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DVD-5000
WorldÕs First THX Ultra DVD Player
The DVD-5000 is a reference-class DVD video player featuring DenonÕs latest digital technology known as AL24 Processing which
produces the ultimate analog waveform fidelity to suit next-generation media. In order for AL24 Processing to perform at its maximum
potential, the DVD-5000 also incorporates a 4-DAC 24-bit D/A converter section which supports up to 96 kHz sampling.
With the Denon DVD-5000, the audiophile becomes enveloped in a digital sound of an order they have never experienced before. The
DVD-5000 is further equipped with HDCD decoding that has been combined with DenonÕs digital technology to bring out the highest
quality in sound that is possible with HDCD-encoded CDs. The DVD-5000 passes the strict THX Ultra specifications by Lucasfilm Inc.,
that have been established for best possible picture quality, audiophile sound quality and ease of operation.
nNewly-developed AL24 Processing
AL24 Processing has inherited the technology of the original ALPHA
Processing that was used in DenonÕs highly-successful S1 series of ref-
erence-class audio components. AL24 Processing further reduces quan-
tization distortion and represents the ultimate analog waveform repro-
duction technology designed to support the higher numbers of bits and
higher sampling rate of next-generation media.
AL24 Processing senses the nature of the digital data being input and interpolates the data so
that it faithfully replicates the original analog waveform. AL24 Processing supports not only 16-bit
digital data, but also 18-, 20- and 24-bit data, as well as input data with a sampling frequency of
up to 96 kHz.
nMultiple 24-bit, 96 kHz D/A Converter
The DVD-5000 uses a 4-DAC 24-bit, 96 kHz sampling D/A
converter system in order to convert high-quality 24-bit data
obtained from AL24 processing with utmost fidelity.
This design achieves a signal-to-noise (S/ N)
ratio of 118 dB and a
dynamic range of 108 dB
to bring out the beautiful
sound of high-bit, high-sampling
technology.
nTHX Ultra Certified
Lucasfilm, Inc. has unveiled the new THX Ultra standards for DVD players in order to recreate
the exciting realism of the movie theater in oneÕs own home. The DVD-5000 DVD player from Denon
has passed those stringent standards, and is now being offered to home theater enthusiasts
throughout the world.
The THX Ultra standards comprise three basic categories of tests: Audio Quality, Video Quality
and User Interface. These tests ensure that the DVD player is fully capable of bringing the best visu-
al and sonic quality out of your favorite DVD programs.
nHigh-speed, Precision 10-bit, 27 MHz Video D/A Converter
The highly accurate video decoder processes the DVD video data (the component luminance and
color difference signals). In order to output this high-quality digital signal with its original purity still
preserved, the DVD-5000 employs a high-speed, high-precision 10-bit, 27 MHz video D/A converter.
This design improves the reproducibility of extremely minute details so that the picture viewed on the
screen is completely faithful to the original image in both its colors and high resolution.
nHDCD Decoder
HDCD technology represents encoding and decoding that drastically
reduces digital recording distortion while retaining compatibility with the
existing CD format. HDCD uses Peak Extension and Low-level Extension tech-
nology to convert 24-bit data to the 16-bit data format of existing CDs with-
out sacrificing the high quality of 24-bit sound. This technology prevents the
sound from becoming distorted during peak periods, and boosts the low-level
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signals to improve the S/ N ratio for a substantially richer dynamic range.
Since the DVD-5000 is equipped with an HDCD decoder, the
Peak Extension and Low-level Extension features are accessed
and combined with DenonÕs own 96 kHz, 24-bit 4-DAC
system to fulfill the maximum potential of HDCD's
remarkable sound quality.
