2910 and HDMI sound....ARRRRRGH!

[modman]

(I have scoured the AVS 2910 user's forum and this one...but I can't quite find a solution for this problem)....

I have had my Denon 2910 for some time now, and it was working very well with my old Marantz SR7000 receiver, with all audio handled by the analogue outputs. Recently, I replaced the Marantz with a Pioneer VSX-1016 receiver, which has HDMI (1.1) switching.

First, I ran an HDMI cable from my Scientific Atlanta HD DVR box to one of the 1016's two HDMI inputs. After hearing horror stories about handshake problem I was fully prepared for problems with video ....but no problems! The 1016 recognizes the digital input, and I'm getting a great picture from the 2910 and from my cable box. I still use digital audio out via coax.

But my 2910 is another story. I ran another HDMI cable from the 2910 to the 1016's other HDMI input. I get a great picture...but the 1016 recognizes the signal ONLY as Analogue, and it will not permit me to select Digital. Correspondingly, I get NO sound of any kind...not two-channel, DD, or DTS. I have checked the cables and have powered down both DVD player and receiver to ensure a good handshake.

I need help, guys. I fully know that I will end up running six cables from the 2910 anyway to enjoy SACD sound, and I know that the DAC's in the 2910 are great...but, sheesh, I'd at least like to be able to compare the "full-bandwidth" sound from the HDMI.

Any suggestions? I have checked my input assignments, and here is how I have set up the 2910:

Digital Interface Setup = Multi(Normal)
Audio Setup
Audio Channel = Multi
Digital Output = Normal
LPCM = Off
Signal Direct= Off

Of course, I had to select 2-channel in the Digital Interface Setup to open up the grayed-out areas of Audio Setup....but I put it back to Multi.

I thought maybe having the Audio Channel set to Multi might be the problem, so I changed it to 2-ch(No) -- but, when I go back and set the Digital Interface Setup back to Multi(Normal), it reverts the Audio Channel back to Multi.

Please help...this is your typical "got a new component and I need the Rosetta Stone to figure out the quirks" situation that makes me crazy.

[modman]

OK....I'm finally getting the message....I was getting great audio and video (even SD) from my previous system, before I changed over to the Pioneer 1016 and HDMI. But now I know this:

HDMI on my Pioneer VSX-1016 will not pass audio at all.

HDMI 1.1 will not pass SACD.

HDMI gives me a compromised video image from my Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300....lots of macroblocking and black image problems compared to component.

Upscaling my image from the DVD-2910 from 480p to 720p over HDMI shows absolutely no improvement in image quality.

My little experiment with this sh***y medium is over. I will keep the 1016 because of its processor and other features. I will return all my HDMI cables to the retailer. I will run dozens of coax cables for video signals via component. And I will sit tight until the collective forces of evil finally decide on one cable that can do what the consumer needs without f****ng him/her over.

Sighhhh...and I just wanted to improve my system.

[B5I8]

Well if you had gotten a Denon receiver with the Denon Link Connection (3rd Gen.), you could've had an all digital output for all audio and just use HDMI to pass the video signal. This is what I use and I get a beautiful picture with crystal clear audio.

[modman]

But the 2910 does not have Denon Link....so I would have been subjected to the vagaries of HDMI anyway...

[B5I8]

Oh, sorry. My Denon DVD-2930CI has it so I assumed the older 2910 had it as well.