MBS212,

If your goal is to be able to see the menus etc without turning on your projector, recommend you pick up a cheap TV (or small LCD TV) that has a composite input. Connect a line from the "for future use" composite output on the back of the Entre to the display, and you will have the menus/cover art up all the time (this output doesn't pass through the DVD signal).

I have a 17" Samsung LCD monitor hooked up to the Entre in this fashion - the monitor is powered through one of the switched outlets on the back of the receiver, so when I hit "power" the Entre display comes up as the system powers up and the display shuts off when I power the system down. Been using it this way for almost three years and am very happy with the setup.

Most any cheap LCD PC monitor with a composite input will work (you can use a cheap CRT TV, but the LCD uses less space and power and there is no risk of burn-in). Since the images are essentially static you don't need a high-dollar LCD TV.

Works great, and you can use your favorite remote to run the system rather than going through the time and expense of setting up custom screens and programming on a touch-screen. Also, everyone can see the display and participate in selecting movies/music.


Hope this helps,

Mike

MBS212,

If your goal is to be able to see the menus etc without turning on your projector, recommend you pick up a cheap TV (or small LCD TV) that has a composite input. Connect a line from the "for future use" composite output on the back of the Entre to the display, and you will have the menus/cover art up all the time (this output doesn't pass through the DVD signal).

I have a 17" Samsung LCD monitor hooked up to the Entre in this fashion - the monitor is powered through one of the switched outlets on the back of the receiver, so when I hit "power" the Entre display comes up as the system powers up and the display shuts off when I power the system down. Been using it this way for almost three years and am very happy with the setup.

Most any cheap LCD PC monitor with a composite input will work (you can use a cheap CRT TV, but the LCD uses less space and power and there is no risk of burn-in). Since the images are essentially static you don't need a high-dollar LCD TV.

Works great, and you can use your favorite remote to run the system rather than going through the time and expense of setting up custom screens and programming on a touch-screen. Also, everyone can see the display and participate in selecting movies/music.


Hope this helps,

Mike


Thanks Mike -- that is a good solution. I had fantasized about a wireless touchpanel, like what the escient provides, but this is a great alternative, and the one I will pursue.

what burner did you use to create the disc? I have made 3 dl disc using the memorex and they all refuse to play. I have a liteon burner. my friend made a disc using a pioneer burner and I could get it to play but it had no sound, just video. after fiddling around with it, I paused the disc, then hit play again, got sound and video. def not stable with the memorex discs.

Danny, why not switch to the Escient solutoin?

Not until the my Entre kicks the bucket for good. I bought a spare a couple of months ago, brand new. I also bought a 5 year warranty on it. I don't know what they'll do for me if it goes. It's still in the box brand new. I think I got one of the last ones available. Only paid $299.00 it was a definate steal of a deal though. The Entre hasn't givin me any problems, since switching to HPNA. The ethernet adapter was a real pain. I was always screwing up the unit with reboots and all. I got my hands on a Netgear HPNA hub and all is well....

the entre never really has been an issue. it's the pesky changers. at least with escient you can use the Sony changers and chances are good that Sony might make hdmi versions.

Proudx,

I burned my DL disks on the HP burner in my z555 media center - but I am having read problems similar to what you describe with several discs I burned in the last few days. I went back and tried some of the other DL discs I've recorded and had to try some of them several times to get them to read. Looks like the 5900 can't quite reliably read them. They play fine in all of my PC drives, and play fine in my LinkTheater DVD player.

Guess that's the difference between 3-year-old DVD players and 1-year-old DVD players...

Cheers,

Mike

those disc you burnt where all memorex brand right? I wonder if there is another brand of dual layer disc that the 5900 will like better.

anybody else out there know of a reliable brand dl media that works with the 5900?

Correct, all memorex.

Cheers,

Mike

For those that had their power supplies replaced do any of you have the part number of the power supply? The number I have isn't turning up on a couple of the online Kenwoods parts suppliers.

Thanks,

Shawn

You indicated "on a couple of the online Kenwoods parts suppliers".

I only recall the one: www.partsolver.com (which is now www.partstore.com).

What are the other(s)?

Scott,

That was one of the ones I tried. The other was:

http://www.kenwoodparts.com/

According to the service manual the power supply part number is:

x-00-3060-10

(The X might = K for USA) but neither store seems to have that part listed.

Shawn

in case anyone missed it:

http://www.gizmag.com/go/4879/

Looks like finally the price is dropping on these things.

Here is a review of the more expensive sibling:

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/EscientDVDM-300review1.php

I finally got around to begin ripping some dvds on my new media center pc. I only ripped the movie without the menus and I have to say it's a great feature to select a movie and have it start right away.

in case anyone missed it:

http://www.gizmag.com/go/4879/

Looks like finally the price is dropping on these things.

Here is a review of the more expensive sibling:

http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/EscientDVDM-300review1.php

I finally got around to begin ripping some dvds on my new media center pc. I only ripped the movie without the menus and I have to say it's a great feature to select a movie and have it start right away.

Thanks for the head's up on that. I was initially very excited, but then got de-excited when I saw that it's only able to stream audio from another, expensive Escient server. They seem to have intentionally limited this feature (ie., not allowing it to stream from a PC) to ensure that you need to buy more than 1 Escient product if you're only going to spend $1000 with them.

So, this, as usual, leads me back to the MCE box solution. I see that you've decided to go down that path. How is it working for you? I'm presuming that none of the Sovereign hardware is compatible (ie., changer)?

How's the UI for accessing music and DVDs? It allows you to rip DVDs to the HD? Is the UI customizable? It seems to be quite different than the Entre's. Thoughts on the differences?

Thanks,

The MCE UI is much more responsive than the Entre. Right now it's kind of plain with no dvd covers, but I believe there is netflix plugin you can use that gives you dvd covers. I am going to look into that next.

You can't rip your dvds with MCE alone. You have to download one of the many applications that do that. I am using DVDshrink but plan to try out others.

I like the layout of the GUI. I like the fact that you can organize your folders using explorer and the GUI reflects that directory structure. So I can create a folder called Christmas, a sub folder called Disney, and put all the Disney DVD folders in there. The MCE gui will reflect that folder structure.

Right now I am having an issue with video quality with the ripped movies. I have to research it and find out what is going on. The desktop and screensaver look amazing on my dlp, but the movies look bad. I am assuming this is because I had the system built from parts I bought myself. If you buy one already made with Media Center, that probably won't be an issue.

Overall, I think it's going to work out as a replacement.

Hello All, One of my changers quit on me again. After a disc jam, the unit fails to read disc's. The motor isn't even spinning when the unit states it is reading. Then the "disc flip" then cannot read this type of disc... Any one have any ideas. Has anyone had this repaired not under warranty? How much are we talking this time???

Can anyone help me reset my library. I had old entries for disc titles and took all discs out. Put new ones in and ran read all. I entered with the keyboard the undetected titles but found the first group of titles still on the library listing, causing duplicate disc numbers. Even read all failed to clear the old entries so now what? thanks, Scot

Slocko, Jon,

The latest MCE update added support for 200-disc firewire DVD changers. Sony has an MCE model out that comes with the computer and one changer for about $2200. The interesting thing about the new Escient products is they still don't seem to do much more than the Sovereign system will. Given that used/refurbed Soveriegn gear still seems to be readily available at reasonable prices, I'd have a hard time convincing myself to spend the extra bucks for the Escient gear. Maybe someone who has seen both can comment on whether Escient has been able to improve the user interface meaningfully over the Sovereign gear - screenshots and reviews make them seem much the same.

Cheers,

Mike

I think the major reason to change to Escient is to avoid having to use the kenwood changers. Now that they have a decently priced system, I think there is no reason to recommend a Sovereign system anymore.

Hmmm, I'm not sure I agree.

The new $1000 Escient unit requires another Escient unit to store MP3s and FLACs for instant music playback. That's much more than $1000 for an Entre replacement. Probably more like $2500 if you add the two units together. Escient seemed to intentionaly lock us out of using a PC to stream FLACs and MP3s from a LAN-connected PC, which is very lame indeed.

The new Sony MCE suite is nice enough, but it has two problems which limits its appeal to me as an Entre/DV5900M user:

1. It's not cheap ($2200) as a full upgrade
2. It does not support any hi-rez disc formats (DVD-A, or, incredibly, SACD)

MCE systems also don't permit (as far as I know) UI modifications/customizations, meaning that I'm looking at a much more folder-style "click-through" type UI than the Entre. Also, MCE has DVR features that I will never use, so it's a bit of overkill in that area. However, the photo and video streaming from the PC harddrive would be a nice replacement to my Play@TV unit.

Lastly, while Escient has "gapless" playback features that is nice for audiophiles, MCE does not have this feature.

So, it's quite a mixed bag, with no real "killer app" out there that's going to justify me replacing my 160GB Entre/DVD5900M solution just yet, as much as I'd like to.

Why would I like to? Because the Entre does not support FLAC, and it does not support PC connectivity for transfering files or streaming files from a LAN-connected server.

So, I have a hodgepodge right now: Entre for MP3s, DVDs, and DVD-Audios. Play@TV for photos and MPEG Videos, and a Comcast STB for HD/SD DVR, plus 3 ReplayTVs for additional DVR needs. :)

Ideally, I'd replace the bulk of these with a single, integrated solution with a common UI. MCE comes the closest, but not close enough for me. Not yet.

Jon I think there are several plugins for MCE.

Here are some:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&newwindow=1&q=mce+plugins
http://www.mymovies.name/screenshots.aspx
http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/265/my_netflix_mce

The last one lets you manage your netque from MCE.

I forgot that you still need the fireball for mp3s with Escient.

Sorry for going OT.

Thanks Slocko.. that is very interesting. I didn't realize that there was so much 3rd party development around the MCE platform. That said, how much development is allowed?

Can one, for instance, create an alternate inferace that, say, is identical to the Entre's? I'm not saying that the Entre is so superior, but what I'm getting at is that the Entre's interface (correctly, IMHO) assumes that you do not have access to a QWERTY keyboard for typing things in and such. The Entre is a very single-layer menu system that is more suited for standard remote control operation.

My beef with MCE is that it is still based on XP philosophically, whereas the Entre came from a home component philosophy. These competing philosophies are at war in our family rooms, and I for one hope that the Escient/Entre/D&M philosophy prevails, because I do not think we need Microsoft making our home theaters more confusing than they already are.

So, my question is: can MCE be so customized that I don't have to use Microsoft's UI metaphor at all, and replace it with an Entre-like UI completely if I so desired?

Using MCE with a remote control is a snap. My wife had it down pat after a few seconds.

I came across something somewhere that said that there is a file that you can edit that gives you access to more things that can be controlled via remote control.

As for an alternative interface, well you can just run plain XP and then install any of several different competitors to MCE. I stopped following the Lobby products, but if they still exist, they must be easier to use by now.

To me, the only advantage of the entre changer combination (besides DVD-Audio support), was that you didn't need to rip a movie. But I hated the size of the changers and how long it took to queue up a movie and get it going. Now I just hit one button on the remote (I keep my computer on all the time, just like the entre and the changers) and my videos pop up, organized how I like them organized, and I select it and the movie begins immediately.

I now need to add photos to the mix which I haven't migrated there yet. I am not sure about adding music yet because I think I am going to end up using my ipod to stream music wirelessly (a cheap version of the Sonos system) to the stereo. That way I can carry the ipod around like a remote and change the music.

Tivo/Yahoo just came out with a new interface that looks interesting. When they finally release a stand-alone HD version, I will take a look at it.

All,
I wonder if anyone could clue me in on what the state of the art is in HTMC. It appears to me that to really make it work right you must have a very good video card to install in the computer. One that can handle OTA HD and FM radio, provides outputs to your HDTV via what kind of interface?

For instance my HDTV which is a couple of years old has S video, component, DVI-HDTV and DTVLINK (1394) inputs so it makes sense that the video card should support the highest level of output for the best picture. Any suggestions on a video card that would work?

Another problem I have had with the happy meal media centers is that I think the approach for sound support is inadequate to say the least. I was thinking that the PC would support all sound processing and basically take the place of the reciever in the HT setup. The sound card would allow separate audio outputs for each channel and like with my Kenwood reciever allow each channel to be individually adjusted for loudness. I did this using a sound meter and once each speaker was adjusted the sound was awesome. The preamp outputs from the sound card would feed power amps. Everything should be adjustable from the MC GUI on the TV screen.

Not sure how support of mega changer CD/DVD would be approached. Serial input? Any drivers available for Kenwood stuff?

Maybe this has all been figured out but I haven't seen it. I also thought that anything that's coming down the pike should also support HDDVD when it gets here. Understand that there are two competing formats now so it is kind of like the VHS BetaMax format wars of old.

All of this should be reasonably priced considering that the PC is doing the work. I'd really like to see what others have come up with rather than me reinventing the wheel.

Thanks to all and happy viewing!
Erik

I had to send my 5900 changer away for repairs. Kenwood was nice enough to give me a onetime fix. I had to take the discs out by taking the cover off because the door would not open. Is it possible to load the disc back in without having to go through the lookup process again? Thanks

The MCE UI is much more responsive than the Entre. Right now it's kind of plain with no dvd covers, but I believe there is netflix plugin you can use that gives you dvd covers. I am going to look into that next.

