Kenwood Sovereign System (Changer, Entre, and Receiver) Issues and Answers [Text View] - Page 7

Nick Satullo

11-23-02, 05:58 PM

Originally posted by JustMike
Do you have an Ethernet adapter plugged in? If so, and if it's not the ONE that Kenwood originally supported, try unplugging it and then re-boot the Entre.

That's the symptom I saw with the D-Link adapter plugged in before I had gotten the software update that supported it.

I was a very early adopter, and had the CATC Netmate for my first Entre. When Bob mentioned that this was one of the few that would work with one out of the box, I swapped out the new ethernet converter I'd purchased (actually, since I originally posted, I went out and purchased the one that Kenwood said would work from D-Link).

I put the D-Link in the chain of Entre 1. It worked. In the meantime, the CATC Netmate got Entre 2 working, so I just kept the swap. I've now upgraded the software in the new unit, and it's looking up its repertoire of 128 discs.

By the way, I have heard that Kenwood will in fact provide the upgrade for multichanger support, and I've heard that somewhat recently from someone who claims that they have knowledge. If so, I'll just sell the second unit if and when it happens. In the interim, I'll just enjoy the fact that I've got the multichanger support until then.

One of the best things I've ever done was hang on to an Inline component video switcher, as I now have separate outputs to feed my single video processor. But that works as well.

And, with my Marantz RC9200 remote, I have programmed one Entre and one Changer to RF, while the other set is programmed to IR. That eliminates the remote control confusion I'd been fearing.

Nick :cool:

JustMike

11-23-02, 06:09 PM

Well, if Kenwood also fixed all the database problems (which I notice that Jeff *never* comments on when I ask), I might actually consider buying back the Entre that I returned. But, since they won't even comment on the problem...

Meanwhile, last night I had a fun experience. I pressed "Open/Close" to remove a disc. When it opened, I turned the knob to spin the carousel to the disc. It didn't turn. I powered off the changer (from the front) and then turned it on again. The door closed and the tray spun as it did its identification thing. I opened the door again and now it spins.

So, I dialed around to where I thought the disc was, and pressed Eject. The disc lifted out, but I quickly realized that it wasn't the one. So, I spun the knob a couple of spaces. Again, the carousel didn't turn. I powered it off again and was eventually able to get my disc out.

Sigh.

zinja

11-23-02, 08:03 PM

Geez Nick if they do get the multi-changer support up and running, I might even go out and buy a third 5900m, afterall you can't have too many tempermental DVD players. Also, you might want to hold onto your second entre. If your anything like me, you'll fill three changers in a heart beat. :) So whats the time frame now on multi-changer support, should I hold my breath?

Mkellyvich

11-23-02, 09:32 PM

Hello all! Been lurking for several months now, finally registered.

Has anyone had success upgrading the hard drive in the Entre? I've made an attempt, but was not successful. Here is what I did:

Pulled the hard drive out of the Entre. It is a typical Seagate IDE drive, configured as Master, with the CDRW on the same IDE channel as the slave. Put the Entre drive into a PC along with the target drive (120GB 5400 RPM), configured both for Cable Select. Entre drive was drive 0, target drive was drive 1.

Attempted to use VCom's Copy Commander to copy the Entre data to the target drive. Entre shows as 3 unformatted FAT partitions, each ~ 100MB, an 18GB free area, and a ~20MB "Damaged" area. Copy Commander copied the three FAT partitions but would not copy the "Damaged" partition.

Put the target drive into the Entre (configured as Master) and powered it up. Standby light blinks, drive spins up, seeks once, then the CD tray opens. My guess is that the Entre doesn't like the data on the drive and wants a CD-ROM to reload the operating system. BTW, the Entre was completely disconnected except for power during this boot attempt. Put the original Entre drive back in, everything works normally.

Any suggestions for a program that might be able to image the Entre drive, or a source for a CD-ROM that could be used to initialize a new drive in the Entre? All feedback would be appreciated...

Mike

P8nter

11-23-02, 10:05 PM

Wow, I just bought a 5700, This is the most amazing picture Ive ever seen on my Sharp 9000. Even better than some HIDEF stuff on HBO. Does the 5700 have as many problems as the 5900 , I was going to buy a Pioneer 47a but the guy talked me into trying the Kenwood and said I could return it if I didn't like it. I never really liked Kenwood stuff but after comparing it to my HTPC there's no contest. I have only skimmed this thread but have not seen any comments on the 5700, my only gripes so far are the remote suks and the player was setup to look its worst from the factory, I almost
boxed it right back up, but after I tweaked it a little (Why would they have it switched to interlaced from the factory) the picture came to life. Most of the problems Ive seen here seem to be with cataloging and communication rather than hardware reliability. Does anyone have any experience with the 5700 good or bad.

Thanks

rbienstock

11-24-02, 01:15 AM

I just got a used Entre (thanks Larry) but I have yet to be able to get it to access the internet. I'm using an approved Belkin USB to ethernet adapter, I've given it a valid static address, the light on the adapter is on and the router shows a connection, and I can ping the Entre's IP address. It says that it is getting DNS errors. I've entered a proper DNS server in the configuration, so I guess that this error is a generic error code for internet access problems. Is there some trick that I don't know about to make the Entre connect?

Robert

rbienstock

11-24-02, 01:20 AM

One thing that I've observed is that you can't listen to MP3s on the Entre unless you use the analog outputs. I have a really nice surround processor (Lexicon MC-12) that is the heart of my A/V system, and it does all its processing digitally. Thus, using digital input is preferred whenever possible. I've hooked up an analog connection, so it isn't a problem, just sub-optimal. Is there any way to get this to work?

kelliot

11-24-02, 01:38 AM

Originally posted by BJBBJB
Has anyone tried a DVD-R or DVD+R disc in the DV-5900M?

I am considering a DVD burner and was curious what the compatibility of the unit was with these formats.

Thanks,
BJBBJB

I have gotten DVD+RW disks to play on my 5050M from my Phillips 985 but it is clearly touchier than other players. By touchy, I mean that the higher chapters sometimes have a tougher time syncing up.

I've defintely had problems with higher chapters on DVD-R copies, this seems to somehow be related back to the original recording, i.e. a copy works or it doesn't.

I copy from a Showstopper HS2000 to the Phillips 985 and have used a PC to make a cheapy DVD-R on a few occasions. Now, I just use inexpensive DVD-RWs and DVD+Rs.

I have yet to try a DVD+R on the 5050 however.

I just bought a
CD Carousel for about $100 (http://www.cyberguys.com/cgi-bin/sgdynamo.exe?HTNAME=inserts/T3949.htm)

I'm thinking of just using an HTPC and this and to stop screwing around with a dedicated changer.

JustMike

11-24-02, 02:44 AM

rbienstock, when you say you've entered the "proper" DNS addresses, which ones did you enter? Kenwood gave me different addresses over the phone than what was in any other documentation that I've seen. Sadly, since I returned the Entre, I deleted that info. However, I'm sure somebody here could supply that information.

Nick Satullo

11-24-02, 07:43 AM

Originally posted by P8nter
. Most of the problems Ive seen here seem to be with cataloging and communication rather than hardware reliability. Does anyone have any experience with the 5700 good or bad.

Thanks

Hi P8nter:

Do a search in this forum for 5700, as there were several threads on it, but a while ago. The 5700, while sharing many of the characteristics of the 5900, is not a companion for the Entre, and isn't part of the Sovereign System as this thread was captioned. For that matter, while the Sovereign receiver is a part of that system, this thread has been dedicated almost exclusively to the changers and the Entre.

I frankly never read anything bad about the 5700, except for ergonomic issues (slow changing speed . . .very much like its cousins the DV-5900 and the DV-5050M). I believe the 5700 also has DVD-A capability, which is a huge plus for me. The comments, as I recall them, were all generally very positive. Some people care deeply about the "chroma bug," and I believe all of the Sovereign players are bug-free in this respect.

Good luck with your player.

Nick :cool:

rbienstock

11-24-02, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by JustMike
rbienstock, when you say you've entered the "proper" DNS addresses, which ones did you enter? Kenwood gave me different addresses over the phone than what was in any other documentation that I've seen. Sadly, since I returned the Entre, I deleted that info. However, I'm sure somebody here could supply that information.

When I say that I've entered the proper DNS address, I mean that I entered in the DNS address of my ISP's somain name server. Does the Entre require a special server?

Also, I've heard references here to rebooting the Entre. Is there any other way of doing this besides pulling the plug?

Nick Satullo

11-24-02, 09:37 AM

Originally posted by rbienstock
Also, I've heard references here to rebooting the Entre. Is there any other way of doing this besides pulling the plug?

Hold down the power button on the front panel until you hear a whirring sound. Let loose, then the standby light will begin to blink. Then wait until the lights remains stable.

Sometimes, the Entre will freeze, and the only way out of it is to reboot.

Nick :cool:

P8nter

11-24-02, 09:47 AM

Thanks Nicholas

Nick Satullo

11-24-02, 10:05 AM

Originally posted by zinja
Geez Nick if they do get the multi-changer support up and running, I might even go out and buy a third 5900m, afterall you can't have too many tempermental DVD players. Also, you might want to hold onto your second entre. If your anything like me, you'll fill three changers in a heart beat. :) So whats the time frame now on multi-changer support, should I hold my breath?

For those who have more than one changer filled, you may find, as I did, that you're better off with no Entre than one Entre. The next step above that was two Entres. Thank goodness for a dealer who wanted to rid itself of its stock.

As for multichanger support, I only hear rumors. I don't put much stock in them, because, after all, the best source on the subject would be Kenwood itself. If Kenwood's the one doing the talking, then there's probably a fifty/fifty chance it will happen. If it does, great, I'll sell off an Entre. Until then, I'll have Entre usage for all my discs, at least until I get to Changer Number 3 (which I already have).

Of course, Kenwood pops in here from time to time, perhaps they'll talk now.

One DV-5900 is enough for me, as the only thing distinguishing it from the DV-5050--for me--is the DVD-Audio capability, and, even if I filled it with DVD-A discs, I'd need another input on my A/V Processor. I don't use the progressive scan feature, as I feed the interlaced signal from both players to a Faroudja NRS Scaler.

Nick :cool:

JonDeutsch

11-24-02, 11:16 AM

Nick & Friends,

I'm now seriously contemplating buying an Entre because I can get it for a very good price (though, open box buy/factory refurb).

Can you compare the Entre's navigation/search functionality to the 5900M's internal navigatoin/sorting/searching functionality? For instance, are there more advanced search features? Categorization features? Can you search while the unit is playing a disc?

Any info greatly appreciated!

rbienstock

11-24-02, 12:04 PM

Originally posted by Nicholas
Hold down the power button on the front panel until you hear a whirring sound. Let loose, then the standby light will begin to blink. Then wait until the lights remains stable. Sometimes, the Entre will freeze, and the only way out of it is to reboot.

Thank Nick. BTW, there is some implications in a document from Kenwood that firewalls can be a problem with the Entre. I am not using a firewall, but I am using a router and am using NAT and have given all my network devices non-public addresses. Just in case that that is a problem, I have also added the Entre's address to the DMZ on my router. This made no difference. Also, as an additional check, I tried the Media Manager, which also couldn't see the Entre, although, as I mentioned in a previous message, I can ping it.

ScottF200

11-24-02, 12:42 PM

Originally posted by rbienstock
...but I am using a router and am using NAT and have given all my network devices non-public addresses. Just in case that that is a problem, I have also added the Entre's address to the DMZ on my router. This made no difference ...

Various others are successfully using NAT and local ips (192.169.x.x). The Entre started acting differently (regarding internet access) after people upgraded to the .10 release. You may want to use the forum search button for 'dns' in the 'DVD Hardware' area. Not a lot of hits beside this thread. I got some ideas from Bob_ and threw in a few myself. Most were good about stating what ended up working for them eventually.

Hope that helps some. -- Scott Fauque

P.S. Glad others are joining in...the 'waters' a bit cold when you first get in then rain storms come every once in a while (new releases) and you have to adjust to the temp. Sometimes the hotel manager (KW/OG) even adjust the therm up a notch to make the water a bit warmer. Someday we may get a jacuzzi (multi-changer support) but I hope it's not scolding hot.

JonDeutsch

11-24-02, 01:50 PM

Does anyone have the Entre working through a broadband router/firewall/hub unit like a DLink or Linksys? I have concerns when I hear that the Entre may not work with Firewalls... all of the broadband routers out there have built-in firewalls...

Any info?

Nick Satullo

11-24-02, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
Does anyone have the Entre working through a broadband router/firewall/hub unit like a DLink or Linksys? I have concerns when I hear that the Entre may not work with Firewalls... all of the broadband routers out there have built-in firewalls...

Any info?

Mine is plugged into a D-link broadband router. It works fine.

The comparison between the GUI of the Entre and the Changer without the Entre is like the difference between Black & White vs. Color Television.

First, it is much more facile. The menu screen snaps instantly to the screen. That's different with the GUI of the changer, where you have to navigate through the Library, then to the files, and finally to the list.

Second, you have a a lot of different categories to choose from, should you wish to categorize your discs. These are denominated by tabs at the top. You simply shift over the tab you like--say, DVD-Audio--then click down, and you have your list of selections from that tab. Scroll up to a different tab, or back to the "all" list.

You cannot, however, access the menu while the disc is still playing. DVD-A discs continue briefly while I access the menu, but they stop.

Editing or adding is much easier,and, of course, more advanced. Usually, the disc is identified from the Openglobe library, and all the relevant information, including cover, gets added by the Entre. When you want to edit, you can do so either by way of your remote or (as I do) from a compatible keyboard. Importantly, all of this can be done on screen, so you don't have to get up-close to see the LED display.

The audio features are also pretty cool. While I don't listen to Internet radio much, I like the ability to record CDs, and you can add hundreds of hours of cd playback to the hard drive, in a very simple step.

What I find very nice is the internet connection to OpenGlobe. If I've just listened to a piece of music that I enjoy, I can search for information via OpenGlobe on that group. The library of information is pretty deep, and usually very informative. If you like the music enough, you can shop right from your screen via OpenGlobe.

All of this is in addition to the unrivaled graphics of the Entre GUI. I had a ProntoPro programmed with DVD cover art, so that I could press a copy of the cover art to summon the disc. It did not compare to what Entre offers.

Make no mistake, I hold Kenwood in great contempt for its lack of sincerity on the whole Entre/multichanger issue. Despite that, I have always maintained that nothing is in Sovereign's league, particularly because of the Entre. It is a versatile, forward-looking piece of equipment, and if there was competition to purchase it from, I would. But Kenwood is all alone, and that's largely because of Entre.

So, there's the answer to this question, and your earlier question, at least from my perspective.

Nick :cool:

JustMike

11-24-02, 02:45 PM

rbienstock, yes, there's a special DNS server. Two of them, actually. I was told that I *had* to use these servers, and they worked just fine.

Could somebody please post the DNS server addresses you're using? I could restore the old file from tape, but my damned VXA tape drive blew up. Again. No replacement yet.

By the way, I was using the Entre through a Linksys router, and we didn't have to open any ports or anything for it to work just fine -- well, as well as it ever worked, anyway...

JonDeutsch

11-24-02, 03:38 PM

Thanks Nick...

I guess if there was an Entre FAQ I wouldn't have to keep asking all of these questions (I just read the manual, however)... but a few more, if you would indulge me here...

My 5900M lets me setup 8 custom "user files" from which to sort my discs, and 20-some-odd (unmodifyable) genres. By reading the Entre manual, it looks as though it has the same genres, but it call them groups. Also, it seems as though you create custom groups as well. But it doesn't say how many custom groups you can create? Do you update the 5900's library automatically when you update the Entre's? I assume not.

Also, I assume the playlist feature can sequence playback of like-style/categorized CDs... or is it just tracks within CDs (& MP3s)? The 5900m defaults to sequential, which can be very difficult if you happened to put the Mozart next to the Nirvana when you initially entered all of your CDs in to the slots.

As you can see, I'm very intrested in the categorization and ease-of-selection of discs in my library.

Another question... how do I get my MP3 files from my PC to the Entre? I read that the Entre won't import MP3 files... true?

I'm very close to pulling the trigger on the Entre, so any visibility here would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance and any info greatly appreciated.

ScottF200

11-24-02, 04:21 PM

Re: DNS

Doing the quick search I mentioned above gets you to several post (give a person a fish feed him for a day, teach...). This one and a few just following it discusses DSN ip numbers. Ethernet was mentioned by Robert which is a different setup than dialup. Again this is explained here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1366677&highlight=dns#post1366677 (09-19-02 02:55 PM entry)

Re: Entre FAQ

There is a start of an FAQ for the Entre off of this page. Check out the FAQ link/text in the upper right as well as the tip and installation info. At the bottom of the FAQ it points to the Media Manager FAQ which works reasonably well for creating playlist and such.

http://www.kenwoodusa.com/product/product.jsp?productId=2357&productLineId=2

Hope with the monitoring of this site and with other feedback they are updating the FAQ. It did not always exist...nor did the downloadable manuals exist for quite a while.

[edit 3:33p] I never upload MP3s from my PC but as memory serves me others do and is one way that Jeff (KW) manages his. I just rip from the Entre. If I recall correctly you can't download from the Entre per some legal issues. As for playlist from the CD via the player most people don't have the patients (sp?). Many like to just play the MP3s from the Entre and using a playlist works great like this. Use these playlist from the Axcess regularly to play a genre or just favorites. (actually some of these issues are discussed on the Media Manager FAQ).

Hope that helps,

rbienstock

11-24-02, 04:51 PM

Originally posted by ScottF200
Re: DNSDoing the quick search I mentioned above gets you to several post (give a person a fish feed him for a day, teach...). This one and a few just following it discusses DSN ip numbers. Ethernet was mentioned by Robert which is a different setup than dialup. Again this is explained here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1366677&highlight=dns#post1366677 (09-19-02 02:55 PM entry)

Scott,

I'd actaully done that search before posting. The DNS addresses posted there belong to UUNET and are among the fastest and most robust on the net. I had been using 198.6.1.1 as my second DNS address. There is, of course, also the message from Bob_422 here http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1437479&highlight=dns#post1437479 stating that the DNS server is not critical. There is also this one http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1369032&highlight=dns#post1369032 that suggests that one use 207.250.129.8 which is a slow DNS, that I tried and it didn't help. I also found this thread http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1371465&highlight=dns#post1371465 where you suggest employing the LAN version of ExtraDNS (a program that I already have) to see what is going on. I'm going to contact ExtraTools to get teh multiuser version of that. But let's consider what this is all about: all a DNS server does is translate a named address into an IP address. Changes made in one DNS server are supposed to eventually propogate to all DNS servers on the Internet, so unless OpenGlobe is deliberately using some secret internet names and a non-public domain name server, and further assuming that Open Globe hasn't changed its IP address in teh last few weeks, any DNS that isn't overloaded should be able to serve up the proper IP addresses. Therefore, I suspect that something else may be going on here. I've seen repeated mentions about having the proper software version. My unit has version 1.1.0.7. Is this a version that can work with my Belkin F5D5050 USB/Ethernet adapter? I think that something else must be wrong, because the Media Manager soesn't see the unit either, and DNS isn't implicated there. Yet the Entre clearly makes itself known to the networt as it is pingable. I may have to break out some hacking tools and see if it has any ports open.

Robert

DerekFSU

11-24-02, 05:48 PM

Jon,

I have my Entre hardwired into a Linksys wireless router and it worked fine (until the entre stopped working with my Belkin 5050 adapter and Kenwood has only seen this 3 or 4 times.) It REFUSED to work with my Siemens Speedstream wireless router so I bought the Linksys.

ScottF200

11-24-02, 06:04 PM

Originally posted by rbienstock
I'd actaully done that search before posting. ... I think that something else must be wrong, because the Media Manager soesn't see the unit either, and DNS isn't implicated there. Yet the Entre clearly makes itself known to the networt as it is pingable. I may have to break out some hacking tools and see if it has any ports open.

Robert,

No offense intended. Sounds like you've played these IP/DNS types of games before.

In an earlier post I thought Larry indicate he had the latest software on it (which is 1.1.0.10 or perhaps .11) but you have .7. I honestly don't know if that adapter works with .7 (wouldn't it be nice if KW would put that next to the adapter on their tips/info page? On their FAQ they do point out that at the warehouse the update the Entre's so they don't get factory defaults...therefore it would seem possible to get a disk with the current version).

In any event, I don't believe it is a DNS issue either. These issues make me twitch because back on http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1262916&highlight=dns#post1262916 I had to waste hours dealing with this. Prior to .10 I just used DHCP but after I had to use static. In both cases my DNS server as far as the Entre was concerned was my Nexland Hub which in turn used my ISPs.

In regard to the basics (can't hurt to ask).
- Did you try patching the Entre straight thru to your cable modem/dsl link instead of going thru the hub (perhaps your ISP expects a certain MAC, tho)?
- Are your Setup|Network_Connections set to Pri-Ethernet and Sec-None?
- I see from an earlier post your are using Static? Are all your settings like what Bob_ suggested here on the 3rd entry: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=95150&perpage=30&highlight=dns&pagenumber=28 ?
- For your PCs do they point to your hub as your DSN server or do they all just point to your ISPs.

I understand your frustration. Perhaps you could get the .10 release via dialup? When I first got my Entre I did this because my cable access was down. I think I used the Earthlink account KW/Entre offer but only kept it for less than 30 days (ie. free).

JonDeutsch

11-24-02, 06:10 PM

Another question...

You recall my little convo previously with JustMike about Xantech IR repeating...

Well... if I get the Entre and hook up the 1/8" jack between the Entre and my 5900M, does the Entre become the primary entry for all IR signals to the 5900M? This is not clear in the instruction manuals/setup manuals online.

If the Entre passes IR to the 5900M, I will not need the Xantech solution.

Thanks...

JustMike

11-24-02, 06:34 PM

rbienstock, I think you need .10 for some of the adapters.

Nick Satullo

11-24-02, 08:01 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
Another question...

You recall my little convo previously with JustMike about Xantech IR repeating...

Well... if I get the Entre and hook up the 1/8" jack between the Entre and my 5900M, does the Entre become the primary entry for all IR signals to the 5900M? This is not clear in the instruction manuals/setup manuals online.

If the Entre passes IR to the 5900M, I will not need the Xantech solution.

Thanks...

No. You need need separate transmissions. That actually relates to one of the flaws in the Entre/Changer scheme, i.e., the need for two remotes (or, as most of us do, use of a Pronto or another universal controller).

There is no link between the IR reception of either. However, you have the same IR input on the rear of the changer that you do on the rear of the Entre. I've used the X-10 powermid blocks to go into those inputs. If you can go into one, you only need another cable to go into the other (on the DVD changer, it's "DVD control" input on the rear of the unit).

Nick :cool:

rbienstock

11-25-02, 12:03 AM

OK, now here's the really weird part: about an hour ago, it just started working. I don't know why, nothing changed, but I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth. It is scanning my changer as I type. I'll report back on the results.

Robert

Nick Satullo

11-26-02, 01:17 PM

I'd never heard of these firewall issues until recently. My First Entre has been plugged into a broadband router, and has never had a problem. Yesterday, the Second Entre lost internet connectivity, and, after a while, so did the first. Kenwood said it was the firewall.

I conferred with David Bott who got me on the right track. Both Entres needed to be rebooted, although I thought I'd tried that. In any case, both up and running now.

By the way, for the people new to Entre, try the Logitech Wireless Keyboard. Works great, and, if you're adding DVD-A discs to your DV-5900, you'll be frequently entering titles. The keyboard is a great help.

Nick :cool:

JonDeutsch

11-26-02, 02:25 PM

Nick has kicked off a nice idea... listing out the components for the Entre that are proven to work and cost-effective.

The Logitech Wireless Keyboard is good... how about the USB-> Ethernet adapter? What's the best solution for the price?
Any other peripherals needed to make this thing hum?

