Jeez, no reason to get your feathers ruffled. Besides, this thread isn't about what display technology is better. Maybe we should just drop it.

Mark

Just havng some fun. Gets a bit boring here at the 2910 lovefest sometimes . . .

:D

Yeah, we did get way off with plasmas...

Question: Any secret menus, tweaks, hacks, out there?

Another: Best way to reduce MB on your set-up that you have discovered? :)

Another: Best way to reduce MB on your set-up that you have discovered?

Yeah, lets go with this topic. :) Has anyone noticed if the new firmware version A has any effecto on MB?

I didn't see much diff with MB when I changed to firmware 'A'. As noted above, when I changed the output of the 2910 from 720p to 1080i (both via HDMI) I saw a dramatic decrease in MB.

Is there any way to zoom or strech 4x3 picture? I used to zoom 4x3 picture with my HS51 projector but since Id have to use HDMI I will not be able to adjust wide mode on my projector.

I didn't see much diff with MB when I changed to firmware 'A'. As noted above, when I changed the output of the 2910 from 720p to 1080i (both via HDMI) I saw a dramatic decrease in MB.

So, no help with the MB, did you notice any improvement in any other areal with the firmware A?

OK people, need some advice. Got a 2910/2805 combo and have 2 Questions:

[1] On the Remote is the CALL button that the manual states "Press this to check the program contents" - can someone explain what it's used for ???

[2] SACD Filter 50KHz (Factory Default) but can be set to 100Khz - currently it's set at the default, but the 2805 can take 100Khz through its Ext.In connections. Is there any benefit in setting it to 100Khz vs 50Khz seeing as the 2805 can only output upto 20Khz ??

So, no help with the MB, did you notice any improvement in any other areal with the firmware A?

I find the 2910 to have an incredibly beautiful picture, the only problem is some degree of macroblocking, which seems to be very dependent on the display. With my Sammy dlp I did have significant MB on some dvd's (e.g., Master & Commander, my benchmark for MB). I had always had my 2910 set to output 720p (via HDMI) since my display is a 720p machine, but when I changed the output of the 2910 to be 1080i, the MB almost totally went away--even on those demanding scenes in M & C, and the PQ remains outstanding. I can give no rational explanation for this, but it is a dramatic difference.

I find the 2910 to have an incredibly beautiful picture, the only problem is some degree of macroblocking, which seems to be very dependent on the display. With my Sammy dlp I did have significant MB on some dvd's (e.g., Master & Commander, my benchmark for MB). I had always had my 2910 set to output 720p (via HDMI) since my display is a 720p machine, but when I changed the output of the 2910 to be 1080i, the MB almost totally went away--even on those demanding scenes in M & C, and the PQ remains outstanding. I can give no rational explanation for this, but it is a dramatic difference.


Wow! That is strange. I too have a Sammy dlp (hlp-5685). I tried to run the 2910 last fall on it, but MB was horrible at 720p hdmi. I moved it to a Sony CRT where it is happier. I hated the MB so much I ended up with Onkyo sp1000. I'll take a look at the 2910 hooked up to the Sammie again for kicks. I'll let you know how it works out for me... :)

I emailed Denon re:upgrades - tech support responded in less than 5 minutes (!) - stated that new firmware upgrade contains all previous upgrades. Am still a bit uneasy re: installing it - don't want to screw things up (have JVC D-ILA)

I emailed Denon re:upgrades - tech support responded in less than 5 minutes (!) - stated that new firmware upgrade contains all previous upgrades. Am still a bit uneasy re: installing it - don't want to screw things up (have JVC D-ILA)


What happened to Denon's firmware update page? I cant seem to find it

I emailed Denon re:upgrades - tech support responded in less than 5 minutes (!) - stated that new firmware upgrade contains all previous upgrades. Am still a bit uneasy re: installing it - don't want to screw things up (have JVC D-ILA)

As long as you burn the disc correctly, you should be fine. If you screw it up, you can always go back to an earlier firmware. I might be able to help you with that.

Thanks,
Mark

What happened to Denon's firmware update page? I cant seem to find it

It looks like there is some sort of "Owner's Club" that you have to sign up for now. I signed up for it, but I don't see an option to download the firmware. Bummer. If anyone has any more info, please let us know.

Mark

Wow! That is strange. I too have a Sammy dlp (hlp-5685). I tried to run the 2910 last fall on it, but MB was horrible at 720p hdmi. I moved it to a Sony CRT where it is happier. I hated the MB so much I ended up with Onkyo sp1000. I'll take a look at the 2910 hooked up to the Sammie again for kicks. I'll let you know how it works out for me... :)

Yes, please do let us hear if you have similar results.

I don't recall joining an owner's club - I just went on the Denon Website, and they just ask for the serial # before they will even let you know there is an upgrade (had already registered 2910 online)

Anyone can tell me how to zoom 4x3 picture on this player?

There is no way to zoom a 4x3 picture with this player. I assume your problem is your display locks into 16x9 mode when inputting 720p or 1080i and you are playing a non-anamorphic letterbox movie. To display these types of movies correctly you have to change the DVD players output to 480p and then use your display's zoom control.

There is no way to zoom a 4x3 picture with this player. I assume your problem is your display locks into 16x9 mode when inputting 720p or 1080i and you are playing a non-anamorphic letterbox movie. To display these types of movies correctly you have to change the DVD players output to 480p and then use your display's zoom control.

But it won't let me do it as long as i have it connected through HDMI.

I'm not sure what you mean by it won't let me. You mean you can't set the DVD player's HDMI output to 480p?

I can set it up to 480p but my projector (HS51) won't let me change wide modes as long as i'm connecting the source through digital input.

I don't recall joining an owner's club - I just went on the Denon Website, and they just ask for the serial # before they will even let you know there is an upgrade (had already registered 2910 online)

Neither do I. It appears to be new. I haven't upgraded my firmware in months. I'm still on 8 I believe. When I went out there this morning, the site was redesigned and there was this "Owner's Club". I signed up for it, but I could only download the manual and product brochure (or something like that). I didn't see the firmware. If someone notices where to download the firmware, I'd like to know.

Mark

I sent my 2910 to Denon in NJ for warranty repair (the unit started stuttering on after about 40 mins. of disc play). Anyway, they had the unit now for over 5 weeks. I cannot seem to get any status as to when I can expect to get the unit back. The person only says "the tech is still working on it." I've tried various other numbers at Denon, but always run into dead ends.

Has anyone had a similar experience with Denon warranty repair. Is this normal. The repair request form states in-warranty repairs should take 1 week, out-of-warranty repairs 2 weeks. Anyone have a contact at Denon that I can call or email? Any help or advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

Ouch! Sorry to hear that. You will have to go to component outs at 480p or get another scaler.

My Panasonic 500 projector lets me adjust the wide modes using the DVI input set to 480p.

I believe Denon made a mistake by not having either a letterbox or overscan mode in their DVD players.

Ouch! Sorry to hear that. You will have to go to component outs at 480p or get another scaler.

My Panasonic 500 projector lets me adjust the wide modes using the DVI input set to 480p.

I believe Denon made a mistake by not having either a letterbox or overscan mode in their DVD players.

Yeah that is a big show stopped for me... I might now return it a get something else... Anyone can suggest something?

I finally got 2910! Connected it to my HS51. Picture is just amazing! Couldn't be better.
They only thing is I tried connecting 2910 to my Sharp Aquos LCD display through both HDMI and component and noticed that black levels are terrible and possible see some marcoblocking (sorry for the stupid question but how macroblocking look like?).

Macroblocking will be very evident larger blocks. I have not noticed it with my HS51/2910 combination but have noticed it A LOT with some HD content from comcast.

I thought that MB'ing was the purplish splotches that one sometimes sees in dark scenes on a light background. My standard test for this are the opening scenes in 'Master and Commander'. Am I missunderstanding what MB is?

Any has a sample pictue where MB are visible?

Just bought a 2910. My TV (Hitachi HD RPTV CRT) only has a DVI input. So, should I use the DVI output on the 2910 or use the HDMI output and get the appropriate cable? Is there any difference?

thanks
jim

Just bought a 2910. My TV (Hitachi HD RPTV CRT) only has a DVI input. So, should I use the DVI output on the 2910 or use the HDMI output and get the appropriate cable? Is there any difference?

thanks
jim

Really should not matter (but electronics are funny, so you never know!). I would probably try to keep it simple and just go dvi to dvi.

Thanks for the reply Millerwill.

How do you like those Ascends?? I have the 340's across the front and the 170's for the rears.......I absolutely love them!!! Really looking forward to playing some DVD-A and SACD material.

Thanks for the reply Millerwill.

How do you like those Ascends?? I have the 340's across the front and the 170's for the rears.......I absolutely love them!!! Really looking forward to playing some DVD-A and SACD material.

Agree whole-heartedly re your enthusiasm for the Ascends! I chose the 200's for the surrounds since I needed to hang them on the walls, and they do a fine job in this capacity. I do mainly hdtv and dvd's, and not much serious music, so the Ascends are probably overkill for my purposes. But the price is so reasonable that it's hard to pass up, and they provide outstanding clarity, as well as plenty of 'punch' when it is called for (especially with the SVS sub to go along!).

Wait a sec, there's some kind of issue regarding either "DVI to HDMI" or "HDMI to DVI". Something about rounding off bits. I can't remember. Someone else will, I hope. I just wanted to post this message fast before you run out and buy the wrong cable.

- Kirk.

Wait a sec, there's some kind of issue regarding either "DVI to HDMI" or "HDMI to DVI". Something about rounding off bits. I can't remember. Someone else will, I hope. I just wanted to post this message fast before you run out and buy the wrong cable.

- Kirk.

To the best of my knowledge - for what that's worth - the VIDEO portion of HDMI is identical to DVI and ALWAYS has HDCP. (With DVI, that's optional.) That's why we are able to use a simple HDMI-to-DVI cable with no circuitry in it.

Ok. Found the info from the Secrets site.
http://206.225.87.49/volume_11_4/feature-dvi-hdmi-hdcp-connections-11-2004.html
DVI is an 8 bit RGB signal, while HDMI can be 8 bit RGB, or 8 bit, 10 bit, or 12 bit YCbCr. If you have a DVI source and DVI display, there will be no problem. If you have a DVI source and an HDMI display, again, no problem. If however, you have an HDMI source and a DVI display, the below-black video information may be lost in the translation. There is a bug in the Silicon Image HDMI transmitter that pops up when converting YCbCr to RGB. The HD TiVo and Pioneer 59AVi do not have this problem.

- Kirk.

Ok. Found the info from the Secrets site.
http://206.225.87.49/volume_11_4/feature-dvi-hdmi-hdcp-connections-11-2004.html

Good find, Kirk!

My 2910 and SA8300HD (HD-DVR) are both hooked to my analog hi-def CRT direct view by component. In the home theater with a LCD projector, I use the DVI output of my 3910. My 8300HD is connected to my DVI switch with an HDMI-to-DVI cable. FWIW, HDNet's test pattern confirms that black level is correct.

Any has a sample pictue where MB are visible?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=43441
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=43442

Bug fixes - Crutchfield replaced my flakey acting 2910 that was manufactured in Dec 2004 with another unit manufactured in July 2005... what an incredible difference there is in the picture quality! I'm not sure how many firmware updates were included in that 7 month span, but on HDMI 720p output the picture is 3D looking now. Fantastic. Now I hope it doesn't start acting up like my first one did after a few weeks.

Tom,

Out of curiousity, what was the firmware OTB of your new July '05 2910?

I haven't been able to get these instructions to work on EITHER player. So if someone could give me detailed step-by-step instructions on how to do this, I'll try it again. Apparenty I need the 'I-am-a-moron' instructions. Here are the directions Crutchfield sent, and I've tried this at least 100 times, and with different combinations of the 2 power buttons, etc. No-go.

"Checking Firmware: If you have a need to check the firmware version,
use the following procedure.

1. Make sure that there is no disk in the unit
2. Turn off the power on the unit
3. Hold down the open/close and play button at the same time. While
holding those buttons press the power and release after about 2 seconds.
4. Using the remote, press 3265 then MENU. The version number appears in
the display.
5. Power the unit down and back on and you will be able to use it again,
(until you power it down the version number stays in the display).

The current version as of 2/05 is ESS 6720-7."

I just got a 2910 and I read a bunch of stuff on this board about firmware updates. Please forgive the ignorance, but any firmware update I've ever done has been for something connected to my computer and internet. What are firmware updates for a DVD player and how do you get them?

thanks
jim

Embedded software on the DVD player that controls it... updated by using a CD as I understand it. Says the guy that can't even get the firmware version to display on it! ;-)

I haven't been able to get these instructions to work on EITHER player. So if someone could give me detailed step-by-step instructions on how to do this, I'll try it again. Apparenty I need the 'I-am-a-moron' instructions. Here are the directions Crutchfield sent, and I've tried this at least 100 times, and with different combinations of the 2 power buttons, etc. No-go.

"Checking Firmware: If you have a need to check the firmware version,
use the following procedure.

1. Make sure that there is no disk in the unit
2. Turn off the power on the unit
3. Hold down the open/close and play button at the same time. While
holding those buttons press the power and release after about 2 seconds.
4. Using the remote, press 3265 then MENU. The version number appears in
the display.
5. Power the unit down and back on and you will be able to use it again,
(until you power it down the version number stays in the display).

The current version as of 2/05 is ESS 6720-7."

Make sure in step 2 that you do turn hit the main 'power' button and not the 'stand by' power button. The main power button (that you hit for step 2) is the small one just to the right of the larger 'standby' power button. (I initially made this mistake.!)

In step 2 I've made sure that the power is off completely (the standby light on the bigger power button is not on at all - neither red or green).

Then, in step 3, while holding down the other 2 buttons, I then hit the small power button - while still holding the other 2 buttons down for a few seconds.

