Anthem D2/D2v/AVM50/AVM50v/ARC1 tweaking guide - Page 106

Darryl,
The D2 does not offer picture by picture or picture in picture. Nor is that something that seems to be on the wishlist of the many different owners posting in this thread -- who on the whole aren't shy about expressing their demands (grin!). Presuming we are representative of what Anthem is hearing, I wouldn't expect to see it anytime soon. As to whether it could be done, that's a tougher question. The Anthem does a significant amount of processing on its video path. I'm not sure it would have the processing power to handle two video input streams at the same time and maintain that quality. In addition, HDMI video's copy protection might get in the way if two HDMI video sources were to be merged.

I don't know the Gemstone amp. Folks are using all sorts of different amps with the D2. Of course some go one stop shopping and use the Anthem amps (P5, etc.) If you like your current amp, I'd suggest you keep it until you get familiar with your D2 and then you can work with your dealer to try out new amps at home and see for yourself.

"D2" and "economical" are two terms that seldom appear in the same sentence, but yes the D2 is good value for the money compared to a high end pre-pro combined with a high end video processor of current design. The level of integration provides added convenience as well.

Many people are using the D2 with equipment very similar to what you listed. Ruby owners seem particularly excited about how well it works with the D2. The D2 is excellent for HD-DVD, Blue Ray, and standard def DVD. I can't say there are any sources which I think don't match well with the D2. If you have a record turntable, you will need a separate phono-preamp prior to the D2 as the D2 does not have a dedicated phono-stage input.

The audio section of the D2 is the Anthem Statement D1. You will likely find reviews of the D1's audio around. Personnaly I think the audio of the D2 is very VERY good. It has exceeded my expectations for a surround sound processor, both for home theater and for music.

The audio side of the D2 lacks Room EQ -- a feature found in many high end audio systems. The rumor is that Anthem has been working on a very powerful Room EQ solution that is supposed to be added to the D2 early next year (free software on both the D2 and a PC plus a calibrated microphone that you pay for).

The video side of the D2 has one acknowledged weakness. Its noise reduction is not quite as powerful as the best such solutions out there. This is relevant if you watch a lot of crappy TV signals -- weak off air broadcasts for example. It is not an issue for video of normal to good quality such as is typically found on discs. Lest you get too concerned at this, I should point out that most people use their D2 with video noise reduction turned off anyway (which is also the factory default setting), i.e., they don't need it at all, much less need a more powerful version of it.
--Bob

Obie_fl

I do have BHN cable. I also noticed they upgraded the software within the last several months. When I reboot the cable box it now displays a different screen. I do get audio via HDMI on all channels at 480i and 720p.

Do you have anything hooked up to the component and digital coax outs of the cable box in addition to the HDMI? I had component cable running from the box to one of the video inputs of my TV and the digital coax running from the box to the Anthem, so that I could listen to the music channels without turning on the TV, and also to do some comparisons on picture quality (Anthem processed via HDMI vs. component straight to TV). This produced some pretty wacky results, and I believe I had some problems with audio when I did this.

The D2 does not currently do any picture in picture type display. I suppose the horsepower is there, but I don't know if the target market would demand it. I'm not even clear on how you would use it.

Upgrades are done via a serial port. Users can do it via a laptop or desktop PC, or your dealer can do it for a nominal fee if any.

I'm using a Rotel RMB-1077. It's a fine little multichannel amp, but I'll be upgrading at some point. I'm not familiar with the Gemstone, though.

The D2 is a preamp, video processor, surround sound processor, and analog/digital switcher all in one. Plus it has an AM-FM tuner . It is very economical when you consider how much gear you are combining into one box. Another feature is that both audio and video are converted to digital and switched together, so everything you connect can have the same processing power applied to it. Of course, every input can have its own tweaked settings.

The D2 will rule whatever you hook to it. Period.

I've mostly used it for movie and HDTV playback, but the listening so far tells me the D2 is very very accurate (and as a former pro musician I'm pretty picky).

I think the basic architectural philosophy of the D2 is the way to go - an upgradable master controller that processes all signals.

By all accounts it is obvious if you've got it: Send 1080i video to the Anthem, typically from a cable or satellite box, and the output video from the Anthem gets scrambled. In addition, video from other input sources, at any resolution, is now also hosed until you turn off the 1080i input and also power cycle the Anthem.

The only proven workaround if you have this bug is to set your sources so that they don't generate 1080i video output to the Anthem.

The problem has been reported for both HDMI and Component 1080i video, on both D2 and AVM-50 units running V1.10 or V1.11 software, and on units that have been delivered recently with that software installed or which have been upgraded by the owners themselves to that software.

HOWEVER, there are of course many D2 and AVM-50 owners who have done the upgrade themselves who do NOT have this problem, and there are also owners who have received new machines with this software pre-installed who do not have it. So V1.11 software does not ALWAYS cause the problem.

Re-installing the V1.11 software does not appear to eliminate the problem.

The problem does not exist in the prior V1.06 software.

Some few users with the problem have reported things they have done which made the problem vanish. However, up to now, none of those techniques seems to work for other folks with the problem.

