In trying to get my BENQ8700+ to recognize the HDMI signal coming from the Sony 995 (unsuccessfully to date), I’ve noticed that the signal being received by the projector’s DVI input (I’m using a HDMI to DVI cable) reads “520P” no matter what setting I put the Sony into (“auto” or “720P” settings)

When I run my HD sat. receiver through the projector it reads either 720P or 480P depending on the setting on the HD sat. box, so it does appear to sense and read out the signal type coming in.

Anyone know why the Sony appears to be sending out a signal read as 520P? Is this my problem?

...
Anyone know why the Sony appears to be sending out a signal read as 520P? Is this my problem?

That sounds like it is set to output PAL. Check the back of the player, some of them have a switch to select either PAL or NTSC.

In trying to get my BENQ8700+ to recognize the HDMI signal coming from the Sony 995 (unsuccessfully to date), I’ve noticed that the signal being received by the projector’s DVI input (I’m using a HDMI to DVI cable) reads “520P” no matter what setting I put the Sony into (“auto” or “720P” settings)

When I run my HD sat. receiver through the projector it reads either 720P or 480P depending on the setting on the HD sat. box, so it does appear to sense and read out the signal type coming in.

Anyone know why the Sony appears to be sending out a signal read as 520P? Is this my problem?

I tried out the 995 past weekend ... tried to get it to send a 1080i signal to my Infocus 4805 projector (its capable of it ... but does 480p natively) ... but the player refused to send anything but 480p to the projector. Sony CS said that since the infocus only does 480p natively ... thats what is going to be sent ... which does not make sense because my cable box (SA 8300HD) outputs 1080i fine using the same HDMI->DVI cable. So something is wrong with the sony unit. It went back to the store during the weekend.

Max

A lot has been said on this thread about the DVP-CX995V 's AutoPlay bug, and let me say up front that I may have missed this workaround in a previous post..... but here goes.
I am going to assume that most users of this thread have macro remotes.
All I do is when I power up my system..... tack on an extra 15-20 second delay on the end of my startup macro and have the macro hit "Folder".

I tried out the 995 past weekend ... tried to get it to send a 1080i signal to my Infocus 4805 projector (its capable of it ... but does 480p natively) ... but the player refused to send anything but 480p to the projector. Sony CS said that since the infocus only does 480p natively ... thats what is going to be sent ... which does not make sense because my cable box (SA 8300HD) outputs 1080i fine using the same HDMI->DVI cable. So something is wrong with the sony unit. It went back to the store during the weekend.

Max


Greetings,

You need to set the HDMI output from Auto to 1920x1080i in the display settings menu. If you leave it set to Auto then the unit will only output the native resolution of the dispaly it is connected to.

In reality sending a 108oi or 720p signal from the Sony to the Infocus won't yield a picture that is any better than 480p anyway. The projector will just recale it back to 480p and you now have the signal being scaled twice ( once by the Sonly and then again by the projector ) which is not optimum.

I think your missing the real benefit to having a player that has a digitial video output going to a display with a corresponding input. tHe signal remains in the digital domain without needing to be converted from digital to analog to digital.


Regards,

NoPlasmaYet:

It makes me a bit nervous that Sony has a bunch of units to exchange. I usually prefer to get my own product fixed, but since these are so new, even the re-manufactured ones have very little wear on them. But, who knows what kind of abuse it took.

Since my first CX995 is on it's way back to Texas, I spent some time using my second one. Much to my surprise the "Multi Disk Memory Function" doesn't work. If I stop a disk, turn the unit off and then later turn it on the disk resumes play in the spot I left off. Yet, if I stop a disk, go to another disk and then return to the first disk, the disk starts from the beginning (not where I left off). I found the same thing happens regardless of what disks I go to. The only time the unit remembers it position is if I stay on the that disk.

Can anyone else confirm the memory function?

And yes, I have it turned on in the setup menu.

I've had this happen to me a few times already. Let the system "load" whatever it could find...then one day it comes up with a "?" near a disc that already had information manually entered in by me. This had to be done over and now the disc loads ok. This happens rarely, but it does happen and is a pain in the neck. This is why I do this...I keep a list of my movies ONLINE so I can browse that way which includes DVD plots, actors, stuff like that. I've decided not to use the built in navigation because it's a little behind the times if you know what I mean. What Sony or any other company should do is throw an Ethernet connection on this thing, have it point to imdb.com or some where else there's a good database and then have a real navigation screen. That though, will be years and years before a company does that...since they have a hard time just making simple navigation now. Here's my DVD list I use now...instead of the built in Sony's.

www.photopiks.com/dvd
What program did you use to set up your movie database online. Great idea

Why not just print up your own DVD database using an Excel worksheet?

I use DVD Profiler.

DVD Profiler doesn't really help when you're in the living room wanting to find a movie in your jukebox unless you have some fancy contraption where you have a PocketPC and WiFi to use with your HT equipment.

FYI:

I was at Circuit City today and they had this player for $349 and then there was a $50 mail-in rebate so the final price was $299.

Too bad I'm not ready to buy this yet. :o

Tell me more about this $50 rebate. I bought mine at Circuit City today and there was no rebate.

I picked up this unit today.
I am trying to decide between this, the Oppo, and maybe the Samsung.
First, this is my second Sony mega changer, my first (which I still own) was the 300+1 flip changer that I loved (but hated the Explorer software back then).

It blows my mind that Sony has done little to improve the software making an important part of a changer, useless.

First, almost 99% of DVDs have a title associated with them on the DVDRom layer. There should not be a need to enter a single title in the explorer. Why Sony can't have the unit read the disc label is beyond me. It should be a fairly simple process. No, they would rather have users enter 400 entries on their keyboard.

This is my second upconvert player. I already own a Samsung HD931, the grandady of upconvert players. I like that player but wanted a HDMI interface for my new DLP.
I'm not sure I'm seeing much of an improvement over the Sammy. I put on the landing scene from Starship Troopers Superbit and it was very grainy. I have to play it on the Sammy to see if it is the same. The pic looks slightly soft to me. Monster's Inc. looked more digital than film like, which I was hoping for.

Oh well, I have 30 days so I'll give it my full workout.

Tell me more about this $50 rebate. I bought mine at Circuit City today and there was no rebate.

Nothing more for me to tell. The tag said there was supposed to be a rebate. I didn't have the money to buy one yet so I didn't look into it any further. It may have ended. Your guess is as good as mine. :o

I log all my DVD's on DVD Profiler. Then print out a simple 2 or 3 page report that is in the same order as my Sony.

Nothing more for me to tell. The tag said there was supposed to be a rebate. I didn't have the money to buy one yet so I didn't look into it any further. It may have ended. Your guess is as good as mine. :o


Greetings,

I saw the 985 at Circuit city for $350 with the rebate, not the 995. They look almost identical.


Regards,

Nothing more for me to tell. The tag said there was supposed to be a rebate. I didn't have the money to buy one yet so I didn't look into it any further. It may have ended. Your guess is as good as mine. :o

Well, no rebate at my Circuit City. Must be a regional thing. I thought you might have had a special rebate from Sony.

Ok here is the concept I have, and hopefully someone with much more knowledge than I could help out.

I have a 985V with almost 400 discs in it, I have a Tablet PC and also DVD Profiler, does anyone know if there is a feasable way to have the tablet control the 985 and have all coresponding features of the DVD Profiler, I have a Toshiba Tablet with IR port on front, or I could buy a IR transmiter to send signal to machine. I would like to know possible software or any other posibilities, also on that same note, could my tablet be set up as a Home theater PC?? Which would require control of Lutron lights, Panny AE700, Yamaha 5860, Sony 985V, and even HD-SAT reciever. That would be incredible functionality from a currently owned unit (ie. Tablet Pc)

I really don't know much about Media Center Windows system, maybe that is all I need and I really don't know it. Any and All help would be appreciated, and no idea is too off the wall.

A quick update to my tests...
I tried a Dual Layer test backup of the Aviator (which wouldn't play correctly in my Samsung) and it worked great.
The picture was jaw dropping.
So far, I am very happy.

I log all my DVD's on DVD Profiler. Then print out a simple 2 or 3 page report that is in the same order as my Sony.

I could do the same thing with Excel...

Ok here is the concept I have, and hopefully someone with much more knowledge than I could help out.

I have a 985V with almost 400 discs in it, I have a Tablet PC and also DVD Profiler, does anyone know if there is a feasable way to have the tablet control the 985 and have all coresponding features of the DVD Profiler, I have a Toshiba Tablet with IR port on front, or I could buy a IR transmiter to send signal to machine. I would like to know possible software or any other posibilities, also on that same note, could my tablet be set up as a Home theater PC?? Which would require control of Lutron lights, Panny AE700, Yamaha 5860, Sony 985V, and even HD-SAT reciever. That would be incredible functionality from a currently owned unit (ie. Tablet Pc)

I really don't know much about Media Center Windows system, maybe that is all I need and I really don't know it. Any and All help would be appreciated, and no idea is too off the wall.

I don't know about tablet PCs but there are a bunch of infrared remote control software apps for PDAs that turns it into a universal remote with touchscreen control. In fact if you have a PDA you can even store your own database on the PDA itself or if you prefer access your database from online using WiFi.

I myself am thinking of getting a Palm PDA to use as a universal RC in addition to having WiFi internet access.



Anyway I just purchased a 25pk spindle of Ritek DVD-R DLs which I'll be loading into the jukebox. Does anyone know if DL Riteks play in the 995?

Since my first CX995 is on it's way back to Texas, I spent some time using my second one. Much to my surprise the "Multi Disk Memory Function" doesn't work. If I stop a disk, turn the unit off and then later turn it on the disk resumes play in the spot I left off. Yet, if I stop a disk, go to another disk and then return to the first disk, the disk starts from the beginning (not where I left off). I found the same thing happens regardless of what disks I go to. The only time the unit remembers it position is if I stay on the that disk.

Can anyone else confirm the memory function?

And yes, I have it turned on in the setup menu.

Just checking, again, Can anyone tell me if their cx995 multi-disk memory function works?

Thanks

Since my first CX995 is on it's way back to Texas, I spent some time using my second one. Much to my surprise the "Multi Disk Memory Function" doesn't work. If I stop a disk, turn the unit off and then later turn it on the disk resumes play in the spot I left off. Yet, if I stop a disk, go to another disk and then return to the first disk, the disk starts from the beginning (not where I left off). I found the same thing happens regardless of what disks I go to. The only time the unit remembers it position is if I stay on the that disk.

Can anyone else confirm the memory function?

And yes, I have it turned on in the setup menu.

Yes, this is the way it is supposed to work, all the newer Sony changers are that way.

Yes, this is the way it is supposed to work, all the newer Sony changers are that way.

Kingdaddy,

It's supposed to remember the positions for 40 disks. I can only get it to remember one...

Kingdaddy,

It's supposed to remember the positions for 40 disks. I can only get it to remember one...

That’s correct, same way my CX777ES works. There was a thread on another forum where many others noticed this on the CX985, which works the same as the ES version. The older players from Sony would remember 40 discs, but no one has reported this to work on any of the newer ones. They also deleted the Flip feature which many are unhappy about, same crappy Disc Explorer however.

That’s correct, same way my CX777ES works. There was a thread on another forum where many others noticed this on the CX985, which works the same as the ES version. The older players from Sony would remember 40 discs, but no one has reported this to work on any of the newer ones. They also deleted the Flip feature which many are unhappy about, same crappy Disc Explorer however.

Thanks for the info. I guess Sony Tech Service is not aware of this. When I asked them I was told "it should remember all those positions". Of course, they also told me that "autoplay" can be turned off...

That’s correct, same way my CX777ES works. There was a thread on another forum where many others noticed this on the CX985, which works the same as the ES version. The older players from Sony would remember 40 discs, but no one has reported this to work on any of the newer ones. They also deleted the Flip feature which many are unhappy about, same crappy Disc Explorer however.

Greetings,

My 995 remembers more than the last disc played. I don't know how many it will remember however it is more than 1. I will run a few tests later on tonight and report back.


Regards,

Thanks for the info. I guess Sony Tech Service is not aware of this. When I asked them I was told "it should remember all those positions". Of course, they also told me that "autoplay" can be turned off...

Don’t waste your time with the Sony Tech's, they don’t even use their own equipment so they don’t know how anything works. In fact, according to my research and about 30Hrs logged on the phone with many Sony techs up to the highest level over the last 6 years, nobody at Sony actually uses any of their equipment, they cant even tell you how it's supposed to interface together properly. Then 995 may have this ability, but the 985 and 777ES do not.

Sony IMO has the dumbest bunch of Japanese engineers on the planet, they keep making the same stupid mistakes over and over again, and most of their 2-way stuff will not even properly talk together. My old TA-E9000ES processor with the fancy 2-way remote would not download all the disc information from their 400 disc changer that was manufactured the same year, it would only take 200 CD’s worth of info and they hadn’t made a 200 disc or less player in years at that point. To make matters worse, none of the techs could figure this out, they weren’t even clear on the ability of the remote to download this info, and couldn’t care less that it didn’t match up to the latest changers they made. I have countless stories of Sony’s extreme discontinuity within their company. If they would only use Sony equipment in their own homes, I bet there would be many changes, but it’s obvious they don’t.

Oh, I wouldn't say they were dumb, they just don't care.

Greetings,

My 995 remembers more than the last disc played. I don't know how many it will remember however it is more than 1. I will run a few tests later on tonight and report back.


Regards,


Greetings,

I have confirmed that the memory function DOES work as advertised on my DVP-CX995V. I checked it with 10 discs and it remembered the last point at which they were stopped. There were also a handful of discs that I had tested out when I first installed the unit. I went back to those and they all started from the point where they had been stopped. I powered the unit down several times as well and again there were no problems.


Hope this helps those who had a question regarding this feature.



Regards,

My 995 has remembered the position of every DVD so far. We are talking about in the neighborhood of 50 DVDs.

I will be buying this unit or the dvp-cx777es solely for use as a transport connected to an external dac for music.

Any opinions as to how the cx995v might compare to the cx777es (mostly when it comes to jitter specs and laser ability).

Greetings,

I have confirmed that the memory function DOES work as advertised on my DVP-CX995V. I checked it with 10 discs and it remembered the last point at which they were stopped. There were also a handful of discs that I had tested out when I first installed the unit. I went back to those and they all started from the point where they had been stopped. I powered the unit down several times as well and again there were no problems.


Hope this helps those who had a question regarding this feature.



Regards,

Placidman,

Thanks for checking. I did try my again last night, the memory function only works for one disk. I tried stopping the play before switching to another disk, I tried going right into the disk explorer and even direct access to a particular disk. And it just doesn't work...

I do have a question. Have you ever turned the multi-disk memory function off (in the menu) and tried to see if it still works? Then turn it on and see the results?
I tried several times with mine and haven't had any luck...

This means I wound up with two defective units in a row...the thing is, I like the convenience and picture quality...

I will be buying this unit or the dvp-cx777es solely for use as a transport connected to an external dac for music.

Any opinions as to how the cx995v might compare to the cx777es (mostly when it comes to jitter specs and laser ability).


If you want a good GUI interface to select the discs then the 777ES is the only choice. The performance will probably be very similar, but control of the unit is something you deal with every day. However if you must have HDMI then the 995 is the best choice.

Placidman,


I do have a question. Have you ever turned the multi-disk memory function off (in the menu) and tried to see if it still works? Then turn it on and see the results?
I tried several times with mine and haven't had any luck...

This means I wound up with two defective units in a row...the thing is, I like the convenience and picture quality...

Greetings,

NPY, I have not tried that. I will give a shot later and post back.


