The "Official" Denon DVD-2910 Owners Thread - Page 2

i have a vinc bravo d1.
have any of you 2910 owners had the d1? is the 2910 a worthwhile upgrade?

I just picked up a 2910 and really like it so far but I can't figure out how to get a video signal when playing DVD-A discs. I have it hooked up with DVI to my RPTV. Pressing Play twice will start the disc but I'd like to be able to get to the menus and special features of some of the discs. Anybody else have this issue or a fix?

Radtek, I have almost the same setup (2910, Mits 52525 and Tivo HD). www.gefen.com has a new HDMI switcher ($249) with remote and cables. I'm also thinking of just manually switching the HDMI cable as I only watch DVDs once or twice a week. What I haven't figured out yet is how to get NetCommand to deal with a switcher or with manually switching. Let me know how you resolve this. Thanks.

We have had a 2910 on order for at least 2 weeks now. Goodguys has them in black, but our silver one we ordered has not yet come in. Has anyone gotten the silver one yet? and where did you get it? I need to know so I can get on GG case for taking so long. We have a silver Denon AVR 3805 to hook it up to. One GG said they have silver ones in their wherehouse. Can anyone confirm this?

sbtv,
We also have a 52725 & direct TV HD, Do you think this swithcer can degrade the picture quality a little? It also comes with HDMI cables, are the cables any good or are they cheapo cables?

* Picture quality between HDMI and DVI = none
* If using HDMI to HDMI you can run longer cable runs.
* If using HDMI->DVI to DVI the DVI determines the cable length and is hence not longer than DVI-DVI. DVI-DVI would actually be better since you have one less interference (the HDMI-DVI adapter) that worsens the signal path.
* Belkin SOHO is a quite cheap computer DVI sitch (about 150 dollars) but i guess it should work also for home cinema since it has autosearch. Allthough you cant remote control it a button push shoud do it (or keyboard if you connect that). You also need a set of cables for each source - se bottom of link page.
Link Belkin SOHO - DVI SWITCH

Regards
Boogieman

Due to frequent stuttering, I exchanged for a new 2910.
It repeated the same stuttering problems after an hour or so.
Could this be from overheating?
I have it in a rack, enclosed on all but the back, with about half inch on each side and with a tivo on top of it. The top vents, on the units one side, are not blocked by the Tivo.
Anyways, I've taken it out of the cabinet and watched about 2 hours without a stutter yet.

Also, if it a disk problem, is there a disk cleaner anyone would recommend?

Chris

I had a D1. It was too unreliable for me. Great PQ, but I had loader issues and remote control sluggishness. Based on those two issues- I had to let it go. It just wasn't reliable. If it was, I'd have kept it.

I tried the Momitsu v880 and felt the PQ was soft. Tried the 1910, same thing, soft PQ.

The 2910 is a well-made unit with good PQ. I have no plans to upgrade from here until HD DVD. It's a nice unit and it works as expected.

One nice thing about the D1 is the autohanding of 4:3 content with no settings changes.

So, is it a worthwhile upgrade? If you have zero problems with D1, keep it. If it's unreliable, I'd upgrade anyway, whether to 2910 or some other unit. There are too many choices out there to stick with poorly workign equipment. I wanted to support Vinc - the little guy - but couldn't stomache the problems in their products.

I asked a similar question in regard to the cables included with the HD-Tivo - here... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...v#post4223240. Page down to my (sbtv) post and greywolf's reply. The concensus from this reply and others was that the cables included with the HDTivo were fine - I would think they would be on the switcher too. As for degrading the signal, maybe slightly but I wouldn't think you'd be able to tell the difference.

Picked up the 2910 this afternoon and spent a while setting everything up. Still got to do some tweaking with the video and have the DVI input ISF'ed on my Sammy DLP, but the Capital Building scene in X-Men1.5 rivaled HD
I didn't spend a lot of time with video as it has already been stated that video quality is excellent.

I have a Panny RP82 and the video the 2910 puts out is superb. Not a night and day difference but a definite improvement.

I mostly wanted to hear DVD-A and SACD. Audio via the 5.1 analog outs is outstanding. No comparison to the Panny (DVD-A only). Voices, soundstage and overall quality was superior. I have a Denon 3805 A/V receiver used as a preamp. The accompanying female vocalist in "Carnival" by Natalie Merchant was clear and clean. On the Panny it was not very discernable.

DSOTM (SACD) and the Eagles' Hotel California (DVD-A) were just incredible. This player certainly does magic with audio. I was able to crank the volume up to between 85 - 105dB on the Radio Shack SPL meter and just wanted to hear more.

I didn't have a lot of time to do a complete review but so far I am not unhappy with any aspect of this player.

GeoBy, I too cannot get video from DVD-A's but I could from the Panny. Does DVI not pass video?

Guys-
For those who aren't getting video on DVD-A discs - the 2910 defaults to audio only. There is a setup option to change this behavior to do video on DVD-A as well. Check out page 41 of the manual (bottom of page).

