Review: DVD-Player Denon DVD-2900

Reviewed by Carsten Rampacher, July 17th, 2003

Equipment

Some months ago Denon presented its first universal DVD player for DVD Video, DVD Audio and SACD use. DVD-2900 (suggested retail price of EUR 1.300,--) is completely equipped: An YUV-output for PAL and NTSC progressive signals, a bass management for DVD Audio- and SACD operation, a time alignment for DVD Audio operation and a high-graded internal Dolby Digital/DTS-decoder are the highlights. 

Firstly it has to be mentioned that this player impresses with a perfect finish inside as well as outside. The chips, which are working inside the appliance, are made of excellent quality: The progressive scan section is under control of a Silicon Image SIL-504-Chip. For the video data converting a 108 MHz/12-Bit video-D/A-converter is working. Burr Brown-192 kHz/24-Bit-DACs are taking over by the digital/analogue transforming of the audio data.

Denon DVD-2900 provides with all relevant connection possibilities. At first, the player offers an YUV output which is usable for progressive scan- and interlaced component signals. A scart connector (with RGB and s-video), a s-video hosiden jack and a FBAS cinch jack are also available. 

Audio-lateral there is a 5.1-ouput for the internal Dolby Digital/DTS-Decoder as well as for the SACD- and DVD Audio-signals, an optical digital output, a coaxial digital output and a 2-channel-cinch-output. The quotation completes the RS-232-interface for media controls. Of course DVD-2900 disposes of a plug connection for cold appliances. A digital high-speed interface like “DenonLink” or “i.link” is not supported by DVD-2900.

Otherwise the equipment of DVD-2900 is complete, which means that a Video-EQ with a cost-expensive gamma correction is also available besides an electronical bass management for SACD- and DVD Audio-operation. Additionally DVD-2900 disposes of a zoom-mode. The one who attaches importance to a PAL/NTSC-conversion will be glad about the integrated standard converter. For purchasers who are searching for an especially clear sound, Denon supplies with a programmable „Pure Direct"-function”.

The multimedia-features totally convinced us. The MP3-reproduction was clearly and freshly with a very good bass range additionally to the high fail-safety and the pleasantly short reading times of the disk drive. A random play and a repeating function are also offered by DVD-2900 in the MP3-operation. SVCDs are running at our Denon test sample. The integrated jpeg-viewer was perfectly working, too. It reads our CDs with pictures in jpeg-format rapidly and presented the pictures in a very high quality. Even at extensive picture data the picture layout was not carried out too slowly. By the way, Kodak picture-CDs and Fujicolor-CDs can also be read by Denon as well as DVD-Rs and DVD-RWs (on condition that these have been recorded in the video-mode and not in the VR-mode). DVD-2900 is also offering a WMA-reproduction possibility. 

The disk drive of DVD-2900 convinced during testing process, which means e.g. the operation noise was especially slow which can be lead back to two facts: The cost-expensive chassis-construction with hermetically sealed disk drive, an own chamber for the power supply and a severe division of Audio- and Video assemblies for an effective interference rejection and vibration escapement would even shield the noises of a slightly louder disk drive very well. Besides this the disk drive is extremely quietly running even with an opened housing. 

In our testing process DVD-2900 did not cause any failures at DVD-reproduction. In the CD- and DVD-operation also scratched discs could be read without any problem. The reading speed of the disk drive did not cause any matter of complaint. It always ran so rapidly that even impatient contemporaries should be satisfied. The layer break is a further speciality of DVD-2900 – no layer break could be noticed at our testing appliance thanks to 8 (!) MB buffer memories and the disk drive with double reading speed.

Rating

Operating

For the mass of functions, it is really comfortable to handle DVD-2900. The on screen menues are not very elegant, but easy to use. The remote control shows a good performance and important function elements are illuminated. The DVD/CD-tray is opened fast after pressing the “open”-button. The DOT-matrix display impresses with a remarkable contrast.

Rating

Visual performance

Concerning the picture quality the player supplies with a brilliant performance. Interlaced by means of connected RGB it offers a first-class picture sharpness. Besides this there is a detail quality not only exemplary for this price range, which is providing a brilliant and absolutely complete visual impression together with the natural and fresh colours. 

Still has to be mentioned that also the black reproduction and the contrast are seamless fitting into this actually perfect total result. When choosing the progressive connecting variant also outstanding results can be achieved, which means that the presentation of motion succeeded very well. DVD-2900 is presenting any kind of motion in a perfect, clear way and without any loss of sharpness. The De-Interlacing of video material practically looks perfect. Also in the progressive use our Denon achieves peak values at the detail precision, at the total picture sharpness and at the contrast. 