I'm getting my Entre this week!

Nick Satullo

11-26-02, 06:58 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
Nick has kicked off a nice idea... listing out the components for the Entre that are proven to work and cost-effective.

The Logitech Wireless Keyboard is good... how about the USB-> Ethernet adapter? What's the best solution for the price?
Any other peripherals needed to make this thing hum?

I'm getting my Entre this week!

Just remember what I had to relearn this past weekend. That is, despite the list of "compatible" USB/Ethernet converters, the only one that will work out of the box with the Entre is the CATC Netmate, and the Belkin . . . check earlier posts for that one's model number.

After, however, you've upgraded the software from Openglobe, then the other ones will work. Lucky for me, I had a CATC Netmate from last year, and that is what my Entre 1 was using. I swapped it out, and it worked like a charm.

If you've been living peacefully with the DV-5900, then all I can say is you'll be very pleased at what the Entre adds to the system. Trust me on this one, once you've had the Entre, you won't want anything less. It really has the look and feel of a high end piece, and for anyone that has a halfway decent system, they'll be grateful for the addition. It belongs. Rbienstock made the point on another forum that he thought one of the marketing mistakes of Kenwood was pricing it too low, because many in The High End remain unconvinced. Unfortunately, there's probably truth to that idea.

This is a product that will be slow to catch on, but, get it in enough people's systems and it will. It's a shame that Kenwood has been too slow to commit the resources to it that would have brought it to that point sooner.

Nick :cool:

ScottF200

11-26-02, 06:59 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
The Logitech Wireless Keyboard is good... how about the USB-> Ethernet adapter?

I'm not sure why the KW Info and Tips page (http://www.kenwoodusa.com/group_info.jsp?categoryTypeId=130&productId=2357&productTypeId=147) does not list HPNA to Ethernet bridges but we know that the Netgear PE102 works and is HPNA 2.0 (10 Mbps). I believe both David B and Jeff mentioned before that this could just be used instead of the USB-> Ethernet adapter. It appears to be more expensive than USB->Ethernet adapters but if you ever possibly want to get an Axcess you need the HPNA network.
Entre hook up example PDF (http://upload.kenwoodusa.com/pub/tech_articles/EntreNetworkHPNA.pdf) and Axcess hook up example PDF (http://upload.kenwoodusa.com/pub/tech_articles/EntreNetworkAxcess.pdf) (note: that the Axcess example still shows USB->Ethernet in it but I believe you can just hook the Entre to the phone line as well per 'Entre hook up example'.)

JonDeutsch

11-26-02, 07:38 PM

Nick & Scott,

Thanks a bunch. Nick, thanks for your interesting perspective on the Entre. I'm really looking forward to it now.. flaws and all.

JonDeutsch

11-26-02, 08:25 PM

Umm... I'm trying to find an inexpensive solution to get my Entre on-line. Seems as though any CATC USB adapters are out of the question.. .can't find a single one anywhere. Bizarre.

Is it possible for me to dl the latest Entre OS via the phone line, and then go get one of the adapters the newest OS supports?

I'd like spend under $50 if possible on this adapter... the HPNA bridges are over $100.

Thanks!

ScottF200

11-26-02, 10:10 PM

Originally posted by ScottF200 11-24-02 05:04 PM
... On their FAQ they do point out that at the warehouse the update the Entre's so they don't get factory defaults...therefore it would seem possible to get a disk with the current version).
... Perhaps you could get the .10 release via dialup? When I first got my Entre I did this because my cable access was down. I think I used the Earthlink account KW/Entre offer but only kept it for less than 30 days (ie. free).

Perhaps you will get a 'current' release. See above.

JustMike

11-26-02, 10:29 PM

Nick, I think it's a little bit of a stretch to say that the Entre is under-priced with as many bugs as it still has. Unless selling it to the high-end set would have given them enough cash to pay some poor programmer to make the disc lookup work reliably. ;)

JonDeutsch

11-26-02, 11:00 PM

Did the Entre ever get free Sirius radio?

http://www.openglobe.net/pressnews/news_jan0802_3.htm

Nick Satullo

11-26-02, 11:35 PM

Originally posted by JustMike
Nick, I think it's a little bit of a stretch to say that the Entre is under-priced with as many bugs as it still has. Unless selling it to the high-end set would have given them enough cash to pay some poor programmer to make the disc lookup work reliably. ;)

And if you only knew what I just paid for a new Entre, you might get a kick out of any mutterings I might make that Kenwood should get more money
;)

However, Mike, as much as I detest being fair to Kenwood, I will say that your experience with the disc lookup feature of the Entre seems pretty singular. I don't know of any Entre user that has had the problems you had since the Entre first came out. I've got nearly 500 DVDs (the rest are DVD-Audio, which is a different story), and there is only, I think, one that I can't get a lookup for--and it was one of those that used to to be there, and is now gone (it's the DVD Demystified test disc). Sheer numbers suggest that you had a unit or a hookup that was out of the mainstream.

Here's hoping your next experience will work out better. It's not beyond possibility that an Entre will wind up back in your collection.

Nick :cool:

JustMike

11-26-02, 11:45 PM

Not beyond possibility, but somewhere just below "direct meteor strike" unless I see a lot of improvement described here!

Don't get me wrong: I *really* wanted the Entre to work, especially since I found it on sale open box for a nice low price. I was *so* disappointed by how badly it performed, though, especially on discs in multi-disc sets where I couldn't even manually enter the correct title that it just had to go back. <sigh>

Eagerly awaiting DVDLobby Pro 2.0 to control my 5050!

ScottF200

11-27-02, 08:54 AM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
Did the Entre ever get free Sirius radio?

Jon buddy...we realize your like a kid waiting for Christmas morning and are so excited that you can't think straight...but if you use the search button or you show "all" this thread in the printable format then do a browswer page search you would quickly come across the word Sirius.

It sputtered a bit at first but then they made some changes and with .10 they really sped up the i-radio locate. That feature (free sirius) is really an overlooked bonu$ (normally $12.95/mo). The sound is terrific...better than that actually.

Re: DVD titles not found
Mike, did you ever e-mail the address to report unfound DVDs for the one's it missed for you. Here: FAQ page with DVDtitle email and EntreBug email addresses (http://www.kenwoodusa.com/group_info.jsp?categoryTypeId=110&productTypeId=147&productId=2357) This idea is somewhat "like" DVDProfiler that if DVDs can't be found then we (users) can help point this out and they can add/fix it. Like I've said before I point them to my web DVDProfiler page with the DVD in question (then they have details/UPC/etc). Since you didn't keep it you could have helped out your fellow KW "stakeholders".:D

JonDeutsch

11-27-02, 10:55 AM

Scott,

You're close on your analogy, but the real reason I didn't search is because, typically, I'm not used to threads that are almost 80 pages long -- complete with every topic covered. Also, I have been on and following the thread through it's lifespan, and I just didn't recall this ever being mentioned.

So, it DOES have free Sirius... that's a "siriusly" cool feature in my opinion. Now I'm more like the kid waiting for christmas morning!

ScottF200

11-27-02, 12:10 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
...but the real reason I didn't search is because, typically, I'm not used to threads that are almost 80 pages long -- complete with every topic covered.

A) The previous suggestion by others of using the option at the top of "Thread ---> Show Printable Version" and then clicking on the top right "Show all xxxx posts from this thread on one page" seems pretty good. Then use Cntl+F to bring up your IE find dialog box or equiv.

B) Or if you use the Forum Search feature tell it to specifically look in "DVD and Movies --> DVD Hardware". Also click the 'Show results as post' search option.

I realize I'm guilty as well in the past but the said search features are pretty handy. Looking forward to your comments about your Entre.

Gozza

11-28-02, 02:54 AM

Hi,
I have a few newbie-ish questions about the DV-5900 which I hope someone here can help me with. This thread is over a year old, and so I'd be interested to see how many of the early problems with the DV-5900 have been resolved. Plus I have a couple of other questions which may not have been covered...

So here goes:

(1) 3 second layer change - is this still a problem? Has this problem been narrowed down to certain discs, or a certain version of the player? Is it still known to be a problem on the current version?

(2) Auto play on startup - there's got to be a way to disable this, right?

(3) One of the early posts said something about 'garbage' in overscan area when playing on a 4:3 TV with 'anamorphic squeeze' mode. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it an officially 'known' problem, and if so has anything been done about it?

(4) Without an Entre - can someone explain roughly what (i.e. how much time and effort) is involved in switching on the machine and selecting a DVD to play, assuming the discs were added in a completely random order. Let's say the last disc I watched was in slot 1, and the disc I want is in slot 200 - how much button pressing and paging through menus would I have to go through? Does it sort the list alphabetically? I get the impression that this is a really painful process with the Sony changers (5 titles per page and no page up/down... ugh!) - is the Kenwood better?

(5) Is there a simple button press for switching to the disc in the next or previous slot? Or does any change of disc involve excessive faffing about with menus? Specifically, I just wonder how much hassle is involved in watching a movie that spans multiple discs, such as Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition.

(6) Is it easy to switch between 4:3 and 16:9 output, or is the option buried deep into the menus somewhere?

(7) This guy (http://www.epinions.com/content_61249588868) complains that the motor is too loud - any comments?

(8) Has anyone here had any dealings with www.hookedontronics.com ? They are offering the 5900M for $938. Too good to be true? :)

Thanks in advance for any help here :)

Nick Satullo

11-28-02, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by Gozza

(1) 3 second layer change - is this still a problem? Has this problem been narrowed down to certain discs, or a certain version of the player? Is it still known to be a problem on the current version?

No fix has yet been implemented. There are only a few discs in which the change is actually this long, and most people wind up not terribly bothered by this.

(2) Auto play on startup - there's got to be a way to disable this, right?

No.

(3) One of the early posts said something about 'garbage' in overscan area when playing on a 4:3 TV with 'anamorphic squeeze' mode. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it an officially 'known' problem, and if so has anything been done about it?

Yours is the first mention I've read of this. I do not think many can possibly have complained of something like this.

(4) Without an Entre - can someone explain roughly what (i.e. how much time and effort) is involved in switching on the machine and selecting a DVD to play, assuming the discs were added in a completely random order. Let's say the last disc I watched was in slot 1, and the disc I want is in slot 200 - how much button pressing and paging through menus would I have to go through? Does it sort the list alphabetically? I get the impression that this is a really painful process with the Sony changers (5 titles per page and no page up/down... ugh!) - is the Kenwood better?

From furthest point to furthest point, it can take between 30 to 40 seconds to change a disc. It's usually shorter. The list does not sort alphabetically on the DVD changer. It does on the Entre. Although getting into the menu is about 3 steps, you then have a 5 per screen list of titles. It's not better than the Sony, but not much worse. The Entre is a huge difference in this respect.

(5) Is there a simple button press for switching to the disc in the next or previous slot? Or does any change of disc involve excessive faffing about with menus? Specifically, I just wonder how much hassle is involved in watching a movie that spans multiple discs, such as Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition.

"faffing?" . . . . well, you have to faff.

(6) Is it easy to switch between 4:3 and 16:9 output, or is the option buried deep into the menus somewhere?

Press setup, scroll to screen format. Choose 16:9 or 4:3.

(7) This guy (http://www.epinions.com/content_61249588868) complains that the motor is too loud - any comments?

You did not even try to read this thread, did you? Yes, there is a rumbling noise, and this one can be fixed, but you need someone who knows how to open up the player. It has not proved to be a deal-killer for anyone, though.

(8) Has anyone here had any dealings with www.hookedontronics.com ? They are offering the 5900M for $938. Too good to be true? :)

Thanks in advance for any help here :)

I've posted on them, too. I recently bought my third changer from them, and everything went smoothly. I would buy from them again.

Nick :cool:

ScottF200

11-28-02, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by Gozza
(1) 3 second layer change - is this still a problem? Has this problem been narrowed down to certain discs, or a certain version of the player? Is it still known to be a problem on the current version?

(2) Auto play on startup - there's got to be a way to disable this, right?
...
(5) Is there a simple button press for switching to the disc in the next or previous slot?
...
(7) This guy (http://www.epinions.com/content_61249588868) complains that the motor is too loud - any comments?

Re 1: This one is odd because some people seem to truly have a long layer change and others claim it only to be a 1/2 sec and these are comparisons of the same title. No firmware/software have been given for the 5900 that I recall. For my delay can be up to 3 seconds. It doesn't completely bother me but I wish it was shorter.

Re 2: Some leave the player on and others have found a sequence of commands that they have macroized and put into a programmable remote. Discussed in earlier post.

Re 5: Never heard of this need before. Pretty rare I would think for them to architect in.

Re 7: I don't recall it being the motor making noise but some parts rubbing together where they didn't have the clearance right. Known issue and KW will fix. They add a felt pad or something between the parts. Discussed in earlier post.

Nick, I think you and I need to get a life. We read this thread too much and remember most of the issues that have been brought up in the past couple years. Off to work on my HT. Happy Thanksgiving (not the HT I was refering to but that fit as well).:rolleyes:

JonDeutsch

11-29-02, 09:03 AM

Originally posted by Gozza
(2) Auto play on startup - there's got to be a way to disable this, right?

(3) One of the early posts said something about 'garbage' in overscan area when playing on a 4:3 TV with 'anamorphic squeeze' mode. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it an officially 'known' problem, and if so has anything been done about it?

(4) Without an Entre - can someone explain roughly what (i.e. how much time and effort) is involved in switching on the machine and selecting a DVD to play, assuming the discs were added in a completely random order. Let's say the last disc I watched was in slot 1, and the disc I want is in slot 200 - how much button pressing and paging through menus would I have to go through? Does it sort the list alphabetically? I get the impression that this is a really painful process with the Sony changers (5 titles per page and no page up/down... ugh!) - is the Kenwood better?

(5) Is there a simple button press for switching to the disc in the next or previous slot? Or does any change of disc involve excessive faffing about with menus? Specifically, I just wonder how much hassle is involved in watching a movie that spans multiple discs, such as Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition.

(7) This guy (http://www.epinions.com/content_61249588868) complains that the motor is too loud - any comments?

Thanks in advance for any help here :) [/B]

2 - POWER ON, then, within 5 seconds, hit STOP, then STOP again (maybe a few more times for good measure). Get the timing down, then record it in a macro on your remote control.

3 - Yes, that was me (Nick, he *was* reading at least some of this thread). I have a Philips 60PP9601 HD-ready set, and it displays the macrovision codes above the 16:9 area on my TV when my TV is in 16:9 mode. I have to go through a DVDO iScan Pro to get rid of these lines. So, for me, no Faroudja. :( This does not occur with the Sony 4:3 set that I tested it with. So, blame, I guess, goes to Philips on this one.

4 (and all matters related to selecting discs) - you're really best off doing a good job with categorizing discs and finding them through the menu system. And, unless you have a memory of steel, there is simply no reason why you should know or have to know what slot any CD is in. Remember, you can hook up the changer to CDDB/GraceNote via your PC and download all the CD and track data for most CDs in your library. Then, you want to use the PC application (NetNamerDV) to categorize your newly labeled discs. You really do want to invest an entire 1/2 day to this process. I even recommend you map out your collection ahead of time and create 8 large groups (you can set 8 custom user groups) in which to categorize your library... making sure that these 8 custom groups are not genres, because you have like 26 of them built-in to the system already.

5 - Just about: To go up one slot: disc+, set. Two buttons. To do down one slot: disc-, set. Two buttons. Since you do not get visibility to a list of media while a disc is playing, these navigational approach is less than ideal unless, again, you have a memory of steel.

7 - Mine's 14 feet away. I don't hear it once it starts playing. It's a loud swapper, though.

An alternate way of navigating the 5900M if you have a Pronto is to use "Super-Nudelist" and navigate your entire library via the remote control. It's arguably superior to the changer's GUI.

If you want DVD-Audio and Faroudja, pick up the 5900M. If you don't, save some money and get the 5050 (I think it's in the $600 range at that on-line store-- amazing price for a 400 disc changer!!)

All that said, I've recently picked up a used Entre to see if it improves the experience dramatically. Stay tuned for my comments and impressions.

Nick Satullo

11-29-02, 09:45 AM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
2 - POWER ON, then, within 5 seconds, hit STOP, then STOP again (maybe a few more times for good measure). Get the timing down, then record it in a macro on your remote control.

Hmmm . . . not exactly "disabling" it, but a workaround nonetheless. I'm going to put this on my macros.

4 (and all matters related to selecting discs) - you're really best off doing a good job with categorizing discs and finding them through the menu system. And, unless you have a memory of steel, there is simply no reason why you should know or have to know what slot any CD is in. Remember, you can hook up the changer to CDDB/GraceNote via your PC and download all the CD and track data for most CDs in your library. Then, you want to use the PC application (NetNamerDV) to categorize your newly labeled discs. You really do want to invest an entire 1/2 day to this process. I even recommend you map out your collection ahead of time and create 8 large groups (you can set 8 custom user groups) in which to categorize your library... making sure that these 8 custom groups are not genres, because you have like 26 of them built-in to the system already.

A useful backup is DVD Profiler. As I add discs, they also get added to DVD Profiler. The number assigned to DVD Profiler corresponds to the slot the disc occupies in the changer.

If you want DVD-Audio and Faroudja, pick up the 5900M. If you don't, save some money and get the 5050 (I think it's in the $600 range at that on-line store-- amazing price for a 400 disc changer!!)

All that said, I've recently picked up a used Entre to see if it improves the experience dramatically. Stay tuned for my comments and impressions.

Exactly. There are some rudimentary audio options that apply to Dolby Digital playback that are included with the 5900 that don't come with the 5050, but, otherwise, the latter is just as good. However, even though I don't use the progressive scan feature in either the 5900 or the 5050, I'm glad I have at least one 5900, purely for the DVD-Audio.

Perhaps, out of the ashes, this product line can pick itself up. It's going to take a lot of patience from Kenwood, and it's going to take a lot more commitment (read: Money $$$) than they've previously shown. Nonetheless, when you add the Entre to your system, you enter the space age of Home Theater, and there is no system like it.

Nick :cool:

JonDeutsch

11-29-02, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by Nicholas

A useful backup is DVD Profiler. As I add discs, they also get added to DVD Profiler. The number assigned to DVD Profiler corresponds to the slot the disc occupies in the changer.
[/B]

Nick... I assume that DVD Profiler does not work for CDs? Also, to the forum... am I in the minority that the bulk of my discs in my changer are CDs, followed by DVD-Vs, followed closely by DVD-As? I listen to CDs much more frequently than watch DVDs using my HT and Sovereign system.

Exactly. There are some rudimentary audio options that apply to Dolby Digital playback that are included with the 5900 that don't come with the 5050, but, otherwise, the latter is just as good. However, even though I don't use the progressive scan feature in either the 5900 or the 5050, I'm glad I have at least one 5900, purely for the DVD-Audio.
[/B]

And speaking of DVD-Audio, a few items:

- There is some life being breathed into this format recently. Notably, Sam Goody has over 30 titles, Best Buy has over 30 titles, and now Circuit City has titles...most priced at $14.99! And... when the kid at Circuit City checked out my DVD-Audio purchase (at $14.99, cheaper than many of their CDs), he looked at each side of the box several times... and finally remarked, "cool." Folks, I believe this kind of reaction means DVD-Audio has a real future. Music on a DVD? Cool.

- The 5900M is reviewed to be a superior musical performer (CDs, DVD-Audios, and the soundtracks for DVD-Videos). That combined with its still fairly exclusive implementation of DVD-Audio bass management makes this a fairly capabable librarian with quite a remarkable voice.

Nick Satullo

11-29-02, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
Nick... I assume that DVD Profiler does not work for CDs? Also, to the forum... am I in the minority that the bulk of my discs in my changer are CDs, followed by DVD-Vs, followed closely by DVD-As? I listen to CDs much more frequently than watch DVDs using my HT and Sovereign system.

Jon, I think you're in the distinct minority. I have Sony ES CD changers for CD playback, although, with two Entres, perhaps I might make a switch there--even if, er,when multichanger support arrives . . . in fact, now that I think of it, I will do that. Until that time, I have to believe that most people use it for DVD playback.

And speaking of DVD-Audio, a few items:

- There is some life being breathed into this format recently. Notably, Sam Goody has over 30 titles, Best Buy has over 30 titles, and now Circuit City has titles...most priced at $14.99! And... when the kid at Circuit City checked out my DVD-Audio purchase (at $14.99, cheaper than many of their CDs), he looked at each side of the box several times... and finally remarked, "cool." Folks, I believe this kind of reaction means DVD-Audio has a real future. Music on a DVD? Cool.

I'm a diehard fan of both multichannel high resolution formats. DVD-A is in a downright state of proliferation. Its better examples show just how superior a musical format it is to anything else (except Multichannel SACD, which, in my opinion, is often just as good). If you want to see just how many titles are available, go to http://www.dvdpricesearch.com/ and enter DVD-Audio as the "title." Those in doubt might be surprised.

The 5900M is reviewed to be a superior musical performer (CDs, DVD-Audios, and the soundtracks for DVD-Videos). That combined with its still fairly exclusive implementation of DVD-Audio bass management makes this a fairly capabable librarian with quite a remarkable voice.

It is a very good performer. When you see how the tandem of Entre/DV-5900 works out, you will find it very difficult to return to simpler times.

Nick :cool:

Nick Satullo

11-29-02, 04:08 PM

. . . then you're obviously enlightened. Nevertheless, Kenwood hasn't a clue regarding which keys correlate to the buttons on the remote. Obviously, the numbers and letters are easy enough, but here's some from trial and error:

ENTRE Keyboard Entries

F1 Pass Through
F2 Options
F3 OpenGlobe
F4 Volume
F5 Volume
F6 Volume Mute
F7 Channel Down
F8 Channel Up
F11 Clear All Text in Edit Box

There's really no key on the Entre remote that performs the F11 function, but it's handy for editing discs. On the other hand, certain buttons like volume or mute don't work on the Entre remote, but at least show a readout on the screen from the keyboard. They do not, however, actually work. Even when I'm playing music from the Entre, and the screen says "mute" because I've pressed the F6 key, it doesn't affect it.

Nonetheless, the F1, F2, and F11 keys are very handy when it comes to navigation, particularly editing. If you buy the changer, it sort of presupposes that you plan on managing a lot of discs, and, no matter how lavish the Entre's virtues are from a changer management standpoint, you will be doing some amount of disc editing, particularly if you are adding DVD-Audio discs, which unfortunately are not looked up (now, anyway) from OpenGlobe.

The keyboard remains a very desirable addition. Editing with the remote is nowhere.

Nick :cool:

AJF

11-30-02, 09:06 AM

Perhaps, out of the ashes, this product line can pick itself up. It's going to take a lot of patience from Kenwood, and it's going to take a lot more commitment (read: Money $$$) than they've previously shown. Nonetheless, when you add the Entre to your system, you enter the space age of Home Theater, and there is no system like it.

Nick :cool: [/B]

Is there ever ANY indication from Kenwood that they intend to do so?

I bought the VR 5900 receiver over a year ago with the intent of getting the Entre' and 5900M until I found this thread. I am nowhere near as proficient as most of you are in dealing with this systems problems nor is the average consumer. Is Kenwood just going to let this product die a slow death or do they have any plans to fix the bugs on their end?

JustMike

11-30-02, 04:49 PM

We keep hearing that they're working on it, but then specific questions asked go unanswered. It's very frustrating.

aauno

11-30-02, 06:21 PM

I asked my retailer best way to add a 2nd changer. I know the entree won't support it yet, but new dvd's are stacking up unused. No answer from retailer on adding a 2nd changer. I need to make the selection of DVD's very easy. Of course that's why I bought the entree.