Tennberg-
You know, the 2910 allowed me to change the output resolution to 720p while using component, but I never verified what the actual signal resolution was (I didn't realize the manual says this is only for HDMI/DVI). The Sammy DLP re-sync's on the component input when I cycle thru the format options though, so I figured it was doing something. I'll have to test that out more thoroughly...

Kaysadea-
I'm using the analog 6CH input on my Yamaha receiver now (which uses the 2910's DACs), as opposed to the digital optical input (which uses the Yamaha's DACs and DSP modes). Those were the two configurations I was referring to.

BTW- I've got the Pure Direct mode configured to disable the optical output from the 2910 *always*. So I'm using the 5.1 analog audio ouputs for both DVD movies (DD5.1/DTS soundtracks) and SACD/DVD-A and letting the 2910 do all the audio processing instead of my reciever.

-Corey

Did anyone get them in silver yet?

Yes, I do but it looks more like Titanium to me than silver, which is a bit cyber-looking n not the ordinary bright silver..

In regards to the Gamma adjustment, I cannot seem to get it to work via DVI to my Benq 8700 projector. I can adjust wild configurations with no change to the image. Anyone else have this problem or do I have a bad unit?

Jeff

Jeff, Gamma is not adjustable via DVI; only on component. There is an explanation on page 48. Sharpness (mid-hi), chroma delay and gamma.

Corey, thanks for the info on getting video on screen with DVD-A.

I picked up my 2910 on Sat and have it running via DVI to my InFocus SP7205 FP. I originally had it set to 720 to match the native res of my projector. However after watching a few DVD's and not being overly ecstatic about the picture quality I switched to 1080 which seems to yield better PQ. This seems odd to me since at 720 it is matching my PJ's native res and should yield the best PQ at that setting...go figure. At 720 I was getting a lot of macro-blocking in very dim scenes, most of which seemed to disappear at 1080. I also have noticed a bit of green push. I still need to tweak out the player some more and see what that yields. If anyone has any suggestions...LMK.

Does anyone have a simple explanation of how to use the 0 / 7.5 IRE setting? I calibrated my set at 0 IRE using the pluge pattern on DVE. Seemed overly dark afterward, so I ended up increasing the brightness by a few notches.

Re: 720p over component: my Samsung DLP (720p native) doesn't display resolution info on the component inputs, so I'm not sure what I'm getting from the 2910 when changing the resolution using the HDMI/DVI format button - I assume now that since the manual doesn't mention component that it's always 480p. Seems strange that there would be upconvert only over DVI since my 931 had the Faroudja chip and upconverted over component as well as DVI (at least that's what they claimed).

-Corey

Would going from the RP-82 to the 2910 be worth it from a video standpoint alone ? I have an RP-82 and I am having a hard time finding a good replacement for it without spending an arm and a leg.

i am not complaining here, but the 2910 that i purchased from magnolia plays all regional dvd's from other countries. does anyone else have this luxury?

cheers,

I actually went to the 2910 for DVD-A/SACD capabilities. And I wanted the video to be at least as good as the RP82. I don't know that I would spend $600 for just video. The picture is improved but as I said before - not a knock your socks off difference. I had the component input for the Panny ISF'ed and it made it look beautiful. I will see what the 2910 looks like after the DVI gets ISF'ed. It is entirely watchable now though!

Well,

My second 2910 (on top of my rack, completely unenclosed) suffers from the same stuttering problem at 30-60 minutes of playback. I thought it was heat related due to being in my rack, but it seems not to be the case (or if it is, I'm not willing to take the top of the unit to help it cool better). If I play a disk, the video stutters but doesn't freeze as does the audio optical output since my preamp loses the signal. If I turn off the machine, let it sit 20 minutes, and restart the DVD in the same area where it was stuttering before, it plays fine...until some time later in a different part of the DVD.

Therefore, I don't think it's my DVD's. I think it is something inherent in the player and a defect. Why would I get 2 of them which suffer the same problem? The serial # on unit 1 was 4076600713 and the second one is 407660112_ something (I forget exactly). July 2004 dates on the sticker.

I called Denon technical support/service and they report they have had no reports of any issues on the 2910. They wanted a list of the DVD's I've had problems on and said they are going to try them out themselves and call me back.

Any chance it could be related to DVI out? Should I try component out?
Why woudl I be the only one so lucky to get 2 units with this problem?

Chris

txemsdoc

Sorry to hear about ur probms with lock ups.
My 2910 is in a very close self. It has about 1/4 in on each side and about 2 in clearance on top and open back. Actually its in a shelf in the Ikea stand I bought for my HLP6163 sammy. I ran DVD's all weekend (12+ hrs on Sunday) and had no probm's with heat. It got warm but not hot to touch. So I dont think heat is an issue. I have the 2910 connected both via DVI and HDMI and had no probm. I constantly switch between the 2 to see if I can see any diff and I havent yet. Just maybe bad luck on the 2 that u got. Have u tried it at the dealers to see if its not another part of ur system that might be causing the probm with lock ups. Sounds far fetch but weirder things have happen to me when it comes to this stuff.

