News

Denon adds DVD-3800BD reference Blu-ray player to line-up (18/11/2008)

Denon, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-quality home entertainment products, has unveiled its first reference-standard Blu-ray player – the DVD-3800BD. Not only does the £1600 player deliver Denon’s best pictures to date, it also releases the amazing audio ability of Blu-ray. What’s more, it works wonders with DVDs, implementing some of the most powerful upscaling technologies available to get conventional discs as near as possible to full HD.

Central to the DVD-3800BD’s outstanding picture quality is its use of state-of-the-art technology. The ’3800 is the world’s first Blu-ray player to feature the acclaimed 10-bit Silicon Optix Realta chipset. This design provides users with the highest resolution high-definition video available today via an HDMI connection, as well as the ultimate in audio performance, including high-definition audio decoding and D.D.S.C.-HD audio output.

Its HQV video processing provides enhanced video performance. The unique D.P.I.C. (Denon Pixel Image Correction) and Digital Noise Reduction feature afforded by this technology allows the player to remove image-degrading artefacts. Add in a 12-bit/297MHz video DAC and the result is an astoundingly clear and crisp Blu-ray image.

And Denon hasn’t forgotten the fact that lots of us own lots of DVDs. The DVD-3800BD employs an I/P (Interlaced/Progressive) converter and a Realta scaler that translates the SD video images of DVD to high-definition 1080p images. High conversion performance is made possible by 10-bit processing, and motion detection is dramatically improved upon as well.

And underlining the fact that this isn’t just a video source of the highest quality, but also a dazzling music machine, is the careful attention paid to the audio signal.

The Denon player implements a newly-developed Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit – High Definition (D.D.S.C.-HD) circuit to support the latest HD audio formats. This topology uses discrete devices for ultimate performance in each circuit block and Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoders. Elsewhere, you’ll find Denon’s proprietary Advanced AL24 Processing and AL24 Processing Plus for the best sound, along with a Pure Direct mode, for greater audio signal purity.

The DVD-3800BD 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, creating 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.

Since launch, Blu-ray technology has come a long way – the DVD-3800BD takes the high definition format even further.

The DVD-3800BD has a suggested retail price of £1600. It comes in three finishes: Silver, Premium Silver and Black. It will hit the stores in December 2008.

www.denon.com