Denon DN-500BD Professional Blu-ray Disc Player Overview

[HTKamikazee]

Here is one for those looking at the professional offerings from Denon. So if you are one of them, take a look at the DN-500BD Professional Blu-ray Disc Player.

The DN-500BD Blu-ray disc player is a compact high performance unit that offers a really impressive amount of performance and flexibility from slim chassis by providing a wide range of connection and control capabilities that are essential to the professional user. It is a true versatile player. But how versatile is this unit? - you might ask.

The DN-500BD will play virtually every Blu-Ray, DVD, and audio CD format, and almost everything you can throw at it. This unit supports BD-Video, BD-R, BD-RE, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, DVD+R, DVD+RW (Video mode, AVCHD format), DVD-R, DVD-RW (Video mode, AVCHD format) and Audio CD (CD-R, CD-RW). If this isn't enough, the DN-500BD offers even more versatility by having a front loading USB slot which delivers access to .MP3, .WAV, .FLAC, .MP4, .WMV, .JPG, .PNG, .GIF files, and more.

The Denon Professional DN-500BD was exhibited at Winter NAMM last January 22-25 and this is what they had to say about this piece:
“The Denon Professional DN-500BD combines no-compromise performance, wide-ranging connection and control capability, and compatibility with virtually every disc format there is,—all in a space-saving single rack space unit,” - Costa Lakoumentas (Senior VP at Denon Professional)

There you have it, folks. If you are in the market for a professional rack-ready unit, you might want to give the DN-500BD some consideration. For its price, it certainly looks like a good bargain.

Take a look at the following features for more details and let us know what you think!

FEATURES:

• Pro-grade Blu-Ray disc playback.
• Controllable with included remote, RS-232C or IP.
• Supports nearly all Blu-Ray, DVD, and audio CD formats.
• On Screen Display hiding mode eliminates unwanted status visuals.
• Discrete 7.1 analog surround sound outputs for simple connection to powered speakers or signal management devices.
• Front-loading USB slot for playback of image and audio files.
• Coaxial digital and balanced XLR audio outputs.
• Space saving 1RU chassis with removable rack ears.
• Panel lock and IR remote lock functions prevent unwanted or accidental operation.
• Power on Play button eliminates provides, simplified, ultra-fast start-up.
• OSD (On Screen Display) hiding mode eliminates unwanted disc status updates.
• Repeat mode offers an uninterrupted playback loop.
• Built-in LAN port allows users to optionally access additional content via BD Live.

Price: $399.99

 

[slipperybidness]

That looks like a heck of a player, especially at that price. If it just did SACD too, it would likely give the Oppo 103 a run for it's $!!!

 

[tyhjaarpa]

I also noticed the missing SACD out there. Would be really nice player to compete with Oppo 103 / Marantz UD5007 with its price. Tho I got my UD5007 for 400€ so would of been on same price range.

 

[slipperybidness]

I also noticed the missing SACD out there. Would be really nice player to compete with Oppo 103 / Marantz UD5007 with its price. Tho I got my UD5007 for 400€ so would of been on same price range.

Yup. Is SACD worth $100 to you?

If not, then saving $100 and buying this instead looks like a dang good option.

 

[HTKamikazee]

I noticed that too and I couldn't find any info when I made my search looking for an answer. I'm afraid it does not play SACD's. But for $399, it still looks like a good bargain.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

Yup. Is SACD worth $100 to you?

If not, then saving $100 and buying this instead looks like a dang good option.

For those who don't need SACD it is damn good option for sure. Tho I would like to see how this Denon unit compares for example in DVD upscaling for 103 and UD5007. I myself like that my universal player plays SACD as well even tho I don't have many SACD's yet, but will buy some more in future for sure!

 

[slipperybidness]

DVD upscaling just isn't a concern of mine anymore. My AVR can do it too. If I'm that worried about the pic on a DVD, then I've already replaced it with a BRD. There are some films that are "just as good" to me even if they are DVD quality.

What I'm most interested in on this one: Build quality / robustness, and I am curious how quiet/loud it is while spinning a disc.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

DVD upscaling just isn't a concern of mine anymore. My AVR can do it too. If I'm that worried about the pic on a DVD, then I've already replaced it with a BRD. There are some films that are "just as good" to me even if they are DVD quality.

What I'm most interested in on this one: Build quality / robustness, and I am curious how quiet/loud it is while spinning a disc.

Build quality and loudness are one main factors for me as well. As I don't want to hear the player while there is silent scenes in movies or silence in music tracks.

 

[slipperybidness]

Build quality and loudness are one main factors for me as well. As I don't want to hear the player while there is silent scenes in movies or silence in music tracks.

+1

I used to own an original XBOX 360. Dang, that thing was a jet engine when it spun up. That is, until I got the Red Ring of Death on it.

 

[swegyptian]

I think I want this unit. I have a stereo pre that only has XLR, and I want a single player for my stereo and surround systems. Any other BD with XLR starts at $1200, but would do SACD. I only have a few SACDs, and I certainly won't be getting any more of them. I'd rather have a way to feed BD into my two-channel, as it looks like BD audio is starting to be a thing...

I'm with you guys, as long as it doesn't make a bunch of noise, as some other commercial gear does, I'll be all over this one.

 

[swegyptian]

One more thought... What are the odds that this unit can be powered on and off with the remote? I'm not sure if this will be a big deal for me, as my two-channel amps need to be manually powered on and off, but it might be a bit annoying.

 

[Lee Moreno]

This may be a given, but does it provide hdmi out?

 

[swegyptian]

It sure does.

 

[Tunkika]

Hi!

Can you access high-res audio files stored on a DVD without having to use it's on-screen display just by navigating the controls on the player itself?

Thanks!