Nick Satullo

11-30-02, 06:41 PM

You don't need an Entre to add a second changer. You can daisy chain the two changers together, and instructions are in the manual. Basically, you will do as follows:

1. Make sure that the primary unit (the one connected to the Entre) is switched to "main" on the rear panel.

2. Make sure the second unit is switched to "sub1" on the rear panel.

3. Connect the two changers via a 1/8" pin connector (cable is supplied with the changer) from the "DVD control" output of the sub1 unit to the input of the main unit.

4. Run a digital audio cable out of the sub1 unit to the digital audio input of the main unit.

5. Run a video cable (component video or s-video) from the output of the sub1 unit to the corresponding input of the main unit.

You now have two units daisy chained together. You can control the first one with your Entre, but you will need to bypass it (easiest to just turn it off) when you're adding discs to the second unit, or controlling the second unit. In order to control it, you press "sub1" on the remote, and the commands that would ordinarily control the main unit now control that unit.

Once you do this, and you are compelled to switch back and forth between the GUI of the Entre, and the GUI of the changer, you will see why I decided to quit waiting, and bought a second Entre unit.

Nick :cool:

ScottF200

11-30-02, 07:36 PM

Originally posted by AJF
Is there ever ANY indication from Kenwood that they intend to do so?

I bought the VR 5900 receiver over a year ago with the intent of getting the Entre' and 5900M until I found this thread. I am nowhere near as proficient as most of you are in dealing with this systems problems nor is the average consumer. Is Kenwood just going to let this product die a slow death or do they have any plans to fix the bugs on their end?

AJF, you referred to 'systems problems' and quoted Nick's comments that were general. It was not clear to me what you were referring to? It did not sound like you were referring to multi-changer support from the Entre.

The system as it stand right now with the .10 release is working pretty well. Common DVDs and CDs are looked up and added to the Entre. You can easily select what you want from the menu and watch your DVD or listen to your CD.

What is the show stopper for you? There certainly could be some legitimate ones as each person defines their own 'show stoppers'. Just didn't want you or others reading your post to think the system is not working. Many people are using it successfully and love it. My kids regularly turn the system on and pick DVDs to watch from the menu. Anyway if you have specific questions feel free to ask. No one is short on opinions around here.:)

AJF

12-01-02, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by Gozza
Hi,
I have a few newbie-ish questions about the DV-5900 which I hope someone here can help me with. This thread is over a year old, and so I'd be interested to see how many of the early problems with the DV-5900 have been resolved. Plus I have a couple of other questions which may not have been covered...

So here goes:

(1) 3 second layer change - is this still a problem? Has this problem been narrowed down to certain discs, or a certain version of the player? Is it still known to be a problem on the current version?

(2) Auto play on startup - there's got to be a way to disable this, right?

(3) One of the early posts said something about 'garbage' in overscan area when playing on a 4:3 TV with 'anamorphic squeeze' mode. Has anyone else experienced this? Is it an officially 'known' problem, and if so has anything been done about it?

(4) Without an Entre - can someone explain roughly what (i.e. how much time and effort) is involved in switching on the machine and selecting a DVD to play, assuming the discs were added in a completely random order. Let's say the last disc I watched was in slot 1, and the disc I want is in slot 200 - how much button pressing and paging through menus would I have to go through? Does it sort the list alphabetically? I get the impression that this is a really painful process with the Sony changers (5 titles per page and no page up/down... ugh!) - is the Kenwood better?

(5) Is there a simple button press for switching to the disc in the next or previous slot? Or does any change of disc involve excessive faffing about with menus? Specifically, I just wonder how much hassle is involved in watching a movie that spans multiple discs, such as Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition.

(6) Is it easy to switch between 4:3 and 16:9 output, or is the option buried deep into the menus somewhere?

(7) This guy (http://www.epinions.com/content_61249588868) complains that the motor is too loud - any comments?
Basically Scott to be specific, the above quote and the "fixes" in the posts thereafter.

I don't mean to sound as though I am belittling the great efforts that you and the others have made and continue to make to get this system to work but I don't have the expertise or time to devote to it. You're own quote:
"Nick, I think you and I need to get a life. We read this thread too much and remember most of the issues that have been brought up in the past couple years."

This thread is over a year and 80 pages long and I've been following from page 1! Would you agree that a consumer product should not require the amount of effort that all of you have put and continue to put into this?
I was reluctant to make that first post because I think you guys sometimes take it personally when someone critisizes the product that you've invested so much time and effort in fixing .
I simply wanted to know Kenwood's is position and whether or not there would be a second generation Entre'/ Changer in the works that addresses some of the problems you've had.
Thanks, Tony

Nick Satullo

12-01-02, 11:14 AM

Originally posted by AJF
Basically Scott to be specific, the above quote and the "fixes" in the posts thereafter.

The quote you pulled from my post was not in response to the post you've quoted now, though. I think Scott was just asking what specific problems that you were inquiring about, because my post didn't specifically identify them. The only support issue I've been talking about is multichanger support.

This thread is over a year and 80 pages long and I've been following from page 1! Would you agree that a consumer product should not require the amount of effort that all of you have put and continue to put into this?
I was reluctant to make that first post because I think you guys sometimes take it personally when someone critisizes the product that you've invested so much time and effort in fixing .
I simply wanted to know Kenwood's is position and whether or not there would be a second generation Entre'/ Changer in the works that addresses some of the problems you've had.
Thanks, Tony

Tony, I don't think Scott's post indicated he took anything personally, but you seem to have taken some offense to it. I don't think he was criticizing anything you or anyone else had said.

This is, after all, a Home Theater Forum. People frequent here because they like doing it. It's a mistake to confuse that with "effort" in the sense that you've described it. As for being critical of Kenwood, well, certainly no one can accuse me of refraining from that. I'm reasonably certain Kenwood created a Voodoo Doll of me a long time ago, and continues to stick pins in it. No one has publicly lambasted Kenwood more, but only when I thought it was deserved. Just ask Jeff of Kenwood, who occasionally posts here, if I've been offended by people criticizing Sovereign.

At the same time, I am probably the only one on this board to own three changers, and, if not, I am certainly the only one to own two Entres. I've done that because the system, with all its warts, still remains unrivaled. As for wanting to know Kenwood's position, well, stand in line. That's been the point of many a rant.

Nick :cool:

JonDeutsch

12-01-02, 12:19 PM

Tony,

Those on the bleeding edge are there because they like both the pain and the adrenaline rush associated with being there.

The 5900M and the Entre aspire to do multiple things within single boxes. Any time a product doesn't focus on doing one thing, there is inevitably complexity, and this complexity is probably why the Sovereign line will not succeed in the mass-market, and also why this "support group" exists.

If you look at the history of A/V and entertainment devices, the most successful stories are purpose-built units (DVD, VCR, tape deck) that focus on doing one (and sometimes two) things very well. This is exemplified if you look at the DVD player. Sure, every DVD player will play CDs, but amost everyone I know has a DVD and a CD player... and not because their CD players are super high quality either. People are just more comfortable with purpose-built devices in their entertainment center.

A/V has a history of not being like the computer industry, where teams of support people field calls 24/7 due to the multi-purpose complexity a PC brings to the table. A/V devices are traditionally true "plug-in-play" units.

Systems like the Entre are category busters because they introduce a PC-like device into the A/V rack. It's a PC-like device because it attempts to do many, many things, and as a result has a complex operating system in order to manage all of these tasks effectively.

Similarly, the 5900M is not your typical mega-changer. It plays almost any type of disc you can throw at it (resulting in the "reading disc" delays), outputs in serveral different formats (video and audio), can be a host to slave changers, and needs to be designed to work closely with the Entre and Sovereign receiver. Again, much, much more than a mega-changer. You can bet that if the 5900M was just a CD/DVD mega-changer, there wouldn't be many reported problems/questions around it.

I spoke to a manager of a Tweeter recently and asked him why he thought the Sovereign line failed (Tweeter is not carrying Sovereign anymore). He said:

"Training. The sales guys didn't know what to make of the Entre, were intimidated by it, and thought that the changer relied on it to operate (as well as the receiver), and cast doubt into any potential customer in the process. This stuff is a bit ahead of its time, and Kenwood needed to ramp up the training program upon launch much, much more than it did. It's a shame, because it was really, really nice equipment."

Kenwood... I know you're listening. Don't be afraid to innovate. Learn from this experience, adapt your processes (ie. beef up the training budget), and launch version 2 of the Sovereign vision in 2003.

(oh, and fix all the bugs in the 1.0 releases, too)

ScottF200

12-01-02, 12:32 PM

Originally posted by AJF
Basically Scott to be specific, the above quote and the "fixes" in the posts thereafter.

I don't mean to sound as though I am belittling the great efforts that you and the others have made and continue to make to get this system to work but I don't have the expertise or time to devote to it. You're own quote:
"Nick, I think you and I need to get a life. We read this thread too much and remember most of the issues that have been brought up in the past couple years."

This thread is over a year and 80 pages long and I've been following from page 1! Would you agree that a consumer product should not require the amount of effort that all of you have put and continue to put into this?
I was reluctant to make that first post because I think you guys sometimes take it personally when someone critisizes the product that you've invested so much time and effort in fixing .
I simply wanted to know Kenwood's is position and whether or not there would be a second generation Entre'/ Changer in the works that addresses some of the problems you've had.
Thanks, Tony

Tony,
Thanks for jumping in and posting. I try pretty darn hard to not take remarks personally or offend anyone but I write pretty directly. What I was trying to pull from you was what was "your" show stopper issue to see if it had a "fix" or was based on old post (pre .10 release, etc). I was trying to pull product specifics because you asked for opinions/conjecture of what Kenwood position is but "nobody" knows and all you would get is rehash/restated opinions - like mine <grin>. Jon, liked your post and remarks from Tweeters (posted while I was still writing)

If you've been following from page 1 then you certainly have seen many pains people have gone through and contributions by numerous people. We (KW/OG/us) were on the bleeding edge and I think some pain was/is expected. (Actually I didn't know what I was getting into. :eek: )

Re: Consumer product require effort
I think most getting the the product (entre) now and having the .10 release
would find this product very usable. My wife and kids and easily use it (entre) which had to be a KW/OG goal, right? Ok, so they turn on the system and it plays the last disc. They hit stop or they just pick their next movie from the Entre and watch it. Ok, so a 3 second layer change on my worse case scenario disc. They wait a moment in time and continue watching the movie. Usable? Heck yes. Ideal? No. I'm not offend or taking it personally if serious AV enthusiast deem these things (or others mentioned) as show stoppers and won't buy the product or decide to take it back. I just think most would be happy with this system and pros outweigh the cons.

The best suggestion is probably to buy it from a place with a great return policy and if you don't like it then return it. This is what others now seem to be doing.

If you and other followers that haven't posted have questions then just do a few searches and if you don't find what you are looking for then state what you think you understand from your searches/reading and ask. I'm sorry if my past post have made you reluctant from posting for so long. I do follow this thread closely but don't follow a lot of threads because I'm working on my HT and a few other things.

AJF

12-01-02, 02:11 PM

What I dislike about forums of any kind is that the written word can never really convey your sentiments the way a conversation can by the tone in your voice .
No offence meant or taken in any of these posts.

I guess what gets to me most about the Sovereign and many new cutting edge electronics is that they are starting to act more and more like computers. I hate computers! Nothing irks me more than when I turn on my Mac and it suddenly stops performing some task that it performed perfectly just yesterday. Again, all of you seem very proficient with computers so it's less of a problem if not a challenge to all of you.

I have learned the hard way with cars in particular: Do not buy the first generation of anything! That's why I was wondering if Kenwood is giving any indication of 2nd generation products. It will also indicate whether they will support the Sovereign line in the future.

I do admit that the last few pages of this thread are much more optomistic than the first few. I may still take the plunge because again I admit that there is nothing else like it. I was even holding out in hopes that other manufacturers would come out with a similar line and some healthy competition would drive this category of electronics to a higher ( less computer buggy? ) level.
Anyway, sorry if I've taken this thread in a direction far from intended.
Thanks, Tony

Nick Satullo

12-01-02, 03:36 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
]The 5900M and the Entre aspire to do multiple things within single boxes.

Jon:

Did you get your Entre? If so, did it get hooked up?

Nick :cool:

JonDeutsch

12-01-02, 05:10 PM

Originally posted by Nicholas
Jon:

Did you get your Entre? If so, did it get hooked up?

Nick :cool:

Yup. I got my Entre on Wednesday evening. It's an open-box-buy, and is in OK condition. One large concern that I have with it is that something came loose inside and rattles around. I have 30 days to really put it through the paces to see if whatever is rattling is going to affect functionality. To my surprise, the rattling Entre has worked fine so far (that said, I have not tried using the built-in drive yet).

It's been a very busy weekend, so I haven't had enough time to go through every single feature of the Entre yet. But, I have begun the setup and media management process.

Overall: At first, I was a bit underwhelmed. But, the more I realize the flexibility the Entre affords in group, playlist, and media management, the more "whelmed" I've become with it.

Some key features that I find very powerful/useful:

- Screen saver settings: for a guy with an HD RPTV, this is CRITICAL to avoid burn-in. The 5900M does not have this, and it's painful. As a matter of fact, the Entre is the first unit I own that has a screen saver. THANK YOU KENWOOD.

- Group management: although the manual scared me by saying that you could not modify groups in the CD/Music area, in fact, you can. So, all those misplaced CDs (in the wrong genre, etc.) can be easily moved to the appropriate existing group, or I can create my own group.

- Playlists: Awesome. This was sooo lacking from the 5900M's native interface. This is the killer app of having a mega-changer full of music titles.

- Sirius/Internet radio: Very neat. Great for just putting on some background music of a specific genre you're in the mood for. Good for parties/get-togethers.

- Nice remote control: A shame, because I'm going to have to use my RC5200 as my Entre remove, but I really like the Entre remote.

- Cover art and track names for CDs: Got the track names on the 5900M, but since it refused to display that info on the OSD, it's nice that the Entre does this, and does this very well. Cover art is very cool, and just adds to the overall listening experience. It's nice because all of my "real" covers are in a box in the basement.

- DV5900M management: Nice how it tightly controls the 5900M when going to and from play mode to guide mode.

- Overall powerful and simple interface: Not to be underestimated or underappreciated. OpenGlobe deserves a Nobel UI Prize for this. UI is near and dear to my heart, so kudos all around OpenGlobe/Escient!

- Burning "best of" tracks to a Audio CD or MP3 CD: Haven't done this yet, but a very cool feature.

- Duplicating an audio disc: Very useful feature. Nice that it's such a simple interface to navigate to do this.

Things I'm looking forwarding to figuring out:

- MP3s on the internal hard drive. I currently have a Turtle Beach Audiotron that has been my MP3 device. I believe that I will be selling it now that I have the Entre. This is good, because it reduces the differential cost of my Entre even further.

- The Media Manager PC application. Tried it, wasn't intuitive immediately, and went back to the OSD.

- Figuring out exactly what WebSync is

- Figuring out how to upload my custom cover art for titles the Entre is committed to not finding.

Issues and problems that I hope the wise members of the forum can help out with

(Yes [Scott], I have searched this thread and all of AVSForum and the Web for answers to these already)

- How the hell do you use the Media Manager, generally? Why isn't the cover art in the app? Why is it that when I uploaded MP3 files to the Entre, I can't find them? Why is it only music and not video? I guess I'll have to RTFM on this one.

- Why is it that, with my USB->Ethernet adapter in-place (thanks very much to a very kind member of this forum and thread) and with broadband connection speeds (Cable Modem), I can only get Internet Radio at 34.19kbs speed? I should get all the Sirius stations at 96kbs, and the other Internet stations at 56kbs. This is frustrating, because at 34.19kbs, Internet Radio sounds like crap.

- Why is my internet connection so flaky? I seem to have to reboot/unplug the Entre once in a while to get the Internet connectivity back. I have recently set my d-link router to send the Entre's MAC address 192.168.0.50 every time to try to remedy the situation. Since doing this, I haven't lost the connection, but it hasn't been that long since I've done this.

- Very common DVDs are not being located by OpenGlobe/MovieDB. I am also unable to query MovieDB from the web to find the titles so I can do a good keyword search via the Entre. Things like Shrek Disc 2 aren't coming up, as well as Gladiator Disc 2. Very strange. And, it seems impossible to locate them via the Entre, if indeed OpenGlobe even has these discs in the database.

- DVD-Audios are considered DVDs -- or, more specifically, Movie titles -- by the Entre. DVD-Audios should be accessible via the MUSIC guide, not the MOVIE guide. This is a case where the marketing/nomenclature of the format overtook the function.

- DVD-Audios are all unrecognized. Painful to set each one up. And since they're considered movies, I can't enter track data for my DVD-Audios.

- Ever since introducing the Entre to the system, I am getting more digital static/noise in the beginning of playing a disc than before with the 5900M alone. Don't know why.

- Is there any reason why I need to set my preamp to "stereo direct" (ie., analog inputs only) in order to listen to Internet radio and MP3 files? Won't these come out of the digital outputs as well?

- My wireless Logitech keyboard receiver turns itself off every 10 minutes or so. I have to go up to it, hold the button down, and re-establish a wireless connection about every 10 minutes. Painful. I know I didn't get the exact same model # that Kenwood has on their site, but it's very close, and I don't see why it wouldn't work. Best Buy didn't have the exact model number of the logitech wireless keyboard. My keyboard's model #: 967225-0403.

Overall, the Entre is growing on me quickly. Equally as important, my fiancee really thinks its easy to use, and will most likely feel less intimidated by my home theater, and as a result will listen to more music and watch more movies. This is key. We spent the afternoon together creating some music playlists for ourselves, and we both saw the utility in this feature, and look forward to easily selecting playlists in the future that fit our moods.

The Entre is a compelling, well executed and innovative "lifestyle" A/V product. It's growing more on me every day, but there's still no way I would buy one for $1800, even though it's probably worth every penny of that price from a technology, R&D, and usability standpoint. If I'm going to spend $2000, it's going to be on the new Thiel 1.6 speakers.

IMHO, to make the Entre more mainstream, sweet-spot pricing for this unit new would be $999 list, and sale prices around $799. Or, alternatively, I think Kenwood could have released an "Entre Lite" that acted more as a front-end to the changer, omitting the whole HD/MP3/Axcess/Radio thing, and released it as a value-add upgrade to the 5900M/5050 for $499. As a matter of fact, they could still do that, couldn't they?

Or, as Nick said, jack up the price to over $2k and sell it where it should be sold: at the elite, custom installer end of the spectrum. The Entre is so multi-faced and so refined, that it should/could be sold by much higher-end retailers that custom install the majority of their products. I get the sense that mainstream HT'ers won't have the patience or the ability to adequately configure/setup the Entre. Unfortunately, if they did this, then it would be inaccessible to people like me -- people who are A/V enthusiasts that like to shop in mid-fi stores vs. the elitist and sometimes-difficult high-end stores.

I hope my comments help others who are considering a purchase, and that my questions are all answerable by the Oracles of Entre on this forum.

DerekFSU

12-01-02, 06:05 PM

Once MP3's are sent to the Entre via the Media Manager, is it possible to look up the cover art for all of them at once like the DVD's or only one at a time?

Nick Satullo

12-01-02, 08:02 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
Overall: At first, I was a bit underwhelmed. But, the more I realize the flexibility the Entre affords in group, playlist, and media management, the more "whelmed" I've become with it.

My first reaction as well. The versatility grows on you, and you find yourself liking the idea of the options. Besides, live with it for another week, and then try to resign yourself to living without it.

- Nice remote control: A shame, because I'm going to have to use my RC5200 as my Entre remove, but I really like the Entre remote.

You'll benefit from the RC5200. One of the problems with the Entre/Changer scheme is the need for two remotes, and you can put it all on one. I've got the RC9200, and have a CCF for it on RemoteCentral. If you can live with a bunch of pictures of Marilyn Monroe (which are on every screen of my remote), you can download it if it will be of help.

MP3s on the internal hard drive. I currently have a Turtle Beach Audiotron that has been my MP3 device. I believe that I will be selling it now that I have the Entre. This is good, because it reduces the differential cost of my Entre even further.

Depending on how you feel about the difference between CD playback and MP3 recording on the Entre, you can literally substitute the hard drive for a modest-size CD changer. I believe that you can fit several hundred hours worth of music on the hard drive. I've a/b'd the MP3 with my separate CD changers, and the MP3 sound is often indistinguishable. While I probably won't go this route, the temptation is appealing, particularly from a control standpoint.

Figuring out exactly what WebSync is

- Figuring out how to upload my custom cover art for titles the Entre is committed to not finding.

I'd like to know what WebSync is myself. As for uploading cover art, I'm as interested as you are. Let me know if you find out anything on that, because I have not heard of that as an option, though it certainly wouldn't surprise me.

- Very common DVDs are not being located by OpenGlobe/MovieDB. I am also unable to query MovieDB from the web to find the titles so I can do a good keyword search via the Entre. Things like Shrek Disc 2 aren't coming up, as well as Gladiator Disc 2. Very strange. And, it seems impossible to locate them via the Entre, if indeed OpenGlobe even has these discs in the database.

If the Entre search comes up dry, make sure you try the "search for disc" option. Press Option, Edit disc, (enter title), Search For Disc. A lot of discs that don't appear from the automatic lookup, will appear when you do it this way. I believe it had something to do with those disc names being entered as 4:3 titles, as opposed to widescreen--that's the explanation I recall--which made them unfindable unless you did it this way. That's improved significantly, but there are some titles that just won't be found. There are even some that once could be found, but are now gone.

- DVD-Audios are considered DVDs -- or, more specifically, Movie titles -- by the Entre. DVD-Audios should be accessible via the MUSIC guide, not the MOVIE guide. This is a case where the marketing/nomenclature of the format overtook the function.

This should not be what you're finding. When Entre reads a DVD-Audio disc, it segregates it as DVD-Audio, although it's in the Movie guide. When you look up a DVD-Audio, it should render a finding of "Unknown DVD-Audio." It is then left for you to name it, and assign cover art. Here is a trick I've learned.

For some DVD-Audio discs, there is cover art available from OpenGlobe. It's usually because there's a corresponding DVD of that particular album, but there is at least one that has the DVD-Audio Information (Deep Purple, Machine Head).

Alternatively, there are some discs for which there is no direct corresponding cover art, but what is available does better than the Entre's choices. For example, you'll find cover art from other albums by the same artist (R.E.M.), or some classical discs (but instead of George Szell conducting Beethoven's Fifth, the cover art is Herbert Von Karajan conducting Beethoven's Fifth). And some discs don't require a compromise. I have found, in DVD cover art, the following, which are also DVD-Audios in my changer:

The Band: The Last Waltz
Barenaked Ladies: Maroon
Big Phat Band: Swingin' For The Fences
Deep Purple: Machine Head
Eagles: Hotel California
Fleetwood Mac: Rumours
Foreigner: Foreigner
Fourplay: Fourplay
Hootie & The Blowfish: Cracked Rear View
Joni Mitchell: Both Sides Now
Pat Metheny Group: Imaginary Day
Queensryche: Empire
Steely Dan: Two Against Nature

For many others, I just use something "close."

My wireless Logitech keyboard receiver turns itself off every 10 minutes or so. I have to go up to it, hold the button down, and re-establish a wireless connection about every 10 minutes. Painful. I know I didn't get the exact same model # that Kenwood has on their site, but it's very close, and I don't see why it wouldn't work. Best Buy didn't have the exact model number of the logitech wireless keyboard. My keyboard's model #: 967225-0403.

Too frustrating. Take it back and get the right one. Mine works great, but the model number isn't even close to the one you posted.

I think the pricing will come down, although not for the reasons Kenwood wants. Nonetheless, I know I like the Entre, because, now that I've bitten the bullet and picked up a second unit (and, by the way, I paid in the "sweet spot" you've identified for it), I'm no longer complaining about something that, actually, I have even more reason to complain about now. We'll see if Kenwood makes good on its leaks to the effect that a fix will be implemented, but, obviously, that's an old tune by now.

