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Anthem D2/D2v/AVM50/AVM50v/ARC1 tweaking guide

4M views 45K replies 1K participants last post by  BritishColumbian 
#1 ·
UPDATE!!! Anthem D2v NOW SHIPPING. News By Bob Pariseau:


''The Anthem Statement D2v is shipping now (confirmed). The Anthem AVM 50v is supposed to ship this coming week. [NOTE: Anthem originally referred to these two units as the "D2 v.2" and "AVM 50 v.2".]


The original Statement D2, AVM 50, and quite possibly the AVM 40, may be discontinued soon if that hasn't already happened. Upgrades to the D2v or AVM 50v for owners of the original units should be available soon (my guess would be February for the D2 -> D2v upgrade). Upgrade pricing is not confirmed yet. Either upgrade will require shipping the unit to the Anthem factory in Canada.


HDMI is V1.3c -- some folks may care about the particular V1.3 level

Speaker Xover is "Pair"

Surround Mode is BOTH PLIIx and THX (the additional THX stuff is user selectable -- you don't seem to have an option for that)


Pricing is a little confusing right now as Anthem seems to be offering a reduced "introductory" price at the moment. It appears the US MSRP for the D2v is $7499 at the moment. The AVM 50v pricing is not confirmed yet but will likely remain $2K less than the D2v pricing. The price includes Anthem ARC-1 (room correction) bundled with either the D2v or the AVM 50v.


LPCM audio: for both of these units it is up to 7.1 channels at up to 192KHz/24bit. [NOTE however that ANALOG multi-channel audio input remains 5.1 on both units.]


In addition, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD bitstream decoding are in both units now via HDMI 1.3c. Anthem has announced that "Dolby Volume" will be added as a free software upgrade for both units (user installable) -- no ETA announced.


Video is up to HDMI 1080p/60 (with 1080p/24 support) including HDMI V1.3 "Deep Color" and full video processing. Video processing is 12 bits per component (36 bits per pixel) end to end using the latest VXP chip from Sigma Designs. The two HDMI video outputs run in "parallel" -- i.e., they are both live at the same time, but they can not be set to carry different video signals. It is not clear yet whether that restriction may be relaxed in future firmware.''



Anthem support. Fast and really efficient:
tech@anthemav.com


Anthem D2v2 announcement:

http://www.castercomm.com/prView.cfm?cid=111&id=208


And the new Sigma scaler (Sigma bought Gennum...):

http://www.reuters.com/article/press...008+BW20080414

8 HDMI 1.3c IN and 2 OUT!!!!! No need for an external HDMI switcher anymore!






Here's a compilation of links to find specific informations faster in this mega-thread on the D2!


--------------------------------------------------------

PANIC ROOM!


* Should I panic since the D2/AVM50 are NOT HDMI 1.3? :


Not anymore!!!


The D2/AVM50 will both be upgradable (hardware upgrade) to do the D2v, so they will be HDMI 1.3c, 7.1, and will support decoding of DD TrueHD, DTS HD and DTS-HD Master


--------------------------------------------------------

FIRMWARE and INSTALLING NEW FIRMWARE


* Belt & suspenders approach to doing the update from Bob Pariseau
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...post10645127


* Disconnect HDMI sources and display PRIOR to installing an upgrade!
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9277613


* Some extra steps to make sure your settings remain good
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9543881


--------------------------------------------------------

SETUP -- SOME BASIC, SOME ADVANCED


How to adjust Phase and Polarity for your subwoofer(s)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...post13997761
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...post15831964



* How to get the best from your video setup (video calibration for non-ISF techs)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9277613
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9564825


* Lossless HDMI audio for folks without HDMI displays
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9805765
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9808465


* Max resolution/frame rate for processed HDMI or Component video
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9683898


* My video is "shocking pink"!
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9610862


* Using AUTO DIG to get more than one device on the same input
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9564730


* What if my 1080p display only accepts up to 1080i input?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9286645