You can't rip your dvds with MCE alone. You have to download one of the many applications that do that. I am using DVDshrink but plan to try out others.

I like the layout of the GUI. I like the fact that you can organize your folders using explorer and the GUI reflects that directory structure. So I can create a folder called Christmas, a sub folder called Disney, and put all the Disney DVD folders in there. The MCE gui will reflect that folder structure.

Right now I am having an issue with video quality with the ripped movies. I have to research it and find out what is going on. The desktop and screensaver look amazing on my dlp, but the movies look bad. I am assuming this is because I had the system built from parts I bought myself. If you buy one already made with Media Center, that probably won't be an issue.

Overall, I think it's going to work out as a replacement.

Slocko,

The playback quality of DVD content in MCE is directly related to the DVD engine installed. If you have an NVIDIA based card, you should switch to the NVIDIA decoder with the Pure Video engine. The playback quality is stunning to say the least.

MCE relies on third party providers to handle the MPEG decoding functions. There is a little utility floating around that will allow you to see which decoding engines you have installed and also set the default you want to use.

Theatertek is also using the NVIDIA decoder technology now too for the highest quality decoding.

Thanks MediaStorm. I figured it was something like that. I don't have time right now to play with it, but I'll let you know if that turned out to be the case.

I have been searching through the forums in an effort to find a way to resurrect my Entre. Long story short my unit did not come back up after a power outage about two weeks ago. The unit was plugged in to a high end Panamax power filter, so there should not have been a spike... apparently just the power interruption was enough. The Entre now has no front panel display, a flashing red status light, and an ejecting drawer when I attempt a reset. I have nothing plugged in to the USB ports, so that should not have been an issue. I located and downloaded the "kenwood.zip" reboot file from an ftp link found in the Yahoo Entre/Ipaq forum, unzipped it and made a boot CD, and tried to reboot the stock drive. The messages on the Entre display stepped through "reboot", "partitioning", "installing software version 2.0.0.8", etc. and ending with "installation complete remove CD and reset". Did this and no change to the inoperative baseline. I then ordered and installed a Seagate 120GB unit (jumpers set as master drive as per the original Entre drive), deleted the standard PART file & renamed the existing 120 file to PART (per instructions on Yahoo forum), made the new "120GB boot CD", and tried again. Got the same display message string, but unit still did not work after reset. As last resort tried using the "stock" 20GB kenwood.zip-based boot CD to reformat the new 120GB drive thinking that I could at least use it as a 20GB equivalent, but no such luck. Got same Entre display sequence, but unit still did not work upon restart. Any expert advise, help, encouragement, condolences, etc. would be much appreciated.

I had one of my Kenwood DV-5900M changers go out recently. I tried to get it repaired, but the problem is in the main board and I was told that there are none in the country. I've been looking for a replacement changer that has been updated to the v3 firmware, but there appears to be a real lack of these systems out there. If anyone is thinking of selling their changer(s), please PM me.

Dave

Ebay may be your best bet. They seem to sell in cycles -- none for a week or two and suddenly three or four go up for auction. I bought one for about $350, to add to my other two. although it works fine, it was never sent in for level three. Now, I always ask the seller if it was sent in for level 3, most of the time the person says yes. Seems level 3s sell for about $500-600. so, if repair is out of the question it may be your only answer.

here is another interesting product:

http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,9090

i think we are going to see more and more of these media center changers.

here is another interesting product:

http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,9090

i think we are going to see more and more of these media center changers.

Not sure how successful they'll be selling... Once I found this (before falling out of my chair and being resuscitated by my wife) I thought I'd share the "details"... No thanks!!

http://store.niveusmedia.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.25/it.A/id.762/.f

(No wonder why they call it the "Ice Vault" because it'd be a cold day in he|| before I shell out that kind of "Ice").

Maybe they're trying to compete with the jewel market!

Dual layer DVD discs:
anyone found any disc that work good with the player yet, so far for me none have worked.

Haven't found any dual layer discs that work reliably - sometimes they'll read, sometimes they won't.

On a separate topic, I tried my first DualDisc last week. Kenwood was right - don't put them in your changer. The disc read fine and sounded phenomenal, but the changer won't return it to the rack reliably. It took four or five tries to get the disc out, and made all kinds of unpleasant popping and grinding noises. I was just about to unplug the whole shebang and take it apart rather than risk damage to the mechanism.

Does anyone know off the top of their head whether the Sony changer handles DualDiscs? I might consider one for SACD and DualDisc use.

EDIT - What was I thinking? Sony does SACD, why would they even bother with DualDisc (DVD-Audio)? Nothing like multiple formats to make the consumer's life easier. Now, where to start on my HD movie collection...

Cheers,

Mike

Can someone please help me with instructions to backup the HD (via FTP) in my Entre and/or possibly install a 120Gb dirve? Every few weeks I will come home and the power light is flashing red and and occasionally the cd drive is open. I hold down the power button for about 30sec and after being patient for a few minutes everything comes back up. I found some posts that lead me to believe that this is the start of the end of my HD, so I want to back it up. I can FTP to the box but I do not know the username and password. I would like to backup via ftp but if Ghosting is my only option then I will have to go that route.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!!!!

This thread is so long, so excuse me for asking a question that may have been asked and answered already.

I am trying to connect my Entre through DSL but with no success. I understand that I need an adaptor but I have been unable find the correct one. I called Kenwood and they sent me to a local dealer. The dealer told me that they have been on the waiting list for the Kenwood adaptors for some time but they however had success with a NetGear USB/ethernet adaptor. They however could not provide me with a model number for the NetGear device.

Can anyone help me?

i love kenwood

I have been searching through the forums in an effort to find a way to resurrect my Entre. Long story short my unit did not come back up after a power outage about two weeks ago. The unit was plugged in to a high end Panamax power filter, so there should not have been a spike... apparently just the power interruption was enough. The Entre now has no front panel display, a flashing red status light, and an ejecting drawer when I attempt a reset. I have nothing plugged in to the USB ports, so that should not have been an issue. I located and downloaded the "kenwood.zip" reboot file from an ftp link found in the Yahoo Entre/Ipaq forum, unzipped it and made a boot CD, and tried to reboot the stock drive. The messages on the Entre display stepped through "reboot", "partitioning", "installing software version 2.0.0.8", etc. and ending with "installation complete remove CD and reset". Did this and no change to the inoperative baseline. I then ordered and installed a Seagate 120GB unit (jumpers set as master drive as per the original Entre drive), deleted the standard PART file & renamed the existing 120 file to PART (per instructions on Yahoo forum), made the new "120GB boot CD", and tried again. Got the same display message string, but unit still did not work after reset. As last resort tried using the "stock" 20GB kenwood.zip-based boot CD to reformat the new 120GB drive thinking that I could at least use it as a 20GB equivalent, but no such luck. Got same Entre display sequence, but unit still did not work upon restart. Any expert advise, help, encouragement, condolences, etc. would be much appreciated.
I have a unit that experienced a power surge. The display failed me as well. I took the unit to a Kenwood service center and they had to replace the motherboard. Bring it in and get it checked out.

This thread is so long, so excuse me for asking a question that may have been asked and answered already.

I am trying to connect my Entre through DSL but with no success. I understand that I need an adaptor but I have been unable find the correct one. I called Kenwood and they sent me to a local dealer. The dealer told me that they have been on the waiting list for the Kenwood adaptors for some time but they however had success with a NetGear USB/ethernet adaptor. They however could not provide me with a model number for the NetGear device.

Can anyone help me?

If you use the 2Wire ds wireless router it offers HPNA, which obviates the need for an adapter. I was lucky and that is what sbcglobal installed as standard. Works brilliantly. And allows for the Axcess units as well.

Is there a good way to title the DVD's in my 5050M changer? I have used the NetNamerDV software, but it does not work that well.

If you use the 2Wire ds wireless router it offers HPNA, which obviates the need for an adapter. I was lucky and that is what sbcglobal installed as standard. Works brilliantly. And allows for the Axcess units as well.


Thanks for the advise, however this option doesn't work for me in Canada. Our cable ISP wont work with the 2Wire routers.

Is there anyone in Canada who has had success connecting the Entre to the internet? Let me know and would you be able to help me.

k guys maybe we should compile a list of known dual layer disc brands that do not work or do not work reliab le.


only brand i tried
memorex dual layer disc don't work

Hi all! My 5900M purchased in December '02 finally died, and I've taken it to the Kenwood Service Center West for repair. It's actually still under the extended GE warranty! Anyway, my question is about the firmware upgrade which I would have to pay for myself....I don't plan on daisy-chaining a few 5900Ms, so is it worth the $70? Are there any other benefits?

Thanks!

The only thing it does is allow the RS232 conversation between changers (although they also said it decreased load time a bit as well). While it's in, I'd do it. Most people looking for used equipment on "the bay" will be asking you if you've had this done. Look at it as protecting your investment!

Thanks! I'll get it done, if they can fix the unit....is it true that parts for these units are becoming less and less available?

The only thing it does is allow the RS232 conversation between changers (although they also said it decreased load time a bit as well). While it's in, I'd do it. Most people looking for used equipment on "the bay" will be asking you if you've had this done. Look at it as protecting your investment!
Just emptied mine, getting ready to sell it......searching on ebay, it looks like the recent ones have been going between $450 to a little over $600 (range seems to follow whether both remotes are included).

...is it true that parts for these units are becoming less and less available?

You can still find parts for the DV-5900M changers; most for about the price you would expect. I know from experience that there's not a main PC board in the US, but within 6-8 weeks they could find one overseas for $600.

k guys maybe we should compile a list of known dual layer disc brands that do not work or do not work reliab le.


only brand i tried
memorex dual layer disc don't work

Verbatim DVD+R 2.4x worked pretty well on my SDI DV-5700, sometimes they take a little while to start up "reading" on display, sometimes they start up snappy, but they always play ok

-Gary

Hey All, I see there alot of new blood around the post these days.... Anyway, Changer 2 (5900M) is acting up again. Emptied and removed the cover last night. It's got the "Can't read this type of disc" , bug again. I've had this particular unit fixed 2 times before and Changer 1 has also been in for the same problems. Every time I notice the same thing inside the unit. It seems as if the unit pulses the motor to allow the laser mech to postion itself for a read, before spinning full force for the actual play. I helped the mech with a little finger push at the right time and the unit started to fuction again. I don;t know how long we are talking but for now I will keep my eye on it. Also I observed that when playing a normal CD the mech doesn't spin quite as fast, which was suprising.

Has anyone ever tried to attach a sony changer to the Entre via RS-232. I vaguely remember seeing references to "Sony" while searching Entre's file system. ????

I recall the discussion that the Entre used to support the Sony changers until the latest OS update came down to support multiple changers. Then, for some rason, Sony changer support disappeared.

The only thing it does is allow the RS232 conversation between changers (although they also said it decreased load time a bit as well). While it's in, I'd do it. Most people looking for used equipment on "the bay" will be asking you if you've had this done. Look at it as protecting your investment!If I remember correctly, it also fixed the layer change delay problem.

Good morning everyone. I have not been on this forum at all and have not read all the pages of this thread, but figured I would come here to ask a question.

I have a DV-5700, the 5 disc Kenwood, and just recently, I have had issues with it. I first thought there was something wrong with the DVD, since it locked up my player and the only way to get it working again was to power down with the power button on the player itself (no remote buttons would work). I figured it was the used DVD I got from Blockbuster. I later watched a different movie with no problems. Then, the other night, I had another one act up on me again(National Treasure). I decided to watch something else instead and popped in Sahara, which I had seen already on this DVD player, but my wife had not seen. It too failed on me, but very quickly into the movie. So, I took National Treasure out and put it into my old Sony single disc player that I have hooked up with s-video and it played fine.

Any suggestions? Open the thing up and gently dust it out with compressed air? Repair shop? Garbage? I bought this player 4 1/2 years ago and this is the first time I have had issues.

I would change it out for an upconverting player, but I don't have DVI or HDMI inputs on my projector (component, composite and s-vid).

I was wondering if it could be as simple as a dirty lens inside the laser mech. I used a lens cleaner while the cover was off, so I was able to monitor it to be sure it didn't cause any problems. I ran through its cycle and then the player began to function again.. Anyone else ever use a lens cleaner? If yes what types have been used??

I was wondering the same thing, but since I have never used one, I wasn't sure.

Verbatim DVD+R 2.4x worked pretty well on my SDI DV-5700, sometimes they take a little while to start up "reading" on display, sometimes they start up snappy, but they always play ok

-Gary

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002LEMWE/ref=nosim/104-9218445-9275102?n=172282

are these the right ones? what dvd burner did you use to burn those if you don't mind me asking?

thx

Well, here we go again. One of my two 5900M changers is making a terrible grinding noise when I try to eject a disc. The door does not open. The carrousel seems to spin ok. Anyone have this problem? I have 400 discs loaded in this changer, and while I live only an hour from the cerritos Kenwood repair facility, i do not think they'll take the changer with discs loaded.

Love thughts and recommendations...

FYI, my player seems to be all better now. I got a laser cleaner disc from Staples and put it in there.
I will post back if the problem comes up again.

Is there a good way to title the DVD's in my 5050M changer? I have used the NetNamerDV software, but it does not work that well.