If that is correct, then what? I've tried the 3265-MENU buttons at least 100 times and it has never displayed anything other than LOADING and then the track / disc time. And if I have my TV on the DVD's output, it shows that the remote's 3265 numbers are not allowed - the red hand appears in the upper left hand corner of the TV's display when I do it.

I'm either doing it wrong, or these instructions don't work on my players. I like to think I'm a reasonably intelligent person, but I'm beginning to feel like a buffoon if everyone else can get this to display ok! HELP!

In step 2 I've made sure that the power is off completely (the standby light on the bigger power button is not on at all - neither red or green).

Then, in step 3, while holding down the other 2 buttons, I then hit the small power button - while still holding the other 2 buttons down for a few seconds.

If that is correct, then what? I've tried the 3265-MENU buttons at least 100 times and it has never displayed anything other than LOADING and then the track / disc time. And if I have my TV on the DVD's output, it shows that the remote's 3265 numbers are not allowed - the red hand appears in the upper left hand corner of the TV's display when I do it.

I'm either doing it wrong, or these instructions don't work on my players. I like to think I'm a reasonably intelligent person, but I'm beginning to feel like a buffoon if everyone else can get this to display ok! HELP!

Step 1 says "no disc".

However, you indicate above that it shows the "track/disc time". Does that mean you have a disc in the machine?

Just tried the instructions on mine. They appear to work and it reads ESS 6720-9. A couple replies above said the current version was 6720-7; but "you would think" that "-9" is more current. Mine was built in May 2005.

Sorry. Read it again and as of 2/15 the current version was "-7". Now, my question does anyone know if "-9" is the current version?

Thanks.

I haven't been able to get these instructions to work on EITHER player. So if someone could give me detailed step-by-step instructions on how to do this, I'll try it again. Apparenty I need the 'I-am-a-moron' instructions. Here are the directions Crutchfield sent, and I've tried this at least 100 times, and with different combinations of the 2 power buttons, etc. No-go.

"Checking Firmware: If you have a need to check the firmware version,
use the following procedure.

1. Make sure that there is no disk in the unit
2. Turn off the power on the unit
3. Hold down the open/close and play button at the same time. While
holding those buttons press the power and release after about 2 seconds.
4. Using the remote, press 3265 then MENU. The version number appears in
the display.
5. Power the unit down and back on and you will be able to use it again,
(until you power it down the version number stays in the display).




It's THREE seconds, not two. And turn the unit on with the soft power button before turning it off with the main power button.

rlb: I downloaded and installed "9", which I believe is the latest, but it shows as "A" when I check.

tom: as pepar says, turn the unit on with the soft power button (Power ON on the remote), then turn off manually with the small button. Press/hold the two buttons for 3-4 seconds after turning on manually with the small button. Wait until you see "Loading" in the display. Then hit 3-2-6-5-MENU. Hitting MENU repeatedly will toggle through 5 different displays of info.

God bless you Bruce73 & pepar!!! That was it, having the unit on before powering it down with the small power button. Here are the results:

ESS 6720-B
Make Day 610
DRV 030825
System 6768-2
DSP 6770

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just got the 2910 this last week. I'm replacing a Denon 1600, which was great for video. However, I've orderer one of the new Sony SXRD's and I wanted the 2910's HDMI for input.

I do have one question. When doing the audio setup, there is a +10 db (on/off) setting for the subwoofer. Can anyone explain why/when this would be set to "on"? I'm currently using the 6 ch analog cables for input into my Outlaw pre processor. I like the sound of the DAC's in the Denon better than the Outlaw's.

I'm going to call Denon tomorrow to see how to get the most recent firmware. Their current owner's site "sucks". I'll pass on their answer.

Thanks.

God bless you Bruce73 & pepar!!! That was it, having the unit on before powering it down with the small power button. Here are the results:

ESS 6720-B
Make Day 610
DRV 030825
System 6768-2
DSP 6770

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner!! :D

So, is "B" the latest now?

how do we get this "b" firmware? Denon's site says no downloads available for 2910.

God bless you Bruce73 & pepar!!! That was it, having the unit on before powering it down with the small power button. Here are the results:

ESS 6720-B
Make Day 610
DRV 030825
System 6768-2
DSP 6770

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad to have helped!

I do have one question. When doing the audio setup, there is a +10 db (on/off) setting for the subwoofer. Can anyone explain why/when this would be set to "on"? I'm currently using the 6 ch analog cables for input into my Outlaw pre processor. I like the sound of the DAC's in the Denon better than the Outlaw's.

I don't know the reasoning why, but having small speakers and a sub with the level at default zero, there is virtually no bass in the audio through the 6-ch analog. even if you exceed your normal hearing threshold everything still sounds hollow. The +10 is a must in order to get any bass in the audio on small speakers with a sub. From what I've read on other posts, if you have large speakers they are able to better pickup the bass. and you may not need it.

if you have small speakers, turn it on and the audio will be much fuller and will now have a low end.

My sub has a power-save cutoff and goes into standby when no bass is being passed to it, with my HK receiver turned up higher then I normally listen to audio the sub wouldn't even come out of standby with out the +10 enabled.

Does anyone know what's wrong with Denon's web site. I'm logging into the owners club for the 2910, and it says there is no firmware availbile... However we all know there's been a dozen or so firmware updates. Can anyone else see a link under the Downloads: section?

Does anyone know what's wrong with Denon's web site. I'm logging into the owners club for the 2910, and it says there is no firmware availbile... However we all know there's been a dozen or so firmware updates. Can anyone else see a link under the Downloads: section?

I'd certainly like to know as well. I'm having the same problem.

Mark

On the other 2910 firmware thread, denon told someone that the website would be available in a few weeks.

Had my 2910 for almost two weeks and found one major issue that only concerns copied DVD's (works great on originals).

On just about every DVD copy (i used DVD cloner and 1 click DVD copy software) it shows the same issue. It pauses itself for several seconds and in some cases it pauses for good and you have to turn the power off as Stop function does not work.

This issue was not present with my Onkyo sp501 player so I am about to revert back to Onkyo which is not something I am looking for. I am still running the original firmware and am looking to upgrade. I am curious whether anybody could input on this issue.

thanks

Had my 2910 for almost two weeks and found one major issue that only concerns copied DVD's (works great on originals).

On just about every DVD copy (i used DVD cloner and 1 click DVD copy software) it shows the same issue. It pauses itself for several seconds and in some cases it pauses for good and you have to turn the power off as Stop function does not work.

This issue was not present with my Onkyo sp501 player so I am about to revert back to Onkyo which is not something I am looking for. I am still running the original firmware and am looking to upgrade. I am curious whether anybody could input on this issue.

thanks


I never have such issues with burned videos. Maybe its your burner, media type (- or +) or media brand. But then I am using Firmware A.

Mardar: don't know if this has anything to do with your situation, but the only problem I've ever had with the 2910 playing back my burned DVDs was early on when I first started DVD burning. The DVDs would play for a while, maybe 40-50 minutes, then start to pixelate and freeze, with no navigation possible. It turned out to be the DVD labels I was applying. I had always used labels with music CDs with no problems and continued the habit with DVDs. Bad, bad idea, as I learned from forum posts at VideoHelp.com. Stopped applying labels and haven't had a problem since.

I also use quality DVD blanks (Taiyo Yuden) and only burn at 4x.

Does anyone know what's wrong with Denon's web site. I'm logging into the owners club for the 2910, and it says there is no firmware availbile... However we all know there's been a dozen or so firmware updates. Can anyone else see a link under the Downloads: section?

In a recent/earlier post I mentioned that I had the "-9" firmware on my recently purchase 2910. Well, this morning I successfully installed/initialized the "-A" firmware. It works fine; but I believe most of the improvements will be while using HDMI which hopefully I'll be doing next week after receipt of my new Sony SXRD. I'll provide below what I learned with numerous calls and e-mails.

The firmware upgrade function has not yet been moved over to the new Denon site. That function currently resides at oldusa.denon.com/support/upgrades.asp.

However, for me that site said there was nothing available. I was able to obtain it by e-mailing "jmcguinness@denonnj.com", telling him (Jim) my serial number, current firmware, and the fact that I wanted the current firmware. He sent me an e-mail back with an attached "upgrade file" and directions for how to do the upgrade.

My biggest problem was finding a piece of software that would convert this file to ISO 9660, Level 1 format and burn it onto a CD. I didn't want to spend $80 for either of the two pieces of software that Jim's directions suggested. I came up with a "free" piece off the internet "CDBurner XP Pro 3". It worked fine. You can find it via a google search.

Hope this helps some people. I"m embarassed to tell how much time I spent getting this accomplished. Good thing I'm retired.

I never have such issues with burned videos. Maybe its your burner, media type (- or +) or media brand. But then I am using Firmware A.


HumanMedia, I have a question for you. What type of DVD burning s/w do you use. I suspect that the issue may be tied to the compression types used by specific software. I use DVD Cloner v2.50 and 1 Click DVD Copy ver 4.2

Seems that both exhibit the problem pretty much the same way. The movie doesnt pixelate, it plays fine for a while and then begins to pause for random amounts of time and eventually pauses for longer and longer.

Does this sound like the issue you were having?

Thanks,
Marclar

Actually, nevermind HumanMedia....you clearly stated you did not have any issues.
I am going to try a different burner.

Hello everyone,

I just took delivery of my DVD-2910, it is the European model as I reside in the Netherlands. I just wanted to share with you the firmware version the DVD-player shipped with and tell you that I've successfully upgraded (well, technically downgraded) to 6720-A.

Firmware:

ESS 6720-B
MAKE DAY 610
DRV 030825
SYSTEM 6768-2
DSP 6770

The upgrade went flawless with the April 22, 2005 6720-A firmware and the DVD-player is now region code free. For me that's a big issue as I'm in the US often and buy plenty of DVDs when I visit that have yet to be released in Europe. I've uploaded the firmware upgrade to our server as a ZIP file, containing the firmware upgrade and a PDF manual, so anyone that wants it can grab it there, but be sure to read the instructions carefully.

Obviously the files are both provided as-is, hence I don’t take any responsibility if the update doesn’t work, or other problems arise.

Denon DVD-2910, April 22, 2005 - 6720-A region code free
http://hardwareanalysis.com/images/...large/11626.zip

Regards,

Sander Sassen
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com

I just received my new Denon 2910 and while the component outputs work, the HDI does not seem to. I have tried confinguring it with the various menus as well as trying a different TV and a different cable. I am baffled and was wondering if anyone else had a similar problem. I am kind of new to all of this and wouldn't be suprised if I am just doing something wrong. Anyway, just curious if anyone else had a similar problem with this player.

I just received my new Denon 2910 and while the component outputs work, the HDI does not seem to. I have tried confinguring it with the various menus as well as trying a different TV and a different cable. I am baffled and was wondering if anyone else had a similar problem. I am kind of new to all of this and wouldn't be suprised if I am just doing something wrong. Anyway, just curious if anyone else had a similar problem with this player.
Welcome, fbscd!! Let's start with checking your firmware version.

You have to toggle through the menu that gives you HDMI/DVI OFF (factory default setting), HDMI Y Cb Cr, HDMI RGB, and DVI.

See page #49 of your owner's manual, remote control button is on the upper lefthand side.

The factory default setting is for the DVI and HDMI connectors to be Off.

You have to toggle through the menu that gives you HDMI/DVI OFF (factory default setting), HDMI Y Cb Cr, HDMI RGB, and DVI.

See page #49 of your owner's manual, remote control button is on the upper lefthand side.

The factory default setting is for the DVI and HDMI connectors to be Off.
Yeah, you're right; that's much more likely the problem than firmware.

I did use the player menus to scroll thru the HDMI formats, etc. I tried both HDMI RGB as well as the HDMI components. Both my HDMI televisons don't get any signal at all. I have not tried looking into the firmware. Hopefully I can get to the bottom of this.

Thanks

I should also mention that I get the flashing HDMI notice on the display and it does not stop flashing.

That flashing is simply an indication that it, for some reason, does not detect an HDMI device, i.e. no "handshake" is made to sync up. It will flash normally if, for instance, you're playing music CDs with the TV off.

The problem is that it flashes even when it connected to the HDMI input on my television. I have tried several different televisions and a different cable.

OK, I decided to bite the bullet and upgrade my firmware. Have down loaded both the 6720-8 and 6720-A (22/04) MultiRegion (MR) versions. Just need to know what improvements each of these offered over the previous versions.

Just connected my 2910 last night and noticed that my DVI light flashes when I listening to CD or SACD without the TV on...........

Problem?

Just connected my 2910 last night and noticed that my DVI light flashes when I listening to CD or SACD without the TV on...........

Problem?
It simply means the player is looking for a DVI connection and not finding one. I don't use mine that way, and if I did I wouldn't see the flashing as my "head-end" gear is in the back of the room. Hopefully someone else will chime in as to whether turning off DVI is practical under this circumstance.

...Hopefully someone else will chime in as to whether turning off DVI is practical under this circumstance.
FWIW. this is my setup, and I've found no difference in listening to CDs whether DVI is turned on or off. Sometimes I'll have the TV on when listening to SACDs in order to access menus, but, again, no difference. Hopefully leaving it set to DVI all the time isn't a bad thing...

My 2910 is connected to a Sony HS51 projector via HDMI for video and over the SPDIF coaxial to my preamp for audio. The end of the HDMI cable going into the projector sometimes loosens up a bit. When it does loosen up and I'm watching a DVD, the 2910 and projector lose sync and not only does the video go away obviously, but the audio also starts to stutter and skip. There is some relationship between the two; perhaps it's the A/V synchronization within the 2910 that gets confused.

Naz

Are the 6-channel analog outs only used when playing an SACD?? Digital out when playing DVD, DVD-Audio, etc??

Just curious. Wondering if I should upgrade my multichannel analog cables.

thanks
jim

Are the 6-channel analog outs only used when playing an SACD?? Digital out when playing DVD, DVD-Audio, etc??