Regards,

My 995 has remembered the position of every DVD so far. We are talking about in the neighborhood of 50 DVDs.
I was happy with my CX995V, could display it on my HDTV DVI & at the same time send it out on component to another input on my Toshiba. I had entered title information for about 280 disc's and then one day turned off the power to it to see if it held all that in memory and it did...Whew. Then one day I went into display folders and it just frooze with that message that sez LOADING. I waited about 2 minutes and then turned it off and back on and yep... all the title information I entered was now gone replaced with ?, A good thing I was home alone cause KILL was flashing in my brain. I'm writeing this to inform others who may be thinking of buying this jukebox that it is no fun to sit down and write all your titles ( up to 400 ) into this thing knowing that it might be lost for some quirky unknown reason and your back to imputing them all again(KILL). By the way thankyou to all the DVD producers who charge from $10.. to $20.00 for there dvd's and do not bother to put the title information into the dvd's, about 9 out of 10 dvds are missing this info...yeah i'm being sarcastic. Well down the road I will be looking to sell this unit for one where were I can upload the title info or one that wont lose all that info. Yes I typed it all back in(KILL)

Blame Sony, not the DVD producers.
About 85-90% have the proper title on them.
Just stick a DVD in your computer, the movie title will show up as the disc's label.
Sony could have made it so easy to load the player, they chose not to.
Sony seems to use some obscure DVD-Text flag that about 5% DVDs use (including Sony)

A quick update to my tests...
I tried a Dual Layer test backup of the Aviator (which wouldn't play correctly in my Samsung) and it worked great.
The picture was jaw dropping.
So far, I am very happy.
Can you kindly tell us what media (ie brand) did you use for the dual layer ?
thanks

I have tested it with TDK and Memorex.
I ordered a pack of 30 from New Egg. Hopefully those work.

Greetings,

NPY, sorry to hear about this. Keep us in the loop regarding the progress and outcome.


Regards,

Placidman,

Well, here's a progress (????) report. I sent the unit back to Laredo, TX. Sony received the unit last Wednesday (10/12/05). I have the FedEx delivery confirmation.

As of today they still report that they haven't received my CX995.

Yep, I spoke with Sony Service (be prepared to spend lots of time on the phone, even for simple questions...). They are going to "look" for it and get back to me...

Placidman,

Well, here's a progress (????) report. I sent the unit back to Laredo, TX. Sony received the unit last Wednesday (10/12/05). I have the FedEx delivery confirmation.

As of today they still report that they haven't received my CX995.

Yep, I spoke with Sony Service (be prepared to spend lots of time on the phone, even for simple questions...). They are going to "look" for it and get back to me...


Greetings,

Arrgghhhhh !!!!! What a real pain the butt.......hopefully you will get a call back that says that your unit has been repaired and shipped back to you already. That sounds crazy but it has happend that by the time the updates get caught up the unit has been fixed and shipped.

HOW'S THAT for positive thinking......... :rolleyes:

Im interested in one of these units, but am not excited about having to re enter all the information everytime the unit loses power. I live in california so we have blackouts frequently, and when ever I want to say put in a new light fixture I turn off the power.

My idea is to add a backup battery inside the unit. Would have to locate where exactly all of that information is stored, what votage it runs on, and which pin the power goes through, but it doesnt seem all too difficult. Anyone have a thought on this?

One question I have, is it possible to have some sort of backup on CD that I just reload whenever, like can you load the cover jpegs en mass?

Here is what I'm going to do if I decide to keep the unit.
I did the same thing with my last 300+1 player from Sony with the useless Explorer interface.
I'm going to enter all the DVDs in Excel w/ numbers, then load them in and keep the list in the viewing room.
When I want to watch a DVD, I just refer to the list, enter the number on the remote and voila! It works.
I don't have to worry about power outages.

Im interested in one of these units, but am not excited about having to re enter all the information everytime the unit loses power. I live in california so we have blackouts frequently, and when ever I want to say put in a new light fixture I turn off the power.

My idea is to add a backup battery inside the unit. Would have to locate where exactly all of that information is stored, what votage it runs on, and which pin the power goes through, but it doesnt seem all too difficult. Anyone have a thought on this?

One question I have, is it possible to have some sort of backup on CD that I just reload whenever, like can you load the cover jpegs en mass?


Greetings,


This seems like a lot of work. It has not been my experience that all the information is lost when the unit loses power. What I did was I created a list on my PC of all the films that are loaded on my 995 and they are listed by slot number. When I want to watch a DVD I don't even bring up Disc explorer. I just punch in the slot number and the movie loads up and plays. I do the same for music.

I do have all the discs info stored in Disc Explorer and when I add a title I enter that info as well. When that is done I update my list and print it out ( from my PC ). As I stated I have had at least one power outage and my unit did not lose the stored disc info.


Regards,

Greetings,

Arrgghhhhh !!!!! What a real pain the butt.......hopefully you will get a call back that says that your unit has been repaired and shipped back to you already. That sounds crazy but it has happend that by the time the updates get caught up the unit has been fixed and shipped.

HOW'S THAT for positive thinking......... :rolleyes:

If that happens....I'll be sure to run right out and buy a lottery ticket...I figure I'd be on a lucky streak...

Here is what I'm going to do if I decide to keep the unit.
I did the same thing with my last 300+1 player from Sony with the useless Explorer interface.
I'm going to enter all the DVDs in Excel w/ numbers, then load them in and keep the list in the viewing room.
When I want to watch a DVD, I just refer to the list, enter the number on the remote and voila! It works.
I don't have to worry about power outages.

It would be a lot easier for you to just use the free version of DVD Profiler in the same way.

http://www.intervocative.com/Products.aspx

If that happens....I'll be sure to run right out and buy a lottery ticket...I figure I'd be on a lucky streak...


:D

I use DVD Profiler as a backup. I have 350 DVD's entered in the 995. I have turned off the power to the DVD Player and never lost any data. Why not buy a Battery backup like I use for my computer. This could provide hours of backup power.

Thanks, I actually have over 500 DVDs in an old Profile account that I haven't used in awhile.
I have some updating to do but at least it won't be too much.
Jeez, I forgot I had that many DVDs.

But my point on the UPS, why bother typing in all that data when there is a risk of losing it? What does the Explorer software give you over a good old fashion printed list?

Has it been confirmed that this changer will send 480i over HDMI? It's been mentioned a couple times in this thread, but I don't think it has been confirmed.

Thanks!

Well I am a perfectionist and dont want to look at a peice of paper to pick my movies, I also want to enter in the Covers of each movie. I think Ill just go with a UPS.

Why would you want 480i through HDMI?

Anyone able to take a screenshot of what the Explorer looks like? just curious

Why would you want 480i through HDMI?Standard-definition DVD's are encoded natively in 480i. And with HDMI being a digital transport method, it makes it possible to send the exact 480i digital data that's on the DVD through HDMI, with none of the processing that is done by the player's built in de-interlacing, digital-to-analog conversions, scaling, up-sampling, etc. doing their thing on the signal. The player is a digital video transport only.

This allows you to use a premium external video processor, such as one from brands like DVDO or others, that may do a much better job de-interlacing and scaling the 480i content than the native de-interlacers and scalers that come in the DVD player.

Currently the Sony NS90, Pioneer 59avi, and Pioneer 79avi and maybe a few others have the ability to send 480i over HDMI.

Others please chime in if I am wrong, and if anyone with a 995 can confirm that a 480i signal can be passed via HDMI, it would be much appreciated.

Others please chime in if I am wrong, and if anyone with a 995 can confirm that a 480i signal can be passed via HDMI, it would be much appreciated.

This can be confirmed by reading the 995 manual. On page 78, the HDMI output resolutions are defined as:

1920x1080i
1280x720p
720x480p

480i is not listed as an output resolution. The same is true of the DVP-NS70H.

This can be confirmed by reading the 995 manual. On page 78, the HDMI output resolutions are defined as:

1920x1080i
1280x720p
720x480p

480i is not listed as an output resolution. The same is true of the DVP-NS70H.

This quote may also help answer your question:


Originally Posted by vonhosen

Quote:
Originally Posted by AML
If a player (say the denon 3910) already has DVI and HDMI what would the benefit of having SDI be exactly?
As far as I can see SDI does the same job as HDMI or DVI Only difference is no HDCP.

Yes, there is no HDCP is the main difference. Other than that I believe it depends on the implementation of HDMI or DVI in the source player.

SDI takes the digital data straight from the MPEG decoder (YCbCr 4:2:2, no analogue conversion , no copy protection) & typically passes that information as 480i/576i via a single 75ohm cable to a deinterlacer/scaler where these tasks are carried out (still in digital domain) before outputting directly to the display.

You are avoiding D/A & A/D conversions with the artifacts, loss of quality that MAY occur or be exaggerated by these conversions.

With DVI, I believe players tend to be RGB 4:4:4 where as SDI is YCbCr 4:2:2. This means SDI is taking the info exactly as it is stored on the DVD not performing colour space conversions with the possible assosciated artifacts.

DVI shouldn't allow output of 480i/576i either, only 480p/576p. this means that deinterlacing is taking place in the source player as opposed to your external scaler/deinterlacer.

HDMI specs will allow output of 480i/576i (but not all source players do it.) Arcam Dv29 does. If your particular player doesn't allow "i" output, then again, you can't use an external scalers' (possibly) superior deinterlacing, only it's scaling abilities.

That is my understanding of all this , of course I could be wrong.

Currently the Sony NS90, Pioneer 59avi, and Pioneer 79avi and maybe a few others have the ability to send 480i over HDMI.

Others please chime in if I am wrong, and if anyone with a 995 can confirm that a 480i signal can be passed via HDMI, it would be much appreciated.
I think you meant the Sony NS975 - the NS90 does not pass 480i over HDMI. I also believe the 995 is based on the same internals as the NS70/90 so I doubt it will do 480i over HDMI either.

I haven't seen any remarks about having the "shift issue" reported in the NS70 and NS90 threads with this player. Any comment on this?

I think you meant the Sony NS975 - the NS90 does not pass 480i over HDMI. I also believe the 995 is based on the same internals as the NS70/90 so I doubt it will do 480i over HDMI either.Thank you for the correction--you're exactly right. Just so there's no confusion, the NS70/90 AND CX995 will NOT pass 480i over HDMI. My bad.

BTW, it looks like an SDI-modded 777ES is the way for me. I don't mind paying more for the SDI modification, the real problem is that SDI switches are so expensive, as I could use up to 4 changers.

And just to vent for a minute--Sony has absolutely no understanding how their products are used. This 995 is a crippled product right out of the gate. To release it without even ctrl-s or ctrl-A1 (much less rs-232c) just defies rational explanation. The product provides capacity, but not a suitable way to control it. It's like developing the world's largest cargo airplane, with the latest engine technology, but then providing only a manual rudder stick to steer it.

What does Disc Explorer use as title information? I'm going to be making backups of all my dvds for each player and think Ill re do all of the title information so the player sees it and I dont have to enter it or re-enter it. Its not just the title of the disc itself right? If not, how can I edit the file where that information is stored?

Also, anyword on getting AutoPlay disabled?

Well, I hooked up my 995 lastnight into the HDMI in a Mitsubishi WD-62525.
It looks very good. I put in 124 DVDs and they all look better than before.
Very close to the same look I get from HD programs, like HD Movies and HD Net.
I guess the draw back is all the work up front, but it's nice to be able to just turn on the TV and go to your list DVDs and pick one.

What does Disc Explorer use as title information? I'm going to be making backups of all my dvds for each player and think Ill re do all of the title information so the player sees it and I dont have to enter it or re-enter it. Its not just the title of the disc itself right? If not, how can I edit the file where that information is stored?

Also, anyword on getting AutoPlay disabled?

There's a section of the VIDEO_TS file that contains a section called "DVD_TEXT" info. There needs to be an entry in that info with the correct ID number (I can't recall the ID number off the top of my head).

I've seen some discs that have a title but it has a different ID number from the one Sony looks for. These discs should be easy to fix using an application such as IFOEDIT to change the ID number (but I haven't actually tried it yet).

Unfortunately, I've also seen discs that don't even have a "DVD_TEXT" section so it would require a heck of a lot of work to create that and get all the pointers fixed up.

If you do any experimenting, let me know. I'll be interested in your results.

Which DVD Disc Management program is better:

DVD Lobby (http://www.cinemaronline.com/dvdlobbypro.html)

Or

DVD Profiler (http://www.intervocative.com/)

Which DVD Disc Management program is better:

DVD Lobby (http://www.cinemaronline.com/dvdlobbypro.html)

Or

DVD Profiler (http://www.intervocative.com/)


They do different things, DVD Lobby is a front end control for selecting movies and automatically instructing the changer to go to that movie via GUI. DVD Profiler is a data base for keeping track of your movies.

They do different things, DVD Lobby is a front end control for selecting movies and automatically instructing the changer to go to that movie via GUI. DVD Profiler is a data base for keeping track of your movies.


If I understand you correctly, you are saying that DVD Lobby is mainly a GUI controller for changers and doesn't have the ability to create a database to catalog your DVD's, and DVD Profiler is only a database for keeping track of your DVD's without any ability to select from the database and instruct the changer to go to that movie via GUI.

Well I am a perfectionist and dont want to look at a peice of paper to pick my movies, I also want to enter in the Covers of each movie. I think Ill just go with a UPS.

Why would you want 480i through HDMI?

Uh..the Covers have absolutely no use whatsoever. It's really just a gimmick.

When I want to watch a DVD I don't even bring up Disc explorer. I just punch in the slot number and the movie loads up and plays. I do the same for music.

Do you even have a 995? AFAIK you cannot directly access a disc slot from the remote control without going into File Explorer. You can only directly access slots from the front panel of the 995.

Regardless when you turn on the power to the 995 it automatically starts reading the current disc anyway and to stop this you have to go into File Explorer anyway since hitting the stop button on the remote doesn't help. The good thing about File Explorer is the Sort feature. If it weren't for the losing of title data which really only happens in rare cases, File Explorer is actually pretty good. Finally I think you may only lose title data if you're in the middle of doing some specific functiion while the power is cut. You do not lose data simply from unplugging the 995 from the power outlet. However I do not know how long the data is stored. I think it's probably a couple of weaks though. Anybody who doesn't enter titles on their 995 want to test this out?

If I understand you correctly, you are saying that DVD Lobby is mainly a GUI controller for changers and doesn't have the ability to create a database to catalog your DVD's, and DVD Profiler is only a database for keeping track of your DVD's without any ability to select from the database and instruct the changer to go to that movie via GUI.


If you want to use DVD Lobby and also have the graphical disk info plus cover art and such, then you also need to have DVD Profiler to go along with it. They work together. Lobby does the controlling of the changer and Profiler does the DVD graphic info/database work. But you will also need a 3rd item in order to control a 995. And that is some sort of IR emitter such as a USB-UIRT for the PC, in order to send the control signals from DVD Lobby over to the 995.

http://www.usbuirt.com/overview.htm

I don't know if anyone has commented or not on the player keeping DVD information in the system or not but here is my experience.

I was without power for about 12 days with hurricane Rita and when I plugged my player up and went into the file menu all of my DVD information was there and it never lost it!

Also, I am real pleased with the picture as my DVD's are much better with the 1080 upscaling!

This is a great player for the money and the convenience of having all my movies in the player and not having to look for them or sort through them is really great.

I have also recorded many movies on DVD-R with a DVD recorder and it plays them all as well with no problems.

All said, I think a really great deal!

I don't know if anyone has commented or not on the player keeping DVD information in the system or not but here is my experience.

I was without power for about 12 days with hurricane Rita and when I plugged my player up and went into the file menu all of my DVD information was there and it never lost it!

Also, I am real pleased with the picture as my DVD's are much better with the 1080 upscaling!

This is a great player for the money and the convenience of having all my movies in the player and not having to look for them or sort through them is really great.

I have also recorded many movies on DVD-R with a DVD recorder and it plays them all as well with no problems.

All said, I think a really great deal!

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. Yes there are some minor annoyances about the 995 like no direct disc access from remote, autoplay cannot be turned off, etc, but for the price and what it provides, it's a very capable product. There are only two DVD jukebox manufactuers SONY and Pioneer so we need not complain so much considering how cheap the 995 is. A decent single disc upconverting DVD player already costs about $200, but for only around $125 more, you can store 400 DVDs/CDs in a dustproof box with remote access and not have to look through DVD cases, take them out, put it in the player etc. The 995 provides amazing convenience. Also the layer change on the 995 is very quick too which is great.

Do you even have a 995? AFAIK you cannot directly access a disc slot from the remote control without going into File Explorer. You can only directly access slots from the front panel of the 995.



Greetings,

Julie, you are misinformed. I should probably be asking you this question. To answer yours though, YES I do have a 995. The owner's manual is actually pretty explicit when it describes how to directly access a disc. You are incorrect when you state that the only way to access a disc is by using the file explorer.

Once the unit powers up it does begin to read/play the last disc that was accessed however once it is done reading the disc pressing stop does work. That can be overridden by directly accessing the disc slot of the disc you would like to play.

Try this:

Power the 995 up, press display on the remote, press enter on the remote, enter the slot number of the disc you would like to play. Press display twice to exit.

This works every time for direct disc access.