I experienced some difficulty as well when I tried to title all my disks at once. The software skipped a bunch of the disk for no apparent reason. I tried again in smaller lots 10 to 20 and the title software then did the job nicely without skipping any disks. It takes a little more time doing the disk titling this way, but it beats entering the information manually. Good luck. :o

FYI, my player seems to be all better now. I got a laser cleaner disc from Staples and put it in there.
I will post back if the problem comes up again.


I experienced the same problem with both of my 5900M changers at some point in time. Who would have known a dirty lens could have been the problem. On numerous other occasions I actually brought the unit(s) in for repair. It wasn't until I purchased my plasma screen at Circuit City and received a free kit that contained a CD/DVD lens cleaner. I was a little hesitant to insert the disc into the changer thinking it would jam, but the one I used wasn't bulky at all and I also removed the changer's cover so I could observe the progress. I noticed a few things during the process.

1. The mechinism doesn't spin as fast when playing an ordinary CD.
2. The CD lens cleaner is actually recoginized by Entre and is "looked up" and stored in the onscreen guide as "Staples CD Lens Cleaner" under the "Music/CD's" catagory.
3. While cleaning the lens the "Time" display on the unit it is cleaning doesn't function properly. At around 4:00 the time starts to act screwy, but if the "Cleaner" is selected through Entre's guide, and info is selected on the remote, the correct time is reported by the Entre.
4. A quick clean doesn't seem to work quite well. Letting the "Cleaner" play fro about 30:00 seem to work quite well.
5. While the cover was off, before the cleaning process, I noticed the DVD I was trying to play was not spinning. I think if the player doesn't think It's a compatible disc it shuts the motor down. It pulses first to allow the lens to set itself up for the read, then stops spinning completly before doing a "Disc Flip". After it can't do a successful read on the other side it moves on to the next changer slot etc. If the lens is dirty it continues the process, and no disc's will obviously be read. After a cleaning it seems to be working properly.

The instructions for the Lens Cleaner say to perform a clean after every 8 hours of use. Well I can tell you this I owned both changers for more than 2 years and I have never cleaned the lenses. I now have two cleaners and I actually leave one in each cahnger so I can easily clean them periodically.

Well, here we go again. One of my two 5900M changers is making a terrible grinding noise when I try to eject a disc. The door does not open. The carrousel seems to spin ok. Anyone have this problem? I have 400 discs loaded in this changer, and while I live only an hour from the cerritos Kenwood repair facility, i do not think they'll take the changer with discs loaded.

Love thughts and recommendations...
Remove the cover and un-jam it yourself. Try to limit the number times you power the unit on/off. Each time this is done you subject it to more damage. If you are lucky you can un-jam it yourself with no damage, also powering on and off while jammed will actually throw off the alignment of the unit. Example: The display says disc 001 and 004 starts playing. If this happens the unit needs a first class ticket to service for a re-alignment and re-time.

I have had this problem and learned from my own mistakes. I damaged the disc sensor and had to have it replaced. ($275.00). How I knew was, Every time I powered Entre and the changer on Entre reported "403 Discs Have been removed from the changer" and started removing them from the Guide. I caught it about 50-60 discs into the process before exiting. When I received the unit back from service Entre had to look up the 50-60 discs that were lost from the guide all over again. I did however put the discs in the exact slots they were originally in.

I experienced the same problem with both of my 5900M changers at some point in time. Who would have known a dirty lens could have been the problem. On numerous other occasions I actually brought the unit(s) in for repair. It wasn't until I purchased my plasma screen at Circuit City and received a free kit that contained a CD/DVD lens cleaner. I was a little hesitant to insert the disc into the changer thinking it would jam, but the one I used wasn't bulky at all and I also removed the changer's cover so I could observe the progress.....
The instructions for the Lens Cleaner say to perform a clean after every 8 hours of use. Well I can tell you this I owned both changers for more than 2 years and I have never cleaned the lenses. I now have two cleaners and I actually leave one in each cahnger so I can easily clean them periodically.

Danny, I let the cleaner run for about 3 minutes. Never would have thought to let it go for 30 minutes!! Pretty interesting that the changer knows what it is. I have had my 5700 for over 4 years and never cleaned it, so it has done pretty well!

Remove the cover and un-jam it yourself. Try to limit the number times you power the unit on/off. Each time this is done you subject it to more damage. If you are lucky you can un-jam it yourself with no damage, also powering on and off while jammed will actually throw off the alignment of the unit. Example: The display says disc 001 and 004 starts playing. If this happens the unit needs a first class ticket to service for a re-alignment and re-time.

I have had this problem and learned from my own mistakes. I damaged the disc sensor and had to have it replaced. ($275.00). How I knew was, Every time I powered Entre and the changer on Entre reported "403 Discs Have been removed from the changer" and started removing them from the Guide. I caught it about 50-60 discs into the process before exiting. When I received the unit back from service Entre had to look up the 50-60 discs that were lost from the guide all over again. I did however put the discs in the exact slots they were originally in.


Thanks. I tried that - but can't seem to be able to figure out what is wrong - it is not a disc jam. Te gears are turning, but one of the belts does not move - and ther eis no way to open the area where the belt is, at least not easily. The grinding is from the gears not turning the belt...does any of this sound familiar to anyone?

Well, Here it goes again! I have 3 daisy-chained dv 5900's connected to a VR-5900 and an Entre. The DV 5900's have been in and out of Cerritos since I've gotten them. Most recently all three seem to have experienced the same problem; when a disc was selected I would get the infamous " This type of disc cannot be played" error message. I removed the covers from them and upon further examination I noticed everything seemed to work fine until the disc had been loaded into the center for play but it failed to spin. My thinking from talking to others was that some part of the power supply that was responsible for that particular voltage had gone out.It was very strange that all 3 went out at the same time. However, after reading DannyFresh's post stating that his 5900 would not even spin a disc that it had determined to be unreadable I am not so sure it was the power-supply after all. Perhaps they just need to be cleaned! On the other hand all 3 at the same time?
I do have at least 10 items connected to the same circuit. I wonder if this could cause problems with the power-supply? On the other hand if they are just needing a cleaning, I will feel a little silly for sending them in so often. Perhaps the cooling fan that I have set up in that closet is blowing dust into the optics.
The best part about this whole deal is just when I think everything is working smoothly and all 3 changers are working flawlessly--boom! all three players wont play a single DVD again! Simultaneously, all 3!
Of course it doesn't help that I'm throwing a huge SuperBowl party in a few hours and was planning on showing off the system to everyone. It'll be real funny when they go back to the A/V closet only to find out the movie they are watching is courtesy of my daughters Sponge-Bob Dvd player!

Quick update; It seems after leaving the power off to the changers for several hours that the first 2 changers are in working order after power-up and reinitializing. The third changer is having problems doing look-ups. I think I will take DannyFresh's advice and invest in a "Staples CD Lens Cleaner". Hope this is 'the magic bullet'!
BTW Danny, I have noticed that the time counter when doing look-ups on my Entre always periodically skips a second every 20 seconds or so. I wonder if this could be an indication of some other problem?

Adam, Get you butt to Staples !! I know the feeling all too well a $10,000 audio setup that doesn't work. Makes you feel like a fool huh...!!!!

Danny, You got that right! And the only thing worse than feeling like a fool is looking like a fool in front of all your friends!
Well I got the Staples lens cleaner and ran it for 35 min. on "clean" on changer 3. Still won't look up any DVD's, strange thing is it will look up CD's. Danny if this works then You da Man!

Not sure if this is a reply or new post. Can't seem to find any way to create a NEW POST?

Anyways, I'm looking for the center assembly, the part which contains the motors, laser arm/laser which has a small ribbon cable coming off of it. I was able to use the assembly from a DV-5050 to repair my DV-5900M but now need a replacement for my DV-5050 unit.

Anyone know where I can get this or the part number?

Thanks.

Mike

Perhaps cerritos could give you the number. By the way, what was the problem with your changer that required you to cannibalize your DV 5050?

FYI, I opened my unit and was unable to see what exactly was causing the problem. However, I manuipulated the gears and belts a bit (aimlessly) and all of a sudden it began to work again. Go figure. But I am certainly not compaining!

Not sure if this is a reply or new post. Can't seem to find any way to create a NEW POST?

Anyways, I'm looking for the center assembly, the part which contains the motors, laser arm/laser which has a small ribbon cable coming off of it. I was able to use the assembly from a DV-5050 to repair my DV-5900M but now need a replacement for my DV-5050 unit.

Anyone know where I can get this or the part number?

Without part numbers it's hard to say what you need. Or if it's even just one part, just saying it's a center assembly is kind of vague. Are you sure there is not a part number on the part itself that you need? Plus it almost sounds like you may need multiple parts. Anyway, here is some listings of some the "mechanism" parts that are available for the 5900M, unfortunately they do not describe what they are actually for.

http://www.partstore.com/ModelDetail.aspx?MfgId=85&ModelID=63342&close=0&exact=1


Now for the DV-5050, they also list even more parts than for the 5900M. So you may need to look through them also. Just use the "See all models that can use this product." option when you click on the part, as it will then show you all the models that use that same part.

http://www.partstore.com/ModelDetail.aspx?PageState=1&ModelID=63340

Perhaps cerritos could give you the number. By the way, what was the problem with your changer that required you to cannibalize your DV 5050?

It was the center assembly which has everything on it, the arm which moves the laser, the rotator motor, sensors, etc. The part is $175.00 from a local reseller but he was not sure of the part number and there are too many numbers on the assembly to know which is which.

From what I could tell, the 5050 and the 5900 use the exact same center assembly so it was worth a shot and sure enough, it's working perfectly.

That's why I was hoping someone might lead me to a web site that might have part numbers.

Mike

>Without part numbers it's hard to say what you need.

Agreed but, that's what I'm trying to find :).

>Or if it's even just one part, just saying it's a center assembly is kind of vague.

Don't know how else to describe it. If you have looked inside your machine, you'll see that there is a center assembly, the assembly which holds the disk, spins the disk, has the head on it, etc. The actual hardware or board is only on one side and removing a number of parts allows one to remove the one side of the 'assembly'. That's what I exchanged between machines and that's the part I need.

> Are you sure there is not a part number on the part itself that you need? Plus it >almost sounds like you may need multiple parts.

Nope, everything is on the one board, on the one side of the 'assembly' :).

Unfortunately, the link to the site you gave me didn't help, yet. They don't seem to have images so again, cannot tell but am looking at the site. Thanks for the lead!

Mike

Does anyone have an "old" DV-5900 that doesn't work? I bought one on eBay, the owner said that it works, it just doesn't read the discs. When I tried it, not only did it not read the discs, but the only thing it did was power on. No display, the carriage didn't move, nothing. So I'm looking for one I can use to make one that will work.

Thanks

O.K., I don't know how to search just one thread for some text, I have a DV-5700 and am now getting E1001 on the display and nothing more. It won't do anything. Anyone?

Vikerex, Have you tried re-initializing it?

every forum has a text box where you can type in your search terms. it's on the top right hand side.

Doh! How long have I been on the forum? :)

I did a search and didn't find it though. Anyone know?

O.K., I don't know how to search just one thread for some text, I have a DV-5700 and am now getting E1001 on the display and nothing more. It won't do anything. Anyone?

Vikerex, Have you tried re-initializing it?
Yes, I've tried everything. I'm at a loss

Kenwood Entre USB to Ethernet Adaptor

To whomever is interested, I recently saw some of the Kenwood approved USB to Ethernet Adaptors on Ebay. The Linksys USB100TX and the Belkin F5D5050 are both on Ebay. The techs at Kenwood say the Belkin works a little better.

Good luck:-)

Strange, system says I can POST new articles but won't give me any options to do so.

Anyhow, I've been looking high and low for details on how to use dvdedit and the other tools to set up my own descriptions on the DV-5900M. Can't find anything, anywhere. Anyone have some links to some software?

Also, anyone ever work on or offer any custom software for the entre? I'd much rather be able to point it to my own collectoin of MP3s on the network and not it's built in one. Thought I once read that someone was able to change the top page, point it to something they wanted instead?

Mike

Anyhow, I've been looking high and low for details on how to use dvdedit and the other tools to set up my own descriptions on the DV-5900M. Can't find anything, anywhere. Anyone have some links to some software?

<snip>

Thought I once read that someone was able to change the top page, point it to something they wanted instead?

Mike

DVD Edit: this thread http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5002166#post5002166

top page: tech thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=2770505&&#post2770505

HTH, Scott Fauque

Help please. My DV-5900M suddenly stopped reading discs. No matter what disc I select, the player will not recognize it with the front panel saying "Reading", any ideas? Thank you.

Brian, try a cd or dvd cleaner first. Turning the unit off for an hour or so may also help. hopefully it doesn't need a realignment in which case you will have to empty it and send it in.

Adam,
I will try that as soon as I get home today.
Brian

Perhaps cerritos could give you the number. By the way, what was the problem with your changer that required you to cannibalize your DV 5050?

Might as well tell the whole story in case it can help someone else.

---

I'll tell you, eBay is the WORST place to buy A/V equipment, no matter the price. It's a 50/50 chance you'll get something good or bad.

I first bought a DV-5900M for over $600.00. When I got it, it turned out the guy sent me a DV-5050. I fought and fought and got nowhere, the guy knew full well he'd gotten me and I finally gave up.

I then bought a DV-5900M from another seller for some $500.00 plus. This one was claimed to be in NEW condition. When I got it, it was certainly not in NEW like condition, dusty, scratched, even a small dent.

