Denon DVD-3930 & DVD-2930 w/Realta T2 Chip Coming September- - Page 146

Based on my experience with them over my DVD3910 years ago, I guess Denon is still that same company I came to know and love This unit has been modded strictly for 2 channel listening.

Spymaster, from what I found searching these pages, some did just fine just replacing the laser and not the whole assembly. For $15 it's worth a try if there's a problem.

Okay, so I bought this player brand new for $200 and and noticed that the blacks were dark gray / washed out. When I set HDMI to enhanced, my blacks were fixed.

However, blacks still look washed out over the component. Is there something I can do to fix this?

Try this: If you are using HDMI for video, go into the picture quality menus (Owner's Manual, p30). Chose M1 and then adjust the "SETUP LEVEL" to "0 IRE." Leave the player in the M1 mode. It is not difficult, but I had to look at the OM and play with this adjustment a bit. This is the one adjustment I had to make. I have never seen a good explanation for what this setting does. "IRE", in its usual sense does not apply to HDMI. Nevertheless, as someone told me, "Believe me, just do it."

I have not tried this with component video, but it is worth a try.

Hmmm, I'm wanting to change the black levels over the component.... it sounds like what you're telling me is supposed to affect my HDMI black levels which I'm happy with when it's in enhanced mode.

I'm using both HDMI and component. HDMI when I want to run my receiver and component when I just want to watch a movie late at night without the receiver cranking.

It's worth a try. You may want to change back the HDMI enhanced mode and compare with the IRE set to 0.

Roger wilco. I'll see what happens.

Isn't it obvious? Denon is a super cocky company who still thinks it rules the A/V world (when in reality lower priced options like Oppo, Panasonic, Pioneer, etc. that can ACTUALLY PLAY MEDIA are taking over). Denon USA is just a puppet shell company that Denon uses for pulling in expensive US "repair" money. It has no real power in the corporation.

Denon doesn't have any real interest in DVD (or BluRay) players at this point in the game. Their bread & butter is in the AVRs. My AVR-3808CI has had countless "updates", but my DVD-3930CI has had ZERO. Denon can simply not compete with the new offerings from the companies mentioned above. You just need to look at its new 2nd gen BluRay players to confirm that. When has Denon EVER released new technology that "cheap"? Especially considering they just released a $4500 blu ray player as well.

/rant

The only way the HDMI Enhanced black level setting will have an effect is if you have the player set to RGB for the HDMI format. If you don't have a reason for using RGB, set the HDMI format to YCbCr, then set the black level setup to 0 IRE under the Picture Adjust menu (the one with the memory settings). This should give you the proper black level over both HDMI and component.

If you keep the HDMI format as RGB and use the Enhanced setting and set the black level setup to 0 in the Picture Adjust menu, the picture will look fine over component, but will be too dark over HDMI.

What calibration disc are you using?

larry

That worked! Although I had to change HDMI enhanced back to normal because it seemed darker.

Great!
Roger, Wilco, and Out.

You hit the nail on the head concerning I set my unit to RGB. However the black level was already at 0 IRE. What I did change was the "Setup Level" from 7.5 IRE to 0 IRE.

I have absolutely no reason for using RGB, so I changed it to YCbCr.

Many Thanks. BTW, I watched a ripped DVD on my Denon. I was under the impression you couldn't do this at all. Is this even an issue anymore?

I never had a problem.

Just got my 2930 from eBay at an awesome price, best DVD player I've ever owned. I replaced a 1940.

While watching 'Saving Private Ryan' the blacks looked a bit washed out. I changed the IRE setting, and voila....nice blacks.

My settings are HDMI(YCbCr), and 0 IRE. Are there any other video settings that do wonders? or is it specific to each one's display. I have a Sammy 46" LCD.

I'm probably the last person you'd want to ask about settings for your HDTV. I have a Pioneer PRO-111FD and have benefitted from others (specifically D-Nice) giving their optimal settings for my make and model. I would say to get the most out of your HDTV, you'd either want to find a page on this forum where people have shared their ideal settings for the same make and model you have, or maybe try here as a starting point: http://www.tweaktv.com/tweak-my-tv/

It would be nice to see if there is a settings page on this forum for those with our Denon DVD player.

I have already tweaked my Sammy to death, with assistance from the brethren in the LN....650 owner's thread. Much obliged to those guys.

Yes, I would like to see a thread that specifically addressed these advanced video settings in Denon players. Can someone say 'threadstarter'?

It is my understanding that digital information sent via HDMI is essentially what is on the disc. If that is true, there is no need to calibrate the player. The calibration should be done in the display. In other words, the display should faithfully reproduce the HDMI signal. The player only functions to send the unaltered digital information to the display.