If you have any futher questions regarding this please feel free to post back.


Regards,

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement. Yes there are some minor annoyances about the 995 like no direct disc access from remote, autoplay cannot be turned off, etc, but for the price and what it provides, it's a very capable product. There are only two DVD jukebox manufactuers SONY and Pioneer so we need not complain so much considering how cheap the 995 is. A decent single disc upconverting DVD player already costs about $200, but for only around $125 more, you can store 400 DVDs/CDs in a dustproof box with remote access and not have to look through DVD cases, take them out, put it in the player etc. The 995 provides amazing convenience. Also the layer change on the 995 is very quick too which is great.

Yes, I agree the Cx995 is a good value. I just wish the "Multi disk Memory function" would work on mine, it does for other people...

Plus, my other unit is still in Texas. It took Sony a week and a half to let me know they received it...No word on when I'll get it back...

On the lighter side the E-Mail that Sony sent, to let me know they had received it, said this:

"THIS NUMBER CAN ALSO BE USED ON OUR SERVICE WEBSITE WWW.SONY.COM/REPAIR TO CHECK FOR STATUS UPDATES."...

Well when I enter the workorder number (on the Sony site)...I get the message

" The Sony product that you have inquired about has not yet been received."...

Some tracking system...Sony service is just plain bad...

Anyone know if you can ouput over the component or HDMI AND composite. I want to watch the movies on the main TV with component or HDMI, but I would also love to be able to pipe the movies to the "kids" tv over the modulator we already have.
TIA,
Jon

Anyone know if you can ouput over the component or HDMI AND composite. I want to watch the movies on the main TV with component or HDMI, but I would also love to be able to pipe the movies to the "kids" tv over the modulator we already have.
TIA,
Jon


Greetings,

No problem Jon. You can watch either HDMI or component AND composite/S video simultaneously.

Regards,

Awesome! Thanks, placidman! Looks like I am ordering one today!

That was my one hesitation on the jukebox idea. Most of our movie nights are family affairs, but every once in a while we want the kids to disappear and nothing works better than a nice Disney flick.

I could not imagine going in there and plucking out a disc and relocating it to the kids room. My other idea was to "backup" all the movies and keep a duplicate in the kids room, but that seemed like an awful lot of work. This will give us the best of both world's..
:)
Jon

NoPlasmaYet:

It makes me a bit nervous that Sony has a bunch of units to exchange. I usually prefer to get my own product fixed, but since these are so new, even the re-manufactured ones have very little wear on them. But, who knows what kind of abuse it took.

FBlack,

I guess Sony didn't have a bunch of refurbished units around...They wound up sending me a new one (from CA). So I think thats a good thing....I never have been comfortable with "refurbished items"...

PlacidMan,

You were right, I did receive the replacement unit before Sony updated the status information. The Sony service webpage still says "Item not received"....

Well, time to load a few disks and see what happens...

Let us know if they "fixed" the problem with AutoPlay

FBlack,

I guess Sony didn't have a bunch of refurbished units around...They wound up sending me a new one (from CA). So I think thats a good thing....I never have been comfortable with "refurbished items"...

PlacidMan,

You were right, I did receive the replacement unit before Sony updated the status information. The Sony service webpage still says "Item not received"....

Well, time to load a few disks and see what happens...

NPY,

Glad to hear that you received a new replacement 995. Keep us in the loop....and good luck with it.


Regards,

I just purchased the 995 and I am quite pleased with the overall performance and features knowing the quirks it has from reading this forum. I want to use it as a combo player for both my CDs and DVDs. I'm in the processing of trying to load and label the CDs and have a few questions I hope someone can help me with...

I am trying to load and label a bunch of CDs at a time so I'm opening the door once, popping a CD into the numbered slot as indicated on the display, advancing the slot number, loading the next CD and so on. Then I close the door. When I go to the display the audio folder, each CD slot I just loaded has a "?" which prevents me from going into edit mode to label the CD unless I first play the CD at which time it recognizes it. Then I have to STOP the playing go back to EDIT and I can enter the label info. This is painful!

The other alternative I have found is to load a bunch of CDs as described above, hit the LOAD button and then the 995 checks each CD/DVD in the jukebox and identifies it as a CD or DVD. This gets rid of the "?" problem but is likewise painfully slow because the 995 loads and checks every CD/DVD all over again, including those already loaded. This method will become progressively slower as more CDs and DVDs are loaded.

I have read the manual but have not come up with a better way of doing this. The 995 is not automatically recognizing any label info either when I do a LOAD. Is there a better way of doing this?

Rick

I have read the manual but have not come up with a better way of doing this. The 995 is not automatically recognizing any label info either when I do a LOAD. Is there a better way of doing this?

Rick

What I do is when I put in new DVD's, I set the Sony to the first new one and then let it read from there and press stop when it is finished so it will not read the previous ones.

Ok, I picked one of these up today at BB.

I have a bad problem that I hope someone can help with.

No matter what resolution I pick for HDMI output it outputs 480P!

All I can find in this thread is someone having the same problem.

Anyone have a verified 720P going to there display? Be skeptical, because your display will scale the 480P output from the changer.

Thanks,
Ken

I find myself now looking for DVD's with the Mastered in High Definition mark on the back of the covers.
The DVD's look fantastic. I think these DVD's are 720p?

No, they are regular 480i just like any DVD.

The CX995V is supposed to take the 480i information from the DVD and upscale it to 480P, 720P, or 1080i depending on the HDMI Resolution setting in the setup menu and your display.

Mine will only output 480P on the HDMI output. Most people probably wouldn't be able to tell. In fact I've got two 720 displays and only my projector reports the actual incoming resolution. My Samsung DLP rear projection TV doesn't report the incoming res and so I can't really tell if its doing the scaling or if the CX995V is.

Ken

Ok, I picked one of these up today at BB.

I have a bad problem that I hope someone can help with.

No matter what resolution I pick for HDMI output it outputs 480P!

All I can find in this thread is someone having the same problem.

Anyone have a verified 720P going to there display? Be skeptical, because your display will scale the 480P output from the changer.

Thanks,
Ken


Greetings,

Ken, my 995 is outputting 720p to my Sony HS51 front projector. There may be an HDCP recognition issue between the 995 and your display...


Regards,

Mine is outputting 720p@60hz to my Sammy HLR.

John and Ralph,

Are you sure. Does it actually say some where in a menu that 720P is coming in? I have a Sammy HLM and it doesn't indicate the incoming resolution.

John, I like and agree with your signature.

Ken

Well I got 720P out of it. I guess the Sony wants to see a resolution it recognizes or it falls back to 480P. It's not a HDCP issue because if I turn HDCP off the Sony outputs only a black screen.

My solution? I have a HDMI splitter so I ran one output into my Samsung and the other into my projector. Now the Sony hears 720P from the Samsung and plays it to both it and the projector.

Clear as mud?

:)
Ken

Greetings,

Ken, glad to hear you got things going. I was thinking also that if you have the 995 set to Auto in the HDMI video output menu it then sends out the signal based upon the native resolution of your display. I realize that your display is not 480p native however have you tried setting the output making shanges to that setting to see if it makes any difference?


Regards,

Hi Ralph,

I just set it on 720P.

Anyone else have this player and the Panasonic S97?

This Sony kills the S97 in two areas - detail and banding. This Sony has more detail and no banding/postorization. It's amazing that two digital outputs of the same DVD could be this different.

I watch mostly film based DVD's so I haven't looked at a lot of deinterlacing test material, but I like this picture!

Ken

I have my output set on AUTO but lastnight I set it to 720p.
I couldn't see any difference between 720p and 1080i.
My TV info says it's at 1080i when on the AUTO setting.
I'm looking forward to trying SW EP 3 tomorrow.

I purchased the very first Sony DVD changer way back when. (1999?)

The lame Explorer interface hasn't improved one bit. It appears the only real solution is a printed list of what's in what slot.

Tell me I'm missing something?

When I turn the dial on the front the slot numbers show, but not the entered titles!

The inferface on my Pioneer F727 is much better and you can dial through and find a movie without the remote. And with the remote its very simple to see the list and pick a DVD. And it seems to read almost all the titles. And it's going on five years old.

Ken

Greetings,

Ken, I use the printed list method. It avoids the unnecessary trip through disk explorer and takes me right to the disc I want.


Regards,

Is the HDMI cable included w/ this player?

thanks.

Is the HDMI cable included w/ this player?

thanks.

Nope

Can someone post a few pictures (screen shots) of the Disc Explorer?

Thanks,
JayMan

I've decided to get this changer mod'd with an SDI output. I'm then going to run the SDI into an SDI to DVI converter and then to my HDMI in scaler/deinterlacer.

I've held off on SDI forever, waiting for HDMI to erase the need. Then Sony leaves off 480i over HDMI :(

I feel like no one else is going to come out with a 480i over HDMI 400 disc mega-changer, so why wait?

Since I'm going SDI, I could mod a Pioneer 301 disc changer and get the better interface, but I really want the 400 slots. (that and the PQ on the CX995V is T-totally awesome)

I'll probably still use HDMI out for the audio connection.

Anyone else mod this Sony?

Ken

Isn't the SDI Mod more than the player? ~$500.00!

http://www.jvbdigital.com/jvb.asp?cur=2&level=sdi&page=title&title=269

Yeah the SDI mod with 3 day shipping etc. is just over $600. It will be another $650 for the SDI to DVI/HDMI converter.

So all said I'll pay $1650 for on demand access to 400 DVD's at the best possible picture quality. Not bad really. Kalaidascape systems go for $20k+.

I spent an hour reading and learning and using the Disc Explorer. I'm actually liking it pretty well now. Just hit the Folder button and you can scroll or fast page through your selections. That's as good as the Pioneer, and you get longer titles.

If you use the folder options to separate the major genre's I'll bet its pretty quick even with 400 discs loaded. Assuming the interface speed doesn't slow to a crawl once fully loaded.

I only have 10 or so disc's loaded right now, because I know I'm sending it off to JVB for the mod.

Ken

Ken,

What scaler/deinterlacer are you using. I just ordered a iScan DVDO HD+ without the SDI Mod, but with the Mod it was only $100.00 more. "B" stock

I've had my 777-ES modded to SDI and multiregion output by JVB digital and would say the PQ has improved considerably. I was running an RP-82 SDI before, but this is just as good, if not better! :)

Willy,

I'll be upgrading my Anthem D1 to a D2 that includes a Gennum VXP video processor for deinterlacing and scaling. It will not offer an SDI input option, so I have to get the signal to HDMI.

Jimmy,

Thanks for sharing that. I'm glad to hear from someone who has travelled the road.
I've never had a RP-82, but I understand they are considered one of the best ever made. I do have a Panny S97 and its HDMI vs. the Sony CX995V's HDMI is no contest in favor of the Sony.

Ken

I do have a Panny S97 and its HDMI vs. the Sony CX995V's HDMI is no contest in favor of the Sony.

I what way?

Julie,

Primarily in banding or posterizing. The S97 shows banding that bothers me and the Sony shows none. The Sony is as good or better than my HTPC.

If you have The Incredibles, go to the scene where the dad is bench pressing the train car. His shoulder will band like crazy on the S97 and not at all on the Sony CX995V.

Another scene the wife goes into the closet and pulls a blond hair off of his jacket. As she turns her cheek will have several distinct bands of color on the S97 - not on the Sony. You'll also see much more detail in her hair.

Another scene the son is in the Principal's office. When the view shows the mom coming in, the opposite wall from the Principals desk has banding.

These are easy to see. The effect is on other material as well, but if you want to find it easily those scenes will do.

I run the Sony in HDMI 720P Cinema 1.

On the S97 I've tried every combination of modes and settings. You can turn up the mpeg filtering, but as the bands go away it blends into a single color - no definition of the surfaces.

The Sony just has a much smoother and detailed picture.

Deinterlacing is of course another story. The Sony is so bad that I'm spending $1200 to get 480i out. Not really a huge issue since we watch mainly film based material, but its irritating during credits and whatnot.

Ken

So you guys talked me into it...picked one up today.

I'm going to load DVDs tonight...any advice on segmenting, ordering, etc.?

I was thinking I'd do something like reserve 1-5 for temporary stuff like netflix.

Then all animation between 5 and 50, comedy between 51 and 150, etc.

Make sense, or do I just stuff 'em in there in any order?

Help!

I've decided to get this changer mod'd with an SDI output. I'm then going to run the SDI into an SDI to DVI converter and then to my HDMI in scaler/deinterlacer.

I've held off on SDI forever, waiting for HDMI to erase the need. Then Sony leaves off 480i over HDMI :(

I feel like no one else is going to come out with a 480i over HDMI 400 disc mega-changer, so why wait?

Since I'm going SDI, I could mod a Pioneer 301 disc changer and get the better interface, but I really want the 400 slots. (that and the PQ on the CX995V is T-totally awesome)

I'll probably still use HDMI out for the audio connection.

Anyone else mod this Sony?

Ken

Check out this scaler.

Algolith's DragonFly Home Theater Processor-Scaler (http://www.algolith.com/index.php?id=dragonfly&L=0)

It has an SDI option in addition to 2 HDMI inputs, 1 component, 1 S-Video and 1 composite input.

Yeah the SDI mod with 3 day shipping etc. is just over $600. It will be another $650 for the SDI to DVI/HDMI converter.

So all said I'll pay $1650 for on demand access to 400 DVD's at the best possible picture quality. Not bad really. Kalaidascape systems go for $20k+.

I spent an hour reading and learning and using the Disc Explorer. I'm actually liking it pretty well now. Just hit the Folder button and you can scroll or fast page through your selections. That's as good as the Pioneer, and you get longer titles.

If you use the folder options to separate the major genre's I'll bet its pretty quick even with 400 discs loaded. Assuming the interface speed doesn't slow to a crawl once fully loaded.

I only have 10 or so disc's loaded right now, because I know I'm sending it off to JVB for the mod.

KenKen,

I think you've made a really smart decision with the SDI mod. But you might want to consider modding a DVP-CX777ES instead. Even though it may be a couple hundred dollars more, I think in the long run you would appreciate having the serial interface that the ES version provides. A computer (or product like Escient Fireball), compatible changer with serial interface, and inexpensive software (like Cinemar's DVDLobby) are a powerful combination, as they can provide one click (or touch) access to your movies, even with multiple changers. This may not seem like a big deal now, but in the future, you may find yourself trying to balance input switching, controlling 2 or more changers that may use the exactly the same IR codes, and finding specific DVDs across changers, all of which is a difficult challenge using IR and confusing to do manually. And there should be no difference in PQ between machines with SDI mods. If there is, well, then these mods aren't doing what they're supposed to be doing.

KP

Let us know if they "fixed" the problem with AutoPlay

necrolop,

Nope, the replacement CX995V still goes into "Autoplay", no way to turn it off...

Placidman,

I find that the multi disk memory function works if I (only) access disks directly. If I use the Disk Explorer interface...it causes the memory function to not-function...

Does anyone know if you can go to a specific disc by number with the remote? I tried entering in the disc number but it doesn't work. The manual seems to suggest that this is impossible.

All my gear is hidden and I don't want to turn on the FP to listen to a couple of CDs. Going through them one at a time with the remote disc skip is tedious if you have to go more than a few discs.

Does anyone know if you can go to a specific disc by number with the remote? I tried entering in the disc number but it doesn't work. The manual seems to suggest that this is impossible.

All my gear is hidden and I don't want to turn on the FP to listen to a couple of CDs. Going through them one at a time with the remote disc skip is tedious if you have to go more than a few discs.


Greetings,

Using the remote control in DVD mode, press the following:

Display
Enter
input the disc number you want
Enter

This will take you directly to the disc you want to play. Press Enter again to exit.


Placidman,

I find that the multi disk memory function works if I (only) access disks directly. If I use the Disk Explorer interface...it causes the memory function to not-function...

NPY,

Sorry to hear this........


Regards,

So you guys talked me into it...picked one up today.

I'm going to load DVDs tonight...any advice on segmenting, ordering, etc.?

I was thinking I'd do something like reserve 1-5 for temporary stuff like netflix.

Then all animation between 5 and 50, comedy between 51 and 150, etc.

Make sense, or do I just stuff 'em in there in any order?

Help!

I did this, but in my opinion I wasted a bunch of my time... The explorer will sort everything by number, title, or genre, so it became a waste of time after everything was said and done. The only thing to remember is to keep your covers in order for when you start typing in titles....