But, at least it worked right. Nope, the seller sold me a broken unit then claimed that it was damaged in shipping. He wanted to file a claim right away and even told me to kick the box a few times. After thinking about it, I decided to cancel his claim knowing I'd never see a dime and filed a Paypal claim. Paypal, eBay, same company, is VERY good at finding ways of getting out of paying and again, I got nowhere.

So, I looked in these forums, studied everything I could without any documentation and made the decision that the center module was the same in both units. I took the 5050's center unit and replaced the one in my 5900 and it works perfectly.
By the way, doing so... not for someone who's never really messed with stuff like this. I've been repairing and messing with my own gear since I was a kid.

Problem is, now I have a 5050 which cannot be used until I can find someone who's got a dead one to sell me or the center module. There is one authorized seller who order the part for some $200.00 but won't even tell me if there is any stock until I put my order in. More money out the window if I do since he'll want $100.00 deposit just to deal with me. In fact, thanks to him, we lost the paypal claim since he refused to send them anything with letterhead until I did something formal with him. Fine, I can understand his side but I don't want to be caught in the loop of spending more money until I'd know if I'm getting my claim. Unreal.

I can't tell you how bad it's been using eBay. eBay is great for everything BUT A/V. I've had more claims and problems than I could ever imagine. I've lost $$$ on almost everything I've bought on there A/V wise. Speakers always end up wrecked in shipping, like NEW things are rarely like NEW, it goes on.

Anyone have the part I'm looking for??? It's the center module, not the entire unit, just the circuit board with the laser and arm on it.

Mike

I too bought a DVD unit off eBay. The guy said that it wouldn't read the discs, when I received it, the only thing it would do is power up. So, I'm trying to fix it. If you would like to sell your DV-5050, I could use the parts to get mine working.

Thanks,
Ted

I posted a few weeks ago about my DV-5700 locking up and I ended up getting a lens cleaning disc. It seemed to work, but then two weeks ago, I got an error E1001 and it wouldn't do anything. I didn't get any responses on here as to what that problem is, even after doing a thread search, there was nothing. I went back into the theater and tried to power it on and it seemed to work fine. Last night, my wife and I were watching a movie and it locked up again after only about 10 minutes of viewing.

At least I had my old DVD player hooked up as well, so at least we were still able to watch the movie. Any ideas anyone? I don't really want to go buy a new DVD player, but I may have to.

I would guess it's the center module. It's the part that fails pretty consistently in these units.

slocko, I assume you are talking to me? If that is the case, any ideas on costs to have it repaired? Should I just go get a new changer (this one is only the 5 disc) and sell this one to somebody on here (if anyone wants it)?

There haven't been that many owners here of the 5 disc version.

I would definetely replace it with either a cheap upconverting player like the Oppo, or go ahead and get one of the new HD-DVDs coming out this month.

Netflix is going to carry the new HD titles for no additional cost.

Most people here trying to buy changers on ebay is because they are 400 disc changers and the only ones that work with the entre. So unless you give up on the entre, you have no choice but to continue trying to repair or buy new units.

I suppose you could make me an (private email) offer. It is in fact in very good condition other than one tiny thing. There is a little piece of the plastic on the side which broke off in shipping (unreal eh). I've kept it as it can be glued back in and I doubt it will show once any glue is cleaned up.

I actually liked the 5050 over the 5900 which i find grainy. I've not yet decided which one to keep to be honest.

Mike

I would guess it's the center module. It's the part that fails pretty consistently in these units.

Would you or anyone else know where these modules can be purchased at a reasonable price online? Repair shops want you to bring the machine in so that they won't lose a dime of time or knowledge on anyone.

Mike

slocko, thanks for the reccomendations. I won't be going with any of the upconverting DVD players or even one of the BlueRay or HD-DVD players, simply because my projector is a model that is 6 years old and does not have the required inputs for the upconverting and HD formated DVD players.

If I can't get my Kenwood to work (I am going to try calling tomorrow to see if there is anything they can do for me, which I doubt) I will probably stick with my old Sony single disc player and possibly buy a second single disc player, one with component outputs, so I can have two players. Single disc players with component out are not very expensive and probably cheaper than getting my Kenwood repaired if I have to bring it to somebody.

What a pain. Trouble free for 4 1/2 years, but for the price of the Kenwood originally, it should be trouble free for much longer than that.

I have had my Entre for about 2 years now. I use the linksys usb adapter to hook up to my network. It suddenly quit working. I tried changing the setting on my entre and cannot figure out what is wrong.

I unhooked the usb from the entre and hooked it up to my laptop and it worked just fine. I rehooked it to the entre and the entre doesn't see it. When I click ethernet for my internet selction it says it cannot find the device. check kenwoodusa for list of devices... It has worked for the last two years. what am i doing wrong? Any ideas on how to get my ethernet connection back?

Thanks,
Greg

What do you mean by stopped working? Sometimes Openglobe updates the database and lookups stop working for a while.

Sometimes the entre loses it's registration and you have to re-register. It's been a long time, but I think there is a key sequence you press on the remote to bring up the screen.

Are you able to ping?

The other alternative is to switch to HPNA, but that requires finding an HPNA bridge which might not be that easy these days.

When I go to internet connections and select ethernet as my primary and save, it gives me an error message and tells me to contact my kenwood retailer etc.... Just as if my usb adapter is not plugged in. I have tried switching it from usb port 1 to 2, but that does nothing either.

Is there a way to completely reset the unit. Blank its memory etc...

Greg

there is a key sequence that brings up a backdoor that lets you reset everything to factory defaults. Search this thread for either backdoor or FAQ

Hello again,
I tried using a lens cleaning disc and I am getting the same error. Any other ideas? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Brian

Has anyone gotten one of these to work? I've been unsuccessful so far.

I got the Brothers In Arms DualDisc to play in the 5900 after a few tries, but with all the popping and grinding trying to unload it I will never put it in the player again. I gave up on the 5900s for high-res audio and now just use them for movies. I use a Denon 3910 for SACD and DVD-Audio.

Mike

there is a key sequence that brings up a backdoor that lets you reset everything to factory defaults. Search this thread for either backdoor or FAQ

Is it 5555?

Hi, Hans.

Nick :cool:

Hi Nick.

For you new members, Nick here I think was instrumental in getting Kenwood to live up to their advertised claim that you could daisy chain the changers with the Entre.

How are the Escient units treating you Nick? Getting ready for the coming format war?

Pretty soon you will find yourself using the Escient less and less for movies as these pretty HD-DVDs start being released. Nothing like watching a movie in HD. I rarely watch DVDs these days. I prefer to record HD from HBO, Showtime, HDNET, and OTA and watch that instead.

Brian, the only other thing I can think of is get a de-magnitizing cleaner (I haven't personaly tried this),also you might try leaving the unit off overnight (to cool). I have heard that heat might be an issue causing the laser to go out of alignment.
I have had to send several units in to have this 'alighnment' done--what a pain! I wish I knew how to do this myself as I think one of my units is starting to go again. Probably doesn't help that they are on 24/7.

How are the Escient units treating you Nick? Getting ready for the coming format war?

Pretty soon you will find yourself using the Escient less and less for movies as these pretty HD-DVDs start being released. Nothing like watching a movie in HD. I rarely watch DVDs these days. I prefer to record HD from HBO, Showtime, HDNET, and OTA and watch that instead.

Actually, the Escient units are great. I also gravitate to HD with my HD-TiVo unit, but I still think DVD offers a great medium, and it gives me a chance to put my system through the paces. For movies, I've got the Escient controlling three Sony ES changers. For music, I've got the Escient controlling three Kenwoods.

I hate to say this, but I have two Kenwood changers and one Entre unit just in stowaway. Before anyone asks, I am not interested in selling, as I suspect I will need these when my current changers konk out. I also use an Entre with one changer for another room with a television.

I'm also anxious for Blu-ray (or HD-DVD), but it will take me out of my game. Once I have to return to single disc players, without the whiz-bang effect of the Escient controllers, it's going to make me eager for the first Blu-ray changer ;)

In retrospect, the Sovereign system shaped my way of running my setup. And, in a way, I miss the old fraternity of this thread. We had lots of fun and drama.

On to the next format, and the next thread. Stay well.

Nick :cool:

I got the Brothers In Arms DualDisc to play in the 5900 after a few tries, but with all the popping and grinding trying to unload it I will never put it in the player again. I gave up on the 5900s for high-res audio and now just use them for movies. I use a Denon 3910 for SACD and DVD-Audio.

The 3910 is wonderful, but I really want a hi-rez changer. Right now I use the Sony ES-777 for SACDs and the 5900 for DVD-A. The Sony can cope with DualDisc (which, is, IMO, a totally bogus format) somewhat, but the Kenwood not at all. I have Brothers In Arms on SACD, so that one isn't a problem for me. Interestingly, when hi-rez first came about, I only got DVD-A discs because I am a big proponant of multi-channel audio. I was also concerned, because on paper DSD looks like it should sound pretty bad. Now both with my two changers and a Marantz universal player, I think that both formats are essentially the same, though I probably have three times as many SACDs as DVD-As simply because there are more to choose from.

Also, since I'm on a high-rez rant, I think that it is really amusing that in the HD video world that the big concern is closing the "analog hole" while in the High-Rez audio world, all you're allowed to have is analog. Go figure.

The 3910 is wonderful, but I really want a hi-rez changer. Right now I use the Sony ES-777 for SACDs and the 5900 for DVD-A. The Sony can cope with DualDisc (which, is, IMO, a totally bogus format) somewhat, but the Kenwood not at all. I have Brothers In Arms on SACD, so that one isn't a problem for me. Interestingly, when hi-rez first came about, I only got DVD-A discs because I am a big proponant of multi-channel audio. I was also concerned, because on paper DSD looks like it should sound pretty bad. Now both with my two changers and a Marantz universal player, I think that both formats are essentially the same, though I probably have three times as many SACDs as DVD-As simply because there are more to choose from.

Also, since I'm on a high-rez rant, I think that it is really amusing that in the HD video world that the big concern is closing the "analog hole" while in the High-Rez audio world, all you're allowed to have is analog. Go figure.

Hi Robert.

This is pretty much what I'm doing (Sony DVP-CX777ES for SACD and movies, DV-5900M for CDs and DVD-Audio). And, although I know that there was some disdain for SACD for those reasons, I've concluded in the final analysis that there are not only more SACD titles, but there are more well-done SACD titles. So much of what eked out on DVD-Audio was of poor quality, in particular the Silverline discs.

Apparently, however, the analog hole for HD-video (Blu-ray, at least) is not a big concern for Sony:

In an important aside, Don Eklund, SPHE's senior vice president for advanced technologies, said that Sony's initial Blu-ray discs — and all of its Blu-ray titles for the forseeable future — will be free of the "Image Constraint Token" that's built into the Blu-ray and HD DVD standards. This controversial digital flag instructs the player to down-res the video signal from its analog component-video outputs to a standard-definition image to prevent high-resolution recordings — but at the same time prevents viewing of HDTV images on any TV or device not equipped with a copyright-protected HDMI digital input. That would eliminate any gain in image quality for HDTV early-adopters who bought displays prior to two or three years ago, when DVI and HDMI digital inputs were introduced.

Eklund noted that Sony's key piracy concern isn't with analog HDTV signals but with the digital HDTV signal coming off the disc, which both Blu-ray and HD DVD are protecting with the robust Advanced Access Content System (AACS) endorsed by the Hollywood studios. If analog copying does become a problem down the road, the policy could change, he said — but for now, "we have no plan to implement the Image Constraint Token. All of Sony's titles will come out of the analog output at full definition." He added that other studios still have the discretion to activate the token for all or individual titles.

The article is here http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article.asp?section_id=2&article_id=1324

This reminds me of back when DVD was just about to come out.

Nick :cool:

I believe the only reason Sony is so non-chalant about it, is that they know they are in a format war and don't want to risk alienating the early adopters by down-rezzing their pictures.

Merely a spin in my view.

Robert,

One of the big reasons I chose the Denon 3910 was that it would send SACD and DVD-Audio data digitally via IEEE 1394 to my Denon receiver (I replaced the Kenwood VR-5900 with a Denon 5805 over Christmas to facilitate multi-zone multi-source AV in the house). Sound quality is excellent, and I don't have to futz with the six-channel inputs and changing sources on the receiver between audio and video.

The more I play around with all this stuff, the more I value simplicity of operation. I don't mind spending time to set it up to work easily, but when I want to use it I hate all the switching and setting of sources. I suspect that the next step for me will be some sort of RS-232 and/or TCP-IP control system.

On the subject of the video "analog hole", the Sony guys have it right - very few folks would go to the trouble and expense of gettting a component-based HD VCR and futzing with tapes - I just don't think there would really be much lost here.

Cheers,

Mike

Hi guys, Haven't posted in awhile. I have 2 dv-5900m changers so when one went down I was able to troubleshoot it using parts from the working model. What was happening was the disc was never spinning up. As posted here I first thought power supply but that was not it. I have determined it is the assy holding the laser. Does anyone know a part# for this and where to get it? parts store lists this " LASER PICKUP DV5050M DV5900 DV Replacement for Kenwood Part Number: T25012108 " can someone verify if this is it?. The part I am looking for has the laser assy on black plastic with a circuit board on the other side.

