The next great hurdle for universal players is the acceptance of a standard for a digital audio output that will work with DVD-Audio and SACD, similar to the current digital audio output for DVD-Video. With such a direct digital connection, a digital processor would be able to keep the signal in the digital domain while it performs such vital functions as bass management and individual channel delays. Without it, buyers are usually restricted to using the player's analog audio outputs, together with its bass-management and speaker-placement setup program, if any. The Denon DVD-2900 does provide bass management for both DVD-Audio and SACD.

Several companies do have digital connections on their players for DVD-Audio and/or SACD. But receivers and surround processors compatible with these outputs are few, and to date the links work only with products from the same manufacturer, either because the digital connection is proprietary (Denon, only on its flagship $3500 DVD-9000 player in combination with the AVR-5803 receiver, and some models from Meridian) or because there is only one receiver in production that can accommodate it (Pioneer, with its DV-47Ai player and VSX-49TXi receiver).

What's needed is a standard, interoperable digital connection, but there is no apparent activity at present behind such a move, possibly because the record labels are strongly opposed to it due to piracy concerns. For the time being, the home-theater fan who is also interested in high-resolution audio formats is stuck with six analog outputs from the player, a digital output for DVD-Video sound, and the video leads (most often three, for component)—a total of 10 cables in all!—JB and TJN