I am by no means an expert and I am happy to have those that know more than me comment on this.

Looking at the 2930 or 3930 for my dvd-audio and sacd playback, i don't care about the video only the audio. Is there a difference between the 2 on the audio side? Im going to be using the Denon Link to mate it to my 3808.


Thanks for any feedback

Hi Texandme:

Save your money and get the 2930, if you plan to use the Denon-link. I have the 2930 and use it to play SACDs and DVDAs. I use the D-link and it is awesome!

In terms of audio, the major difference between the two players is that the 3930 has slightly better DACs. Although this could make a difference if you used the analog outs, it should not have any effect on sound via the D-link.

The 3930 also has a better video chip. I am blown away by the video quality of the 2930. I can't believe the 3930 would be that much better. Sorry (I'm going to make all the 3930 video people angry). I'm sure the 3930 is a little better in terms of video.


Both players have the same laser assembly .

Thanks Maphiker i have a 2500BTCI so no need for the video, sounds like the 2930 is the right one for me.

I have exactly the same setup. 3808 + 2500BTCI + 3930.

I will say this. The 2500BTCI is really good on the picture. Sharp, No Jaggies. However it has more obvious Macro blocking (artificial colours and artifacts). The 3930 to me is not as sharp but has a more natural film like appearence.

On the sound side there should be no difference between the 2930 and 3930.

Another not so important thing is the 3930 is the same height as the 2500, so they look good together. The 2930 is shorter.

Ta

Dono

Speaking of which...

I just bought a replacement laser assembly to replace the dodgy one in my 2930. The one I bought is the Sanyo SFHD65. Haven't installed it yet.

My question is this: do the Denon 2930/3930 use this same laser assembly out of the factory? In which case is my replacement assembly prone to break down the same way? Or is the Sanyo assembly actually a more reliable unit?

Anybody have a link to the install instructions for the replacement head? Like what screws you need to remove and stuff?

The info is spread throughout this thread. It is probably best to carefully search through it (try: "laser").

you are right, Denon has had numerous difficulties produciing players that can play various media (CD, SD-DVD, mp3, jpeg, etc.,...) consistently without failing or flaking out (at least with the few player models I've owned so far).


I'm sure they're more than that. They do have engineering/development staff there (ie. Jeff Talmadge, etc.,...) . There is much interplay between Denon-USA and Denon Japan in terms of new developments.

Actually D&M Holdings executive management ("money mongers") are based in NewYork City.

They probably do make some profit handling warranty/factory service processing at their New Jersey headquarters.


yeah, they seem to have solid AVR marketing/design. However their players do perform exceptionally well ( when they work).


well they are obviously releasing a different "mix" of product onto the BD market right now.

Their new (profile 2.0) models don't look so bad for the price if you ask me. Actually I think they may be moderately expensive in comparison to other brand products. But they do offer performance design items- ie. Burr Brown DAC's, HDMI source direct, wide-spectrum picture adjustments, multiple-layer chassis design (DBP-2010CI)
DBP-2010CI ($699.00)
DBP-1610 ($499.00)

It's all a matter (once again) of how reliable these unit operate over time. How robust the drives are.

Word over in the BluRay groups is that they are pretty expensive relative to the feature set that everyone else offers at lower prices.

Performance is horrible though. Speed wise I mean. 13 to 17 seconds to eject a disk. 45seconds to 1.5minutes to load a BluRay disc. Etc. Its not the slowest player out there, but its about 3/4 towards the bottom. As comparison, the Oppos load the same disc in 15 seconds.

As for the warranty service on the DVD-3930CIs... if all they are doing is replacing the head... well, the head is $10 to a consumer, in bulk, much much much less. They charge $300 for warranty service. You do the math .

I was not able to find anything other then removing the solder blob and an exploded diagram. Not very clear. Can anybody help a brotha out?

PM gshelley?

yeah, you're right, rediculous.

I've sent my DVD-3930CI unit back to factory twice to have laser/head assy replaced. $350.00 both times. When you add this to my original $1500.00 purchase cost (two years back) I have invested more than $2000.00 into this player. I admit I love the sound of analog OUT.

Also, I'm not too concerned if a player is slower-loading. I'm mostly concerned with "real" player performance (ie. video-quality, sound-quality, reliability of mechanism's over time- "skipping", "failing", etc.,...) .

I have the new Oppo BDP-83, it's definitely impressive overall (for the price). Fast-loading.

But I do prefer certain aspects of my Pioneer BDP-05FD, exceptional sound-quality, exceptional video quality, plays most disc's reliably. Although it can be slower-loading.

My DVD-3800BDCI has been mostly solid as well. Beautiful picture quality and un-surpassed 2ch OUT for CD playback.