DBP-2011UCDI Review|Denon's 3D Blu-ray player

Region A / BD Live (2.0) / 3D Ready

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Video:
Video Resolution:
1080p/24p
DVD upscaling:
1080p
Audio:
HDMI output: 7.1
Analog output: 7.1
Media:
Blu-ray / DVD / CD

Other:
HDMI version:1.4a
Ethernet: Yes
Release Date:
August, 2010

Denon surprised many by announcing their newest Blu-ray Players will have Full HD 3D Blu-ray support. Not wanting to sacrifice quality, Denon is usually slow off the mark when it comes to the latest technological trends. But the DBP-2011UDCI will be 3D capable once a Firmware will be released in the Fall of 2010. In fact, this higher end Universal Blu-ray Player will have a host of features not usually associated with Denon players.

Univeral Disc Player: (Blu-ray, DVD-Audio, SACD, DVD, CD)
3D Universal Blu-ray Player: Capable of playing back Full HD 3D Blu-ray disc via a firmware update coming in the fall
BD-Live Ready: Get more out of a Blu-ray Disc than what’s is physically on it. BD-Live 2.0 lets studios future-proof their Blu-ray titles, so they can add more content to BD-Live Ready discs even after they have been made and shipped. You connect your Blu-ray player to the Internet (through the Ethernet port or using an optional Link Stick USB wireless dongle) to download images, subtitles and more. You can chat live with friends while you are both watching the movie, or play online trivia games against others to unlock exclusive video content and earn discounts on other products.
1GB of On-board Memory
Anchor Bay Video Processing (ABT2015 chip)
Bitstream Output of Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD Master Audio
DivX HD , MP3 and WMA Playback
DLNA 1.5-certified: DLNA connection lets you stream your PC audio and video files to your HDTV.

The DBP-2011UDCI has the classic sturdy Denon design. Playback controls on located on the right side of the player with the power button on the left. A USB Port is conveniently place in the front bottom right corner. In the center is the disc loading tray, optimizing the advanced center-mounted drive mechanism. It features a low center of gravity for the best possible stability, and the steel frame features multi-layer construction for the utmost inflexibility and freedom from distortion caused by vibration. This reliable attention to detail provides superior audio and video performance.

Video Quality:
Video connections include HDMI 1.4a Output, Component Video Outputs and Composite Video Outputs. The best connection is the HDMI; the new HDMI 1.4a is the standard for 3D playback. The DBP-2011UDCI is equipped with the latest Anchor Bay Technologies decoding Engine and Scalar. Which should provide excellent images. There is also support for 36-Bit Deep Color, but no Blu-ray discs are currently encoded with it.

Audio Quality:
Audio connections for the DBP-2011UDCI are the HDMI Output, Digital Outputs(Optical, Coaxial), and 7.1-ch Analog Audio Outputs. Has internal audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, DTS-HD decoder, Dolby Digital Plus. It has bitstream output of Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD Master Audio for those who want their audio/video receiver to do the decoding. DBP-2011UDCI’s high quality audio is provided by the high end 32 bit/192 kHz Burr-Brown DACs for every channel.

Beside providing great audio and video features, the DBP-2011UDCI has DB-Live support and Online Streaming Media Services. Including Netflix and YouTube streaming. It has 1 GB of internal memory to make downloading BD-Live content easier. If more memory is need their is a USB Port in the front for external memory or for media playback. The DBP-2011UDCI is also DLNA certified which allows the player to stream digital media files from other DLNA certified devices on your home network.

The DBP-2011UDCI is a universal Blu-ray Player, it can playback BD, DVD, CD, DVD-Audio and SACD disc formats. As mentioned before, 3D Blu-ray playback with a firmware upgrade. Additionally, the player features Kodak Picture CD compatibility, as well as DivX HD+, MP3 and WMA playback (all trough either recordable DVD/CD or external memory devices). If you want custom installation, there is a RS-232 port for third-party controllers. The Denon DBP-2011UDCI will be available in August 2010 for a list price of $799.

THE PROS: Denon’s universal Blu-ray Player, the DBP-2011UDCI will also be able to support 3D Blu-ray discs(with Firmware Update in the Fall of 2010). Has an Anchor Bay video processing (ABT2015 chip), 7.1-ch Analog Outputs and RS-232 port; IR inputs/outputs. Has online streaming media services which includes Netflix and 1 GB of internal storage memory. Is DLNA 1.5 certified.

THE CONS: Denon has reduced their price greatly for this universal Blu-ray Player, but with a list price of $800.00, it still maybe too expensive for most consumers. Lacking a lot of the Online Streaming Services found on other players.

THE FINAL WORD: Denon has supplied the Universal DBP-2011UDCI with all the latest features including online streaming, internal memory, 7.1-ch Analog Outputs, DLNA certified and 3D playback. The high end player has a price list of $800.00 which may hinder its success. — Price you should look for when purchasing — Under $800.00