[web]

The current deal at Crutchfields for the Denon 2900 was too attractive not to try. Excellent price, no sales tax, free shipping, 30-day return...


Unfortunately, the 2900 I received does not consistently play recorded +R/-R disks. I have tried both formats with the same results: stuttering/hanging on picture, complete lockup, unrecognized disks, etc. The media is Fuji and Verbatim burned with either an HP or Pioneer burner, both using RecordNow Max. My old Pioneer DVD-434 plays all of the disks in question without a problem.


I am wondering if this is just a problem with the unit I have since there have been posts from other owners who appear to play recorded +R/-R disks on this same model without any problems. But, other posts have me wondering if this is a problem with most, if not all, 2900s, if not Denon's in general.


Since Crutchfield offers a 30-day return and they pay for the return shipping, exchanging for another 2900 should not be a problem. I am thinking about trying one (well, maybe 2 more ) shots at the 2900 in case it is just a defective unit and/or unit-to-unit variation.


Comments/feedback appreciated.


web


P.S. On commercial DVDs and +R/-R disks that play without any problem, the PQ is excellent, so I am hoping this is not a problem with all 2900s.

 

[TrevorS]

For what its worth. I recorded video onto a Fuji 4.7GB DVD+RW using an NEC ND-1100A DVD+R/RW drive and it played fine on my DVD-2900. I haven't tried any other recordable media.

 

[mdubrow]

According to the manual, the 2900 will not play +R or +RW disks at all. It shouldn't have problems with the -R / -RW variety (according to spec). Haven't tried any myself as of yet. You might try calling Crutchfield. Their tech support is supposed to be one of the benefits of buying from them.


Mike

 

[mimason]

Generally Denons are going to be pickier than other brands. I have a denon 2200 that refuses to play a DVD+R disc that played fine in a Panny RP91 and XP30, Philips Q50 and a Zenith 318. It's not the brand I'd put a lot of trust in playing DVD+,- consistantly well.


I don't think it's worth ditching the player over though. I'd just keep the Pioneer for those.

 

[Zues]

Sounds like the new denons 1910,2910,3910... Play dvd+rs fine...

 

[A 8]

My 2900 plays dvd+ discs just fine, no problems. I suggest you try a few different disc mfg's

 

[rcarlton]

I have had a lot of problems finding DVD's that would play on my Denon 2200.


The following do not play:

GQ (Great Quality) DVD-R (unable to reconize, won't even play on my computer now)

Fujifilm DVD-R (freeze up 40 minutes in)

Maxell DVD-R (freeze up 10 minutes in)


The following play:

Memorex DVD-R, +RW


These are the only brands I have tried so far.


Someone suggested not putting a label on the discs. Seems to help.

 

[web]

Quote:

Originally posted by mdubrow According to the manual, the 2900 will not play +R or +RW disks at all. It shouldn't have problems with the -R / -RW variety (according to spec). Haven't tried any myself as of yet. You might try calling Crutchfield. Their tech support is supposed to be one of the benefits of buying from them. Mike

Could not find anywhere in the manual that stated the 2900 does not support +R/+RW, but will look again. I am going to try at least one exchange via the Crutchfield return policy because when it works, the PQ when using the 2900 is excellent. OBW, the 2900 is driving a Mitsubishi 65813 (RP-CRT).


An interesting observation is that no matter what brand of media (Fuji, Verbatim, Memorex...), the 2900 plays at least an hour of the disk with no problems at all. After approximately an hour, the problems begin.


Will update this thread as things progress. Hopefully, resolved by a different 2900, given the large number of recorded DVDs in my collection.


Regards,


web

 

[mdubrow]

Web,

See page 8, the section on Discs. There is a table that shows the types of disks that are playable by the 2900. Underneath the table is a list of the types of disks that cannot be played by the 2900, including DVD +RW/+R type disks.


It also notes (Note 2) that for DVD -RW/-R disks to be playable, they have to recorded in video format, and the disks must be finalized.


Hope this helps.