I did this, but in my opinion I wasted a bunch of my time... The explorer will sort everything by number, title, or genre, so it became a waste of time after everything was said and done. The only thing to remember is to keep your covers in order for when you start typing in titles....

Thanks!

Yeah...I decided the same after a bit of experimenting last night. One thing that confused me was that the info on the Load button is "hidden" at the bottom of a page several pages where they tell you how to insert DVDs into the player...took me 10 minutes to figure out that I had to press Load to get it to read all the discs...also partly due to there being no Load button on the remote...

I did manage to think ahead about keeping the boxes in order to enter info via keyboard (thank goodness they provide that option!) but my younger son managed to knock over a stack of about 30 and scramble them...not fun manually starting every one of those thirty discs to see what it was before I could type in the info... :(

So far really like the unit....the menu looks like it will be easy for my family to use, and the reduction in clutter/storage requirements is great. Picture isn't stunning, but it is very good.

What I wish they would do is remove numbers from the list that don't have a disc in the slot...I skipped some spaces here and there so that I could add in some DVDs that I know I'm going to buy (wanted to keep some types together, e.g., all the Harry Potter movies next to each other). I think I"m going to just have to go back move discs around to fill in all the blanks so that I don't leave any spaces so when I'm viewing by number, I don't have any blank rows...

One question....can you run the "Load" command on one disc at a time via the Load button? I pressed the One/All button to set it to One, and set the current disc nob to a disc I had just added, but when I pressed the Load button I think it went ahead and scanned all the discs in the unit.

I'm thinking about buying the Sony DVP-CX995V to replace a single disc dvd player I'm currently using. My receiver does not have an HDMI input, but my HDTV does. Would I be able to run the video directly to my TV via HDMI in order to get the full 1080i video, and at the same time run audio from the DVD Changer to my receiver via Digital Coax? I don't use the speakers in my TV since I have surround sound. So I'd like to run the audio from the DVD changer to my receiver and the video from the DVD changer directly to my TV in order to utilize the full 1080i output. Would this work? Thanks for any help. :)

I'm thinking about buying the Sony DVP-CX995V to replace a single disc dvd player I'm currently using. My receiver does not have an HDMI input, but my HDTV does. Would I be able to run the video directly to my TV via HDMI in order to get the full 1080i video, and at the same time run audio from the DVD Changer to my receiver via Digital Coax? I don't use the speakers in my TV since I have surround sound. So I'd like to run the audio from the DVD changer to my receiver and the video from the DVD changer directly to my TV in order to utilize the full 1080i output. Would this work? Thanks for any help. :)

That's exactly how I have mine hooked up. Works perfectly.

...

One question....can you run the "Load" command on one disc at a time via the Load button? I pressed the One/All button to set it to One, and set the current disc nob to a disc I had just added, but when I pressed the Load button I think it went ahead and scanned all the discs in the unit.

If it works like the older models, just make sure that the carosel is set to the position that you just loaded, close the door and the player will start to play the disk (or just hit the play button if it doesn't start automatically).

Every time it plays a disk it updates the info just like using the load button.

Thanks. I'll guess I'll pull the trigger and buy then.

OK...had a hang and lost some data today. Inputting some DVD names at lunch time (nice to live near work) and the changer hung at one point. I had selected to view one of the DVDs after naming it, and the movie didn't play, and the changer screen kept flashing the DVD number and sat there for several minutes.

I finally had to power down and back up, and found that a bunch of movies I had entered info for were either missing all their data, or missing title and artist. Even when those two fields were blank I was unable to edit the name or artist fields. Had to play each corrupted movie to clear/reset the info.

Annoying...I had entered a lot of titles so there may be a limit to what the unit can take via keyboard...anyone else seen a problem like this?

I'm thinking I'd stop entering and turn the unit off and on again once in a while for future name entry sessions.

Also, if you open the door, remove a disc, and close the door, but don't access the disc, will the player "know" and erase that disc's information? Thinking about when the kids may want to take a disc to play in the other room....

And there should be no difference in PQ between machines with SDI mods. If there is, well, then these mods aren't doing what they're supposed to be doing.

KP

Unfortunately, you are very wrong there! Just as different dvd players sound different through their digital coaxial outputs, so the image differs from machine to machine on SDI output. This is down to a number of factors.... the quality of the mpeg decoder on board the unit, quality of SDI mod, quality of power supply etc etc
I'd agree that he would be better off with the 777ES as the machine appears to be of a better build quality also.

A few glitches w/the 995 today...one maybe a one-time glitch, the other appears to be a bit of bad design and/or failure.

If you leave your player on with a parental controlled movie in the selected slot, the password screen appears when you turn the set off, and then on.

I have been unable to find any way to:

1. Close the password screen after it appears w/out entering a password, so I can select another movie
2. Close the password screen after entering an incorrect password

So you are forced to enter the password one way or another, and start the movie...I've tried pressing the Folder button immediately and repeatedly to interrupt the disc load, but that didn't work. I also tried pressing the Display button, but that does not exit the password screen as the prompt on the password screen says it should.

Has anyone else bumped into this, and have you been able to avoid the password screen coming, or exit it using the Display button.

The other issue was that one time when I pressed the Folder button on my remote (using Harmony 659) the set actually turned itself off...assuming this is a Harmony issue for now...never happened when using the Folder button on the original remote.

Unfortunately, you are very wrong there! Just as different dvd players sound different through their digital coaxial outputs, so the image differs from machine to machine on SDI output. This is down to a number of factors.... the quality of the mpeg decoder on board the unit, quality of SDI mod, quality of power supply etc etc
I'd agree that he would be better off with the 777ES as the machine appears to be of a better build quality also.Thanks for correcting me. I'm sorry if I confused anyone. I was thinking that SDI provided a direct bit for bit stream of what was on the disc, and ALL decoding/deinterlacing/processing happened in the scaler. I looked it up, and indeed I was wrong. Thanks again.

I think I read earlier in this thread that there is another thread on the CX995V here at AVS....can anyone point me to it? I searched on CX995V and didn't find it...

Just got my 995 yesterday, appears to be a nice machine.

I have a question regarding labeling discs in the Explorer. I loaded up about 25 DVDs and started labeling.
In the Explorer page, with the curser on 'ALL', it displayed a reel symbol next to DVDs 1, 10, and 25, and the rest were question marks (?). It only allowed me to input title info. on those three DVDs. All the DVDs I put in so far are backed up copies at home. I can't figure out whats different about DVDs 1,10, and 25.

Anyone else experience this?

Serv

Just got my 995 yesterday, appears to be a nice machine.

I have a question regarding labeling discs in the Explorer. I loaded up about 25 DVDs and started labeling.
In the Explorer page, with the curser on 'ALL', it displayed a reel symbol next to DVDs 1, 10, and 25, and the rest were question marks (?). It only allowed me to input title info. on those three DVDs. All the DVDs I put in so far are backed up copies at home. I can't figure out whats different about DVDs 1,10, and 25.

Anyone else experience this?

Serv

Question marks for discs means those discs cannot be read by the 995. Seems like your backups are not compatible with the 995.

SMG: Did you press the Load button on the 995 yet? Or did you try to load the DVD w/teh ? from the explorer by pressing the enter button w/the disc # highlighted? I have a few backups of kids DVDs made before I got the 995 and the kids were handling the DVDs a lot, and they have all been recognized and play just fine (on DVD-R and DVD+R).

It's actually sad...I can't find the friggin originals...have the boxes, but I put the orginals somewhere for "safe keeping" and still haven't found them yet...

Just purchased my 995 today, I plan to use DVD Profiler to catalog my collection and eventually control the unit with a MX-3000. It looks like DVD profiler can only catalog DVD's, I would also like to catalog CD's, is there a software that can do both?

Bingo!! (Like you guys care, but I have to celebrate.) Typing about it jogged something loose...found my originals!

Just loving this player...makes it so easy to actually view my DVDs again, rather than them sitting in their boxes gathering dust.

Still wondering about this issue:

If you leave your player on with a parental controlled movie in the selected slot, the password screen appears when you turn the set off, and then on.

I have been unable to find any way to:

1. Close the password screen after it appears w/out entering a password, so I can select another movie
2. Close the password screen after entering an incorrect password

So you are forced to enter the password one way or another, and start the movie...I've tried pressing the Folder button immediately and repeatedly to interrupt the disc load, but that didn't work. I also tried pressing the Display button, but that does not exit the password screen as the prompt on the password screen says it should.

Has anyone else bumped into this, and have you been able to avoid the password screen coming, or exit it using the Display button.

I'm considering this DVD player what is opinion of all on this one, especially how good is data entry and how easy it is to find whatever dvd you want to play ?

SMG: Did you press the Load button on the 995 yet? Or did you try to load the DVD w/teh ? from the explorer by pressing the enter button w/the disc # highlighted? I have a few backups of kids DVDs made before I got the 995 and the kids were handling the DVDs a lot, and they have all been recognized and play just fine (on DVD-R and DVD+R).

Ok, the load button did the trick (mostly) It still left about 3 out of the 25 with ? marks that I can't edit. I suppose I'll have to avoid that brand of DVD media in the future.

Another question, if I've entered a title, will running the 'load' process erase the info. ?

If I put in a backup copy of a DVD I get a ? symbol too. Just start the move. Then stop and go back to the Folders. That ? symbol is gone and you can enter data.

Just purchased my 995 today, I plan to use DVD Profiler to catalog my collection and eventually control the unit with a MX-3000. It looks like DVD profiler can only catalog DVD's, I would also like to catalog CD's, is there a software that can do both?

There is nothing that I know of, for the cataloging of CD's with the newer Sony DVD megachangers. But if you buy a either a new Sony CDP-CX355 or CX455 and a device called the SAVR, for about $75. or the now discontinued Slink-E, and one of the various CD/Music catalog programs that go for about $40. Not only will it catalog the CD's for them on a PC, it will also go online and automatically look them up and even load their associated cover art.

Note, the SAVR and Slink-E devices will ONLY work on the Sony CD or DVD megachangers that has a Control-S and Control-A1/A1II connection. Which the CX-DVP955 does not have, nor does it's predecessor the 985.

Here is the SAVR, which also has links to the needed software.

http://www.blackboxdesigns.com/


And here is the discontinued Slink-E. And although it's been discontinued, there is still a lot of good info there about controlling the various older Sony CD and DVD megachangers that can be controlled in this way.

http://www.nirvis.com/slink-e.htm


And BTW:

If you had the Sony DVP-CX777ES, and a program called DVDgenie. Then you could do as above with the CD changers. In that you could hook it up, or even multiple 777ES's, to a PC via the RS232, and then have it log onto the net. And it will automatically look up and catalog all of your DVD's and then D/L and load the cover art for them, plus you can fully control all of the 777ES's via the PC with it also.

Here is the link for that program.

http://www.ibtcorp.com/dvpgenie/default.asp

Ok, the load button did the trick (mostly) It still left about 3 out of the 25 with ? marks that I can't edit. I suppose I'll have to avoid that brand of DVD media in the future.

Another question, if I've entered a title, will running the 'load' process erase the info. ?


Nope...once you've entered data, it sticks unless you remove the DVD from the changer.

Did you try loading the DVDs with question marks? I have had teh same issue, and am able to load and then edit/update the info on those DVDs.

I'm considering this DVD player what is opinion of all on this one, especially how good is data entry and how easy it is to find whatever dvd you want to play ?

You can connect a standard PC keyboard to do entry...it is pretty easy to enter the info for DVDs that aren't recognized automatically.

Very easy to find DVDs...the system allows you to browse by disc number, media type (movie, music, photo/data) and by folder (up to four "virtual" folders, which you can name and add titles to.

It's actually better than I thought it would be...even my wife thinks it is "cool." :)

You can connect a standard PC keyboard to do entry...it is pretty easy to enter the info for DVDs that aren't recognized automatically.

Very easy to find DVDs...the system allows you to browse by disc number, media type (movie, music, photo/data) and by folder (up to four "virtual" folders, which you can name and add titles to.

It's actually better than I thought it would be...even my wife thinks it is "cool." :)


Thanks just got this player yesterday. It seems pretty good concept. I'm trying to load my DVDs and it worked fine. Although I've issue with couple. I've MP3 Cds that I preapered but for some reason once I load MP3 CD it is not allowing me to change the title. I can enter artist and gener information but I cannot change title. Is there any way around for this ?
Also is there a way where you can enter your own genere ? It is pretty limited in terms of genre classification for DVD as well as CD. Also if I consolidate my MP3 on DVD will it allow me to play from DVD ?

I also have one more issue, when I'm playing MP3 CD it is not displaying me which track I'm playing or what all tracks are available within a folder.

Thanks just got this player yesterday. It seems pretty good concept. I'm trying to load my DVDs and it worked fine. Although I've issue with couple. I've MP3 Cds that I preapered but for some reason once I load MP3 CD it is not allowing me to change the title. I can enter artist and gener information but I cannot change title. Is there any way around for this ?
Also is there a way where you can enter your own genere ? It is pretty limited in terms of genre classification for DVD as well as CD. Also if I consolidate my MP3 on DVD will it allow me to play from DVD ?

I also have one more issue, when I'm playing MP3 CD it is not displaying me which track I'm playing or what all tracks are available within a folder.

I have an SVCD that I got from a friend, and have the same problem...I can only enter Artist/Genre...the title field is blank, but locked...haven't looked in the manual yet to see if that is a known issue.

No way add/edit genres, unfortunately...that would be a great improvement.

The manual only mentions MP3s on CDs, not DVDs, so I don't know if that is supported or not...you'd think it would be, but I don't know. d

Have you read bottom right of page 57, and pages 64 - 67 of the manual...instructions on displaying stuff while playing MP3s are there.

I have an SVCD that I got from a friend, and have the same problem...I can only enter Artist/Genre...the title field is blank, but locked...haven't looked in the manual yet to see if that is a known issue.

No way add/edit genres, unfortunately...that would be a great improvement.

The manual only mentions MP3s on CDs, not DVDs, so I don't know if that is supported or not...you'd think it would be, but I don't know. d

Have you read bottom right of page 57, and pages 64 - 67 of the manual...instructions on displaying stuff while playing MP3s are there.

Thanks for update. Also I've read lot of mention of DVDProfiler on this froum. I want to know what is use of DVDProfiler ? Could it be useful in entering catalog data ? Instead of entering in Sony's catalog manual it would be great if it allows me to create entire database on computer and than import it in DVD player. If it is not possible than what is use of DVDProfiler (please clarify if I'm misunderstanding this product) ?

I want to know what is use of DVDProfiler ? Could it be useful in entering catalog data ? Instead of entering in Sony's catalog manual it would be great if it allows me to create entire database on computer and than import it in DVD player. If it is not possible than what is use of DVDProfiler (please clarify if I'm misunderstanding this product) ?

That is not what DVDProfiler does, it is really only a stand alone cataloger. With no way of using it to input it's data into the player.

However it can also be used with the changers that have RS232 such as the 777ES or older changers that have Control-I/Control-S interfaces, to interact with the changers via a PC setup, but only if you add a 2nd program like DVDLobby or Movies! to the mix as well, and in the case of Control-I/Control-S, you also needs a piece of additional hardware, a SAVR or a Slink-E as I mentioned above. Which can also be adapted to be used with a IR emitter for the newer changers like the 985 and 955 that do not have Control-I/S or RS232.

That is not what DVDProfiler does, it is really only a stand alone cataloger. With no way of using it to input it's data into the player.

However it can also be used with the changers that have RS232 such as the 777ES or older changers that have Control-I/Control-S interfaces, to interact with the changers via a PC setup, but only if you add a 2nd program like DVDLobby or Movies! to the mix as well, and in the case of Control-I/Control-S, you also needs a piece of additional hardware, a SAVR or a Slink-E as I mentioned above. Which can also be adapted to be used with a IR emitter for the newer changers like the 985 and 955 that do not have Control-I/S or RS232.

You lost me at hello... ;)

Sooooo....you're saying that DVD Profiler combined with DVDLobby or Movies!, a SAVR or Slink-E could be adapted to work w/an IR emtter to work w/the 995? I thought your point in your ealier post was that 995 owners were out of luck in that respect...what kind of total $$ are we talking to hook up a system w/the 995, if indeed that is correct?

