Customer Reviews

Denon DBP4010UDCI Reference Universal Blu-ray Disc Player

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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Ergonomically, I find the DBP-4010UDCI to be the best universal player on the market and a step above all the recent OPPOs in that regard. I was very interested in buying it until I discovered a flaw that will sorely disappoint those of us interested in obtaining high-resolution sound from CDs, SACDs, and DVDs. I have engaged in a string of e-mails with a Denon technician to learn what I tell you below.

According to the DBP-4010UDCI's user manual, all CD/SACD output via HDMI is at 44.1 kHz/16 bit, LPCM format (i.e., Redbook standards) and DVDs at 48 kHz/16 bit. The sampling rate and bit depth on the source material is irrelevant. The player down-converts - make that "dumbs down" - everything. I was certain that had to be a misprint because no manufacturer do such a thing, especially in this price range. Alas, Denon has confirmed that the manual accurately reflects what is happen within.

There are four issues that trouble me:

1. SACDs are recorded at one bit resolution at 2.8 mHz sampling rate and should pass that way to the D/A converter in bitstream format, although the signal often is down-converted (in the recent OPPOs, for example) to 88 kHz/24 bit for LPCM output (still high-res). With the Denon DBP-4010UDCI converting everything to 44.1 kHz/16, the sound is likely no better than a standard CD track, although it does retain SACD's multi-channel capability.

2. DVDs are likewise limited to 48kHz/16 bit sampling even though high-res DVDs are at 96 kHz/24 bit.

3. HDCDs are recorded at 44.1 kHz sampling, but an additional four or eight bits are also encoded in the recording. The result is a CD compatible with standard Redbook playback but that can be decoded to retrieve those "extra" four or eight bits and the additional resolution they provide. The DBP-4010UDCI has such a decoder but negates its own work by down-converting the decoded 20 or 24 bits to 16 just as it would be without decoding. (Down-sampling is not the same as tossing away the additional eight bits, but you're still left with 16 bits when the recording offers 24.)

4. Those of you who want to decode in your surround processor, forget it. The DBP-4010UDCI cannot output a bitstream (at least not while playing a CD/SACD).

"Universal" for the Denon DBP-4010UDCI only refers to the software it can play, not to what it can output. Why they chose to design it this way is inexplicable, especially at this price range. I consider the use of "universal" to describe this product as bordering on false advertising.

This is my first blu ray player so I spent some time investigating this unit. First off, it does play all the media it claims to play. The feature I like is the extreme clarity it provides to my older std def DVDs. The clarity and smooth play for these (and the blu rays) is amazing, and the sound quality from them (some older concert DVDs) is equally outstanding. Granted, everything I am running is a digital siginal. I use this in conjunction with a DENON AVR 4306. The TV is a 60" JVC Dila rear proj. (was supposed to be 1080p which was later settled in a lawsuit - but thats another story). The hookup is HDMI to tv with optical out and denon link to the receiver. Setup was very simple - 4 cables (and i may have gotten away with 3, I just was not familiar with the denon link). HMDI, optical out, link, and a power cord. Thats it. It is a heavy unit due to the electronics on board, so its not for questionable setups. I have it in an oak entertainment center. The price is quite high, so I'd say its only for advanced setups if you have the equipment for it. Its also forward usable as it does update firmware via the net connection. If you are looking for a very high quality blu ray+ DVD unit, with exceptional sound and picture output, and can stand the very high cost, this unit is worth the investment. Based on other Denon equip I have had, you will have this for a LONG time. Enjoy!

AFTER HAVING TRIED THEIR "FLAGSHIP" UNIVERSAL BLU-RAY PLAYER [DVD-A1UDCI] AND HAVING HAD INTERMINABLE PROBLEMS WITH IT, I, IN A FIT OF TEMPORARY INSANITY, AGREED TO PURCHASE THIS PLAYER AS A REPLACEMENT. MORE PROBLEMS EXISTED WITH IT THAN AMAZON GIVES SPACE HERE TO DESCRIBE.

MOST FREQUENTLY AFTER INSERTING THE DISC, THE PLAYER WOULDN'T EVEN PLAY THE DISC AT ALL. THE READOUT SAID "NO DISC" WHEN A DISC WAS IN IT. IT SAID "PLAY" WHEN ACTUALLY IT WAS NOT PLAYING. IT TOOK FOREVER TO START MOVIES.

I RELIED ON THE COMPANY'S NAME AND REPUTATION TO PRODUCE A TOP OF THE LINE PLAYER FOR THIS COST. DENON WAS NO HELP AT ALL. THE PLAYER WAS SENT TO PYRAMID ELECTRONICS- AN AUTHORIZED REPAIR CENTER. IT CAME BACK DUSTY, PACKED INCORRECTLY, AND WITH THE STYROFOAM PACKING LINER TOTALLY DESTROYED. AND THE REPAIR CENTER CLAIMED TO HAVE FOUND NO PROBLEM WITH THE UNIT. IT WAS GONE NEARLY 2 MONTHS! YES, IT DID NOT WORK THEN EITHER.

IT, THE A1UDCI, AND A SIMILAR JUNK PILE, THE DENON 4310 RECEIVER I WAS ALSO TALKED INTO BUYING, ARE NOW RESTING IN PIECES IN THE NEARBY TRASH DUMPSTER.

DON'T REPEAT MY MISTAKE. LEAVE THE 4010- AND DENON- ALONE!

I wouldn't recommend this product. These are the reasons:
1) Expensive.
2) Some Blu-ray discs won't play on it. They play fine on my OPPO player.
3) Some DVD Audio discs won't play on it. They play fine on my OPPO player.
4) Slow loading.