AV Receiver Reviews

The Denon S-5BD combo Blu-ray player/AVR has no analog video inputs apart from an S-video input intended for iPod use. Therefore, none of our usual Analog tests are applicable here. In addition, all of the Denon’s video processing takes place in the Blu-ray section; there is no video processing through the separate HDMI inputs. The Scaling test, which is normally conducted with a 480p input, had to be performed here with a 480i source (patterns from an Avia Pro standard-definition 16:9 disc). Since it passed at 480i, we can safely assume that it would also have passed if the test had been available at 480p. We also checked an external 1080p source fed directly into one of the Denon’s HDMI inputs for Video Clipping, Luma Resolution, and Chroma Resolution, and the results were the same as shown in the chart.

The processing in the player, used in the Auto setting of its Progressive Mode control, is shown in the Digital line on the chart. The shortcomings shown will likely not be significant for most users with most sources. In any case, a possible alternative would be to set the Denon to Source Direct and let your HDTV do the video processing. Some recent HDTVs (see the review of the LG 47LX9500 in this issue) offer excellent video processing, but not all do.—TJN