*Official* Denon AVR 1909/789 Thread - Page 53

Just thinking out loud..

HDMI input always takes precedence over other inputs, so you could not do this if you use HDMI pass through, I.E. pushing your video through the HDMI as well as sound for your "TV" watching through the Denon.

Now if you hooked the HDMI directly to your TV and only put sound through the Denon through say optical or other means, then you could control whatever you wanted and have TV with no audio and have an MP3 play instead for example. Note: Your TV or the device connected through HDMI to the TV would need to have a way to not send audio through the HDMI to the TV and only send it to the receiver, but I think most devices have this function if they let you send audio through another source than the HDMI.

Hope this helps, and if I am wrong perhaps other audiophiles can tell me if I am on the right track.

Maybe try turning "HDMI Control" and even "Auto Lipsync" to OFF in the HDMI SETTINGS menu. The Denon is probably "talking" to your TV...

I have just purchased the AVR-1909 along with a Panasonic 58" Plasma HDTV and a Panasonic BD DVD. I am connected to cable TV via a HD cable Box that provides regular channels and about 30 HD TV Channels. All of these will be connected via HDMI to the AVR-1909 and the HDMI to the TV.

I was hoping the AVR-1909 would upscale the SD Channels from TV to near HD quality. However in further investigation, it will only upscale analog signals. If these are coming in as Digital SD signals from the cable box, will it handle any upscaling?

I am a newbie at this home theater system thing. All components are still in the box, with installation scheduled in a week. I can change out the Reciever if there is another product on the market that can address this function better.

Thanks in advance for any input

there are very few receivers that can do video processing on a digital video signal (i.e. HDMI). you'd pretty much have to look to $1500+ receiver like the Onkyo 875 with Reon processor or the Denon 5308ci to get a receiver that will do it and do it well.

don't depend on the receiver for video scaling, chances are your Panny plasma will have a better scaler than any sub-$1000 receiver.

and, honestly, even if you connected analog for your cable box, the scaler in the 789/1909 will never come close to "near HD quality" with crappy SD cable channels. you can't polish a turd....

read this informative article on video processing in receivers:
http://hometheatermag.com/receivers/608recfeat/

I'm in the middle of setting up my 1909. I'm a beginner at this so of course I'm running into some problems. I'm sure they're easy for someone though!

Problem 1: Connecting my DVD player. It doesn't have an hdmi so I'm using component cables for video and want to use digital optical for audio but it doesn't have a dedicated dvd input for dig optical.

Problem 2: I'm using an hdmi cable to connect my dtv hr 22 but it doesn't offer a dedicated hdmi input for tv.

I know, pretty dumb questions but I want to set this up properly.

word of advice: IGNORE THE NAMES ON THE BACK OF THE RECEIVER FOR HD VIDEO AND DIGITAL AUDIO

except for analog audio and composite/s-video, all of your inputs are re-assignable. so pretend those names aren't there, just think of it as "HDMI-1, HDMI-2" and "OPTICAL-1, OPTICAL-2, etc". You can plug the DVD player into the VCR input for video and the HDP input for audio, and it doesn't matter because it's all user assignable. The labels are just confusing suggestions, ignore them.

Just find an open plug, write down where you plugged everything in, and then go into INPUT SETUP, at the top scroll left/right to find the input you are working on, and then go down to ASSIGN and set it up according to how you wrote it down.

Honestly, it's confusing, other brands (like Onkyo and H/K) have made the smart move of just calling them "Video 1, Video 2" so people don't have the confusion you are experiencing.

Thank you sir. I'm happy to say this is the answer I expected, just wanted to double check.

Back to work!

I just read through all 53 pages of this thread. Yes I have no life.

I saw that ABT Electronics is selling the 1909 for $571.12 shipped. Looks like I'm not allowed to post links yet but it'll come up on a search.

Also it'd be helpful if owners of this AVR also mentioned what speakers they're using with it. I currently don't have an HT setup at all (only have a DVD player and analog TV) and since I'm researching AVRs and speakers at the same time (as well as HDTVs), it would be very beneficial to know what kind of results people are getting with different speakers. I'm specifically considering floorstanders from Aperion, Monitor Audio, PSB, and Quad, which I have yet to hear but would like some input on regardless.

Firstly, you need to be on the speaker forum. Secondly, there is nothing that will match hearing any speakers you are interested in yourself regardless of the AVR.

