When Denon unveiled it's brand new flagship DVD / SACD hybrid multi-format player at CES this past January, lips were a-flappin'!!! As a participant of the show, I got to see many incredible products, truly the culmination of some significant advances in video processing -- The area which is now most critical! I'm going to focus a substantial portion of my review around processing technology, since it's the most important factor that seems to have been overlooked by many manufacturers... But more on that later..
Denon's new uber-cool hybrid touts what Denon calls the greatest advance in video processing technology and faroudja processing engines. The chip set, named Realta-HQV is touted as one of the best-ever video processing architectures ever devised. Denon has never had a technology to actually process and scale video by individual pixel, so this is exciting. However, there are other than the Realta video chip-set, and a SLIGHTLY different Burr-Brown DAC array, plus the presence of BOTH HDMI and DVI outputs, very few serious differences between the 5900 and 5910.
Essentially the new processing engine allows the player to upconvert a standard 480i DVD into native 1080i resolution (beyond the current 720p Hi-Def standard) and is truly stunning. DVD playback is faultless, and the player has a serious CD front end as well, for those of you two-channel listeners still out there. But obviously, video is the name of the game, and Denon's new contended is really leading the way, at least temporarily.. However 1080 "P" is the real challenge, and THAT is where most processors are really not up to snuff, since that is truly the resolution of future video generations.
In the 3 grand ball-park, the 5910 is a serious investment in any system. Then again, I myself invested 3 grand in my Arcam DV-27A (which has BTW, I believe the BEST 2 channel playback I've heard for under $7,000). The Denon is no slouch though, and given the additional features such as SACD playback, plus digital video resolutions of beyond 480p (meaning optional 1080i scaling on digital video outs) clearly the 5910 is the closest bridge-link we have to true high-def playback on current generation DVD media and one of the best methodologies on the market for handling 2:3 pulldown (or 3:2 pulldown, whichever nomenclature you prefer).
The 5910 obviously has an impressive feature list, given here:
"Reference A/V Universal DVD Player
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World's First Consumer Product to be Powered with the Realta with HQV (Hollywood Quality Video) by Teranax Decoding Engine - Finest professional quality 10-bit processing for film, video, graphics or mixed-mode content
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World's First DVD player to feature 10-bit Scaling by DVDO-HD
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Exclusive 10-bit Denon Pixel Image Correction (DPIC)
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Adjustable Chroma Delay and Level, White/Black Levels, CCS On/Off controls
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New ESS Vibrato "Chroma Bug Free" MPEG/DVD-Audio Decoder
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Sony CXD-2753 Second Generation DSD Decoder
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Dual, discrete, Analog Devices ADV-7314 - 216 MHz, 4:4:4, 14 bit Video D/A Conversion system featuring Noise Shaped Video processing (1 chip each Progressive and Interlace)
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8x Oversampling Progressive and 16x Interlace output
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Wideband relay switched component video outputs
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Variable Black Level (Setup): 0 and 7.5 IRE
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Passes below-black (PLUGE) on progressive and interlace outputs
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(1) DVI-D (HDCP)and HDMI 1.1 Outputs with selectable 480p/720p/1080i output and simultaneous output (at same scale rate)
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(2)Component Video outputs, 1 with Gold BNC connections - continuous 480p output even with DVI or HDMI outputs activated
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(2)Composite and (2)"S" outputs
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2X DVD read speed; 4X CD/CD-R/CD-RW read speed; with 8MB drive buffer memory
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Built-in Dolby Digital, dts, DVD-Audio and SACD decoders with 5.1 analog outputs
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Highest quality Burr-Brown 24-bit, 192-kHz PCM-1792 Audio DACs on all channels, that decode PCM and DSD signals discretely with no cross-conversion of DSD
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Dedicated and discrete PCM-1792 in differential mode for 2 channel playback output
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Full Digital Bass Management for DVD-Audio/SACD (optional), featuring dual Analog Devices Melody 100 'HammerHead' processors (DSD signals are converted to PCM)
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40/60/80/100/120Hz crossover points with 12dB high and 24dB low pass slopes; Adjustable delay time and Channel Levels
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Source Direct Mode for PCM or SACD, bypasses Bass Management Speaker Configuration, but permits Channel Level and Delay Time adjustments (No conversion of DSD signals to PCM)
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MP3 and Windows Media Audio (WMA 9) Playback
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Plays Audio/Video CDs; DVD-Audio/Video; Super Audio CD; DVD +/-R/RW(conditional); Audio CD-R; Audio CD-RW; Decoders for MP3 (128kbps or greater recommended) and WMA-9 (64 ~ 192kbps) CD-R/RW & DVD +/-R/RW discs
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JPEG photo file viewer, Kodak Picture and Fujicolor CD compatible
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HDCD decoding
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Advanced AL24 Processing for 2 channel playback, and AL24 Processing Plus for 5.1 channel playback
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24/96 compatible digital outputs - optical and coaxial
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DENON Link for connection to Denon AVRs with Second or Third Edition Link versions
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PCM and DSD Compatible IEEE-1394 Out/In ports (compatible with iLink)
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Anamorphic Scaling for 4:3/16:9 Sets
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4:3 Squeeze and Zoom Controls (Analog and Digital Video Outputs)
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Pure Direct Modes to defeat unneeded portions of player for the ultimate in audio performance
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3 box, 5 block internal layout to isolate analog, digital and video circuits
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SRS TruSurround
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RS-232C and Remote in/out ports
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Full Backlighting remote control
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Dimensions: 17.1"w x 6.1"h x 17.1"d
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Weight 42 lbs.