Thanks for your patience if I've got this all wrong. :)

You lost me at hello... ;)

Sooooo....you're saying that DVD Profiler combined with DVDLobby or Movies!, a SAVR or Slink-E could be adapted to work w/an IR emtter to work w/the 995? I thought your point in your ealier post was that 995 owners were out of luck in that respect...what kind of total $$ are we talking to hook up a system w/the 995, if indeed that is correct?
It was my mistake, as I forgot about the ability to use and setup a IR emitter setup with a PC now in a few new and different ways.

But yes, both the Slink-E and SAVR2 can. But remember you are also talking a entire PC setup to do all this. Along with some effort and additional computer programs like Girder in addition to the also needed DVD profiler and DVDLobby or Movies!, to get it all set up and running as a IR setup.




As long as the SAVR is upgraded to, or is the later SAVR2 version. Then it can be modded to work with a IR emitter.

The SAVR to SAVR2 upgrade.

http://www.blackboxdesigns.com/pdf/SAVR_to_SAVR2_Upgrade_Instructions_IR.pdf

And the SAVR2 IR mod/upgrade

http://www.blackboxdesigns.com/pdf/Upgraded_SAVR_IR_Modification_IR.pdf

But please note: as per http://www.blackboxdesigns.com/savrtech.html

"Important Note: The SAVR and SAVR2 were not designed originally with support of IR emitters in mind. The modification described here has been tested and functions well with single emitters at short ranges. Future versions of the device may implement a more robust IR support. BlackBoxDesigns cannot be responsible for damage done to the device while implementing these instructions. Please take extreme care if undertaking this modification."



And the discontinued Slink-E is already made to work with IR emitters also.
But when you see the price of a used Slink-E, (usually $100 plus, on ebay) I don't think you would want to go with that route.

But if you do, as per. http://www.nirvis.com/slinke_specs.htm

"IR interface

* IR receiver built into the unit
o 40kHz carrier frequency (works from ~35-45kHz) - others available
* 1 external IR emitter included
o Stick on IR emitter can control virtually any IR device.
* 1 Xantech compatible IR zone connection
o Connect a network of IR receivers and emitters to the Slink-e for full two way computer control of you IR system.
* 6 additional zones of Xantech compatible IR available with expasion adapter."


But remember the Slink-E and SAVR2, will also require yet another set programs such as Girder, to make them emulate the Sony IR codes, if you want them to control via IR.



Also another option that is supposed to work alone all by itself, with the DVDLobby/Mainlobby software, is this USB to IR emitter.

http://www.usbuirt.com/overview.htm

And for that you may want to look at the Cinemar web site, and may even look in their forums. To find out more about using the above USB-IRT with their DVDLobby/Mainlobby programs.

http://www.cinemaronline.com/

There is nothing that I know of, for the cataloging of CD's with the newer Sony DVD megachangers. But if you buy a either a new Sony CDP-CX355 or CX455 and a device called the SAVR, for about $75. or the now discontinued Slink-E, and one of the various CD/Music catalog programs that go for about $40. Not only will it catalog the CD's for them on a PC, it will also go online and automatically look them up and even load their associated cover art.



Thanks for the info, I was hoping to find a single software solution. I did find that Cinemar (makers of DVD lobby) offers a CD catologin software as well, but as you mentioned it requires a PC to run and control the devices. My goal is to only control the player and tittles with a MX-3000. I will be using the MDX software for the DVD's, anything similar to MDX for CD's to interface with the MX-3000? I will keep searching.

Cinemar’s CD Lobby, even though it has its problems, is a god send, the best thing I have done to my system. Having 5000 songs ripped to a HD and instant access and play lists is uber fantastic. Their DVD lobby is equally useful, if you use one you wont know how you did without it, it changes the way I watch movies. Those who are serious about automation on the cheep will be sorry they missed out on the RS232 control that the 777ES has, its well worth the extra money IMO.

I just got mine today and hooked it up but right now I am in class so I will further setup the features and start loading the discs.

Radioshack has an inexpensive HDMI to DVI cable for my Olevia LT27HVS.

~Bob

A few glitches w/the 995 today...one maybe a one-time glitch, the other appears to be a bit of bad design and/or failure.

If you leave your player on with a parental controlled movie in the selected slot, the password screen appears when you turn the set off, and then on.

I have been unable to find any way to:

1. Close the password screen after it appears w/out entering a password, so I can select another movie
2. Close the password screen after entering an incorrect password

So you are forced to enter the password one way or another, and start the movie...I've tried pressing the Folder button immediately and repeatedly to interrupt the disc load, but that didn't work. I also tried pressing the Display button, but that does not exit the password screen as the prompt on the password screen says it should.

Has anyone else bumped into this, and have you been able to avoid the password screen coming, or exit it using the Display button.

Just hit the + or - on the remote to move to a different slot. You can then select "Display" to move to a specific slot.

My goal is to only control the player and tittles with a MX-3000. I will be using the MDX software for the DVD's, anything similar to MDX for CD's to interface with the MX-3000? I will keep searching.


Well I also have a MX-3000, and I even tried out the DMX-3000 software for cataloging the DVD's on the MX-3000. And to tell you the truth, I was really not all that impressed with it. Actually I'm just not that impressed with my MX-3000 either as a whole. I also have a Harmony 880, and I honestly think that the Harmony is a better remote than the MX-3000 is. For one thing their code database is much more up to date than the one for the MX-3000 is, it's easier to set up, and it costs almost $800 less. Really about the only thing the MX-3000 is better at, is that it mainly only looks better/more impressive in the "eye candy" department.

Now, that being said. I also have 2 Sony DVP-CX777ES that are being controlled via a small "cube" PC, running the DVDLobby/Mainlobby software, and I also have 1 Sony DVP-CX875P (mainly just for all my old "flipper" DVD's, as that model was the last one that Sony made that could still "flip" DVD's) and also 1 CDP-CX455 that are being controlled by that same PC, with the SAVR interface, and with the option of using either the CDlobby program or the Music Library program (as I have both), and it just totaly blows away more than what I could even think to do with the MX-3000 and the MDX-3000 program. Not to mention I can also use my Pocket PC via wireless to also control it all.

Now before you start saying anything about the cost of setting up a small PC for doing this, don't forget that the MSRP of a MX-3000 is $1000, and the MDX-3000 software is $100. So that's $1100 just for the remote and the software, and also not counting the cost of a 955. Granted you can buy a MX-3000 for less than MSRP, but you still are looking at somewhere between $650-$900 for one, and depending upon if you buy one from a authorized source or not.

I can build small adequate "cube" PC for about $200-$250+ on the low end, that will work just fine for this kind of use, and you can buy DVP-CX777ES for around $550-$600 from authorized sources, and I think I paid about $150 for my CDP-CX455. And then you add the software, which is between $70 to around $200+, depending upon which software route you take. Plus according to Cinemar, I have the capability of running somewhere up to 16 777ES if I need to.

So basically I can build the PC, buy 1 Sony 777ES, and even buy the basic required DVD changer controller/catalog software. And all for about the price of what just a MX-3000 remote and the MDX-3000 software for it would cost.

But the real big difference is, that I also have room for tons of expansion. Such as for multiple additional DVD changers and CD changers. And even various options of which software I can choose to use, where the MX-3000 setup does not.
So in a sense, if you have the desires or needs. It's almost more like a cost efficient solution, compaired to buying something like a big bux Escient setup.

John,

That sounds like one sweet setup.

I'm hoping I won't be too dissapointed with Disc Explorer in daily use. I thought it was very poor at first, but then I spent some time with it and the manual and got to like it.

What I need is a PC program that will drive an IR blaster to enter/reenter all the titles in the changer. Would DVD Lobby or something you know of do this in IR (as opposed to RS-232) mode?

Thanks,
Ken

It was my mistake, as I forgot about the ability to use and setup a IR emitter setup with a PC now in a few new and different ways.

But yes, both the Slink-E and SAVR2 can. But remember you are also talking a entire PC setup to do all this. Along with some effort and additional computer programs like Girder in addition to the also needed DVD profiler and DVDLobby or Movies!, to get it all set up and running as a IR setup.

<snip>


Wow...thanks. I'll have to read off-line and think about all this info. Much appreciated!

Just hit the + or - on the remote to move to a different slot. You can then select "Display" to move to a specific slot.

THanks, tried it, and it woiked!

John,

That sounds like one sweet setup.

I'm hoping I won't be too dissapointed with Disc Explorer in daily use. I thought it was very poor at first, but then I spent some time with it and the manual and got to like it.

What I need is a PC program that will drive an IR blaster to enter/reenter all the titles in the changer. Would DVD Lobby or something you know of do this in IR (as opposed to RS-232) mode?

Thanks,
Ken

The more I use it, the more I like it, and wish it was better than it is at the same time. The most annoying quirk is that it doesn't sort by title within any of the sub-sorts...e.g., if you sort by Genre and have The Matrix and The Matrix 2 in slots 50 and 55 both in SciFi, with other SciFi discs in-between them in slots 51-54, when you sort by Genre the two Matrix movies won't be next to each other.

I don't like the fact that I have to leave space for DVDs I may get later (e.g., I have Terminator 1 right now, might get T2 later, so have to leave a space so that when I add it I can put it next to T1). I'd like to just be able to slog them into the set and have the disc explorer do basic sorting....maybe asking too much from a simple program, but that one extra feature would have made the disc explorer just about enough for me to live with it as-is...

That sounds like one sweet setup.

I'm hoping I won't be too dissapointed with Disc Explorer in daily use. I thought it was very poor at first, but then I spent some time with it and the manual and got to like it.

What I need is a PC program that will drive an IR blaster to enter/reenter all the titles in the changer. Would DVD Lobby or something you know of do this in IR (as opposed to RS-232) mode?

Thanks,
Ken

Yeah. But you still will manually need to enter in the DVD titles into the PC, and also tell the PC what "slot" position they are in, in the DVD changer. But then after that the PC would know what slot for the changer to go to, to play a selected movie, so you really would not need to also enter the info into the DVD changer itself as well.

NONE of the programs can actually enter in any DVD info to the changer itself, for a non RS-232 changer.

And the nice thing about DVD Profiler, is if you have a bar code scanner, you don't even need to manually type in the DVD info into the program, as you can just scan the UPC and it will do it automatically. And the only thing you do need to manually type in, in addition with the scanned info, is the slot number location. AND it will even work with one of the old Radio Shack "Cue Cats" as the bar code scanner.
In fact the "Cue Cat" is the one that I even use. It works great, cuts down about 99.9% of the need of you manually typing in DVD info, and they can be found for about $10 or so.

What you would need, is the DVDLobby Pro software setup w/Mainlobby2, along with DVD Profiler, and a USB-UIRT IR emitter/blaster. And the plug-in for the USB-UIRT to work with DVDlobby, I'm pretty sure is now built into the latest version of DVDlobby.

http://www.cinemaronline.com/dvdlobbypro.html

http://www.intervocative.com/Products.aspx

http://www.usbuirt.com/overview.htm

So I have an old laptop already in my family room w/the TV, connected to the TV to do iTunes and occassional internet browsing. (Wireless keyboard/mouse.) It's a PIII 700 Mhz w/256 MB ram...sufficient to handle this stuff, or ?

Dan, I'm a Cinemar user too (John, I'm KPChicago on the cinemar board). DVDLobby would probably be no problem on your PC. It's MLServer which is required to run in the background that you might want to test on your laptop. Fortunately, you can download ML Server and MainLobby trial versions for free. With those two, you'll be able to see if controlling your system via laptop is viable. You may even be able to get a trial copy of DVDLobby, but I'm not sure.

Once you figure out how easy it is to control your equipment via the PC, you won't go back. And since many people have extra pc's lying around, it's often cheaper than a new remote.

Thanks very much...I'll surf over and pick up the apps and see how they play w/my system....it has a tiny HD, so I'm gonna have to clean house a bit to get the program on the hard drive...

I've ordered the Unit, I'm wondering what the heat level is on thsi device, I was going to put it in one of the enclosed compartments of my entertainment unit, I have my receiver in the adjoining compartment but I always leave the door cracked when I'm runnning it, wonder if I'll have to do the same for the 995?

Well I also have a MX-3000, and I even tried out the DMX-3000 software for cataloging the DVD's on the MX-3000. And to tell you the truth, I was really not all that impressed with it. Actually I'm just not that impressed with my MX-3000 either as a whole. I also have a Harmony 880, and I honestly think that the Harmony is a better remote than the MX-3000 is. For one thing their code database is much more up to date than the one for the MX-3000 is, it's easier to set up, and it costs almost $800 less. Really about the only thing the MX-3000 is better at, is that it mainly only looks better/more impressive in the "eye candy" department.



Thanks for all that info, so what your are saying is that you use the Harmony remote to control all the software running on your PC?

I assume you have the video output of the PC connected to your TV.

When you select the DVD/CD that you want, the PC sends the request to the player and also changes the TV to the correct video input?

I do plan to connect an HTPC to my TV, I was planning to look into all the software and hardware that you mentioned, but I thought I still needed a good remote to control it all. If I can do it effeciently with the Harmony or MX950, I rather go that route.

Thanks for all that info, so what your are saying is that you use the Harmony remote to control all the software running on your PC?


No, a normal IR remote can't do that. You would need a HTPC capable remote for that.

I use both my Pocket PC via a wireless connection to the PC, and also a 14" LCD monitor with a touchscreen at the PC itself. Most of my main gear has a RS-232, so I can control quite a few things that way with the PC. Needless to say, that means I also have a lot of "add on" com ports, with multiple USB to 4 way serial converters.


I assume you have the video output of the PC connected to your TV.
No, normally I only use the above mentioned Pocket PC or the 14" LCD monitor. But I could also use the TV if I wanted to, but I prefer using the monitor.

I've ordered the Unit, I'm wondering what the heat level is on thsi device, I was going to put it in one of the enclosed compartments of my entertainment unit, I have my receiver in the adjoining compartment but I always leave the door cracked when I'm runnning it, wonder if I'll have to do the same for the 995?

THat is one weakness...the IR receiver on my 995 seems pretty unsensitive...I have to kind of point the remote at the unit to get it to "hear" the signal. This is w/the original remote and even w/my Harmony. Other components I just point in the general direction of the TV/stand...

No, normally I only use the above mentioned Pocket PC or the 14" LCD monitor. But I could also use the TV if I wanted to, but I prefer using the monitor.


I like your setup, do you know if there is a wireless touch panel LCD available? Not a tablet PC, but a panel that actually displays and controls the main PC.

I like your setup, do you know if there is a wireless touch panel LCD available? Not a tablet PC, but a panel that actually displays and controls the main PC.
Well I supposed there are some sort of purpose built touch screen LCD's, other than the ones sold for use as PC monitors. But I have no idea if the could be used for this or not. But when you also want it to be wireless, but also that it not be a tablet PC or a Pocket PC, then there is probably even less of a chance of you finding anything like that. Asking for it to be wireless, yet without some form of PC in it, is asking for a lot. Also if there was/is such a thing, they would probably be way more expensive than what I did. All I did, was buy a cheap 14" LCD computer monitor from Wal-Mart as a "open box" for about $110, and then I bought a USB powered add-on touch screen panel that you put on the monitor for about $140. And it works great.

This is what I used to do it. And the model I used, was the KTMT-1214-USB

http://www.magictouch.com/addon.html

Well I supposed there are some sort of purpose built touch screen LCD's, other than the ones sold for use as PC monitors. But I have no idea if the could be used for this or not. But when you also want it to be wireless, but also that it not be a tablet PC or a Pocket PC, then there is probably even less of a chance of you finding anything like that. Asking for it to be wireless, yet without some form of PC in it, is asking for a lot. Also if there was/is such a thing, they would probably be way more expensive than what I did. All I did, was buy a cheap 14" LCD computer monitor from Wal-Mart as a "open box" for about $110, and then I bought a USB powered add-on touch screen panel that you put on the monitor for about $140. And it works great.

This is what I used to do it. And the model I used, was the KTMT-1214-USB

http://www.magictouch.com/addon.html

Can you post a couple pics of it, please? I'd like to show the wife what I'm contemplating...

I like your setup, do you know if there is a wireless touch panel LCD available? Not a tablet PC, but a panel that actually displays and controls the main PC.Viewsonic's wireless monitor line does this. In fact, it's what I currently use to control my cinemar software. I use an Airpanel 150, but here is a link to their current line.

http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/wirelessmonitors/

They work by using RDP on Windows XP pro. But I think there's a hack for them to work on XP home.