The DVD-5000 also automatically senses
the type of disc that has been loaded
(ordinary CD, DVD disc, or HDCD), then
processes the signals based on the type
of disc detected.
nIndependent D/A Converter
The DVD-5000 can also be used as a D /A converter. The
front panel Source switch directs the digital input signals coming in
through one of the two digital input terminals (optical or coaxial) so that it
passes through the unitÕs AL24 Processor and D/A converter for output as a clean,
highly accurate analog signal.
nColor Component Video Output
The DVD-5000 is equipped with a color component signal video output capability that faithfully
outputs the analog signals resulting from direct and high-precision D /A conversion of the Y, Cb and
Cr signals recorded on DVD. ÒSÓ and composite video outputs are also provided (2 of each).
n Vibration-resistant Construction
The DVD-5000 protects the DVD and the transport mechanism
from unwanted vibrations using a centrally located holder with low
center of gravity firmly secured with mechanism brackets to the
unitÕs highly rigid, copper-plated chassis. This mechanism is further
isolated from the digital, video and audio circuits which have each
been mounted on their own copper-plated board so that the circuits can be thoroughly protected
from mutual interference and vibrations. The overall chassis of the DVD-5000 is constructed of a
15mm thick aluminum front panel, a double-layered top cover and a quadruple-layered bottom
chassis assembly. All these parts have been secured with vibration-absorbent sintered alloy insula-
tors to produce a construction that is totally protected from both internal and external vibrations.
n Easy-to-use Graphical User Interface (GUI)
n Parts Strictly Selected for Sound Quality
Three sepa-
rate transform-
ers have been
employed for the
audio, video, and
control sections. Transformers specially constructed with vibration-
resistant materials are used in the audio and video sections. In addition,
the same strictly-selected parts whose performance has proven to be reliable
during the development of DenonÕs S1 series of audio components -- such as the
removable ultra-thick AC power cord; very low ESR electrolytic capacitors, film
capacitors and carbon resistors designed for high sound quality; and the high speed
operational amplifiers selected for highest sound quality -- have gone into the DVD-5000.
n High-performance Pickup and Digital Servo Technology
In order to read the maximum 8.5 gigabytes of data that can be record-
ed on one side of a DVD, the DVD-5000 uses a self-excited oscillator type
red laser with a wavelength of 650nm to ensure stable, low-noise perfor-
mance. In addition, the pickup lens used with this laser employs an integral
molding hologram that enables DVD and CD program sources to be read by
the same pickup. As a result, the DVD-5000 features the shortest possible
signal paths, a simplified construction and superior reliability.
nGold-plated Audio and Video Terminals
nDigital Theater Systems (DTS) Compatible Digital Output
nEasy-to-use Remote Control with Backlit Keys
nExpanding to Input Signal Bit Length of 24 Bits
While the original ALPHA Processing system generated four lower bits of data for the 16-bit input data
to obtain data of 20-bit quality, the new AL24 Processing uses two calculating circuits in its lower data
generation section to generate eight bits, to which the upper 16 bits of data is then added, producing an
output signal of 24-bit quality (Figure 1).
First of all, the data reproduced from a CD is input Òas isÓ in its 16-bit staircase form to the ALPHA
processor, as shown in waveform (A) of Fig. 2. The processor then extrudes the rate of change in 1 LSB,
whether positive or negative, from the portions of waveform (A) where a change in the data has occurred
and produces waveform (B).
Next, the ALPHA processor uses its lower-
order bit data generator to produce data for
the four lower-order bits, 17-24, that should
normally exist below the 16 bits as shown in
waveform (C). The result is waveform (D),
where lower-order bit data for each 1/16 LSB
point of change is generated.
Finally, the higher-order bits of waveform
(A) are added to waveform (D), producing
the synthesized waveform shown in wave-
form (E). This waveform reflects the smooth
24-bit oversampled data that is reproduced
with superb audio clarity.
Fig.1: AL24 Processor Block Diagram Fig.2: How AL24 Processing Works on Audio Signals
A. Data generated at higher-order bits (1-16)
B. Extruded rate of changeD.Data added to lower-order bits
E. Total of all data
C. Data generated at lower-order bits (17-24)
Impulse Response
Conventional AL24 Processing
Conventional AL24 Processing
Square Wave
ALPHA Processing and AL24 Processing
