I honestly didn't know. I have a couple of concert DVD's that in the setup menu ask if you want DTS or DD and I never knew which one would sound best. I guess if I can't tell the difference than I am none the wiser. :))

After reading this thread... I picked up an LG 3510A (mainly for the OTA HD receiver) at CC last Friday for the Falcons playoff party we had... OMG! My lowly Sony VPL-W400Q pj never looked so good. I've never run 1080i through it before. I'm using component out only to my pj. I have no way to test DVI.

The OTA tuner in this thing is great. My theater is in our basement and I picked up all the Atlanta digital OTA channels with just an RS double bow-tie antenna... in the basement next to my gear rack! My theater happens to be in the corner of the house facing the antenna farm. By comparison, I have a CM4228 with an amp in the attic hooked up to my RCA F38310 (old DTC-100 built in) and I can barely get all channels.... CBS-DT is especially bad. The 3510A locked right up to it.

I played one DVD so far. At first it wouldn't pass a 1080i signal, after powering it down and back up, it worked. :D

I just picked up a floor sample 3510 at a local Best Buy, basically because I wanted to test it out in comparison to my Denon 1910 player. The Denon suffers from annoying Faroudja-caused macroblocking as many of you may know... so I was hoping that since LG unit does not use Faroudja, maybe the macroblocking would not be an issue with it. Sadly, it appears even WORSE with the LG. Particularly @ 720p over DVI. The opening scene of Star Wars, after the opening crawl dissappears and right before the ships appear is AWFUL. Lots of splotches of black moving around in the starfield (for some reason they are darker than the starfield, which doesn't make sense to me if my PJ is calibrated-- black should be black).

If you watch at 480p and let your monitor do the scaling this won't happen.

If you have a decent digital monitor, it likely has a better scaler anyway.

Originally posted by mortgagepanic
I just picked up a floor sample 3510 at a local Best Buy, basically because I wanted to test it out in comparison to my Denon 1910 player. The Denon suffers from annoying Faroudja-caused macroblocking as many of you may know... so I was hoping that since LG unit does not use Faroudja, maybe the macroblocking would not be an issue with it. Sadly, it appears even WORSE with the LG. Particularly @ 720p over DVI. The opening scene of Star Wars, after the opening crawl dissappears and right before the ships appear is AWFUL. Lots of splotches of black moving around in the starfield (for some reason they are darker than the starfield, which doesn't make sense to me if my PJ is calibrated-- black should be black).

that's really weird. i have a LST-3510 and a zenith dvb318. the dvb318 is macroblocking hell while i've never noticed any with the LST-3510.

I purchased an LG3510A at Best Buy yesterday ($399), though actually I think CC has it for $349 with a $50 mail in rebate).

I have a HLN4365W with a single DVI input.

I tested the HD Tuner. After a little aggravation, I was able to get it to recognize 30 OTA channels in the SF Bay Area and display those through DVI.

However, I turned around and tried to play a DVD through the DVI port and it gave me the HDCP error message. I tried it with a couple of DVDs. The same thing.

Here's where it gets funny. I called LG support asking them if there was anything they could do about the problem. (Knowing that perhaps an update of firmware was available.) Here's the response I got:

The LST-3510A will not upconvert a copyprotected DVD through DVI or otehrwise. Copyrighted DVDs can only be displayed at 480p.

end of line.

Knowing that all competing models, Panasonic, Samsung, V, Inc., Sony, etc. all upconvert and knowing that in essence is why HDCP exists in the 1st place, it's a little baffling.

The impression I now have is that LG is just trying to clear out inventory of this model and hoping that a certan percentage of consumers will keep them, as they will not know the difference.

I'll return my box to Best Buy and not likely consider a LG product again.

Just a warning for those who obtain a version of the box that doesn't have updated firmware and want to upconvert DVDs on DVI.

Good honest customer support is something I'm really starting to appreciate.

sjyang

you probably got a clueless CSR. Call back and ask again. I have made MANY calls to LG about HDCP errors :( I am finding less errors with newer DVDs which might mean that LG player is doing everything properly and that the earliery DVDs are are not properly encoded.

i agree, the CSR is clueless. my LST3510a upconverts every DVD I've ever thrown at it to 1080i over DVI.

Thanks for the quick replies. I will tell you that the HDTuner is actually better than the Samsung HDTuner I have. It's hard to get 1/2 of what you're looking for.

Oh. I actually did talk to her supervisor and got the same response.

Originally posted by sjyang
Oh. I actually did talk to her supervisor and got the same response.

They are probably losing too much money updating people's firmware. I will think twice about buying a LG product in the future as well.

What number did you call, I had success calling 877-993-6484.

I called the number off of the website. Is that number another CS line?