If anyone still has the executable netnamer installer, and a pdf copy of the dv5900m, could you please pm/email me. I would very much like to have a copy.
Thanks
Hans

If anyone has a non-working DV-5900, DV-5050, or a DVF-J6050 they would like to sell for parts, please let me know.

Thanks,
Ted

I am looking to buy a VR 5900. If any of you have plans of selling it let me know. Without Remote is fine with me.

what about a vr5700?

Have a 5900M I'm looking to sell....

I have a problem with my system in that most of the new Buena Vista (and some Disney) DVD's are not recognized by my Kenwood changers (using the Escient DVDM-100 controller). The changer start the process of reading the DVD and it then goes into a locked state ("hanging") where the only way to get it back is to turn off and on the power (reboot). I have the same problem with all three changers, so I am certain it's not due to problem with one of the changers. I have currently 5 Buena Vista titles that my system can not identify due to this problem. When I put them into the "reantal" slot and press "play" without lookup the player can play the disks, but again the lookup process makes the player "hang".

Anyone else experiencing this problem? Any idea how to resolve short of changing the players to Sony??

Thanks, /Lars

some disney titles have the same problem.

try sanding the outer edges of dvd to smooth out any rough edges.

so anyone here pick up the hd toshibas yet?

i'm waiting until new releases begin appearing in the format and then i will probably pick one up and rejoin netflix.

until then, directv and ota programming has enough to keep me happy for now.

so anyone here pick up the hd toshibas yet?

i'm waiting until new releases begin appearing in the format and then i will probably pick one up and rejoin netflix.

until then, directv and ota programming has enough to keep me happy for now.

I picked one up and I love it (displaying via Optama H79 and 120" FireHawk - HD makes a huge difference on a big screen)!!! Now I am looking forward to the first Mega HD-DVD changer with Escient support ;-)

I picked one up and I love it (displaying via Optama H79 and 120" FireHawk - HD makes a huge difference on a big screen)!!! Now I am looking forward to the first Mega HD-DVD changer with Escient support ;-)

Sony and Pioneer are the only stalwarts in DVD changers, now (though, as the title to this thread indicates, there was once a company named Kenwood that dabbled in them).

There won't be any HD-DVD changers coming from either of them. Makes you feel kind of Blu (ray).

Nick :cool:

Lars158,

I've had the same problem with several Disney titles (Narnia, Remember the Titans, bonus discs from several of the animated titles). The way I handle it is to put some other known good disc into the slot, let the Entre look that up, then replace the disc with the offending Disney title and do a manual search for the title. For the bonus discs you can do it even easier by just swapping the main and bonus discs after the inital lookup, then doing a manual lookup on the slot you swapped the main disc into.

Hope this helps,

Mike

Thanks Mike, that's a good workaround!! /LArs

Mike,
Thanks for the tip.... I'm having issues finding the correct Narnia coverart. Any tips?

Todd Wikel
N. Ft. Worth, Tx.

I haven't been able to get that one either - all I can get is the BBC cover. Anyone else have any luck with that one?

Mike

I searched the post and didnt find anything about this. My question is is it possible to run the Escient software on our Entre? Thanks guys

Anyone know where I can get a copy of the Entre computer software that allows remote management of the MP3 Library. I can't remember what it's offical name is. I lost my copy in a computer crash.

Much appreciated
Todd
Aurora, TX

Anyone been able to pull the info for chicken little???

The Escient name was Pipeline, but that version did not work on the Entre. I can't remember the Kenwood name.

Search this thread for pipeline, it may turn up something.

The Escient name was Pipeline, but that version did not work on the Entre. I can't remember the Kenwood name.

Search this thread for pipeline, it may turn up something.

Media Manager?

Nick :cool:

Anyone else realize that this thread is nearly five friggin' years old?

I've still got Kenwood changers and Entres in use.

Nick :cool:

I am more interested in whether the new escient software which allows the fireball to access music on other computers on the network in its program guide can be adapted to the entre...

Nick,

Cheers to the Sovereign system! I watched 2 movies and listened to about a dozen albums on mine last weekend. Still the most cost-effective media manager out there. I'm still watching e-bay for a third changer...

Mike

Yep, Media manager is the name of the software. If anyone have a copy, PLEASE Email me at todd(AT)wikel(DOT)net The sovereign site has vanished and I can't get a hold of Kenwood Tech support.

I'd also like to know if the old fireball software will work on the entre. Anyone care to comment???

I'll post on the tech forum and see what they say.

Todd

Yep, Media manager is the name of the software. If anyone have a copy, PLEASE Email me at todd(AT)wikel(DOT)net The sovereign site has vanished and I can't get a hold of Kenwood Tech support.

I'd also like to know if the old fireball software will work on the entre. Anyone care to comment???

I'll post on the tech forum and see what they say.

Todd

Good luck trying to raise the ghost of Sovereign. This is the only place in the world where you might get a lead on where to find MM.

The Escient software never worked with my Entres. Although the new Escient software works great with Escient units.

Nick :cool:

I'm sure Scott has a copy of it. You might have to email him.

And for the new guy on the forum.....Scott????

His id is ScottF200. Look him up.

http://www.cepro.com/news/editorial/12696.html

Finally. Unfortunately, not for our Entres.

Slocko,
Nice that escient has finally joined the 21st century. But, my $399 xbox360 connects to my computer over the wireless and will play my music and videos. Now with maxtor making a terabyte storage box, I will have no need for an escient and may even be able to dispense with my four 5900m. Don't you just love technology.

Agreed.

I'm looking to finally pick up an xbox360 this week.

does anyone by any chance know if the xbox can connect to a NAS type device without going through a pc?

Zinja,
Where can I find more info on the Xbox mods and capibilities. And is there any advantage to the new 360?

The new xbox360 will connect wirelessly to your internet and share both audio and video files with your computers (video sharing requires your computer to have Microsoft Media Center 2005 installed). The deluxe ($399) comes with an 11 gb harddrive and can store files - obvioulsy not a lot of video. I do not know if it will connect to an NAS type device without going through a pc, tend to doubt it, since it recognized computers, but did not recognize my entre. Go to microsoft.com/xbox360 for more info.

Anyone know where I can get a copy of the Entre computer software that allows remote management of the MP3 Library. I can't remember what it's offical name is. I lost my copy in a computer crash.

Much appreciated
Todd
Aurora, TX


Just Sent Out A Copy To You Twikel, If Anyone Else Needs One, Post E-mail And I Will Foward A Copy Out!!

Danny,
Thanks so much. I'll post it on my FTP because it's a 12.5MB file so anyone can download it. I'll post the link when i get it up.

zinja

Are you sure you need Media Center? Acording to the xbox web site "To access media files, including video, audio, and pictures, from a Windows XP–based PC, you need a simple Ethernet connection from the Ethernet port on the back of your Xbox 360™ console to your PC.

Wayne

I believe to run it on a regular xp pc, you would need to install media extender software on the pc.

slocko

I think I have this file "XboxXPSP2-ENU.exe". But from what i'm reading I think the 360 will not play video files from a non media-center xp based system.

Wayne

I was wondering if anyone has had this problem before. My entre was connecting to the internet just fine but then wouldn't connect saying DNS failure. Now it won't see my usb adapter at all! any help would be great.

This just happened to me as well. I needed to go in and change my IP stuff to DHCP and then back to a static IP, but a different IP address. Then it recognized it again.

This happened to me as well. Still not working.

I was wondering if anyone has had this problem before. My entre was connecting to the internet just fine but then wouldn't connect saying DNS failure. Now it won't see my usb adapter at all! any help would be great.

I think many of us have expereinced this problem at one point in time. I also was originally using an ethernet adapter to connect the Entre to my network. It wasn't until after I purchased an Axcess that I switched to Netgear's PE102 HPNA adapter at the advice of Scott. Using an ethernet adapter with an Axcess unit will not allow the Axcess to utilize Net Radio. That was the main reason for the switch. I can say one thing for sure though, ever since going from ethernet to HPNA I have had absoultley not one problem with the Entre. Not one reboot, not one software glitch, nothing the unit has operated flawlessly. The original version of the Entre's software only supported a very small number of ethernet adapters. I remember looking for a NetMate when I first set the unit up, and was unable to find one. The Netgear cost me about $100 at the time, which I thought was a bit much. If I knew then what I know now I would have paid $200. All of the annoying problems cease to exist and that is worth a small fortune.

I just did a search on Ebay and found something similar. For $30 its definetly worth a try, Trust Me!! Search Auction #9738928324

Thanks, that was the proble now I can connect. Another questions does anyone have an extra cd rom drive? Mine is toast. I have an older cr burner that it sees fine but the aluminum cover peive won't fit it.

Apnar,

I have had the same thing happen about 3 times. Each time I moved the misplaced disc and the unit operates fine afterwards (it has been at least a month between each occurence). I have been afraid that the binding would somehow damage the carousel mechanism but it seems to be okay. I am hoping this is not a design problem and will go away with more use...


Being on page 15 or so of over a hundred pages I doubt anyone will ever see this but yes, I have had the same problem several times. I was given a code (by Kenwood tech. support) to punch into the changer to re-align the carousel. The problem has not re-occurred. BTW, I purchased my Sovereign units less than three years ago and have experienced many of the same problems you guys have been going through. I was unaware of this web site so I had to work through many of these problems on my own with the help of Kenwood's tech support. I have started reading these 100+ pages from page 1. I am sure I will find many of the concerns expressed so far addressed by Kenwood as I read on as several of them have been fixed since I made my purchase. I look forward to reading how you guys feel about the sat. radio being yanked, and still no web or email ability. Hang in there though. Had you not had this opportunity, thanks to David, I feel little or nothing would have been done to fix the issues. I have all the same mixed feelings you guys have. You would have to fight me for my Sovereign system, but I am sad that Kenwood is making a big mistake by not bringing out a kick-butt successor (after fixing all our problems) that could make them big bucks. In my area there is a housing boom and almost all of the new homes have dedicated theaters. Both builders and home buyers should jump to outfit their theaters with equipment of this quality and (what I consider) such a reasonable cost.

James,

If you haven't already found it, you will find the following thread VERY useful...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=311141

Cheers,

Mike

Is it possible to use the VR-5900 as a video/audio matrix switch to do the following:

1) Play via the VR-5900 to a Analog Audio/Composite Video to two or more outputs? This would of course include the use of the Entre Menu's as well to be shown?

Current Setup: I have the Video from the DV5900 showing up on my TV downstairs via the Entre. I assume I can get the audio to the same TV via the analog Monitor Audio Out port on the Entre.

However, if I connect up say the Video1 Audio/Video connections to another TV will it transmit all the video/audio from say the DV5900 to that TV as well if I switch to Video 1 on the VR5900?

If that is yes will it also display the Entre Menu or is that only available on the Monitor out on the Entre?

Obviously I am not very familiar with this Receiver as the manuals are pretty poorly written for anything outside the basic connections.

I am really trying to avoid buying a audio/video matrix switch and leverage the VR5900 to do the switching for me if that is possible.

Thanks in advance,

Troy

Does anyone have a copy of the service manual that they could share? Also, does anyone know a simple way to recalibrate the changer? Mine is now off by about 2 discs.
Thanks
Hans

"What is the function of the "Monitor Out (L/R)" Audio jacks on the back of the Entre? I can't find mention of their utility anywhere in any of the manuals."

I saw this post and have the same question. It appears that it is active only when Analog audio is played via the Entre.(i.e. MP3).

I would like to understand how this jack becomes active and how. I currently have this jack hooked up to the analog audio ports on my TV. I hear sound only come out of this jack when there is somthing analog playing on via the Entre. I would like to know how to configure the Entre to allow me to activate this jack so that I may enable this to play DVD analog sound to my TV instead of always defaulting to Stereo via my Speakers connected to the VR5900.

Obviously the Entre must activate this port based on some configuration option not available in the normal menu for the Entre?

I am still having problems connecting to openglobe. I even tried dialup and I failed at "check login and pasword" with a "status" explanation of "extension pickup detected". I tried connecting directly to incoming service and still recieved the same faults. I think Jon Deutsch mentioned he changed his IP address. If so would this be the last set and what would be the range you could try? I am currently using 192.168.1.210 for IP add. I noticed the DHCP client ID is blank, does anyone know if this needs to be filled in?

I have had this receiver for about three years. In the past three weeks it has developed an intermitant audio problem where the sound basically just cuts out. Picture is fine.

All of my connections are fine. I tried resetting the MP by turning off all power and then depressing the power button while restoring power.

It seems the internal fan is not working. I thought maybe there was a thermostat circuit in the main board that cutoff the amplification when a certain temperature is reached. So I rigged an exteranl fan to cool the whole unit and it runs very cool now. But the audio problems persist. I may a fried the CP when the fan failed and did not realize it.

It seems to me that the unit does not know what input selection it is running. Seems to be inconsistent as it thinks the inputs are analog when they are digital.

Any suggestions? This unit worked great for three years and I was delighted with the sound and capabilities. But having a failure like this is dissapointment.

I must say, I was dissapointed when the Kenwood showed up and had "Made In China" printed on the back panel. The performance was so good I put this aside.

Now I am again down on Chinese electronics and am ready to dump the Kenwood unless somebody can help me.