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SRP $3,500
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First the 5910 has one of the best sounding audio front ends I've yet to encounter. I still don't think it sounds as good for CD playback as my Arcam -- however it is so close that I'd gladly switch to reap the benefits of all the other features the 5910 is equipped with. I listened to this palyer back to back with the Arcam AND a shanling tube player -- The Denon was clearly worthy of being in the company of both other units, but could not yield quite the resolution of the Arcam nor could it come close to the Shanling -- who's ingenious tube design is probably the warmest and most detailed player you'll ever hear - at least for now! Regardless, at half the price of the Shanling, and at the same price as the Arcam, the Denon 5910 is absolutely among the FINEST in audio AND Video playback devices available in the entire electronics market. STILL, I encourage you to read on...
Playback on the 5910 is smooth, fast and trouble free. The transport mechanism is relaible and quick as well- eject time is short and uneventful. The transport is also rated at double the life expenctancy of the prior D&M transport -- this is pretty solid, since I haven't heard of any problems thus far with transport issues on either 2900 or 5900 - both units shared the same prior transport.
Audio playback for CD is incredible -- THe new DACs will open up a bit more color on systems capable of resolving this finite an amount of detail. Again, the 5910 is a serious front end- it is made to compete with more esoteric players and is also priced accordingly- however compared to say a Sondek or any other exotic front end like say a tube shanling (at 7 grand!) the Denon is actually a bargain... Nevertheless 3500 bucks is some serious coin to drop on such a device, so the end of this review is going to talk about those ramifications and discuss why (or why not) the player may be a good investment or an UN-investment...
SACD and DVD-A playback are also very smooth and glitch free. The noise-floor on SACD was surprisingly good -- I am not a fan of SACD and personally think DVD-A blows the format away in terms of noise floor. Regardless, both formats seem to be drowning in blood - HD-DVD is the only DVD format people care about (or so it seems) and both the enhanced-res audio formats are quickly falling by the way-side - reserved for special audio geeks in a similar fashion that original laser discs are coveted by true video geeks because of of film-like a warm they playback as compared to DVDs....
The 5910 also contains a healthy 8 meg memory buffer which helps insure absolutely trouble free reading and tracking of all discs and provides the end-user with almost indiscernable layer-switching during DVD playback. Because the transport motor spins discs are multiples of their normal speed, combined with the larger memory buffer, you other devices won't have to rely on processing correction - basically, you get MORE of the right data from the disc, and less or the coinciding guess work that happens when processors need to compensate for bad or missing data. In short, the Denon will grab MORE of the data from your discs and give it to you pre-pro as it was recorded. It also does a TREMENDOUS job at reading scratched and damaged discs - I found so many instances where I had bad discs that looked like war-survivors.. The Denon played them all AND actually sounded remarkably good. Even my arcam player wouldn't read a a few discs and tended to have trouble keeping playback contiguous -- The Denon did a stupendous job.
BASS MANAGEMENT: Bass Management has obviously become a very hot issue - this is nothing new by the way.. Since 5.1 surround formats began to get prominent years back, the importance of finite control of each speaker has become inceasingly important. Now, with self-contained powered subs being industry norm (the vast majority of which come with their own internal processing or at very least, a crude x-over and level adjustment) bass management is a serious consideration in many home theatre AND multimedia rooms.. We all listen to our systems in multiple modes of operation. The emergence of "hybrid" players- or "multi-format players" (a product category which I've written volumes on for the last 24 or so months)has spawned a new generation of consumers whos requirements are mnuch more technically complex -- Where as once upon a time the standard was to have BOTH a CD and DVD player (and perhaps a seperate SACD player) you can now have all formats from one box... This obviously opens up a new issue for discussion -- namely, the ability to handle and manipulate data on the same system in DIFFERENT ways, during the playback of different formats. Accordingly- just as individual levels and cross-over points are tyipcally adjustable for your main speakers or satelites, SUBWOOFERS, (regardless of how complex their own internal managment systems allow them to be) are a very integral piece of our systems. You need to be able to specify distance, level, cross-over point and curve etc... all these details constitute what we refer to bass-management when looked at in the context of subwoofers and how we can compensate and adjust them from our players. Denon's bass management is packed with features and is really easy to adjust and get right. The menu items are completely intuitive and easy to manage, even for a layman. Kudos to Denon for making a true "flagship" player which is easy to set up and operate, even for those who aren't 100% familiar with industry jargon or with the technical aspects of setting up a true hi-fidelity system.
