Anthem D2/D2v/AVM50/AVM50v/ARC1 tweaking guide - Page 1343

Originally Posted by Shayne2 

You must understand that when your nick is nick@anthem you represent the company on a professional level whether you do it on your own time or not.

Originally Posted by thestewman 

Think 4K is going to go away. ?

Originally Posted by dmusoke 

What circuitry (in general terms) does a signal go through when the D2v is in Analog-Direct mode? Any active parts in the path(buffers, filters etc) in addition to the volume control?

The reason i ask, is that i connected by Oppo BDP-105 stereo outs (XLR) directly to my power amplifier(Sunfire 7x400W) and the sound was just simply glorious. It was 'there', a presence i'd never known. But when sent through the D2v (XLR ins and outs), comparativel, it sounds 'muted' and somewhat veiled.

Originally Posted by rmalm 

To Mike Lindsey,

I have a setup that uses the same video sources. My only sources are Directv and Oppo 93, using HDMI to a M50v-3d inputs, and I use M50v HDMI-1 output to Runco DHD4 and HDMI up to the V11d projector. I just added an HDMI2 output to RF extender to a Sony monitor. Source switching to Oppo always has a little noisy on sync (video and audio glitches), and sometimes fails to sync but a power cycle would clear. This lack of sync was either no video or video colors are screwed but at least a power cycle would finally clear and sync correctly.

My rack cables are 1meter (Ultraviolet $100 wireworld) in length and then a 9meter wireworld (HDMI starlight $500), "http://www.wireworldcable.com/categories/hdmi_series6.html" Anthem software upgrades did not solve the problem.
I did try using Runco DHD4 to do the HDMI switching and ran runco HDMI out to M50v for audio which worked better at switching than the M50v. This hookup never failed to sync. But I wanted the video overlay so I cabled my rack back to M50v for switching and the problems showed up again. Then I upgraded to the latest HDMI 1.4 - 3d board hoping this would help but it did not. The intermittent fail with Oppo got worse. The source switching from Sat to Oppo that would sometimes cause a sync fail whre a power cycle of the M50v now would not clear that fail. A switch back to the Sat (DVR) would also fail until I would power off the Oppo and then I could get Sat to sync some of the time.

A switch to Sat/DVR always synced faster and cleaner than a switch to Oppo (whose data volume was set higher). Directv is 1080i and Oppo is set to Source Direct. M50v out configs are at 1080p. Anthem suggested using M50v setting for the sources a Studio RGB vs YCBCR 4.2.2, and only using 8bit for color space (YCbCr 4.2.2.) with Deep Color OFF, setting in Oppo. Fails would get worse where more data is transmitted from Oppo.

The current workaround from Anthem was to switch to the source settings to use THROUGH. This was a little more stable but of course one does not get the nice video screen overlay for status, mode, menu etc. So I switched back and do not use THROUGH, to trying to get M50v to switch and get the video processing. I also did yet another software upgrade to version 3.09 which showed no improvement in sync but it did solve an intermittent case where volume would be too low on power up.

The wireworld cables are very stiff and this could results in a torque on them that could result in less than optimum contact resistance. I decided to try contact cleaner after about 2 years of the above problems. About 1 week ago I used DeoxIT and DeoxIT Gold and focused on all connections in the rack but did not get up in the huxhbox and do the 1 Runco connection. No complete fails in the last week. Switching still has some noise bursts (video and audio) that I have learned to live with. Switching times are about 6-7 seconds which is down from slower times at day 1 when I got the M50v and was using max data volumes.

So set your devices to output the least amount of data volume that your willing to live with especially Oppo output setting. Second, make sure the cables are very good, short, and are making good connection. Third, I also added a small fan to blow across the top of the M50v since the area seemed pretty warm one time when it locked up and would not sync even with a power cycle. I only have 1" of space above the M50v for air flow.

I am the queue for another software upgrade that I hope helps HDMI sync. Maybe someday a Anthem RS232 based HDMI trace function to help debug what and when there is an Anthem HDMI problem.

Originally Posted by Nick @ Anthem 


Thanks everyone but sorry, keeping up with posts can turn into a full time job before you know it so I have to go now.

Originally Posted by Mike Lindsey 

Rmalm,

I appreciate the reply. I think the main difference is I get no sound or video thru the HDMI inputs of the D2. When this issue first started happening it would require multiple power ups and down of the D2 before I would get sound and picture. After a while I couldn't get it to work at all using the HDMI inputs. I have searched this thread to find anything remotely similar to my issue and came up empty there as well.

Mike

Originally Posted by Nick @ Anthem 


Thanks everyone but sorry, keeping up with posts can turn into a full time job before you know it so I have to go now.

Originally Posted by Nick @ Anthem 

I do but that doesn't mean I can automatically provide the support you're looking for so as requested please stay with the normal channels. Somewhere something must've fallen through the cracks so please contact your rep again. I've done everything I can here and nowhere did I ask for proof, just for a problem description to be forwarded, hopefully with an avoidance of jumping to conclusions. You're saying graphs and levels are low, someone else is saying only graphs not levels, and yet someone else mentioned he's having no problem. This means there's no good reason for anyone to assume that anyone else including us should instantly be able to reproduce your description.

Originally Posted by dmusoke 

Nick:

Thank you very much for your participation in this thread. I always enjoy your calm take on things, even in the midst of some wild accusations about you and your company. Hopefully, you come back soon and regail us with some of your sage wisdom again:) !

