping and testing, spanning a year and a half to ensure that every aspect of the MK2 was designed and built to meet the highest standards of quality and performance.

The case exudes quality and creates a look that is on par with other luxury high-end A/V gear. The MK2 also features an important reduction in size, from 5U to 4U, making it more space-efficient in racks and more versatile for use in spaces with poor ventilation.

New Premium Backlit Remote Control

The Envy MK2 remote control is a sleek new design that includes an ergonomic body and an aluminium face plate with backlit buttons. The new design not only looks great but also feels great in the hand, with a balanced weight that makes it a pleasure to use. The backlit buttons, activated by a pickup sensor, make it easy to use in a dark theatre and the adjustable backlight timing allows users to choose their preferred duration or turn it off altogether.

The Envy MK2 remote control includes dedicated Info and Back buttons, two additional (Cyan and Magenta) coloured buttons to provide more user-assignable flex keys, and a warning in the Envy menu when the battery is low. Like its predecessor, it features both IR and RF.

Best-In-Class, 5 Year Warranty

As a testament to madVR's confidence in their workmanship and commitment to providing outstanding customer service and quality support, they are proud to expand their best-in-class warranty to 5 years on both the Envy Extreme MK2 and Envy Pro MK2 models. This warranty is unmatched in the dedicated video processor market and exceeds the warranty of any other such video processing product, which typically provides only a one-year warranty.

This has been expanded from the 3-year and 2-year warranty of the Extreme MK1 and Pro MK1, respectively. Investing in an Envy MK2 is not only an investment in the highest quality video processing technology, but also in the long-term reliability and satisfaction of your home cinema experience. With the Envy MK2 series, you can be confident in the quality, performance, and reliability of your video processing solution for many years to come.

HDR Dynamic Tone Mapping

MadVR Labs pioneered dynamic frame by frame HDR Dynamic Tone Mapping. Their patent-pending DTM 2.0 analyses every frame in real-time to optimize every single pixel. That's a half billion pixels per second at 4K60. The proprietary Highlight Recovery, Contrast Recovery and Shadow Detail Recovery provide an image so stunning you will be addicted at first sight. Finally, you can enjoy HDR movies and shows at home like never before possible, just as the director intended.

Auto AR & Geometry Control

Envy detects every single aspect ratio and instantly adjusts the image to exactly fit your screen, regardless of its AR and the AR of the movie, even as it changes back and forth. Our unrivalled auto AR control finally rids you of those pesky black bars once and for all. The Envy Extreme also features advanced geometry correction, great for removing a-lens barrel distortion, fitting curved screens, advanced architectural installations, and more.

4K & 8K Upscaling & Sharpening

Envy uses proprietary machine learning algorithms to provide unrivalled 4K, 5K and 8K upscaling* and anamorphic stretch. It also provides the highest quality chroma upscaling (4:2:0->4:4:4) and can automatically reverse certain damaging chroma upscaling used by source players to then perfectly apply its superior chroma upscaling.

Highly Accurate Calibrations

Envy enables incredibly accurate calibrations by supporting massive 256-point 3D LUTs, and 4,096 point 1D LUTs, without any loss of measurement data and precision, unlike with other processors. This translates to 16.7 million points of accuracy, compared to less than 5,000 points with others. Envy integrates with calibration products including ColourSpace, Calman, and more.

Image Enhancements

Envy provides the highest quality algorithms to remove compression artifacts and mosquito noise, as well as de-banding to remove 8-bit banding artifacts. Many other favourite tweaks for image enhancements are also available to remove or add grain, sharpen edges, remove ringing, and more.

Subtitle Handling & Profiles: Tired of cut off subtitles with your scoped screen? madVR's subtitle handling dynamically resizes your image to fit subtitles only when needed, maximizing your picture size. And the new profile system provides the most powerful yet easy to use settings management you've ever seen in any product before it.

8K & HDMI 2.1 Support:

The Envy Extreme supports 8K HDMI 2.1 output, with full 48 Gbps HDCP 2.3 support. This makes Envy the first and only stand-alone video processor to offer these advanced capabilities. This modern-day hardware platform ensures you'll enjoy the Envy for many years to come.

Non-Linear Stretch (NLS+): Want to remove those pesky black bars on your 2.35 screen when watching 16:9 content? madVR's NLS+ is the first non-linear stretch algorithm to combine horizontal expansion with vertical compression. This innovation (yet another madVR Labs industry first) "shares the load" for the stretch both horizontally and vertically, resulting in a more natural looking image than possible otherwise.

Simple to Install & Use: Set up is so simple that it takes just five minutes. No experience is required. Just plug the HDMI output from your AVR into the Envy, and send the Envy's HDMI output to your display. Need support? With your permission, your dealer can remotely connect to your Envy, see its video output in real-time, and operate it just like they were in the room with you.

Our Review

The madVR Envy MK2 sets a new standard for dedicated video processing technology, with a host of new and improved features that deliver exceptional video quality, state-of-the-art hardware, superior cooling, enhanced usability, and unparalleled reliability. These upgrades not only elevate the product's performance but also enhance its visual appeal, making it a standout centrepiece in any high-end home theatre or media room.

Additionally, the Envy MK2 series boasts the best-in-class 5-year warranty, demonstrating madVR's unwavering commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. The Envy has won the Product of The Year award in the Video Processing category for the past two consecutive years, and the MK2 series builds on this success by offering the most advanced and modern-day video processing technology available.

In addition, the Envy MK2's highly intuitive and user-friendly interface ensures that even novice users can easily install it, navigate its menus and settings, and make the most of its advanced features without fear or intimidation of a complex system.

Whether you are a professional high-end integrator or an enthusiast looking for the ultimate immersive home theatre or media room cinematic experience, the Envy MK2 is the clear choice for unsurpassed video quality and performance.