Aren't you glad you asked?
--Bob

Once I got my D2 I labored over selling my Denon 5910 and getting an Oppo 970.
I bought the 970, and tested it for a while once satisified, I sold my 5910, reasoning being the Gennum was as good as the Realta. Havn't regretted my decision.

OK, it's ordered! I'll get it in a couple of days and hopefully by then I'll have a working avm.

-Wayne

Nathan...Actually, I have a 2006 year model. The model # is 73927 (which is the Mits. diamond). Thanks for your help!!

grr... I was hoping you weren't going to say that.
I have nothing hooked up to the D2 except HDMI, no component, no S/PDIF, no analog. Just to be clear you get audio on the 480i stations without the S/PDIF hooked up correct? Does your AVM-50 indicate it is receiving 480i on the 1 through 100 channels? What do you have the digital audio set to on the 8300? This use to work for me so now I'm wondering if my 1.10 install is good.

According to the literature on the Mits web site, your TV can, indeed, accept a 1920x1080p/60Hz signal, but only through the 15 pin connector intended for computer graphics.

I'm kind of curious myself what Nathan has up his sleave here!

Paticularly with regard to HDCP compliance....
--Bob

Currently the only cable I have running from the box to the Anthem is HDMI (no component, digital coax, or analog). The Anthem displays 480i in channels 1-100. In the Setup/Presets menu Audio In is set to "Dig HDMI". Auto Dig is set to "No." Digital Out on the 8300 is set to "HDMI."

NOTE:

Before replying to your message I went to verify my settings. I turned on my cable box first and the Anthem next. GUESS WHAT? I had no audio on the analog channels! While changing channels I got the dreaded message "Your TV does not support HDCP....." I then turned off the Anthem and cable box. I disconnected the power to the cable box and waited several minutes. I then turned on the Anthem and let it run its course till I got the blue screen. I then connected the power back to the 8300 and let it reboot. When it finished rebooting I got audio back to all channels!! Give that a try and see what happens.

Thanks for checking. I've rebooted the cable box already but I'll have to try that again. Did you have audio on the HD channels before it hung with the HDCP message?

btw: You may already know this but the 1-100 channels are now broadcast as digital. Actually they are simulcasted with the analog versions.

Yes, I did have audio to the HD channels before I received the HDCP message. Didn't know the 1-100 channels were broadcast in digital. Thanks for the info.

Crap, I meant 2006, but hit the "5" by mistake.

Anyway, you can get 1080p passthrough on the VGA *or* HDMI-2 port. If you choose HDMI-2 (I don't have a VGA port on my 52628, so I use this), set up this input in NetCommand as a "Computer," then simply feed a 1080p signal to it. You won't see "1080p" in the upper-lefthand corner of the screen, but I assure you that you're seeing the native 1080p signal. Just ignore any messages about unknown sync or the likes. Mitsubishi kinda snuck this in as an undocumented feature. I'm speculating here, but perhaps they were banking on fully supported 1080p with the 2007 models and wanted to try it out low-key on the 2006 ones. FWIW, check out the 2006 Mitsubishi Owners Thread (start here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&&#post8818444 and read the next couple of pages) in the Rear Projection RPTV area for specifics.

Happy 1080p'ing.

Cool! I love undocumented features. I bet some engineer said, "It doesn't cost us anything, and somebody might figure out a way to use it, so lets enable 1080p over that HDMI port without telling marketing."

So this is a true 1080p HDMI connection, then -- complete with HDCP and without any computer-graphics-style limitations such as loss of Blacker than Black or Peak White data, right?

I've always liked Mitsubishi's stuff....
--Bob

On my D2 the defaults for many of the surround presets are PLIIX Movie I am using a Toshiba HD-A2, and a Panny BD10 Blu-Ray player. It appears that most of the titles are DTS, DTS-EX, etc, should I be changing my presets since I do not have any titles that are PLII? Also, when i put a movie in my D2 displays AL Cinema DD-EX, is that right?

GET OUT OF MY HEAD, BOB! In all seriousness, I edited my message to note the undocumented feature and then saw your reply echoing my thoughts and words. Wow.

With that said, you nailed the other caveat-- you lose all the internal Mitsubishi color and picture controls when using 1080p on HDMI-2. The PC input mode *severely* cripples user controls (no Perfect Color or other proprietary adjustments), but then again, that's why we have the Anthem's controls, eh?

It's not a perfect system, and the Mits is no Ruby or Pearl by any means, but it's an expensive display (at this point) with an added 1080p bonus. For what it's worth, I've done extensive testing with the WD-52628 and every built-in resolution in the AVM-50-- the 1080p/24, 1080p/25, and 1080p/30 outputs of the Anthem cause massive stuttering on the Mits, but the 1080p/50 and 1080p/60 work flawlessly.

Very few of the HD DVDs have DTS on them. You need to change the HDMI audio on the Toshiba to Auto or PCM from bitstream. What you are hearing is the re-encode to DTS that the A2 does. I imagine you want to do something similar on the Pany too.

You should then be able to apply DPIIx to the HDMI PCM six channel input.

