I was searching high and low for this unit after comparing it with the new DVD 2500 and Sony 7700. IMO the DVD 3000 blows away the 2500 which is essentially a cut cost unit.Managed to get the premium black model with wood panelling and believe it
or not it is as good a transport as my Thata Basic when hooked to the Meridian 563 DAC.

Incredible, Im not sure whether to use it as a DVD player or transport now.

Excellent picture and sound, Built-in AC-3 Decoder, Component ouputs, DTS & Dolby Digital, auto shut-off

(Retail)Price, Locks up when warm intermittently, can't play CD's in Dolby Surround modes.

I was fortunate to find a floor model at my local United Audio, so instead of the $999 retail price, I paid $550. This is my first DVD player, so I have nothing to compare it to at home, but overall I've been pretty happy with this unit. I use the S-Video output since my TV doesn't have RGB inputs. I also like the built-in AC-3 Decoder as my Yamaha V-393 has Dolby Surround, but not Dolby Digital. The only time I've noticed a chapter forwarding pause is with dual-layer DVD's at the layer switch point. I have had a bit of difficulty with the player locking up/tiling after a few hours of continuous use. It seems to happen if I watch a DVD then view supplemental material like a director's commentary. If I power it down for a while (15-30 minutes)it usually works pretty well thereafter, but it's still an annoyance when it happens.

Overall, if you can find this unit at a reasonable price, I'd recommend it. I haven't read any other reviews that mention the locking up that I've experienced, so maybe it's an anomaly.

I use this unit with
Panasonic 27" Superflat TV
Yamaha V-393 A/V Receiver
Sony CDP-335 CD Player
B&O Beogram turntable
Technics Cassette Deck
Polk Audio 8T Mains
Polk Audio 4R Monitor Rear Surrounds
Polk Audio Center Speaker
Klipsch PSW-12 Subwoofer

Similar Products Used:

I auditioned some Yamaha units and a few Sonys

Not a good product due to lack of longevity.

broke just after 1yr of use

This is a follow up to my review below. The player broke about 3 months after the warrantee expired. My stereo guy spoke to Denon for me. First I was told they are going to fix it- then I was told they wouldn't- it seems that Denon folks somehow thought it was the 2nd time the player broke (a conditioned response I wonder?). Sooooo, my spin on the situation is they in effect told me I have to pay for the first fix, then they will pick up the next fix. Based on some other reviews here I think this problem is common enough to this player that Denon is trying to avoid starting down a slippery slope that should lead to a recall.

For what it is worth I no longer consider Denon to be a top quality company. I will never buy another Denon product despite the fact I am happy with my Denon AVR 3600- my logic being a company has to deliver and stand by ALL of it's products, not just pick and choose. I will tell all my friends about my experience with the company in attempt to dissuade them from buying Denon products, and I will ask them to pass the word.

If anyone else has had a simmilar experience with this machine please post a note here, maybe we will get enough folks involved that Denon will fix what I suspect is an unacceptable problem.

picture and sound, good for both cds and dvds, dd decoder inside

no pal/secam decoder, no euro-RGB output

One of the best units for the price. Great picture and clean sound. Replaced my old Sony CD-player. DD inside -- for my Dolby Digital ready Yamaha receiver.

Similar Products Used:

Denon DVD-2500