Sony DVP-CX995V owner's thread - Page 9

Quote: JVB Digital
Hi,

We are currently working on a modification for the player. RS-232 is normally
not something we support, but since the player lacks one we'll investigate
it (low priority though). The codefree modification should be available
within 2 to 4 weeks.

Thank you for your interest,


JVB Digital
Dearborn, MI 48124
USA



FOR ALL YOUR CODEFREE DVD & SDI MODIFICATIONS

Originally Posted by vonhosen


Yes, there is no HDCP is the main difference. Other than that I believe it depends on the implementation of HDMI or DVI in the source player.

SDI takes the digital data straight from the MPEG decoder (YCbCr 4:2:2, no analogue conversion , no copy protection) & typically passes that information as 480i/576i via a single 75ohm cable to a deinterlacer/scaler where these tasks are carried out (still in digital domain) before outputting directly to the display.

You are avoiding D/A & A/D conversions with the artifacts, loss of quality that MAY occur or be exaggerated by these conversions.

With DVI I believe players tend to be RGB 4:4:4 where as SDI is YCbCr 4:2:2. This means SDI is taking the info exactly as it is stored on the DVD not performing colour space conversions with the possible assosciated artifacts.
DVI shouldn't allow output of 480/576i either, only 480/576p. this means that deinterlacing is taking place in the source player as opposed to your external scaler/deinterlacer.

HDMI specs will allow output of 480/576i (but not all source players do it.) Arcam Dv29 does. If your particular player doesn't allow "i" output then again you can't use external scalers (possibly) superior deinterlacing, only it's scaling abilities.

That is my understanding of all this , of course I could be wrong.

Originally Posted by R_Willis

Why don't you just purchase either the 777ES or the new upcoming model?

RS232 standard

Originally Posted by c_hernandez32

According to a Sony rep, the ES line will be primarily for Blu-Ray players. As of now, there are not mentions of an upconvert DVD player.

Originally Posted by kevinp8192

la916 --

Would just adding an rs-232 port really help? I mean, just because a port is added, does that mean it would support all the two-way rs-232 commands that 777ES does? Or would it maybe have it's own set of commands?

My Sony TA-E9000ES was extremely similar to the Sony str-da777ES receiver, and both included included an rs-232c port. HOWEVER although they had almost the exact same feature set, and even used the same IR commands, the TA-E's rs-232c port could not accept the 777ES' rs-232 commands.

So for an rs-232c upgrade for the 995V to be viable, it would have to be fully compatible with the CX777ES' protocol.

Originally Posted by la916

I believe JVB would use the CX777ES as a reference for their upgrade. JVB has worked with the CX777ES and also provides a few upgrades for it.

Originally Posted by Johnla

There is no guarantee that the 995 would be able to work with RS232, it takes a lot more than just adding a RS232 connector to the device. And if the circuitry within the 995 don't have support for it, then it probably can't be done unless you swap parts/circuit boards from a 777ES into it. Don't forget, they only told you they may look into the possibility of maybe doing of it. Plus if you look at the cost of their other mods, if it can be done, then it likely is not going to be cheap.

Originally Posted by la916

Yes, you are correct at this point, there are no guarantees until they research and possibly build and test this modification. I am sure it is possible to add this funtionality to the DVP-CX995V, but I am not sure if it will be a simple modification or will entail a complete re-engineering that would cost more than anyone would be willing to pay. Well, at least JVB is willing to consider the possibility of adding this capability. If an RS-232C port for the DVP-CX995V becomes reality, it will open the door for several options that will improve the overall disc management capabilities.

Originally Posted by kevinp8192

According to the thread below on the Agoraquest.com site, this guy modded his 4 985s to 777, adding a rs-232c port, with above average soldering skills and less than $10 in parts.

http://www.agoraquest.com/viewtopic....18909&forum=50 (it's about halfway down the page, username "surgeon")

After upgrading the 985's firmware with the 777's, it worked exactly as a 777, even being recognized by the Escient as a 777. It may very well be the same for the 995 as well.

Originally Posted by surgeon

On 2005-02-14 22:00, Surgeon wrote:



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

On 2005-02-13 09:31, indecision wrote:
Surgeon,

Where can I find out more about modding a 985 to accept RS-232 commands? I searched here and at AVS forum but did not come up with anything.

