Billed by Onkyo as a “format-irrelevant reference player” the DV-SP800 will let most users cut down on the amount of gear in their systems yet expand the number of discs they can listen to. The THX-Ultra certified progressive-scan DV-SP800 is the company’s top-of-the-line DVD player and has a suggested retail price of $1,000.

The DVD-SP800 features Analog Devices’ NSV Precision Video 108 MHz/12-bit video D/A converters for the high quality picture reproduction. Its progressive scan component video outputs take full advantage of HDTV monitor capabilities, and 3:2 pulldown circuitry removes video artifacts that can result from converting images shot on film to video displays.

For audio reproduction, the DV-SP800 features high quality 192kHz/24-bit D/A converters, and Onkyo's Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry (VLSC) to remove unwanted pulse noise for a smoother analog output signal. The player features onboard DTS and Dolby Digital processing, as well as digital audio outputs for use with external processors. Onkyo's exclusive Direct-Digital Path preserves signal integrity, bypassing redundant processing on signals to the coaxial and optical digital outputs. For reproduction of audio-only signals, the player's video circuit can be switched off to deliver the purest audio output to either the digital, or 5.1 analog RCA outputs.