Just curious. Wondering if I should upgrade my multichannel analog cables.

thanks
jim

I just got my 2910 a week ago; but I'm using 6-channel for everything. The key is which set of DAC's are best. I like the DAC's in my Denon better than the ones in my pre processor. Therefore, I let the Dennon do the conversion and have my pre processor in a "direct" (i.e., no processing of any kind) mode.

I like the DAC's in my Denon better than the ones in my pre processor.
That means you need a new pre/pro, doesn't it? :)

For people using their 2910 with a Samsung dlp: do you get less macroblocking when using a Component connection rather than the HDMI-HDMI cable to the Samsung? I realize that one cannot output 720p or 1080i over Component (right?), but my impression is that the Component connection is just about as good as the HDMI (right?). And if Component gives less MB, then that might actually make it a better choice. Any thoughts?

That means you need a new pre/pro, doesn't it? :)

Sounds good to me. But this year I bough a new amplifier, the 2910, and have a new Sony 60" SXRD being delivered on Monday. I better wait a while before I try and tell my wife that I need another new audio/video component.

I am using a Denon 2805 receiver with my 2910, and I don't really notice a difference between the DAC's using one or the other. The quality of the DAC's in each must be about the same.

For people using their 2910 with a Samsung dlp: do you get less macroblocking when using a Component connection rather than the HDMI-HDMI cable to the Samsung? I realize that one cannot output 720p or 1080i over Component (right?), but my impression is that the Component connection is just about as good as the HDMI (right?). And if Component gives less MB, then that might actually make it a better choice. Any thoughts?

I have this setup and tried the component connection. I would say that overall it might have slightly less MB, but it's still more then acceptable as it's in just about every scene of a DVD. it seems to be a little different through, the HDMI does a real bad job with red's and yellows, and browns. while component seems to struggle with blues.

Either way, it's on par with $75.00 DVD players.

I seem to be having a problem since the last firmware (-A) update. now when ever I put in a new DVD, one that has never been in this player before... and hit play, the player jumps to a random scene on the DVD and starts playing there, I put in Robots last night and it jumped to this scene that was just showing the 3d models of the robot's spinning in a circle and the player was completely frozen as it looped through these.... after about 10 minutes I had to power down the unit. it just kept playing the scene over and over and no buttons worked, menu, top menu, FF, RW, stop or pause... nothing.

I've been noticing more and more that this player just jumps to a scene in starts playing there, skilling the FBI warnings and everything.

Anyone else seeing this? Or do you know if there's a way to clear the players last played memory?

Can someone please explain to me what the difference is between the speaker setup (distance, level, etc.) you perform in the 2910 as opposed to the setup you typically do with a meter or automatically if your receiver is capable? In addition, if someone could explain the Pure Direct mode better than the owners manual....I would appreciate it? Should I be using it?

thanks
jim

Can someone please explain to me what the difference is between the speaker setup (distance, level, etc.) you perform in the 2910 as opposed to the setup you typically do with a meter or automatically if your receiver is capable? In addition, if someone could explain the Pure Direct mode better than the owners manual....I would appreciate it? Should I be using it?

thanks
jim
The 2910's speaker setup is for the analog outputs. If you are using them, e.g. for DVD-a/SACD, then you need to set distances and run the SPL meter procedure with the 2910. Your receiver or pre/pro's setup must be used for audio sent to it through a digital connection.

I have been on the -4 firmware on my 2910. I have been seeing an intermittant issue that manifested when I would fire up my system. The display (Sony 55xs955) when put on the dvd input would flicker (the whole screen would flash on/off pretty rapidly) as if the display and the 2910 were having a problem syncing. Only a power off (complete shutdown, not just a standby) of the display would clear the problem. Upon restart all would be ok. I could go months without the issue, and then have it twice in a week.

First -- has any one else seen this issue with the 2910?

Second -- does the -A firmware adress this issue with its HDMO enhancements, or any other frimware btween -4 and -A for that matter?

I have upgraded to the -A..hopefully the problem will go away, but I'm still curious...

-dtb

At one time, I had the email for the folks at Denon who sent me a 2910 Firmware Update on CD -- I lost the email -- does anyone have this email address? Thanks!

Just bought a Denon 2910, firmware version is "-9".
The TV is Sony 60XS955 LCD rear projection.
I plan to use the HDMI connections.
I have to hook things up yet and I want to clear out some issues before committing to this player.

Have other people with similar setup experienced macroblocking and other issues?

I am assuming the "-a" or "-b" firmware versions are newer, but what fixes do they make? Is it worth the hassles to update the firmware? Will it do harm?

Thanks for the advice.

See post 1812 for an email... they don't reply to their contactservice@denonnj.com - at least they never have replied to any of my emails about firmware upgrades.

At one time, I had the email for the folks at Denon who sent me a 2910 Firmware Update on CD -- I lost the email -- does anyone have this email address? Thanks!

My earlier post is applicable: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6305122&&#post6305122

Just bought a Denon 2910, firmware version is "-9".
The TV is Sony 60XS955 LCD rear projection.
I plan to use the HDMI connections.
I have to hook things up yet and I want to clear out some issues before committing to this player.

Have other people with similar setup experienced macroblocking and other issues?

I am assuming the "-a" or "-b" firmware versions are newer, but what fixes do they make? Is it worth the hassles to update the firmware? Will it do harm?

Thanks for the advice.


I have a 2910 and Sony 60" GWIII LCD RP and have noticed NO macroblocking or any other problem with this player. It is superb for video and audio, especially in combination with the 3805 receiver.

At one time, I had the email for the folks at Denon who sent me a 2910 Firmware Update on CD -- I lost the email -- does anyone have this email address? Thanks!
Use this site and follow the prompts.
http://oldusa.denon.com/support/upgrades.asp

2910 firmware 6720-A MR (Multiregion)

Upgraded my 2910 over the w/e, WOW - DVI is now absolutely stunning
Some of the things I've found overall are better black levels, much brighter, more detail, better colour saturation. Component - substantially reduced overscan and much better colour saturation

Create a directory for the files
Right Click over the link, use the "Save Target as..." option and save into the directory you created above
Unzip the .zip file and put all the files into the same directory, there are 2 - 2910firmware.pdf & d21zsavd.cfw
Follow the instructions in the .pdf for burning to CD (CD-R & CD-RW can be used)
Upgrade (you don't need to connect any display device, all messages are shown on the units display)
You don't have to Initialize the unit back to Factory Default settings either
Enjoy

http://www.zeifamily.net/2910MRA.zip

I have a 2910 and Sony 60" GWIII LCD RP and have noticed NO macroblocking or any other problem with this player. It is superb for video and audio, especially in combination with the 3805 receiver.


I hooked up the 2910 with the Sony LCD rptv 60XS955 thru the HDMI, macroblocking is horrible in 720p and 1080i.
From component the macroblocking is not noticeable. But the picture looks a lot softer than HDMI.

Which connection do u use? Perhaps there are settings that I have to tweak?

Thanks,
Sam

Just purchased the 2910 after reading these forums and deciding it was the best for my needs in the price range. I have managed to watch a few dvd's now and the pq is amazing. I am quite happy.
Currently I am running a dvi cable direct to the infocus 7210 and the audio goes to my denon 5800. I am not seeing much mb, but if there is a way to improve the players performance even further than I'm up to the task.

My player currently has the 6720-9 firmware loaded.
I downloaded the 6720-a (mr) from the post above.

Prior to putting that firmware on the player, I am curious what changes people have noticed in going from the -9 to the -a firmware. I'm not even sure if the -a firmware is newer or not, guessing it is.
Is the pq better with the -a firmware?
Are there other problems fixed or brought into the mix in using the -a firmware?

I've searched the denon site, but do not see a firmware 'changelog', is there such a thing?

I hooked up the 2910 with the Sony LCD rptv 60XS955 thru the HDMI, macroblocking is horrible in 720p and 1080i.
From component the macroblocking is not noticeable. But the picture looks a lot softer than HDMI.

Which connection do u use? Perhaps there are settings that I have to tweak?

Thanks,
Sam
'Tis certainly your choice, but I would think soft and watchable is better than sharp and unwatchable. :)

'Tis certainly your choice, but I would think soft and watchable is better than sharp and unwatchable. :)


Yes, I will definitely go for component for Denon 2910. But the PQ is just unremarkable.

I would choose other DVD player without such compromise.
I am thinking the new Sony 3100ES.
I hope it will be reasonably sharp, vivid and detailed without macroblocking and hopefully without other abnormal artifacts.

Sam

Yes, I will definitely go for component for Denon 2910. But the PQ is just unremarkable.

I would choose other DVD player without such compromise.
I am thinking the new Sony 3100ES.
I hope it will be reasonably sharp, vivid and detailed without macroblocking and hopefully without other abnormal artifacts.

Sam
When looking for a replacement, it's the Faroudja chipset inside that you want to avoid, not the Denon 2910.

Yes, I will definitely go for component for Denon 2910. But the PQ is just unremarkable.

I would choose other DVD player without such compromise.
I am thinking the new Sony 3100ES.
I hope it will be reasonably sharp, vivid and detailed without macroblocking and hopefully without other abnormal artifacts.

Sam


If you can, return 2910 and buy Pioneer 79AVI or 59AVI.
This will cure any MB problems. :)

If you can, return 2910 and buy Pioneer 79AVI or 59AVI.
This will cure any MB problems. :)
I got a real sense of deja vu reading your comment. In fact, I'm sure I could search and see where you've posted the exact same thing before. :)

2910 firmware 6720-A MR (Multiregion)

Upgraded my 2910 over the w/e, WOW - DVI is now absolutely stunning
Some of the things I've found overall are better black levels, much brighter, more detail, better colour saturation. Component - substantially reduced overscan and much better colour saturation

Create a directory for the files
Right Click over the link, use the "Save Target as..." option and save into the directory you created above
Unzip the .zip file and put all the files into the same directory, there are 2 - 2910firmware.pdf & d21zsavd.cfw
Follow the instructions in the .pdf for burning to CD (CD-R & CD-RW can be used)
Upgrade (you don't need to connect any display device, all messages are shown on the units display)
You don't have to Initialize the unit back to Factory Default settings either
Enjoy

http://www.zeifamily.net/2910MRA.zip

Are we sure this is the latest firmware? It's dated April 22 '05. Mine says 6720-A but is not MR, and I'd like it to be!

I got a real sense of deja vu reading your comment. In fact, I'm sure I could search and see where you've posted the exact same thing before. :)


I own the Onkyo sp1000 and am relatively happy with it.
And I own 2910.

A question was asked regarding MB problem.
Pioneer 59AVI is in this price range and doesn't use Faroudja.
Just trying to help. :)

Are we sure this is the latest firmware? It's dated April 22 '05. Mine says 6720-A but is not MR, and I'd like it to be!
As far as I've been able to determine, the 6720-A MR from 22/04 is the latest MR available. I've yet to find any MR version dated later than that.

The 6720-A on the Denon upgrade site is dated May 2005. The Denon rep. informed me there is a "B" version coming but the only change was to do with the componet output.

Mine was manufactured in July and it has the -B firmware on it... no issues with it so far, unlike my last one that was manufactured in Dec '04.

Has this firmware been posted by anyone? If not, would you please do so? I am using component and I understand this has something to do with component out.

Thanks,

Kelly

I have a 2910 and Sony 60" GWIII LCD RP and have noticed NO macroblocking or any other problem with this player. It is superb for video and audio, especially in combination with the 3805 receiver.


the XS series are Grand Wega IV's, not IIIs.......just correcting you ;)

Has anyone been able to get into the BONUS TRACKS section of Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road DVD-AUDIO disc with the 2910? I have the -B firmware (unit manufactured in July) so recent firmware, but I can't get into this part of the dvd-a disc... and my 2 yr old Toshiba player handled it just fine. The acoustic version of Candle In The Wind is there, my favorite song on the entire disc, and I can't get to it! Its driving me crazy!

Has anyone been able to get into the BONUS TRACKS section of Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road DVD-AUDIO disc with the 2910?...
Yes, I can, either by directly navigating to them or by track advance. I have firmware A on mine (I shouldn't think that would make a difference, though). One thing I noticed was the numbering of the tracks runs from 1-22 on disc 2 (didn't check disc 1), with the first track ("Sweet Painted Lady") showing as track 9, rather than track 1 as the cover indicates.

Interesting, I've owned two 2910's now and neither one has been able to get into the Bonus Tracks section. Maybe I'll have to get it on SACD so I can hear the acoustic Candle in the Wind. :-(

Yes, I will definitely go for component for Denon 2910. But the PQ is just unremarkable.

I would choose other DVD player without such compromise.
I am thinking the new Sony 3100ES.
I hope it will be reasonably sharp, vivid and detailed without macroblocking and hopefully without other abnormal artifacts.

Sam

I am sorry you are having this problem. What firmware are you using? Just for grins, have you compared this to the DVI connection? I see no great benefit to HDMI if you run your audio from the player directly into an amp anyway via optical.

Interesting, I've owned two 2910's now and neither one has been able to get into the Bonus Tracks section. Maybe I'll have to get it on SACD so I can hear the acoustic Candle in the Wind. :-(
Oops, Tom, my bad. I have the SACD version, not DVD-A. I forgot that both were released.

I'm looking at the 2910 to go with my new Sharp Aquas 37" LCD. Everything that I can find, including searching through this thread, says that the 2910 has HDMI and will upconvert to 720p & 1080i using DCDi by Faroudja. This leads me to believe that this can be done together (i.e. it upconverts over the HDMI connection). :)

HOWEVER, on the Denon USA website, the product specs for the 2910 (**url removed**) say (and I quote):
HDMI 1.1 (HDCP Compatible – SiL9030) - With Selectable Scaling – 480p/720p/1080i and DVD-Audio Output ---- No
DVI-D (HDCP Compatible) - With Selectable Scaling – 480p/720p/1080i ---- Yes

I read this to mean that it only upconverts over DVI, NOT HDMI. :confused:

I'm sure that those of you on this thread can give me the correct answer. Please!!!

