Anthem D2/D2v/AVM50/AVM50v/ARC1 tweaking guide - Page 1321

Bob, thanks. You're spot-on as usual!!

That's what Anthem wrote back as well and the three button macro combo does indeed work like a charm to access each of the virtual input sources. I just did a test and it passed with flying colors.

I'm assuming that the macros are identical for the D2v. I'm trying to work with the Roomie folks to update the AVM50v file to take advantage of the additional virtual inputs so that it's there out of the box.

I'm using them, so I want to be able to share the work I'm going to do with others.

From what i Can messure, is it true that the 3.09f firmware hav resolved all DTS HS MR audio issue. From what i Can messure there s no level difference in bitstream vs pcm. Not on 5,1 or 7.1 DTS HD MR audio. From what i can remember , there was a 3db difference in 5.1 track , and sometimes more when it was 7.1

Has anyone been able to use a Harmony remote to control Zone 2 or 3? I have a Harmony 900 in my Living room which is Zone 2 with stereo speakers and I'd like to use the Anthem 50v but there is no direct access in the Harmony setup application for Zone 2/3 control (looking mostly for Power ON/Off, Select Input, and Volume control) - I've played around with the "3 button" controls per the manual but not been able to get this working properly on the Harmony.

Also, can I connect the Harmony RF unit directly to the IR inputs on the back of the 50v by stripping the IR emmitter off and attaching to the pos and neg terminals?

Any help in pointing to right di rection would be much appreciated - thanks!

DAve

Dave,

All great question and I am interested in the answers as well. When I get in my new house I will be using all three zones and I too use a Harmony 900.

I hope someone has done something like this with their 900.

How much is it to upgrade the Anthem D2v (latest version) to 3D?

Anyone know?

Thanks!

-Brian

It's been fixed for so long I can barely remember, but I think That was fixed in 3.09.

Beta 3.09c is mainly the 50v power on bug.
Beta 3.09f is more esoteric DTS certification issues that Anthem found.

I don't think there is a real need for D2v users to go beyond official 3.09, only us 50v users.

$500 or free if your dealer promised you one once the new board was released.

 

As the price of Anthem units keep increasing as the years go by, count on this upgrade to increase in price as well.

 

Thanks Bob ... I've checked and these off-arc options are either turned off or are made to be identical to those with arc on.

 

 

I think the reason i don't hear bass anomalies difference is that my speakers are about 3.5ft away from the back wall which also have heavy bass absorbers in the corners so they minimize any modal resonances typical of small listening rooms like mine. At least i know that my unit is not broken but it was nice to know that the differences between arc on/off are the correction filters it uploads to the D2v. All the distance settings and other stuff are still active even though arc is off.

the 3.09 had not solved the 3 db level difference when Anthem decodes vs player decoes . But now it is solved. Thank you Anthem for that. many other have the 3 db difference , with no intentions to solved it.... Rock on Anthem!

Like Bob said, how much difference you hear between ARC on/off depends on the amount of correction. This in turn depends on how well your room is set up for sound. I have a small fortune invested in diffusers and absorbers in mine, but the problem is I also have wall-to-wall cabinets/shelves for storage of discs/books/etc. which create havoc in the bass area in my 25'x15'x8' room. So, for the time being, I am glad to have ARC to tame the lower frequencies.

Ben

Hello Bob,

Would you mind pointing to the best article that have been written to describe the Advanced Settings Subwoofer features section in ARC and how to use it efficiently?

Thank you

^ I don't know of any good write up on those. Folks here have mostly only played with the Flat setting for the Sub (the top line).
--Bob

Significantly more if you have an older D2v and I've never heard if they are actually shipping the $1500 upgrade.

FREE is the ONLY OPTION in my book worth anything.

You have to buy a 3D Blu-ray player and the Sony S790
and many other brands have dual HDMI. That is the
solution I chose - the S790 Is a Dream Machine.

A friend of mine paid $150 which was probably the cost of the dealer doing the install.

Even though that is a fair price - it is equal to the cost of a new player with DUAL HDMI

When evaluating the value of the 3D upgrade, keep in mind that it is "pass through" only. There is no video processing nor any graphics overlay such as Volume changes or Video Source Adjust menu.

Thus the result is pretty much identical to using a dual output 3D Source Device with video going direct to the display and audio going to the Anthem.

So essentially the 3D upgrade allows the Anthem to be an HDMI "switch" for 3D video while also retaining its full range of HDMI audio functionality. Note that this is a ONE OUTPUT switch as the 2nd HDMI output on the Anthem does not function while in Through mode (whether or not the input is 3D).

So think why you would need a switch.

You'll need a switch if you have more than one 3D Source Device. You'll also need a switch if it is impracticality to run more than one HDMI feed to your display even for only one 3D Source Device.