I have KEF iQ3 and I'll bay the iQ6Cor iQ2C and iQ1.
Do the 1909 have enough power and dynamic to these KEF speakers? Or I'll need something tougher?
I leave in apartment and the room for the system has 24m²(~260ft²) and it is dividing in two half.
Detailed Specifications iQ3:
Design: Two-way bass reflex
Drive units: 165mm (61⁄2") Uni-Q 19mm (3⁄4") aluminum dome HF
Frequency response: 45Hz - 40kHz
Crossover frequency: 2.8kHz
Amplifier requirements: 15 - 120W
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 89dB
Maximum output: 110dB
Nominal impedance: 8½ (min 3.2½)
Magnetic shielding: Yes
Weight: 6.7kg (14.8lbs)
Dimensions: 365 x 220 x 327 mm H xW x D 14.4 x 8.7 x 12.9 in
Detailed Specifications iQ6c:
Design: Three-way bass reflex
Drive units: 2 x 130mm (51⁄4") LF 130mm (51⁄4") Uni-Q 19mm (3⁄4") aluminum dome HF
Frequency response: 65Hz - 40kHz
Crossover frequency: 280Hz - 2.8kHz
Amplifier requirements: 15 - 150W
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 90dB
Maximum output: 111dB
Nominal impedance: 8½ (min 3.2½)
Magnetic shielding: Yes
Weight: 8.9kg (19.6lbs)
Dimensions: 165 x 512 x 255 mm H xW x D 6.5 x 20.1 x 10 in
TKS

Thanks for the input, I guess I'll give it a shot. If anyone has other suggestions please let me know.

Hi,

After reading through this interesting thread, I decide 1909 could be my ideal choice. Don't need pre-outs. Want all HD audio decodings. Want all the bells & Whistles of Audyssey (yup, I live in condo). Great price won't hurt.

Problem is girlfriend want Bose Acoustimass serie speakers (please no need for Bose bashing). I'm not that convinced about it but be happy to abide if it's compatible with Audyssey. AFAIK, you won't connect all its satellites directly to AVR so...would Audyssey work (as advertised)?

Anybody has a combo of these want to share your experience?

I will not bash, but please, I beg you, don't do it!! don't get acoustimass, it's SUCH a waste of money!

if you really want small, stylish speakers that will make the GF happy, and actually want sound quality, look into the Energy Take 5 Classic, $599 shipped off Amazon, perfect for a small condo and will sound a thousand times better the the acoustimass.



if you need something with even smaller speakers, check out the new RC-Micro setup... anything but the acoustimass, please...

Thank you for recommendations. I guess these two work perfectly with Audyssey, yes? Connect directly to AVR?

yes, absolutely. they hook up like normal speakers.

there are many other competitive "micro speaker + sub" options from Klipsch, Mirage, KEF, etc. that would all be way better than the Acoustimass and save you money to boot.

If you can try the bose and the other in your home, do it, hear it yourself and GF, keep what you like. life is full of surprises.

I actually had the bose acoustimass (since sold on ebay) with the 1909 and it sounded reasonably ok. Audessey worked fine. I upgraded to a Definitive Technology 800 system with the ProCinema 1000 center. The improvement was amazing. I also listened to the DefTech ProCinema 600 at BB which goes for about $799 in a package. It also sounded excellent. Take a look. The DT ProCinema systems are satellite speakers with a sub woofer.

Check out the ORB Audio thread in the Speakers forum. Most folks seem pretty impressed with the sound and they sure are stylish.

I've got some questions for PS3 owners, especially those who have played Uncharted, MGS 4, GTA 4, Ratchet and Clank etc through the 1909 receiver.

Seems like out of all the games mentioned above, Uncharted had the best sound as its the only one that supported LPCM 5.1. So is it right to say that I'm getting the best sound when the receiver displays "Multi Channel IN"? What about the other games like Ratchet and Clank for eg. It only has stereo or surround for the audio options. I selected surround obviously but what mode should I set the receiver to for optimal sound. 5CH Stereo, Video Game or Multi Channel In?

Lastly what mode should I select for divx or m2ts(converted from mkv) files that have 5.1 Dolby Digital audio codec when watching throug the PS3? I normally selct 5CH stereo which sounded the loudest. Is there any way to make Dolby Digital appear on the receiver when watching these videos? Any help is appreciated, thanks!