The Denon's on-screen display is easy to use and really deserves recognition. In fact, a propos, the entire unit is basically a breeze and is very self-explanatory. I also liked Denon's very understandable explanation of the differences between SACD and DVD-A and WHY it is necessary to run BOTH digital-coax AND 6 analog RCA leads in order to get full usage of all aspects of DVD-A and SACD formats... (Of course, the real easy description is simply to say SACD simply won't work with analog!!! as it isn't meant to) but I really liked Denon's explanation and thought it was a really useful building block for an end user looking to better understand his/her componentry and what makes 'em tick. As for the display, menu's are clearly laid out and very intuitive. The menu bars are navigational controls on the remote are also laid out easily and clutter-free. Getting around the menu(s) is therefore very easy by means of the remote and all in all, both setup and usage of the 5910 are easy-easy-easy. The 5910 has an awesome menu structure, great remote, Denon has always had excellent support and warrantry support. I don't think you're going to need it with the 5910 though, especially since the transport (which is all of the moving parts in the player except for buttons) is rated to live twice its already long service life.
...There are obviously some important considerations to make before dropping 3500 hard earned dollars on a player, so I'm going to spend the rest of this review looking at the pros and cons and hopefully offer you guys a little more insight as to why this MAY BE (or MAY NOT BE) a wise investment..
First: 1080P is the real thing to talk about. HD-DVD (hi def DVD) discs are not yet widely available- it is a format who's work in truly IN PROGRESS. Additionally, there are very few output devices capable of displaying this resolution (output devices meaning plasma, LCD or other flatscreens and/or front-projectors). What this essentially means is that we're stuck in a sort of transitional period at which the market really needs to "find itself". Currently 1080p's drawback is that almost NO video processors are capable of handling it - which is a critical reason why Sony's Qualia series of products APPEAR to be cutting edge, however when viewers actually sit down and SEE it, the picture is noisy and the colors are exagerated. Processors which handle true 1080p will be exciting -- however for now, it's important tol realize that you are NOT get 1080p from the 5910 -- So please be very careful to pay attention to the critical difference between 1080 I and 1080 P...
2) While the 5910 has an incredible audio playback section with the best Burr Brown DACs available, the main item Denon is resting on to promote it is the VIDEO processing. While it's clearly a great breakthrough, the real issue I have with it is how much is a PLAYER worth for its scaling?? What I mean is that with serious video systems, the processor/scaler is an independant unit which serves are a processor for EVERY display device and playback device in the system. Obviously this PLAYER has a great processor, but wouldn't it make more sense to buy a true VIDEO SCALER to handle ALL of the processing needs in the WHOLE system? Remember, it's not like this player has INPUTS so that other video signals can be cleaned up - such as cable box or regular 4:3 television...
I guess what I'm saying is that if Denon had built a dedicated VIDEO PROCESSOR with this technology, I'd be alot more thrilled about it. Regardless that it's the year 2005 and technology is developing so rapidly, we STILL use cableboxes, be still use VCR's and WE STILL GET REGULAR OL' 4:3 TELEVISION!!! While I guarentee the de-interlacer chip affixed to the 5910 is among the best, who cares! It only applies to DVD playback or other video discs!! What about VCR tapes and what about cable-box OR regular TV?!?!?! If anything, if Denon insisted on producing such a rockin' player as the 5910, I think it should have been fitted with at least 2 video INPUT SECTIONS so that the incredible benefits of such advanced video processing could be used to clean up TV, VCR and other NTSC signals.
All in all, obviously Denon's 5910 is one of the best players on the market- in fact, on paper it may appear to be THE best. Again, there's no doubt that it's a head turner and looks fantastic for DVD playback and SOUNDS fantastic for CD playback. The real issue however is what is the shelf-life of this product for value -- This is the FIRST of such players to use this chip set. Ergo- it's gonna cost alot! Silicon Imaging is an OEM supplier and OTHER COMPANIES WILL HAVE THIS CHIPSET! That means soon enough, players with the same caliber of processing chips will be coming to market for much less money. 2) In regards to shelf-life of VALUE, we realize that 1080i as a signal format is neither new NOR that best thing to talk aboutg! 1080p is the format everyone's excited about and we don't even had HD-DVD discs on the market yet! Furthermore, when they ARE on the market, this player does not possess that ability to process at a native 1080p resolution anyway, so why not wait?
Again- this player is absolutely SERIOUS! the picture is incredible and among the best I myself have seen. Being in the industry, YES, I've seen alot of great players- so this certainly bodes well for the Denon. But again, the real question is if you know you'll be able to buy the same or perhaps BETTER technology in the coming months for LESS, why not wait? Look at how much things have changed since I began writing my Hybrid-Player-Shootout series of reviews!~
You can view other comparable products on the following links to read about all the other Hybrid players available:
Arcam DV27-a
http://www.epinions.com/content_141462769284 Marantz 8400
http://www.epinions.com/content_133319921284 Lexicon RT-10
http://www.epinions.com/content_130830274180 Denon 2900
http://www.epinions.com/content_100695248516 Additionally, stay tuned for coming reviews of some seriously incredible video technology such as VIDIKRON's 1080p projector, the Model 80! Some very exciting things happening in the industry- thanks for reading!
