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Denon prices DVD-A1UDCI universal Blu-ray player for US market: $3,800
So, there's good news and bad news. The good? Denon's US version of the DVD-A1UD (coined the DVD-A1UDCI) is priced considerably lower than the yen-to-dollar conversion led us to believe. The bad news? It's still $3,800. For those that that missed it, Denon's calling this the world's first universal Blu-ray player, and folks looking for a premiere unit to handle Blu-ray, DVD, SACD and DVD-Audio can satisfy their every desire in February 2009. Better hope that Christmas bonus comes through.
Denon's DVD-A1UD: world's first universal (SACD / DVD-A) Blu-ray player
Okay, so Denon wares aren't exactly "cheap," but you can't knock it for trying to innovate. Despite that fact that about eight people on this Earth still care about their beloved SACD / DVD-Audio collections, Denon has developed a Blu-ray player specifically for them. The DVD-A1UD is hailed as the world's first universal BD deck, and it features a black (shown after the break) or silver motif, SD / SDHC card slot, DivX support, HDMI 1.3, 1080p60 / 1080p24 output, internal decoding of DTS-HD Master Audio / Dolby TrueHD, 7.1-channel analog outputs, Denon LINK and all sorts of sophisticated pixel / audio restoration technologies. Better still, users who buy in can look forward to a Profile 2.0 update in the near future. Not surprisingly, the decked-out player will ship in Japan next month for a patently astounding ¥546,000 ($5,860), so you'll probably be stuck dreaming about it unless your ship rolls in.[Via Impress]
Denon rewards buyers of its pricey Blu-ray decks with free Batman BDs
It's one thing for Amazon to toss a few free Blu-ray Discs in with the purchase of a PlayStation 3, but we'd expect a little something extra from Denon. After all, when the least expensive Blu-ray deck you make rings up at $749 (MSRP), we'd say a free universal remote or weekend at the lake would be a more appropriate gift. At any rate, Denon and Warner Home Video have linked up to provide buyers of Denon Blu-ray players (the DVD-1800BD, DVD-3800BDCI and DVD-2500BTCI) with a BD copy of The Dark Knight and Batman Begins. The promotion is set to run from November 23rd to January 10, but you've still got to deal with that whole "mail in with the proof of purchase" rigmarole to get your money back. Groan.
Denon ships DVD-1800BD Blu-ray player to the UK
It obviously proved impossible for a brand like Sherwood to pull off a $299 Profile 1.1 player in today's competitive market place, but for someone like Denon, high prices are simply expected. The "budget" DVD-1800BD BonusView Blu-ray deck has finally shipped to the United Kingdom, complete with a bloated £600 price tag. Call us crazy, but we still expect the firm to move quite a few of these, worldwide recession be darned.
BD-Live-capable Blu-ray players get offered in multi-region form
If you held back from snapping up a multi-region Blu-ray player the last time you had a chance, today's your lucky day. BlurayMods has finally returned to the scene, and it brought along with it some fancy new toys. The ICOS HD mod converts your current BD deck into a multi-region bundle of fun, and if you believe the seller, it's totally easy to install and operate. For those not willing to hand over €69 ($88) for the mod chip -- which functions with Sony's BDP-S350 / BDP-S550, Panasonic's DMP-BD35 / DMP-BD55 and Denon's DVD-2500 -- you can buy a pre-rigged player for quite a bit more. We'd say the euro-to-dollar conversion really rules these out for most Americans, but if things get much crazier, you may find yourself looking at a steal.
Denon's DVD-3800BD Blu-ray player slips to December for UK enthusiasts
It's not like we think that a pricey high-end Blu-ray player is what's holding the format back right now (quite the opposite), but for the handful of lucky Brits out there waiting for the Denon DVD-3800BD, you've got another month to save up your £1600 ($2600). The 10-bit Realta-packing, 12-bit video DAC behemoth that promises to do high end justice to both your video and audio is now set for December availability in the UK, just in time for the holidays. And being the gift that keeps on giving, you can expect a firmware upgrade disc to boost you from Profile 1.1 to 2.0, too.
Denon jumps in the vinyl-to-MP3 turntable game with DP-200USB
For turntablists, there have been a plethora of options when scouting a deck with integrated vinyl-to-MP3 capabilities. Until now, though, you've had to deal with second-rate brands (we kid) like Numark and ion -- neither of which possess the prestige and haughty factor that comes with a Denon logo. The DP-200USB enables deep-pocketed DJs to rip vinyl straight to MP3, and you can even save the digital files to a USB drive thanks to the built-in USB socket. The unit will be available in Japan early next month for ¥31,500 ($310), though it's hard to say if or when Denon will see fit to bring this Stateside.[Via T3]
WirelessHD group grew over break, totally ready to make Varsity
If a Panasonic prototype plasma and new copy protection spec weren't convincing enough, we'll let the Wireless HD group argue why it's ready to compete with WHDI and all the rest. This summer's big get is Broadcom, ready to promote Wireless HD as a necessary feature in the army of HDTVs and set-top boxes it already powers. The next step to exiting vaporware status? How about the addition of Denon, Onkyo, Pioneer, Sharp and others ready to adopt the technology. Punch the read link for more reasons to believe, but we'll wait for shipping hardware to decide who makes it past first cut.