Did you actually add the port to your unit?

Thanks,
Davis

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


If/when I find the time I may publish more info (ie: a step-by-step guide) on how to do this. Basically it involves 4 basic procedures, which can best be determined by obtaining copies of the technical service manuals for both the 985 and the 777 and doing a *lot* of comparisions between the two units. The 985 conversion steps involved are:

1) Removal of the "pull-up" resistors for the RS-232 inputs from the left-front panel board and connecting instead to the feed lines.

2) Building a small RS-232 to 3-volt interface (exactly as found on the 777's serial board) consisting of a Maxim MAX323 chip & caps.

3) Upgrading the 985's firmware to the 777's (modified version as in step #4 below).

4) "Moding" the firmware so it ignores the model desigination resistors and sees the unit as a 777.

The entire conversion requires less than $10.00 in parts but does require above-average soldering skills in acomplishing step #1. If you haven't worked with smc boards in the past, this isn't the place to start...

Once converted, even a Escient would connect to and operate the 985 exactly like it was a 777.

As stated previously, I've "upgraded" all 4 of my 985 units in this fashion...

-Surgeon-

Originally Posted by la916

Thanks for that infornmation kevinp8192. It provides hope that an RS-232C port modification may be accomplished. Also quoted below, thanks to robtwilk for providing some additional insight into the usefulness of a RS-232C port.

Originally Posted by robtwilk

Here's are tidbits of info I have collected over the years:

I own the old Sony 200 DVD jukebox and the original 400 jukebox.

RS232 - I use DVD Profiler to track my movie collection (which works perfectly). I then use a program called Movies! to control my 200 disc jukebox. It imports data from DVDProfiler and then allows me to pick movies and play them from my PC (very cool interface with a real home theater look). It has to use a RS232 port for direct control (which my 200 has) or you can buy the IR adapter (which I have not tried). My 400 jukebox does not have the RS232 - which really bugs me. I wanted to buy the ES, but it was too much at the time. Now I have to consider the replacement for the 777 (RS232 and HDMI - $$$) or the new 995 (no RS232, but HDMI $$).

Autoplay - The autoplay feature drives me nuts!! Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Remote Control - I have used several remotes from $20 to $1,000. The ProntoPro did a decent job with the Sony, but the programming time was crazy. I had a super custom setup with DVD pictures and everything. The new Harmony 880 rocks for a $250 remote. It is an unpublished feature, but it controls the Sony 985 like magic. You can import a .CVF file from DVD Profiler or manually enter the titles into the proramming website (all 400) and then update the remote. Now, when you are in the "Play DVD" activity and press the "Media" key, it will show you alpha ranges [A-F, G-K, etc.], when you pick a range it will show you all movie titles in that range, then you push the button next to the title and it sends the correct sequence to the player. Works EVERY time!

That's all I have time for now...

Originally Posted by Kingdaddy

The Direct Disc command in the RS232 protocol is the main difference with the 777ES. This command alone will alleviate most all the problems expressed in this thread. With the RS232 connected to a computer and a third party navigation system like DVD Lobby there is no issue with autostart/autoplay and no navigation or cover art issues. The only drawback is a slow layer change that is easily forgotten once you get used to it.

Don't expect Sony to do anything about the outstanding issues, they never have in the past, and they never listen to the complaints of the customers, they truly don't care. They will put out another generation of players with the same problems over and over again. The only way out is to use the ES model with a third party solution that will do what Sony obviously cant. BTW you do not need a dedicated computer to connect up to the RS232 and control the player, I use my computer for all my music and DVD selection and can still surf the web with no problems. Get a Viewsonic Airpanel, do the RDP hack and you will have true networking capabilities. My Airpanel is always set to Main Lobby and available to select Music or Movies and does not interfere with the server at all.

In summery, the RS232 is all the difference in the world, I would never buy a changer without some kind of outboard control port

Originally Posted by la916

Kingdaddy,

Thanks for the input. I will continue to pursue the third party RS-232C port development with JVB. Hopefully, others that like the options an RS-232C port can offer, will also e-mail JVB and let them know their interest.

Originally Posted by dae3dae3

FYI:

I was at Circuit City today and they had this player for $349 and then there was a $50 mail-in rebate so the final price was $299.