My Feb, 2004 Mfg date LST-3510A I bought from BB springtime last year plays any studio DVD i throw at it, outputs DVI @ 1080i without a hitch since day one. I have it connected to an NEC 42XM2A/S plasma and the picture is nothing short of stunning. I saw Aladdin on ABC a couple weeks ago and it was jaw-dropping (1080i on DVI). I think your problem is:

[1] Generic responses from CSR, happens everyday everywhere.
[2] HDCP protocol is implemented by 2 peices of hardware that are made @ 2 different facilities to different standards and designs. If you have the smallest error in the handshake (timeout, etc.) you will not have quasi-HDdvd.

My LG stays on 99% of the time. I turn the plasma on/off everyday. That could be the sequence you may need to duplicate for the HDCP handshake.

I have nothing but good things to say about LG CSR when I called them about my problems playing home-recorded DVD-R. They were clear and said the set can only play well-matched DVD-R (not +R) discs. After alot of my trials-and-errors, well matched means, Maxell DVD-R x4, recorded by DVD-Decrypter @ x2. Nothing else I tried worked, Nero, Sonic, x4, other brand DVD-R/+R.

Happy owner of the 3510. YMMV.

I tried memorex dvd+rw 2.4x speed worked fine but my ridata 4x didn't work along with another 8x dvd i burn using DVD Shrink freeware. My player was able to play all disc at 1080i using both component and DVI but the dvi was much better for both hdtv and dvd, my cable was a regular dvi to hdmi on a 34 inch Panny crt. Hope this helps cause you guys helped me!! thanks all.

I just picked up a floor sample 3510 at a local Best Buy, basically because I wanted to test it out in comparison to my Denon 1910 player. The Denon suffers from annoying Faroudja-caused macroblocking as many of you may know... so I was hoping that since LG unit does not use Faroudja, maybe the macroblocking would not be an issue with it. Sadly, it appears even WORSE with the LG. Particularly @ 720p over DVI. The opening scene of Star Wars, after the opening crawl dissappears and right before the ships appear is AWFUL. Lots of splotches of black moving around in the starfield (for some reason they are darker than the starfield, which doesn't make sense to me if my PJ is calibrated-- black should be black).


Just purchased this unit NEW at best buy for $250 +10% off. Hooked up t samsung HLN-samsung via DVI no problems upscaling-reseting-hdcp etc. Had the same problem as you until I realized the brightness was set too high. Picture via DVI is very good so far hope someone else gives it a shot and puts some feedback.

If you set the 3510a to 480p and allow the display to do the scaling it won't macroblock. Your display likely has at least an equivalent scaler (probably better).

If you set the 3510a to 480p and allow the display to do the scaling it won't macroblock. Your display likely has at least an equivalent scaler (probably better).


Ill try it either way the picture via DVI is superior in comparison to component on this Samsung DLP. Component looks blurry and the DVI looks sharper cleaner and more vivid. Easy to tell the difference. Only artifact I get on standard 4:3 aspect ratio I see some horizontal lines when objects are in fast motion - this happens at randon from time to time. Superbit titles, Finding Nemo, Star Wars II all look excellent.. Will continue to test but still no reverting to 480p or any of the previous issues from earlier posts.

480p/480i via DVI still gives you an all digital path and the TV does the scaling which is probably superior.

480p/480i via DVI still gives you an all digital path and the TV does the scaling which is probably superior.

The problem with this is that the DVI input only allows two settings wide TV and PC none of which can be scaled. So the 720p out is the best and only choice. The Samsung is a good match since it has no tuner and the DVI connection is super sharp and cleaner. Very much like having DNie sharpness but without all the noise crap. I tested against a DVD841 Samsung, and a Sony NC80V changer which will now be used only for SACD playback.

Would still like to know what the horizontal lines artifacts are when objects are in motion during 4:3 DVD playback - no big deal but just wondering. Anyway, DTS was flawless during Fifth Element Superbit and picture was one of the best I have seen. Tuner picked up all local HD channels.

The problem with this is that the DVI input only allows two settings wide TV and PC none of which can be scaled. .

Scaling refers to the display converting the 480p signal to its native resolution which in this case is 720p for your Samsung. Are you saying you can't adjust the aspect ratio?

Be sure you are selecting 480p resolution on the LG. You'll have to select it on the frontpanel by selecting DVI, then either 480p or "native".

Scaling refers to the display converting the 480p signal to its native resolution which in this case is 720p for your Samsung. Are you saying you can't adjust the aspect ratio?

Be sure you are selecting 480p resolution on the LG. You'll have to select it on the frontpanel by selecting DVI, then either 480p or "native".

Not thru DVI. Only component.

