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*Official* Denon AVR 1909/789 Thread - Page 168

post #5011 of 11199
2/3/09 at 10:58am
Quote:


The Center Channel speaker IS playing louder that's why the value of +6.5 is lower than the fronts which are +9.5 & +10.

OK, I see what you are saying. We are indeed saying the same thing but just phrasing it differently

I don't think a 3dB difference between fronts and center is particularly troublesome. The center is up in front of the TV, a little closer and and aimed directly at the 1st position (the center spot). My RC-mini center needs to be offset almost 8dB from my RC-10 fronts!
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post #5012 of 11199
2/3/09 at 11:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by batpig View Post

OK, I see what you are saying. We are indeed saying the same thing but just phrasing it differently

I don't think a 3dB difference between fronts and center is particularly troublesome. The center is up in front of the TV, a little closer and and aimed directly at the 1st position (the center spot). My RC-mini center needs to be offset almost 8dB from my RC-10 fronts!

Whew!!! I knew I was away from the site for awhile so I was hoping I hadn't forgotten what little I did know.

I totally agree that a 3dB difference shouldn't be indicative of a problem, but its the combination of the 3dB difference and the high trim level of the two fronts that had me a little suspicious. A lot is said about "reference level" settings with Dynamic EQ, but what isn't talked about is that "reference level" is made up of two different values -- absolute value and relative value. Because Denon's have Dynamic Volume, reference levels are set at "absolute value" with the '09 series versus, let say, my 988. My 988's reference level is set at what's called "relative value." This also affects Dynamic EQ with the Denons, but not Dynamic EQ equipped Onkyos because they do not have Dynamic Volume and reference levels are set at "relative value" not absolute. To get more detail on this, I would suggest talking to Chris in Audyssey about it as I am no means an expert in these matters.

Anyway, that's why I said I was a bit suspicious of those high trim numbers because they are set by absolute values (to determine reference level) and shouldn't be that high in a room that size. If anything, those values should have gone down. I've noticed higher trim numbers with the 789/1909's more than the 889/2809, 989/2809 and the upgraded 3808, 4308 & 5308's. Personally, I believe there *could* be a quality control issue (China) with 789/1909, but, of course, I have no proof and that's a whole other story.

By the way, when I get a chance, I'll let you know what I found I liked about the Dynamic Duo (Dynamic EQ & Volume) and what I don't on the 1909 & 889 compared to the 988. Oh, and the Onkyo's with Dynamic EQ too.

DISCLAIMERI've been away for awhile so you guys please take it easy on me...
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post #5013 of 11199
2/3/09 at 12:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by batpig View Post

Yes they are the same, and as to why???? Apparently the trained monkey throwing darts at the flip chart, somewhere in the deep dungeon where Denon manuals and remotes are designed, had bad aim one day. And we all suffer for it. $60 will get you a Harmony 550 and you can forget that remote ever existed



(Before we get started -- does your phono player have a pre-amp already? Because the 789/1909 will not be able to play a standard record player as it doesn't have a preamp built in. You would need the step-up model 889/2309 which has a dedicated phono input with preamp. If you do have a preamp, forget that I just said anything )


Have you read through my setup guide and FAQ yet? The thing to understand is that you should IGNORE the labels on the back in general, they can pretty much all be assigned to wherever you need them (other than the composite/s-video jacks). What matters is the OUTPUT NAME, that determines what comes out the other side, so to speak.

You can rename the names to whatever you want, so it's important to think about how you want to divy up your available NAMES as the first-level decision, and then worry about the connections second.

So in your example above, you have multiple devices overlapping on the "DVD" name. You want to spread them out so they each have a discrete source "name" that you can select.

Five of your "names" are video inputs, so you want to save those for actual video sources -- TV/CBL, DVD, HDP, VCR, V-AUX.

Two of your "names" are audio-only, CD and CD-R/TAPE. So use those for something like a CD player or record player (with preamp).