Chuck,

Are you using optical or coaxial digital connections? I've had several optical cables go bad over the last 8-10 years - the symptom has always been intermittent dropouts. Swapping the cable has always fixed the problem. FWIW, the fan on my VR-5900 almost never came on.

If your receiver is set for Auto surround, the receiver will default to analog if the digital signal is not getting through. I'd recommend swapping optical cables and/or swapping to a digital coax input to see if that resolves the problem.

Hope this helps,

Mike

I have had the Entre and two Changers for a few years now, not too many issues. A couple of months ago, one of the changers' motors went down. I disconnected it, shuffled most of the cds and dvds around, and did a complete lookup. It was totally screwed up. It listed discs in both changers even with just the one hooked up. By the way, it was the master that went down.
Well, shipped off the broken one to get fixed, got it back, loaded all the cd's and dvds back into both changers.
Did another all disc lookup. Several times. It will not get it right. Most of the discs are mislabled.
Should I reformat the Entre? Should I do something else?
Help, the kids want to find their movies again.
Thanks

Oh, if I do want to reformat the Entre, how do I do it?

Thank you so much for resonding to my query. This sounds like exactly my problem except I am not using optical cables.

I think I am using digital co-ax from my DVD direct to the 5700 and then analog from my TIVO to the Kenwood (I am a little behind the times).

But I am going to verify all the cabling tomorrow as this really sound similar to what is happening to me. When I hit Shift Status, I get an analog type input pattern, with Receiver set to auto this may be the problem.

Chuck,

Are you using optical or coaxial digital connections? I've had several optical cables go bad over the last 8-10 years - the symptom has always been intermittent dropouts. Swapping the cable has always fixed the problem. FWIW, the fan on my VR-5900 almost never came on.

If your receiver is set for Auto surround, the receiver will default to analog if the digital signal is not getting through. I'd recommend swapping optical cables and/or swapping to a digital coax input to see if that resolves the problem.

Hope this helps,

Mike

I've owned a DV-5900M for years and decided today to try to hook it up to the PC... and wouldn't you know it? I don't have a copy of NetNamer. I visited the url that the documentation said to visit but apparently the Sovereign registration (and download) sites are now defunct. Can anyone help me?

If anyone has a copy of the PC Link Netnamer software, please PM me.

I'd greatly appreciate it!

Kenwood don't seem to sell this line anymore. Support seems sketchy.

I am trying to figure out which course to follow with the 5700 I have that crapped out.

I've owned a DV-5900M for years and decided today to try to hook it up to the PC... and wouldn't you know it? I don't have a copy of NetNamer. I visited the url that the documentation said to visit but apparently the Sovereign registration (and download) sites are now defunct. Can anyone help me?

If anyone has a copy of the PC Link Netnamer software, please PM me.

I'd greatly appreciate it!

Kenwood don't seem to sell this line anymore. Support seems sketchy.

I am trying to figure out which course to follow with the 5700 I have that crapped out.

Do you have the NetNamer software? I am really desperate for it.

As to the 5700 crapping out. A month ago my 5900 broke after using it with no problems for four years. The carousel would turn and load the selected DVD, but the DVD would never spin. Here in San Diego, there is an authorized Kenwood Service Center (Allen Audio and Video) that I took it to to repair. It cost about $250 parts and labor, but the player appears to work just fine now. It took only 10 days to fix it. Highly recommended--and it was a lot cheaper than to purchase a completely new DVD player.

Do you have the NetNamer software? I am really desperate for it.
Here is a link to download it; the link will only be good for a few days.

http://imnotlikeeverybodyelse.com/netnamerv131.zip

ArkSat,

Search this thread and the Entre Technical thread for "5555" - this is a code you enter via the remote when in the Entre's setup menu that will bring up a maintenance menu. From the maintenance menu you can select an option to rebuild the Entre's media library - this may help sort out your library problems.

Daiichi,

I have a copy of NetNamer v131, but it is 4M and I don't have an e-mail account that will allow me to pass files of that size. PM me if you have an alternate method to transfer the file.

Hope this helps,

Mike

Here is a link to download it; the link will only be good for a few days.



Thank you thank you thank you!

Anytime you're in San Diego, send me an email and I'll take ya out for a beer!

daiichi atsign avsforum me as-a com

Thinking of making the Escient switch for future HD Changer support. Anyone have an idea what an Entre' and DV5900 are worth??? There are none on ebay and this one is in pristine condition. I may keep the DV5900, I'm undecided at the moment.

Thinking of making the Escient switch for future HD Changer support. Anyone have an idea what an Entre' and DV5900 are worth??? There are none on ebay and this one is in pristine condition. I may keep the DV5900, I'm undecided at the moment.

Who said anything about an HD changer? If there was one, there is not an Escient out there now that would support it. No HDMI.

The Entre, as you know, is worthless without a DV-5900. I'm betting that, together, you might get up to $500.

If so, I'd keep them.

But the Escient/Sony combination is better than the Entre/DV-5900 or DV-5050 combination. But the latter aren't bad at all ;)

Nick :cool:

I don't have the Kenwood Carousel. I have the Receiver. I don't have the software either.

But thanks for the reference on the service. I would gladly pay $250 to get it fixed as comparable units are about $900 or more. More up to date but I was happy with my system.

I am going to very meticulously re-connect everything this weekend in case it is a simple short. If that fails, I am going to start calling service centers.

Chuck

Do you have the NetNamer software? I am really desperate for it.

As to the 5700 crapping out. A month ago my 5900 broke after using it with no problems for four years. The carousel would turn and load the selected DVD, but the DVD would never spin. Here in San Diego, there is an authorized Kenwood Service Center (Allen Audio and Video) that I took it to to repair. It cost about $250 parts and labor, but the player appears to work just fine now. It took only 10 days to fix it. Highly recommended--and it was a lot cheaper than to purchase a completely new DVD player.

So after cleaning up all the dog s**t in the yard this morning, I got around to re-connecting all my devices trying to diagnose my sound problem with the Kenwood.

Basically my system is simple. I have only two sources going into the 5700, a Sony 400 disc Carousel and D* Satellite TV with TIVO hooked in series.

My DirectTV Tuner is very old. Probably about six years old. It only has RCA ins and outs plus S-Video. My TIVO is very old too. I bought the Series 1 when they first came out probably about four-five years ago as well. So I have high end RCA and S-video connectors for the D*. Then I have had the Sony Carousel hooked up with digital co-ax.

So I first thoroughly check all my speaker wiring. All Good. I run KEFs and enjoy them for both home theater and music.

Then I switch out the digital co-ax on the Sony for Optical. The sound comes on for the D* but the DVD player is still having problems. Then I switch back to D* and the sound is gone again.

So this tells me there is some problem with the Kenwood getting confused between digital and analog inputs.

So I switch out the digital connection from the DVD to the Kenwood 5700 for analog and VOILA, the sound works for both D* and DVDs/CDs. So I can switch rapidly back and forth between sources and it holds up.

So for some reason. The Kenwood audio is breaking down with source inputs are mixed between analog and digital.

This begs the questions:

Why did my original mixed analog and digital set up work for about three years before developing this issue?

If I upgrade my TIVO and D* to some type of digital compatible equipment, and switch the DVD source back to digital connections, will the audio work?

I think I am going to do some more testing to see if I can get the digital input from the Sony Carousel to work on it's own. Basically disconnect the D* and isolate just the Sony and Kenwood and see if I can get the digital connection to work.

So I am enjoying music now on XM D* with my analog connections. It actually sounds quite good to my ear.

So the pressure is off and I can do upgrades on my terms as opposed to placing some emergency order for a $1,500 Pioneer 84 or some other device.

Obviously, I had gotten complacent in my A/V leaving the D* and TIVO with five year old equipment. But I was happy with the performance and my philosophy has always been that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

But this issue has forced me to re-familiarize myself with my components and has inspired me to take my A/V to the next step. I think the first order of the day is to upgrade my whole D* tuner and TIVO setup. And then go from there.

Thanks for the help,

Chuck

Has anyone encountered audio problems with 5900 receiver? I still have a little more troubleshooting to go, but it appears that all the digital audio inputs have stopped working.

Thanks,
Jason

I know that there have been lot's of problems with Media Manager listed here. I am just trying to use it to move some MP3 files onto the Entre. It actually does work and quite well with the latest version that was released. However, none of them actually play.

I view the directory structure 7.0.6//Media//0m but it seems to be some sort of endless repeating directory structure via FTP? I was wondering if anyone has successfully navigated the MP3 directory structure?

Based on that I cannot check to see whether the transferred MP3 files are 0 bytes or what. Perhaps I am missing something very basic here like the audio only plays on certain outputs or something like that??

Any help would be appreciated.

Also, anyone with a more recent version of DVD Edit 2.2 they could PM me or post that would be great. I can view cover art and information but cannot change it as it crashes with a VB error.

Thanks,

Troy

MP3 Audio only plays from the anolog out

Wayne

The default MP3 files play on my stereo currently. The new ones I added via Media Manager do not play at all. I am assuming that they both play on the same audio out port.

I knew that it was analog play out only, so unless the internal existing ones change to some audio out port that I am not aware of then I must be missing something :) But they just don't play any sound at all.

guys, have you played any dual layer dvd media in the 5900? I have tried lots of different media and have not found a media / burner combition that works. If you guys have a working solution please post the media you are using and the dvd burner brand.

thanks

Hey All, My 5900M Sub 1 unit is giving me the dreaded "Can't Read Disc" error. Although it has happened to me before, it was always covered under Kenwood's warranty. I was wondering if anyone ever actually paid for this particular repair, and how much it cost to be fixed.

I've never had to pay but the service slip usually said 'adjusted laser' or 'cleaned laser' or something to that effect. I've tried using cleaning discs to no avail.Sure wish I could do this clean/adjustment myself. I'm getting fed-up with all the problems and I'm sorry to say I'm contemplating getting the escient 500 series dvdm et al.

Adam, I know what you mean, by the time I drop off the unit to be repaired, they are already calling to say it has been fixed. There has to be a simple solution. There are never any parts replaced. I am not 100% sure but I vaugely recall a service center charging me $85 to repair a refurbed changer that was not under warranty....

Thanks Mike. Just finished reading every page of the 150 page thread. I have glanced at the technical thread but much of it is over my head. I am going to read it though and pull from it what I think will be helpful. I learned a lot in this thread and hope to make some sense out of the technical thread. Thanks again, Jim (James A.) McGahee

I think if you read my last couple of posts I have the exact same problem. The 5700 I have probably has the same CPU as the 5900.

I got mine working by switching over to analog inputs to the receiver. Sometimes the audio will still click off but if I simply turn off the unit, using the remote and going to standby not removing all power, audio comes back and usually stays on for about two hours.

This led me to conclude it is a processor problem and nothing to do with too much heat or something else like that. It actually sounds pretty good but in analog but I don't think I am going to bother getting it fixed.

Most likely I am just going to get the new Pioneer 84 or the new Yamaha when it comes out.

Good luck.

Has anyone encountered audio problems with 5900 receiver? I still have a little more troubleshooting to go, but it appears that all the digital audio inputs have stopped working.

Thanks,
Jason

HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!

My DV5900M is in need of repair AGAIN. I removed it from the rack this evening. What a pain in the ass!! I have all of my equipment racked in a Middle Atlantic 21 space Slim-5, Custom shelves etc.... Well just before removing it Entre started acting up. The guide screen locked up while updating... I tried to force a reboot but all that happened was the cdr drawer opens. I have seen this before, so I went and fetched my "Toolkit" (bootable CDR's) thinking I was going to have to initilize the unit and start over. After about the 3rd reboot, it was back to normal. I hope this is not the begining of a major problem. I have been pretty lucky, except for these damn 5900m changers. There must be a way to use Sony changers. There is reference to them in Entre's file system. (Wishful Thinking)

I think if you read my last couple of posts I have the exact same problem. The 5700 I have probably has the same CPU as the 5900.

I got mine working by switching over to analog inputs to the receiver. Sometimes the audio will still click off but if I simply turn off the unit, using the remote and going to standby not removing all power, audio comes back and usually stays on for about two hours.

This led me to conclude it is a processor problem and nothing to do with too much heat or something else like that. It actually sounds pretty good but in analog but I don't think I am going to bother getting it fixed.

Good luck.

A few questions if anyone can help--

Has anyone confirmed that the audio drops are indeed a CPU problem in the VR-5900 receiver, an over-heating problem, or an optical cable problem?

Has anyone sent their VR-5900 Receiver in for repair for this problem and if so what was the result/did the repair work?

What did the repair receipt state concerning the repair?

I have a JVC HD digital tape recorder connected to the VR-5900. Although I have never had the drop to occur while a DVD is playing I have had it occur when playing a tape, watching DirecTV Sat., or when listening to internet radio through the VR-5900. As reported elsewhere, and above, it comes back on if I switch say from Sat. back to tape or switch to standby then turn the tape or re-tune the internet radio. Thanks, Jim

I think it is the Digital Signal Processor that is part of the CPU. I think somebody sent their 5900 in and that was the diagnosis.

Have not heard on the remedy and cost yet.

I found the problem to be degenerative. First intermittant and now chronic. I can get it going if I finagle with it for half an hour. But then any change sends it silent again: Turning the power off, switching sound modes etc.. What I do now is if I get it working, I just leave it on all the time- like for the weekend when I am watching a lot of shows.

I just turn the volume way down when I am not using it.