Digital Security Systems files patent infringement suit against major Blu-ray players
We've witnessed a few lawsuits related to Blu-ray, but this is the first one we can recall that perfectly fits the "patent troll" mold. The Patent Prospector has it that Acacia subsidiary Digital Security Systems is suing a smorgasbord of big BD players for infringing on a patent that it has held for years. Defendants named include Samsung, Best Buy, Denon, Funai, LG, Matsushita, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, and Sharp, though details beyond that are sadly scant. Oh, and if you're wondering where the complaint was filed, it was in the infamous Eastern District of Texas.[Via FormatWarCentral]
Denon's AVR-5308CI receiver reviewed, price and value high
For most folks, it's hard to think of any $5,500 receiver as a "value purchase," but as we've seen before, "value" can get pretty slippery at the high end. Audioholics has put up a very detailed review of Denon's flagship AVR-5308CI receiver, just to test the value of the unit. If you want need a reference-quality centerpiece to your HT setup, we'd be hard-pressed to disagree with the analysis. First, think of the unit as a top-of-the-line Denon AVP-A1HDCI preamp/processor and a seven-channel amplifier that share a power cord, all in one tidy (and massive) chassis. Now consider the $7,500 price tag on that AVP-A1HDCI -- that's $2,000 more than the receiver, and you still have to shell out for an amplifier (or seven). Of course, maybe after the first $5,500, you won't feel the additional $2,000. Somehow we don't think that's true -- check your bank balance and hit the link for the review, not necessarily in that order.
Denon releases 'me too' SYS-56HT 5.1 speaker system in Japan
We're typically envious of all the products that get rolled out to the Japanese market early or exclusively, but this is one case where we just don't feel like we're missing out on much. Denon has introduced the SYS-56HT 5.1-speaker system for Japan, and it just fails to get us excited. Of course, this assembly could pump out mind-blowingly-good sound, but somehow we doubt it's anything exceptional. The ¥37,800 ($357) kit is comprised of SC-A56 front/rear speakers and an SC-C56 center channel, each speaker packing a pair of 5.7-cm drivers. The bass is filled out by the DSW-56 subwoofer -- a 16-cm driver backed by a 30-Watt (50-Watt peak) amplifier. Again, this kit probably sounds fine, but it's one SKU we won't be disappointed if it doesn't take up residence in the already-crowded HTIB aisle. [Warning: PDF link][Via Cybertheater]
D&M Holdings bought up by Bain Capital, Kenwood not involved
Talk about needing a roster to tell the players apart! RHJ International -- which owns some 49-percent of the D&M Holdings hydra (Denon, Marantz, Boston Acoustics, Escient, MacIntosh and Snell) -- has accepted an offer from Bain Capital to the tune of ¥510 ($4.74) per share in a buyout bid. But earlier reports that pinned Kenwood as a partner to Bain in this effort have been denied by Bain. There's some goings-on here, for sure. First, we haven't seen any dealings involving the 12-percent stake that Philips has in D&M. Also, the soon-to-be JVC Kenwood Holdings states that it has not decided on whether it will invest in D&M; which corroborates pretty well with the latest Bain statement that Kenwood is not involved, and there are no ongoing talks of future involvement. Corporate squabbling and conspiracy theories aside, we just hope that the D&M brands come out unscathed.
Denon rolls out updates across 10 receiver models
Because it covers just about every price point in its receiver lineup and doesn't want to leave anybody feeling slighted, Denon is bringing updates to 10 models in the heart of its offerings. The company is emphasizing bang-for-your-buck in the AVR-589 ($299), AVR-689 ($399), AVR-789 ($599), AVR-889 ($749), AVR-989 ($1199), AVR-1909 ($649), AVR-2309CI ($849) and AVR-2809CI ($1199). It's a good-looking refresh: on the video side, the emphasis on more HDMI 1.3a inputs and 1080p video upscaling. On the audio side, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA decoding, Audyssey room tuning (MultiEQ) and volume regulation (Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume) get sprinkled through the lineup liberally. All this goodness should be finding its way to your dealer soon; expected availability is July. If you're in the market for a new receiver, hit the link for the details and decide if you want to wait on these new models or score a deal on the outgoing ones.