And, again, remember that everything but the composite/s-vid jacks are assignable to whatever "name" you want. It doesn't matter where you plug in as you can reassign freely and "map" the inputs to whatever name you want.

So what I recommend you do with your setup, again starting with the "names" first, is this:

VIDEO INPUTS -
"TV/CBL" = your satellite receiver (HDMI, assign and rename as needed)
"V-AUX" = your Blu-Ray player (HDMI, assign and rename as needed)
"HDP" = your DVD/CD player (Component + Optical, assign and rename as needed)
"VCR" = your VCR (composite, plugged into the "VCR" jacks)
"DVD" = is left free for a future ipod dock (nothing special about the VCR input, you can use any video input for a Denon ipod dock)

AUDIO INPUTS -
"CD-R/TAPE" = your phono player + preamp (plugged into the CD-R/TAPE analog jacks, rename as needed)
"CD" = available for some other audio device of the future

The front aux inputs are still available under "V-AUX" if you ever need them, you just need to make sure the Blu-Ray player is turned off if you want to use them for some temporary connection (like a video camera or something).





Thanks for the response batpig. My phono player has a built-in preamp, so I'm OK there.

I think I'm OK with connecting, assigning, and renaming my inputs. What's still a little confusing is, until I get that Harmony remote, which buttons on the remote source select do I press to select the desired source. I had initially thought that the "quick select" buttons were designated for the HDMI inputs. Looking at your suggested hookup, it appears to me that I would hit the following buttons to select the desired source:

TV/CBL button on quick select or rear to select satellite receiver

V. Aux button on rear to watch blu-ray

HDP button on front or rear to watch or listen to DVD/CD player

VCR button on quick select, front, or rear for watching VCR

DVD button on quick select, front, or rear for viewing/listening to an ipod.

CD-R/TAPE button on remote rear for listening to phonograph

When I press the desired button, the input source will show on the receiver or monitor as to how I renamed the source.

Why are so many source selects and inputs named VCR? Why does the front of the remote have a DVD/HDP button, and the back have two separate buttons for DVD and HDP?

Maybe I'm thinking too much. I have read your FAQ's and setup guide, and have printed them out. Thus far, I have only connected the speakers and an optical cable from my satellite box to the receiver, and performed a manual speaker setup. I haven't had the window of opportunity to perform a full setup - I had to wait for an order of cables, and now need to find some time without the wife and kids around to do my thing. Hopefully this weekend.

I've been reading the manual, lurking on this forum, and studying the front & rear panel drawings, and front and rear panel remote control drawing to be as ready as I can be when it comes down to rolling up the sleeves (and putting on the reading glasses) to do the setup. Hoping it will all make sense once I get into it.
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post #5014 of 11199
2/3/09 at 12:08pm
Quote:
Why are so many source selects and inputs named VCR? Why does the front of the remote have a DVD/HDP button, and the back have two separate buttons for DVD and HDP?

Like I said, trained monkeys throwing darts. If you try to apply some actual logic to the design choices that were made, your brain could explode.

You should do some searches on "Quick Select", we had a big discussion about this a ways back. Quick Selects can be a little confusing, as they aren't totally identical to the source select buttons. Generally, if you just want to switch from one source to another just use the source select buttons (either the front or back of the remote).

The Quick Selects are best used as a one-touch access to some weird, non-standard setup you have. You can use them as general source switchers, but you need to understand that the Quick Selects will always revert back to what they were set for by default unless you RE-MEMORIZE them to capture the details of your preferred setup. The Quick Selects memorize many things, including volume level, speaker levels, input mode etc.

For example, let's say that usually when you watch a Blu Ray you like to have it cranked up to -20dB on the volume dial, and turn off Dynamic Volume so you can let 'er rip with full dynamic range. However, sometimes when you watch Blu Rays late at night, you want Dynamic Volume on the "Evening" setting with a volume level of -35dB, and you also want to turn down the subwoofer by 5dB so your wife doesn't wake up and yell at you, and you also bump up the center channel by 2dB so you can hear the dialogue better.