But consider that you can solve most such cable run problems more cheaply than the $1500 predicted price for the two board upgrade needed for the oldest units. If your unit is eligible for the Free or the $500 one board upgrade that's a different matter.

Then of course there are also folks who are using a single output 3D Source Device, either because they already have one or because there is no alternative dual output option (e.g., a 3D capable cable or satellite TV set top box).

Each owner will have to decide the value of adding 3D video pass through switching given his own circumstances.
--Bob

I don't know what the chances are of adding 4K support to the current 3D upgrade hardware. If it was limited to "pass through" that might be possible. The HDMI Input chips would have to extract the audio which is embedded in the 4K video, just as is done for 3D video now.

I don't believe Anthem has made any statement about the potential to add 4K "pass through" switching to the 3D capable hardware.

However, there is essentially zero chance of adding 4K video processing or upscaling without further, expensive revision of the main video board.
--Bob
Edited by Bob Pariseau - 1/9/13 at 1:47pm

Of course I have to AGREE with Bob.

In my Anthem setup - I have (3) 3D Sources.

Source #1 is the Dual HDMI Sony S790 - 2nd HDMI delivers High-Def Audio to the Anthem.

Source #2 is a PS3 which is used for gaming and streaming. It uses Optical for Audio.

Source #2 is a Panasonic for VuDu Streaming - It uses Optical for Audio.

All three 3D Sources go through a Monoprice 5-1 [8463] HDMI Switch to Port #2 of my Epson 5010 3D PJ.

The MAIN output of the Anthem goes to Port #1 of my Epson 5010 PJ for 2D support.

My Monorpice solution solution costs me $28.90. The 8463 was the only one I found
that handled 3D properly even though many others claimed to handle 3D. It might
be because of the built in EQUALIZER.

wow, with 1321 pages of posts I think it is safe to say that the Anthem products are the most popular processors on these forums.

One question, does it have a DAC for the HD audio or is everything done digitally for movies?

The things I have read about converting the signal to analogue for movies is something that I find very interesting.

Sure. The audio on the movie discs is digital. To get output to your power amps -- on the way to the speakers -- the audio has to be converted to Analog since that's all the amps and speakers understand. That's done by Digital to Analog Converters (DACs) in the Anthem's Analog output stage.

Now, all PROCESSING of the audio is done digitally. For example, Anthem Room Correction (ARC) is digital audio processing. The digital audio coming from movie discs can go straight to ARC. If you use an Analog audio source and apply ARC to it, then the Analog audio input gets re-digitized (in the Anthem), processed via ARC, and then converted BACK to Analog for output to the Amps and speakers (using the DACs in the Anthem).
--Bob

I now think of the four HDMI inputs on my old D2 as audio inputs. Once I quit trying to do video on the Anthem life got a lot easier. Even with a complicated (Monoprice switch - Lumagen Radiance - Darbee - Projector) chain I have less issues then when I was using the Anthem video processor. I do miss the Anthem OSD though.

Does it make sense to get the 3D upgrade now for onwers of 2D TVs because:

 

 

1.  Current and future TVs are and will be 3D optimized so "Resistance is Futile" and we'll all eventually go 3D within 10 years..; like it or not!

 

2.  The upgardeboards will follow the Anthem price model, which increases by over 30% since product introduction? D2v first started out at $6499. Now its $9500!

 

- David

or

3. 3D will die a quiet death and will never be heard of again.....

......I mean isn't it already a crippled patient? When was the last major 3D studio release. Avatar?

I digress......;-)

I pretty much have to get the upgrade and pay Anthem 1,650 bucks for it as I have the old HDMI board, I have five 3D sources and want the HD audio for two of them so swapping cables gets tiresome. I have been told that 4K will not be added to the D2v and it will be another processor.

Here's a cheaper solution get an Oppo 103 and plug your other 3D source into its HDMI input and connect one of the 103s output to the display and the other to the Anthem.

Even cheaper get a 2x2 or 4x2 3D HDMI switch.

I don't necessarily disagree with premise #3 but I'm surprised at the number of 3D releases. Avengers, Prometheus, and the Pixar movies are just a few that were very well done.

Exactly .... every major movie is released on BD as a 2D and 3D. They can make 3D movies even though they used 2D cameras during the filming, so its not that expensive now to release 3D on bluray.

Ah, that's what I thought, but then I got confused by the Parasound P7. Seeing as how it doesnt do any decoding but is still capable of being a HT preamp.

When it comes to processors I think there is a fine line between expense and value and the Anthem Products walk that line better than most other companies. I would like to see them offer a audio and video processor that are split up so that the video and audio can be upgraded independently of one another such as with this new 4K thing going around....but then again, Anthem seems to support their products with updates better than most other companies I have seen as well.

Cheers!

Mine is a similar case. I got the "3D upgrade" for 2 reasons:

1) PASS THROUGH to external video processor
2) RESALE VALUE

Notice 3D is not even on my list