Too bad I'm not ready to buy this yet.

Originally Posted by zeram1

That's the DVP-CX985V, not the 995.

Originally Posted by FBlack

I don't know where you bought your 995, but I would head back to the store and demand a new one. I spoke to tech support too once about the auto play mode. He said my unit was faulty and I should send it to Texas too. I am in California. What a crock. No walk in repair service any more I guess.

Originally Posted by NoPlasmaYet

It's past the 30 day return policy, so I'm stuck...Sony service isn't what it used to be.

Originally Posted by sbm911

...
Anyone know why the Sony appears to be sending out a signal read as 520P? Is this my problem?

Originally Posted by sbm911

In trying to get my BENQ8700+ to recognize the HDMI signal coming from the Sony 995 (unsuccessfully to date), I've noticed that the signal being received by the projector's DVI input (I'm using a HDMI to DVI cable) reads 520P no matter what setting I put the Sony into (auto or 720P settings)

When I run my HD sat. receiver through the projector it reads either 720P or 480P depending on the setting on the HD sat. box, so it does appear to sense and read out the signal type coming in.

Anyone know why the Sony appears to be sending out a signal read as 520P? Is this my problem?

Originally Posted by umenon

I tried out the 995 past weekend ... tried to get it to send a 1080i signal to my Infocus 4805 projector (its capable of it ... but does 480p natively) ... but the player refused to send anything but 480p to the projector. Sony CS said that since the infocus only does 480p natively ... thats what is going to be sent ... which does not make sense because my cable box (SA 8300HD) outputs 1080i fine using the same HDMI->DVI cable. So something is wrong with the sony unit. It went back to the store during the weekend.

Max

Originally Posted by mdeligny

I've had this happen to me a few times already. Let the system "load" whatever it could find...then one day it comes up with a "?" near a disc that already had information manually entered in by me. This had to be done over and now the disc loads ok. This happens rarely, but it does happen and is a pain in the neck. This is why I do this...I keep a list of my movies ONLINE so I can browse that way which includes DVD plots, actors, stuff like that. I've decided not to use the built in navigation because it's a little behind the times if you know what I mean. What Sony or any other company should do is throw an Ethernet connection on this thing, have it point to imdb.com or some where else there's a good database and then have a real navigation screen. That though, will be years and years before a company does that...since they have a hard time just making simple navigation now. Here's my DVD list I use now...instead of the built in Sony's.

www.photopiks.com/dvd

Originally Posted by dae3dae3

FYI:

I was at Circuit City today and they had this player for $349 and then there was a $50 mail-in rebate so the final price was $299.

Too bad I'm not ready to buy this yet.

Originally Posted by Doug Schiller

Tell me more about this $50 rebate. I bought mine at Circuit City today and there was no rebate.

Originally Posted by dae3dae3

Nothing more for me to tell. The tag said there was supposed to be a rebate. I didn't have the money to buy one yet so I didn't look into it any further. It may have ended. Your guess is as good as mine.

Originally Posted by dae3dae3

Nothing more for me to tell. The tag said there was supposed to be a rebate. I didn't have the money to buy one yet so I didn't look into it any further. It may have ended. Your guess is as good as mine.

Originally Posted by FBlack

I log all my DVD's on DVD Profiler. Then print out a simple 2 or 3 page report that is in the same order as my Sony.

Originally Posted by 2000mugensi

Ok here is the concept I have, and hopefully someone with much more knowledge than I could help out.

I have a 985V with almost 400 discs in it, I have a Tablet PC and also DVD Profiler, does anyone know if there is a feasable way to have the tablet control the 985 and have all coresponding features of the DVD Profiler, I have a Toshiba Tablet with IR port on front, or I could buy a IR transmiter to send signal to machine. I would like to know possible software or any other posibilities, also on that same note, could my tablet be set up as a Home theater PC?? Which would require control of Lutron lights, Panny AE700, Yamaha 5860, Sony 985V, and even HD-SAT reciever. That would be incredible functionality from a currently owned unit (ie. Tablet Pc)

I really don't know much about Media Center Windows system, maybe that is all I need and I really don't know it. Any and All help would be appreciated, and no idea is too off the wall.