You can "memorize" your standard setting as Quick Select 1, with Volume at -20dB and Dynamic Volume off. Then, you can lower the volume to -35dB, turn Dynamic Volume to "Evening", bump down the subwoofer 5dB, bump up the center channel 2dB, and then "memorize" that as Quick Select 2.

Now, you have one-touch-access to your two "modes". So when you want to watch a movie at night, you just press Quick Select 2 and you don't have to spend 10 minutes fiddling with the volume, channel levels, etc. to get it just right. Then, next time you crank up the Blu Ray for a full volume session, just press Quick Select 1 and it will go back to your normal settings.
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post #5015 of 11199
2/3/09 at 12:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by batpig View Post

VIDEO INPUTS -
"TV/CBL" = your satellite receiver (HDMI, assign and rename as needed)
"V-AUX" = your Blu-Ray player (HDMI, assign and rename as needed)
"HDP" = your DVD/CD player (Component + Optical, assign and rename as needed)
"VCR" = your VCR (composite, plugged into the "VCR" jacks)
"DVD" = is left free for a future ipod dock (nothing special about the VCR input, you can use any video input for a Denon ipod dock)
).

An even better explanation than in the "guide"!
One oddity-why would neither of the devices that actually play DVD's not get assigned to DVD? What kind of batlogic is this? You're not being affected by reading too many Denon manuals, are you bp?
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post #5016 of 11199
2/3/09 at 12:37pm


The "batlogic" has to do with leaving a spot open for the ipod dock in the future. Here is my thinking:

1. On the 1909/789, only three of the device "names" have a rear-input composite/s-video hookup for a future Denon ipod dock: DVD, VCR, and TV/CBL. "TV/CBL" obviously goes to the cable box.

2. If you are going to have five video devices, the "V-AUX" name should be used for a hi-def connection like the Blu Ray player, so that when you turn the device off the front AUX inputs are still available. Thus, I suggested that be the BDP which only uses an HDMI connection, and will be turned off when not in use.

3. The "HDP" input cannot be used for a standard def source -- the only video options for the "HDP" name are component video and HDMI. So I gave that "name" to his other hi-def source, the component video inputs of the DVD player.

4. That left the "DVD" and "VCR" names for the VCR and a future iPod dock. Since the "VCR" name actually has a REC OUT loop, it should actually go with a physical VCR, leaving "DVD" as the last unused input.
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post #5017 of 11199
2/3/09 at 12:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ab2ab View Post

...Anyway, that's why I said I was a bit suspicious of those high trim numbers

By the way, when I get a chance, I'll let you know what I found I liked about the Dynamic Duo (Dynamic EQ & Volume) and what I don't on the 1909 & 889 compared to the 988. Oh, and the Onkyo's with Dynamic EQ too.

I just thought of another factor that could potentially cause the FR/L trim to be higher-whether chuf's Fronts are "toed in" or not.

Chuf, would you be interested in reposting your OP in the Audyssey thread? http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=795421 Chris is the audyssey man (literally)!

ab, we'll be most interested in your comparisons.
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post #5018 of 11199
2/3/09 at 12:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by batpig View Post



The "batlogic" has to do with leaving a spot open for the ipod dock in the future. Here is my thinking...

Amazing. Geeze, wouldn't want to play chess against this guy....
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post #5019 of 11199
2/3/09 at 1:13pm
Thanks for the lesson on quick selects. I don't think I'll be using them at this time - in fact, for ease of use, I will only use the source select buttons on the back of the remote (3-tuner (radio), 5-tv/cbl (satellite), 6-vcr (vcr), 7-hdp (dvd/cd), 8-v. aux (blu-ray), 9-cd-r/tape (phono). I suppose I could use the 4-DVD button for the DVD/CD player instead of the HDP since I don't have an ipod at this time. Even if I get an ipod, I may only use it for audio so I could control it with the 0-ipod button. It appears that the video select button could even be used to scroll through the five video input options (which I will have renamed and can read on the face of the receiver). I assume when I select an option, my audio selected to go with that option will be selected. I assume I'll use the surround mode buttons and tuner system buttons for the radio as well.