Thanks for your help!!

I'm looking at the 2910 to go with my new Sharp Aquas 37" LCD. Everything that I can find, including searching through this thread, says that the 2910 has HDMI and will upconvert to 720p & 1080i using DCDi by Faroudja. This leads me to believe that this can be done together (i.e. it upconverts over the HDMI connection). :)

HOWEVER, on the Denon USA website, the product specs for the 2910 (**url removed**) say (and I quote):
HDMI 1.1 (HDCP Compatible – SiL9030) - With Selectable Scaling – 480p/720p/1080i and DVD-Audio Output ---- No
DVI-D (HDCP Compatible) - With Selectable Scaling – 480p/720p/1080i ---- Yes

I read this to mean that it only upconverts over DVI, NOT HDMI. :confused:

I'm sure that those of you on this thread can give me the correct answer. Please!!!

Thanks for your help!!



It does upconvert over HDMI as well as DVI. :)

it upconverts over HDMI also.

It does upconvert over HDMI as well as DVI. :)

Thanks!!

Wonder why the website is screwed up... or maybe I'm just reading it wrong. :confused:

I agree stryder7of9, it appears that the Denon detailed spec page is incorrect (or else I'm reading incorrectly also!). If you click on the product sheet link, it first mentions HDMI / DVI scaling to 720p / 1080i. I use the HDMI output at 720p (ESPN HD looks incredible in 720p so I went with that... progressive just seems like the right way to go to me as opposed to 1080 interlaced).

I own a 60" gw3 and a 3910 connected to a 4806 and the picture is breathtaking.

I plan to purchase a 50 inch panny plasma for my bedroom (either the 500u or the 50u) as well as a denon 3806 and 2910.

Have you seen any macroblocking issues with the 2910 with a panny plasma? So far it seems like a hit or miss.

Thanks in advance.

Earlier in the thread there was some talk about a green push from this player, as well as MB. A consensus seems to be that MB although potential with this player is a monitor dependent and I rarely see it with my SXRD. I was wondering if this green push is still an issue? Has it gone away or been minimized with firmware updates?

Earlier in the thread there was some talk about a green push from this player, as well as MB. A consensus seems to be that MB although potential with this player is a monitor dependent and I rarely see it with my SXRD. I was wondering if this green push is still an issue? Has it gone away or been minimized with firmware updates?


Green push was addressed in early firmware updates (v5?)

I am thinking of upgrading to a Denon 2910 but am now hesitating after reading about the MB issues. I don't have the patience nor time to wade through 60 plus pages on this thread. Has anybody had MB issues with 2910 connected to any Samsung DLP RPTV specifically the HLP series?

Thanks!

I am thinking of upgrading to a Denon 2910 but am now hesitating after reading about the MB issues. I don't have the patience nor time to wade through 60 plus pages on this thread. Has anybody had MB issues with 2910 connected to any Samsung DLP RPTV specifically the HLP series?

Thanks!


I have my 2910 hooked up to an HLN 467 and love the picture. I have no MB problems. Try the "Thread search tool" feature and that may help speed up the process on previous posts. :)

I am thinking of upgrading to a Denon 2910 but am now hesitating after reading about the MB issues. I don't have the patience nor time to wade through 60 plus pages on this thread. Has anybody had MB issues with 2910 connected to any Samsung DLP RPTV specifically the HLP series?

Thanks!


2910 shows MB on my hlp5685w.

Hello Oink, I have an HLP5685W too. How often do you see MB? I wonder if it is similar to seeing rainbows in DLP which you only see infrequently and which is not really bothersome.

I am thinking of upgrading to a Denon 2910 but am now hesitating after reading about the MB issues. I don't have the patience nor time to wade through 60 plus pages on this thread. Has anybody had MB issues with 2910 connected to any Samsung DLP RPTV specifically the HLP series?
I do not see MB with my Sam HLP-5063, nor have I experienced any green push that wasn't inherent in the source (e.g. The Bourne Identity). The 2910 came with firmware 4 and now has A, and is connected via DVI @720p.

I do see the occasional rainbow (which is a DLP issue), but I'm not bothered by that. And there are certain instances where solid colors (e.g. walls) are blotchy, but I also attribute that to the source rather than what I've seen here as examples of MB.

does the 2910 show more mb with certain technolgies? ie plasma? i just bought it last night. unfortunately i'm going to install it this thursday.

I do see the occasional rainbow, but I'm not bothered by that. And there are certain instances where solid colors (e.g. walls) are blotchy, but I also attribute that to the source rather than what I've seen here as examples of MB.

Bruce73, that blotchy is the macroblocking, not the source of the DVD, other players won't have that and other TV's may not have that.

The MB is pretty bad when you start to notice it, but I fully belive it's the player and the way it works with the DLP sets, seems other sets look great, but DLP's show heavy MB.

I have a HLP4674 and this player is just plain poor through HDMI, in comparison, a $75.00 5yr old sony looks better.

I absolutely love my DLP and would never consider another TV on the market at this time. however I strongly recommend you don't pair the 2910 with the DLP. there are other players out there at the same price with a much better picture. I am sticking with the 2910 only becasuse of audio and the fact that I was able to buy the unit for $200 new. IF I were spending $600, I would never put it toward this player.

I agree with Kring... I have a 2910 hooked up to a HLP-5085W (via DVI @ 720p) and there is definitely macroblocking with this combination. And yes I've adjusted the Denon's black levels and adjusted the TV with DVE and Avia... there's just no way around it. Good thing is, its more noticeable on certain DVD's (Batman Begins for example has scenes that are pretty bad) but others look just fine. If I were you, I'd consider a Pioneer Elite 59avi (or wait for the 79avi).

Bruce73, that blotchy is the macroblocking, not the source of the DVD, other players won't have that and other TV's may not have that....
The examples of MB I seen posted here are truly horrible: very blocky. I'm referring to a more subtle, constantly changing, coloring in solids (e.g. the apartment walls in BI scene where the girl cuts her hair).

We're probably talking about the same thing, but, if that is the case, why don't I see it all the time? I have many DVDs where this is not noticeable, which I've always attributed to either a better transfer or higher bitrate.

Hello Oink, I have an HLP5685W too. How often do you see MB? I wonder if it is similar to seeing rainbows in DLP which you only see infrequently and which is not really bothersome.


I had to move my 2910 to a Sony crt, it was that annoying.
No, it is not the same thing as Rainbows. :)

The examples of MB I seen posted here are truly horrible: very blocky. I'm referring to a more subtle, constantly changing, coloring in solids (e.g. the apartment walls in BI scene where the girl cuts her hair).

We're probably talking about the same thing, but, if that is the case, why don't I see it all the time? I have many DVDs where this is not noticeable, which I've always attributed to either a better transfer or higher bitrate.




I completely agree with Kring and CarlosC on this issue.
Why don't you see it all the time?
Only Faroudja knows for sure... :D
For similiar $ the Pioneer is the way to go.
If I had known... ;)

Hello Denon Owners

I am looking to buy the 2910 as the new pioneer appparently will not be bought into australia. I am aware of this macroblocking issue and want to know with the use of a sdi mod. Will the macroblocking be gone?

Thanks

I completely agree with Kring and CarlosC on this issue.
Why don't you see it all the time?
Only Faroudja knows for sure... :D
For similiar $ the Pioneer is the way to go.
If I had known... ;)

Which Pioneer is similar cost? Are both audio and video performance comparable to the 2910?

Hello Denon Owners

I am looking to buy the 2910 as the new pioneer appparently will not be bought into australia. I am aware of this macroblocking issue and want to know with the use of a sdi mod. Will the macroblocking be gone?

Thanks

You shouldn't have a macroblocking issue coming off SDI. The Faroudja chip is the deinterlacer. SDI will pull the signal directly off the decoder before it gets to the deinterlacer.

I agree stryder7of9, it appears that the Denon detailed spec page is incorrect (or else I'm reading incorrectly also!). If you click on the product sheet link, it first mentions HDMI / DVI scaling to 720p / 1080i. I use the HDMI output at 720p (ESPN HD looks incredible in 720p so I went with that... progressive just seems like the right way to go to me as opposed to 1080 interlaced).

Depends upon the TV. If I were "feeding" a 1080i CRT RPTV, I'd use 1080i out. If using a 720p DLP, I would use 720P out. With my 1080P SXRD, the 1080i definitely looks better (all the set must do is deinterlace).

I own a 2910 that I've been connecting to my Denon receiver (an AVR-3805) using the 5.1 outs for about a year now. Anyway, I just got a set of new Hsu Research speakers that include a rear center channel. If I want to play DVDs that have a DTS 6.1-channel audio track on them, will the data for the 6th channel get properly transmitted using the 5.1 outs, or am I better off going back to a digital connection? I'm kind of paranoid that with one cable devoted to each of the 5.1 channels, channel #6 would fall by the wayside when using the 5.1 outs for playback.

I own a 2910 that I've been connecting to my Denon receiver (an AVR-3805) using the 5.1 outs for about a year now. Anyway, I just got a set of new Hsu Research speakers that include a rear center channel. If I want to play DVDs that have a DTS 6.1-channel audio track on them, will the data for the 6th channel get properly transmitted using the 5.1 outs, or am I better off going back to a digital connection? I'm kind of paranoid that with one cable devoted to each of the 5.1 channels, channel #6 would fall by the wayside when using the 5.1 outs for playback.
If you're using the 5.1 analog outputs - and it sounds like you are - then there is no channel for a discrete 6th channel. (The 6th channel in DD EX is matrixed into the two rear channels and should therefore be passed to the receiver.) Firewire and Denonlink would pass the discrete channel along to the receiver.

Edit: Nevermind on the Deninlink/Firewire comment. Apparently, I can't tell the difference between a 2910 and a 3910! :D

So what you're saying is that if I'm using the 5.1 analog outs, I have nothing to worry about since channel #6 will be passed to the receiver by the cables for the rear channels? If so, cool!

I am thinking of upgrading to a Denon 2910 but am now hesitating after reading about the MB issues. I don't have the patience nor time to wade through 60 plus pages on this thread. Has anybody had MB issues with 2910 connected to any Samsung DLP RPTV specifically the HLP series?

After struggling with this issue for months, (I have 2910 connected via DVI to Samsung HLP-5085W) I finally found the solution.... the Sony ES DVP-NS3100ES! This player looks fantastic on my set and macroblocking noise is basically completely eliminated! (I can finally watch Batman Begins without all the noise in the dark scenes!) The difference is really night and day. I cant recommend this player enough for DLP sets if you're seeing the macroblocking from Faroudja-based players. As a result, I'm selling my 2910 if anyone's interested :)

I own a 2910 that I've been connecting to my Denon receiver (an AVR-3805) using the 5.1 outs for about a year now. Anyway, I just got a set of new Hsu Research speakers that include a rear center channel. If I want to play DVDs that have a DTS 6.1-channel audio track on them, will the data for the 6th channel get properly transmitted using the 5.1 outs, or am I better off going back to a digital connection? I'm kind of paranoid that with one cable devoted to each of the 5.1 channels, channel #6 would fall by the wayside when using the 5.1 outs for playback.


The DTS-ES is a discrete 6th channel.

With your DenonAVR-3805/2910 combo why wouldn't you use the optical or coax digital connections for Dolby digital and DTS movies and concerts? :rolleyes: They will pass the 6th channel info. (BTW: I understand why you use the 6 audio connections for SACD's and DVD-A)

I am thinking of upgrading to a Denon 2910 but am now hesitating after reading about the MB issues. I don't have the patience nor time to wade through 60 plus pages on this thread. Has anybody had MB issues with 2910 connected to any Samsung DLP RPTV specifically the HLP series?

Thanks!

I think you have seen enough negitive comments on the 2910 with DLP as a poor combo. But I wanted to make a suggestion on the 60 pages. I recommend using the sites advanced search and search this specific thread for "2910 and DLP and MB" or change it up to a few key words, it will basically drop you to a few pages of what your looking for.

So what you're saying is that if I'm using the 5.1 analog outs, I have nothing to worry about since channel #6 will be passed to the receiver by the cables for the rear channels? If so, cool!
That's not quite what I said, but I misspoke anyway. If you are using the analog outputs, your receiver is NOT doing anything other than volume and final amplification. You will NOT get 6.1 with anything less than a 6.1 analog connection between the player and the receiver (which the 2910 doesn't have :( ).

If digital coax will transmit the 6th channel, then that's what I'll use. Firewire or Denonlink would be nice, if only the 2910 supported them...

If digital coax will transmit the 6th channel, then that's what I'll use. Firewire or Denonlink would be nice, if only the 2910 supported them...
I'm guessing you were using the 2910's DACs because they are considered by many to be better than the 3805's? Yes, the digital connections - coaxial and optical - pass everything except DVD-A/SACD. For that, you can still use the analog connections. Or buy a 3910. :)

Yeah, that's why I was using the analog outs. I never play SACDs or DVD-As, though, so when I get behind my entertainment center and redo all the connections this weekend at the same time that I hook up my fly new speakers, I'll make the switch to coax digital (since all the optical inputs on the 3805 are presently in use).

Yeah, that's why I was using the analog outs. I never play SACDs or DVD-As, though, so when I get behind my entertainment center and redo all the connections this weekend at the same time that I hook up my fly new speakers, I'll make the switch to coax digital (since all the optical inputs on the 3805 are presently in use).
Coaxial's the one to use unless you're in a high RF/EMI environment. An optical connection requires a conversion from electrical to optical (light) and then another one back again. Coaxial is electrical all the way.

Just my $.02.

I'm guessing you were using the 2910's DACs because they are considered by many to be better than the 3805's?


Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the DVD-2910 uses the same (or equivalent DAC's as the AVR 3805. Plus when you go the digital route you have access to all of the Room EQ, and more advanced set up functions of the AVR-3805.
BTW, I realize the DVD-3910 has better DAC's.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the DVD-2910 uses the same (or equivalent DAC's as the AVR 3805. Plus when you go the digital route you have access to all of the Room EQ, and more advanced set up functions of the AVR-3805.
BTW, I realize the DVD-3910 has better DAC's.
You're right, they do. But "some" still think the 2910's are better. Go figure.

I picked up a 2910 a couple of weeks ago, but haven't played around with it too much. I had been using it exclusively with component on my panasonic TH-50PHD8UK which looks great, but not that much better than my old Sony S9000ES.

Anyway, I received the HDMI blade for the Panasonic, and hooked it up to see how it looked, and to see if I could see any macroblocking (not exactly sure what it is, but have read these two components are not a good match). Upconverting to 720P, the picture was sharper overall, but I did notice the picture wasn't as smooth as over component.

Anyway, I noticed another unacceptable artifact over HDMI which I don't think is macroblocking. On night scenes, I notice random white pixels flashing throughout the black sky in the background. Any idea what that is?

Thanks,

Anyway, I received the HDMI blade for the Panasonic, and hooked it up to see how it looked, and to see if I could see any macroblocking (not exactly sure what it is, but have read these two components are not a good match). Upconverting to 720P, the picture was sharper overall, but I did notice the picture wasn't as smooth as over component.
To some eyes smoother may seem better, but it could (likely) mean that there is less detail, less "sharpness." Try viewing it for while with the HDMI, and then switch back to component. My guess is that you will then notice that the "smoothness" is due to less detail.

Anyway, I noticed another unacceptable artifact over HDMI which I don't think is macroblocking. On night scenes, I notice random white pixels flashing throughout the black sky in the background. Any idea what that is?
Could Be macroblocking . . .

Anyway, I noticed another unacceptable artifact over HDMI which I don't think is macroblocking. On night scenes, I notice random white pixels flashing throughout the black sky in the background. Any idea what that is?

This doesnt sound like macroblocking. Unless you're watching a DVD of an older movie that may contain artifacts, this sounds like a faulty or low quality HDMI cable. I had a similar experience once and the problem went away when I switched to a different cable.

This doesnt sound like macroblocking. Unless you're watching a DVD of an older movie that may artifacts, this sounds like a faulty or low quality HDMI cable. I had a similar experience once and the problem went away when I switched to a different cable.


Thanks for the replies. I'm not sure what macroblocking looks like, but from the name, I imagined portions of the video separating into larger regions or blocks like I have seen on SD and even HD??

Anyway, this seemed different in that the artifacts were white against a black sky. Almost like random sparkling. Truthfully, I haven't watched more than 20 minutes over the HDMI output, but this was really noticeable, and was not present over the component output.

The DVD itself should be fine in this is the Men In Black DVD. The hdmi cable should be fine as well. It is Monster Cable's over priced ones, but should be fine quality wise.

Ultimately, I am going to either unload this unit or match it with my LCD projection, and see if it is any better than my denon 1600 with that TV. I was a little impulsive when buying the 2910, and didnt research that this unit was not considered a good match with the Panasonic plasmas until after I bought it.

I recent bought an opened box Denon 2900 for the panasonic that I'm going to SDI Mod, and feed through a scaler.

Bruce73, that blotchy is the macroblocking, not the source of the DVD, other players won't have that and other TV's may not have that.

The MB is pretty bad when you start to notice it, but I fully belive it's the player and the way it works with the DLP sets, seems other sets look great, but DLP's show heavy MB.

I have a HLP4674 and this player is just plain poor through HDMI, in comparison, a $75.00 5yr old sony looks better.

I absolutely love my DLP and would never consider another TV on the market at this time. however I strongly recommend you don't pair the 2910 with the DLP. there are other players out there at the same price with a much better picture. I am sticking with the 2910 only becasuse of audio and the fact that I was able to buy the unit for $200 new. IF I were spending $600, I would never put it toward this player.

So Sorry but you are wrong....

Macroblocking is inherent on ALL DVDS.... The result in PQ being affected is display dependant and how the player handles it, BUT it is always there.

Just correcting you :cool:

So Sorry but you are wrong....

Macroblocking is inherent on ALL DVDS.... The result in PQ being affected is display dependant and how the player handles it, BUT it is always there.

Just correcting you :cool:


So your telling me that I'm wrong saying that other players don't add the macroblocking that the Denon does? How am I wrong, in clarifying for Bruce73 that the issues he's attributing to the source, are most likely not the source? please explain. and please state if you have a 2910 and DLP combo too.

The 2910 Absolutly is adding MB to my video. It is absolutly not the source, because I have confirmed this on other players. and I fully stand by my statement of "other players won't have that and other TV's may not have that."

If the source has the MB, then NO player should be able to provide a smooth gradient when there is none in the source. so how could one DVD player show MB on a non-MB source, while the other does? it's because the PLAYER!!! not the source? (my statement which you disagree with?) so please explain why you called me out so boldly as flat out wrong?

Please HIDEF_J elaborate on your comment :cool:

I believe that You are both correct.

The macroblocking is present in the source, from what I've learnt.
However, DVD-players can be more or less proficient in "hiding" the phenomena.
The 2910 in some cases seem to be a bit less proficient on that point.

But also... I believe that it could be some kind of incompatibility between digital displays and certain DVD-players that cause the phenomena.
Why?
Because I can't ever spot any MB in my setup (DVD-2910 and Hitachi PJ-TX100 LCD fpj), but I do believe that some users see it very clearly.
Remember that it is a digital, uncompressed signal that is being transferred from the player to the display - and the display needs to process this high bandwidth information to it's panels (or whatever technology it uses). This process must contain some margins for errors.

This is similar to the problem with "greenish image" reported from some users (including myself) on the 2910 on DVI. Some users have never spotted it, some users say it got better with firmware updates, and some users (me) claim that it is the same after several upgrades.

I have tried connecting my player to both LCD-TV:s and to a CRT-projector (using a DVI-VGA converter) and seen none of the "greenish". So in that case I'm positive that it's my present combination of player/display that causes it.

Couldn't it be the same with MB?

Also - when I use the DVI-VGA converter and hook it up on the analouge VGA input on my LCD projector - then the "greenish phenomena" is also gone!
So, definitely something in my PJ is incompatible with the DVI-signal from the 2910.
I have another player with DVI-D out (IO Data AvelLink) and it gives much better colours on the Hitachi PJ with no green tint at all!

This doesnt sound like macroblocking. Unless you're watching a DVD of an older movie that may artifacts, this sounds like a faulty or low quality HDMI cable. I had a similar experience once and the problem went away when I switched to a different cable.

It definitely sounds like the cable is to blame. Check it with a different cable if you can.

Mark

It definitely sounds like the cable is to blame. Check it with a different cable if you can.

Mark

Interesting. I will have to check that out. Why would it only be on certain scenes then? It seems if the cable was faulty, then this would always occur?

Not so... These "sparklies" are a typical "bad DVI/HMDI-cable"-problem.

I have seen the sparklies on a DVI cable, and this was different. My artifacts were contained to single pixels. I only observed them against a black background, however.

After rearranging some of my equipment, I had to buy a longer HDMI cable to connect my 2910 to my TV. The cable I bought on eBay arrived yesterday, and I hooked it up...but now something strange is happening: The front panel of the player cycles through messages reading "Normal", "Mode 1", "Mode 2" and "All Off", displaying each for maybe two seconfs before going onto the next. While this is happening, the picture flickers on and off (sometimes playing for as long as 30 seconds w/o interruption, sometimes for just five or ten) and the audio (output via digital coax) likewise cuts in and out. Is this likely the result of a faulty cable, or could it be a player issue (perhaps the result of default settings getting nuked when the player was unplugged)?. Nothing the manual says about circimstances involving "Mode 1" or "Mode 2" messages seems relevant. I doubt this is an HDMI handshake issue, since I powered on the equipment in the correct sequence necessary to keep such things from happening.

After rearranging some of my equipment, I had to buy a longer HDMI cable to connect my 2910 to my TV. The cable I bought on eBay arrived yesterday, and I hooked it up...but now something strange is happening: The front panel of the player cycles through messages reading "Normal", "Mode 1", "Mode 2" and "All Off", displaying each for maybe two seconfs before going onto the next. While this is happening, the picture flickers on and off (sometimes playing for as long as 30 seconds w/o interruption, sometimes for just five or ten) and the audio (output via digital coax) likewise cuts in and out. Is this likely the result of a faulty cable, or could it be a player issue (perhaps the result of default settings getting nuked when the player was unplugged)?. Nothing the manual says about circimstances involving "Mode 1" or "Mode 2" messages seems relevant. I doubt this is an HDMI handshake issue, since I powered on the equipment in the correct sequence necessary to keep such things from happening.
Here's a reference (http://www.michaeldvd.com.au/HardwareReviews/Denon3910/DenonDVD-3910.html) that talks about the messages you mentioned on the 3910. Page search on "all off" and hit "find next" to go right to it. Also, check your 2910 manual - a novel idea - on pg 16. :)

(It relates to Pure Direct.)

Well, the manual is mighty confusing where all this stuff is concerned. I was able to stop the cycling and flickering by setting "Digital Output" to "off" in both Pure Direct modes, but now I'm getting no audio whatsoever over the coax out. The manual says that what I did turns off HDMI audio output but says nothing about the other digital audio outs, and I can't find a setting that will let me control them. I didn't have a problem mixing HDMI video out + coax audio out before, so I have no clue why it would suddenly turn into a huge issue.

Well, the manual is mighty confusing where all this stuff is concerned. I was able to stop the cycling and flickering by setting "Digital Output" to "off" in both Pure Direct modes, but now I'm getting no audio whatsoever over the coax out. The manual says that what I did turns off HDMI audio output but says nothing about the other digital audio outs, and I can't find a setting that will let me control them. I didn't have a problem mixing HDMI video out + coax audio out before, so I have no clue why it would suddenly turn into a huge issue.
It turns off ALL digital output - Coax, Optical and HDMI.
I think the problem you have is not related to the settings, but rather a possible "stuck" switch, it shouldn't cycle like that. Each press of the switch should take it to the next available option untill you get back to Normal, sure the key on your remote isn't stuck ???

I don't think a stuck button is the issue, since the cycling stopped when I adjusted the Pure Direct Mode settings (as of now, all three settings are "on" in both mode 1 and mode 2). I tried replacing the coax cable with a different one and moving the DVD player and using the old, short HDMI cable. Neither produced any success--I'm getting a great HDMI picture, but no audio output over the digital coax. If I turn on the TV's speakers (which were disabled) and crank up its volume, I get audio there off the HDMI cable, but I'm completely SOL where the digital coax is concerned. Is there a menu setting somewhere that I might have somehow overlooked? I've tried every option I can think of, with no success of any kind.

Well, I finally--finally--got it solved. Turns out it was an issue with my receiver, even though I hadn't touched so much as a button on it. Somehow the AVR3805 got confused when I disconnected and reconnected the DVD player, and it was in some mode where it was recognizing all DVDs as DTS even if they didn't have a DTS signal on them. After pushing the buttons that got the 3805 back to auto, I finally began getting proper audio output. Whew! I wasted a whole afternoon, but at least it's all taken care of now...

I've skimmed through many pages of this thread and could not seem to find if MB is a problem with the 2910 connected via component. I was set to get the Pioneer 79avi but Tweeter in my area (Boston) says it could be after the holidays before they see it. I am looking to upgrade my Sony 900v and had also thought of the 3910 but at around $1300.00 its a little steep.

I have a Panasonic 42WD6UY and was concerned about MB but thought I would buy one at Tweeter and return it if it was an issue. The Audioholics review was very positive but there was no mention of MB in the review. Although of the displays used in the review a plasma was not used. So if anyone is using the 2910 via component could let me know if MB is a problem I would appreciate it.

Thanks, Bill

Hi all.
I have been noticing that my 2910 seems to occasionally load extremely slow.
Anyone else experiencing this problem?
Last night, it would not even play my superbit dvd the fifth element.
I almost have the feeling that it is getting ready to crap out on me.

Craig

I've skimmed through many pages of this thread and could not seem to find if MB is a problem with the 2910 connected via component. I was set to get the Pioneer 79avi but Tweeter in my area (Boston) says it could be after the holidays before they see it. I am looking to upgrade my Sony 900v and had also thought of the 3910 but at around $1300.00 its a little steep.

I have a Panasonic 42WD6UY and was concerned about MB but thought I would buy one at Tweeter and return it if it was an issue. The Audioholics review was very positive but there was no mention of MB in the review. Although of the displays used in the review a plasma was not used. So if anyone is using the 2910 via component could let me know if MB is a problem I would appreciate it.

Thanks, Bill

bill, Ive had my 2910 for quite a while now and have it connected via component to a toshiba 65h82 and have noticed nothing but stunning pictures time after time. Like I have previously stated most of the people noticing this MB are connected via DVI or HDMI to these newer digital displays. Im really not sure if connecting via component to your (I assume) digtal tv would make a difference. cheers.

Recently, my 2910 started having trouble loading the latest two Star Wars DVDs. It seems to matter if the player has been on for a while. It makes this continuous sound like it's trying to load it, then goes to a 00h00m00s screen and just locks. Other movies still work fine.

Anyone else experience this?

Bought a 2910 at Tweeter today, out the box I was a little disappointed but did a little tweaking an found the PQ and SQ to be quite a step up from my Sony 900v. I am running it through component directly to my Panasonic 42WD6UY, I have to order a DVI blade for the Panasonic then I can connect it HDMI-DVI.