Still, a super product. That realization continues to grow on me as I use it more, and I've had it for over a year.

Good luck with yours, Jon.

Nick :cool:

slocko

12-01-02, 09:25 PM

Does anyone have a ccf file for either the vr 5700 or vr 5900 that has discretes on/off they can send me or point me to a site that does? i checked remote central a while back and didn't see anything there.

JonDeutsch

12-01-02, 10:12 PM

Originally posted by Nicholas

You'll benefit from the RC5200. One of the problems with the Entre/Changer scheme is the need for two remotes, and you can put it all on one. I've got the RC9200, and have a CCF for it on RemoteCentral. If you can live with a bunch of pictures of Marilyn Monroe (which are on every screen of my remote), you can download it if it will be of help.

Actually, that's the first thing I did. However, the software doesn't seem to want to let me migrate a 9200 CCF to a 5200 CCF. Ah well.

If the Entre search comes up dry, make sure you try the "search for disc" option. Press Option, Edit disc, (enter title), Search For Disc. A lot of discs that don't appear from the automatic lookup, will appear when you do it this way. I believe it had something to do with those disc names being entered as 4:3 titles, as opposed to widescreen--that's the explanation I recall--which made them unfindable unless you did it this way. That's improved significantly, but there are some titles that just won't be found. There are even some that once could be found, but are now gone.

Yeah, I tried this approach, and it didn't bring anything new up. My point earlier was that if I could do some complex queries via a website interface, then I may be able to enter a better matching keyword via the Entre to retreive the info I'm looking for. For instance, do I type in "Gladiator 2" or "Gladiator Bonus" to retreive the right disc info? Neither worked, actually, but I wonder if there is a keyword pair I could type in that would retreive the right disc info?

This should not be what you're finding. When Entre reads a DVD-Audio disc, it segregates it as DVD-Audio, although it's in the Movie guide. When you look up a DVD-Audio, it should render a finding of "Unknown DVD-Audio." It is then left for you to name it, and assign cover art. Here is a trick I've learned.

A misunderstanding... in fact, all my DVD-Audios end up in a DVD-Audio group... but in the MOVIE GUIDE area of the Entre... not the MUSIC GUIDE. As a result, I am not permitted to mix'n'match DVD Audio material with other music material that is on CD or MP3. You see how this doesn't make sense?

I have found, in DVD cover art, the following, which are also DVD-Audios in my changer:

The Band: The Last Waltz
Barenaked Ladies: Maroon
Big Phat Band: Swingin' For The Fences
Deep Purple: Machine Head
Eagles: Hotel California
Fleetwood Mac: Rumours
Foreigner: Foreigner
Fourplay: Fourplay
Hootie & The Blowfish: Cracked Rear View
Joni Mitchell: Both Sides Now
Pat Metheny Group: Imaginary Day
Queensryche: Empire
Steely Dan: Two Against Nature

For many others, I just use something "close."

A neat idea. I think I'll try that. Thus far, I've just chosen the DVD-Audio generic cover art Entre provides (hey, at least they provide that!).

Good luck with yours, Jon.

Thanks Nick. I hope that the rattling inside my unit is nothing serious, and I hope someone on the board can advise what the bandwidth issue is with my internet radio. Nick... is your internet radio bandwidth @ 96kbs?

Turin2006

12-01-02, 10:59 PM

I think Web Sync is the ability of Entre to "sync" all stored music tracks (from all CD's on the changer and MP3's on the hard drive), and playlists stored in your Entre, as well as your user profile, on Open Globe's site. So, if you want to edit or create a playlist on Entre at home while on the road for example, you can do so through Open Globe's web site (https://www.openglobe.net/kenwood/Login.asp?Mode=S) by entering your Login ID and Password (stored under "User Information - Remote Administration" in Entre;'s Setup).

Any info you change remotely is then synced back to your Entre at home, and vice versa the "online" version of your Entre's music and playslist content is updated each time you perform a Web Sync from the Setup screen.

I have tried this feature and it works well, although I don't really need it. If one day I am at work and dream of the perfect playlist though, it's good to know I won't have to wait until I get home to put it together... ;) Some people with extensive music collections might also find it useful to being able to access the content of their changer and Entre hard drive from any internet connection.

--
Umberto

JonDeutsch

12-01-02, 11:14 PM

Umberto,

Wow, that is quite cool. It sounds very similar to the "myreplaytv.com" feature for my ReplayTV PVR. I'm really glad manufacturers are thinking this kind of stuff through. However, you'd think they'd talk about this neat feature a bit more in the manual... wouldn't you?

Turin2006

12-02-02, 12:54 AM

Jon,

They may have implemented that feature after the manuals were printed... I did not find out about it until I "accidentally" noticed the URL at the bottom of the Remote Administration menu...

It would be even cooler if one could upload and download MP3 files to/from Entre's hard drive remotely. Such a feature would add tremendous appeal to the Entre, considering the popularity of this music format.

--
Umberto

ScottF200

12-02-02, 08:49 AM

Re: Websync

FYI, in this post I described a problem I had with doing WebSync'ing. I haven't tried it since as it happened a couple different times. Anyone else have this problem? Since I've installed the PC software Media Manager my wife and I just use that to create playlist and it is working well (much faster than Web Media Manager and Websync'ing).

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1355274&highlight=websync#post1355274

DerekFSU

12-02-02, 03:41 PM

Anyone know of a way to add cover art to MP3's in a mass amount as opposed to individual ones on the Entre?

ScottF200

12-02-02, 09:28 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
<snip>- Is there any reason why I need to set my preamp to "stereo direct" (ie., analog inputs only) in order to listen to Internet radio and MP3 files? Won't these come out of the digital outputs as well?
<snip>

Jon,

I don't know the full answer but certainly there is an answer. A few others have discussed this as well (Dave,Bob_,H,...) Here are a couple things that you may find helpful considering technical skills presented in your previous post.

From Entre User guide
I recorded an MP3 file on Entré™s high-capacity music storage
system and although it shows up on the Guide screen, when I
play it there™s no sound
Check the Audio Input Selection function in the Audio & Video Settings
section of the Setup menu. If the Audio Input Selection screen lists any of
Entré's analog, coaxial digital and optical digital inputs as "Not Used", no
signal will pass through them even if you have connected components to
them.
To activate the inputs, select the type of component that you have connected
to each input, select Save, and exit the Setup menu. (See page 28 of "How to
Connect and Set Up your Entré Entertainment Hub" for more information.)

From a few different post by Heroildo/H/hmatos - I keep these handy because I have the Denon 5800 as well but his comments seem to be in general terms of setting up your system with a non-Kenwood VR-5900 receiver
Posted by hmatos on 12-08-01 09:11 AM

Update:

For all of you having this problem -- the Entre will pass-thu the digital stream to your receiver from the DVD Changer. I have the following connections:

DV5900M RS-232 to Entre
DV5900M Coax Out to Entre
DV5900M Component Video Out to Entre
Entre USB Rear #1 to NetMate Ethernet Adapter
Entre Component Video Out to Mitsubishi TV
Entre Optical Out to Denon 5800 Optical In for DVD Input
Entre Analog L/R to Denon 5800 Analog L/R for DVD Input
Denon 5800 is set on AUTO Input Mode

What works ... CD in Entre sends Digital Audio to Denon via Optical ... MP3 in Entre sends Analog Audio via L/R ... DVD played on DV5900M via the Entre sends AC-3 (Dolby 5.1 & DTS) to Denon.

(a) make sure you're running the latest version of the Entre software 1.0.0.2 +

(b) in the DV-5900M -- make sure that in the "setup/sound" screen you have selected:

PCM Downconversion = ON
Dolby Digital = Bitstream
DTS = Bitstream
MPEG = PCM (I still have to verify this one)

(c) in the Entre "setup/audio/audio input" screen you have selected:

COAX In=Changer

(d) reboot the Entre & the DV5900M

That's it -- it works pretty seamlessly with the Denon -- the only thing that I haven't figured out, is what about the 6 CH Audio -- I don't have any DVD-A yet -- so it really doesn't matter much to me. I assume I'll have to run the DV5900M 6CH to my Denon 6 CH.
-- H

=================================================
Posted by hmatos on 12-20-01 08:51 AM

Entre & DV-5900M Integration

I'm currently working with Kenwood Support on this issue, I was hoping someone here had already found a resolution.

** Problem: While playing an MP3 CD that's loaded into the DV-5900M, via the Entre's interface -- I get no audio unless I use the Denon's EXT IN (6/7 CH IN).

If I create a playlist which contains:

* an MP3 stored on the Entre's hard-drive
* a track from a Audio CD stored on the DV-5900
* a track from an MP3 CD stored on the DV-5900

To hear audio from this playlist, I will need to:

* press EXT IN for the MP3 CD Track playing on the 5900
* press ANALOG for MP3 track on Entre's hard drive
* press ANALOG or DIGITAL (AUTO) for CD track on 5900

Audio Hookups (Entre, DV5900M, Denon AVR-5800)

**DV5900M Coax Out to Entre Coax In
**DV5900M Mix-Out to Entre REC-IN Analog L/R
**DV5900M 6 CH Out to Denon 6/7 CH In

**Entre Optical Out to Denon 5800 Optical In for DVD Input
**Entre Analog L/R to Denon 5800 Analog L/R for DVD Input

Entre - Setup/Audio & Video Settings/Audio Input Selections

** Analog Audio, Rec In = Receiver (I have tried settings this to changer)
** Digital Audio Out, Optical In = not used
** Digital Audio Out, Coaxial In = changer

Any throughts?

Thanks,

Heroildo

===================================================
Posted by hmatos on 12-27-01 02:51 PM:

btw, I'm not sure if anyone was following the issue I was having with the Entre not providing seamless playback of playlists which contained various types of sources (i.e., MP3 on CD in 5900, MP3 on Entre HD, CD Audio, etc).

I did get a response from OpenGlobe and there is a workaround for the issue -- Kenwood pretty much told me that the only way that they knew around this issue was to use a Sovereign Receiver (I don't think so!):

So the issue(s) seems to be that,

(a) the Entre will not pass Analog and SPDIF "concurrently" to the receiver from the connected changer.

(b) the DV-5900M does not pass SPDIF while playing back an MP3 CD

I have re-connected the audio between the Entre, Receiver, and 5900 as follows:

(a) connect the DV-5900 Changer coax digital out to the Receiver
(for Dolby Digital/DTS Playback)

(b) connect the Changer analog L+R Mix out to the Entre REC-IN
(disable the SPDIF on the Entre)

connect the Entre analog L+R play out to the Receiver

(c) connect the Changer 6 CH out to the Receiver

This does allow me to listen to movies via 6 CH or SPDIF and listen to all audio via the Analog. This *DOES* work and God knows, I'm not complaining!

HTH

P.S. Thanks Heroildo

ScottF200

12-02-02, 10:15 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
<snip>
- Very common DVDs are not being located by OpenGlobe/MovieDB. I am also unable to query MovieDB from the web to find the titles so I can do a good keyword search via the Entre. Things like Shrek Disc 2 aren't coming up, as well as Gladiator Disc 2. Very strange. And, it seems impossible to locate them via the Entre, if indeed OpenGlobe even has these discs in the database. <snip>

I had trouble with those same disc. They apparently don't think Disc 2s as 'very common' <grin>. I used the manual search to find disc 1 then used the remote to edit that title to 'disc 2'. Left same cover art, description, etc. HTH

We had similar thoughts about the keyword lookup. See this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=1266858&highlight=gladiator+found#post1266858)

mikemav

12-02-02, 11:30 PM

Hi all-

I recently hooked up my Entre and am learning the ins and outs. I have not had any luck with Media Manager. I get it to run fine, and it goes out on my network to find the Entre, which it does and identifies by serial number. It then opens the library and syncs, and "opens the local database", at which point I get an open library with my Entre's serial number and....NOTHING! It does not have any contents. I look under the tree view at :music- all, and it says "there are no items to show in this view." I have music on my Entre and in the changer, and I do not know why the PC app does not see them. I tried an Openglobe Web Sync, and it finds the songs. Any ideas?

ScottF200

12-03-02, 12:13 AM

Originally posted by mikemav
I recently hooked up my Entre and am learning the ins and outs. I have not had any luck with Media Manager. I get it to run fine, and it goes out on my network to find the Entre, which it does and identifies by serial number. It then opens the library and syncs, and "opens the local database", at which point I get an open library with my Entre's serial number and....NOTHING! It does not have any contents. I look under the tree view at :music- all, and it says "there are no items to show in this view." I have music on my Entre and in the changer, and I do not know why the PC app does not see them. I tried an Openglobe Web Sync, and it finds the songs. Any ideas?

Mikemav,

I'm no power PC Media Manager user for sure but I would suggest the basics. a) Uninstall/reboot/reinstall_into_same_dir/reboot. Looks like this app uses MS Access database under the covers. Perhaps your system is missing a DLL or related file/registry entry. Sounds dumb I know. b) if you have MS Access you can bring up the file 'Media Manger.mdb' to see if there are any records in it. c) Call support. I saw in the MM help:

Media Manager users can obtain Customer Service and Technical Support assistance by telephone and email. Please use the following contact information to obtain assistance with your Media Manager application questions:

Customer Service and Technical Support

Toll-Free -- 888-821-8787
Email -- mmsupport@openglobe.net

P.S. You can name your Entre while in the Entre setup screens to get something other than the serial number as it's name. I think KW supports multiple named Entres for the elite like Nick <g>. Actually from the Axcess device you can pick what Entre you want to get MP3s, etc from. Apparently the same type of thing from MM.

P.S.S. I noticed in my GoBack software that that a Copydb.mdb is made (perhaps when syncing?) then a Compactdb.mdb and then this one is renamed to Media Manager.mdb.

Jon,
Re: ...Why isn't there cover art in the app...
There is. There are 3 panes. Left-library/search; TopRight-Track_info; BotRight-Basic_Album_Info_w/coverart. Perhaps you have the BotRight pane drug all the way down?

DerekFSU

12-03-02, 09:14 AM

Mike,

Make sure that your firewall is turned off if you have one.

Derek

ScottF200

12-03-02, 09:42 AM

Originally posted by DerekFSU
Anyone know of a way to add cover art to MP3's in a mass amount as opposed to individual ones on the Entre?

Derek,

Perhaps this is not method of adding in 'mass amounts' you were refering to but seems like it'd be easier/quicker in the PC software than navigating the Entre menus. It appears you can do this via PC Media Manager. I'll just quote some relevent stuff from Jeff of KW who I recalled talked about this. I'm not trying to be a smart-alec by quoting past post just sometimes I like stating the source of the information if it doesn't come directly from my experience. Probably adds more credibility too :)HTH

Originally posted by JD-NH
Kirby-
Not that I would recc. taking cover art from amazon.com or cdnow, but I understand there might be some cover art there! As for DVD jackets, there is currently no way to edit them using Media Manager...sorry
Jeff

if you find something on the web just right click, and use "save as" to store on your local PC
Originally posted by JD-NH
<snip>
Kirby- If you'd like to import graphics for CD covers, you can do that using Media Manager. Simply bring up the disc you would like to edit, double click on the "generic" cover art, and replace the image with one you've either scanned in, or borrowed from somewhere else. Keep in mind that image resolution is limited to 200x200, and Media Manager will modify any graphic you import to meet those criteria. Not a big deal, as long as you're starting with an image of equal horizontal and vertical res...otherwise it might get distorted!
<snip>
Originally posted by JD-NH
<snip> DVD-A discs are a known shortcoming right now...it's being worked on, so please hang in there!
As for adding DVD video/audio cover art, I'm not sure why Media Manager does not allow this feature, but it's been added to the wishlist !
<snip>

JonDeutsch

12-03-02, 10:27 AM

Originally posted by ScottF200
Jon,

I don't know the full answer but certainly there is an answer. A few others have discussed this as well (Dave,Bob_,H,...) Here are a couple things that you may find helpful considering technical skills presented in your previous post.

Scott...thanks for the verbose post with different tactics on trying to get the internal MP3/Internet radio to come out of the TOSLink digital out. Unfortunately, nothing I did is enabling this to work.

Because the source of MP3/IRadio audio is from within the Entre itself, it's a pretty straightforward issue (ie., it has little or nothing to do with out the changer is hooked up): it looks to me that the Entre does not output MP3/IRadio via the TOSlink (optical) jack. If this is the case, and this can confirmed by other members in the group, then it's not that surprising, because the DV5900M will also not output MP3 audio via its TOSLink jack.

In fact, I did a search of the forum, and came up with this:

From Bob_422:
Amargiot,
The Entre outputs MP3 audio and Internet Radio through the analog outputs only. Play a CD in the Entre and you will get sound from the Digital output.

Bob

This seems to jibe with my assumption that we cannot, in fact, output MP3 or IRadio signals via the TOSlink jack. Bummer.

The strange thing is (and this may not be an Entre issue), is that my B&K pre/pro is also "automatic" when it switches from analog to digital inputs. In theory, I shouldn't have to set my B&K to "stereo direct" mode specifically for it to work. It should just work. I think I'm alone on this board with the Entre and Ref30 combo, so I'll have to work through this myself.

Internet Radio

On another note -- can y'all try the Internet Radio feature for me tonight? Connect to one of the Sirius stations... what streaming speed does the Entre report? I get 34.19Kbps consistently.... far below the stated 96Kbps that the channel is capable of. I called up Kenwood support and got a fairly hapless chap who did, however, confirm that on HIS Entre (hooked up via a T1 to the Internet) was also getting 34.19Kbps speed from Sirius stations.

This is a sirius (sorry) drawback! The quality @34.19 is pretty horrible, whereas at 96K, it would be beautiful... and useful.

I suspect that this is an Entre software (.10) bug. The Entre was pretty clever when I had it hooked up via modem... it wouldn't display any Sirius stations... knowing that I didn't have the bandwidth to listen to them. I suspect that the Entre is underestimating my internet speed and is requesting a lesser-quality stream from Sirius to compensate. I have no proof of this, but it's my theory.

Still, could you test your speeds and let me know what you get?

CD Burning

Now, questions about CD burning:

- When you insert a CD-R into the Entre unprovoked by the OSD, do you get an error message saying that it can't be read? I do. I realize that in the directions, it asks you to wait until the Entre requests the blank CD-R before inserting it. Just making sure that my Entre isn't broken (remember, it does rattle inside).

- Does your Entre tell you that you cannot duplicate a CD digitally because it's copy proctected? Mine does, and I'm not quite sure why. I am attempting to copy a disc in my changer to a MUSIC CD-R in the Entre's tray. This should work.

Monitor Out [L/R]

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.

That's it for now!

JN Young

12-03-02, 01:36 PM

34.19kbs is the number. As far as my ear can tell, the sound quality is at least as good as one gets from the DirectTV or CATV music channels, and an order of magnitude better than any of the FM stations in my neck of the woods--with no commercials.

JN Young

12-03-02, 01:36 PM

34.19kps is the number. As far as my ear can tell, the sound quality is at least as good as one gets from the DirectTV or CATV music channels, and an order of magnitude better than any of the FM stations in my neck of the woods--with no commercials.

ScottF200

12-03-02, 08:31 PM

Re: This is a sirius (sorry) drawback! The quality @34.19 is pretty horrible, whereas at 96K, it would be beautiful... and useful.

Sirius ... 34.19 Kbps
Modern Rock on Radio Free Virgin (56k) - 31.88 Kbps
Modern Rock on Radio Free Virgin (28k) - 20.21 Kbps

I don't know what your definition of horrible (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=horrible) is but what I get is very nice sound. This guy (http://www.kurthanson.com/archive/news/011102/index.asp) mentions 47 Kbps stream for the internet product but I didn't read that anywhere else.

Re: MP3 digital vs analog
Don't suppose this is a legal issue do you...

Re: CD Burn
I don't recall the details as it was a time ago but I recall it not being intuitive. I recall it kicking out the CD and me thinking that it was full because it asked to insert a blank CD...when in fact it could have recognized the one in it was blank! This was after a while of it chugging.

Also it was doing a "Reading..." thing for a while before it would do the 'Writing...' thing. But I was recording MP3s from the harddisk to the CD. The "Reading..." business seemed like it would correspond to me asking it to read/rip a CD from the DV5900 to record. I was thinking from the MP3s on the harddisk would have been lickity split...but it wasn't. Probably a lot going on behind the scenes but just wasn't perfectly clear.

JonDeutsch

12-03-02, 11:37 PM

Well... I went back and tried out some more Sirius stations.

Maybe I'm the resident audio snob on this thread, but I am very underwhelmed with the quality of the stations at the 31kbps compression rate. The highs are all warbly (like a highly compressed MP3 is), and it sounds very flat and dead. FM radio is far superior to what I'm hearing come from the Entre at this rate. No doubt, if it would come through at the stated 96k, it would sound amazing... probably similar to what a real Sirius head unit in your car would produce.

At the risk of sounding very snobby, I am really surprised that y'all think that the stations sound so good. It makes me wonder if we're hearing two different things?

Regarding CD burning... well, I don't know how it works because I keep getting a "cannot copy protected CD" messages for seamingly no reason. Unfortunately, the folks at Kenwood support are not very helpful... though, they are at least nice and considerate. I guess that's half the battle.

Also, has anyone opened up their Entre? I'd really like to see what's rattling inside, but I don't want to risk anything in the process.

Thanks,

ScottF200

12-04-02, 12:23 AM

Re: Warbly Snob

Jon, I reckon you are right in that to a well tuned ear and listening environment that it may not sound that hot but to me in my make shift family room HT (until the real one is done in a few months)...it sounds nice.

Considering you use the term 'Warble' from the 14th century and having a denotation of 'a melodious succession of low pleasing sounds' I'd say you have an ear. Then again you own DVD-Audios so until my room is done and I get some for myself forget my opinion. Perhaps Nick or some other audiophile persons will try it out. Hope they don't spit on the Entre in disgust <grin>

Hey, when the in-laws are over you can always use it as background music and turn on the best of the 50's/60's :D .

Hmm...you/we gotta wonder why it says 96 now though?!? Are we throttled back because it is free and they send the fast bits to the paying customers? I wonder what speed you really get when you get it through a sirius enabled home or car radio?

Did you try the free 20 minutes at the sirius site? (http://www.siriusradio.com/servlet/MediaPlayer?referrer=sirius&genre=&channel=) Actually when playing it my firewall software only showed ~3900 bps coming through.

Nick Satullo

12-04-02, 03:29 AM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
Well... I went back and tried out some more Sirius stations.

Maybe I'm the resident audio snob on this thread, but I am very underwhelmed with the quality of the stations at the 31kbps compression rate. The highs are all warbly (like a highly compressed MP3 is), and it sounds very flat and dead. FM radio is far superior to what I'm hearing come from the Entre at this rate. No doubt, if it would come through at the stated 96k, it would sound amazing... probably similar to what a real Sirius head unit in your car would produce.

There's probably nothing wrong with your ears. I have not listened much to Sirius, since I'm more preoccupied with high resolution SACD and DVD-Audio these days. And, even when I obtained Entre, I already had over 500 cds.

What I have noticed, however, is that the sound of MP3 playback from CDs I've ripped to its hard drive is very good. It's generally indistinguishable from the CD itself, and that says a lot, inasmuch as it's coming from the analog outputs of the Entre.

Just live with it for a while. Then take it out of your system. Then you'll see what I was talking about. However, I will say that the broken piece inside the Entre would drive me crazy as well.

Nick :cool:

JN Young

12-04-02, 08:07 AM

Jon,
I bet you have a tube amp/pre and a huge collection of LP's, right? Kidding aside, I have not noticed the problem with the highs you mention; big test for me is high hat symbols, and they sound reasonably natural on the Sirius jazz channel. Listen to the Classical Voices channel a lot and am pleased with sopranos. (BTW, I have Proceed electronics and Vienna Acoustic Mahlers as main speakers). Occasionally notice an "inside a barrel" sound with male voices, but otherwise adequate for my purposes.