With some of the issues that others seem to have with the 2910, I've decided to keep the black 2910 I currently have instead of getting the silver one (on order that I cancelled) since I dont have any probm's with the current unit I have now and dont want to take a risk on a new one. I was prob one of the first here to get a 2910 and I had no probm's with mine at all for performance wise other then a very minor issue (very very minor green tint and not evn sure if its the 2910 or the DVD that cause the tint thru digital connections). Its been the best DVD player I had so far and will be a keeper until HiDef DVD.

I guess if you have time, better give it a try. No clue about your problem, Chris.

Thanks for the kind words

All that is hooked up to the DVD is my Samsung DLP via DVI and the Outlaw 950 preamp via optical cable. I guess I could change the optical cable to digital and see if that affects it, or to disconnect sound entirely.
Also, I could go to S-Video or Component to try it as well.
I'm not too knowledgeable in this area, but since the problem is affecting both audio and video it would seem to be a player problem... could a DIV issue affect audio or vice versa?

Maybe I'll just return it and convince tweeter to give me a great deal on a 3910 for all my problems...

Chris

Just for an expierment like u said, just connect the 2910 to the DLP via the DVI , with nothing else connected and see what happens. Sometimes if there is a lost of signal for the digital (coax or optical) audio out that the pre/pro gets can cause a lockup. Sound weird but I seen it happen before. Just a try. For 2 units to lockup like that, it has be some other reason and not the players themselves that are the causes. but then who knows????? Hope it works out.

try another DVI cable?

EDIT:
Another one is to check if the optical cable is pushed all the way in (click) else it maybe loose. I had this probm with mine a while back. I just plugged the optical in and was getting audio drop issue with by new AVR. Couildnt figure out what was wrong. I would walk across the floor and the signal sometimes drop. AVR look like it was lock and then would come back on. Finally by pushing the cable in until a click solve the prob. Didnt really think too much why this happen since I was getting sound most of the time. I guess the optical was just in enuf to pass a signal but since it was loose then occasionally it dropped. But then this was just an audio issue but the AVR did locked up and the image that was being routed thru the AVR's component connections also went. Just a thought.

Daryyl:

If you check out the new Secret Shootout Benchmark thread that is up, I posted this exact question.

Secrets DVD Benchmark shootout thread


I have a D1 too. That entire thread has a ton of information on current players and current displays and what dvd players are good for what. I almost think it should be a sticky since it contains so much info. Anyway, the reply I got was the next step up would HAVE to be the 2910 from my D1.

I honestly think V1 and their bravos are being seriously short-changed from my positive experience so far.

I might add, as I have tried to be fair and mention in most of my posts, my D1 has not been much a problem at except for doing firmware updates to it for the orignal loader. I bought one of the very very first ones and its seen heavy use. I occaisionally have to power it off and on to play a disc but thats it.

What is your display and its native resolution and what input are you looking it? Component? DVI?

Unfortunately I won't have it hooked up to my plasma for a few days yet to compare it head to head with the 1910, its connected to an older Sony XBR that only does 480i through the SVHS.

I don't think the 2910 does 480i through component, though SVHS is pretty much the same thing.

I do find the 4:3 aspect control of the Bravo D1 a problem. My first dvd into any player is a Star Trek Voyaher dvd usually. The open credits where the ship flys through a star's flares are a great test for the black blocking issue. In the Bravo it played on my big screen at 4:3 and I so wanted 16:9 for that

So I guess Denon changed their online store policy? 6ave.com says they can't sell Denon except from B&M stores.

Could always get it from Crutchfield...

Could always get it from Crutchfield...

Does anyone in the US or Southern California have the Denon DVD2910 in silver? Our Denon 3805 is silver & originally we had a DVD2200 in silver, but it had issues with playing progressive over component to our Mitsubishi DLP. So we returned it and now we have the 2910 on order. Any idea on when this is gonna come out? might upgrade to the 3910... would it be worth the price to get it sooner in silver? Where in So Cal can we get it in silver?

txmesdoc and others,

I had a scare with my Denon 2910 a couple of days ago. It started freezing on a DVD I was playing... when I tried to play it again, it said disc error. When I opened and closed the tray, it would play for about two minutes and then lock up again. I cleaned the disc and that didn't help. I changed to another dvd, and it was the same problem!

At this point, I power cycled the player, and since then, it has given me no problems, but it has got me worried. I am crossing my fingers that it doesn't come back again.

Couple of other questions:

regarding lack of control of chroma delay and gamma over dvi, does anyone know if that's one of the differences between 3910 and 2910? Just trying to find out if I should upgrade to 3910.

I don't entirely understand the player setting for audio and video on dvd-a. If it's set to audio, then it'll play only the dvd-audio tracks, and if it's set to video it'll play video and audio??? Getting confused here.

I know that 3910 people have some kind of firmware upgrade available (fixes y/c delay and pixel cropping, I believe. Does anyone know if 2910 has similar problems and needs an upgrade?


Thanks,
Stan