I found the review by Audioholics to be very helpful especially the importance to set IRE to 0, with it set at 7.5 the picture looked washed out and soft. By changing it to 0 the PQ was greatly improved. I have yet to try CD's or SACD's but will do so tomorrow. I find all aspects of PQ color, clarity and depth to be very good. I almost went for the 3910 but could not justify double the cost.

I watched Batman Begins which is a pretty dark movie and saw some artifacts (very few) but did not see any MB, as its been described in this thread. Then watched parts of DVD's I'm familar with Italian Job, Swordfish and a few others an so far I'm very impressed.

Bill

I have the 2910 connected to a 3806 and was wondering for SACD playback should I set all channel levels, speaker type and distance with the 2910 or will the 3806 handle that?

Also when playing a SACD thru EXT-IN the sub is working fine but when I do a speaker level test I do not get a test tone from the sub. Is this a normal thing or did I do something wrong?

Thanks for any help, Bill

I'm curious which combination most use:

7.5 IRE and normal black
0 IRE and normal black
7.5 IRE and enhanced black
0 IRE and enhanced black

I have a 2910 connected via both digital and analog to a 3805. With SACD and EXT-IN I don't get a test tone on the subwoofer either. However, when playing music I can see and feel the subwoofer cone moving. The subwoofer test tone works fine with a DVD-A disc in the machine.

I'm curious which combination most use:

7.5 IRE and normal black
0 IRE and normal black
7.5 IRE and enhanced black
0 IRE and enhanced black
Isn't only one of those "options" correct for North American home theater, non-PC situation? Also, the premise of the question is redundent and therefore incorrect; "enhanced black" IS 0 IRE and "normal" is 7.5 IRE.

I have the 2910 connected to a 3806 and was wondering for SACD playback should I set all channel levels, speaker type and distance with the 2910 or will the 3806 handle that? - set in 2910

Thanks for any help, Bill
as above

Isn't only one of those "options" correct for North American home theater, non-PC situation? Also, the premise of the question is redundent and therefore incorrect; "enhanced black" IS 0 IRE and "normal" is 7.5 IRE.

Well, I know that if I set the IRE to 0 and toggle back and forth between enhanced and normal, I get a much darker picture with enhanced.

Are you saying darker is better?

HDMI/DVI BLACK LEVEL only controls the black level for the digital output. The correct selection should be NORMAL, which is RGB video luminance levels of digital 16 as black and digital 235 as white (the same luminance standard used by DVD and HDTV (see page 29 of the manual).

ENHANCED BLACK uses PC luminance levels where black is digital 0 and white is digital 256. If you are using an HTPC, this may be the correct setting, depending on whether your computer video card is outputing video black levels or PC black levels.

The only reason you would select ENHANCED BLACK is if you had an older display device with a fixed PC black level -- meaning you could not select between video black and PC black. The Samsung HLP DLP display device is one that was fixed at the PC black level.

The IRE setting in the PICTURE ADJUST menu is for all other analog outputs such as composite, s-video and component. For NTSC standard-def TV and VHS, the correct setting is 7.5 IRE. For DVD and HDTV, the correct setting is 0 IRE (see page 47 of the manual).

As you change from NORMAL to ENHANCED, you will see a significant change to black levels. The point is not to select the lighter or darker mode but the correct mode for the video source. Select the correct mode (NORMAL for HDMI/DVI) and then set you brightness and contrast settings using AVIA or DVE.

Each time you change the luminance standard on the Denon (NORMAL and ENHANCED for digital and 7.5 and 0 IRE for analog) you must recalibrate your brightness and contrast levels.

Finally, you need to make sure that the black level of your display device matches the black level of your source material.

Well, I know that if I set the IRE to 0 and toggle back and forth between enhanced and normal, I get a much darker picture with enhanced.
Well, sure, but that's apples and oranges. You need to match the source to the display. And here in N America, the standard is 7.5 IRE. Once you've done that, your system needs to be calibrated, either by you and/or a techie friend with Avia/DVE or professionally.

At 0 IRE on my 2910 the pluge bar disappears on my calibration DVD. its visible with the 7.5 IRE setting

At 0 IRE on my 2910 the pluge bar disappears on my calibration DVD. its visible with the 7.5 IRE setting
Has your system been calibrated with that DVD, or did you just pop it in and look?

Thanks to everyone for your input on questions I asked. Have to order a DVE disc to calibrate everything properly. Although when the Pioneer 79avi is available in my area I might be tempted to return the 2910 for the 79avi, then I'll want to return my 3806 for a 74txvi to go with the 79avi. If this is my biggest concern I'm doing pretty good!

Bill

...The only reason you would select ENHANCED BLACK is if you had an older display device with a fixed PC black level -- meaning you could not select between video black and PC black. The Samsung HLP DLP display device is one that was fixed at the PC black level....

...Select the correct mode (NORMAL for HDMI/DVI) and then set you brightness and contrast settings using AVIA or DVE.

Kevin, I'm confused. I have my 2910 via DVI to a Samsung HLP, and have always assumed NORMAL was the way to go. So you're saying I need to change to ENHANCED and recalibrate? Perhaps this explains why I have to turn the brightness of the DLP down to 26 for DVDs -- per DVE -- but I keep it at 53 for HDTV (by eyeballing the noise level in the horizontal bars of 2.35:1 images). I had thought this discrepancy was DVI vs. component (which is how HDTV is inputted from the STB).

Ultimately, does it really matter if it is NORMAL or ENHANCED as long as the pluge testing is correct?

Kevin, I'm confused. I have my 2910 via DVI to a Samsung HLP, and have always assumed NORMAL was the way to go. So you're saying I need to change to ENHANCED and recalibrate? Perhaps this explains why I have to turn the brightness of the DLP down to 26 for DVDs -- per DVE -- but I keep it at 53 for HDTV (by eyeballing the noise level in the horizontal bars of 2.35:1 images). I had thought this discrepancy was DVI vs. component (which is how HDTV is inputted from the STB).

Ultimately, does it really matter if it is NORMAL or ENHANCED as long as the pluge testing is correct?
That might have been a somewhat out of context cut-and-paste: SET IT TO NORMAL and CALIBRATE, period. This is NOT true outside of N America though.

If you have hi-def cable with Mark Cuban's HDNet, they run a test pattern including pluge on Tuesday mornings. Invariably, TV sources will require a different brightness setting - on the display - to get the proper black level. Use another memory position if you have them. If not, and you mostly watch DVD, set the display for that. If you feel like it, nudge the brightness control up - or down - manually for TV.

See the DVE DVD at http://www.hdtvsupply.com/diviesdvd.html

That might have been a somewhat out of context cut-and-paste: SET IT TO NORMAL and CALIBRATE, period. This is NOT true outside of N America though.

If you have hi-def cable with Mark Cuban's HDNet, they run a test pattern including pluge on Tuesday mornings. Invariably, TV sources will require a different brightness setting - on the display - to get the proper black level. Use another memory position if you have them. If not, and you mostly watch DVD, set the display for that. If you feel like it, nudge the brightness control up - or down - manually for TV.
Well, perhaps out of context, but it seemed contradictory to me: NORMAL=NTSC on one hand, but ENHANCED=HLP DLP on the other. I had never heard of Samsung DLPs using PC black levels, so wasn't sure what took precedence. Thanks for clearing that up. I'm leaving things as they are.

As for HDTV, regrettably Adelphia doesn't offer HDNet (grrr...), but since I do have separate settings for different inputs, I can calibrate independently. The DVD setting for HD would be way too dark otherwise.

This is just one of many ways consumer electronics can be very confusing.

First, let me correct my statement. It is the older HLN model that has the problem of being limited to PC video levels (0 to 255). Since Joe Kane got involved with Samsung, this issue has been resolved and the Samsung HLP can be calibrated with amazing accuracy.

You are correct that you can use NORMAL or ENHANCED and get a good picture so long as you calibrate the PLUGE pattern after (not before) selecting the black level. However, to get the best picture, you want to match the black level of the source with the black level of the display device. This can be confusing because the nomenclature used by the various manufacturers differs and the correct black level depends on whether you are using an analog or digital source and/or display device.

For digital signals (DVD and ATSC or HDTV) and digital display devices (LCD, DLP, plasma, D-ila, etc.), the correct black level for both is generally referred to (at least by Greg Rogers) as DVI-Video. Here is a quote from Greg that provides some explanation: “DVI-PC digital levels are 0-255 for 0-100 IRE, and therefore below-black DVI-PC levels are not allowed. DVI-Video digital levels are 16-235 for 0-100 IRE, and below-black DVI-Video levels are possible in PLUGE patterns.”

It is important to match source and display device black levels so that you don’t get artifacts by the conversion from one standard to the other (see note below). Think of it like a scaling issue. You can show a 1080i image on a 720p display device, and it can look very good, but there will inherently be artifacts from the conversion. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to feed a 720p display device a 720p signal. Likewise it is generally best to feed a digital display device (set to DVI-Video black level) a source set to DVI-Video.

Unfortunately, manufacturers call these digital black levels by any number of names such as NORMAL vs. ENHANCED or 0 vs. 7.5 IRE (which stictly speaking is limited to analog signals and NTSC video).

NOTE: DVI-Video uses 16 for black to 235 for white, resulting in 219 luminance levels. DVI-PC uses 0 for black and 255 for white, resulting in 256 luminance levels. In short, when you convert DVI-Video to DVI-PC, you have to convert 219 luminance levels to 256 levels. This can result in banding artifacts and a skewed gamma curve, among other things. For a detailed explanation of this issue, and how complicated it can become, see this article Video Black Levels (http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/video_levels_nattress.html)

Kevin, thanks for the edification. I'm trying to wrap my head around this and took a peek at the link you provided, but I'm going to need a good night's sleep before I tackle that. :)

A quick question: when I select ENHANCED on the 2910, the HLP display still shows blacker than black with the pluge pattern. Is that because the HLP converts the DVD-PC levels being sent by the 2910 back to DVD-Video levels?

Has your system been calibrated with that DVD, or did you just pop it in and look?


Its my calibration dvd so of course I calibrated my system with it-what else would I use it for?

Its my calibration dvd so of course I calibrated my system with it-what else would I use it for?
Your post seemed incomplete, or at least imprecise. Pluge bar? Which pluge bar? They're ALL pluge bars. The darkest bar? If you can calibrate it to disappear at 0, you should be able to at 7.5, too.

See the DVE DVD at http://www.hdtvsupply.com/diviesdvd.html

I ordered the DVE DVD through www.hdtvsupply.com. I would like to thank Jim for the time he spent with me on the phone answering some questions I had and also for some suggestions for settings on my Panasonic 42WD6UY. A very nice surprise to get the help that Jim offered.

Thanks again, Bill

3 questions related to the 2910:
1. can DVDA and SACD be transmitted via the 2910's HDMI v1.1 output? I don't have an HDMI receiver now but want to know for future purposes.
2. what is the benefit of transmitting DVDA and SACD digitally (vs. analog 5.1) - in a practical, what your ears hear sense?
3. (dumb question): what is "layer change" and when is the slowness apparent?
Thanks.

2. There is a benefit in transmitting DVD-A/SACD digitally to your receiver/pre-pro IF it has better DACs than your player. If the player's are better, use the 5.1 analog connections. We and our ears are analog, so it's gotta be converted from the digital on the disk somewhere; it's just a matter of where it happens - player or receiver/pre-pro.

3. Some DVDs are recorded with two layers of data. This doubles the capacity. The alternative is to spread it over two discs. The layers are at different depths and requires a re-focusing of the read laser. (Think looking at your hand and then at something across the room.) This re-focusing, or layer change, takes a fraction of a second in most players, longer in others.

3 questions related to the 2910:
1. can DVDA and SACD be transmitted via the 2910's HDMI v1.1 output? I don't have an HDMI receiver now but want to know for future purposes.
2. what is the benefit of transmitting DVDA and SACD digitally (vs. analog 5.1) - in a practical, what your ears hear sense?
3. (dumb question): what is "layer change" and when is the slowness apparent?
Thanks.

I believe only DVDA can be transmitted via the 2910's HDMI v1.1 connector. SACD isn't transmitted via HDMI 1.1. Perhaps in 1.2 or 1.3 it will be, but this will probably not be supported on the 2910, as I think it requires a hardware (and not just a firmware) upgrade.

-- Dave

For people using their 2910 with a Samsung dlp: do you get less macroblocking when using a Component connection rather than the HDMI-HDMI cable to the Samsung? I realize that one cannot output 720p or 1080i over Component (right?), but my impression is that the Component connection is just about as good as the HDMI (right?). And if Component gives less MB, then that might actually make it a better choice. Any thoughts?

I have a Sammy HL-P5085W DLP paired with a 2910 (on firmware -8MRA) and initially I noticed MB over DVI @ 1080i (months back) but after some adjustments to the TV and player's video settings I rarely ever notice it. Mainly setting the player to IRE 0.0, and not having the TV's brightness so high as to make the blacks look greyish, revealing all flaws. I recently switched over to HDMI and it's the same story, none to little MB. Can't see all the fuss about pairing this player up with a DLP. :confused: :)

I just purchased a 2910. Firmware version is 6720B. Date is 610. Running component through a Denon 3803 receiver to a new :) HP MD5880N 58" 1080p DLP. Picture quality looks great. No MB that I have noticed yet.
I DO have the 2910 aspect ratio problem noted earlier in this thread, ie: DVD set to 16:9 but outputting 4:3. I have to set the display to it's "wide" setting to compensate. This calibrates correctly using the "THX optimizer" found in many DVD's. Would really like to get this fixed so I can leave the TV on one setting (normal) for all signals. Does anyone know, Was this aspect ratio issue supposed to be fixed with Firmware version 6720B? Does it go away if I use HDMI?

Thanks!

Possible you could post this region free firmware again? Was reading somewhere about 6720-D firmware also. Thanks

Hello everyone,

I just took delivery of my DVD-2910, it is the European model as I reside in the Netherlands. I just wanted to share with you the firmware version the DVD-player shipped with and tell you that I've successfully upgraded (well, technically downgraded) to 6720-A.