Nick Satullo

12-04-02, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by JN Young
Jon,
I bet you have a tube amp/pre and a huge collection of LP's, right? Kidding aside, I have not noticed the problem with the highs you mention; big test for me is high hat symbols, and they sound reasonably natural on the Sirius jazz channel. Listen to the Classical Voices channel a lot and am pleased with sopranos. (BTW, I have Proceed electronics and Vienna Acoustic Mahlers as main speakers). Occasionally notice an "inside a barrel" sound with male voices, but otherwise adequate for my purposes.

What Proceed do you use? I used to have the PAV/PDSD combination.

Nick :cool:

JN Young

12-04-02, 09:43 AM

Nick,
I have the PAV/DSD as well.

JonDeutsch

12-04-02, 10:33 AM

Well, that's the funny thing. I'm an audio snob in Kmart clothing. :) No, I don't spin LPs, and no, I don't have a tube amp (though, my father does!). So, I come from HiFi roots, and I'm slowly but surely climbing up the audio ladder. I started out slowly, however.

I just started diving into HT last year. My goal was to create a triple-purpose room: a family room/Home Theater/Listening Room. Quite a challenge, as you'd imagine. With such a multi-purpose goal, the name of the game is compromise. Also, prior to 2000, I had a very modest system... standard Yamaha receiver, Radio Shack Minimus 7s for highs/mids and old AR-1s donated by my father for the woofer, 27" Sony TV, Sony interlaced DVD Player, etc.

Last year, I took the plunge and invested 10x more than I had ever before into A/V: B&K separates (pre/pro & 5-channel amp), 60" Philips HDTV, DV5900M, Bell'o A/V rack, Panny DTC-50 HDTV tuner, ReplayTV, new MiniDisc recorder, and more...driving Boston Acoustics VR40s, VR12 center, VRS Pros (ceiling mounted di-pols), and a small BA sub-woofer.

Still not a stellar system, but quite a jump from where I was, and with the possible exception of the speakers, I'm extremely pleased. One day, I'll put a picture up with my profile.

But I do have a discerning ear, apparently, and find the Internet radio on the Entre very difficult to listen to as anything except low-volume background music (Scott- you nailed it... my in-laws love classic country music. There's no way I'm going to have classic country CDs or DVD-As, so Sirius will do just fine for them!).

Interestingly, my Turtle Beach AudioTron's Internet Radio sounds very, very nice. So, I have high expectations since my $250 unit does a better job, though it doesn't pull in Sirius stations. I was hoping to sell the Audiotron since getting the Entre (to help differ costs), but I may not be able to now.

So, I'm glad I'm not the resident audio snob in this thread, but I may be the resident discerning ear on warbly material. :)

Has anyone successfully "duplicated" a CD using the Entre yet? I keep getting copy protection errors, which is bunk, because I know that CDs has a "copy once" RIAA flag set on them from the get-go.

crbaldwin

12-04-02, 12:45 PM

I'm not sure if this question has been asked before and I'm too lazy to do a search on my lunch break:

Can SACD's be supported with the 5900M with just a firmware upgrade or are there hardware differences? There are a few SACD's that I would like to listen to and wouldn't it be nice to have it all in one unit?

mikemav

12-04-02, 02:16 PM

I was wondering how many of you (if any) are using the Sovereign receivers with your system. I have a VR5700 that I just got hooked up, and so far I am very underwhenmed with its sound on DVDs. I used to have my Lexicon DC-1 hooked up to a Pioneer Elite changer. Now I have swapped for the entre/ VR5700/ DV5900M. Same speakers, and using my same external amp for the side and rear channels and the receiver for the fronts. While I think the audio from the Entre is better than I expected (MP3s, intenet radio, etc..) when I play a surround sound DVD I am underwhelmed. I know the Lexicon has very nice processing, but I thought the receiver, having the latest chips and D/A parts and being THX Ultra would sound pretty close. It sounds flat and does not have much ambience in the surround channels. Maybe I have something set wrong? What should the audio settings in the DVD changer be with this system? I have niot really looked up all those PCM/Bitstream options in the DVD manual. I find the receiver's interface terrible (no OSD at all; two way remote is used for set-up.) I would keep using my Lexicon for the decoding but I want a simple to use system for my wife and I think the Entre's control and switching of the receiver is brilliant. How do you folks using non-Kenwood pre-amps find the integration to be? Can anyone think of a way to use the receiver I have for radio and some video switching but have the lexicon decode the DVDs? I wish the entre would output everything on one digital connector.

JonDeutsch

12-04-02, 02:40 PM

CRBaldwin,

Unfortunately, SACD employs a completely new way of encoding/decoding audio (DSD, Direct Stream Digital), and as a result requires specific hardware to accomplish this task.

To add to this, Sony is the sole licensor of this technology, and while they have done a decent job of getting manufacturers on-board to build SACD units, there are rifts in the audio industry between DVD-A and SACD. As a result, only a few players support both formats.

There is as much politics running through DVD-A/SACD players as there is music. Sony claims that SACD is superior to DVD-A (PCM, Pulse Code Modulation) en/decoding, and the PCM camp claims the opposite.

Ultimately, both are vastly superior (to the discerning ear) to conventional redbook CDs.

Personally, I find the catalog of music to be more to my liking in the DVD-A camp vs. the SACD camp. As a result, I was pleased as punch that Kenwood came out with the 5900M, since it solved my megachanger need and my DVD-A need in one fell swoop.

If the 5900M supported SACD as well... well, there again, Kenwood would totally jumpstart their sales, as these "universal" players are proving to be quite popular with people who are more interested in listening to music than getting involved in format pissing wars.

Nick Satullo

12-04-02, 03:18 PM

Originally posted by mikemav
I was wondering how many of you (if any) are using the Sovereign receivers with your system. I have a VR5700 that I just got hooked up, and so far I am very underwhenmed with its sound on DVDs. I used to have my Lexicon DC-1 hooked up to a Pioneer Elite changer. Now I have swapped for the entre/ VR5700/ DV5900M.conector.

David Bott was the only one I recall that used the Sovereign receiver. I use a Lexicon MC-12B.

Nick :cool:

Mkellyvich

12-04-02, 07:35 PM

I have the Entre/DV-5900M and VR-5900 receiver. Been running the system for about four months now, ran the DV-5900M with a Marantz SR-8000 for about four months before that. Haven't noticed any particular good/bad difference between the VR-5900's sound and the Marantz.

Speakers are Atlantic Technology 170s, VR-5900 and DV-5900 are both set for small speakers (routes bass to the sub) and PCM downconversion is off on the changer. Sound is as good as the source material, DVD-A of Swingin' for the Fences, most DVD movies and recent CDs are superb, mid-80s CDs or older DVD movies with stereo soundtracks often sound kinda poor - I think it mostly depends on the quality at which the discs were mastered.

BTW, integration of the system is great, this setup solves the analog-digital switching issue with MP3s and DVD-A quite well. Receiver will remember which surround mode each input was using, and will auto-switch to analog if digital is not present. Video switching is also a strength as everything is upconverted to component, so only one connection is required to the TV (no more switching inputs on the TV as you go from DVD to HD-Sat to Dishplayer to VCR).

Remote is at once great and frustrating. Touchscreen lets you put lots of info and the text input is great for system management, but you have to look at the remote when using it, which is not great for flipping channels. I programmed the Marantz remote (RC-2000) with the Kenwood IR modes and use it for day-to-day system operation. The Marantz remote is much better at handling macros and commonly-used functions are right there without having to page through menus as is required on the Kenwood remote. Makes for a much lower wife frustration factor.

Sorry for the rambling - now it's time to take another crack at cloning the Entre hard disk onto a 120GB drive...

Mike

crbaldwin

12-04-02, 11:53 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
CRBaldwin,

Unfortunately, SACD employs a completely new way of encoding/decoding audio (DSD, Direct Stream Digital), and as a result requires specific hardware to accomplish this task.

Jon,

I was afraid of this - thanks for the info.

By the way, I am concerned that they are screwing up DVD-Audio as they did with cd's by not including some kind of cd text-like info on all the discs easing cataloging and player display of titles (without some kind of monitor). Do you know if this information present and just not displayed by the 5900M? I hope so...

ScottF200

12-05-02, 12:23 AM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
Has anyone successfully "duplicated" a CD using the Entre yet? I keep getting copy protection errors, which is bunk, because I know that CDs has a "copy once" RIAA flag set on them from the get-go.

I was able to get Conferderate Railroad Notorious to get a minute into the "CD READ" from both slot 399 (est 45min) on the DV5900 and then from the Entre's transport itself (est 15min). I 'exit'ed after a minute.

At what point is your error? Have you tried various CDs?

Scaramouche

12-05-02, 01:36 AM

Nick,

have read many of your posts starting back to before you got your 5900M and have not finished looking through all 82 pages but I think I can get some honest opinions from you and others and maybe some quick answers instead of reading all 82 pages.
In an early post someone had picked up a 5700 dvd player and was unhappy with it and prefered the RP91 and I believe it was you who said not to base final judgement on a one person opinion.
What is the consensus about picture quality now?
Has the layer change/3 second delay been fixed (5700 and 5900M)?

Scaramouche

12-05-02, 02:48 AM

Nick and any others who have thoughts on my post

Accidentally pressed a button I guess that sent the previous post before it was completed. So here is the rest.
I want to play my recorded DVD-R (made with a panasonic standalone recorder) on the 5900M/5700 is this possible?
Will I be able to title them and find them in the changer easily?
In the everyday use of the system is it buggy where my girlfriend will be complaining and saying you wasted your money on this expensive junk because she cannot work it?
I like you have two outboard faroudjas the first the grand daddy LD100 which I use with my front projector and still looks great and second will soon to be my infocus 7200 with built in faroudja with scaler. This said adding another faroudja seems like over kill. My question is it worth the money and the bother to get the changer and entre based on the equipment I already have? Is the ergonomics that good? The moxi which is also a control device with great promise although not a dvd changer seems to be on a new road toward ergonomic freedom and seems to be pointing the way in also controlling outside devices in the future. Should I wait for a more perfect solution? I was already waiting on a shakeout of the interfaces DVI/IEEE/RGB etc. to see what standards would take hold and A/V receiver manufacturers would finally incorporate so that I would not have an obsolete piece of equipment one year down the road.
I bought the 5900 A/V receiver and the 5700 dvd changer (at a considerable discount and on a whim since it was thx ultra certified I did not think I could go wrong). I then inquired about upgrading the 5700 to the 5900M which I was told would require another $400. I have already on a non refundable basis plunked the money down for the system and have not taken delivery as yet because of indecision. I was thinking of paying the $400 to upgrade to the 5900M and then I started reading this forum and it seems the entre is in my future then too (still more money). I have never seen or heard the system perform so I will be sorely disappointed if after all I am unhappy with spending so much and get frustrated like others here seem to. BTW my previous system consisted of the first THX certified system Lexicon CP3, NAD amplifiers, Snell 500 and this was supposed to be upgradeable until digital came along leaving me burnt (no upgrade) and looking for the new grail.
How is the HDTV as seen and switched through the system is it degraded at all?
The fact that mp3 decoding is included in the players have a hand in the cause of the 3 second bug/layer change or was that just a possibility?
Is Kenwood coming out with a new product at CES 2003 and will it make my purchase obsolete? Sorry for the long post but I am on the fence and need to get off right away if I am to take delivery soon, they are bugging me for a decision.
Thanks in advance for all help and anyones replies.

Mkellyvich

12-05-02, 08:36 AM

Scaramouche,

As mentioned above, I'm running the VR-5900 with the Entre and DV-5900. Also using a Dish 6000 and a Toshiba 57HX81 for HDTV. All video sources are switched through the Kenwood system; I have seen no visible degredation between directly connecting the Dish 6000 to the TV's component inputs and connecting the 6000 through the VR-5900 and Entre.

Don't know about DVD-R playback, however, I have had success with DVD+RW and others have reported both here and on VCDHelp.com that DVD-RW will play on the DV-5900M.

Integration of the system is quite good. My biggest complaint is having to manually switch the Entre's GUI off when starting the system for HDTV with a macro (have not found a discrete IR command to switch the pass-through on or off, would appreciate any comments from anyone who has solved this).

BTW, I tried a playlist spanning CDs on the changer and MP3s on the Entre - transition was seamless (Entre switched the receiver from DVD to CD-R (Entre) and back as required for music from each source. No user intervention required). Have not figured out a way to incorporate DVD-A songs into playlists as DVD-A is only accesible via the movie menus.

For JonDeutsch, I've recorded several CDs via the Entre, no problems. Put the CD in, press record, swap to CD-R media when requested, and let it finish. Takes 10-15 minutes depending on length of the disc. One thing to check - you must use music CD-Rs (or music CD-RWs). If you try to use a computer CD-R you will get a copy protection error. I have not yet tried recording from the changer or recording mixes of songs spanning the changer and MP3 lists.

Overall, my experience has been favorable - Media Manager works as advertised, eject still works on my DV-5900M, I've only lost open-globe once that I can remember in the last four months, and I've had to reboot the unit maybe twice during that time, mostly after ripping 10-15 CDs to the hard drive.

Mike

Mr. Integration

12-06-02, 10:37 PM

Hi All,

Well all the Kenwood guys are in California looking at the new Sovereign recievers and the new ENTRE II it is alleged to have multi changer support and all the new software updates and will be available in Feburary 2003. This is not a rumor it will happen. Time to post my Entre on EBAY:)

AJF

12-07-02, 11:47 AM

Nick Satullo

12-07-02, 11:57 AM

Originally posted by Mr. Integration
Hi All,

Well all the Kenwood guys are in California looking at the new Sovereign recievers and the new ENTRE II it is alleged to have multi changer support and all the new software updates and will be available in Feburary 2003. This is not a rumor it will happen. Time to post my Entre on EBAY:)

Sorry, Mr. I, you're going to have to do better than that on the source of your information. Entre sales have been so low already that it would be mind-boggling for Kenwood to just go to Entre II without permitting upgrade by owners of Entre I. That would be cause for outright war. Even Kenwood is smart enough to understand that.

There is perhaps some truth to what you say, but if it involves leaving current Sovereign owners high and dry, I wouldn't bet on it.

Nick :cool:

JonDeutsch

12-07-02, 12:15 PM

You know Nick has lost his cool when his :cool: icon after his name breaks! :)

Mr. Integration

12-07-02, 12:19 PM

Nick,

I got it from a regional manager from Kenwood. Changers are staying the same except for the firmware.

Entre' II will have all the things that Entre was supposed to have and a 40 Gig HD(not confirmed) and will be poised to fill the spot left by the demise of Powerplay.

It is also said that they will not leave early adopters "High and Dry" but the new units will be available in Feb. So expect a price drop on Entre.

My guess is that they will have an upgrade program similar to Sunfire's

zinja

12-07-02, 12:28 PM

So Mr. Integration, what was Sunfire's deal.

ScottF200

12-07-02, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by Mr. Integration
Entre' II will have all the things that Entre was supposed to have

What "things" are you refering to? Something more than multi-changer support and possibly a larger harddrive?

zinja

12-07-02, 01:02 PM

I don't know, I think I have heard all this before. Of course, if Kenwood does bring out an entreII, I would expect a "free" exchange, since the only reason I bought the entre in the first place was for the multi-changer support/GUI. I guess i will hold my breath, again, for another two months, than in Feb, the new rumor will be sometime in the summer, than in the summer we will be told that maybe at CES, than after that, maybe for X-mas, and yes I do believe in Santa Claus.

Nick Satullo

12-07-02, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by zinja
I don't know, I think I have heard all this before. Of course, if Kenwood does bring out an entreII, I would expect a "free" exchange, since the only reason I bought the entre in the first place was for the multi-changer support/GUI. I guess i will hold my breath, again, for another two months, than in Feb, the new rumor will be sometime in the summer, than in the summer we will be told that maybe at CES, than after that, maybe for X-mas, and yes I do believe in Santa Claus.

Which is why I bought a second Entre. I'm happy again with the system. Even extortion money has its place, I guess.

Nick :cool:

AJF

12-07-02, 03:01 PM

"Hi Mr. Integrater and welcome to the forum. "
Sorry that you were not greeted in this manner with your first post on this thread.

Maybe I'm wrong but it sounds like you're jumping on Mr. Integration just for posting some info that he's heard. I had recently asked about whether Kenwood is going to release 2nd generation units, and for those who have been waiting like me it's good news . I know that these forums can sometimes become rife with rumor but it sounds reliable enough for me to wait a while longer before spending a few grand on this equipment.

Nick Satullo

12-07-02, 03:05 PM

Originally posted by Mr. Integration
Nick,

I got it from a regional manager from Kenwood. Changers are staying the same except for the firmware.

Entre' II will have all the things that Entre was supposed to have and a 40 Gig HD(not confirmed) and will be poised to fill the spot left by the demise of Powerplay.

It is also said that they will not leave early adopters "High and Dry" but the new units will be available in Feb. So expect a price drop on Entre.

My guess is that they will have an upgrade program similar to Sunfire's

The only real difference from what you're hearing and what I've heard is the "Entre II" part. What I've been told--and I will only say that Kenwood is definitely in the stream of the information I've received--goes something like this:

1. After CES 2003 (Hmmm . . . just substitute "CES" for "CEDIA" . . . where have we heard that before?)

2. The glitch was funding, because OpenGlobe had to do something at its end, and Kenwood had to pay for it.

3. That there would be software or firmware modifications to the changers which would, unfortunately, require them to be sent in to Kenwood for an upgrade.

I have not heard of hardware modifications (let alone a new makeover) to the Entre unit. So there may be some variation of truth to either version.

Kenwood, however, has not earned the right to be believed on the issue--if it's reasonable for consumers to judge a manufacturer on past performance, then Kenwood needs to earn our trust. I obviously want it to work, but was willing to pay money to make the problem go away.

Nick :cool:

zinja

12-07-02, 04:01 PM

" I know that these forums can sometimes become rife with rumor but it sounds reliable enough for me to wait a while longer before spending a few grand on this equipment."

AJF I am happy to hear that you have not spent a few grand while waiting. But many of us have spent more than $5,000 on a system that we were told would be complete within a month or two (umm, that was 8 months ago. We have been subjected to numerous "rumors" that the "fix" was imminent. We have waited patiently for the "fixes" only to be left in the DARK.

If I somehow offended Mr. Integration for not properly greeting him to the forum, than I am sorry, just call it disappointment with Kenwood. Mr. Integration, welcome to our cozy little family. Any information, if thought to be reliable,is obvioulsy welcome, even if taken with a bit of skepticism or sarcasm. :)

ScottF200

12-07-02, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by AJF
"Hi Mr. Integrater and welcome to the forum. "
Sorry that you were not greeted in this manner with your first post on this thread.

AJF, buddy, Mr. Integration has posted here before. I recalled his handle and did a search where you can specify to get only post from a specific person.

Anybody that has been through a good part of this thread knows this is a very very hotly discussed topic so anyone that post information about it would certainly already assume that they would be questioned. :D

All certainly welcome that type of first hand knowledge but not a teaser post :(

P.S. The Specialty Sirius station has Christmas music for anyone needing it for background music. We are having a small get together and that feature is going to work out well.

Nick Satullo

12-07-02, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by AJF
"Hi Mr. Integrater and welcome to the forum. "
Sorry that you were not greeted in this manner with your first post on this thread.

Oh, sorry. Do I have to stand in the corner, too?

Maybe I'm wrong but it sounds like you're jumping on Mr. Integration just for posting some info that he's heard. I had recently asked about whether Kenwood is going to release 2nd generation units, and for those who have been waiting like me it's good news . I know that these forums can sometimes become rife with rumor but it sounds reliable enough for me to wait a while longer before spending a few grand on this equipment.

Just curious, why does it "sound reliable" to you? I'm not knocking Mr. I, but we are talking about an anonymous voice, posted as a pseudonym, from the never-never land of the internet. In the context of a thread that is over a year old, I'd suggest examining that context before proceeding to the lectern with notes on internet etiquette.

Fact is, it's well known that Kenwood has used this thread in the past to leak information, and often by proxy. David Bott frankly conceded the point, i.e., they were telling him things that they wouldn't tell us. With David, we know we have a straight-shooter. But there was no mistaking Kenwood's motive in the process.

So to the people that have already spent their money on Kenwood's product, based on Kenwood's assurances concerning the product, there's a little different dynamic going on. I don't want to jump all over you, but think twice next time before unleashing the superior morality on us, at least without understanding the discussion which has preceded the present day.

Mr. I seems to have understood the point, and appears to have taken no offense, since none was intended. I hope that he's right, or at least mostly.

Nick :cool:

AJF

12-07-02, 04:45 PM

I imagine I misinterpreted the fact that a large part of the frustration is aimed at Kenwood rather than Mr. Integration. Maybe I should change my name to " Mr. Instigation" for my posts, but I was excited to hear ANY news from Kenwood.

I am frustrated too because I'm dying to buy this system but would hate to do so and find that they have a new version coming out. I know that's the nature of the electronics industry in general, constantly evolving.

P.S. Scott, I have Dishnetwork and they also have a Holiday Music channel. I have it hooked up to my whole house system and it's been great! It really puts you in the holiday spirit.

JonDeutsch

12-07-02, 04:56 PM

Scott & Co,

FYI -- I got the disc duplication feature working with my Entre and DV5900M. It was a cable configuration issue, as Scott originally suggested. I didn't have my TOSlink cable directly connected from my changer to the Entre. I was receiving the an incorrect error message (copy protection error), which is why I didn't immediately investigate the cable configuration.

I also just hooked up my websync feature. Neat, but clearly 1/10th baked. Seems to me that Kenwood and Openglobe need to establish some type of retainer agreement where OpenGlobe remains comitted to Kenwood's success as they leverage OpenGlobe for OS/feature support.

Also... on a few Sirius stations, I'm pulling in 49.94k streams, which show a marked improvement in quality over the 31.14k streams. Interesting...

Thanks all!

AJF

12-07-02, 05:15 PM

Originally posted by Nicholas
Oh, sorry. Do I have to stand in the corner, too?

[b]

It is exactly this attitude that prompted me to make that post. Members should not feel intimidated to the point that they are afraid to post for fear of being castigated for it.

ScottF200

12-07-02, 05:41 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
Also... on a few Sirius stations, I'm pulling in 49.94k streams, which show a marked improvement in quality over the 31.14k streams.

Jon, if you think about it please post a sirius station or two that you are getting 49.94 throughput on. I'd be curious to try them. That is more in line with the "review" link I pointed to above that stated the internet sirius is 45k. BTW, I emailed EntreReports@kenwoodusa.com to ask about the display of 96k but the result of 31.14k. No reply.

Thanks for letting us know about the 'copy protection' error. I can see why you were 'mislead'.

Nick Satullo

12-07-02, 05:49 PM

Lighten up, AJF. If you stand a few feet away from your initial post, you might see it in the light it appeared. And if you don't see how adults might get flip when they're effectively scolded for their manners, then I'd ask you to look just a little harder.

Having said that, I apologize if I offended you. It was certainly my intention to be sarcastic, but not to offend you. If those two seem inconsistent, welcome to my rhetorical world.

Stick around, and maybe we'll hear from Jeff at Kenwood. Then you'll hear a chorus of sarcasm, and you may well be singing along with it. ;)

No offense, Jeff! We just miss you!

Nick :cool:

AJF

12-07-02, 06:25 PM

Nicholas, my post was not aimed directly at you ( even though you seem to have taken it that way) it went to the overall tone of the posts following Mr.'s post. I thought the information was useful and something I am interested in knowing. It looks like I'm defending Mr. I. when he could care less.

