Marantz Ud9004 Review: A High-End Universal Blu-ray Player
The Ud9004 is one of those rare Universal Blu-ray Players, capable of playing back Blu-ray, Dvd, Cd, Hi-resolution Sacd and Dvd-Audio. This high-end Blu-ray Player from Marantz is their flagship model. Loaded with video and audio features, and hi-tech circuitry, the Ud9004 provides exquisite images and sound. Audiophiles will indeed take observation of this impressive Blu-ray device.
Similar to other Marantz higher-end devices, the Ud9004 has a durable build, but with a touch of elegance as well. Using a brush metal design, it is composed of aluminum and it the largest player in Marantz lineup. Settled on the left is the power button and standby light. The rest of the operating buttons can be found in the town of the player. Along with the disc loading tray and facts display screen. Below the display screen is a panel that can be lowered to tell more operate buttons, such as Hdmi Mode, Pure Direct and Sound Mode. The Sd Card Slot is also Settled here. The comprehensive compose is a very good one; creating a solid, indeed to use player.
Video Quality: In terms of video connections, Marantz has in case,granted a lot of options. There are dual Hdmi Outputs, Component Video Outputs, S-Video production and Composite Video Outputs. The dual Hdmi outputs are very convenient. It allows you to connect two video displays at one time, or you can detach the A/V signal and have one going to a video display, while the other Hdmi cable is going to an A/V receiver. Like all Blu-ray Players, having a Hdmi association will produce the best capability image, in the form of 1080p video resolution. The Ud9004 can cope both 1080p/60 and 1080p/24 production resolutions.
The Ud9004 utilizes a Silicon Optix Realta Hqv (Hollywood capability Video) video processing chip to produce spectacular images. The Source Direct mode is used to production the native resolution from all discs. For Component Video Output, the player supports a 14bit/297-Mhz Video Dac. Straight through the menu setup you can access A/V lip sync, noise reduction, brightness, contrast, gamma, Vertical Stretch mode, chroma, sharpness, and much more.
Audio Quality: Like the video connection, you are given many options for connecting the audio. Along with the Hdmi Outputs, you have Digital Audio Outputs (Optical, Coaxial) and Analog Outputs (both 2-ch and 7.1-ch). The audio Dacs for the Ud9004 is 192 kHz/32-bit Audio Dac Ak4399 for all channels. Hi-resolution audio formats, Dolby TrueHd and Dts-Hd expert Audio, can be decoded by the player or can be sent in its native bitstream form to an A/V receiver to decode. Having 7.1 analog outputs are great for those with older A/V receivers without a Hdmi input. By providing all these audio connections, Marantz makes sure you do not miss out on experiencing the striking hi-def surround sound.
Marantz is one of the leaders when it comes to high-resolution audio from source like Sacd and Dvd-Audio. These formats can be used either by a Hdmi association or by the analog outputs. Other audio features comprise Dpliix surround modes, Dts Neo:6, level, distance, and crossover frequency. The player is equipped with Pure Direct mode. This will close off unnecessary video circuitry to get a higher-level audio performance.
While the Ud9004 does not have any Online Streaming Media Services, it does have an Ethernet Port for internet access. And being a Profile 2.0 player it can cope Bd-Live article found on some Blu-ray discs. As well as indeed downloading and updating firmware. There is slight on board memory, so a Sd Card is required if you want to download article from the Bd-Live function.
The following formats are supported by the Ud9004: Bd, Dvd, Dvd-Audio, Sacd, Cd audio, Avchd, Wav, Wma, Mp3, Aac, Jpeg, and Divx. If you have data stored on a Sd Card and want to play it back using the Ud9004, it has to be either a Jpeg, Wav, Wma, Mp3, Divx or Aac file. Last, but indeed not lest, the Ud9004 player has a Rs-232 remote operate port and Ir in/out ports.
Overall the Marantz Ud9004 is an exceptional universal Blu-ray Player. Solidly built with the finest capability circuity that will supply you with the best potential images and sounds no matter what you are playing back.
The Pros: The Marantz Ud9004 has exquisite video capability that supports 1080p/24 playback of Blu-ray Discs. It has the unique feature of dual Hdmi outputs allowing you to send the A/V signal to two different displays or different audio and video signals. Being a universal Blu-ray Player it can cope playback of Sacd, Dvd-Audio, Avchd, Jpeg, Mp3, Wma, Aac, Wav, and Divx. It has internal audio decoding of Dolby TrueHd and Dts-Hd expert Audio and can replacement these audio formats in bitstream form over Hdmi. The player comes equipped with 7.1-channel analog audio outputs for older non-Hdmi A/V receivers. Has balanced stereo audio outputs. The Ud9004 player has a Silicon Optix Realta Hqv processing chip that improves Dvd up-scaling to a near exquisite Hd level. It has a Source Direct mode to production the native resolution from all discs. Finally it has Rs-232 and Ir ports and an exceptionally strong build quality.
The Cons: This high-end Blu-ray Player does not have any Online Streaming Media Services. It does have an Ethernet Port to connect to the internet, any way no wireless option. On board memory is very slight (only 1Mb of internal memory). A Sd Card will be needed for downloading Bd-Live content. The Ud9004 Blu-ray Player lacks Usb Ports. Very costly, even for a High-end player.
The Final Word: The Marantz Ud9004 has a price list of 99.99. With that kind of price tag, this Blu-ray Player is clearly marketed for the high-end Audio/Video enthusiast. Those finding to use the Ud9004 as their vital playback unit for both High Definition video and High Resolution Audio. comprehensive it is quite an phenomenal Blu-ray Player, that can cope any type of Discs you throw at it, with optimal performance.
Price you should look for when purchasing - 99.99