Firmware:

ESS 6720-B
MAKE DAY 610
DRV 030825
SYSTEM 6768-2
DSP 6770

The upgrade went flawless with the April 22, 2005 6720-A firmware and the DVD-player is now region code free. For me that's a big issue as I'm in the US often and buy plenty of DVDs when I visit that have yet to be released in Europe. I've uploaded the firmware upgrade to our server as a ZIP file, containing the firmware upgrade and a PDF manual, so anyone that wants it can grab it there, but be sure to read the instructions carefully.

Obviously the files are both provided as-is, hence I don’t take any responsibility if the update doesn’t work, or other problems arise.

Denon DVD-2910, April 22, 2005 - 6720-A region code free
http://hardwareanalysis.com/images/...large/11626.zip

Regards,

Sander Sassen
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com

I've had this combo for over a year now (had the Sammy ISF calibrated 1-05) and after having undergone a Samsung Light Engine change in late spring of this year I have recently added a Equi=Tech Balanced Power unit ( Son of Q Jr.). After the new LE, the ISF calibration had been negatively altered. Not at all like it was before the LE swap-out - yet decent, but not spot on like originally.

I am running the latest 2910 software and with the new addition of the Equi=Tech Balanced power unit I can confidently state that the Equi=Tech unit has elevated the performance of my 5674 twofold. Black level, resolution detail, and deeper, more vibrant and saturated colors have all been enhanced.

I am planning on getting a tune-up from my ISF tech in the next month or so because it is definately in order. If he can get it tuned in like before the LE change-out then I will be delighted. With the Equi=Tech inclusion, I am very curious as to the level he can bring it to. BTW, MB was a non-factor after he did his initial calibration.

The Equi=Tech addition not only elevated the performance of the Sammy, but increased the resolution and bass response of my audio playback- and by no small degree.

Just thought I would pass this along .................


BOK

I just purchased a 2910. Firmware version is 6720B. Date is 610. Running component through a Denon 3803 receiver to a new :) HP MD5880N 58" 1080p DLP. Picture quality looks great. No MB that I have noticed yet.
I DO have the 2910 aspect ratio problem noted earlier in this thread, ie: DVD set to 16:9 but outputting 4:3. I have to set the display to it's "wide" setting to compensate. This calibrates correctly using the "THX optimizer" found in many DVD's. Would really like to get this fixed so I can leave the TV on one setting (normal) for all signals. Does anyone know, Was this aspect ratio issue supposed to be fixed with Firmware version 6720B? Does it go away if I use HDMI?

Thanks!

Figured it out.... 2910 apparently doesn't upconvert over component.... So it is only sending 480p to the TV. This requires the TV to be set to "Wide" for correct aspect ratio, even if the DVD is outputting 16:9. My plan is to switch to HDMI.

Figured it out.... 2910 apparently doesn't upconvert over component.... So it is only sending 480p to the TV. This requires the TV to be set to "Wide" for correct aspect ratio, even if the DVD is outputting 16:9. My plan is to switch to HDMI.
Correct, it will deinterlace but not scale over component. However, if you display is 16:9 and that is selected in the 2910 setup, a widescreen anamorphic DVD should fill your screen with the TV set to NORMAL.

I have just installed the latest 6720-A update in my 2910 but will that also install previous updates since I have had mine about a year now and this is the first update I have done? If not, how do I find the previous ones?

yes all updates are installed when most recent is installed. but my question is when the hell is Denon going to make 6720-B available for download. it is out because a buddy of mine just purchased a 2910 & that is his firmware version!!!!

Thanks for the info noizemaker, thats what I was hoping for. Would you happen to know if the region free software will allow my 2910 to play burnt movies? I thought at first it was because when copying them I was removing the region code but they still don't work when I select region 1.

Thanks for the info noizemaker, thats what I was hoping for. Would you happen to know if the region free software will allow my 2910 to play burnt movies? I thought at first it was because when copying them I was removing the region code but they still don't work when I select region 1.

curious, are they PAL or NTSC? I had to go in and select NTSC somewhere to get PALs to play. will look it over tomorrow.

is that 6720-A region free then? I lost track somewhere, looking for a late model region free.

is that 6720-A region free then? I lost track somewhere, looking for a late model region free.
6720-A MR over at www.videohelp.com is region free. Been running it for nearly 4 weeks now and no glitches so far.

All the movies I have burned are NTSC using DVDShrink.

All the movies I have burned are NTSC using DVDShrink.

My 2910 has had no problems whatsoever with movies I've burned using DVDShrink. I'm running firmware A, but not the MR version. (At least it's not MR to my knowledge, as it's the patch I downloaded from Denon's site.)

Could it be your burner? The brand of blank discs even?

I have tried a few different brands of dvd's with no luck. Should I be removing the region code or leaving it as region 1?

I always remove the region coding, you know, just in case. I'm curious -- will these same burned discs play on other players, just not the Denon? Are there other players around you can test with?

Are the IR IN/OUT ports on the back of the 2910 for standard IR or are they the type of control jack that is meant to be plugged only into, say, a Denon reciever? The user's manual is extremely vague on this point and only says to contact Denon if interested in using these ports.

The reason I ask is I'm interested in using a Xantech 789-44 connecting block or 794-10 interface module and would prefer using 3.5-to-3.5 mm (mono mini) cables wherever possible instead taping IR emitters to the front of the components.

Thanks.

Yes, I have an fairly cheap JVC DVD player (xs-s500) and a super cheap Zenith and all my movies work on both. The JVC is hooked up to a 27" tv for my girlfriend to watch her crappy shows on and she gets a lot of jabs in about how her cheap dvd player is better than my Denon!

All right 2910 owners this ones for you. What is the difference between the 2910 and the 1920 denon. I am looking to replace my samsung hd941. I want to see if I can get a better pic through my panny ptl 500u. Is it just the sound options on discs for the 2910 over the 1920. Also the price is about half for the 1920 is the 2910 worth the price diff?Any help would be good.

Hey all, I recently purchased a refurb 2910 for a good deal. So far so good, but when I stick in a PAL dvd the image is jumping around and I see "dual" images on the left and right of the screen. In other words, PAL is not working. I have pressed the PAL/NTSC button on the remote but the image is still screwed up. The odd thing is even after taking out the disc, the blue screen the unit displays when not playing an image is jumping up and down as well. I believe I need to turn the machine on and off to get it back to normal. I think I should have not gone refurb. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks

Hey all, I recently purchased a refurb 2910 for a good deal. So far so good, but when I stick in a PAL dvd the image is jumping around and I see "dual" images on the left and right of the screen. In other words, PAL is not working. I have pressed the PAL/NTSC button on the remote but the image is still screwed up. The odd thing is even after taking out the disc, the blue screen the unit displays when not playing an image is jumping up and down as well. I believe I need to turn the machine on and off to get it back to normal. I think I should have not gone refurb. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks
You have enabled Progressive Scan on the 2910, but your display device is not PS capable. That's why you get the "dual" images, it's nothing to do with PAL or NTSC.

Thanks for the quick reply OZ,

I should have been more detailed with the equipment I am using, sorry about that. I have the 2910 going through my Rotel RSX-1067 (used for switching) out to my Sony KV32XBR450 via component. While an old set, one of the earliest HD CRT models out, it does a great job. The set does 480p & 1080i, but not 720p if memory serves me correct. I still should try connecting the 2910 straight out to the display to eliminate the possibility that my receiver is screwing with the signal. All video cables used range from monster M series, Zucables and PS audio's.

Hi everyone,

I have a Pioneer AV receiver. I just bought a Denon 2910 DVD player. The 2910 is hooked to my TV via an HDMI connection and the 2910 is hooked to my AV receiver via an optical connection.


For some reason I cannot get DTS to show up as a surround mode option on the Pioneer receiver. It used to show up with my Sony DVD player.

I have the 2910 set to multi-channel under the Audio tab and I have PCM selected.

Any ideas what I need to do to get DTS working? I searched this entire thread and found no clues.

Thanks!

I should mention that when I hit the display button on the remote for the 2910 it says DTS 5.1 as the audio format. I have DTS selected in the film's menu too.

835RoNy>> Actually, progressive PAL is 576p and not quite the same scan frequency that 480p uses.
Try setting the player for interlaced playback and then play a PAL movie. If that works, then you TV is PAL interlaced capable but not PAL progressive capable.

PAL progressive was a rarity for a few of the early "Progressive-years". Very few DVD-players supported this and when Iscan Pro came out about 4-5(?) years ago it was a blessing for us in "PAL-countries" because it enabled us to play our DVDs progressively on projectors and other PS-capable units.
So, if it's a very early, HD-/PS-capable TV, then it really didn't need any support fpr progressive PAL since there really was no progressive PAL around.

However; I believe that the 2910 manual recommends NTSC setting for all types of DVD:s when using 1080i. You could try that since Your TV supports 1080i and see if You like it. :)

NTSC outputs @ 60Hz scan rate.

PAL outputs @ 50Hz scan rate.

50Hz corrects the slight (but annoying as hell) half-a-second jitter one gets if the player forces PAL to run at NTSC's 60Hz. The 2910 has several output presets including one (AUTO1) for NTSC (for 3:2 pulldown flags) and one (AUTO2) for PAL (for 2:2 pulldown flags).

On AUTO1 with displaying PAL I get the same jitter on the DVD image, the DVD menus, the Denon's "in-film" nenus, and the Denon's splash screen. Though AUTO2 stops this.

The 2910, of course, upconverts standard NTSC DVD resolution to 1920x1080i but when running "corrected" PAL it splits the two field interlaced 1080 in half to create one field progressive 540, or 1920x540p.

One drawback is that running at 50Hz creates a slim black bar on the top if the image, but I can select "Wide PC" on my TV which windowboxs the entire image resulting in an inch thick black border around all four sides.

But yes, 720p mode doesn't work with PAL, at least on Sammy DLP. Also 835RoNy, I'd definitely directly connect the 2910 to your TV.

Did anyone else notice the default STD picture setting on the 2910 is rather poor?

I know it's different from display to display, but I found setting all the Picture Adjust settings to 0, setting IRE to 0, and keeping HDMI Black set to Normal gives me a much more pleasing "natural" 1080i image (along with adjusting the TV's settings) over the STD setting. It took me a long time to accept that setting everything to 0 seemed to produce the best image. I guess sometimes less is more.

Also the on my display (HL-P5085W DLP) the 2910 misframes the image down and to the left but adjusting the SET settings corrects this.

I have the 2910 set to multi-channel under the Audio tab and I have PCM selected.



I believe having it set to PCM is the problem. That would convert the DTS bitstream into 2-channel PCM instead of passing it on to the receiver in its original format. You want to set it to "Normal".

found this. will try this weekend.

6720-D (MakeDay 902) MR:
http://www.hifi-forum.de/viewthread-48-5356.html

Does anyone know the status of the bug in the 2910 where widescreen DVDs are getting output at 480p, for example, even though the DVD player is set to 16:9? I have the 2910 connected to a Sony XBR960 via component and am still on firmware -5. Anything higher and I get the bug.

It seems like according to SFC1's post above that the issue is still present in the "B" firmware. I recall mentioning this issue to Denon months ago and being told it was sent to their engineers for verification, but that's the last I heard.

Does anyone know the status of the bug in the 2910 where widescreen DVDs are getting output at 480p, for example, even though the DVD player is set to 16:9? I have the 2910 connected to a Sony XBR960 via component and am still on firmware -5. Anything higher and I get the bug.

It seems like according to SFC1's post above that the issue is still present in the "B" firmware. I recall mentioning this issue to Denon months ago and being told it was sent to their engineers for verification, but that's the last I heard.


Let me see if understand your question...

Does 2910 output greater than 480p over component? :confused:

Does 2910 output greater than 480p over component? :confused:

If that's the question then no, it doesn't. It will switch settings on the front panel but it's actually still 480i/p.

found this. will try this weekend.

6720-D (MakeDay 902) MR:
http://www.hifi-forum.de/viewthread-48-5356.html
Gave it a try today. Loaded/installed just fine. Would be great to find a list of the bugs it fixed. I tried Star Wars III after the upgrade and did notice a fair amount of black blotchiness during the very opening to the movie, before the scrolling dialog. Of course, I should have tried the movie first with the 6270-A firmware, that had been installed....

Do you know if 6720-D is multiregion??

-- Dave

"MR" usually stands for multiregion :)

I have -8 MR, leary about updating just yet.

Hey guys,

I bought my first SACD today. I have a few questions on setup of the 2910. When I play DTS DVD movies (which I do more often than listening to music) I have the Audio Setup section of the 2910 set to Audio Channel: 2 CH(SRS Off) This causes the optical connection to my AV received to be utilized.

Now when I want to play an SACD, I have to go into the Audio Setup screen and change the Audio Channel setting to Audio Channel: Multi Channel. I turned Bass enhancement on as well.

This is kind of a pain in the arse and way beyond what I could expect my family to do. I didn't find anything in the 2910 that would allow me to memorize the 2910 current settings and save them and assign them to a single key on the remote. I do have a programmable Harmony 880 remote but I don't know if the sequence of remote commands to automate flip flopping the 2910 setup criteria between SACD and Movie mode is even possible?

How do you guys deal with these setup issues? Am I missing something?

One additional question -- my AV receiver is already set up with speaker distance, speaker delay, etc -- is there any need to set these in the 2910 as well? If so, can I just set them the same as how the AV reciever is set?

Thanks!!!

