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DVDPlayer
Ultimate DVD
techno-bling
W
hen DVD was unleashed a main producer of DVD players with
GLORIOUSLY RATINGS
few short years ago, it was encrypted digital audio outputs, but as I
OVER-ENGINEERED, generally accepted as a write, their players all have analogue Highs: Incredibly desirable state
definitive video source that would be video outputs. The Denon DVD-A11 is the of the art DVD player; superb
DENON’S A11 PURPORTS good enough for any application for a long first player with digital audio and video connectivity
time to come. It took VHS by the scruff of outputs, beating two new Pioneer Lows: No HDMI; needs esoteric
TO BE THE BEST DVD the neck, and the rest, of course, is history. models by a matter of weeks. The three hardware partners
PLAYER ON THE PLANET. DVD-Audio has also been introduced in an interfaces provided are Denon Link Picture
attempt to produce a definitive sound Second Edition, IEEE1394 (aka Firewire Features 1⁄2
ALVIN GOLD IS SEDUCED BY quality source alongside the Sony/Philips and i.Link) and finally DVi-HDCP. Sound
alternative, SACD. The player tested here, Taking these in turn, Denon Link is Overall 1⁄2
ITS TECHNO CREDENTIALS Denon’s new high end DVD-A11, is one of Denon’s proprietary audio interface. It is a
the select group of ‘universal’ players that technically elegant and powerful
can cope with each of the above. wideband interface, but it shows no signs secured agreement from the SACD
But new times bring fresh of being adopted by other producers, and licence holders. i.Link (aka IEEE1394)
perspectives. Picture and sound quality the original version was limited to CD has some theoretical disadvantages
expectations develop as digital standard 16-bit digital audio. when measured by Denon Link
technology improves, and one of the key The Second Edition adds DVD-Audio to standards, but it remedies the SACD
bottlenecks is the conversion of digital its repertoire, but as it stands SACD is not shortfall, and enjoys much wider
signals off disc to analogue before they supported, because Denon has not yet support from other manufacturers,
leave the player. Until now, this has
Lab Report meant the amplifier and video display
Excellent
FEATURES
Average
Poor
work with signals that have already Specifications: Progressive video universal DVD-Video, DVD-Audio & SACD
Video jitter (3ns) been converted to analogue. Once a player. Faroudja FL2310 DCDi, six Analog Devices ADV-7310 12 bit
Signal-to-noise ratio signal is in this form, it is susceptible to
216MHz Video DACs with NSV (Noise Shaped Video). Burr Brown 1790
Composite (-69.9dB) 24 bit 192kHz audio DACs with Denon AL24 curve smoothing algorithm.
S-Video (-74.2dB) noise, distortion and other corruptions
Internal Dolby Digital, DTS & SRS TruSurround decoders. HDCD decoder.
Component (-75.3dB) which impact on performance.
Chroma Pure direct mode. Speaker management for all audio disc types includes
In a well managed digital signal bass management crossover settings 40Hz – 120Hz in 20Hz increments.
AM (-74.1dB)
PM (-65.5dB) chain, there is no corruption or loss of Various picture enhancements & trick play modes. Video scaling to 480p,
Chroma crosstalk (-57.5dB) data after the initial digital coding when 576p, 720p, 1080i. Supplied with remote control.
Freq response @ 5.8MHz Compatible disc types: DVD-Video, DVD-Audio. SACD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW,
S-video (0.48dB) the disc was made, and if the final
MP3-CD, WMA-CD. Video CD, Kodak Picture CD, Fujicolour CD, DVD-R,
Component (0.13dB) conversion can be made late or not
Composite (-0.04dB) DVD-RW, DVD+R, JPEG
made at all, there is little opportunity for
Audio jitter (191.9ps) Video connections: 2x composite video, 2x S-Video, 2x component video
further data loss. There are no technical (3x phono & 3x BNC), DVi-HDCP digital video out. Audio: 2 channel & 6
Compatibility difficulties in staying digital, but without channel output (8x phono). 2x IEEE1394 (Firewire) audio for full bandwidth
secure encryption to help prevent encrypted digital out from CD, DVD-Audio & SACD. Coaxial & optical
DVD-V Video CD digital out (for CD only). 2x Scart for loop through connections, inc RGB.
DVD-A Super Video CD pirating, there was no way that the
SACD DiVX copyright holders would allow digital Denon Link SE (Second Edition - requires amplifier with Denon Link SE) for
CD DVD+R full bandwidth encrypted digital out from CD & DVD-Audio. RS232 control
signals outside the player.
MP3 DVD-R socket, AMX & Crestron compatible. Remote control in/out (3.5mm
WMA DVD+RW sockets)
JPEG DVD-RW (Video mode) FIRST PAST THE POST Dimensions: 434(w) x 139(h) x 434(d) mm
HighMAT DVD-RW (VR mode) This is what the Denon DVD-A11 is all Weight: 12.8kg Finish: Champagne gold or black
CD-R DVD-RAM
CD-RW about. To date, Pioneer has been the
82 H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E APRIL 2004
0404HCC13 Denon A11 DVD P 30/1/04 11:10 Page 83
Tried&Tested
Note the DVI input (top left) and The build quality here is A complex remote controls the A11 There’s a choice of gold or
Denon link (bottom left) uncompromising black finishes
APRIL 2004 H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E 83