Mike

 

[Tyro]

I have a 2200 refurb from ecost.com. It plays Phillips DVD+ and the DVD- that came with my Plextor burner. And it does it well: fast forward/rewind/pause/etc. No problems.

 

[Ray**W]

web, the 2900 specs don't include capability to play + discs, so any that will play is a bonus.


I noticed in your last post you mentioned that things start to unwind after an hour of playing. I'm wondering if this is caused by heat build up. Do you have adequate ventilation?

 

[web]

Mike, thanks for the pointer to the page with the +R/+RW info. I guess those who are reporting no problems with +R/+RW are "luck of the draw" units .


Ray, you may have a point about heat as an issue .

The 2900 is in a stack of components while I decide how to rack everything. It is between a VCR and my HD cable STB, so its only top/bottom ventilation is the small space between components. I will move it off to the side by itself so that it is the "open air" with no component underneath or above.


I am also going to experiment more with the -R format. Most of my current recorded disks are +R, but if -R will work consistently, it could be an acceptable compromise. I have an extensive collection of VCR tapes that I converting to DVD because those shows/events will probably not ever be released on DVD.


Thanks for all of the comments and suggestions so far.


Regards,


web

 

[Opus2]

Don't have a Denon dvd player yet but thougth I would point something out. Even though you are buying a certain brand of media doesn't mean that each set of blank disks are the same "brand". I buy Fuji disks that have made in Japan on the side of the package, these are supposed to be some of the best made. I have only found these at Fry's, all the ones at my local Best Buys are made in Taiwan which could mean a couple of different makers.

 

[James W. Johnson]

Though I am not big on DVD-Rs I have tried a few in it and they have worked perfectly , though off topic id like to add that the 2900 has eaten everything I have thrown at it. It even plays badly scratched discs very well.

 

[colossus]

Quote:

Originally posted by James W. Johnson Though I am not big on DVD-Rs I have tried a few in it and they have worked perfectly , though off topic id like to add that the 2900 has eaten everything I have thrown at it. It even plays badly scratched discs very well.

Same here, including some non-standard VCDs- had to do them that way for my old Toshiba SD4700. This on my Sony DRU-500A burner.

 

[A 8]

I know the manual says it is not supported but still many report it works just fine provided you find the right combo burner/disc mfg.

I use Memorex and Sony.

 

[TrevorS]

Chances are the 2900 (intro March 2003) was never tested with DVD+R or +RW, in which case its only sensible for the manufacturer to disclaim support for the format.


There probably isn't much difference on a unit to unit basis, and so the variation in people's results probably does come down to specific manufacturer's media and specific burners. As I said earlier, my Fuji 4.7GB DVD+RW burned by my NEC ND-1100A worked fine on my 2900.

 

[Honu]

just got my 2900 from crutchfield and tested some cheap generic - discs and no probs also TDK in both - and + and no probs

discs have been burnt on PC and Mac using Plextor, Sony, Pioneer burners

so far all are OK with testing am going to watch a few movies all the way through and will post if there is a prob with any of them

 

[ZZtop]

I have burned dvd +R's on 6 different computers over some period of time , both picture and video discs and they have all played just fine so far in every dvd player I try.



I have used almost exclusively TDK 4x +R Media from Best Buy and they play just fine in everything I have tried to date, including a Denon 2900 in a showroom , a 1910 I owned, and the 2910 I recently purchased.


I might add the 2910 played a new dual layer disc as well though it locked up halfway through the movie. I am thinking this is more due to a bad burn or the dvd burner's bioses being so new in a state of flux, or even that I just read Nero does not burn dual layer discs very well no matter what the dvd bit type setting.


In any case, it does not good for material already burned in the past, but going forward it might help. BB currently has the 100 pack of these dvd+r's for like 50-60$ due to an instant rebate.

 

[ptaaty]

I'm using 4X TDK DVD+R and works just fine on both the 2900 and 3910. Burned with an NEC-2500. 3910 has a more finicky drive though, it chokes on both my mp3 sine wave disk and mp3 dvd+r disks, which play fine in my 2900 and Kenwoord DDX7015 car HU