--------------------------------------------------------

ANTHEM ROOM CORRECTION (ARC-1) : AUDIO BLISS IN A FEW, EASY STEPS

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14142274
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14160614
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14165296
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14181449
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14192486
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14207104
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14207158
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14207663
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14214469
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14216213
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14220432
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14232090
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14236866
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14256232
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14262027
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14267952
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14268617
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14286844
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14287488
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14296873
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14306824
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14320989
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14322061
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14327449
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14335277
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14347781
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14351330
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14353551
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14363180
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14365808
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14366806
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14370256
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14372958
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14377508
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14379882
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14380719
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14383015
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14384710
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14391953
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14393593
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14393664
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14394305
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14395567
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14396801
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14407572
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14413014
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14415277
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14420677
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14422227
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14424204
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14424251
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14424733
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14429013
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14430627
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14436325
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14439704
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14439977
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14440383
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14448571
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14451192
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14458172
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14459485
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14461019
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14462796
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14469019
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14477302
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...=#post14484075


--------------------------------------------------------

THINGS YOU CAN DO WHILE WATCHING/LISTENING


* Why can't I get to the audio processing mode I want?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9627851


*Making SDTV Programs Fill a 16:9 Screen Without Distortion
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...post10864623


* Fun with Custom Cropping and Scaling
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9587424
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9652415
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9660854
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9672930
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...ostcount=10203


* What's with this Frame Lock stuff?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9556938


--------------------------------------------------------

TERMINOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY


* Color Space
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9731538
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9738172


* Data Format (YCbCr 4:4:4, etc.)
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...ostcount=14288
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9442585
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9443139
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9445345
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9306459


* Frame Rates and Custom Resolutions
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9211974
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9276351


--------------------------------------------------------

SOURCE DEVICE SPECIFIC SETTINGS


* Scientific Atlanta DVR
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9557247


* Oppo 970 for SACD or DVD-Audio over HDMI
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9388249


--------------------------------------------------------

DISPLAY SPECIFIC SETTINGS


* Custom Resolution for a 1366x768 Panasonic display
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9081443


* How to output 1080p48 to Sony Ruby with Live Video Settings Editor
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9221154


* Custom /24Hz Resolution for a Sony Pearl
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9256440


* What if your display won't accept it's "native" resolution as input?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post9795082


--------------------------------------------------------

SOUND SPECIFIC SETTINGS


* How to set the D2 with the Velodyne DD15 subwoofer
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&post8872147


* How well does the Room Resonance Filter work? What does it do, and what affect does it have?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...post10516640


==================================



Latest review by Kris Deering (august 2006) of the Anthem D2:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volum...006-page1.html


And my review:

http://statement.anthemav.com/HTML/P...D2_Reviews.pdf


For those searching for Kris Deering's benchmark of the video section of the D2 at Secrets, you can access it directly here:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/cgi-b.../V%20Processor


Anthem's page for the Statement D2:

http://statement.anthemav.com/HTML/Products/D2/D2.html
 
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3
#42,941 ·
I tested the following three firmware: 3.09J 3.09H and 3.10,There is a same problem with D2V.


When I play any films or audio bd which have DTS-HD master audio5.1 ,the D2V will give all four surround speakers sound(5.1-7.1) That sounds very strange.
And I am not doing any dsp mode like THX or Dolby PLIIx on it,( in the mode menu only select" None") and the D2V displays 5.1,
But it not happened with TURE HD 5.1 OR PCM5.1 ,Only two side surround speakers will works.

I changed to the 3.09 from the official link below, and it no problems.So ,maybe the V3.09 is the only right firmware for now?
--Tinza
 
#42,942 ·
^3.10 is only for 3D models. For non-3D models, 3.09 is the latest firmware.
 
#42,943 ·
^ If it's D2 to D2 you should be able to just re-upload the ARC solution from the older unit. I'm pretty sure the current ARC Windows app won't balk because the serial number of the new D2 doesn't match from when the solution was built.