- David


PS ... nice links that let us know that what you see isn't necessarily what you hear.

Originally Posted by Texas steve 

so what does the HDMI MUting do Bob?

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau 


It's described in the Manual. It's just a brief delay before audio un-mutes whenever the format changes, to give the signal a chance to settle down. Choose MIN, MED, or MAX. Found in Setup > Source Setup for each Source. Default is MED.

The D2v won't un-mute after a format change until it is happy that the input stream is a valid digital audio stream. The Muting setting provides some user control of that.
--Bob

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau 

I've been doing quite a bit of testing of the OPPO players with V3.09H on the D2v/3D, and so far I've got only one item to report.

I typically keep Muting set to MIN for the HDMI Inputs. I've seen some indications that Muting MED may be cleaner when using Bitstream input at points where the Bitstream input format changes. It's not clear whether this is due to a change in the Muting algorithm in V3.09h, or just something changing in the OPPO firmware I'm testing, so treat this as just a heads up. This is for HDMI Bitstream audio input.

I've found no gotchas in V3.09h, so it wouldn't surprise me if this gets promoted to "official" release status soon.
--Bob

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau 

I'm a big fan of what ARC does on the D2v, and so even though I test Analog audio from the 105, I think the best match for use with the D2v is the 103 -- with HDMI for audio -- since Analog audio has to be re-digitized anyway, on input into the D2v, if you are going to apply ARC to it. The 105 adds a Headphone output, and several types of digital audio INPUT beyond the HDMI Inputs found on both players, and so some might want to pair the 105 with the D2v anyway, But the MAIN reason to pay the extra for the 105 is because you want to use its more exotic, Analog audio output stage. And again, if you already have a D2v, odds are you want to use ARC on it, so you might as well save the money and get the 103, for HDMI audio, instead. The video portion is the same in both players.
--Bob

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau 

^ Yes. As HDMI LPCM. Sounds great.
--Bob

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau 

^ I'm part of the group OPPO has organized for Beta Testing their hardware and firmware. (NOTE: I can only talk about stuff OPPO has already released publicly at any point.) For example, I'm currently testing the new BDP-105 and the older BDP-93 players, and I think they both work very well indeed with the D2v. I don't have a 3D display, so I don't test 3D functionality.

I think the newest OPPO players -- the BDP-103 and BDP-105 are bargains given what they offer. Both still have some issues, but OPPO's track record with firmware fixes is excellent. And their Customer Service is stellar.

I'm a big fan of what ARC does on the D2v, and so even though I test Analog audio from the 105, I think the best match for use with the D2v is the 103 -- with HDMI for audio -- since Analog audio has to be re-digitized anyway, on input into the D2v, if you are going to apply ARC to it. The 105 adds a Headphone output, and several types of digital audio INPUT beyond the HDMI Inputs found on both players, and so some might want to pair the 105 with the D2v anyway, But the MAIN reason to pay the extra for the 105 is because you want to use its more exotic, Analog audio output stage. And again, if you already have a D2v, odds are you want to use ARC on it, so you might as well save the money and get the 103, for HDMI audio, instead. The video portion is the same in both players.
--Bob

Originally Posted by Audiolic 

Bob,
Given your comment regarding 3D, can I take it you haven't tested 4K on the OPPO 103 and 105 as yet ?
I realise the D2v (and AVM50v) doesn't support this as yet (given Nick's comments).

Originally Posted by Texas steve 

Bob, on the 83 did I read where you suggested Bitstream vs LPCM

Originally Posted by thestewman 

I asked this question of Anthem CS as I was concerned about audio signal degregation in the D2v. especially the analog inputs.
ARC does great processing for home theater but stereo analog sounds better.

Anthem states and they advertise that there is no loss of SQ in their volume control using Analog Direct

Question: Please describe how the D2v accomplishes the ANALOG input level matching in the Analog input level setup section.

Answer: The level is being reduced in the pre-amp stage within an op-amp.

Think 4K is going to go away. ?
Jeff Meiier of AccuCal was here to calibrate my 4K Sony television and stated he has never before seen a tv with such an outstanding picture.
He said he was very excited to see something better than anything he has seen before.

Anthem owners need to be able to pass thru the 4K video or at least have the Anthem units send the correct EDID information over HDMI so the HDMI audio is usable.

Originally Posted by RussVC 

The subject of 4k (UltraHD) resolution has been raised in the context of "will Anthem support this", and some comments have implied that there's likely to be few Displays available and the market could go the same way as 3D... so the information below is just, well, information:

DIGITIMES Displays daily news
Monday 18 March 2013
News website: www.digitimes.com

Ultra LCD TV panel shipments expected to reach 2.6 million in 2013, says DisplaySearch
TFT LCD panel suppliers are forecast to ship 2.6 million Ultra HD (3840 by 2160) LCD TV panels worldwide in 2013, up more than 40-fold from 63,000 in 2012, according to research firm DisplaySearch.

Here is a link to the full story: http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20130318PR206.html?mod=2

Originally Posted by AVfile 

Did the concern about audio transparency arise from use of the Input Levels menu or D2 preamp in general? Analog Direct or DSP?

4K may not go away but most people don't even sit close enough to the TV to see 2K. Glad you had it calibrated. Most people would rather buy more pixels than get the right color pixels

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau 

^ The problem with analysis like that is that it only looks at one ASPECT of image quality -- perception of detail.

There are at least two other, very other important pieces to 4K.

Originally Posted by thestewman 

I am still not sure the Anthem D2v has such an analog control.