ONKYO USA has announced the launch of its first HD-DVD player, the DV-HD805. This player has been introduced to realize the potential of high-definition HD DVD content. It is also one of the first HD DVD players to take advantage of high-bit-rate audio streaming via HDMI version 1.3a. The DV-HD805 will be available in the fall of 2007.
The DV-HD805 is designed to partner with Onkyo’s 2007 A/V receiver line-up. Both the HD DVD player and the A/V receivers feature HDMI version 1.3a connections, making the combination of these components the perfect platform for high-definition 1080p video images. It also nicely complements Onkyo’s A/V receivers by streaming of the new lossless surround sound formats, Dolby® TrueHD and DTS®-HD Master Audio, as well as two “lossy” formats, Dolby® Digital Plus and DTS®-HD High Resolution Audio.
The Onkyo DV-HD805 has the capability to support different frame rates, including playback at 24 frames per second, which is the native frame rate of the original sources for most HD content. This ensures that the user will be able to experience the playback of films recorded to HD DVD with the smoothest, most stable reproduction possible.HDMI version 1.3a allows the DV-HD805 to offer the full potential of high-definition 1080p video (the native resolution of HD DVD discs). Furthermore, HDMI version 1.3a enables Deep Color™ technology to improve color tones and achieve finer color gradation. Also, when connected with the new Onkyo HDMI version 1.3a A/V receivers, the DV-HD805 is capable of high-bit-rate audio streaming output. Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound codecs enable bit-for-bit reproduction of the studio master meaning that this player is capable of the highest clarity and most advanced realism from movie soundtracks. It also has the capability to provide Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio bit stream data.
HD DVD specifications allow for the inclusion of web-enabled network connectivity to develop new and unique content such as additional materials and bonus features. In addition to downloading content, HD DVD users also have the ability to upload content and interact with providers, to participate in interactive polls for example. Compared to other media formats, HD DVD is advanced in this capacity. The DV-HD805 includes an Ethernet port to allow users access to these capabilities, as well as enable the user to easily download any future firmware updates.
Recognized as the leading video processing technology in the home theater industry, the DV-HD805’s onboard HQV Reon VX video processing chipset provides exceptionally precise video scaling (to 720p, 1080i or 1080p). When used with the standard-definition DVD format, HQV Reon VX enables viewers to enjoy superior video quality at the native resolution of the connected high-definition display. HQV Reon VX processing also eliminates or substantially reduces video noise for improved video reproduction.
The DV-HD805 will be available in the fall of 2007 at a suggested retail price of $899.
1 comment:
I’ve had my Onkyo DV HD805 now for five weeks and, while waiting for my new TX905, have used it with my Denon AVC 10E and my son’s Pioneer VSA E07, connected briefly to my son’s Sharp LCD and now to my Sagem HD50 RP DLP TV.
Ok, first up. HD DVD playback, at the Sagem’s native 720p, is the best and most cinematic I have seen outside of a cinema! HD DVDs like 2001, The Matrix and Bladerunner are beautifully rendered in all their cinematic glory. The soundtracks are simply stunning! The opening scenes of the HD Bladerunner disc and subsequent sound mixes - especially low level and background crowd noises - are truly a revelation. As for the Matrix shoot out? Fantastic! Can’t wait to hear true HD sound through the TX905!
I should add here that I am not just comparing brands. Among many other films, I have worked on the visual FX for The Bourne Ultimatum and therefore worked on scanned frames viewed on two 24” Sony CRT pro monitors. What I can say is that I saw a very similar image, even on my 720p Sagem, when replayed on the Onkyo HD 805, and was even suitably impressed when viewed on the 28” Sharp LCD, at 1080i. And it’s not just the detail and higher resolution but equally, if not more so, the extra dynamic range, colour accuracy and saturation, which makes it look so close to the original. Will now seriously consider a 1080p/24 projector in the future!
Operation generally seems quicker than other HD players and anyway, is not really a problem for me.
Actually, the main reason I bought the Onkyo is that it does such a fantastic job upscaling my standard DVDs that I will gladly keep them, and not bother replacing hardly any of them, until the HD "format war" is resolved (So still keen to hear of any news on any SD Multi Region or firmware updates).
Apart from films, music DVDs like Billy Joel ' The Ultimate Collection' never looked so good and clean of artifacts! (can't imagine squeezing any more out of MPEG2) Nor sounded so real and just plain right!
Last but not least, CD replay is one of the best I have ever heard!
I should also add that apart from many CD DVD players over the years, my last DVD player was the Denon A11 (5900 in the US) which was pretty damn good and my son had an Arcam 135. Yet I have found that generally the 805 has a more dynamic ‘realistic’ replay with a wonderful sense of physical presence - vocals in particular - when using my slightly modified B&W 602 s3’s.
Only gripe is the fan noise which is always on but it’s not near enough under normal listening to annoy.
Was lucky enough to find this new on ebay from Italy at £380! Highly recommended - if you can find one.
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