If it's a D2 to D2v migration you really should redo the ARC Measurement as the hardware in the D2v is capable of better processing. Of course all this depends on how long you expect to use the loaner. If just a week or so, you might want to do just the bare minimum of futzing with it.
--Bob

Bob,
Maybe you can clarify this for me. I thought that the only purpose of the unit, D2 or D2v, during an ARC run was to generate test tone sweeps for each of the speakers chosen. The ARC 3.02 on the computer used for the ARC run, stored, analyzed, and created the solution. If the solution is uploaded to a D2 or D2v wouldn't the solution only be affected by the difference in the unit, not the ARC solution ??
I understand how a different mic, with a different calibration, would make a difference, but does the D2v generate different test tones than a D2 ??


Tom
 
#42,945 ·
I tested the following three firmware: 3.09J 3.09H and 3.10,There is a same problem with D2V.


When I play any films or audio bd which have DTS-HD master audio5.1 ,the D2V will give all four surround speakers sound(5.1-7.1) That sounds very strange.
And I am not doing any dsp mode like THX or Dolby PLIIx on it,( in the mode menu only select" None") and the D2V displays 5.1,
But it not happened with TURE HD 5.1 OR PCM5.1 ,Only two side surround speakers will works.

I changed to the 3.09 from the official link below, and it no problems.So ,maybe the V3.09 is the only right firmware for now?
--Tinza
This is actually correct behavior according to DTS. The reason is that a "normal" 5.1 DTS mix is created assuming Side Surround speakers at 110-130 degrees -- i.e., somewhat behind the seating. Whereas the speaker placement for a 7.1 speaker layout assumes the Side Surround speakers are at 90 degrees -- i.e., even with the seating.

So if you play a 5.1 mix on a 7.1 speaker layout, DTS assumes you want the surround sound to come from IN BETWEEN the Side Surround and Rear Surround speakers. So it directs audio to all 4 Surrounds.

The earlier firmware attempted to avoid this, but DTS Certification mandated the approach implemented in this newer firmware.

This is all tied up with DTS's idea of how to implement "speaker presentations". Anthem could disable that (it's an option in the decoder implementation), but that screws up OTHER tracks -- in particular tracks that are mixed with "wide fronts" instead of "side surrounds". Trust me, this is way more bizarre than you really want to try to understand. The bottom line is the newer firmware is doing, "the right thing" for those DTS tracks.
--Bob
 
#42,946 ·
^ The ARC solution is implemented by the hardware in the Anthem during normal listening. The ARC application knows which hardware will run the solution and builds the solution accordingly. So the solution is specific to a given model of the hardware.
--Bob

Interesting. Learn something new everyday.

Thanks for the clarification.
 
#42,947 ·
This is actually correct behavior according to DTS. The reason is that a "normal" 5.1 DTS mix is created assuming Side Surround speakers at 110-130 degrees -- i.e., somewhat behind the seating. Whereas the speaker placement for a 7.1 speaker layout assumes the Side Surround speakers are at 90 degrees -- i.e., even with the seating.

So if you play a 5.1 mix on a 7.1 speaker layout, DTS assumes you want the surround sound to come from IN BETWEEN the Side Surround and Rear Surround speakers. So it directs audio to all 4 Surrounds.

The earlier firmware attempted to avoid this, but DTS Certification mandated the approach implemented in this newer firmware.

This is all tied up with DTS's idea of how to implement "speaker presentations". Anthem could disable that (it's an option in the decoder implementation), but that screws up OTHER tracks -- in particular tracks that are mixed with "wide fronts" instead of "side surrounds". Trust me, this is way more bizarre than you really want to try to understand. The bottom line is the newer firmware is doing, "the right thing" for those DTS tracks.
--Bob


Thank you so much,this is really solved my big problem!
--Tinza
 
#42,948 ·
Can I use the tone controls and still keep ARC engaged, or is ARC automatically disabled? Under source setup for DVD1 I have Room EQ(ARC) turned on, but I'd also like to increase the HF EQ a few decibels. Can I do that (under the source setup menu) while still keeping ARC engaged?
 