You don't have to "flip-flop" between modes to play any sort of disc. In the Audio Setup, set the Audio Channel to MultiChannel and for DVD-A/SACD set the speaker distances etc. in the 2910 (your settings will be saved and don't need to be changed unless you move your speakers)

Connect the 2910 to your amp as follows:
CD = L&R to your amps CD inputs
DVD-V = Coax/Optical to your amps Coax/Optical inputs
DVD-A/SACD = 5.1 analog connects to your amps Ext.In 5.1 inputs

*** In some cases the DACs in a player will give better sound via the 51. connections than the DAC in the amp - test it out & see for your particular case. If that is so, then you can let the player do the decoding and use the amp Ext.In analog inputs for DVD-V/DVD-A/SACD - the only downside to this is that you are restricted in that the 2910 has a 80Hz fixed x-over, whereas if you use the amp to process from the Coax/Optical input you can adjust to you liking e.g. 60/80/100 ***

Play CD - use the amp remote to select your CD input, if your amp can do it you can play with/without sub (Direct / Pure Direct)

Play DVD-V - use the amp remote to select your DVD input, if you have your amp input configured to "auto" and by selecting DD/DTS etc. in the DVD menu that's what you'll get processed in the amp and output through your speakers

Play DVD-A/SACD - use the 2910 remote to set your input as 5.1ch (Multi) or 2ch (Stereo) depending on how you want to listen to the tracks. Use the amp remote to select Ext.In via the 5.1 analog connections. There will be no processing in the amp (that's why you need to do the speaker setup in the 2910), the amp will just send straight through to the speakers.
*** You can also listen to 2ch CD via this method as well if you don't want to connect the extra set of cables ***

Play DVD-A/SACD - use the 2910 remote to set your input as 5.1ch (Multi) or 2ch (Stereo) depending on how you want to listen to the tracks. Use the amp remote to select Ext.In via the 5.1 analog connections. There will be no processing in the amp (that's why you need to do the speaker setup in the 2910), the amp will just send straight through to the speakers.

Ozdvduser, is this the same as hooking 5.1 analog connects from the 2910 to the receiver and selecting "6 Channel Direct" on the receiver?

That's how I play SACDs.

Also would you say it's better (as in better audio) to play CDs via 2ch analog or optical? (I like using Pro Logic IIx and Neo:6)

Ozdvduser, is this the same as hooking 5.1 analog connects from the 2910 to the receiver and selecting "6 Channel Direct" on the receiver? - Correct, every manufacturer seems to call it some different.


Also would you say it's better (as in better audio) to play CDs via 2ch analog or optical? (I like using Pro Logic IIx and Neo:6) - I do, but it's upto each individual. Using 2ch I have the choice of using Direct (with sub) or Pure Direct (without sub). Seeing as my fronts are full range going down to 25Hz they do the 2ch CD true justice, they way it was recorded and designed to be heard.


Typed as I listen to DSOTM in wonderful SACD :)

Typed as I listen to DSOTM in wonderful SACD :)

Thanks for the information! :)

On to something else if anyone is interested in this calibration details if they have this model:

Samsung HL-P5085W DLP:

* Mode, Cinema
* Color Tone, Warm1
* Size, Wide
* Digital NR, Off
* DNIe, Off
* Contrast, 90
* Brightness, 38
* Sharpness, 1
* Color, 61
* Color weakness, Green 1, actually reduces green. Without applying this there is an ever-so-slight green push to the TV.

Denon DVD-2910:

* 1080i, HDMI YCrCb
* Contrast, -2
* Brightness, 1
* Sharpness (Mid), 0
* Sharpness (Hi), 0
* Hue, +1 (reduces green greatly, +2 is too much)
* CCS, 0 (only good for still images)
* White level, -2
* Chroma level, -2
* Chroma delay, 0
* DNR, 0
* IRE 7.5
* H. Position - +2 (pushes the image to the right for better L/R framing)
+ V. Position - + 2 (pushes frame up, w/o this the top matting bar on 16:9 2:35:1 is noticably thicker, used a gamut of discs to check this)
* HDMI Black level, Normal

With these settings the image is exceptionally and consistently pleasing. I used DVE for some settings but used my eye and solid DVD material for others.

Terminator 2 - Extreme Edition (Terminator POV shots are great for L/R framing adjustments)
Fifth Element - Superbit
Snatch - Superbit (Color adjustments)
Run Lola Run (Color adjustments)
Bourne Identity - DTS edition (probably the most "difficult" DVD I've ever seen for the 2910, poor settings reveal TONS of macroblocking at every turn)
Blade 2 - New Line Platinum Series (Great Chroma Level judging disc, rich use of color throughout the film)

I've played 3 movies in my new Denon 2910 and it just broke. It powers on and then powers off right away.

Needless to say when I take it back tomorrow (Sunday) I'm not getting another 2910. I have a Pioneer receiver.

What would you guys recommend for a pretty decent DVD player in the $800 - $1000 price range? I don't want to spend too much with Blu Ray coming out next year.

I play 99% DVD movies but I would like good quality SACD and CDs too. An HDMI output is a must.

Suggestions?

I've played 3 movies in my new Denon 2910 and it just broke. It powers on and then powers off right away.

Needless to say when I take it back tomorrow (Sunday) I'm not getting another 2910. I have a Pioneer receiver.

What would you guys recommend for a pretty decent DVD player in the $800 - $1000 price range? I don't want to spend too much with Blu Ray coming out next year.

I play 99% DVD movies but I would like good quality SACD and CDs too. An HDMI output is a must.

Suggestions?
Try the Pioneer Elite DV-79AVi.

Are any of you experiencing problems with the HDMI out on the 2910? It worked fine for a few days then nothing. I have been having HDMI problems with my 3806 as well. I am just wondering if you have had problems with HDMI and Denon. I connected the 2910 directly to my tv and I get flashes but not picture. I am aware of the set up for HDMI. I also swapped my HDMI cable. The flip side is the 2910 works flawlessly with component connections. I am just frustrated with denon right now. I would appreciate any advice. Thanx

Are any of you experiencing problems with the HDMI out on the 2910? It worked fine for a few days then nothing. I have been having HDMI problems with my 3806 as well. I am just wondering if you have had problems with HDMI and Denon. I connected the 2910 directly to my tv and I get flashes but not picture. I am aware of the set up for HDMI. I also swapped my HDMI cable. The flip side is the 2910 works flawlessly with component connections. I am just frustrated with denon right now. I would appreciate any advice. Thanx
Have you tried turning the TV off/on to get it to re-sync?

Yeah, I find whenever I change the HDMI modes (on HDMI YCbCr currently, looks better) I have to do it with the display either on a different source (like DVI) or have the display off. I get those same "flashes" (happen to be green) if I'm on the HDMI source when I change modes. I'm pretty sure it's the display and player not properly "handshaking", probably because of HDCP. Once it recognizes it, smooth sailing.

Hey guys miraculously everything worked after I came back from Xmas shopping. I bought a DVI/HDMI adapter to work around the problem. But now I don't need it...for now at least. This problem is intermitten now I guess.

Has anyone here paired the 2910 with the Panasonic TH-42PX50U? I've got a Pioneer DV-563a which I thought looked good on my small, old CRT but suddenly seems less stellar on the new TV. I've done some adjusting with DVE but I'm still not crazy about he performance and I'm looking at the upscaling players, now. The 2910 is probably at the top of my list, along with the 1920 and Marantz's 6600 and 7600.

Originally Posted by Kevin R Anderson:
This is just one of many ways consumer electronics can be very confusing.

First, let me correct my statement. It is the older HLN model that has the problem of being limited to PC video levels (0 to 255). Since Joe Kane got involved with Samsung, this issue has been resolved and the Samsung HLP can be calibrated with amazing accuracy.

You are correct that you can use NORMAL or ENHANCED and get a good picture so long as you calibrate the PLUGE pattern after (not before) selecting the black level. However, to get the best picture, you want to match the black level of the source with the black level of the display device. This can be confusing because the nomenclature used by the various manufacturers differs and the correct black level depends on whether you are using an analog or digital source and/or display device.

For digital signals (DVD and ATSC or HDTV) and digital display devices (LCD, DLP, plasma, D-ila, etc.), the correct black level for both is generally referred to (at least by Greg Rogers) as DVI-Video. Here is a quote from Greg that provides some explanation: “DVI-PC digital levels are 0-255 for 0-100 IRE, and therefore below-black DVI-PC levels are not allowed. DVI-Video digital levels are 16-235 for 0-100 IRE, and below-black DVI-Video levels are possible in PLUGE patterns.”

It is important to match source and display device black levels so that you don’t get artifacts by the conversion from one standard to the other (see note below). Think of it like a scaling issue. You can show a 1080i image on a 720p display device, and it can look very good, but there will inherently be artifacts from the conversion. As a general rule of thumb, it is best to feed a 720p display device a 720p signal. Likewise it is generally best to feed a digital display device (set to DVI-Video black level) a source set to DVI-Video.

Unfortunately, manufacturers call these digital black levels by any number of names such as NORMAL vs. ENHANCED or 0 vs. 7.5 IRE (which stictly speaking is limited to analog signals and NTSC video).

NOTE: DVI-Video uses 16 for black to 235 for white, resulting in 219 luminance levels. DVI-PC uses 0 for black and 255 for white, resulting in 256 luminance levels. In short, when you convert DVI-Video to DVI-PC, you have to convert 219 luminance levels to 256 levels. This can result in banding artifacts and a skewed gamma curve, among other things. For a detailed explanation of this issue, and how complicated it can become, see this article Video Black Levels

This issue came up a couple pages ago, p65, I just wanted to point out that I have written a fairly comprehensive guide to explain some of thes issues, both IRE output selection, and that of digital levels, which many should find helpful. It is linked in my signature, and is stickied at the top of this forum.

Also, Kevin, it's 220 levels (it's inclusive), not really an issue, something that I've forgotten many times in the past as well.

Can anyone riddle me this?

I was playing with the HDMI settings and after being on HDMI YCrCb for a few weeks I switched back to HDMI RGB. Now, the settings on both the player and the display were the same on both modes, but I was surprised by how poor RGB was compared to YCrCb. I know about how YCrCb is supposed to be better than RGB and I read some don't see a difference, but damned if I don't!

I was watching an episode of the great Fox series Millennium at the time in 4:3. I adjusted the Hue to +1 to steam the green push and on RGB the blacks are noticably red and also seem to lack depth (almost appearing to have gray haloing). On YCrCb, the blacks perfectly match the black mattes on the sides of the presentation and are very inky. Also on RGB the detail looks a little fuzzier in comparsion.

Not really a question, I'm just very surprised (and pleased) I'm seeing such results. I wasn't just fooling myself! :D

Hi folks.

I want to be sure I understand how the player handles audio when HDMI is also used. The electronics in the signal path I'm concerned with are the 2910, Denon 4306 receiver which I use as a pre-amp only, and a Sony HS-51 projector.

My issue is with DVDs (Dolby Digital and DTS), regular CDs and SACD. Ideally, I'd like to use only HDMI between these three components. I can do that but the 2910 downmixes SACD to 2 channel over HDMI (thank you Sony lawyers!), basically defeating the multichannel benefits of SACD. So that means that I need to run 5.1 analog audio out the 2910 to the 4306 to get multi-channel SACD audio.

However, the 2910 won't even transmit multi-channel audio out the 5.1 analog outputs unless HDMI audio is configured to 2 channel rather than multi. When HDMI audio is set to multi, the multi-channel analog audio is again downmixed to 2 channel analog audio (front left and right). However, setting the HDMI audio to 2 channel, prevents Dolby Digital and DTS getting transmitted over HDMI. That means the 4306 doesn't get the multi-channel DD/DTS bitstream and must take the 2910 decoded DD/DTS signals from the 5.1 analog inputs, which then precludes the use of the 4306 equalizer and all other digital domain signal processing.

I think the only way to get multi-channel SACD and bitstream DD/DTS out from the 2910 to the 4306 is to add yet another cable from either the coax or optical output of the 2910 to the 4306. Then configuring the 2910's HDMI audio to 2 channel, and configuring the 4306 to take HDMI video with coax/optical for DVDs, coax/optical for regular CDs and 5.1 analog inputs for SACD.

This means rather than 1 HDMI cable, which is perfectly capable of transmitting all this, I need to run 8 cables (HDMI, coax/optical, plus 6 analog cables), not to mention the difficulty and complexity of figuring this all out, which I may very well still have wrong. (The manuals appear technically accurate but aren't very informative or helpful.)

Do I have this right?

Thanks,
Nas

Ideally, I'd like to use only HDMI between these three components. I can do that but the 2910 downmixes SACD to 2 channel over HDMI (thank you Sony lawyers!), basically defeating the multichannel benefits of SACD. So that means that I need to run 5.1 analog audio out the 2910 to the 4306 to get multi-channel SACD audio.
[RANT ON]

And Sony wonders why SACD has been such a big flop!

SACD and DVD-Audio were great ideas with an amazing improvement in sound that were all brought to naught because some “pin-headed” executives and lawyers decided that you could only listen to the music (until just recently) through 5 analog interconnects. Where is the sense of paying top-dollar for digital sound when they make you convert it all to analog!?!

I fear this is a harbinger of how miserably difficult, complicated and expensive it will be to watch Blue-Ray discs.

Sony and others have an irrational, unreasonable, and irresponsible paranoia of content piracy. It is the insane business equivalent of saying “I will cut off my nose to spite my face” and when multi-channel audio and high-definition DVDs flop, executives of consumer electronics and media need look no further than a mirror to see the evidence and source of their stupidity.

[RANT OFF]

I second your RANT...and raise you 2.

Look at their video screw-ups too...Beta was easily superior to VHS! Etc., etc. :rolleyes:

Has anyone here paired the 2910 with the Panasonic TH-42PX50U? I've got a Pioneer DV-563a which I thought looked good on my small, old CRT but suddenly seems less stellar on the new TV. I've done some adjusting with DVE but I'm still not crazy about he performance and I'm looking at the upscaling players, now. The 2910 is probably at the top of my list, along with the 1920 and Marantz's 6600 and 7600.

I use a 2910 with my TH-37PX50U, which is similar but smaller to the 42. The combination seems incredible to me.