BUT...I will say this: I don't really personally care for the wireless monitor solution. These units are very bulky (check out the size of them on the website), and fairly slow. This isn't due to the wireless technology, but the fact that Windows remote desktop is slow. The bulkiness makes them rather ungainly to carry around. If I could set it up all over again, I would make sure there is a "dual monitor" solution, one that goes to a WIRED touch panel monitor, while also going to my projector (or TV--whatever). That way I can control the cinemar software by the touchpanel in the location of the monitor, or by a remote control on the project screen (I have a slink-e) so I don't have to drag my fat butt over to the touchpanel to control it if I'm already on the couch.

The wireless monitor thing is a cool idea. But these viewsonics aren't the ace in the hold solution. And they're a PITA.

Can the 995 actually be controlled via HTPC with some of the software packages I hear mentioned here? My understanding was that the software only is used to list the movies with pictures, etc and you can put the movie track number (1 - 400)of the 995 somewhere in the comments of the software package for each movie, but then manually switch hands to the remote to plug in the track number and finally que up the movie.

Is there a one click on a computer monitor screen (with mouse) via HTPC to Sony 995 solution?

That would be really cool...

gary

gary, yes you can control your changer with a PC. It's a powerful combination. However, with the 995 you need to work with infrared, and mimic remote control use. Through the short-sightedness of Sony, the 995 does not have a rs-232 (serial) port, or even a control A1 or S-Link port. This makes using your computer a little more complex, but people are doing it, and you can check for more information at www.cinemaronline.com .

On my setup, a list of movies and pictures shows up, I can click it, and have it automatically turn on my projector, change my processor to "DVD" and turn on the proper settings, and plays the DVD.

http://www.cinemaronline.com/dvdlobbypro.html

Using rs-232 with jukeboxes such as the CX777ES via rs-232, you can load a disc on a specific changer and go directly to a certain title and chapter (great for tv shows) with one simple command:

MLCX777ES|DiscDirect~<<CHANGERLOCATION>>~<<Title# (on the disc)>>~<<Chapter>>~<<ChangerNumber>>

On the 995/985 it's more complex, as you need additional equipment to output the IR, and then write a macro that mimics all the exact keys and pauses that you would need to press to go to a certain disc. But it can be done with the 995/985, just be prepared to knock your head on the wall getting it set up. The cinemar forum is very helpful, and there are a few people doing it this way.

Viewsonic's wireless monitor line does this. In fact, it's what I currently use to control my cinemar software. I use an Airpanel 150, but here is a link to their current line.

http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/wirelessmonitors/

They work by using RDP on Windows XP pro. But I think there's a hack for them to work on XP home.


The wireless monitor thing is a cool idea. But these viewsonics aren't the ace in the hold solution. And they're a PITA.


OUCH!!!!!
From what I found, and it was only one source that showed having any of them on pricegrabber. Is that it's almost $700 for a refurbed V210, and I did not find anyone with new ones.

Can you post a couple pics of it, please? I'd like to show the wife what I'm contemplating...

Well it still looks pretty much just like any normal 14" LCD monitor, except that it also has a clear add on screen also attached to it. It really doesn't change the looks of the monitor all that much, other than adding about 1/4"-3/8" of overall thickness to it. And other than that, I was also able to buy one that was black in color, so now you see the front frame around the LCD monitor as black in color, instead of the native silver/blue color of it.

It pretty much looks just like it shows here, on their "Installation Guide" page.
And the animated picture on the upper right, probably shows it best, on how little it really adds to as far changing the over all look of the monitor it's installed on.

http://www.magictouch.com/install_addon_monitor.html

gary, yes you can control your changer with a PC. It's a powerful combination. However, with the 995 you need to work with infrared, and mimic remote control use. Through the short-sightedness of Sony, the 995 does not have a rs-232 (serial) port, or even a control A1 or S-Link port. This makes using your computer a little more complex, but people are doing it, and you can check for more information at www.cinemaronline.com .

On my setup, a list of movies and pictures shows up, I can click it, and have it automatically turn on my projector, change my processor to "DVD" and turn on the proper settings, and plays the DVD.

http://www.cinemaronline.com/dvdlobbypro.html

Using rs-232 with jukeboxes such as the CX777ES via rs-232, you can load a disc on a specific changer and go directly to a certain title and chapter (great for tv shows) with one simple command:

MLCX777ES|DiscDirect~<<CHANGERLOCATION>>~<<Title# (on the disc)>>~<<Chapter>>~<<ChangerNumber>>

On the 995/985 it's more complex, as you need additional equipment to output the IR, and then write a macro that mimics all the exact keys and pauses that you would need to press to go to a certain disc. But it can be done with the 995/985, just be prepared to knock your head on the wall getting it set up. The cinemar forum is very helpful, and there are a few people doing it this way.

I did some research on this and most doing it this way use a product on this website: http://www.usbuirt.com/

I believe this device will send the IR signals out to the 995 or whatever device via IR from the PC software. Only $50 + Girder software needed for a total cost under $100. Beats buying the 777 at double the price of the 995 IMO.

Thanks very much for the information, It got me started on where to go from here.

Gary

Well it still looks pretty much just like any normal 14" LCD monitor, except that it also has a clear add on screen also attached to it. It really doesn't change the looks of the monitor all that much, other than adding about 1/4"-3/8" of overall thickness to it. And other than that, I was also able to buy one that was black in color, so now you see the front frame around the LCD monitor as black in color, instead of the native silver/blue color of it.

It pretty much looks just like it shows here, on their "Installation Guide" page.
And the animated picture on the upper right, probably shows it best, on how little it really adds to as far changing the over all look of the monitor it's installed on.

http://www.magictouch.com/install_addon_monitor.html

Thanks...I have gotta find some time to look into this more....

I believe this device will send the IR signals out to the 995 or whatever device via IR from the PC software. Only $50 + Girder software needed for a total cost under $100. Beats buying the 777 at double the price of the 995 IMO.I use a slink-e (www.nirvis.com -- now discontinued). But yes, the usbuirt will work the same. But just a bit of advice, just so you know up front: using IR isn't nearly as reliable. I still have some difficulties getting my cable box to work properly with the HTPC/slink-e/IR emitter solution. It's fine for turning equipment on and off, selecting inputs, or other stuff that require one or two button presses. But for selecting DVDs, remember that the numbers have to pressed the right amount of time, pauses programmed in between them, the enter key, etc. And even when you do get it right, it sometimes may not work reliably. What happens when automating IR with the cable box is that often I'll want to go to 173, and one of the numbers doesn't go through and I go to 17, 13, 73, etc, and other times it works perfectly. I can imagine a very similar scenario with the 985/995. I've heard stories on the cinemar forum and elsewhere of people who either dumped their 985 for a 777 or want to because it was just too much trouble.

But if you do decide to use the 995 with a PC solution, please keep us posted with how it turns out. Because I'd really like to have one of these.

Yeah I have both a Slink-E and the SAVR, that I use for my CD changer and the older 975P DVD changer. And I personally think that the Slink-E, is much better than the SAVR is, even though they both will work fine.
But I'd never trade the RS-232 connections of my 777ES's, to only use just either the Slink-E, SAVR or even a USBIRT on multiple DVD changers now. If it was just for one changer, then maybe, and that's a more like a probably not kinda maybe. But for use with multiple changers, there is just about no way. And absolutely, definitely, beyond a doubt, ain't no way at all, it's just not gonna happen, with just a USBIRT for use with multiple changers like I have.
That RS-232 control on the 777ES model has really spoiled me.

Bummer that Sony cost-controlled the RS-232 out of the 995 (at least I assume that's why)...given how well the 995 is working for me as-is, I guess I shouldn't whine too much about it... :)

Bummer that Sony cost-controlled the RS-232 out of the 995 (at least I assume that's why)...given how well the 995 is working for me as-is, I guess I shouldn't whine too much about it... :)

very well said, I'm pretty happy with my 995 so far. Actually I've started watching some of DVDs which I've never opened (afterall who wants to watch all 350 DVDs). My only concern would be if in case something goes wrong and the database built in crashes than I'd be back to square one.

It's not so much that they cost controlled the RS-232 out of the 995, because none of the other models besides the 777ES had RS-232 either. The ES line is their premium line, so it's fitting that it has something "extra" like the RS-232 port and a 5 year warranty. But where the cost controlling was done, is that after their DVP-CX875P model, they dropped the inclusion of the Control A1/S-Link port from all their regular line of DVD changers. And even having just that port, would allow with the use of a Slink-E or a SAVR interface, a relatively easy way to connect up to 3 changers per interface for use with a PC and much of the software that has been mentioned here so far.

It's not so much that they cost controlled the RS-232 out of the 995, because none of the other models besides the 777ES had RS-232 either. The ES line is their premium line, so it's fitting that it has something "extra" like the RS-232 port and a 5 year warranty. But where the cost controlling was done, is that after their DVP-CX875P model, they dropped the inclusion of the Control A1/S-Link port from all their regular line of DVD changers. And even having just that port, would allow with the use of a Slink-E or a SAVR interface, a relatively easy way to connect up to 3 changers per interface for use with a PC and much of the software that has been mentioned here so far.

OK...<sniff>...now I'm crying...you couldn't just leave us in the dark about that simple/cheap bit of HW Sony left off, and the nirvana we'd have if it was there, could you? ;)

Waaaaaahhhhh.... :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

:D

We'll I must say that I am more than impressed with this player.

I was worried that the interface would be big and clucnky and for the better part useless. Needless to say my doubts have been laid to rest.

I managed to use my Microsoft Wireless Keyboard with it (about 6 feet away)

The HDMI output works witha HDMI to DVI cable (12ft sent to my Syntax LT27HVS

SACD is nice but not phenominal. for the small number of SACD discs I have its good enough.

Video was the most impressive improvement IMO. 1280x720p looks as good if not better the some native HDTV Channels with my Comcast subscription.


Movies I viewed:

Staw Wars Episode III
The detail in this was just stunning, the scene that has the most improvement was the opera house you can make out the faces of the creatures in the crows and also the lightsabers had non aliasing at all.

Gladiator (DTS:ES)
All of the usual Aliasing (jaggies) are gone and the colors are much more vibrant and natural.


All in all I am really happy and me and my dad ahave figured out how to network the changer from my room to the theater downstairs. SO i will update later on that when its complete.

~Bob

OK...<sniff>...now I'm crying...you couldn't just leave us in the dark about that simple/cheap bit of HW Sony left off, and the nirvana we'd have if it was there, could you? ;)

Sorry about that.... And yes it was a rather simple port interface, or at least by it's connection type it was. As it is only a standard mono 1/8" male mini phone plug connection, like this one.


http://RSK.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pRS1C-2266812t98.jpg

Can anyone help out I got mine on Friday, spent the weekend loading my TV Collection into it. Now some titles were recognized most were not, I hooked up a keyboard and figured to start entering some titles tonight and the interesting thing was most of the disks in the Explorer had a Question mark next to them and would not let me edit. The only way I could get it to edit is to load the disk, the ? Would change to a Film Clip symbol and then I could edit the title. I'm not going to have to do this with over 400 disks in the changer am I? Has anyone experienced anything similar

Thanks Guys

Yeah I have both a Slink-E and the SAVR, that I use for my CD changer and the older 975P DVD changer. And I personally think that the Slink-E, is much better than the SAVR is, even though they both will work fine.
But I'd never trade the RS-232 connections of my 777ES's, to only use just either the Slink-E, SAVR or even a USBIRT on multiple DVD changers now. If it was just for one changer, then maybe, and that's a more like a probably not kinda maybe. But for use with multiple changers, there is just about no way. And absolutely, definitely, beyond a doubt, ain't no way at all, it's just not gonna happen, with just a USBIRT for use with multiple changers like I have.
That RS-232 control on the 777ES model has really spoiled me.

My 777 should be coming in this week and I'm excited to finally have use of a 232 port. My only problem right now is my serial port on my HTPC is already being used by my MyHD IR receiver, so I may have to add a second serial port, or get a different IR Receiver for MyHD.

Mntneer...Congrats! I don't want to get off topic from the 995, but I added 16 serial ports by getting an "Edgeport." They're expensive new, but cheap if you do a search on Ebay for them. They plug and play with Windows XP, which automatically assigns COM numbers for each port. It's great. I've also heard people that have had luck with the USB->serial cables.

And yeah, once you get a good control system via rs-232, you won't even consider buying equipment that doesn't have it.

Mntneer...Congrats! I don't want to get off topic from the 995, but I added 16 serial ports by getting an "Edgeport." They're expensive new, but cheap if you do a search on Ebay for them. They plug and play with Windows XP, which automatically assigns COM numbers for each port. It's great. I've also heard people that have had luck with the USB->serial cables.

And yeah, once you get a good control system via rs-232, you won't even consider buying equipment that doesn't have it.

I've thought about a DB9 Male to Female Null Adapter, or ordering an null cable online. And then get a Serial to USB adapter for the MyHD IR receiver. I'll have to look into the Edgeport though.

Are you using DVD Lobby? How does it handle input switching? The switch from the PC display to the Sony player, does it require an IR Blaster?

Can anyone help out I got mine on Friday, spent the weekend loading my TV Collection into it. Now some titles were recognized most were not, I hooked up a keyboard and figured to start entering some titles tonight and the interesting thing was most of the disks in the Explorer had a Question mark next to them and would not let me edit. The only way I could get it to edit is to load the disk, the ? Would change to a Film Clip symbol and then I could edit the title. I'm not going to have to do this with over 400 disks in the changer am I? Has anyone experienced anything similar

Thanks Guys

You can press the "Load" button on the DVD player and it will go through all the DVDs/CDs inserted and identify what it can, and put the Movie icon next to the ones it can't. Then you get the fun of typing in the titles, info, etc., for all the ones (most of them) that it can't pick up the title from the disc.

See the bottom left of page 43 in the manual. You may have to ensure the player is set to "all discs" when you press the Load button.

For adding one or a few movies after that, starting them one at a time is the way to go.

You can press the "Load" button on the DVD player and it will go through all the DVDs/CDs inserted and identify what it can, and put the Movie icon next to the ones it can't. Then you get the fun of typing in the titles, info, etc., for all the ones (most of them) that it can't pick up the title from the disc.

See the bottom left of page 43 in the manual. You may have to ensure the player is set to "all discs" when you press the Load button.

For adding one or a few movies after that, starting them one at a time is the way to go.


Greetings,

What I often find incredible is the amount of people who post questions the answers to which are located right in the owner's manual......


Regards,

Greetings,

What I often find incredible is the amount of people who post questions the answers to which are located right in the owner's manual......


Regards,

Or already covered earlier in this thread. :)

However, this is a weird one, as the instructions for loading discs in the manual are separated from the instructions for using the Load button, which makes no sense, and caused me no small amount of confusion as well... :o

Are you using DVD Lobby?Yes
How does it handle input switching?You program in default macros that work for all DVDs, and then you can have an exception macro that can run for each DVD if you want. For example, let's say you have one changer, and DVD's in slots 1-5. Each DVD has a profile that holds where it is located (Changer Location and ChangerNumber). So the most simple default command may be something like (and don't quote me on this...I'm doing it from memory):

DiscDirect~<<CHANGERLOCATION>>~1~1~<<CHANGERNUMBER>>

This one single default command works on all DVDs 1-5, because the <<CHANGERLOCATION>> and <<CHANGERNUMBER>> are generic field names. When a DVD is selected, they use the values from the dvd's profile.

So for it to send extra commands, you would just create multiple command lines. For example (these are not code lines, just a list of things you do):

Turn on your projector
Switch the projector to the right input
Load the DVD (via the discdirect command above)
Checkto see if the amp is on, if not turn it on
Swith the amp to DVD
Switch the amp to EX, etc.

And DVD Lobby executes all this for each DVD that is selected. You only do the code once. Now if you have CDs when you want it to do something different, there is a place to put exception code for each DVD. For example, on an non-anamorphic DVD, you may want it to switch to to a different zoom or something.

The switch from the PC display to the Sony player, does it require an IR Blaster?I'm not sure what kind of setup you're considering. You may just need a button on your remote that can switch the input on your display from PC to component, and vice versa. DVDLobby and your PC would be running through the PC input, and DVD through component. You'll want to make sure though that remote commands aren't being carried out in both places at the same time. If your TV is set to DVD (component), and you click the "right arrow" button on your IR remote, you don't want the right arrow to go on your computer too.

Has anyone found a solution to getting the DVI to HDMI connection to work with the Optoma projectors and the 995? I have the H78 Optoma and the CX995V connected with a Video 400 Monster 35 foot DVI/HDMI cable and cannot get the HDMI light to show?