Still debating what to do.

A few questions if anyone can help--

Has anyone confirmed that the audio drops are indeed a CPU problem in the VR-5900 receiver, an over-heating problem, or an optical cable problem?

Has anyone sent their VR-5900 Receiver in for repair for this problem and if so what was the result/did the repair work?

What did the repair receipt state concerning the repair?

I have a JVC HD digital tape recorder connected to the VR-5900. Although I have never had the drop to occur while a DVD is playing I have had it occur when playing a tape, watching DirecTV Sat., or when listening to internet radio through the VR-5900. As reported elsewhere, and above, it comes back on if I switch say from Sat. back to tape or switch to standby then turn the tape or re-tune the internet radio. Thanks, Jim

I'm trying to add an SDI output to my 5900. I've previously added the SDI board from digital connection to my Oppo.

Are any of the people who participated in the prior discussion able to guide me to the appropriate test points? Also did you ever find a place to tap into for 5v power?

A pic of the modded board would be great.

Thanks.

Mike,

I took a quick look at the 5900 service manual. It doesn't really show the layout of the cards but I think the de-interlacer might be on the same board as the MPEG decoder as I don't think I see a ribbon cable between the MPEG decoder and the deinterlacer.

You might have to trace a few wires but off the MPEG decoder (MN677521HB) the pins you want should be

148 = VD0
149 = VD1
150 = VD2
151 = VD3
152 = VD4
153 = VD5
154 = VD6
155 = VD7

Clock is on pin 146 from the decoder.
Pin 147 should be a digital ground.

It looks like that chip runs at 3.3v as I don't see 5v any where to it. Pin 142, among many others, has 3.3v. If you have a 5v SDI card you might need to break out a multi-meter to find it in a useful place.

For the video data the board might be marked CP301 and CP300 for the resistors that are off these pins on the MPEG decoder.

To help orient yourself on that chip find the circle on the chip that marks Pin 1. Orient that so pin one is top left when viewing the chip. Go right across the top of the chip... the last pin on the top row all the way to the right is pin 157. On the row of pins going down on the right side the top pin there is 156 and each pin lower is one less. Those are where the video data pins are.

Hope this helps,

Shawn

vhuang,

I never pressed ahead with the mod, so I can't offer you much help. Please post what you find out - I'm still curious about doing this.

Good luck,

Mike

I am aa new member to this forum and this is my first post. I currently own a Kenwood Sovereign DR5900, DV5900 and Entre' systems. It is the DV5900 that I am writing about. Currently I am having a problem with the unit. It will load CDs and DVD but the disk will not spin.

(1) I need to have the unit repaired and I am looking for a good place to take the unit. Does anyone have a recommendation. I live in Maryland and would prefer a place in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

(2) I also am curious if I have the latest firmware in the DV5900 unit. I found a procedure for getting the sequence out, but don't know how to read it. The code that came out is M1-0914-01 S1-0907-01 DA1-0913-01 TI1-0803-17.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Steve

Steve.

Your unit has an early firmware. The upgraded (2002) firmware comes up with M3-xxx S3-xxx.

As far as the repair, have you contacted Kenwood? If they are still supporting the changers at their service centers you can probably have it repaired and get the upgraded firmware at the same time.

I'd recommend calling the Kenwood support number in the manual and checking to see if they'll do the upgrade and what they would charge. If you do, post back and let us know what they say.

Good luck,

Mike

guys, have you played any dual layer dvd media in the 5900? I have tried lots of different media and have not found a media / burner combition that works. If you guys have a working solution please post the media you are using and the dvd burner brand.

I haven't burned an extensive number of DL discs, but I have had good luck using Verbatim DVD+R DL media in my DV-5900M changers.

I originally used Nero for burning the DL media, and found that method unreliable (couldn't get a single disc to read in the DV-5900M changer, but at times it might work in another player). You will have to burn your discs from an ISO image using a utility like ImgBurn, and I've found you need to keep the burn speed at 2.4x or lower. A good forum for discussions on burning DL discs can be found at doom9.net.

Has anyone had their Soverign Amp. audio drop problem fixed? If so, where did you sent it and did they fix it properly w/o doing any other damage? I recently talked to a repairman at a respected Dallas-Fort Worth home theater store and he told me he thought I would probably be wasting my time and money trying to get it fixed as it sounds like a CPU design/hardware problem and most likely can't be fixed. Thanks--

Does anyone have their VR5900 hooked up to an In Focus IN76 projector? Any problems??

Newbie post here. I've tried reading and searching this thread to no avail (this is a monster thread!). There was only one post that mentioned a method to extract the firmware version of a DV-5900. I just had mine returned to me from Kenwood Service Center (for the FOURTH time) and I'm suspicious that they replaced the guts entirely as I have noticed the long layer-switch delay as well as the Library has the Artist and Title tabs greyed out when this unit is the "active" unit.

I have 2 DV-5900s and Entre. The suspect DV-5900 in question I had the firmware upgraded a couple years ago, but with the recent problems and numerous returns to Kenwood, I think they gave up on repair and replaced the internal unit entirely as it came back to me within a week and a half.

TIA!

With the unit turned on and all recognition over, hold down the "Stop" button on the unit while pressing "0" (which is also the "x" button) on the remote.

4 sets of numbers & letters will be shown

A unit with the version 3 upgrade will look like this (the first 2 or 3 characters are all that matter):

M3
S3
DA3
TI3

Anybody know what the going price is for a used and/or new (if anyone has a box hidden away that you forgot about) DV-5900?

Would like it to be fully upgraded, everything working, no external/visual damage/scratches/flaws, all internal and external functions fully operational including indicator lights, connections, moving parts, circuits etc.

If any of you old timers that seldom visit here decide to sale off your double or triple Entre systems attached to 6 or 9 DV-5900s please contact me.
Thanks-

This is a Sovereign newbee request:

I just received a DVF-J 6050 I bought at e-bay (the European version of the 5900 changer) and was told by the help/service desk of Kenwood that the CDDB software formerly provided via download is no longer available.

Can anybody help - where can I get the software - do I have to register some where?!

Many thanks!!!

I just received a DVF-J 6050 I bought at e-bay (the European version of the 5900 changer) and was told by the help/service desk of Kenwood that the CDDB software formerly provided via download is no longer available.

Can anybody help - where can I get the software - do I have to register some where?!

Many thanks!!!

I have a 5900 and two 6050's. I'm certain that you've been misinformed about the DVF-J 6050. It is not a European version of the DV-5900M. It is a European version of the DV-5050M, the non-Faroudja-equipped baby brother to the DV-5900M. Don't know about the software. Sorry.

I have a 5900 and two 6050's. I'm certain that you've been misinformed about the DVF-J 6050. It is not a European version of the DV-5900M. It is a European version of the DV-5050M, the non-Faroudja-equipped baby brother to the DV-5900M. Don't know about the software. Sorry.

I have a copy of the netnamer software from kenwood version 1.31 it is a 4mb file. I have not used this in quite a while and do not know if the access to CDDB is still available due to the purchase of that company by Escient.

You are welcome to try it but need to let me know where to send it.

Most people gave up on this software and use either a Entre or Escient or other software(i.e. CDJ) to catalog their changers.

I have a 5900 and two 6050's. I'm certain that you've been misinformed about the DVF-J 6050. It is not a European version of the DV-5900M. It is a European version of the DV-5050M, the non-Faroudja-equipped baby brother to the DV-5900M. Don't know about the software. Sorry.

On the German Kenwood page I find an old pdf where it says that the 6050 can be hooked up to the PC which then can be linked via internet to the open globe CDDB: This is the software I search :-)

I have a copy of the netnamer software from kenwood version 1.31 it is a 4mb file. I have not used this in quite a while and do not know if the access to CDDB is still available due to the purchase of that company by Escient.

You are welcome to try it but need to let me know where to send it.

Most people gave up on this software and use either a Entre or Escient or other software(i.e. CDJ) to catalog their changers.

If you could send the software to volker.mayer@allianz.de I would be happy.

How can I find out with which software my chnager works?! ... I never thought that the changer would "communicate" with any other software than the Kenwood original provided one.
Even more interesting the question which software gives the possibility to derive CD information from the internet (I do not want to manually catalog about 300CDs)

I do know that the 6050 is functionally identical to the 5050. There is no difference in firmware or software required. My 6050's work seamlessly with my Entre and my 5900, properly accessing the Open Globe database and retrieving cover art, etc.

for clarification to the original poster, Entre is a another piece of hardware, not software. Netnamer is your only choice if you don't have an Entre.

If you could send the software to volker.mayer@allianz.de I would be happy.

How can I find out with which software my chnager works?! ... I never thought that the changer would "communicate" with any other software than the Kenwood original provided one.
Even more interesting the question which software gives the possibility to derive CD information from the internet (I do not want to manually catalog about 300CDs)

Sent

Sent

Thanx!!!

;)

I have been experiencing the audio dropout problem on my VR-5700 almost since I bought it a few years ago. I have always been able to get the sound back on by cycling through the listen modes a few times. It almost always drops the audio when switching from an analog source to a digital source, but it will also occasionally just randomly drop the audio while watching tv with analog input. I am using digital-coax connections for all the digital inputs, so I don't think it's a cabling problem. I am really interested if anyone has figured out what the problem is, and if it is worth it to fix. I am willing to pay a few hundred dollars to get it fixed, if it will be permanent, but if it is a design flaw with the processor, it doesn't seem like it is worth it. Anybody out there know anything? I bought the service manual for the VR-5700 to try to diagnose the problem myself, but it doesn't make much sense to me (I'm not an electrical engineer.) Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
-Steve

Slocko,
You appear to be one of the few remaining faithfull on the forum from the previous years...;-)

I am having some internet connectivity problems. I have been using my Entre for the last few years as DVD and to some degree MP3 usage. I have not been using the Open Globe lookup or internet capability for quite some time. I change ISP a few months ago and was going to "re-organize" my DVDs - take them all out and put only the ones I want back in. That's when I realized I had blown my IP setttings.

Long story short, I did Static TCP/IP, 64000, 5555, all with the new ISP settings. I can ping the Entre, but it will not go through the Default Gateway portion of the Test Connection. Any ideas what I am doing wrong?

If you guys don't have any luck here check out the Yahoo "ipaqmusiccenter " (yahoogroups) Entre group board. There is a guy who is with Kenwood and worked with the Sovereign models for several years. He can probably help you. Good luck.

sorry JT but I stopped using the Entre over a year ago and I don't remember much.

did you change your router? maybe it's blocking certain ports by default?

if all you want to do is re-organize the dvds, all you have to do is do a lookup all. the entre from what i remember will first look at the hard drive for cached dvd information. so as long as you don't add any new discs, it will not try to connect to the internet for the lookups.

JT,

I lost my internet connectivity about 6 months ago but was able to reconnect (without changing any settings) by unplugging the Entre for a few minutes.

Something Disney is putting on their DVDs is really dorking up the Entre and the changers - the last 10 or so Disney DVDs have completely locked up the changer when the Entre tries to read them. Entre waits about 7-8 minutes, then gives an unreadable disc error. I have to power off the changers to even be able to open the changer door. The good news is that the procedure I've posted before (put in a known good disc, let the Entre look it up, then swap in the Disney disc and manually search for the title) still works. This used to only happen with the Disney bonus discs but now it seems to happen on any recently released Disney DVDs (Little Mermaid, Remember the Titans, etc).

Cheers,

Mike

Hello everyone,
I have a Kenwood Sovereign VR-5700 receiver. I would like to know if I purchased a Harmony 880 remote (purely IR) if it will work with this receiver. I think the VR-5700 uses RF, but I know that it accepts some forms of IR, because it receives commands (at least I see its 'reception' light turn on) when I use any of my other IR remotes (such as the DVD remote).

Would I be able to fully replace that big silver remote that came with the receiver with the Logitech Harmony 880 or must I have something that handles F?

You can ditch the big silver remote, but you have to hook up an IR reciever. I think there is actually a port for it on the back. The IR that the big silver remote uses is almost primarily for feedback to the remote from the receiver. You can fully control the receiver from the harmony, but you will get no information from the receiver (ie, speaker settings, etc.)
i do not think there is a replacement for the RF that the Kenwood uses.

you don't need to hook up an IR receiver. i use a plain old radio shack IR remote for my 5700. if you want to teach your remote commands from the kenwood remote, it's kind of tricky with the key presses, but it can be done.

i wouldn't be surprised if the kenwood receiver is already in the harmony database.

strevo,

For your audio dropout try and turn THX "OFF".. This was an old fix for it, it happens to my "VR5900". It's easy to turn off using the orginal VR5700 remote...

be sure to turn off the RF on the receiver as well.

yes, having thx causes audio drop outs and also causes fluttering of your right or left tweeter, don't remember which. it's easy to turn off right from the receiver. i believe there is a button for it right on the receiver.

For your audio dropout try and turn THX "OFF".. This was an old fix for it, it happens to my "VR5900". It's easy to turn off using the orginal VR5700 remote...
Thanks sbonaparte, I will give that a try to see how it works!

For your audio dropout try and turn THX "OFF".. This was an old fix for it, it happens to my "VR5900". It's easy to turn off using the orginal VR5700 remote...
Well, I tried it, and it didn't work. Actually, it seemed to make the problem worse. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to live with it until I can afford to upgrade again. :(

did you try different cables? i remember having to upgrade my cables to better quality ones also.

