Denon Adds 9.3-Channel AVR

Denon also adds second universal Blu-Ray player

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 9/16/2009

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Mahwah, N.J. - Denon launched its first nine-channel A/V receiver (AVR) and expanded its selection of universal Blu-ray players to two.

The company also announced shipment of two previously announced networked iPod docks.

The AV R is the $2,999-suggested AVR-4810CI, a 9.3-channel model that's the company's second AVR with Audyssey DSX post-processing technology. DSX adds a pair of soundstage-widening horizontal-plane front channels and a pair of front-height channels to a traditional 5.1-channel setup.

The AVR-4810CI joins the company's first DSX-equipped AVR, the $1,999-suggested 7.1-channel AVR-4310CI, which was introduced earlier this year. With its nine built-in amplifier channels, however, the new 4810CI simultaneously drives front-width speakers and front-height channels without adding outboard amplifiers.

The new AVR also features Dolby Pro Logic IIz, which adds front-height channels, as well as HD Radio, DLNA networking to stream music from networked PCs and NAS devices, Internet radio streaming, and Rhapsody and Napster streaming. These features are also available in other Denon AVRs. Other 4810CI features include built-in Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, two AM/FM tuners (one with HD Radio), Vertical Stretch (2.35:1 CinemaScope) Mode, and Video Control Adjustments Memory by video input. Anchor Bay Technologies (ABT) video technology up-scales video to 1080p/24 and converts video from analog to HDMI.

The new universal Blu-ray player, which plays DVD-Audio and SACD music discs, is the $1,999-suggested DBP-4010UDCI. It's due in October to join the existing $4,500 DVD-A1 universal player, released earlier this year. The new model is a Profile 2.0 player that comes with SD Card slot. It's said to be the first custom-oriented Blu-ray player to feature IP control, Web browser capabilities and remote access. It also features AVCHD and DivxHD playback.

In updating its networked iPod docks, the company shipped its ASD-51W with Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/ and wired-Ethernet ASD-51N, whose prices were previously announced at $299 and $249, respectively.

Like their predecessors, the new models connect to Denon AVRs, enabling the AVR's remote to control the docked iPod or iPhone. Also like before, the new models stream Internet radio stations, but the new models add Rhapsody and Napster streaming. Also new is Wi-Fi-protected setup, enabling connection to a wireless router without the user entering a password or SSID, and the ability to stream iPod-stored music simultaneously to up to five networked Denon devices in a home. IP control for integration with home-control systems is also new, as is a digital coaxial stereo output and DLNA 1.5 certification, enabling the docks to reproduce music streamed from a Wi-Fi-equipped DLNA 1.5 cellphone. Both docks send iPod-stored music over analog or digital-coaxial audio outputs to an AVR. iPod video goes over an S-Video output.

Both docks are compatible with iPhone.