Onkyo is by far the most prolific manufacturers in the market. according to us. However, their products are largely in the AV Receiver domain which is why we had to sit up straight to welcome their DV-SP405 DVD player. Hell, its sheer bulk demanded it.

OUT OF THE BOX:-
We wouldn't go so far as to call the SP405 bulky or fat. because its weight just isn't that much. A light weight boxer would probably be more apt. Its thicker than most DVD players we've had a chance to look at this month and its mid-range Rs 15,000 price-tag justifies that. But this thickness is all just an aesthetic thing; it's dotted with several little ports, dials and buttons that lend it that Onkyo touch. At the same time there aren't so many either that it looks overcrowded.

TECHNOLOGY:-
Onkyo has let a lot of its AV receiver features rub off on this player. Features such as Audio DRC (Dynamic Range Control) were present for bringing the levels of the dialogues and effects to a constant level so that the quiet parts don't get lost out during night viewing. It can be set to 'High', 'Medium' and 'Low' or 'Off (default)' and is only applicable for Dolby Digital audio streams and not stereo or DTS streams. Another handy feature taken right off the receivers is the 'Virtual Surround', a neo-like feature that takes stereo audio from your CD players or your DivX movies and make a surround environment with them through your two speakers. By placing the USB port on the front panel, Onkyo has greatly increased this player'S accessibility making it all the more user-friendly. It can really become a pain having to go around your entertainment cupboard just to get to your player'S rear panel so you can plug in your pen-drive. True to its market segment, the SP405 is HDMI compatible, boasting true-HD up-scaling to 1080p.

REMOTE CONTROL:-
A refreshing change that this remote brings to Onkyo's stable. And thank god for that (no offence to Onkyo receivers). Its hard plastic body with a greyish gold finished top panel brings to the table a touch of classical, while the small and hard buttons lend themselves to a classy look. There's plenty of space between the buttons making pressing and finding in the dark a lot less cumbersome. These guys have really understood remote ergonomics.

PERFORMANCE:-
We love HDMI! No need for low quality RCA cables, no need for another RCA for the digital audio stream, just one single cable for everything! It took about a minute
to get the player set-up and the first disc, 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa', spinning. Now, we've heard of authority over a disc that a player exercises but this was something else. From the sturdiness of the disc tray we should've figured out that the SP405 wasn't going to take no for an answer. It flawlessly rendered the 'haveli' in Banaras that this film was set in, adding a spark to the already sparky 5.1 soundtrack.

The lighting of this film, from what we remember after a theatre viewing, was rather sharp but this player brought about a sense of softness, making the images a lot less harsh and easier on the eyes. But don't get us wrong, the colours weren't compromised; they were lush and vivid, be it in the schizophrenic sequences of
the main character or by the river Ganga during the praying ceremony. We let the player have a go at 'Fantastic Four: The Rise Of The Silver Surfer' only to get hit by a massive wave of fast-moving streaks of perfect DVD viewing. Even if we managed to get the Formula 1 races on DVD and were to zoom into the cars whizzing through the turns, this player would probably not show any signs of jitter. Like we said, authority like we'd never seen.

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CONCLUSION:-
The DV-SP405 could easily have been upped to the Rs 25,000 range and it would still sell like hot cakes. However, being that it comes from the modest Onkyo, they want the public to get a taste of high-definition at an affordable price. Plus, you'd need to equip it with SACD and DVD-Audio readability. Nevertheless, if you've got a salary anywhere near the price of this player, we suggest you let the rent and your electricity bill slide for a month and get yourself this player. It's worth it!