Denon adds DVD-1800BD Blu-ray player to lineup
Denon has introduced the DVD-1800BD Blu-ray player to the low side (relatively speaking) of its lineup. As we've seen from high end makes lately, this unit continues the trend of a Profile 1.1 feature set at a price point that's sure not to "dilute" the brand luster. The DVD-1800BD is expected to ship in October with an MSRP of $749. Depending on whether you're a "glass half full" or "glass half empty" sort of person, it's $450 cheaper than the next-up-the line DVD-2500BTCI (pictured) or $350 more expensive than a PS3. Either way, it's pricey for Profile 1.1 player that does not have onboard decoding of DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD (but does output the bitstreams). We might cut this unit some slack if it were shipping immediately, but an October date makes us think this will be for Denon loyalists only.
D&M Holdings up for sale
While the roster of storied high end names is pretty long, don't think for a minute that the blue-blood part of the market has not experienced consolidation. D&M Holdings is a prime example of this: D&M's owner, RJH International, has managed to fit Denon, Marantz, McIntosh, Boston Acoustics, Snell and Escient under one umbrella over the years. And now RJH is looking to cash in on the concentrated dollop of high end, offering up 49-percent of its shares in D&M. Philips has agreed to offer its12-percent stake to a winning bidder as well. Our math tells us that's more than a controlling percentage. Harman International, apparently satisfied with its own high end roster (including Harman Kardon, Infinity, Revel and Mark Levinson), has bowed out of bidding. That leaves Bain Capital (Kenwood) and Best Buy as the most prominent bidders, both of which scare us a little. One of the things we really enjoy about the D&M brands is the individual "personalities" behind them, and that's a credit to the management overlords. There's no guarantee that this variety of flavor will survive an en masse transition to new ownership.
Denon DVD-3800BDCI Blu-ray player nabs DivX certification
Just in case you were worried that not every flavor of Denon's upcoming premium priced Blu-ray player would play your DVD rips totally legit content, the DVD-3800BDCI is the latest to add DivX certification. Why Blu-ray manufacturers are in such a hurry to put allow DivX playback on their preciously-DRM'd devices is still unclear, but the Certified seal keeps spreading.
Blu-ray players from Panasonic, Philips, and Denon get DivX Certified
Apparently, 100 million certified DivX video devices simply isn't enough, as a half dozen new standalone players have just had the coveted "DivX Certified" seal bestowed upon them. Joining the DivX-friendly PlayStation 3 is the Panasonic DMP-BD30 (no surprise here), Philips' BDP7200 and Denon's own DVD-2500BTC1B, DVD-3800BDC1B, DVD-3800BDSP and DVD-2500BTSP. According to In-Stat, worldwide shipments of BD players is "expected to reach 23 million in 2011," so we're betting that quite a few more units receive this badge of honor in the not-too-distant future.
Denon's DVD-3800BD Blu-ray player delayed until March
Bad news for folks holed up in Japan and anxiously awaiting the release of Denon's forthcoming high-end Blu-ray player -- let's just say your patience will be tested even further. Reportedly, the relatively gorgeous DVD-3800BD will be missing its ship date by about two full months, as now it's not slated to land until sometime in "early March." Interestingly, no reason is given for the holdup, but rest assured, Denon won't be hacking back the price as a symbol of sympathy.[Via AkihabaraNews]
Hands-on with Denon's super-separates
If the idea of a receiver is just too lowbrow for you, check out Denon's processor/amplifier separates, the AVP/POA-A1HDCI ('AVP' for the processor, 'POA' for the amp). Six HDMI 1.3 inputs, two parallel HDMI outputs and Silicon Optix Realta video processing are some processor highlights; the amp packs in 10 channels at 150-watts. While you're at it, why settle for a Blu-ray player when you can get a dedicated transport? That back panel picture of the DVD-2500BTCI is no prototype unit -- all you get is a power cord, HDMI output, and RS-232. Spin those bits off the Blu-ray disc and send them on to the AVP-A1HDCI for decoding. Pricing is securely in the "if you have to ask..." category: $7k for the AVP-A1HDCI, $7k for the POA-A1HDCI and $1200 for the DVD-2500BTCI.%Gallery-13251%
Denon unveils new S-52 iPod dock, AT series speakers
Denon has a few new audio offerings as of late, with the S-52 iPod speaker dock firing the opening shot. It's also an internet / DAB / FM radio, CD player, and a wireless audio streamer that can stream MP3s, AACs and other formats from a PC. At £500 ($1000+), it's rather expensive, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. Also new is the AT-SP30BLH speaker set, which couples up with the ID-5 iPod dock. $230, and the duo's yours: although at only 6 Watts output, you're probably best looking elsewhere.Read - Denon S-52 iPod dockRead - AT-series iPod dock / speakers