#42,949 · (Edited)
Can I use the tone controls and still keep ARC engaged, or is ARC automatically disabled? Under source setup for DVD1 I have Room EQ(ARC) turned on, but I'd also like to increase the HF EQ a few decibels. Can I do that (under the source setup menu) while still keeping ARC engaged?
Looking at the user manual for Source Setup (p.35) I don't see any such restriction. Try it!

Normally it says something like "skip this menu if using ARC" (like 3h.Room Resonance Filter) but not this menu.
 
#42,950 ·
Netflix - Use Blu-Ray to convert DD+ to DD5.1 with D2??

Hi. This may be the wrong place for this question, but searching for this is painful.

I have Netflix, which sadly doesn't stream with DD5.1, only DD+ or 2-channel. (REALLY STUPID decision by Netflix, IMHO). I have a Roku 3, which passes along the DD+ but the D2 cannot decode it of course. I hate 2-channel conversion to surround which is my only choice using the D2 box (which is NOT going anywhere).

SO - if I replace my blu-ray player with one that streams Netflix and has a DD+ decoder, would I be able to get DD 5.1 out of it on HDMI or Coax to the D2? Do they offer down-conversion or whatever the right term is to convert the audio?

How have others solved this issue with Netflix.

Thank you!
 
#42,952 · (Edited)
^ Get in touch with Anthem tech support. They may already have history with this unit (they'll need the serial number).

There are several reasons why the video board might not be working, and might not take a firmware install. Of course the board itself could be fried. But it may also be that the daughter boards (upper HDMI in and out) are not seated properly. That *COULD* have happened during shipping.

There is also a rare situation where the attempt to upgrade firmware from a relatively old version can leave the video board unresponsive, and where Flash Eraser doesn't fix that. There's an easy fix for this but it requires temporary attachment of a cable to the video board. In the past, Anthem has offered to do that in the factory, or to send the cable rig so you can do it yourself. It is not tough, but you do have to take static electricity precautions when touching stuff inside the chassis so you don't accidentally fry a piece yourself.

I can't really offer you any advice on dealing with your seller.

It may take some back and forth with Tech Support to determine if this is something you can really fix yourself, or whether the unit will have to come back to the factory for service. Be advised that if the video board is fried, it is the single most expensive component in the chassis. So you and your seller will undoubtedly have more discussions....
--Bob
 
#42,953 ·
^ Get in touch with Anthem tech support. They may already have history with this unit (they'll need the serial number).

There are several reasons why the video board might not be working, and might not take a firmware install. Of course the board itself could be fried. But it may also be that the daughter boards (upper HDMI in and out) are not seated properly. That *COULD* have happened during shipping.

There is also a rare situation where the attempt to upgrade firmware from a relatively old version can leave the video board unresponsive, and where Flash Eraser doesn't fix that. There's an easy fix for this but it requires temporary attachment of a cable to the video board. In the past, Anthem has offered to do that in the factory, or to send the cable rig so you can do it yourself. It is not tough, but you do have to take static electricity precautions when touching stuff inside the chassis so you don't accidentally fry a piece yourself.

I can't really offer you any advice on dealing with your seller.

It may take some back and forth with Tech Support to determine if this is something you can really fix yourself, or whether the unit will have to come back to the factory for service. Be advised that if the video board is fried, it is the single most expensive component in the chassis. So you and your seller will undoubtedly have more discussions....
--Bob
Bob

Who was this reply for ? There is no posting on this forum with those questions.
 
#42,958 ·
^ARC is amazing and, IMO, totally worth the price of admission. I'm guessing most posters in this thread would agree.
 
#42,959 ·
i have chance to buy AVM 50v 3D price is second hand 3000 usd its worth it or i need wait for new processor ?
The question I would ask you is what are you looking to get out of your pre-pro? The tech behind pre-pros changes rapidly so no matter what they always get trumped 2, 4, 6, 8 years down the road. Unless you have a UHD TV and UHD sourced and need UHD/ HDMI 2.0 switching etc. You'll get years of great use out of the anthem and get it at a great price.
 
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