On the front of the remote, I'll use the volume, and that may be it (assuming I leave all the equalization and dynamic volume settings on). I shouldn't have to use the channel select and cursor buttons, once I perform and am happy with the auto setup. I shouldn't have to use the system buttons (they appear to be used with the source control - see next paragraph).

About the only other question I would have is in regards to the "Source Control" section. I assume I'll never need to use it, since I don't have any Denon components to control with the crappy Denon remote. Maybe I'll use it if I ever get that Denon ipod docking station, if I don't have a harmony by then.

I think one more read through of your setup guide and maybe the setup instructions in the manual should have me ready to go. Thanks for setting me straight on the "logic" built into the remote control.
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post #5020 of 11199
2/3/09 at 2:04pm
Just purchased the 1909, and if Im watching a blue ray or hi-def cable can I get the sound to come out from zone 2..Was thinking about putting another tv outside in patio and have a splitter for the monitors..Just need to get the sound out there..I read if I have amp set to 5.1 I can use the surround back for powered zone 2...thanks
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post #5021 of 11199
2/3/09 at 2:15pm
No, Zone 2 is analog only. You can do it, but you have to run an extra pair of red/white analog cables from source>to>receiver to get the audio to come of zone 2.

Check out my FAQ:
http://batpigworld.com/fadq.html#section_06
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post #5022 of 11199
2/3/09 at 2:19pm
If you are going to split the video anyway, you could probably just run the patio speakers off the B terminals.
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post #5023 of 11199
2/3/09 at 2:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcjunk View Post

I think one more read through of your setup guide and maybe the setup instructions in the manual should have me ready to go. Thanks for setting me straight on the "logic" built into the remote control.

It's really not THAT hard, it's just a matter of re-training your brain to understand the "Denon-ese". You are doing the right thing by thinking this all through beforehand so you have a good grasp of what you are trying to do. And discussions like these benefit the "lurkers" who are following along and might be experiencing similar confusion.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mcjunk View Post

It appears that the video select button could even be used to scroll through the five video input options (which I will have renamed and can read on the face of the receiver).

Just to be clear, the "Video Select" button does not just cycle through the inputs consecutively, like you were turning the input knob on the face of the receiver, or pressing the "input" or "tv/video" button on your TV remote.

It is actually a specific feature that allows you to mix audio and video from two different input "names". For example, let's say you want to listen to music from the radio while watching the game. You would put it on the TUNER input, and then press the Video Select button until you reach the "TV/CBL" input. Now, the Denon will be playing the audio from the Tuner, but mixing it with the video from the TV/CBL input.

This has been a nice feature of Denon AVR's for years, unfortunately the one caveat is that it doesn't work with HDMI sources. I guess it's too expensive to implement that or something. I cover that in my FAQ as well.
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post #5024 of 11199
2/3/09 at 2:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hellerbrewing View Post

If you are going to split the video anyway, you could probably just run the patio speakers off the B terminals.

But then you don't get independent volume control.
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post #5025 of 11199
2/3/09 at 2:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by batpig View Post

No, Zone 2 is analog only. You can do it, but you have to run an extra pair of red/white analog cables from source>to>receiver to get the audio to come of zone 2.


