Denon DBT-1713UD Universal Audio/Video Player Preview

The race to bring you the most features in your devices is on. Between phones that are smarter than you, TVs that will tell you the weather while blue people dance across the screen in 3D, and Netflix invading everything that comes with an Ethernet port, streaming is the new hot thing. What hasn't exactly been figured out yet is where these streaming features will be best utilized. Is in your phone being wirelessly (or wired) streamed to your speakers/home theater? Is in your display being sent to your home theater via Audio Return Channel? Is it at the receiver - the undisputed hub of your home theater? Or is it where you normally expect to find your content: at your source device.

Denon may be adding streaming to every receiver in their line (nearly) but they haven't forgotten about their Blu-ray players. The new DBT-1713UD Universal Blu-ray Player is the most fully-featured source device out of the company to date. Not only have they focused on streaming but they've included some features that you have never seen in a Blu-ray player plus lots of "ease of use" touches.

To start with, Denon has made sure that the DBT-1713UD is as user friendly as possible. They've included a newly designed silent-loading BD transport mechanism that features a 2.5 second start up/response time. The DBT-1713UD is 20% faster than previous models. Denon has included an easy-to-use Multi language GUI and CD-ROM interactive manual. The remote (which can also control your Denon receiver if you wish) features streaming-specific buttons for Netflix, Vudu, and YouTube. It can also be controlled via Denon's Remote App for those with compatible smartphones. 

Streaming isn't limited to Netflix, Vudu, and YouTube, however. Hulu Plus is supported (though it doesn't get its own button) and just about every disc format (including Blu-ray, DVD, CD, DVD-A, and SACD) are supported. There is a front-mounted USB port for streaming video, pictures, or music (AVI, WMV, JPEG, SivX, MPEG, AAC, FLAC, WMA, MP3, WAV, and more are supported). The DBT-1713UD is DNLA 1.5 certified for local streaming off of compatible computers or drives.

Glancing at the back of the DBT-1713UD, there is the expected HDMI output for full 3D and 1080p/24 video output. HDMI source direct mode is available to output the native resolution of the disc (important for those that want to use an external scaler). The remote in and out are useful for custom installers or those looking to integrate the DBT-1713UD into a universal remote system. Lastly, there is a dedicated two channel output for a second zone of audio. No word on the quality or make of DACs used at these RCA outputs.

Conclusion

The Denon DBT-1713UD has just about everything you'd want in a Universal Player. It can play just about every 5" disc format on the market (and some that have all but died out). The USB port allows direct streaming of most of the popular video, image, and music formats. DNLA 1.5 certification allows access to networked content and just about all the popular video streaming sources are not only available, but have their own button on the remote. While $500 isn't cheap for a Blu-ray player, it isn't bad considering all the features you are getting. We expect this player to do pretty well... especially with Denon fans.

For more information, please visit www.denon.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.