Is there much of a market for used Sovereign changers? I've just decided to sell my 5900M don't really know how much interest there is in them considering the new upscaling and HD players.

did you try different cables? i remember having to upgrade my cables to better quality ones also.
I've tried both coax and optical cables of good quality and niether seems to make a difference. I think that my sources(DVD player and DVR for TV) might be briefly droping the signal that tells the receiver the source is digital. Maybe I just need to get better sources.
-strevo

At this point I would love to find someone to buy my entre...been sitting doing nothing because I originally got it for music. Then they up and changed the software, and BAM....no more changer compatibility!

As far as sources go, do you have it hooked up through the Entre? Try connecting directly to the receiver...IF you still have problems, then you need better sources or a reset of the receiver. If your problem goes away, reconnect and reset the Entre. If it still exists, you have a problem with the Entre.

5900s are still going for about $400-$500 on ebay. I'd been watching for a while and bought one a month ago since the two I had were full.

AVITWeb,

No more changer compatibility? What changers were you using? I have 3 DV-5900Ms working just fine with my Entre...

Mike

5900s are still going for about $400-$500 on ebay. I'd been watching for a while and bought one a month ago since the two I had were full.
Sounds good.....guess I'll list mine there.

Actually when I got it I was using it for music...The CD-425M....THe control codes are all backwards now and things are just choppy.. I contacted Escient and they told me that the 425M was removed from the compatibility list. So now my entre sits....and sits....and sits....its a shame!

I want to replace my Kenwood Sovereign large screen square p-touch remote control with the hand held Logitec Harmony remote with RF/IR controls.

If you have done this what are the practical as well as technical problems, operational positives and negatives, etc.? Does it work better? Do you like it better? Would appreciate lots of details. Are there other hand held remotes that are even better than the Logetic Harmony line? How and why are they better?
Thanks--

i think you can go to the harmony website and test drive the software. that way you can see if the kenwood remote is in the database already.

i've only heard good things about the harmony remotes.

i guess it's all about how much you want to spend on a remote. you can buy a cheap 20 dollar remote from radioshack and make it do pretty much anything by hacking it using the jp1 software that is free on the internet. search for jp1 forum on google and you will find the main forum with all kinds of information.

you can spend a lot of money on the Pronto line, and of course there is always the dedicated controllers like Crestron and such.

in the end, you want something that you can program with a computer and that has hard buttons for the common things like power, volume, channel up/down.

[QUOTE=slocko]i think you can go to the harmony website and test drive the software. that way you can see if the kenwood remote is in the database already.
I downloaded their remote software but am unable to test drive the software w/o registering an actual remote. If anyone has figured out how to do this before purchasing a remote, I would appreciate your help. I couldn't find it on their web site. It may be I just didn't know where to look.

you can buy a cheap 20 dollar remote from radioshack and make it do pretty much anything by hacking it using the jp1 software that is free on the internet. search for jp1 forum on google and you will find the main forum with all kinds of information.
I went to the jp1 software web site/s but at this point in my learning curve this is over my head and for sure any hacking is over my head!

you can spend a lot of money on the Pronto line, and of course there is always the dedicated controllers like Crestron and such.
Are any of the Pronto/Crestron/etc. hand held units, and are any of them in the same price range as the ir/rf Logitek Harmony?

in the end, you want something that you can program with a computer and that has hard buttons for the common things like power, volume, channel up/down.
I agree. I also like the look and functionally of the color icon touch screens.
Has anyone heard of a remote with a laser that you can point to transparent/opaque/translucent button icons on large screen monitor, TV, or even front projection screen to control various componets? Seems like we should be there by now with the technology. I have seen some educational applications but nothing in home theater usages.

My changer will not read pirates of the caribbean dead mans chest. Message says, Warning The following disc could not be read try cleaning them and rerun quick lookup 1.343, 1.344. I did and still no luck. Anyone have any other ideas. Thanks

i went to harmony website and clicked on test drive.

it let me create a login and setup a remote. the kenwood 5700 and 5900 are in there, as well as the entre. for the entre you have to select, "show me more devices" and then it will be listed under digital servers, something like that.

play with it. you will probably like it.

vaha,

This happens to me on just about every disney or Buena Vista DVD released in the last few years (Cars, Home Improvement season 3, Remember the Titans, Little Mermaid, etc). My workaround is to put some other DVD in the changer noting the slot number, look it up, then eject the disc and immediately replace it with the offending Disney disc. From this point you call up whatever movie you had loaded in the noted slot and manually look up "Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest" (or whatever the Disney flick's name is). The movie will play just fine - this lookup issue seems to only affect the Entre reading the DVD's identifying information.

My suspicion is that Disney/Buena Vista is putting some sort of PC software on their DVDs that interferes with the lookup. This used to only happen with the bonus discs from Disney sets (Tron, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty), but now it seems to happen with all of them.

Hope this helps...

Mike

Thanks Mike for the reply. My Cars disc did the same thing. I thought the disc was bad so I exchanged it for a new disc. I put the new disc back in the changer and it was able to give me the slot number. I then was able to do a manual lookup. Thanks again for the advice. Dave

I've tried both coax and optical cables of good quality and niether seems to make a difference. I think that my sources(DVD player and DVR for TV) might be briefly droping the signal that tells the receiver the source is digital. Maybe I just need to get better sources.
-strevo

I don't think it's the source because I have audio dropouts using coax digital (and not with optical) from my DVD player into the VR5900. I had the problem with a Zenith DVB318 and still have it with a Samsung 960. I'm tempted to change the cable to a better cable and see if that helps, and if not, I'll have to use optical.

I had to take my DV-5900M player to a repair facility in KY. I live in East TN. I have owned this player for years. I started getting a message that the player couldn't play the disc when I know I tried several different discs that it had played before. The unit has never been updated and was one that came out pretty soon after they came on the market. The guy who took down the information at the repair facility didn't give me a lot of confidence when he said "Hey wait that's not a receiver, what is it?" That was my first clue that he had not seen this model before. I sure hope he isn't the repair guy and only the office guy or something.
Has anyone else had this problem? I thought this happened once before but somehow it started working again but my memory is sketchy as it was some time ago. I own several hundred DVD's and I like the idea of keeping them in a player rather than having to store them someplace where tey would take up too much room. I know I will switch to the winner of the Blu-ray and HD-DVD battle one day but at this point I hate to gamble other than perhaps buying a PS3 or XBox 360. I had to pay $25 deposit on the repair but I'm not sure these guys are going to do much more than plug it in, hook it up, see if it works for them and then call tech service. Should I hang on to this unit if it can be repaired?

Does anybody know where I can find a copy of NetNamerDV? I recently migrated my laptop and I lost the original copy.

Thanks.

Does anybody know where I can find a copy of NetNamerDV? I recently migrated my laptop and I lost the original copy.

Thanks.Here is a link to download it; the link will only be good for a few days.

http://s144667610.onlinehome.us/wsb3921856701/forumstuff/netnamerv131.zip

Montagar,

thank you so much. I was beginning to think I would have to catalog all my collection with the wireless keyboard. You're a life saver.

quite a common problem for these players. it's a simple repair because i think it's just one part that needs to get replaced.

I had to take my DV-5900M player to a repair facility in KY. I live in East TN. I have owned this player for years. I started getting a message that the player couldn't play the disc when I know I tried several different discs that it had played before. The unit has never been updated and was one that came out pretty soon after they came on the market. The guy who took down the information at the repair facility didn't give me a lot of confidence when he said "Hey wait that's not a receiver, what is it?" That was my first clue that he had not seen this model before. I sure hope he isn't the repair guy and only the office guy or something.
Has anyone else had this problem? I thought this happened once before but somehow it started working again but my memory is sketchy as it was some time ago. I own several hundred DVD's and I like the idea of keeping them in a player rather than having to store them someplace where tey would take up too much room. I know I will switch to the winner of the Blu-ray and HD-DVD battle one day but at this point I hate to gamble other than perhaps buying a PS3 or XBox 360. I had to pay $25 deposit on the repair but I'm not sure these guys are going to do much more than plug it in, hook it up, see if it works for them and then call tech service. Should I hang on to this unit if it can be repaired?

Montagar,

thank you so much. I was beginning to think I would have to catalog all my collection with the wireless keyboard. You're a life saver.Glad to help. :)

NetNamerDV? I just gave my old Kenwood DV-5050M to my sister over the weekend. She's got 150+ DVDs. You think typing on a keyboard is bad, try using a remote and a TV screen. Yikes.

I'm pretty sure NetNamerDV wasn't around when I was using the changer. Does it DL the names of the DVD's for you? I did a google search and mainly ran into dead links including the link a couple of posts back. Is this program still available?

THanks,
John

NetNamerDV? I just gave my old Kenwood DV-5050M to my sister over the weekend. She's got 150+ DVDs. You think typing on a keyboard is bad, try using a remote and a TV screen. Yikes.

I'm pretty sure NetNamerDV wasn't around when I was using the changer. Does it DL the names of the DVD's for you? I did a google search and mainly ran into dead links including the link a couple of posts back. Is this program still available?

THanks,
JohnTry the link again:

http://s144667610.onlinehome.us/wsb3921856701/forumstuff/Netnamerv131.zip

Thank You! :)

I do remember this program, it's all coming back to me......

I am putting together an AV system with second hand equipment and I could use some assistance.

I have Kenwood Sovereign VR-5080 Reciever, DV-5080 Player, Samsung HL-S4266W DLP TV, and a Pronto TSU2000.

I am looking for:
- the latest version of NetNamerDV software
- ccf files for ALL the above devices
- any thing else that would be handy

Pretty demanding I know, frustrated because nothing seems to work just right.

Thanks in Advance !!

Here is a link to NetNamerDV v1.31

http://s144667610.onlinehome.us/wsb3921856701/forumstuff/Netnamerv131.zip

Have any of you guys tried the new OPPO Digital OPDV971HD upconverting DVD player? Do your standard DVDs look any better played on the OPPO 971 than on your Sovereign Faroudja DV-5900M changer??

Have any of you guys tried the new OPPO Digital OPDV971HD upconverting DVD player? Do your standard DVDs look any better played on the OPPO 971 than on your Sovereign Faroudja DV-5900M changer??
I just got the 970 because I have a Panny plasma and took the recommendation of going "Faroudja-less".....never occurred to me that I could have hooked up my 5900M to see what kind of effect it had on the panel re: macroblocking. If it wasn't to bad, I mighta grabbed the 971 (or the new 981). Dang!

Wasn't cheap but it seems to be working great so far (hope this post doesn't jinx it). I am pretty confident though. While it was gone I had a comparable class Denon and I all I can say is I am real happy to have the Kenwood back. It's dated but the muscial quality is excellent.

Anyone with Kenwood problems should give Tom at Soundcraft TAC Electronics in Syosset NY 516 921-2020 a call.

Thanks to CaptnRusso for steering me to these guys. Hats off Capn!

Have any of you guys tried the new OPPO Digital OPDV971HD upconverting DVD player? Do your standard DVDs look any better played on the OPPO 971 than on your Sovereign Faroudja DV-5900M changer??
I'm looking for an upconverting DVD player that produces a better picture and sound than my Kenwood DV-5900M (7.1 sound + Faroudja processing). I will be using an InFocus 76 projector (PixelWorks processing) with the DVD player. Would prefer HDMI 3.1. I'm hoping one of the OPPOs or similarly priced DVD players are out there somewhere. I recently returned an HD Toshiba A2
after buying the HD DVD of King Kong to try out the Toshiba. It produced a very good image but I compared it to Gladiator and Stargate standard DVDs on the DV-5900M and there just wasn't that much difference. They were much closer than I expected. For $500 I need a bigger difference in picture quality. Anybody have any ideas?
Thanks-

Hello Everyone, Although it has been far too long from my last post, I still look to this thread for help when a new problem arises. In June I sent one of my 5900M's out for the "Can't Read Disc" errors. Evidently parts were on backorder and not until this week was the service completed. The player seems to work even better than it originally did when I purchased it, read times seem much faster than before. However I am not able to play my DVD+R's any more. The unit hangs on ACCESS every time I try to play a recordable DVD. Even DVD+R's that played flawlessly before the unit went in for repair. Anyone have any ideas....

Hello Everyone, Although it has been far too long from my last post, I still look to this thread for help when a new problem arises. In June I sent one of my 5900M's out for the "Can't Read Disc" errors. Evidently parts were on backorder and not until this week was the service completed. The player seems to work even better than it originally did when I purchased it, read times seem much faster than before. However I am not able to play my DVD+R's any more. The unit hangs on ACCESS every time I try to play a recordable DVD. Even DVD+R's that played flawlessly before the unit went in for repair. Anyone have any ideas....

Hi guys,

Havent been here in awhile nice to see some of you are still here. Here is my dilemma. It seems I am always getting one of my dv-5900 changers fixed. It is a huge hassle to disconnect it, remove it from the rack and remove all discs. I am thinking of chucking the whole thing in favor of copying all dvds to my new HP media center pc and using it as a movie server. My questions are:

1 What is the best way to stream the video throughout the house?

2 Is there any software comparable to the Entre that will gather info and artwork and present me with a gui from which to pick a movie?

3 I would like it to be HD.

If streaming is not a good option I can connect the pc directly to my 5900 reciever.

Thanks