I know that most of those on this thread own the Sovereign and probably to some degree resent posts from someone who does'nt. But if Kenwood does monitor this thead the message they would get from my posts is that there are plenty of people like myself who want to buy this product but won't until they commit to it.

Anyway Nicholas in the spirit of the holidays: PEACE!

slocko

12-07-02, 08:46 PM

i heard the entre squared only supports two multichangers, not three :) Just kidding. Let's hope they test 3 changer support on the next one.

RShlansky

12-07-02, 11:30 PM

Sorry to interrupt, but I seem to have a new problem with my DV5900M. This is my second one after the first had a constant case of the unreadable disk problem. Now, when I just loaded a new disk, I heard a scraping and clicking noise. The disk would not play and the door would not open. I opened up the top since I was not about to ship it back to Kenwood loaded with 120 disks. The DVD that I had loaded had slipped off the center spindle causing a horrible clicking noise. The player mechanism was stuck trying to turn vertically by the disk that was no longer in the center of the spindle. I got the disk out but without a lot of effort. It seems to be working fine now. The question remains is this a fluke thing or should I return it to Kenwood. I have tried about 20 disk changes without a problem. Thanks to all.

Nick Satullo

12-08-02, 12:34 AM

Originally posted by AJF
Anyway Nicholas in the spirit of the holidays: PEACE!

And goodwill, AJ. And to all a goodnight.

Nick :cool:

Nick Satullo

12-08-02, 12:37 AM

Originally posted by RShlansky
Sorry to interrupt, but I seem to have a new problem with my DV5900M. This is my second one after the first had a constant case of the unreadable disk problem. Now, when I just loaded a new disk, I heard a scraping and clicking noise. The disk would not play and the door would not open. I opened up the top since I was not about to ship it back to Kenwood loaded with 120 disks. The DVD that I had loaded had slipped off the center spindle causing a horrible clicking noise. The player mechanism was stuck trying to turn vertically by the disk that was no longer in the center of the spindle. I got the disk out but without a lot of effort. It seems to be working fine now. The question remains is this a fluke thing or should I return it to Kenwood. I have tried about 20 disk changes without a problem. Thanks to all.

This happened to me once. The disc wound up laying sideways across several slots. It took the more nimble fingers of my wife to reach into the unit and slowly pull the disc out.

Only happened once. Probably six months ago.

Nick :cool:

zinja

12-08-02, 12:49 AM

Rshlansky, I have two 5900m's and have not had the disc problem you describe. That being said, I think yours was probably a fluke. If after putting the player back together and it is still working, keep it. I can tell you that the Pioneers that I had that problem with, broke and would not work thereafter. I went through 4 or 5 players before giving up on Pioneer. Those turkeys actually broke when the disc would get stuck. If you continue to hear noises, take it back right away, and just get used to the fact that when you own a 400+ changer, you are going to have to reload it on occassion.

As to AJ, we are all stuck in the same situation. We come to this forum, because misery loves company and we need each others input. We can be a sarcastic, skeptical, obnoxious, cantankerous bunch, but we are still a family (of Kenwood product owners/or wannabes). At the end of the day we all need to stick together to insure that Kenwood toes the line and takes care of its Sovereign customers. We all think the product has promise and we are not going away. Peace, goodwill, happy hunting.

Oh, by the way, I suggest anyone buying these products get an extended warranty to as far out as you can get. These are complicated pieces of equipment and they will break. These are also relatively new on the market, so I assume that the quality and reliability tests so not include a long term test (we are the guinea pigs on longevity). But also remember, the technology is problably only good out to five years, before the next best format comes on the scene.

mikemav

12-08-02, 08:16 AM

For those of you who have programmed custom remotes to work your Entre system, what are some of the tricks you have used to make integration easier? The great Entre interface goes a long way, but, for example, what about DVD menu control? We all know a major downfall of the Entre remote is that its direction controls cannot control a DVD's internal menu, so you need to grab the DVD remote just to make a selection on the opening menu on a DVD. If any of you are using a Pronto or similar remote, how are you handling this? I would hate to have to put two menu conrols on one page (Entre up/dwn/left/rght/enter + same for DVD.) Would anything in the Entre or DVD changer's GUI freak out if you just made one set of menu controls and had each button send both codes for the Entre menus and the DVD menus? I am trying to figure out if in any mode if this would cause a problem. My system can stack IR drivers so it is no problem to output two codes from one button, but I do not want to confuse either box. Any thoughts?

Mr. Integration

12-08-02, 08:38 AM

Hey Guys,

I was not trying to start a problem here by sharing what I know. I work for the top systems integrator in the country(hence the name) We work directly with many manufactures including Kenwood on writing and managing there control protocol. I got into that business because I am a hobbyist. I own an Entre and a 5900. My frustration level is as high if not higher than all of you.

The upside is that The Entre II will have an RS-232 control because quite frankly the control on Entre is AWFUL!! Mercifully they have done a better job listening to the American side of Kenwood for the new product.

I think we all agree if they released an adapter to make Entre have multichanger capability at the same time or even before the Entre II and they would finally get proper DVD Audio support and finally get all the titles updated, none of us would really care that there was a new and improved model. We might even be happy would could pass our old Entre's(for a price) down to our friends and family that have ooooohed and aaaahed over ours and go and try a new one.

There is need for a product like Entre and with the demise of Powerplay it is even more critical for entre to succeed so that we the enthusiasts can get more choices from other manufactures.

As a side note, Having been in consumer electronics for 20+ years, Japanese manufacture seem to change product every year but always by two years. They will either add features,drop price or both so this was unavoidable.

Side note II:

If any members ever need assistance in anything relating to lighting, hvac, a/v, security, pool/irrigation and/or any technology systems please feel free to contact me. I do travel for work quite a bit so don't think I am rude if you don't get an instant reply.

I will also have confirmation on this Kenwood info Monday. I will post what I have.

Keep the faith brothers and sisters......

zinja

12-08-02, 08:51 AM

Thanks for the info Mr. I. We are all happy to get news on new Kenwood developments whenever and wherever.

Curious, can you integrate the irragation system with home theatre and what are the benefits of watering your lawn while watching twister on DVD? :confused: :D

Also, I just went to the Kenwood entre site and they no longer state that the multi-changer support will be coming soon. Seems they just deleted that bit of a specification. Guess they just cant get it to work.

slocko

12-08-02, 09:32 AM

any chance that kenwood is figuring that it would be cheaper to settle out of court with the few that might take it to court than to spend money fixing existing entres?

AJF

12-08-02, 09:42 AM

Originally posted by Mr. Integration

There is need for a product like Entre and with the demise of Powerplay it is even more critical for entre to succeed so that we the enthusiasts can get more choices from other manufactures.

What happened to Powerplay?

Mr. Integration

12-08-02, 11:55 AM

Zinja,

It would be nice to make sure the flowers are watered during all my favorite movies...:D

Seriously,

When you integrate an estate you do have to consider all the disciplines. In an estate "party" mode you would prob not want the guests "watered".

We have actually wrote control protocol for Jandy Aqualink and Aromasys......yes smell is part of the home:)

Mr. Integration

12-08-02, 11:57 AM

Escient has stopped making Powerplay and is focusing on Openglobe only.

JonDeutsch

12-08-02, 05:32 PM

Mikemav,

Attached are screen shots of how I've configured my Marantz RC5200 remote. It's a Pronto incarnate, but has the advantage of having critical hard buttons for navigation, select, menu, exit, and home.

So far, I have found that the main screen serves 90% of my input needs. The remaining 10% is the numeric keypad on screen #2 for typing in initials to find CDs.

I'm working on making the screens even more multi-purpose. For instance,
the "Info" button does an info command for both the changer and Entre.

On the left-bar, the DVD/CD/DVDA buttons change the mode/inputs on my preamp. For instance, DVD-A sets the preamp to 5-channel-direct mode, DVD puts the amp in 5 channel surround, and CD puts the pre-amp into 4-channel stereo mode.

Hope this get the creative juices flowing...

Originally posted by mikemav
For those of you who have programmed custom remotes to work your Entre system, what are some of the tricks you have used to make integration easier? The great Entre interface goes a long way, but, for example, what about DVD menu control? We all know a major downfall of the Entre remote is that its direction controls cannot control a DVD's internal menu, so you need to grab the DVD remote just to make a selection on the opening menu on a DVD. If any of you are using a Pronto or similar remote, how are you handling this? I would hate to have to put two menu conrols on one page (Entre up/dwn/left/rght/enter + same for DVD.) Would anything in the Entre or DVD changer's GUI freak out if you just made one set of menu controls and had each button send both codes for the Entre menus and the DVD menus? I am trying to figure out if in any mode if this would cause a problem. My system can stack IR drivers so it is no problem to output two codes from one button, but I do not want to confuse either box. Any thoughts?

rbienstock

12-08-02, 08:07 PM

I finally got a chance to seriously do stuff with my Entre this weekend, and I've had a number of problems:

I am having the same problem as the author of this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=1596004#post1596004). Basically, the media manager can see my Entre, but not any of the data in the library. I can see the structure of the library, as my customized groups are there, and I can do some things, such as deleting groups, and even transfer MP3s to the Entre, but I can't actually see anything on the Entre, even the files that I've transferred over. Also, the only Entre category I can see is Music. I get the impression from others here that one should be able to see DVD data too. Did anyone else solve this problem?

I also had an odd difficulty with one Cd I ripped to the HD. I realized mid-rip that I had set the wrong bitrate, so I hit Exit and the ripping stopped. A number of tracks had already been ripped, so I tried to delete them, but the Entre just hung at the "Updating ... Please Wait" message and the only way to get out of it was to reboot. I did, and started deleting the tracks one-at-a-time, and was able to delete all but the last one. If I tried to delete this last track, the unit kept hanging and needed to be rebooted. Not sure of what to do, I decided to delete the name of the artist and album, hoping that this would somehow move the data to a place in my channel list where it wouldn't bother me too much. Well, I got a listing of "N/A - N/A" which was what I supposed that I wanted. Then I went and changed the bit rate and tried to rip the CD again. This time, the entire disc appeared to have copied without any problem, but the MP3 files are nowhere to be found! I've ripped the disc 3 times and even tried changing the title and artist, but nothing works, the files are invisible. Also, FWIW, the old undeletable file where I had deleted the artist and album name was also now either deleted or invisible. Is there any way I can get this disc on the Entre (without resorting to burning it onto a PC and using Media Manager)?

A number of discs came through with bogus genre classification. I can't see how to change this. Can it be done?

Any help would be much appreciated, especially in getting Media Manager to actually work. FWIW, I've uninstalled and reinstalled it twice already.

mikemav

12-09-02, 02:44 PM

I still have the same issues with Media Manager. I cannot see any of the files (music) on the Entre from the Media Manager even though it established the local database and obviously connects. I was even able to transfer an MP3 from my computer to the Entre, and it is there, but Media Manager will not return any data. It is like the link is one-way only. I am using a D-link wireless/ethernet router and have it connected to a Linksys HPNA-Ethernet bridge to get the Entre connected. All seems to work fine with the network, there is no firewall (just WEP for my wireless computers) and yet Media Manager does not see the Entre contents. Interestingly web sync does work.

dmk005

12-09-02, 08:42 PM

Can the 5900 handle pre-programed disc change sequences? My wife works out to several different DVD work outs and combines them for complete work outs. She would love for the combination of discs/chapters to be automated in some way.

slocko

12-09-02, 09:02 PM

i think i saw the instructions in the manual for that.

flavorguy

12-09-02, 09:52 PM

I've been a major lurker on this thread for months...I pulled the trigger in September - finally had it installed last week - and now rumors of an Entre II...

Regarding integration...I was able to approach an installer who was a big proponent of Elan's VIA touchscreen remote system. My HT allso doubles as my main listening room and I wanted the convenience of the Entre GUI to manage my music and DVD's. With a projection TV however, I didn't want to have to activate my drop down screen and fire up the projector for the GUI.

What we came up with is that with the VIA (which is a hard wired device which couples into a wall or on a 6ft tether) is the Entre feeds it video through its composite video output to my VIA touch screen. My installer programed some overlays which are under the Entre GUI screen which allow me to scroll up/down, right/left, select and return to the "menu" page. Thus I can look through my collection 'Music" or "Movies" on a 6" LCD touchscreen. With a few quick taps (and the 40 second load ... well all is not 100% perfect) I'm listening and/or watching...

...now the bummer was since I was the first one of this installer's guinea pig with a Sovereign system, it cost me close to $1200 worth of programming time to get everything integrated (I'm glad my wife doesn't read this forum)...The great thing however is that I have a system which wife, kids and baby sitters can use, I can control my CD's/DVD's off of one player, feed two TV's (my HT projector and an upstairs 36" Toshiba, and a whole house audio system and control it from two different areas - my HT or my family room...

ScottF200

12-09-02, 11:10 PM

Originally posted by rbienstock
<snip> I am having the same problem as the author of this post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=1596004#post1596004). Basically, the media manager can see my Entre, but not any of the data in the library. I can see the structure of the library, as my customized groups are there, and I can do some things, such as deleting groups, and even transfer MP3s to the Entre, but I can't actually see anything on the Entre, even the files that I've transferred over. Also, the only Entre category I can see is Music. I get the impression from others here that one should be able to see DVD data too. Did anyone else solve this problem?

I also had an odd difficulty with one Cd I ripped to the HD. I realized mid-rip that I had set the wrong bitrate, so I hit Exit and the ripping stopped. A number of tracks had already been ripped, so I tried to delete them, but the Entre just hung at the "Updating ... Please Wait" message and the only way to get out of it was to reboot. I did, and started deleting the tracks one-at-a-time, and was able to delete all but the last one. If I tried to delete this last track, the unit kept hanging and needed to be rebooted. Not sure of what to do, I decided to delete the name of the artist and album, hoping that this would somehow move the data to a place in my channel list where it wouldn't bother me too much. Well, I got a listing of "N/A - N/A" which was what I supposed that I wanted. Then I went and changed the bit rate and tried to rip the CD again. This time, the entire disc appeared to have copied without any problem, but the MP3 files are nowhere to be found! I've ripped the disc 3 times and even tried changing the title and artist, but nothing works, the files are invisible. Also, FWIW, the old undeletable file where I had deleted the artist and album name was also now either deleted or invisible. Is there any way I can get this disc on the Entre (without resorting to burning it onto a PC and using Media Manager)?

A number of discs came through with bogus genre classification. I can't see how to change this. Can it be done?

Any help would be much appreciated, especially in getting Media Manager to actually work. FWIW, I've uninstalled and reinstalled it twice already.

Re: bogus genre/group
If you are refering to music disc and what you see in media manager then you can drag them from one group to another in the left tree pane. ie. I just dragged 'A knights Tale' from 'Soundtracks' to 'Rock' and then back. Media Manager only deals with music. Check out the help file and you will also only see music mentioned.

If you are refering to DVD video disc then you can do this in the Entre. While you are in a group select your options button. Then pick 'edit group'. After you get the opportunity to rename the group you get a list of all movies that you can 'SELECT' (check off) and then when do 'REC'ord. One might think that it would be in the 'edit disc' option but this would be limiting. You can put a movie in multiple groups. i.e. I have the Eagles DVD in 'Music' DVD group (built in) as well as my own 'Show Off' group.

Re: Difficulting ripping one CD
I had trouble with Garth's Seven like you. I record it but nothing ever shows up. Haven't figured that out and thought about doing it via Media Manager but don't want to screw up the Entre! I don't honestly recall if I canceled/exited while recording once. I can imagine some of the QAing didn't include all the non-normal scenerio...

Re: Media Manager problem
Do either of you guys have MS Access? I looked for a viewer for it like MS has for powerpoint, excel, etc but didn't find one. Right after 'this post' I pointed out the support number and e-mail. What did they tell you guys?? They may have heard of it before. You guys may want to identify all your commonalities. When I just exited Media Manager and it was sync'ing it was using remote UDP 1500 according to my firewall software. My Media Manager connection to the Entre is via ethernet but I also have HPNA connection that it talks to my KW Axcess device. But I am fairly sure that David B and Jeff (KW) use HPNA connetions only...at least they promoted the HPNA to ethernet bridge and said to forget the ethernet adapter for the Entre.

ScottF200

12-09-02, 11:18 PM

Originally posted by flavorguy
I've been a major lurker on this thread for months...

My installer programed some overlays which are under the Entre GUI screen which allow me to scroll up/down, right/left, select and return to the "menu" page. Thus I can look through my collection 'Music" or "Movies" on a 6" LCD touchscreen. With a few quick taps (and the 40 second load ... well all is not 100% perfect) I'm listening and/or watching...

...now the bummer was since I was the first one of this installer's guinea pig with a Sovereign system, it cost me close to $1200 worth of programming time to get everything integrated (I'm glad my wife doesn't read this forum)...The great thing however is that I have a system which wife, kids and baby sitters can use, I can control my CD's/DVD's off of one player, feed two TV's (my HT projector and an upstairs 36" Toshiba, and a whole house audio system and control it from two different areas - my HT or my family room...

Welcome. Thanks for the confession...you will now go to HT heaven <grin>. Your setup sounds pretty cool. Sounds like that guy used your nickel to go to college but...still you got the system you wanted and it's usable in a number of ways. Pretty cool. If you have digital camera can you take a picture of your LCD touch screen with the overlays underneath and post it here?

ScottF200

12-09-02, 11:32 PM

Originally posted by Mr. Integration
<snip>
I was not trying to start a problem here by sharing what I know. <snip> The upside is that The Entre II will have an RS-232 control because quite frankly the control on Entre is AWFUL!! Mercifully they have done a better job listening to the American side of Kenwood for the new product.
<snip>
I will also have confirmation on this Kenwood info Monday. I will post what I have.

Keep the faith brothers and sisters......

Thanks for passing on the information since you have some inside track and a need-to-know type of position. Also says something if an 'integration' guy has the Entre and 5900 I'd think!!

I understand you stated about something missing in the Entre I since you mentioned the RS-232 controls. As I recall you mentioned the firmware on the DV5900 would need to be upgraded for the multi-changer support...if I understand this would likely be a CD that we could just plug in and it would read and updated. Hopefully it wouldn't require soldering like on this site http://www.avdeals.com/malataUpgrade.htm :rolleyes:.

BTW it's Monday <grin>. Hopefully you didn't get a call from KW which said in a nutshell to 'shut up' :(.

vaha

12-10-02, 12:55 AM

Bought an entre Sunday and the directions say to connect to the internet through a cable modem or DSL. My internet connection goes through the phone line at 50.6 and the download comes through a satillite dish at 400kps. How would I connect the entre to this type of setup? Thanks Dave

Scaramouche

12-10-02, 01:23 AM

Hi! Scaramouche here
I was wondering is there anybody using the changer to hold a collection of DVD-R s and can they be named, grouped and accessed easily so that you can basically create your own T.V. channel with your hit parade of favorites. It is my intention to do this with my 5900M when I get it. Is this a resonable thing with some success or is it going to be so difficult that it will be self defeating ergonomically? I am also wondering if Mr. Intergration has news before I plunk down my money for both the 5900M and an Entre, (his post about new or upgraded pieces has me wondering).

flavorguy

12-10-02, 07:38 AM

"Welcome. Thanks for the confession...you will now go to HT heaven <grin>. Your setup sounds pretty cool. Sounds like that guy used your nickel to go to college but...still you got the system you wanted and it's usable in a number of ways. Pretty cool. If you have digital camera can you take a picture of your LCD touch screen with the overlays underneath and post it here?"

I don't have a digital camera, but give me a few days and I'll see what I can do...

I can only show a diagram of the overlays - they are "transparent" - you have to sort of know their location to make them work - but their fairly intuitive like a DVD remote - takes about two minutes of practice to learn the buttons location (my son's a wiz at it )

This installer was also a big proponent of the Escient Power Play - it was interersting to see that this might be history...

rbienstock

12-10-02, 09:35 AM

Originally posted by mikemav
I still have the same issues with Media Manager. I cannot see any of the files (music) on the Entre from the Media Manager even though it established the local database and obviously connects. I was even able to transfer an MP3 from my computer to the Entre, and it is there, but Media Manager will not return any data. It is like the link is one-way only. I am using a D-link wireless/ethernet router and have it connected to a Linksys HPNA-Ethernet bridge to get the Entre connected. All seems to work fine with the network, there is no firewall (just WEP for my wireless computers) and yet Media Manager does not see the Entre contents. Interestingly web sync does work.

Interesting. I have the exact same problem as you and a very similar configuration. I am using a Linksys router and wireless access point, also configured with WAP. My symptoms are identical to yours. The weirdest part of the one-way linking is where you transfer MP3s to the Entre and they show up in the left-hand pane until you sync and then they disappear!

I haven't tried web sync.

Have you tried contacting Kenwood? They don't respond to my e-mails and I gave up on calling them after being on hold for over an hour. Each time I pressed 1 to get a callback that never came.

rbienstock

12-10-02, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by ScottF200
Re: bogus genre/group
If you are refering to music disc and what you see in media manager then you can drag them from one group to another in the left tree pane. ie. I just dragged 'A knights Tale' from 'Soundtracks' to 'Rock' and then back. Media Manager only deals with music. Check out the help file and you will also only see music mentioned. Of course to do this, I'd have to get Media Manager to see the contents of my Entre, which I can't yet do.

Originally posted by ScottF200
If you are refering to DVD video disc then you can do this in the Entre. While you are in a group select your options button. Then pick 'edit group'. After you get the opportunity to rename the group you get a list of all movies that you can 'SELECT' (check off) and then when do 'REC'ord. One might think that it would be in the 'edit disc' option but this would be limiting. You can put a movie in multiple groups. i.e. I have the Eagles DVD in 'Music' DVD group (built in) as well as my own 'Show Off' group. Yes, I'd already figured that out, but it isn't the complete answer. For example, the original lookup put The Beatles' movie "Help!" in the Adventure category. I created a Music category and selected "Help!" to put it there, and it is there, but I can't get it out of Adventure. I suppose that I could delete the Adventure category, recreate it and reassign all my genuine adventure titles to it but not assign "Help!", but that is a lot of extra work. One would think that there would be a more user-friendly method.

Originally posted by ScottF200
Re: Difficulting ripping one CD
I had trouble with Garth's Seven like you. I record it but nothing ever shows up. Haven't figured that out and thought about doing it via Media Manager but don't want to screw up the Entre! Same here, but I figure that I have nothing to lose, so I may try it.

Originally posted by ScottF200
I don't honestly recall if I canceled/exited while recording once. I can imagine some of the QAing didn't include all the non-normal scenerio... With all due respect to Kendood's QA (and giving them the benefit of the doubt in assuming that they actually do QA), cancelling and then re-recording would seem to me to be a pretty common occurrence.

Originally posted by ScottF200
Re: Media Manager problem
Do either of you guys have MS Access? I looked for a viewer for it like MS has for powerpoint, excel, etc but didn't find one. Right after 'this post' I pointed out the support number and e-mail. What did they tell you guys?? They may have heard of it before. You guys may want to identify all your commonalities. When I just exited Media Manager and it was sync'ing it was using remote UDP 1500 according to my firewall software. My Media Manager connection to the Entre is via ethernet but I also have HPNA connection that it talks to my KW Axcess device. But I am fairly sure that David B and Jeff (KW) use HPNA connetions only...at least they promoted the HPNA to ethernet bridge and said to forget the ethernet adapter for the Entre. I do not have access to Access. :) I've called, waited on hold for over an hour and then pressed 1 to get a callback twice, never got a call back. I've e-mailed, but that got no reply either.

Bob_422

12-10-02, 10:57 AM

Yes, I'd already figured that out, but it isn't the complete answer. For example, the original lookup put The Beatles' movie "Help!" in the Adventure category. I created a Music category and selected "Help!" to put it there, and it is there, but I can't get it out of Adventure. I suppose that I could delete the Adventure category, recreate it and reassign all my genuine adventure titles to it but not assign "Help!", but that is a lot of extra work. One would think that there would be a more user-friendly method.