Many displays will give you few or no options for adjusting aspect ratio when fed 720p or 1080i signals. You should have adjustment through the 3510a though.

I've never been able to tell any difference between component and DVI.
The problem with DVI is there's no standard (like HDMI has). Some of the Samsung DLP's are a mismatch for the 3510a (different gray scale, non-HDCP compliant) if I remember correctly as their DVI is designed for PC.

Many displays will give you few or no options for adjusting aspect ratio when fed 720p or 1080i signals. You should have adjustment through the 3510a though.

I've never been able to tell any difference between component and DVI.
The problem with DVI is there's no standard (like HDMI has). Some of the Samsung DLP's are a mismatch for the 3510a (different gray scale, non-HDCP compliant) if I remember correctly as their DVI is designed for PC.


A good test is the Fifth Element scene when the plane lands on the floating cruise ship at 1:21:22 Hr/Min/sec. The detail on the rear or right hand side of the ship has alot of windows and small features etc. I tested my PC via DVI and the picture was better than component without DNie (softens the picture) and component with DNie (noisy). The LG via DVI still was able to offer both a cleaner and sharper picture than the PC (AMD64, 1GB, Nvidia 7800GT). Was not even close the LG is putting out the best picture I have ever seen from a sub $300 DVD player as I stated before. The manufacturing date says 2005 so maybe the previous problems could have been related to an older firmware issue..

Out of the box the brightness was way to high ion the LG so the TV had to be dimmed and a good way to do this is to place the LG image on normal centered on the Samsung screen then match the letterbox black level to that of the frame around the centered image. I know I am repeating myself but am so far excited with results. Still evaluating the LG with more DVDs Nemo, Fifth Element, Star Wars all look excellent. And still having no audio issues DTS ok or reseting of 720p etc. HLN-5065W purchased at Sams for $1499 and LG player with HDTV tuner at Best Buy for $250 - 10% off.

Before I push the wrong button, can anyone tell my what is meant by "Factory Reset" on the LST-3510A's service menu? I'm talking about the menu that shows firmware version.

Only one word can describe the DVD capabilities of the 3510A: Crap! Build date of Feb 2005, and I picked one up today at CC... was their last one. Anyway, 2 problems:

1. Will not play burned DVDs (DVD+R)... plays for a few seconds to a minute, then jumps ahead a chapter, or sometimes jumps ahead 10-20 seconds. Plays store-bought DVDs fine.

2. Noisy. I can hear this thing when seated 14 feet away from it... my Sony 875 5-DVD changer is ultra quiet, so maybe I am spoiled.

This one is going back to CC.

-T

I just bought this from RefurbKing, LG's reseller, well all is ok, looks like new, but i cannot adjust any output than 480i, i have a ED LCD thats does at least 480p and it wont adjust to it!!
Maybe thats the reason it was returned?
Or is it that it detect's my LCD wont display it?

Just wanted everyone to know that Lg emailed me and confirmed what I already had figured out that the chip is a faroudja 2310 chip for scaling and deinterlacing.

Well I have to tell you my experience with the LG310a has been mixed. The HD tuner via DVI output to HDMI input on my new Sony HD monitor has been great....but the unit won't play DVD's at any resolution through the DVI output to my Sony. Error message: ...can't play on DVI monitor without HDCP! I tried unplugging....re setting...exchanging the unit...in home Sony servicing for monitor, and the bottom line is....no one can tell me what the problem is. LG says it's Sony....Sony says it's LG! The unit will only play DVDs throught component video output. Go fiqure and good luck with this unit!

Sorry to resurrect such an old thread, but there was so much valuable information in this thread already except for my question:

Has anyone done a side by side comparison with this player and the Momitsu? Both can upconvert. Just wondering.....
Thanks

Via component this is better. Via DVI, Momitsu is better due to custom resolution ability to map out your fixed display resolution (ie., 1366X768, 1024X768, 800X600, etc.). Durability, this is better as Momitsu has ****** QC and poor loader. Most ended up replacing with $30 DVD LiteON drive.

I've got a Momitsu but have never really gotten the whole custom resolution thing. I know that's for another thread.... Are the internal chips the same?

I guess that I still don't understand LG's wisdom. The LST-3510A will let you view true HD broadcasts in 1080i, via the RGBHV outputs, but it still won't let you view a regular old 480i DVD, using upscaling to view fake HD in 1080i. OOOOH...fake 1080"I", when 1080i is already old hat. Still, we can view 1080P movies on new HD-DVD gear. Can someone, please, explain the logic in that? Come on, LG, cough it up already on letting us watch outdated, fake 1080i DVD's, via RGBHV, on our LST-3510A's. It's just a video effect for heavens sake! What's so wrong with some video Bondo?