The Denon DVD-2500BT Review Thread

[iceman]

https://www.blu-ray.com/players/players.php?id=30

[zepherman]

Amazing that no one has posted their thoughts on this beautiful machine. I just got one this past Thursday, and after using it over the weekend, I have only excellent things to say about it. Not only is the fit and finish top quality, the performance is superb. The transport while in operation is whisper quiet, and playback of Blu-ray movies is a joy. PQ is excellent as is the sound quality on TrueHD and DTS-HD MA bitstreamed to my Denon AVP-A1HDCI pre/pro.

And the well known -5db LFE issue is supposed to be corrected very soon. I spoke with Denon tech support today and was told that a patch to fix the -5db issue was due to be available within the next two weeks. So once that is corrected then this transport will playback LPCM with no problems.



Seth

[Southpaw]

What are the differences between the 2500 and the 3800? Do both have the Realta chip? I can't seem to find good info on these two players using google.

[RUR]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

What are the differences between the 2500 and the 3800? Do both have the Realta chip? I can't seem to find good info on these two players using google.

From the Denon website:
3800

• 10-bit Realta HQV™ video processor for advanced i/p and scaling
• 1080p/24fps output and Multi-Cadence Detection for accurate i/p conversion
• HDMI v1.3a output for 36 bit Deep Color support
• Latest Analog devices Video DACs
• Denon D.D.S.C.-HD Technology decodes new, higher-quality surround
• Dual 32-bit floating point DSP, Burr Brown PCM-1796 audio decoders for all channels and Advanced AL24 Processing for greater dynamic range
• Master clock design for accurate processing and reduced jitter noise

2500

• Complete digital-only transport to eliminate interference
• Single-cable HDMI connection and Digital HD output up to 1080p*
• Fully 10-bit processing for i/p and scaling circuit
• Blu-ray 1080p/24fps output capability
• Up to 36 bit Deep Color support via HDMI
• Native bit stream output for Dolby® Digital+, Dolby® TrueHD, and dts-HD™ master audio
• Bonus View functionality, providing simultaneous Audio and Video options for greater interactivity.
• Digital media disc support: Blu-Ray, DVD-Video, DVD-R/RW, CD Audio WMA, MP3, Kodak picture CD, Fuji Color CD.

*This device does not have any analog outputs

http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/...Components.asp

In essence, the 2500 bitstreams only, has no Realta and only HDMI out. The 3800 bitstreams and decodes, has Realta, and has HDMI+analog out. They're really intended for users with different needs.

[Southpaw]

What does $1k buy me in terms of upscaling SD on the 2500? I don't mind the bitstreaming and HDMI only output. But I need a better upscaler than the BD30.

[Sixx shooter]

From what i am hearing,it has a unipher panasonic scaler chip. But everyone who is posting is claming to jhave great picture quality on sd dvds.I can tell you as an owner that dvds do look great to me.

[bootman]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

What does $1k buy me in terms of upscaling SD on the 2500? I don't mind the bitstreaming and HDMI only output. But I need a better upscaler than the BD30.

They are identical.

[Sixx shooter]

I know the panasonic did not score very well with dvd upscaling on ultimateavmagazine.com. To tell you the truth ,i did not bye this to watch standard dvds anyway.And to me they look great.On the blueray side of things, the machine performs fine.The real reason i bought this player was for the bit stream audio of dts master audio and dolby true hd. I have it hooked up to a denon avr 43o8ci receiver.And it kicks ass !!!Start up on the player is a little slow but once everything is running it functions fine .

[RUR]

Originally Posted by Sixx shooter

I know the panasonic did not score very well with dvd upscaling on ultimateavmagazine.com. To tell you the truth ,i did not bye this to watch standard dvds anyway.And to me they look great.On the blueray side of things, the machine performs fine.The real reason i bought this player was for the bit stream audio of dts master audio and dolby true hd. I have it hooked up to a denon avr 43o8ci receiver.And it kicks ass !!!Start up on the player is a little slow but once everything is running it functions fine .