Would I have to change the audio input for this, or does it go through regardless..and will I still have digital 5.1 in main room
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post #5026 of 11199
2/3/09 at 2:47pm
it should just go through automatically, almost any source device (like cable boxes) will have their analog audio outs (the red/white plugs) active at all times, so when you active Zone 2 on the Denon and switch Zone 2 to that source, it will automatically just grab the analog audio feed. It won't affect the digital action going down in Main Zone.
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post #5027 of 11199
2/3/09 at 2:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by batpig View Post

it should just go through automatically, almost any source device (like cable boxes) will have their analog audio outs (the red/white plugs) active at all times, so when you active Zone 2 on the Denon and switch Zone 2 to that source, it will automatically just grab the analog audio feed. It won't affect the digital action going down in Main Zone.

You ma ma ma ma make me happy..
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post #5028 of 11199
2/3/09 at 4:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dmbpj View Post

Great. I will try these things tonight.

When I went to the blu-ray site you linked me to and I clicked on Band of Brothers it says the audio is "DTS-HD MA 5.1", so when I am playing the actual episodes (not the menu, etc.) the front of the Denon should say DTS-HD *** or something like that? And I should get some of the lights on the right of the receiver?

Thanks again.

I am going to get my $$$ back for install after all this. I may have another question tonight. You and batpig have been very helpful.


See here for crappy cellphone pictures of my receiver's display (couldn't figure out how to defeat the flash on regular camera) with DTS-HD Master Audio track playing in 5.1 and 7.1 for WALL-E, edited together with the almighty MS Paint. This is what your display should look like if you got everything set up (minus the bottom speaker indicator on the left as WALL-E is 6.1).

Notice the lack of frame around the Audyssey MultEQ light in the 5.1 shot. This means I mucked with something after calibration (changed amp from 7.1 to 5.1 for demonstration).
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post #5029 of 11199
2/3/09 at 5:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SoundofMind View Post

I just thought of another factor that could potentially cause the FR/L trim to be higher-whether chuf's Fronts are "toed in" or not.

Chuf, would you be interested in reposting your OP in the Audyssey thread? http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=795421 Chris is the audyssey man (literally)!

ab, we'll be most interested in your comparisons.

good idea SoM, the more information the better! Thanks everyone for the help, I'm glad there's a community like this around to help HT virgins
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post #5030 of 11199
2/3/09 at 6:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by chufly29 View Post

... I'm happy with the sound, but I had a question on the trim levels.

Setup: FR+FL are Energy C-50's, Center is a Energy CC-50 and the sub is a ESW-8

The trim levels/distances/positions are as follows:
FL: +10 / 9.4 ft / 11.1" to the left of the TV on a stand
FR: +9.5 / 9.2 ft / 11.1" to the right of the TV on a stand
C: +6.5 / 9.0 ft / sitting in front of the TV on the media cabinet
S: +4 /10.7 ft / 20" to the right of the TV on the floor
Room Size: 12w x12d x 10h
I'm not so much concerned with the settings as curious to why the heck the FL and FR are set so high. Any comments would be great, thanks!

Quote:
Originally Posted by SoundofMind View Post

All your trims seem OK. Audyssey sets the trim to generate 75 dB at mic position 1 when Vol is at reference 0, balancing all speakers. The C50's are pretty small.

Chris's response on the Audyssey thread to chufly's reposting there: "The 1909 has Audyssey Dynamic EQ and so it is setting the trims to achieve film reference level when your volume control is at 0. So, the trim values depend on the sensitivity of your speakers and the distance. The numbers you are getting are not that unusual." Hooya!
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post #5031 of 11199
2/3/09 at 6:29pm
didn't we already tell him that?
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post #5032 of 11199
2/3/09 at 6:30pm
Hi,

What would be the recommended connections/inputs/mappings for my setup?

