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Denon unveils DVD-2500BT high-end Blu-ray source (29/10/2008)

Denon has unveiled a true high-end Blu-ray source, the DVD-2500BT. While there has been a slew of affordable (and highly impressive) machines, Denon is the first manufacturer to push the High Definition format into the high-end performance arena.

And here Denon, with its formidable pedigree in producing high-end home cinema designs, really makes Blu-ray shine at its very brightest. As you would expect from an engineering heavyweight like Denon this breakthrough design takes a radically different tack from conventional Blu-ray machines. The £900 machine is in fact a transport, meaning it concentrates on reading the Blu-ray disc, without decoding it. The DVD-2500BT is a Blu-ray disc transport that outputs video and digital audio signals via a version 1.3a HDMI port, supporting Deep Colour and 1080/24p output for a full cinematic experience.

Half-baked? Not at all. Every quality A/V receiver now incorporates state-of-the-art audio/video Blu-ray processing with complete HD audio format decoders and high-end upscaling technologies. Moreover, the receivers likely to partner a high-end design, such as the remote controlled DVD-2500BT, do it incredibly well. With this design, Denon decided there was no point doubling up on technology. And the money saved from leaving the decoding to a partnering device has been reinvested to raise the DVD-2500BT to amazing new High Definition heights.

Combining top-of-the line audio/video standards with a rigid, multi-layered construction, the transport eliminates outside interference to deliver unrivalled playback. This performance is sent to an A/V receiver through a single HDMI output -no analogue outputs or HD audio decoders are necessary.

The DVD-2500BT features a unique drive mechanism that Denon specifically developed for use with Blu-ray discs. To further protect the internal disc space from magnetic influences, dust, and external noise, Denon improved its mechanism unit from previous DVD players by adding a shield to the bottom and top of the unit to create an ideal playback environment inside. In addition, Denon incorporates its critically-acclaimed Suppress Vibration Hybrid (S.V.H.) loader constructed with a combination of different materials to ensure stable disc rotation and greater accuracy in disc reading.

The video and power circuits have been separated into two independent blocks within the chassis, and to thoroughly eliminate signal degradation caused by interference between circuits, each circuit has been mounted on its own board. In addition, the top cover features a two-layered construction and the chassis bottom is constructed of three layers to protect the circuits from vibration. Hence, the DVD-2500BT weighs in at nearly 10kg.

The design also works wonders with conventional DVDs, as it implements high-grade I/P conversion and upscaling up to full HD for these discs. The DVD-2500BT will available now in three colour versions: black, silver and premium silver, fitting every Denon A/V receiver colour available. The new player will retail at £900.

www.denon.com