Are you upscaling in the 2500 (uniphier) or 4308 (Faroudja)?

[Sixx shooter]

I tried both but its realy a pain in the ass to do an a/b compare.Do you know of any way to see which one performs better?What should i look for? whats a good dvd to check both scalers?

[browninggold]

I do not own a blu-ray player yet, still debating over the 3800/2500. I would run through my Denon 3808ci via hdmi. Was going to wait for a profile 2.0, looking closely at the Panasonic BD50 (hope that is the right model) not out yet, but it is suppose to support 2.0 and ethernet upgradeable I believe. What would everyone here do? Get the 2500 to go with the 3808-that is what I am leaning towards. I have a Toshiba A35 but really do not use the extra features all that much through the internet I am more into a great movie/sound with my 7.1 speaker set up. Thanks for any input.

[Vlad44]

something is telling me bd50 wouldnt be a 'great' player.
1. im more than sure there will be a heap of trouble with profile 2.0 functionality
2.there are no many improvements comparing to bd30
3.they need to sell to u smth 2009 and later
4.panny SUPPORTS DVD 2.0!!! HUGE BETRAYER.

i dont want to support or participate in all this bug fixing & prostitution, especially for my own $700.

[Sixx shooter]

I think you should go with the 2500 btci over the 3800. The 3800 is two thousand dollors !!!!! Thats just too much money for a player that is not 2.0. Whether you will use the features or not. For that kind of money you should have everything! I got the 2500 btci in new york (j&r music world) for 800 bucks. I was pulling my hair out on that price alone,but overall i am very happy with my purchase. I make a bet that in two or three months denon will be showing off a brand new that is 2.0. I just watched IROBOT on blueray and kicked in DTS MASTER AUDIO!!!! ( Denon dvd 2500-Denon avr 4308ci-Klipsch refrence 82 towers-Klipsch refrence 62 center-Klipsch refrence 42 surrounds.Klipsch RT-12D sub woofer!!!!! )

[Southpaw]

How did you get it for $800 at JR? Their site lists it at $999.

[Sixx shooter]

I know that its listed for $999 on the web,but when you walk in the store and you talk to some of home theater sale people you will find it cheaper.I think when you are there in person you get it for like 20% cheaper. The same thing happend with my denon avr 4308 .Its listed as $2500 but i got it for $2000. I have no idea why that is but ITS A FACT!

[browninggold]

Thanks-You talked me into a 2500. Vlad44 made some good points also which I think about quite often with the ToshibaA35, sometimes (most of the time) you just want to sit back and watch a high quality movie with the best A/V possible. Their are a lot of times with "all" the extra features their are also a lot of glitches. I believe you are better off without the extra "in movie" experience. Just want a player where you do not need FW updates etc...just plays Blu-Ray out of the box. Even the Toshiba A35 is a pain for FW updates...loosing ethernet connection. So it sounds like everyone who owns a Denon 2500 is pretty happy with the player. Thanks everyone for the info and input.

[Vlad44]

thanks Browninggold
Hope to buy my nexgen player next xmas. The battle for my money ll be between sony s550 and denons.

looking back to 80's, really FAST vhs began to appear 8-10 after vhs-beta war end. HOPE bluray ll improve much faster...

[Brian Cash]

seems like a real nice player might have to look more into it since im in the market for a stand alone

[dbaydoun]

Just upgraded to this player from my BDP S1 and am very satisfied. It was between this and the new Panasonic 50 that is coming out in a few months. I'm very happy with my decision. Great player. Video and Audio quality is perfect and the build quality is excellent. I'm not one to play with the PIP and Online stuff so I don't think I will miss the 2.0 stuff.

[nazdar]

6 months, 300 BDs and only 2 no plays and 5-6 minor sound issues all solved by upgrade supplied by Denon. Built like Fort Knox, totally silent operations. A/V tops. It's a stripped down Transport; needs a receiver like Denon AVR-2808CI to do the rest of the work. And it will. Doubles as a weapon.