Btw this is my first post.

Am considering buying one of the 1909, HK 2254 or pioneer 1018, and would like to know which features (excluding audyssey) that the 1909 has over the others.

Welcome one more to the 789 club. I gave my 788 to a friend and bought a 789 today. I watch movies and play games at around midnight to 2am when people are sleeping, so I sometimes I have to lower the volume, and it's sometimes hard to hear quiet dialogue. Dynamic EQ is amazing.

Good to hear if the worst happen, I still can live with it.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I'm not in a hurry and have a few more months to try speakers out. I'm making sure I put your messages like *thousand times better* across to her. There's still hope.

Be back to post in this thread in a few month.

I am a newbie at posting and to the "Denon family" (so I am not sure how to do this & hope I get this right) but I am referring you thru this link to the avs forum 988/1909 thread (#330) 988/1909 thread ofhttp://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14693386#post14693386
where I posted my results of trying out these AVR's with my HT equipment.

I'm a bit of an audiophile with some related technical background. Like you I was confused after reading some of the posts and info on this thread about upconversion of digital signals over HDMI. I found that in actual testing, comparing the HDMI signal out of my cable box direct to the TV vs routed thru the DVR (both via HDMI) there is exactly the effect you are looking for; distinct improvement of the video-it looks great! It's not as good as the HD cable box signal but guess I'd agree with what they call it-"near HD". The greatest effect is on the nonHD signals but there is some improvement of HD signal as well. The 988 was a touch better at it than the 789.

Now, I can only speak to what I see on my Sammy LCD 1080p. Maybe other TV's have better upconversion chips and the results would not be so marked. Also I have not tried Bluray but my understanding is that 1080p is passed thru the Denon with no modification. Hope this helps.

I am using an older Energy Take 5 5.1 speaker set that has been upgraded with a 10" Energy sub and the rear surrounds were replaced with Energy dipole's and I am very happy with their performance and sound. Many years ago I was a diehard Bose fan until I saw the light and realized that alot of their appeal is all hype. I just setup my 789 with the Energy's and it sounds great. I picked up Transformers on Blu-ray yesterday and was blown away by the sound in DolbyTrue HD. I found an extra set of Energy Take 5 surrounds on Craigslist that I have yet to hook up for a 7.1 setup. I am sure I will be happy.

Be advised though that I heard from a friend who does custom HT installs that Energy Speakers may be going out of business due to the economy. I have not confirmed this through the Energy Speakers thread on this forum.
Good luck

So looking to switch to one of these from a Onkyo SR606, the problem is that I can not find one of these on display ANYWHERE near where I live. I am in Montgomery County MD Rockville area, anyone have an idea where I can see one before I buy? Thanks!

Live dangerously and buy off the picture.

The 789 is avaliable in one of the Circuit City stores in the Rockville area.

hERE yOU gO

Not sure what the correct term for this, but if I run all my video components through HDMI through the this AVR and want to play my Wii on my TV, but listen to music (or a DVD concert), can this be done? So bottom line, can I have one video source selected but sound from another source be played through the AVR?

Two questions:

Does the 1909 have a "pure pass through" for video inputs? (If I go all component in or all HDMI in can I set it so that there is zero scaling, etc.?)

How good are the component inputs and outputs?

Thanks.

sixfoot - you are thinking of the "video select" function, which allows you to mix the audio from one source with the video from another. unfortunately, it does not work with HDMI inputs. there are two possible "workarounds" that I can think of: 1. hit MENU > INPUT SETUP > ASSIGN and temporarily reassign the inputs for the length of the session; 2. run an additional non-HDMI audio cable for the source you want the audio from, and then temporarily hit "input mode" and select digital or analog (depending how you set it up) to force the audio from the non HDMI source.

Bruce - yes, you can defeat the video processing. all digital video is passed through anyway, the 1909/789 offers no processing of digital video. the analog > digital transcode will very slightly soften the image (slight high freq. rolloff in the chroma and luma resolution) so if you want your analog video to stay "pure" you should run a component video cable to the monitor. I run my setup this way (on my AVR 888), with one component and one HDMI going to the monitor.

the component in/outs are rated for 60mHz bandwidth, which is plenty for 1080i/720p but could potentially result in a little softness on a 1080p signal.