Any help would be appreciated.. If not, what is a solution to get better resolution? My Yamaha RXV2600 (that is on the way) has upscaling, would that work?

Thank you,
Jason

Yes
You program in default macros that work for all DVDs, and then you can have an exception macro that can run for each DVD if you want. For example, let's say you have one changer, and DVD's in slots 1-5. Each DVD has a profile that holds where it is located (Changer Location and ChangerNumber). So the most simple default command may be something like (and don't quote me on this...I'm doing it from memory):

DiscDirect~<<CHANGERLOCATION>>~1~1~<<CHANGERNUMBER>>

This one single default command works on all DVDs 1-5, because the <<CHANGERLOCATION>> and <<CHANGERNUMBER>> are generic field names. When a DVD is selected, they use the values from the dvd's profile.

So for it to send extra commands, you would just create multiple command lines. For example (these are not code lines, just a list of things you do):

Turn on your projector
Switch the projector to the right input
Load the DVD (via the discdirect command above)
Checkto see if the amp is on, if not turn it on
Swith the amp to DVD
Switch the amp to EX, etc.

And DVD Lobby executes all this for each DVD that is selected. You only do the code once. Now if you have CDs when you want it to do something different, there is a place to put exception code for each DVD. For example, on an non-anamorphic DVD, you may want it to switch to to a different zoom or something.

I'm not sure what kind of setup you're considering. You may just need a button on your remote that can switch the input on your display from PC to component, and vice versa. DVDLobby and your PC would be running through the PC input, and DVD through component. You'll want to make sure though that remote commands aren't being carried out in both places at the same time. If your TV is set to DVD (component), and you click the "right arrow" button on your IR remote, you don't want the right arrow to go on your computer too.


Thanks for the help. :)

So I take it then that DVD Lobby can send a command, via an IR blaster, to turn on a projector, switch inputs, etc?

Currently I have a HTPC and DVD player connected to an Infocus 4805. The HTPC uses the DVI input, the DVD player uses the component input. I also have a Pronto remote that I program to turn everything on, and when selecting "DVD", switches inputs on the projector for me. I'd use the Pronto to navigate through DVD Lobby, and then upon the selection of a movie, switch to the DVD player controls. I just need to determine whether or not I have the remote switch inputs on the projector for me, or have DVD lobby do it instead.

I also have a Pronto remote that I program to turn everything on, and when selecting "DVD", switches inputs on the projector for me. I'd use the Pronto to navigate through DVD Lobby,

No, because unless your Pronto can control and operate programs that are running on your PC, you will not be using it to navigate through DVDLobby.

So I take it then that DVD Lobby can send a command, via an IR blaster, to turn on a projector, switch inputs, etc?Yes. In fact, I have a few pieces of equipment operating through IR, controlled by my PC. I send a command via the PC to my slink-e, and the slink-e sends the IR signal to my IR emitters. My apologies about not knowing more about other equipment other than the slink-e, but I believe the global cache unit and usbuirt do the same thing. I would do a little reading on cinemar forum at www.cinemaronline.com . Much more knowledgeable people than I have probably already answered all your questions there. Good luck!

Thanks to all who replied to my posts regarding DVD library control. I looked at the wireless Viewsonic touch panels and it appears they are obsolete since I had hard time finding new ones. They are also expensive and based on the OS and HW, they are most likely slow. I also looked at Crestron solutions but they are extremely expensive, DVDlobby is the way to go for those who have a limited budget.

After doing all the research on the SW and HW, I decided to go with a HTPC and a regular touch panel connected to it. I will use DVDLobby to manage the DVD library and a MX950 to control the audio/video input sources. The PC display will be sent out to the touch screen and to the TV VGA/HDMI input. With dual video setup, I will have the choice to either control the DVD selection at the touch screen or the TV via wireless media keyboard/mouse.
Based on inputs from others on this thread, I've also decided to go with RS232 player as opposed to IR. Since I just purchased my 995, I will need to sell it to buy a RS232 model.

Is there a DVD changer with RS232 that has HDMI or DVI output?

Anyone interested in purchasing my 2 week old 995? PM me if interested, I'm in CA.

Is there a DVD changer with RS232 that has HDMI or DVI output?

Not yet. There are only some very vague rumors of a new Sony ES changer that will, but they are just that, rumors only. Because no one has be able to provide even the slightest amount of info on such a thing.

For those of you have this unit hooked up to an HS-51, are you feeding the pj a progressive signal, or are you letting the pj do the processing.

No, because unless your Pronto can control and operate programs that are running on your PC, you will not be using it to navigate through DVDLobby.

Can you not navigate DVD Lobby with keyboard commands? Up, Down arrows, etc.?

I was under the impression you could. If you can, then I can most definitely use the Pronto with my IR reciever and Girder to control DVD Lobby.

Can you not navigate DVD Lobby with keyboard commands? Up, Down arrows, etc.?

Can't say for sure, because I never tried it. But being that it's a very graphical interface, it would probably be difficult with just using keyboard commands.

Anyone else having issues with dual layered +R media on these machines? I have about 45 Verbatim dual layered discs that all seem to freeze at one point or another in this machine. I have a Denon 2200 (very picky about media) that plays them all without a hitch, an older 300 disc Sony megachanger (which suprisingly plays them without a hitch), the previous model Sony 400 disc player (again, no problem) and a cheap Philips DIVX player that plays them without a problem. If I try to play them in this machine about 25 minutes into the movie it will freeze and have to advance to another chapter. I don't think it's the layer breaks (seeing that it's usually 20 to 25 minutes into the movie).

Even if there was a auto play bug fix, how would you be able to update the DVD changer.

How can Sony consider the unit to be working properly if the unit works the same whether auto play is set to on or off?

-mk

I bought this unit to replace my sony 5 disc changer. The menu and interface look the same. The 5 disc changer had an auto play feature that was annoying, but the on/off switch actually worked in this unit.

The menu looked exactly the same, but it didn't have the bug. So Sony has made this auto play feature work correctly in another model.

-mk

I just discovered another annoying thing about this player:
IT DOESN'T HAVE CD-TEXT!!

What's up with that? I copy all of my original CDs and add CD-text info to them, but this player doesn't recognize it. I couldn't believe it. How can it not read cd-text?

Oh well. I guess most people load only DVDs, but I got about 150 cds in there too.

-mk

I've been having problems with slot one holding the DVD title. I will enter it and it will stay for a couple of days then it goes blank again. Slot one is the only slot that I've seen that looses its title info.

Anyone else having this problem?

I've been having problems with slot one holding the DVD title. I will enter it and it will stay for a couple of days then it goes blank again. Slot one is the only slot that I've seen that looses its title info.

Anyone else having this problem?

Willy,

I Have you tried a different disk in that slot? Maybe it's a disk problem.

Willy,

I Have you tried a different disk in that slot? Maybe it's a disk problem.

No, I haven't tried a different disk. I will try that tonight. The thing is that it knows there is a disk in that slot. I'm entering the title by keyboard. But I will try a different disk.

I'm close to buying a cx995. I have a Pioneer Elite Pro530HD TV which handles progressive scan internally. I'm not all that familiar its scan formats, but I think its 480P and 1080I. Can I use the component interface and shut off 995's progressive scan function if the TV does a better job? I read the 995 manual on line and it wasn't very clear.

Secondly, most of the data entry problem discussions of the 995 center around DVDs but I'll use it mostly for CDs and am wondering if it automatically reads CD title data any more successfully than for DVDs.

Lastly, can I use both the RCA plugs and the coax digital output for audio so my wife can watch movies on the TV without turning on the entire audio system but I can route CD and movie audio through my DAC and hifi system?

Its very surprising that only Sony and Pioneer make megachangers, and the Pioneer models are ancient.

See my post above. I don't recommend this player for CDs. It doesn't read CD-text and if it does get the info it does NOT show track info.

You can turn off the progressive scan.

-mk

After messing around with the 995 I think it might be possible that all the navigation problems occur because of the auto play bug. The main problem I am talking about is the inability to scan through disc info on the player.

If a disc wasn't loaded maybe you could be able to scroll through the disc info like you can on Sony's CD changers.

-mk

See my post above. I don't recommend this player for CDs. It doesn't read CD-text and if it does get the info it does show track info.

You can turn off the progressive scan.

-mk

I don't plan to load CDs in the 995. I only use copies in the car's CD player. Does the 995 read content data on originals? Actually, I'm not sure how much content info is on music CDs since I've never had a player that would display content info. When I make copies, the computer can always recognize the disk to grab track info off the net, so they must have some data.

I don't plan to load CDs in the 995. I only use copies in the car's CD player. Does the 995 read content data on originals? Actually, I'm not sure how much content info is on music CDs since I've never had a player that would display content info. When I make copies, the computer can always recognize the disk to grab track info off the net, so they must have some data.

You got me confused because in your earlier post you said you wanted to use it mostly for CDs.

But to answer your question, the 995 does a terrible job of loading the cd info also. Most original music CDs don't have text info, but when you copy them you can add the info. On my older CD Mega changer they always read CD-text on the copies, but not on the originals.

-mk

Someone posted earlier in the thread no problems using Memorex and TDK dual layered.


Anyone else having issues with dual layered +R media on these machines? I have about 45 Verbatim dual layered discs that all seem to freeze at one point or another in this machine. I have a Denon 2200 (very picky about media) that plays them all without a hitch, an older 300 disc Sony megachanger (which suprisingly plays them without a hitch), the previous model Sony 400 disc player (again, no problem) and a cheap Philips DIVX player that plays them without a problem. If I try to play them in this machine about 25 minutes into the movie it will freeze and have to advance to another chapter. I don't think it's the layer breaks (seeing that it's usually 20 to 25 minutes into the movie).

You got me confused because in your earlier post you said you wanted to use it mostly for CDs.

But to answer your question, the 995 does a terrible job of loading the cd info also. Most original music CDs don't have text info, but when you copy them you can add the info. On my older CD Mega changer they always read CD-text on the copies, but not on the originals.

-mk

I meant to say I don't plan to load copied CDs into the 995. It will be about 75% CDs, mostly originals. Sorry about the slip. The only alternative to the 995 is the Pioneer that costs x2 and is now pretty old tech, so I still plan to get the Sony. Since we got our big screen TV and retired the entertainment center cabinet, disk storage is a real hassle.

I meant to say I don't plan to load copied CDs into the 995. It will be about 75% CDs, mostly originals. Sorry about the slip. The only alternative to the 995 is the Pioneer that costs x2 and is now pretty old tech, so I still plan to get the Sony. Since we got our big screen TV and retired the entertainment center cabinet, disk storage is a real hassle.

Oh, ok. but I still don't recommend this changer for CDs.

-mk

I need help to make the 995 region/zonefree. Sony Europe do not sell 3-400 disc changers anymore, so the only option is the U.S. version.

Please help :confused:


Thanks :)

check videohelp.com

you can use some other yamaha changer remote hack, works like dream.

check videohelp.com

you can use some other yamaha changer remote hack, works like dream.

No such hack is listed there.

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks.php?dvdplayer=dvp995&hits=50&Search=Search

check videohelp.com

you can use some other yamaha changer remote hack, works like dream.

Does this mean that the 995 is of Yamaha origin, or how do I understand this.? And if yes, which Yamaha model.??

Othervise, could you specify how to do, please. :confused: :confused:

Does anyone know what chip the CX995V uses for upscaling? I am trying to decide whether to use HDMI to DVI cables for my 4805 projector or to use component... If I use component I can use the Faroudja chip that resides in the 4805 to take it to max res, but I would prefer to use the Sony if the picture won't suffer...Any suggestions/info would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rudedoggy

Oh, ok. but I still don't recommend this changer for CDs.

-mk
Can you expand on the 995's CD issues? Are there problems with audio quality? I'm not concerned about the onboard audio DAC, it will be by-passed. Audio will go through a Channel Islands DAC via digital the coax output. Howeverr, if possible, I'll connect the RCA outputs to the TV audio too so my wife can just turn on the player and TV.

Does anyone know what chip the CX995V uses for upscaling? I am trying to decide whether to use HDMI to DVI cables for my 4805 projector or to use component... If I use component I can use the Faroudja chip that resides in the 4805 to take it to max res, but I would prefer to use the Sony if the picture won't suffer...Any suggestions/info would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rudedoggy


I have the 4805 and I'm using the HDMI output on the CX995V at 480P (995 doing the de-interlacing). The only deference is that I'm sending the DVD output to a iScan HD+ then to the 4805 over DVI - M1 cable. I also have a component cable from the 995 to the iScan outputting 480i (iScan doing the de-interlacing) and can switch back and forth. I'm still looking for a deference between the two scalers. Since I'm using DVI to the 4805 the Faroudja is out of the mix. Both images are very good, but with the iScan I can do 1:1 pixel map, so this may help alot.

I'm also a lucky new owner of this CX995 machine, but since i live in Belgium i REALLY need a region free modification for this unit...

An internet search and contacting several modding companies didn't help. :(
Is it just a matter of time, to see a region and NTSC/PAL mod released ?

I hope someone can give me some good news, because i'm counting the days untill i can hook this HDMI baby up. :cool:

Regarding making this unit region-free, has anyone tried changing the settings in the service menu? I pulled it up last night and noticed a region setting, but I did not explore whether you can change it or not.

Here's how you get to it -

press the following buttons via your remote:

(Start with unit OFF)
Top Menu
Clear
Power-On (I/O)

HTH,
Steve

I've run into a quirk w/ a couple of recognized/auto-titled DVDs (couple of James Bond discs, actually, "Dr. No" and "Moonraker") in my new 995. The discs have jacket pictures that load correctly, but the titles are blank and the system doesn't seem to want to allow me to alter the title after it had loaded the 'info' from the disc in it's embedded format. Anyone else experience this and know of a workaround? No huge thing, otherwise the unit is working great--just makes my disc explorer listing a bit incomplete/inaccurate (therefore I'm making a master/backup catalog w/ DVDpedia for the Mac, a great piece of software that allows me to post to the web and put a catalog on my iPod even).

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, but I looked for a while and it didn't turn up.

I've run into a quirk w/ a couple of recognized/auto-titled DVDs (couple of James Bond discs, actually, "Dr. No" and "Moonraker") in my new 995. The discs have jacket pictures that load correctly, but the titles are blank and the system doesn't seem to want to allow me to alter the title after it had loaded the 'info' from the disc in it's embedded format. Anyone else experience this and know of a workaround? No huge thing, otherwise the unit is working great--just makes my disc explorer listing a bit incomplete/inaccurate (therefore I'm making a master/backup catalog w/ DVDpedia for the Mac, a great piece of software that allows me to post to the web and put a catalog on my iPod even).

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, but I looked for a while and it didn't turn up.

I have a couple DVD's that did that. What I did was type the title on the next line (artist). It will place it at the same point on disk explorer as the title would start.

I currently have the DVP-CX985V but would prefer to have the DVP-CX995V. I bought mine from circuit city and had it sent to the shop twice because of various issues (like grinding grooves into dvds to name one). Could I take this to Circuit city and trade it for the new one or for a discount? :D Or could I buy the new one and take it back with the old one in the box without anyone noticing? :D I know, its obsurd what Im asking.

Either way, Id be suprised if the hdmi would even interface to my westinghouse lvm-37w1

Or could I buy the new one and take it back with the old one in the box without anyone noticing? :D I know, its obsurd what Im asking.


Not to mention illegal.......

Not to mention illegal.......

Relax, Im only kidding.
I dont deny I have a little bit of animosity towards cc. for the first 2 years of me having the 985 they had it for about 7 months "being fixed", by far the worse cs experience Ive ever encountered.

But again, with all the hdmi issues, I doubt it would work with my display.

Well after a couple of weeks going back and forth from HDMI & Component outputs, I've finally decided that the Sony de-interlacing over the HDMI is inferior to using component out and letting my iScan HD+ do the de-interlacing with its SiI504 chip set. When using the HDMI output I was seeing shimmering on the edges of some objects in the movie. :( By playing the same scene over with component out, they were gone. :)

Well after a couple of weeks going back and forth from HDMI & Component outputs, I've finally decided that the Sony de-interlacing over the HDMI is inferior to using component out and letting my iScan HD+ do the de-interlacing with its SiI504 chip set. When using the HDMI output I was seeing shimmering on the edges of some objects in the movie. :( By playing the same scene over with component out, they were gone. :)

I had sworn by my Pioneer player with component out (an older player, pre-progressive scan days) and the de-interlacing on my 4805. But the progressive output on the 777ES has really impressed me.

