Big Picture Big Sound

It looks like Denon's been very busy this week. While they were not at C.E.D.I.A. EXPO, the company just announced four new products, including a universal Blu-ray player, a high-end high performance A/V receiver and two network-enabled iPod docks.

Designed specifically for the custom installation market, the DBP-4010UDCI Blu-ray player will be available next month. You can expect the DBP-4010UDCI to have a lot of the same features as the company's DVD-A1UDCI model, but for the lower price of $1,999.

Building on its Blu-ray lineup, the DBP-4010UDCI can play Blu-ray Discs and just about everything else under the entertainment sun. The Profile 2.0 player can handle BD Live and Bonus View features, but also play DVD-Audio, SACD, CD and standard-def DVD material. It also features a native digital audio output via the Denon LINK or PCM conversion.

Inside, the DBP-4010UDCI has Anchor Bay's VRS processing for upconversion and IP scaling of standard definition DVDs to 1080p output.  It also features high-definition audio decoding or bitstream passthrough. Other features include AVCHD and DivxHD playback, an Ethernet port for web connectivity and firmware updates, an SD card slot, IP control for third-party controllers and CI remote access.

To drive that entire A/V setup, Denon also just announced the AVR-4810CI receiver. Also intended for the custom install market, the 9.3-channel unit has nine built-in amplifiers and can be configured to handle a host of materials throughout the house, as long as you have everything networked. This, however, is a lot easier, thanks to the unit's Wi-Fi capabilities.

That wireless connectivity also allows for a host of other content, including Rhapsody and Napster streaming audio.  The receiver also features Sirius, XM and HD Radio support as well.

Able to support all of today's audio technologies, including Dolby Pro Logic IIz, the unit features six HDMI inputs and two outputs, all of which are certified for HDMI 1.3a. Featuring a built-in HDCD decoder, the unit also features an array of Audyssey technologies, including DSX, MultEQ XT Auto Setup and Calibration and Dynamic Volume. It also has Anchor Bay video processing and scaling, as well as a Vertical Stretch (2.35:1 CinemaScope) Mode and a Video Control Adjustments Memory by input feature.

The last two products in the new lineup are network-enabled iPod docks, models ASD-51W and ASD-51N. Because both units have network features, they can add a host of content to any A/V setup, including streaming audio, photos, web radio, and more. Of course, if you've got a subscription, you can add Rhapsody and Napster into your audio mix. Both units can also charge an iPod while it's docked. To make nice with some of the other equipment around the house, each unit has Windows 7 connectivity, IP control, web remote control and iPod audio streaming to new Denon networked products. There's even a "Party Mode," which allows music to be streamed through the house to up to five connected Denon devices.

Just in case you can't decide between the two docks, the ASD-51W does add in Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) connectivity and WPS compatibility (Wi-Fi protected setup). However, pricing and availability have not been announced for either product yet.

Where to Buy:

• Denon AVR-4810 A/V Receiver (Amazon.com)