The Chroma Bug completely disappeared in the NTSC-operation and is only slightly visible in the PAL-operation. In our opinion the picture quality restrictions are however due to this phenomenon so small that it does not justify a deterioration of the assessment. The one, who is not disposing of an excellent equipment will anyhow not be in a position to correctly regard and justify the sequences of this Chroma Bug. Already a not 100 % correctly tuned beamer, plasma or TV and cheap cables can provide far worse visual side effects than the much-cited Chroma-Bug. 

Rating

Acoustical Performance

DVD Audio: We never heard DVD-audio-discs so clearly, detailed and dynamically in these still payable price sections. Even the outstanding, equally expensive Yamaha DVD-S2300 has to give in shortly. With his brilliant spatial construction and its natural, vital reproduction of voices our Denon achieves a round about brilliant result at DVD-audio-discs. Denon will see it „with mixed feelings“, as the considerably more expensive DVD-3800 can’t form an essential contrast with its talented „little brother“, although it is still more high-graded build inside.

SACD: Also the SACD-qualities are on a very high level. The remarkable dynamics as well as the perfect acoustical harmony are impressing. The handling of the detail reproduction is brilliant, so that DVD-2900 is able to offer a very deep and complete sound field which presents the musical emotions to the listener in a really intensive way. As it is the case in the DVD-audio-operation the bass management is working with top quality and is transferring bass signals at a small loudspeaker-equipment to the active subwoofer without any problem.

Internal Decoder: In our test, Yamaha DVD-S2300 achieves excellent results – the internal decoder was one of the best decoders we have ever heard of. Our Denon shows an equal performance with a powerful bass and an harmonious detail reproduction.

CD: Denon DVD-2900 is defeating all competitors as far as the sound quality at the reproduction of usual Audio-CDs is concerned. With its crystal-clear high frequency range, its accurate spatial construction in front of the listener and the outstanding plasticity the music fans, searching for a most suitable appliance for the reproduction of their extensive audio-CD-collection, now found the right parter with DVD-2900.

Digital sound: Denon is impressing with a really precise resolution in this mode. By playing music DVDs which are offering an excellent sound quality, the digital sound of DVD-2900 is simply perfect. 

Rating

Summary

Denon DVD-2900 achieves a first-class testing result. The harmonious picture quality and the first-class DVD-A-, SACD- and CD-sound is corresponding to the high-graded equipment and the premium quality oft the whole player. At the moment you can’t expect more from a DVD player of this price range. 

Reference
Upper class
May 22nd, 2003

Value

Pro: 

• Brilliantly progressive picture with outstanding detail quality
• Excellent Interlaced-picture with first-class plasticity and sharpness
• DVD audio-sound on a high level
• Perfect performances as CD-player-compensation taking this price into consideration
• Outstanding SACD-sound
• Perfectly working bass management for DVD-A/SACD-operation
• Internal decoder with a brilliantly high frequency range and powerful bass
• Excellent digital sound
• Effective video equalizer
• 8 MB buffer memory for invisible change of layer

Contra:

• Insignificant Chroma Bug-effect at the PAL PS reproduction

Specifications

• DVD-Video/DVD-Audio/SACD-player with DTS/DD-decoder
• CD-R/RW, MP3, JPEG, S-VCD, Kodak Picture CD, Fujicolor CD, DVD-R/RW
• Digital bass mangement for DVD-Audio and SACD
• Deducated 32-Bit DSP for bass mangement
• D/A-converter for a differentiated arrangement (16 x Burr Brown 24 Bit/192 kHz)
• “Pure Progressive” Silicon Image chip (Sil504), NTSC-progressive, PAL progressive
• High-graded video technics: 12 Bit/108 MHz Video-D/A-converter and Analog Devices NSV (Noise Shaped Video). 
• Video-equalizer with five memory presets 
• Super-sub-alias-filter 
• 4:3 scaling and zoom-function
• Programmable "pure direct mode"
• Independant current supply of the audio- and video section
• Cost-expensive chassis construction 
• Double-speed disk drive and 8 MB buffer
• Connecting terminals: 1 x YUV (progressive scan/interlaced), 1 x Euro Scart (RGB/S-Video/FBAS), 1 x S-Video hosiden, 1 x FBAS-cinch, 1 x six channel-output (DVD-A/SACD/DD&DTS-Decoder), 1 optical, 1 coaxial digital output, 1 x 2-channel stereo cinch
• SACD-text
• SRS true surround
• RS232-interface
• DOT matrix display
• Remote control with illuminated buttons
• Dimensions (B x H x T in mm): 434 x 137 x 343
• Weight: 8,1 kg
• Colours: black/golden/silver
• Suggested retail price: EUR 1.300,-- (on the German market)

Reviewed by: Carsten Rampacher
Assistent: Matthias Walther-Richters

2003/05/22

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