If HDMI isn't a must, then I highly recommend the 777.

I had sworn by my Pioneer player with component out (an older player, pre-progressive scan days) and the de-interlacing on my 4805. But the progressive output on the 777ES has really impressed me.

If HDMI isn't a must, then I highly recommend the 777.

Do you know what de-interlacing the 777 uses? The only reason I tried the HDMI output was to see what a total digital video stream would look like. The DVDO iScan HD+ uses the SiI504 chip set that is suppose to be very good for film based movies, plus the iScan lets me do a 1:1 pixel map. The Faroudja that is in the 4805 would be better for video based. I would have loved it if the CX995V had 480i over HDMI, and the SDI mod for this player is just too expensive. I think I'm looking good with the iScan doing the de-interlacing.

Willygib,

I will be getting the 995 and already have the HD Leeza scaler. I'm hoping to go with a CH 2.35 setup. Can you elaborate on "1:1 pixel mapping" I havent heard of that before...
What is the advantage of that?

Kevin

Well after a couple of weeks going back and forth from HDMI & Component outputs, I've finally decided that the Sony de-interlacing over the HDMI is inferior to using component out and letting my iScan HD+ do the de-interlacing with its SiI504 chip set. When using the HDMI output I was seeing shimmering on the edges of some objects in the movie. :( By playing the same scene over with component out, they were gone. :)

Interesting. I have an iScan VP30 on preorder and was planning on using the 995V's HDMI w/ it... So, I'm assuming by your post that there's no way of taking advantage of the motion adaptive deinterlacing internal to the DVD player (which the DVDOs don't apparently have), but letting the iScan do the scaling, or that this isn't advisable for some reason?

I had this discussion before I ordered my iScan HD+. The consensus at the time was that the SiI504 would do the best job for my application. Here is the link to that discussion: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=589522&highlight=faroudja+vs+sii504

As far as 1:1 pixel mapping, I'm no expert, but from what I have read it goes something like this. A DVD is digital (720 X 480) if you can send your display device a digital signal without any analog to digital conversions at the exact native resolution of that display device (The 4805 is 854 X 480) , then the resulting image will be much sharper.

If you look at the output resolution of the CX995V over HDMI they are 720 X 480, 1280 X 720, and I don't remember what the 1080 one is. If you have a native display of 1280 X 720 then it should work OK but if yours is say 768 then you need to 1:1 pixel map it to 768. Since the HDMI 480 & 720 outputs are progressive your display will not do anything with it except display as is.

If I am way off base here please correct me.

Ohhhhh.... ok. I get it. The native resolution of my Epson 200+ is 1280x720. I plan on using the HD Leeza to do all Aspect ratio converting and leave whichever anamorphic lens I get in place all the time. My only concern with the 995 is that I could turn off the upconversion and pass a pure signal through the component outputs. That's possible isnt it?

Ohhhhh.... ok. I get it. The native resolution of my Epson 200+ is 1280x720. I plan on using the HD Leeza to do all Aspect ratio converting and leave whichever anamorphic lens I get in place all the time. My only concern with the 995 is that I could turn off the upconversion and pass a pure signal through the component outputs. That's possible isnt it?

Yes, 480i over component, only 480P, 720P & 1080i over HDMI. That is how I have my player setup. Component into my iScan and HDMI - DVI also connected. Then all I have to do to compare the two is tell the iScan what input to use. You could actually send a component signal to one device and a HDMI signal to another at the same time. I haven't tried this but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

Just had my CRT Mitsubishi 65813 calibrated by Craig Rounds who is probaly the best on these and wanted to pass on information to all.

He looked at the output of the Sony and said that is very good which surprised him. He said has seen a little better picture but on very expensive DVD players and with the 400 mega changer said it was a very good player.

He said my Mitsubishi is better on Component and does 480p native and we hooked it up that way, and he is right, it is better, for those who own the Mitsubishi's.

Food for thought. Looks like we got a winner here!! I know I am loving mine!

I think this has gone on long enough..

Auto LOAD= Automatically load a disk when power starts. There is no AUTOLOAD option in the Siny Megachangers, so you cannot turn it on or off. It will ALWAYS LOAD a disc AUTOmatically.

Auto PLAY = Automatically starts playing a movie when turned on from a resume, _OR_ after a few cycles of the Menu. So you can put your dvd on a timer (not supplied) have it power on, and start a movie and then continue playing it all day (kinda like in a showroom)..

The feature works.. it's just not labeled/decribed clearly.

I currently have the DVP-CX985V but would prefer to have the DVP-CX995V. I bought mine from circuit city and had it sent to the shop twice because of various issues (like grinding grooves into dvds to name one). Could I take this to Circuit city and trade it for the new one or for a discount? :D Or could I buy the new one and take it back with the old one in the box without anyone noticing? :D I know, its obsurd what Im asking.

Either way, Id be suprised if the hdmi would even interface to my westinghouse lvm-37w1

I can confirm that with an HDMI-DVI cable, it does work with my LVM--37W1. However, the info screen says it's doing 640x480 resolution. It very clearly on the box says the dvp is an upscaling player, and the menus let me set it for 1080i, so what's up, Sony?

After two days with this thing, I can say I'm moderately dissatisfied with it, but I can live with it. Question: if you have a model that is chewing grooves into your DVDs, why would you ever want another player from the same manufacturer?

I can confirm that with an HDMI-DVI cable, it does work with my LVM--37W1. However, the info screen says it's doing 640x480 resolution. It very clearly on the box says the dvp is an upscaling player, and the menus let me set it for 1080i, so what's up, Sony?

After two days with this thing, I can say I'm moderately dissatisfied with it, but I can live with it. Question: if you have a model that is chewing grooves into your DVDs, why would you ever want another player from the same manufacturer?


Just set my 995 to output 1080i over HDMI - DVI. When I look at the info screen on my video processor (iScan HD+) it shows the input signal at 1080i. With that being said, it may be your display that isn't reporting correctly or not handling the signal properly. Normally I send my processor a 480i component signal so that my processor will do the de-interlacing.

I've been having problems with slot one holding the DVD title. I will enter it and it will stay for a couple of days then it goes blank again. Slot one is the only slot that I've seen that looses its title info.

Anyone else having this problem?

Well, I tried what "noplasmayet" suggested.

Willy,

I Have you tried a different disk in that slot? Maybe it's a disk problem.

Slot ONE is still not holding the title info. I moved a disk from a slot I was having NO problems with into slot one and same problem. Is there anything different about slot one? It seems that I notice this problem after I install a new DVD. I DO NOT use the load feature, I just play the new DVD to see if it will pick up the title automatically and if not enter the title manually.

I can vouch that I've experienced slot 1 losing its data myself, and I've been doing the same thing as WillyGib--playing the disc rather than using the load feature. Hmm. Oh well, only happened once and I'm almost finished loading discs...we'll see what happens next.

Auto PLAY = Automatically starts playing a movie when turned on from a resume, _OR_ after a few cycles of the Menu. So you can put your dvd on a timer (not supplied) have it power on, and start a movie and then continue playing it all day (kinda like in a showroom)..

The feature works.. it's just not labeled/decribed clearly.


I don't see any difference whether autoplay is on or off. It seems to be always on, just like the manual states: "automatically starts playback when the player is turned on".

I also shut off autoplay on my sony 5 disc dvd changer and it works just like you think it should.

-mk

Well it looks like the price point has gotten to where I may jump in with this player. For me my collection is small. I only have 67 discs so with this player I will be able to grow my collection substantially and possibly not have as many initial problems as many others.

Just to verify. This player will accept a keyboard interface?

I live in a new neighborhood. The power goes out briefly at least 3 times per month. What concerns should I have with this situation.

Thanks

Walt

Works fine w/keyboard. Never had power outtages....

If you hit Clear 5 then the power button on the remote while in standby mode you can get into the service menu to adjust video levels andscreen alignment. However you should do this before you load all of you movies and type them in because I just found out the hard way that it clears all of your lists/folders.

~Bob

Does this player scratch disk ..or is this a rare occurance .....i'm going to purchase this thing today .........just hope it wont damage any of my DVDs

No damage on any DVDs after a few weeks...but any device that loads DVDs has the capability to hurt them...no guarantees.

I posted in the HP DLP forum about this. I'm on my second Sony 995v as the first was dead out of the box. I have a Pioneer F727 this is replacing as the Sony has HDMI output and 400 discs versus 300.

However, I can't get the player to output HDMI so my TV can read it. I've played with auto, 1080i, 720p, 480p, etc output and I can't get any picture on my TV. I know the HDMI connection works on the TV because I just returned a Samsung player with HDMI output and it worked fine.

Any tweaks or known HDMI issues with this player? ALso, I heard from CC that htis player tends to have lots of repair issues. Any thoughts?

If you hit Clear 5 then the power button on the remote while in standby mode you can get into the service menu to adjust video levels andscreen alignment. However you should do this before you load all of you movies and type them in because I just found out the hard way that it clears all of your lists/folders.

~Bob

How do you exit the service menu? Sometimes they are easier to get into than out of.

And as for clearing DVD info...you mean it only clears any assignment of DVDs to folders, or will it actually clear all the title info info that I have entered for my DVDs?

I posted in the HP DLP forum about this. I'm on my second Sony 995v as the first was dead out of the box. I have a Pioneer F727 this is replacing as the Sony has HDMI output and 400 discs versus 300.

However, I can't get the player to output HDMI so my TV can read it. I've played with auto, 1080i, 720p, 480p, etc output and I can't get any picture on my TV. I know the HDMI connection works on the TV because I just returned a Samsung player with HDMI output and it worked fine.

Any tweaks or known HDMI issues with this player? ALso, I heard from CC that htis player tends to have lots of repair issues. Any thoughts?

I'm coming from an F727 also. Don't expect this Sony to match the Pio in ease of use. The picture is an upgrade though.

The HDMI is finicky. It will display black if it thinks your display is not HDCP and displays 480P no matter what you have setup if it hiccups on the EDID exchange with the display. Very UN-robust.

I wound up getting mine SDI modded to get around this.

Ken

I'm coming from an F727 also. Don't expect this Sony to match the Pio in ease of use. The picture is an upgrade though.

The HDMI is finicky. It will display black if it thinks your display is not HDCP and displays 480P no matter what you have setup if it hiccups on the EDID exchange with the display. Very UN-robust.

I wound up getting mine SDI modded to get around this.

Ken

Based on this, tcsubwoofer, check your EDID info...Setup>Settings>About and see if the EDID dates are there...if not, the HP firmware update will likely resolve your issue if missing EDID info is the issue. Firmare is supposed to release this week, but haven't heard confirmation yet.

I have had the EDID info from the start, and 995 never had any problems w/my set...

Based on this, tcsubwoofer, check your EDID info...Setup>Settings>About and see if the EDID dates are there...if not, the HP firmware update will likely resolve your issue if missing EDID info is the issue. Firmare is supposed to release this week, but haven't heard confirmation yet.

I have had the EDID info from the start, and 995 never had any problems w/my set...

Thanks for the info. When I get a chance I will check this out and post my results.

I'm coming from an F727 also. Don't expect this Sony to match the Pio in ease of use. The picture is an upgrade though.

The HDMI is finicky. It will display black if it thinks your display is not HDCP and displays 480P no matter what you have setup if it hiccups on the EDID exchange with the display. Very UN-robust.

I wound up getting mine SDI modded to get around this.

Ken

How did you mod your unit with SDI? How much did it cost?

THe Pioneer F727 has been a great, reliable player. I think I've had mine for about 4 years. I'm not so confident about the Sony Reliability. I would have purchased the ES line if they had HDMI out.

How did you mod your unit with SDI? How much did it cost?



Try about $400-$550 plus S&H just for the SDI mod alone to be done a player you already own. Plus you still will need something like a DVDO iScan scaler for roughly another $1500-$2000, along with the optional $100+ SDI input added to it. In order to be able to use the SDI output of any SDI modded DVD player.


But if you are still interested, here is where you can have the mods done to your DVD player that you already have, or in the case of JVB Digital to even buy one complete that's already been modded.

http://msbtech.com/platinum_line/products/sdi/

http://www.jvbdigital.com/jvb.asp?cur=2&level=sdi&page=title&title=269

I picked up a Samsung L328 today at Best buy, they were giving ome many Items and Gift Cards with it I could'nt pass up the deal, Anyhow He tried to selll me the $110 4 Ft Monster HDMI Cable. I want to pick one up for my 995 but I don't want to spend that much. Any other good sources ?

www.monoprice.com

Do NOT waste your money on monster cables and their ilk...

Try about $400-$550 plus S&H just for the SDI mod alone to be done a player you already own. Plus you still will need something like a DVDO iScan scaler for roughly another $1500-$2000, along with the optional $100+ SDI input added to it. In order to be able to use the SDI output of any SDI modded DVD player.


But if you are still interested, here is where you can have the mods done to your DVD player that you already have, or in the case of JVB Digital to even buy one complete that's already been modded.

http://msbtech.com/platinum_line/products/sdi/

http://www.jvbdigital.com/jvb.asp?cur=2&level=sdi&page=title&title=269

I'm flabbergasted! Those mods are more expensive than the player itself, but very nice. I suppose if one has lots of movies and wants the best picture without having to use a single disc player, then, really I'm not that surprised that you would spend the money on those mods. I'm still getting used to the concept of "hot rodding" inexpensive eqiupment. Same goes for the Panasonic XR-70 and XR-55 receivers (I own a 55). Having been in audio for many years, I have sold most of my equipment and am taking a simpler audio life. I've been quite satisfied with my normal players with HDMI connection and their picture quality.

BTW, I called HP and complained a bit and they are supposed to send some new firmware. My VGA EDID and HDMI EDID's are blank and I'm assuming that is bad.

ONe other thing, doe the use of an SDI mod enable one to more easily record DVD to hard drive?

I'm flabbergasted! Those mods are more expensive than the player itself, but very nice.

Yeah, I have a hunch that they could be done for a lot less and still be profitable for those who do them. But when there is basically only two places doing it, then there is also not much reason for either of them to start any kind of a "price war" on doing them.

The actual part itself needed for such mods, is only about $150. So these places are charging quite a bit for the labor to install them.

http://www.pixelmagicsystems.com Is one place for a DIY SDI "mod kit board"

Just look at their BT656Pro SDI Mod. Kit

http://www.pixelmagicsystems.com/products/sdi/bt656pro.htm

The problem is, there is real a lack of instructions of how to install these SDI mod kit boards. So the people that do know, have the upper hand in the prices they charge to install them.

ONe other thing, doe the use of an SDI mod enable one to more easily record DVD to hard drive?

I think it might, but a PCI based SDI input card is not cheap either, at $200+

http://www.digitalconnection.com/Products/Video/sdi.asp


For some more info on SDI, and some mods for them, check out these 2 threads also.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=47128

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=6728493&&#post6728493

I am using the 995 as a for both my CDs and DVD's. In reading some things before I bought I expected to have to load most of the DVD infomation mannually but thought that the unit would recognize most of the CD information. After letting the machine "Load" the 200 or so discs I had put in the machine, it didn't recognize a thing. It seemed like it was loading properly as machine said "loading" for an hour or two. Is this normal? Does any one have any tips on how to get it to read the CD titles and track information? I really can't see myself typing all that info into a keyboard anytime soon.

Thanks

I ordered the 995 and it's to be delivered this Monday...I have a question??.....The overall depth of the 995 says its around 21"....is that including the motor housing?I hope it is because if not I'm going to have to modify my shelf because it has plywood backing!!

It's a lot closer to 21 1/2" deep than it is 21. And more like 22" deep if you want to allow to have some extra "wiggle room" for it. So if you are placing it in a cabinet with glass doors where you may need to set it back a inch or so for the doors to close, you may need to bring out the jigsaw and open up the back like I had to for my two 777ES changers, which are the same depth as the 995. For my 875P, which is about 5"-6" shorter, I did not need to open up the back. That motor "hump", is a lot deeper than in looks in the back pictures shown at Crutchfields

Johnla......so the 21 1/2" depth doesn't come off the measurement of the motor housing?Is this right?...if it doesn't account for the motor housing then how deep is this monster???..25",26", 27"inches deep????.I may have to move it away from the wall a bit if its any bigger that 21 1/2" deep:D....man this thing is a MONSTER...but I can't wait to get it...and start loading my dvds....thanks for the info