Also, dumb question and it's too late this evening to re-read the manual-- I just picked up "The Descent" on Blu-ray this afternoon and I've selected the LPCM 7.1 stream, but I can't get the Anthem to recognize anything greater than 5.1 PCM over HDMI. Is this a limitation of the Anthem, or have I set up something incorrectly in my Sammy P1000 or AVM-50?

The Anthems are limited to 5.1 PCM input -- from which they will generate 7.1 output via surround processing.
--Bob

You guys are all awesome and much smarter than I am. I am so glad I joined this thread. I can't wait to try this out...Thanks Nathan and Bob!

UPDATE

I got a AVM50 v1.11 on Dec 22nd. It would take all signal inputs except for 1080i. It would process and output any signal.

I tried to software update with v1.11 on the website. After the successful update, I couldn't process any video, and didn't have OSD. I tried various methods of resoration with v1.11 and v1.06 with no luck. The v1.06 would never load, it failed on the FPGA error.

I recieved a v1.11a that successfully loaded and restored video processing and OSD, except for 1080i input.

Nick at Anthem assured me that they were working on it, however, he hasn't been able to contact any software engineers as they are off until Jan 2nd. I'm sure they will get this bug fixed shortly, as they do with anything else. The holidays are causing a slight delay from normal. I can understand the delay and I'm fine with a software fix by Jan 3rd.... I'm sure this will be taken care of shortly. The AVM line continues to impress me with the performance/price factor and I look forward to the next upgrade!

That's great news about your success with V1.11a. At least they're starting to get a handle on that problem. I've no doubt the 1080i input problem will be fixed in a hurry as well. As I said before, Anthem's going to have egg on their face with this one. And of course it WOULD have to happen right during the vacation season.

Darn you Murphey and your idiot law! Darn you to heck!
(grin!)
--Bob

Hey guys,

Getting ready to give in to the desires of HD-DVD, I am not finding any information leading to believe I would be better off with the Toshiba HD-XA2. Seems since the AVM-50 will be doing all my video processing that I am better off just going with the Toshiba HD-A2. Anyone think differently?

Darrell

New to the forum and posting a basic question that might have been asked/answered already. What would the AVM50 do for a normal cable signal (Comcast) on an older 48" Mits RPTV (WS-48311) that does not have HDMI ? Any change? Make it look like DVD? Make it approach HDTV 1080i through component? I do get the HD package with Comcast and the difference between the normal 480i and HD is unbelievable. Difference between normal 480i and DVD 480p is noticeable. If my regular cable TV could come in DVD like quality then the AVM50 becomes a consideration. If it takes regular cable TV and turns it into HD like then an upgrade is a no-brainer !! If no noticeable difference then saving my upgrade $$ for another time. Thanks in advance.

I decided on the A2 instead of the XA2 for that very reason. Does'nt make much sense given the video processing capabilities of the AVM-50/D2

Bob,

Is this a hardware limitation in the Anthem ?

I have a different opinion than runnerlk!

I have had the Toshiba A1 since Day One and processing the
1080i output to 1080p is great with the D2.

I didn't think it could get any better.

However - since last week - IT HAS BEEN BETTER - Thanks
to Santa. I received my Pioneer Elite Blu-Ray which can
output 1080p/24 natively without processing to the D2.

It is significantly better. Enough so that I NOW will upgrade
my Toshiba A1 to an XA2 - when I'm sure it does 1080p/24
natively without some reverse processing.

With that said - I think it all depends on screen size and whether
your display can actually display 1080p/24 natively.

There is no SIMPLE ANSWER

I don't know the answer to that. In any event it is not a significant limitation.
--Bob

What's the technology of your older Mits? CRT? LCD?

A significant factor in 480i viewing quality is the de-interlacing that takes it to 480p prior to any scaling. The Anthem will do a LOT better job of that then your Comcast box, and, also, than your DVD player. In addition, many such TVs are optimized for 1080i input and so a good scaler feeding them 1080i from 480i sources (such as cable TV or DVD discs) will produce a noticeable improvement.

That said, standard def TV is not HDTV. You can't invent content that wasn't there in the first place. All you can do is keep it from being damaged further by crappy de-interlacing, or scaling, or the filtering that is often applied to 480i and 480p signals.

Also, many cable channels broadcast standard def TV content that has been damaged before it ever gets to your house. The stuff has been copied too many times and suitable care for signal levels has not been taken. Better imaging in your home system may make such garbage more noticeable, and thus more annoying. But some standard def cable broadcasts are really very good, and the Anthem will show quite a good result on an HDTV ready display.

However, the Anthem will ALSO improve the quality of your DVD imagery. A lot. And thus you will still find that DVD stuff looks better than SDTV cable stuff!

So everything will improve -- even your HDTV if you set stuff up right. But HDTV will look better than DVD which will look better than good SDTV channels which will look better than bad SDTV channels.
--Bob

Agreed,

My Panny PT-AE900 cannot display 1080p/24, I also have the Panny BD-10 Blu-Ray and doing a side by side comparison between the 2 I still prefer the A2, though I think that is more a function of the software rather than the player. I will be upgrading my 900 to the 1000 which is native 1080p which may cause me to upgrade my A2, darn.