You should be able to select your Adventure group, then edit that group to remove/add titles in the same way you edited your newly created Music group. The only time this might be a problem is when you only have 1 title in that group. In that case, I would just delete the group.

Bob

mikemav

12-10-02, 11:50 AM

I have not tried to call Kenwood yet. I was going to try to connect my laptop directly to an ethernet port on my HPNA-Ethernet bridge instead of relying on the wireless connection, to see if that made a difference. I also doubt I will get any help from Kenwood once I fess up that I am using a Mac laptop and Virtual PC. The kicker is that even though it is a Mac and everyone would be quick to blame that, since it does find the Entre on the network, IDs it by serial number, and can even upload an MP3 to it, all using the Virtual PC, I know that this is not the issue. Try explaining that to tech support, though. I am even more convinced that it is not the Mac/VPC issue since rbienstock is having the same problem.

rbienstock

12-10-02, 02:09 PM

Originally posted by mikemav
I have not tried to call Kenwood yet. I was going to try to connect my laptop directly to an ethernet port on my HPNA-Ethernet bridge instead of relying on the wireless connection, to see if that made a difference. I also doubt I will get any help from Kenwood once I fess up that I am using a Mac laptop and Virtual PC. The kicker is that even though it is a Mac and everyone would be quick to blame that, since it does find the Entre on the network, IDs it by serial number, and can even upload an MP3 to it, all using the Virtual PC, I know that this is not the issue. Try explaining that to tech support, though. I am even more convinced that it is not the Mac/VPC issue since rbienstock is having the same problem. You can put the sum total om my Mac knowledge into a thimble. But I sort of know one thing: some Macs have odd security things running, though I don't know where. I administer our corporate network and maintain a secure portion of our site that allows workers to access their e-mail from a web browser. To access this secure site, the user has to voluntarily accept a certificate served up by our web server. This works flawlessly for all our users except the one who has an iMac at home. She never gets asked to accept teh certificate, and thus can't get into the secure site. I may have to buy a trusted certificate from VeriSign just so she can get in. I don't know enough about Macs to even start to troubleshoot this, but she says that her machine is pretty vanilla, and I believe her because she's a woman in her '50s who doesn't strike me as someone who'd do a lot of tweaking. So there may be something, perhaps a software firewall, that is running on your Mac that is making problems.

FWIW, I have tried both the wired and wireless connection, and it makes no difference.

ScottF200

12-10-02, 08:09 PM

Re: Calling KW about Media Manager
Actually I was thinking that the number supplied in that MM help was for OpenGlobe.

Customer Service and Technical Support

Toll-Free -- 888-821-8787
Email -- mmsupport@openglobe.net

For Kenwood Sovereign issues I call:
1-800-536-9663, opt 1, then ext 8500. California time 10:30am - 6pm

I've gotten thru pretty quickly with that 800 number.

Re: group/genre moving movies
What Bob mentioned is also what I expected you to/would do. I'm pretty sure I did try to remove one from an existing group as well as put one in a new group when testing before I posted to you.

slocko

12-10-02, 08:41 PM

can anyone send me a ccf file that has discrete on/off for kenwood vr 5700/5900. supposedly the sovereing line supports this. i was going to go to a dealer with my remote and learn it from the 5900 powertouch, but i doubt i will ever get around to doing it. Jeff you there? This should be a touchdown for you!!!!!!

thanks for any replies.

stickman

12-10-02, 09:31 PM

slocko,

I've been working on a ccf for the entire Kenwood line. You can download it at http://homepage.mac.com/jbryer/FileSharing3.html. It's still a work in progress, but most of the features are there including the discrete codes for turning the units on and off. I can't take all the credit though, I got much of the info from remote central.

How is everyone handling the DVD autoplaying issue? What about the Entre needing the DVD player to be on? Right now, my power on macro turns the entre on, then I alias the arrow down and the select button and finally the pass through to get rid of the entre on screen stuff at startup. I was leaving the DVD player on, but I don't like the idea of it being on all the time. I would turn the display off, but couldn't get rid of the backlight in the loading slot.

Hope this helps,
Jason

stickman

12-10-02, 09:32 PM

Sorry, the link didn't work because it added an extra period. Here's the link all by itself.

http://homepage.mac.com/jbryer/FileSharing3.html

AJF

12-10-02, 09:52 PM

Originally posted by flavorguy

...now the bummer was since I was the first one of this installer's guinea pig with a Sovereign system, it cost me close to $1200 worth of programming time to get everything integrated (I'm glad my wife doesn't read this forum)...

Hi Flavorguy,
If you don't mind my asking, what Elan hardware besides the touchscreen were needed and how much did that cost? It's okay, my wife doesn't read this forum either :)

JonDeutsch

12-10-02, 10:10 PM

Slocko,

From my CCF:

5900M POWER ON:
0000 006b 0022 0002 015a 00b1 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 061b 015a 0058 0016 0e8f

5900M POWER OFF:
0000 006b 0022 0002 015a 00b1 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 061b 015a 0058 0016 0e8f

Enjoy.

slocko

12-11-02, 10:15 AM

Thxs Jon, but it's for the receiver line.

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
Slocko,

From my CCF:

5900M POWER ON:
0000 006b 0022 0002 015a 00b1 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 061b 015a 0058 0016 0e8f

5900M POWER OFF:
0000 006b 0022 0002 015a 00b1 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0042 0016 0016 0016 061b 015a 0058 0016 0e8f

Enjoy.

slocko

12-11-02, 10:21 AM

Thank you very much. i don't have a pronto or equivalent, but there is group called jp1 that can convert these for any remote out there.

Originally posted by stickman
slocko,

I've been working on a ccf for the entire Kenwood line. You can download it at http://homepage.mac.com/jbryer/FileSharing3.html. It's still a work in progress, but most of the features are there including the discrete codes for turning the units on and off. I can't take all the credit though, I got much of the info from remote central.

How is everyone handling the DVD autoplaying issue? What about the Entre needing the DVD player to be on? Right now, my power on macro turns the entre on, then I alias the arrow down and the select button and finally the pass through to get rid of the entre on screen stuff at startup. I was leaving the DVD player on, but I don't like the idea of it being on all the time. I would turn the display off, but couldn't get rid of the backlight in the loading slot.

Hope this helps,
Jason

Steve*MH

12-11-02, 12:05 PM

Aside from the slow loading times and perhaps level of noise in changing discs, along with other bugs, how does the DV-5900M compare with other players in the $2,000-2,000+ strictly based on video performance and audio performance for both CDs and DVD-Audio? If one can live and work around a few of the annoyances/bugs and the "poor" remote, on a strictly performance based observation, how does the DV-5900M rank among other players in and above its price range and with high-end single play DVD/CD players?

slocko

12-11-02, 12:28 PM

discrete on, stop, delay, stop will keep the disc from playing upon startup. it will still read it, but it won't play it. if you want to break out of a disc that is playing that doesn't oby the stop command, hit disc select, up one, play, stop.

Originally posted by stickman
slocko,

I've been working on a ccf for the entire Kenwood line. You can download it at http://homepage.mac.com/jbryer/FileSharing3.html. It's still a work in progress, but most of the features are there including the discrete codes for turning the units on and off. I can't take all the credit though, I got much of the info from remote central.

How is everyone handling the DVD autoplaying issue? What about the Entre needing the DVD player to be on? Right now, my power on macro turns the entre on, then I alias the arrow down and the select button and finally the pass through to get rid of the entre on screen stuff at startup. I was leaving the DVD player on, but I don't like the idea of it being on all the time. I would turn the display off, but couldn't get rid of the backlight in the loading slot.

Hope this helps,
Jason

stickman

12-11-02, 01:31 PM

Thanks slocko. How long of a delay do you use? Also, I don't quite understand your second solution. Is that an alternate way of stoping the autoplay? Does your system on do both?

Jason

flavorguy

12-11-02, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by AJF
Hi Flavorguy,
If you don't mind my asking, what Elan hardware besides the touchscreen were needed and how much did that cost? It's okay, my wife doesn't read this forum either :)

The Elan VIA unit (which is sort of a poor man's Creston) was about $1800.

Here's Elan's web site; www.elanhomesystems.com

Not chump change, but it will control everything in my theatre and I don't have to be spinning around a room hoping to hit all my IR eyes.

PM me if you need information my installer - at least the programmings done :)

slocko

12-11-02, 03:11 PM

.1 should be enough.

the second method is just in case you played a disc you want to stop but you can't because the dvd was authored to not to respond to button presses. you can select another disc hit play and stop. i don't think you need a macro for it because it's a seldom thing you will use. just thought i mentioned it as an fyi.

Originally posted by stickman
Thanks slocko. How long of a delay do you use? Also, I don't quite understand your second solution. Is that an alternate way of stoping the autoplay? Does your system on do both?

Jason

ScottF200

12-11-02, 08:30 PM

Originally posted by ScottF200
Re: MP3 digital vs analog
Don't suppose this is a legal issue do you...

FYI, Kenwood responded to my e-mail question about this today.

"In regards to your inquiry, the reason the MP3 and Internet Radio only come out analog is for copyright reasons. "

ScottF200

12-11-02, 08:35 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
Internet Radio

On another note -- can y'all try the Internet Radio feature for me tonight? Connect to one of the Sirius stations... what streaming speed does the Entre report? I get 34.19Kbps consistently.... far below the stated 96Kbps that the channel is capable of. I called up Kenwood support and got a fairly hapless chap who did, however, confirm that on HIS Entre (hooked up via a T1 to the Internet) was also getting 34.19Kbps speed from Sirius stations.

This is a sirius (sorry) drawback! The quality @34.19 is pretty horrible, whereas at 96K, it would be beautiful... and useful.

I suspect that this is an Entre software (.10) bug. The Entre was pretty clever when I had it hooked up via modem... it wouldn't display any Sirius stations... knowing that I didn't have the bandwidth to listen to them. I suspect that the Entre is underestimating my internet speed and is requesting a lesser-quality stream from Sirius to compensate. I have no proof of this, but it's my theory.

Still, could you test your speeds and let me know what you get?

FYI Kenwood responded to my e-mail question about 34.19.

"In regards to your inquiry, the speed that you see when on the Sirius
station is correct (34.19). That is the speed that they are broadcasting
at. The reason that they broadcast at this speed is because not all
listeners have access to a high speed internet connection. "

JonDeutsch

12-11-02, 10:35 PM

Originally posted by ScottF200
FYI Kenwood responded to my e-mail question about 34.19.

"In regards to your inquiry, the speed that you see when on the Sirius
station is correct (34.19). That is the speed that they are broadcasting
at. The reason that they broadcast at this speed is because not all
listeners have access to a high speed internet connection. "

Scott,

Thanks for following up with Kenwood on that. Their responses are, if nothing else, succinct. :)

A shame that Sirius broadcasts over their website @56kbps, but feels that Entre users may not have the budget for broadband...

Kind of lame -- and kind of surprising. You don't think they have a special streaming service just for Entre, do you?

Things that make you go "hmmm..."

slocko

12-12-02, 02:03 PM

Jason,

Is the amp in your ccf a kenwood? they are telling me it's a sony protocol. What I need is the discretes for Kenwood receiver vr-5700/vr-5900.

Thxs.

Hans.

Originally posted by stickman
slocko,

I've been working on a ccf for the entire Kenwood line. You can download it at http://homepage.mac.com/jbryer/FileSharing3.html. It's still a work in progress, but most of the features are there including the discrete codes for turning the units on and off. I can't take all the credit though, I got much of the info from remote central.

How is everyone handling the DVD autoplaying issue? What about the Entre needing the DVD player to be on? Right now, my power on macro turns the entre on, then I alias the arrow down and the select button and finally the pass through to get rid of the entre on screen stuff at startup. I was leaving the DVD player on, but I don't like the idea of it being on all the time. I would turn the display off, but couldn't get rid of the backlight in the loading slot.

Hope this helps,
Jason

David Bott

12-12-02, 02:55 PM

>>> Special Note <<<

Hello All...

I know, I know, long time that I have not been in this thread. I had always said that unless I had real info, I would not post it. In this case I do have something to say....

More or less, I was speaking with Brian Towne about some of the current posts I have read. You see, I would have thought I would have heard about things like a new Entre or anything else like that from him, but had not. He would like me to pass along, and by this I mean that Brian Towne ask me if I would be so kind, that unless something comes directly from Brian himself or Mr. John Wu, to please consider it gossip.

He also went on to say that Kenwood has no intentions of leaving it's current Sovereign users behind at all. When they have information they can share directly on Sovereign...it will be shared though the right channels and also given to me to post directly to you in letter form. Other than that, information from "other sources" should be considered as just that...from "other sources". Again...They have not forgot about the current users, remember, I am one, and have no interest in leaving us behind. And that came from Brian.

Thank you.

Nick Satullo

12-12-02, 03:28 PM

David Bott?

Who is he? Is he thinking of buying an Entre? ;)

Thanks for the info, David. They had me going on that Entre II stuff.

Nick :cool:

stickman

12-12-02, 03:56 PM

Hans,

I have the VR-5900. Most of the codes are learned from the PowerTouch III controller. That link doesn't seem to working now so I posted it on another site.

http://www.stickmenplay.com/ht/Pronto_Kenwood.ccf

Jason

mikemav

12-12-02, 07:44 PM

Jason- thanks. I am looking for the same thing Hans is. Do you know if there are any discreet (possibly hidden) IR codes on the receiver for Power On, Power Off or Mute On, Mute Off. I see in your .ccf that they are both toggle, which is what I am trying to avoid. I thought someone said you may be able to control power off separately if you use Zone 2 power (if zone 2 is not set up) or something like that._Any ideas?

stickman

12-12-02, 09:37 PM

mikemav,

Under the macros section, there is a power panel. I have the discreet codes there.

Jason

slocko

12-12-02, 09:54 PM

Thxs Jason. I will try to get them converted to something I can use even though Rob Crowe is telling me it's a sony protocol. maybe kenwood is using a sony protocol.

slocko

12-12-02, 10:45 PM

okay that didn't work for me. Mike, can you let me know if it works for you since I am assuming you have a pronto or pronto equivalent remote.

thxs.

Mr. Integration

12-12-02, 10:46 PM

Hi All

David as always is right.

Brian Towne is the man at Kenwood.

I have the update from my source:

There will be new Entre in spring.....but here is the good news......!!!!

New software in 2-3 weeks....Version 2.0 with multichanger support!!!!

Bad news you will have to send your changer(s) in to be updated

Good News II Changer will be faster and Entre will be faster...no word on DVD Audio support...

That is all I got but I share what I have....

Maybe this is the Christmas gift we all deserved

Nick Satullo

12-12-02, 10:53 PM

Originally posted by Nicholas
The only real difference from what you're hearing and what I've heard is the "Entre II" part. What I've been told--and I will only say that Kenwood is definitely in the stream of the information I've received--goes something like this:

1. After CES 2003 (Hmmm . . . just substitute "CES" for "CEDIA" . . . where have we heard that before?)

2. The glitch was funding, because OpenGlobe had to do something at its end, and Kenwood had to pay for it.

3. That there would be software or firmware modifications to the changers which would, unfortunately, require them to be sent in to Kenwood for an upgrade.

Nick :cool:

Mr. Integration's information sounds a lot like my post of last week. Dare I say . . . but I will believe it when I see it.

Glad to see that Kenwood is at least back to leaking information. A twisted sign of life, to be sure, but a sign of life nevertheless.

Nick :cool:

Turin2006

12-12-02, 10:55 PM

I have recently purchased and installed an Axcess module. I am overall happy with its features, ease of use and performance (hooked it up to a set of ceiling speakers in our bedroom, it sounds very good and the built-in amp is just right for this size room and type of speakers). After doing its "thing" (downloaded the latest firmware available) the first tiime I plugged it in, it has been very reliable and I have not had to reboot once.

However, the module will eventually, and consistently, shut off by itself. Sometimes it happens after an hour or less, other times it will play for half a day or more (we often tune a Sirius radio station for background music and leave it on). Invariably however, I eventually walk in the room to find the module turned off (at first I suspected my wife...) I have not been able to catch it "in the act" yet, to see what might be happening just before these uneexpected shutoffs. It bugs me, also because it takes Axcess quite a bit of time to boot up, handshake with Entre and start playing internet radio or an MP3 (or the TV, which I have connected to the AUX input).

Is anyone else with an Axcess experiencing simlar errant shutoffs? The installed software version in my unit is 1.12. I will ask Kenwood support as well and post their reply if and when I get it.

--
Umberto

zinja

12-13-02, 06:51 AM

Great news Mr. I. Hey Nick, put your new entre up on Ebay. Also, this is going to be a good time to get Kenwood to fix the loud humming noise. And after all, unloading, storing and reloading 650 DVDs won't be too bad. Any idea how long Kenwood will take to "fix" and return the changers once they are returned. Oh, and any idea who and how we return our changers? GEEEZ, only two to three weeks away. By the way, Florida Lotto is up to $100 Million. Once I win that, I won't need the entre or its changer, I'll just go out an buy my own movie theatre.:D

slocko

12-13-02, 08:54 AM

do both changers have to be fixed to get multi-changer support working? or is the fix needed only for the slave or master? i know i know kind of getting ahead of ourselves here :)

ScottF200

12-13-02, 09:45 AM

Re: Multiple conversations
Food for thought. When we have multiple conversations going on here we all should be a little more conscientious about putting in subjects as it gets tough to follow.

Re: Axcess problem
Originally posted by Turin2006
Is anyone else with an Axcess experiencing simlar errant shutoffs? The installed software version in my unit is 1.12. I will ask Kenwood support as well and post their reply if and when I get it.

Umberto, When you say shut off what exactly do you mean?
a) Message 'Server not found...searching'
b) all blue lights off and only red standby light on next to power button
c) all lights off (I think this is what you see if you unplug it for several seconds)
d) 1 blue light on but no sound
e) something else?

I've been getting (a) recently but my ISB goes down frequently lately (usually in the middle of the night). Even with my axcess on AUX it still talk to server (Entre) frequently apparently and comes up with that message. My AUX is connnected to a boombox so it is always on. I think even when I get that message the AUX still is working (meaning I still get sound when I use my speaker on switch on the wall). I have had (d) happen the other night at the party but I just pressed stop and then play again.

Re: My Axcess clicking/popping noise playing MP3 but not iradio/AUX
This stopped for a couple months then it started again. I talked to support and they heard of it once. They requested the 5555 trick to reset my Entre to factory setting....DOH!!! a few hundred CDs ripped would have been lost. They shrugged...sorry. I determined that if I *unplug* the Axcess for 30+ seconds then it would work again. Nothing else did. Reboot axcess and/or Entre. Entre played MP3s fine.

RE: My Websync locked up
I've mentioned this a couple times but no one else had it. I tried it a couple nights ago after not having tried it for well over a month. It works now just in case someone else hits an issue like this (meaning it is not an outstanding/ongoing problem). Use PC Media Manager if you can. Hopefully that outstanding problem is getting resolved by the guys having it(??)

Thanks(!) Mr I.

David Bott

12-13-02, 10:29 AM

Hi Again...Please...

"I have the update from my source:"

I would say please that unless your source is Brian or John, to please treat it as gossip. Brian and John both would say they can be quoted if it was for release and thus true fact. Until they say something directly about it...again...treat is as gossip at this point.

"Brian Towne is the man at Kenwood."

Yes, this is correct. So unless information comes directly from him or John Wu, please treat other info as gossip.

"There will be new Entre in spring"

I can not concur with this at all.

"New software in 2-3 weeks....Version 2.0 with multichanger support!!!!"

Again, I can not concur. The time frame mentioned is my issue with this, not that their will not be future updates.

"Bad news you will have to send your changer(s) in to be updated"

Yes, this has always been the case and would be needed for not only firmware, but of course hardware updates. Again this shows that Kenwood is not forgetting about us.

"Good News II Changer will be faster and Entre will be faster"

I would guess this would be true, but will wait until I see it in action.

I am not trying to create confliect with Mr. I, for the news seems real good to read, but please remember that unless the source is one of the two mentioned, please do not treat this as fact. Their seems to have been some miss information given or Brian would not have kindly asked me to make mention.

Mr. Integration

12-13-02, 01:54 PM

David,

I am sorry for creating a problem. I was sharing as an enthusiast with a little inside info.

As we all know even the facts are not solid until they are done.....however

since I know the frustration level I was hoping to give hope that Kenwood has not forsaken us. I have been a friend to them for a long time and they have always done what the have said they would.

I again apologize if people have been upset.

mikemav

12-13-02, 03:41 PM

I know some people have mentioned using wireless keyboards with your Entre. What specific models are you using, what kind of range do you get, etc...? I use wireless keyboards for AV installs all the time at work, and my favorite is the RemotePoint Plus RF Combo from Interlink. It has amazing range (over 100') and is USB, but it does not seem to work with the Entre (it worked for a few minutes and then crapped out..) I am interested in something that will at least work from my couch 14' away from my Entre (ideally even longer.)

AJF

12-13-02, 05:56 PM

Originally posted by Nicholas
David Bott?

Who is he? Is he thinking of buying an Entre? ;)

Nick :cool:

There you go again Nicholas jumping on some poor new guy instead of welcoming him to the forum. Maybe you should stand in the corner.

Hope you know I'm kidding.

zinja

12-13-02, 06:25 PM

Nick, I told you not to sell that second entre.

David, if Mr. I's information on timing of a fix for multi-changer support is incorrect, how about getting Kenwood to at least comment on when they think a fix will be out for multi-changer support, or in the alternative, what they are going to do for all of us that bought with the anticipation of multichanger support.

Maybe they can send "loaner's" to those of us that already own two of their very expensive changers. When the fix is out, I would be more than happy to send the loaner back to them. From what I am reading on this forum, there can't be too many of us dual changer owners, so a loaner should not effect Kenwood's multi-billion business. This way, we can all get back to the real reason we have a forum - to figure out how to optimize our HT systems. :confused:

ScottF200

12-13-02, 08:29 PM

Originally posted by David Bott
>>> Special Note <<<
<snip> I had always said that unless I had real info, I would not post it. <snip>

David, it seems your 2nd post contradicts your first post. :eek:

Turin2006

12-13-02, 09:39 PM

Originally posted by ScottF200

Re: Axcess problem

Umberto, When you say shut off what exactly do you mean?
a) Message 'Server not found...searching'
b) all blue lights off and only red standby light on next to power button
c) all lights off (I think this is what you see if you unplug it for several seconds)
d) 1 blue light on but no sound
e) something else?

I've been getting (a) recently but my ISB goes down frequently lately (usually in the middle of the night). Even with my axcess on AUX it still talk to server (Entre) frequently apparently and comes up with that message. My AUX is connnected to a boombox so it is always on. I think even when I get that message the AUX still is working (meaning I still get sound when I use my speaker on switch on the wall). I have had (d) happen the other night at the party but I just pressed stop and then play again.

Thanks, Scott.

In my case, that would be (b), the red standby light is on and everything else is off. So far, it's been going into standby mode by itself when left in either "Music" or "Net radio" outputs. Have not tried leaving it in "Aux" yet (not for extended periods of time, anyway).

I can't figure out what might cause this. Could Entre somehow remotely "tell" Axcess to go into standby?

I'll post any replies I might get from Kenwood, in the meantime, if you have any additional suggestions...