2[HDP] Blu-Ray -> HDMI -> DENON -> HDMI -> TV

3[TV/CBL] Cable TV -> COMPONENT -> DENON "" ""
OPT-1[TV/CBL] Cable TV -> OPTICAL "" "" ""

OPT-2[VCR] TV -> OPTICAL "" "" ""

thanks
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post #5033 of 11199
2/3/09 at 6:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bugs View Post

I have a copy of a 20 page Denon PDF that has all the IR codes for the 1909. Is there a way to post this on AFS (2 mb)? I don't have the capability to host a url for the document, but I'm happy to email it to someone who does. PM me with your email address and I'll send it along.

thanks bugs. pm'd you my address as well.
best,
r
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post #5034 of 11199
2/3/09 at 6:35pm
Quote:


Hi,

What would be the recommended connections/inputs/mappings for my setup?

you should read the discussion we just had a few posts back where I gave some detailed examples of how someone else in a similar situation should set things up. then, click on the link in my signature and follow my setup guide.

you should be able to hook everything up and run one HDMI to your TV. remember: ignore the labels on the back, what matters is the "name" you use and just assign/rename it as needed. once you get your brain wrapped around the concept of assigning the inputs to the various source "names" it's actually pretty simple.
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post #5035 of 11199
2/3/09 at 7:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by squareeyes View Post

thanks bugs. pm'd you my address as well.
best,
r

There is one link to it I found referenced a few pages back here.
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post #5036 of 11199
2/3/09 at 7:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kx250ryder View Post

According to Blu-ray Statistics that should be a DTS-MA disc. Keep in mind, its likely only the actual film/show itself will be, to save space menus and special features usually are not recorded in HD audio formats.

If you are seeing Multi CH IN , your Blu-ray player is still outputting linear PCM instead of the bitstreamed codecs to the receiver. Assuming you are seeing this in the main part of the film (not on menu or special features), I can only think of two possibilities:

1.) There may another seting to avoid PCM output that I missed in the manual. I know for the lower model, the BDP-S350, you also had to change BD Audio Setting to Direct instead of Mix in order for the player to properly bitstream. That is not supposed to be the case with your model, but give it a shot.

2.) You wired the 6 RCA audio plugs from the back of the Blu-ray player (labelled 5.1 CH OUTPUT) to the Denon in addition to the HDMI, and for some reason they have priority.

If neither of these are true, I am stumped.

EDIT: Google lead me astray last night. When I googled your player, it gave me a PDF for the manual of the previous model (BDP-S500). Found the correct one here, and on pg 65, note#5 at the bottom says to enable Direct to get bitstream (also described on pg 49).

BD Audio setting did the trick and changed my front display to say DTS-HD MA and I got the Blue HD light on the front of the receiver!

Now to get a refund for my install. I better read the manual to see if there are other settings and things I should be aware of. I am sure there are. I may have to backread some of this thread.

Is it normal to hear a slight noise out of the speakers when they are on but you have the sound on mute or something?
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post #5037 of 11199
2/3/09 at 9:04pm
Hello all.

I've been a member for quite a while, but mainly just to read and drool. I have just received a 789 as a gift to replace a 10 year old Harmon Kardon.

I have a large room which has a ceiling mounted SharpVision projector set up on the short branch of an "L" shaped room. At one time we used it a lot, but it hasn't seen a lot of use the last few years. I used the HK in a tower set up with 5.1 sound, a cable box, a DVR and a CD player. The HK was located in the bend of the L and now the wife wants the cabinet out of the way.

That screen was the only "TV" in the basement for years. Then my boys became teenagers and life changed. Now, at the other end of the "L" from the "movie screen" is a plasma TV that has a Cable Box/DVR, a Wii, a PS2, a video ipod, an XBox and a Showstopper "DVR" plugged into it (yea, I'm THAT far behind and yes, it still works to record shows). That TV has never had a seperate sound system and has been a "gaming/secondary TV area" for the last two years.

The plasma TV has hdmi, so does the cable box and the x-box. Is there any way, using the 789 that I could put the hdmi to the TV and set up some decent speakers with the TV and STILL run video (the Sharp is a decade old and I was using S-video for its source) / audio over to the other end of the L from the 789? The speakers are still fine at the other end of the room and I'd really like to start using that end of the room again to watch movies.

I could just use the HK and a dvd player dedicated to the Sharp, but as I said the wife wants to use the space and I'd really like to be able to use just the one receiver so all the sources could be viewed on either screen.

I've read the 789 manual and a lot of this thread and it looks like the only way I can use the 5.1 is make that area my "main" and have the TV, which is going to see 90% of the use be zone 2 with a R/L speaker set up. That's going to cause some complaints from the boys. Is that correct? If so, what speakers would you recommend?

Thank for any advice in advance on whether this can be done and how best to do it, its greatly appreciated.
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post #5038 of 11199
2/4/09 at 1:47am
I finally went out and bought a shiny new receiver and ultimately decided on the 789, thanks in large parts to this very forum. I'm elated at the sound quality, feature set and firmly believe I got more than my money's worth, so thanks to all for that, particularly HDMI_13's faq.

That said, I'm running a Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR with Time Warner Cable in Los Angeles through the HDMI, sound and video both. I get gorgeous picture and beautiful audio, no prob. I suspect this happens when the DVR flips over to an HD show from a previously tuned SD channel, but on occasion I get a warning on the screen, generated by the cable box, informing me that "The programming cannot be properly displayed because of limitations in my display settings. Press 'A' to continue". I press the 'A' button a half dozen times and it goes away as if it were never there. DVR shows that it's still displaying in 1080 and I don't see another warning until I've switched inputs for a while on the 789 and then come back. I hope that makes sense.

It's almost as if the cable box says "well, it doesn't seem like there's anything going to the TV, even though it seems to be on" when the receiver is switched to my Xbox, Wii, HTPC or whatever.

Anyone else run into this? Something I'm just gonna have to live with? I suspect the cable company will tell me to contact Denon and Denon will have me call Time Warner, neither of which I want to do knowing tech support the way I do. Not a deal breaker of course, but annoying nonetheless.
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post #5039 of 11199
2/4/09 at 3:54am
jedi, I think you've self-diagnosed correctly. Likely "famous HDMI handshake" issues. You know the drill? No harm in calling the cable co., but looks like you should try running component/optical from DVR to AVR.
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post #5040 of 11199
2/4/09 at 4:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckjedi View Post

I finally went out and bought a shiny new receiver and ultimately decided on the 789, thanks in large parts to this very forum. I'm elated at the sound quality, feature set and firmly believe I got more than my money's worth, so thanks to all for that, particularly HDMI_13's faq.

That said, I'm running a Scientific Atlanta 8300HD DVR with Time Warner Cable in Los Angeles through the HDMI, sound and video both. I get gorgeous picture and beautiful audio, no prob. I suspect this happens when the DVR flips over to an HD show from a previously tuned SD channel, but on occasion I get a warning on the screen, generated by the cable box, informing me that "The programming cannot be properly displayed because of limitations in my display settings. Press 'A' to continue". I press the 'A' button a half dozen times and it goes away as if it were never there. DVR shows that it's still displaying in 1080 and I don't see another warning until I've switched inputs for a while on the 789 and then come back. I hope that makes sense.

It's almost as if the cable box says "well, it doesn't seem like there's anything going to the TV, even though it seems to be on" when the receiver is switched to my Xbox, Wii, HTPC or whatever.

Anyone else run into this? Something I'm just gonna have to live with? I suspect the cable company will tell me to contact Denon and Denon will have me call Time Warner, neither of which I want to do knowing tech support the way I do. Not a deal breaker of course, but annoying nonetheless.

Two thoughts.
1) My Verizon/Fios box is setup to output everything at 1080i so I'm not forcing the TV to switch between different rates. Not sure if this can be done on TWC.

2) Connect the STB to the Denon via component cables and use HDMI from the Denon to the TV. The Denon will upscale the component signal and present one rate to the TV. I also do this and have no HDMI handshake problems. The component connection is not distinguishable from HDMI.
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AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Receivers, Amps, and Processors › *Official* Denon AVR 1909/789 Thread