--
Umberto

mikemav

12-14-02, 10:28 AM

Jason, Slocko-

I tried Jason's discrete power codes for the receiver and they did not work for me. I am using an RTI remote that can take hex commands from a ccf file. I also have a Pronto laying around here somewhere. I will try to upload his entire file to my Pronto and try them that way as well. Jason- which receiver do you have? I have the 5700 and I assumed codes from a 5900 would work as well, since they are essentially the same (but this may be the problem.) I will let you know what happens with the Pronto. Also, have you found any mute on/ mute off commands? How about one to go directly to the 6-channel input (for DVD audio.) Jason, where did you get the codes you use in your ccf?

slocko

12-14-02, 10:38 AM

i also have the 5700 but any discretes for the 5900 should work.

slocko

12-14-02, 10:43 AM

Mike,

Kenwood has told me that the entire sovereign line supports discret on/off. they couldn't figure out how to make it work with the 5700 remote so they told me to go to a store and learn the signal from the 5900 remote which has support for the discrete on/off on the remote. Maybe Jeff from kenwood can post the hex commands.

JonDeutsch

12-14-02, 11:11 AM

I don't know about you guys, but as a new Entre owner, I'm antsy to see what the new software version will bring!

My wishlist:
DVD-V full-size cover-art display
DVD-V track info support
Real DVD-Audio support (belongs in the music menu)
Higher-quality Sirius radio
Software side of the fix for multi-changer support
More versatile websync
Display of current song when using Internet Radio (Entre captures it and currently only displays it during screen saver mode)
Don't stop the music playback when changing to a different menu (Video/Radio)
Let me create a playlist on-the-fly (ie., select multiple CDs to play in order by selecting them on the channel list, vs. having to have to create a playlist
Send MP3/IRadio info via the TOSLink optical out
VCD/SVCD playback on built-in drive (yeah, right!)

In hindsight, I guess posting this wishlist would be more appropriate before the good folks at Sovereign/OpenGlobe complete their software update... but, hey, like I said, I'm new to the Entre game.

MikeFold

12-14-02, 01:07 PM

Hi...I have searched the forums for some time, but all the answers/input I could find related to the combination of either Entre or related components to the 5900

Anyays, just picked it up 2 weeks ago, and we 'manually' loaded all 400 discs (via keyboard entry)
note: I have written some small code similiar to dvd profiler that we can export to excel for organization :)
anyways, she brought up the library yesterday, and to our surprise, it was all gone...completely. very wierd
I also wondered whether the unit cycles into sleep mode (in other words, the little red standby light never seems to come on.

ScottF200

12-14-02, 01:07 PM

Re: Discrete Codes

Originally posted by slocko
Mike, Kenwood has told me that the entire sovereign line supports discret on/off. they couldn't figure out how to make it work with the 5700 remote so they told me to go to a store and learn the signal from the 5900 remote which has support for the discrete on/off on the remote. Maybe Jeff from kenwood can post the hex commands.

Originally posted by JD-NH on 09-09-02 11:46 AM
<snip> I'm in the process of completing IR capture for a pretty comprehensive Entre/DV5900 .ccf file, and should have it available in the next 24 hours. PM me if you'd like a copy.
<snip> Cheers Jeff

Slocko, et al.,
In Jeff's post he mentioned he was putting together a .ccf so that might have discrete codes? I PM'd him back then a couple times but did not get a response so I don't have it. If anyone else does, I would like it (avsforum@fauque.com).

mikemav

12-14-02, 02:35 PM

Okay- I did some more experiments. I downloaded Jason's ccf to my Pronto. Under the power page ("Home Theater Power Control"), I do see buttons for "amp" On and Off. I assume "amp" means the Kenwood receiver. I tried them and they do NOT work on my 5700. It sees the command (the green light lights up) but no response. I am pleased that the discrete input controls do work. Then I found something else interesting. His overall "system on & system off" macros DO turn my receiver on and off. I tried to figure out why, and then came up with it. When you use the Entre On and Entre Off commands (which are part of his macro), the receiver and Entre BOTH respond. Try it, it even works with the Entre stock remote! When you turn the Entre off with the Entre remote (or the command in this CCF) it turns BOTH off. Same for On. The only thing I need to figure out now is how to keep these separate in my macros, since I want to leave the Entre on all the time (I use it in other rooms as well) but don't always want the receiver on. I think I can use my remote's RF receiver IR emitter outputs to send the signal to two different emitters (one to each device), and only activate the receiver's when I want just the receiver to turn off. As long as the remote is outputting RF with IR coming from emitters, I think the Entre will stay on since I will not output the command to its emitter. I only wish someone could find the discrete codes for just the receiver (or tell me why Jason's don't work) OR find discrete Mute.

Turin2006

12-14-02, 02:46 PM

Originally posted by mikemav

<snip>
The only thing I need to figure out now is how to keep these separate in my macros, since I want to leave the Entre on all the time (I use it in other rooms as well) but don't always want the receiver on.
<snip>

Mike:

Are you using Axcess in other rooms? If so, it does not mattter whether Entre is on or in standy mode, it will still transmit to the remote portal(s).

If you do have Axcess, how is it behaving? Any weird crashes or unexpected shutoffs?

--
Umberto

JonDeutsch

12-14-02, 03:29 PM

I'm having difficulty adding any Internet Radio stations to my Entre. I understand that any .asf and "most" .asx URLs will work.

Well, I've tried couple (that I've tested to work on my PC), with no luck. It gets stuck on "locating Internet Server" and then I can't connect to any Internet Radio until I hard boot the Entre.

I've tried with and without the http:// in the URL. I don't know what to type in the "location" field, though.

Any pointers?

slocko

12-14-02, 09:17 PM

didn't work for me using the entre remote but I think I know why. MIke did you connect the entre to the receiver using the miniplug system cable? I didn't connect mine so I think that is why. I am going to search for the cable to see if that is the reason it doesn't work.

Does the red light on the entre remote light up when you press power off? Mine doesn't. Lights up for every other button I tested, but not for power off.

Thxs.

Originally posted by mikemav
Okay- I did some more experiments. I downloaded Jason's ccf to my Pronto. Under the power page ("Home Theater Power Control"), I do see buttons for "amp" On and Off. I assume "amp" means the Kenwood receiver. I tried them and they do NOT work on my 5700. It sees the command (the green light lights up) but no response. I am pleased that the discrete input controls do work. Then I found something else interesting. His overall "system on & system off" macros DO turn my receiver on and off. I tried to figure out why, and then came up with it. When you use the Entre On and Entre Off commands (which are part of his macro), the receiver and Entre BOTH respond. Try it, it even works with the Entre stock remote! When you turn the Entre off with the Entre remote (or the command in this CCF) it turns BOTH off. Same for On. The only thing I need to figure out now is how to keep these separate in my macros, since I want to leave the Entre on all the time (I use it in other rooms as well) but don't always want the receiver on. I think I can use my remote's RF receiver IR emitter outputs to send the signal to two different emitters (one to each device), and only activate the receiver's when I want just the receiver to turn off. As long as the remote is outputting RF with IR coming from emitters, I think the Entre will stay on since I will not output the command to its emitter. I only wish someone could find the discrete codes for just the receiver (or tell me why Jason's don't work) OR find discrete Mute.

slocko

12-14-02, 09:35 PM

Okay, it wasn't the minplug, it is the serial cable. you need to have the serial cable connected between the entre and the kenwood for the entre remote to discretly power on or off the receiver.

not a true discrete for the receiver. good work around for now, but the search continues. Jeff Jeff you there?

rbienstock

12-14-02, 11:03 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
My wishlist:
DVD-V full-size cover-art display
DVD-V track info support
Real DVD-Audio support (belongs in the music menu)
Higher-quality Sirius radio
Software side of the fix for multi-changer support
More versatile websync
Display of current song when using Internet Radio (Entre captures it and currently only displays it during screen saver mode)
Don't stop the music playback when changing to a different menu (Video/Radio)
Let me create a playlist on-the-fly (ie., select multiple CDs to play in order by selecting them on the channel list, vs. having to have to create a playlist
Send MP3/IRadio info via the TOSLink optical out
VCD/SVCD playback on built-in drive (yeah, right!)

Here's mine:
Software to parse DVD titles so that "A" or "The" at the beginning of titles are ignored.
Software to parse Artist names so that "A" or "The" at the beginning of group's names are ignored AND you can select, on a name by name basis to have a name alphebetized by the last word instead of the first (so that Bruce Springsteen is filed under "S" not "B" but it still displays as Bruce Springsteen)
digital output on internet radio and MP3 playback (this is not a copyright issue as any SCMS compliant device can flag this stream so that it is uncopyable)
Support for other codecs
Where more than one disc description is in the CDDB database, allow the user to select which one to use (I've gotten a lot of listings with misinformation where I know that there is a correct version if I chack the disc with my computer)
Allow high-speed ripping from the changer (this should be possible, because a DVD drive spins much faster than a CD)
Allow software updates to be stored in Flash memory (so that if you have to go back to factory settings, you don't lose ethernet support)
Change the way that audio tracks are ripped so that they are compressed on the fly rather than in a 2-stage process (even if that makes ripping somewhat slower).
Change the way that CDs are burned so that they are copied straight from the hard drive to the CD without buffering it to the hard drive first.
Remove any restrictions on the number of tracks that can be in an album.

ScottF200

12-14-02, 11:54 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
I'm having difficulty adding any Internet Radio stations to my Entre. I understand that any .asf and "most" .asx URLs will work.

Well, I've tried couple (that I've tested to work on my PC), with no luck. It gets stuck on "locating Internet Server" and then I can't connect to any Internet Radio until I hard boot the Entre.

I've tried with and without the http:// in the URL. I don't know what to type in the "location" field, though.

Any pointers?

I've only tried a couple (asx) but have not had any luck. I get 'station not available' or something similar. One a few months back and one tonight (http://radioio.ocs.llnw.net/radioio-lo.asx). As far as I can tell you do enter the 'http://'. I say that because you can edit a radio station that already exist on the entre...and it has it. I don't think I have tried any asps. Why don't you provide the URLs you tried? I saw some URLs in Win Media Player that have a port in them 8080, I think. Not sure if that is supported.

Jon, say, you didn't give me any Sirius stations that got more than 34.19 <grin>. I tried 'Mainstream Dance Sirius' tonight for grins and got *49.87*. Sirius support told me "The speed of the audio stream is 64 kbps". Pick a story.

Good wishlist you guys, BTW.
Skip the DVD look up for rentals...or ask me...geez it's a rental. More often than not I just leave the Entre off when I go to watch a rental because of this annoyance. Going to have to program the pronto with a couple buttons...'all on' or 'all on but that silly entre'.
Allow Internet Media Manger to enter Internet Radio stations <g> ie. I can then cut and paste from MS Win Media Player.

JonDeutsch

12-15-02, 12:54 AM

Scott,

Sorry about that -- I have no idea which Sirius station gave me the 49.87kbps. It happened once on one of the stations. Maybe even Mainstream Dance Sirius!

Say, when you got that better rate, were you able to detect a difference in fidelity?

re: the rental zone + Entre... funny you should mention that. I *just* did my first rental disc... and it was an extra 5 minutes before starting so the Entre could recognize the disc. I assume that hitting "exit" would stop the process quickly and painlessly?

re: internet radio stations -- kinda sucks that adding them doesn't work. I did NPR (http://www.npr.org/windowsmedia/programstream.asx) and Mostly Classical (http://www.mostlyclassical.com/wma/classical.asx). Not that these necessarily represent my tastes in Internet Radio. :)

I also got station not found errors, as well as hangs...requiring reboots.

So, allow me to add an item to the wish list:

Ability to add an Internet Radio Station (asx)

ScottF200

12-15-02, 12:41 PM

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
<snip>
Say, when you got that better rate, were you able to detect a difference in fidelity?

re: the rental zone + Entre... funny you should mention that. I *just* did my first rental disc... and it was an extra 5 minutes before starting so the Entre could recognize the disc. I assume that hitting "exit" would stop the process quickly and painlessly?

re: internet radio stations -- kinda sucks that adding them doesn't work. I did NPR (http://www.npr.org/windowsmedia/programstream.asx) and Mostly Classical (http://www.mostlyclassical.com/wma/classical.asx). Not that these necessarily represent my tastes in Internet Radio. :)

Re: better fidelity
I didn't even listen. Just watching it on the 13" Entre display TV. Until my HT is done and I'm using the real speakers I'll withold the comparison. Then I'll get a DVD-Audio or 2 as well and see what all the fuss is about.

Re: rental zone auto lookup
Your right as I recall that an 'Exit' would have stopped it. To me this really needs to be a setup option. a) look up rentals b) ask c) never. Of course I recall when you couldn't even use the 3 rental play buttons when you had it connected to the Entre!! They fixed that thankfully.

Re: Adding ASX radios
I can click on the link I supplied and it brings up and plays in MS Media Player. I can not click on your links. I was going to try them in the Entre but unless I can play them in MS Media Player the Entre doesn't have a prayer <g>.

I have never tried an asf station and can't even find one to try.

Re: Axcess goes standby from MP3/Iradio
Turin2006, I don't think I have ever experienced the problem you are having. I had my internet radio playing for several hours yesterday without problem. My clicking with MP3s is back and I need to send this thing in for that.

Mr. Integration

12-16-02, 07:49 PM

Does anyone remember how to enter the service mode on the entre to reset to factory defaults?

Bob_422

12-16-02, 07:56 PM

Press Setup, then 5555

I would like to know exactly what the first and second choices do.

Force Reregistration (restarts unit)
Library Index Rebuild (restarts unit)

Any ideas?

Mr. Integration

12-16-02, 08:09 PM

Bob,

I don't know but we are about to find out:)

JonDeutsch

12-16-02, 08:14 PM

Scott,

Re: Adding ASX radios
When I click on the links I posted (above), Windows Media Player does, indeed, instantiate and begin playing the stream. Strange that it's not working for you??

Mr. Integration

12-16-02, 09:27 PM

does anyone have the tech assist line number for Kenwood?

ScottF200

12-16-02, 10:37 PM

Originally posted by Mr. Integration
does anyone have the tech assist line number for Kenwood?
1-800-536-9663, opt 1, then ext 8500. California time 10:30am - 6pm

Originally posted by JonDeutsch
Re: Adding ASX radios
When I click on the links I posted (above), Windows Media Player does, indeed, instantiate and begin playing the stream. Strange that it's not working for you??
They are working now. I really don't get it since I clicked on mine and both of yours within 2 minutes of each other. I'll try them when I get a few minutes to test my remote control typing skills. I tried the classical one but it just keep locating..and locating and locating. I could hit stop and it stopped and then selected a Sirius station and had it playing in 15ish seconds. Is 0 out of 3 = "most"? Kenwood should give us a web applet to test out which ones work...

ScottF200

12-17-02, 09:37 AM

Originally posted by Turin2006
In my case, that would be (b), the red standby light is on and everything else is off. So far, it's been going into standby mode by itself when left in either "Music" or "Net radio" outputs. Have not tried leaving it in "Aux" yet (not for extended periods of time, anyway).
I'll post any replies I might get from Kenwood, in the meantime, if you have any additional suggestions...

Umberto, Perhaps you want to do a test where you move the Axcess right beside the Entre and just use a 3' or so spare telephone cord to connect directly to the Entre as mentioned in this section 'Connecting Kenwood Axcess Portals to an Existing Entré (without Internet Radio on the Axcess Portal)'
Tips and Install PDFs (http://www.kenwoodusa.com/group_info.jsp?categoryTypeId=130&productId=2357&productTypeId=147)

You can then test the MP3/Music playback for a few hours and see if it shuts off. You can't test Net Radio unless you put your HPNA bridge there. One step at a time I'd suggest. Food for thought.

From mikemav: I know some people have mentioned using wireless keyboards with your Entre. What specific models are you using, what kind of range do you get, etc...?
Mike, in the above link they list the keyboards that "work" with the Entre. I don't use one [yet]. It seems that they have now included URLs of places that carry each keyboard model. For the price of the Entre yad think they throw one in <g> or made the one for the DV5900 work with the Entre. I feel bad for the developers/tester of that one since mine is still in bubble wrap.

rbienstock

12-17-02, 12:40 PM

Originally posted by ScottF200
Mike, in the above link they list the keyboards that "work" with the Entre. I don't use one [yet]. It seems that they have now included URLs of places that carry each keyboard model. For the price of the Entre yad think they throw one in <g> or made the one for the DV5900 work with the Entre. I feel bad for the developers/tester of that one since mine is still in bubble wrap. FWIW, I tried my favorite wireless keyboard, the Gyrotronic (which is not on the list), and it worked fine (although continued keypresses don't give repeat characters). I also tried a generic wired USP keyboard, and it worked the same way, so I suspect that this is a limitation of the Entre. In any event, unless the particular keyboard has special keys, I suspect that any USB keyboard that is designed to work with the built-in generic USB keyboard in a PC or Mac (which is pretty much all of them), should work in the Entre.

JonDeutsch

12-17-02, 12:50 PM

FWIW, I tried a Logitech wireless keyboard that was not on the list, and while it worked for a bit, it would need to be manually reset every 5-10 minutes for it to continue to work.

sbonaparte

12-20-02, 12:50 PM

Does anyone know where I can get a replacement Entre remote cheap? Anyone not using there anymore?

DerekFSU

12-23-02, 08:29 PM

Forgive the novice question but I have been trying to find out how to find MP3 coverart without doing them individually for weeks to no avail. How do I do a search of this thread and this thread only? Or, can someone answer my question?

flavorguy

12-24-02, 08:35 AM

I performed a search but didn't find anything...

Can 5900 M owners post some of their settings for the DCDI and other video parameters? I like the picture that the 5900M produces with my Sony 10HT, but I do notice some "jaggies" on really fine line details (almost looks like edge enhancement). I really notice this effect on things like eye glasses, fine wrinkles in the face, etc...I'm using progressive out...

I've already lowered the DCDI setting to "+2". Anyone turn it off completely (then what's the advantage of the Faroudja processing?)

Doug R.

mikemav

12-24-02, 10:41 AM

Did anyone else see the full page Kenwood ad in the November Residential Systems magazine starring our very own David Bott? Sorry if this is old news...I just signed up for the magazine so I guess this is the fist issue they mailed me (got it today.) Anyway, there is a full page add for the Sovereign/Entre system with a picture of David in his theater and several quotes from him. The point of the ad, written to systems integrators, is that "if you think your customers are hard to please, you should meet David Bott." And the conclusion.....the Sovereign system makes him content. Very interesting. If I had a scanner I would post the ad if you have not seen it.

slocko

12-24-02, 11:18 AM

At the top of this page there is a "show printable version". click on that and then you can do control F to search on the entire thread. you can also go to the main search page and search by userid on the dvd hardware forum. use hmatos. i think he had the most experience using media player than anyone here. click on show posts option.

Originally posted by DerekFSU
Forgive the novice question but I have been trying to find out how to find MP3 coverart without doing them individually for weeks to no avail. How do I do a search of this thread and this thread only? Or, can someone answer my question?

zinja

12-24-02, 05:25 PM

Mikemav, old news. David went over to the "enemy"? some time ago. In case you have not noticed, he has not been on this thread, except to defend the failure of Kenwood to do what is right and just. He was quick to jump all over poor Mr. I for his misguided attempts to deliver what would have been good news to all of us multi-changer owners. I still respect David for what he did for this fourm in the past (past tense intended). It would be nice if he came back from the dark side, but don't hold your breath. I state again, if Kenwood does not have a fix for the multi-changer entre problem on the horizon (and I mean the near future, ie a couple of weeks) maybe they should contact each one of us multi multi-changer owners and offer a loaner entre untill the problem is fixed. Otherwise, I will continue to castigate Kenwood for its failures. I still kinda love my changers, but Kenwood corporate is making it awful difficult. Guess Kenwood will not be featuring me in any of their ads.

Nick Satullo

12-25-02, 10:44 AM

If I were to bet, I would say that David is avoiding this thread because he believes it is the honorable thing for him to do.

Whatever the nature of his affiliation with Kenwood is, I'm quite sure it was created out of his enthusiasm for this product, and right out of this thread. It was no secret that he was doing some sort of beta testing for Kenwood when the "big" software upgrade was offered this past summer, so I assumed that he had developed some business relationship with Kenwood by that time. When I saw the ads (they were first reported at CEDIA), I assumed my conclusion was correct.

Now, everyone who has read this thread for any length of time knows how I feel about Sovereign products: Great, visionary product line. And everyone who has read this thread knows how I feel about Kenwood: Deceptive, unscrupulous, and, thus far, not a molecule of honor or integrity displayed by it. Since I take my place as probably Sovereign's largest Changer/Entre consumer in the entire world (two Entres, three changers), one might ask why I still consume its products. The answer, of course, can be provided by any drug addict who continues to patronize the local neighborhood Pusher--I need my fix, and Kenwood is the only one that can provide it.

Kenwood, in keeping with its diabolical character, clearly intended to use this Forum, and this thread in particular, as a means of providing propoganda that would benefit Kenwood, but at the same time would supposedly insulate it from taking responsibility for that information--if it ever didn't come true, no one could say that Kenwood had provided the assurances regarding Sovereign--it wasn't "official." But make no mistake that this is precisely how Kenwood leaked information on this thread.

The Big Leak was the one about multichanger support being announced at CEDIA. That was fed to us in Kenwood's patented don't-blame-me-for saying-it style, and then it didn't happen. If anyone cares to notice, it was right after CEDIA that David stopped posting on this thread, except for the occasional cameo post.

There is really only one thing to say about Entre at this point: It may yet be dead, but if multichanger support does not arrive, then it will certainly die. Again, remember these words: Disc 400 will arrive. When it does, Entre becomes the useless tool. I know it, I experienced it.

I'm guessing that David knows there is only one thing to say, and he's not willing to go out on any more limbs for Kenwood. If Kenwood wants to provide assurances so that people won't complain or sue them, and will still buy their product, then Kenwood should be willing to say that itself, not through proxies. I know that I would not risk my credibility and integrity if I were him (though I'm quite sure Kenwood is willing to let any of us risk it, so long as it doesn't come back to haunt Kenwood). Kenwood has weaseled its way around the truth for too long now, because you still can't get an answer from it on the issue of multichanger support. If David has in fact established a business relationship with Kenwood, then his silence only means to me that he doesn't want to feel compromised, and that's why he's not in thick of it. Besides, we've already seen what happened when Kenwood was feeling good enough about itself to let Jeff of Kenwood post. When last seen, he had hot tar dripping from him with feathers stuck all over.

Hopefully, Kenwood will make good. But, despite the recent new wave of "hope" to the rumors (and I've been part of that), please note that Kenwood has taken the "coming soon" language off its website, regarding the issue of multichanger support. If it truly were coming soon, why remove it?

Merry Christmas.

Nick :cool:

aauno

12-26-02, 10:49 AM

I picked up my second changer last week. My retailer stated April for Entre multichanger support. We have agreed that I can return the new unit for a full refund if the support is later then May 2003.

Nick Satullo

12-26-02, 12:21 PM

Originally posted by aauno
I picked up my second changer last week. My retailer stated April for Entre multichanger support. We have agreed that I can return the new unit for a full refund if the support is later then May 2003.

Well, that's precisely what the post from David told us not to put stock in. I'm sure your retailer has "heard" the same things I've heard, but I thought David's recent post was pretty clear on the subject: Believe nothing, unless it comes from Brian Towne, and rest assured that he will make sure it gets posted.

I just reread my last post. Lest it be misconstrued at all, please note that I, for one, see nothing wrong at all with David pitching Sovereign products. Quite frankly, it's the only professional endorsement I know of that I trust.

While I've been pretty clear on how I feel about Kenwood, I should make it equally clear that one should not confuse Kenwood with David, even if he is doing business for them. He frankly knows Sovereign better than anyone I've ever talked to in Kenwood technical support, and he has always been willing to share his time. This forum is a testament to that, because, remember, he's not the one that gets the ancillary benefit of a retail operation that gets shouted to the world by virtue of this site.

David's odyssey with Sovereign began with his enthusiasm for the product, and I'm sure that's the thing that fuels it even now. Oh, we all know that Kenwood was being shrewd the whole time, and David is, I'm sure, aware of that too. But let's not forget what a help and an asset that David has been to this discussion.

Nick :cool: