Denon DVD-3910 DVD Player Review

[Audioholics]

<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: arial"><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/DenonDVD3910Review1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 66px" alt=[front1] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/front1_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>Denon surprised us recently when they told us that their new DVD-3910 universal DVD player was essentially the former flagship DVD-5900 player (with a slightly scaled down power supply) and a whole lot more. The new DVD-5910 (review coming) is set to be a completely new flagship model that will raise the bar in terms of what a DVD player is capable of. In the meantime, for those wanting absolute video and audio excellence in a player priced for mere mortals, Denon's new DVD-3910 is the player that you should focus your attention on. Priced $500 below the DVD-5900, Denon's newest universal player adds HDMI and some improved bass management options to name just a few of the highlights. We're at the EHX Expo today, but wanted to give you something to chew on while we're looking over some of the newest home automation and installation electronics products that will be coming to market in the next few weeks and months.</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: arial">[Read the Review]</SPAN></P>

 

[Techguy67]

According to the details of your review, you used the Yamaha LPX-510 LCD projector which has a native resolution of 1280x720. You also state that you set the output of the 3910 to 1080i (1920x1080) using the DVI connection. I was wondering why you didn't set the 3910's output to match the native resolution of your projector for this review.

Never mind...I just reread the reveiw and now I see why you chose to set the output of the 3910 to 1080i.

 

[uzun]

Did you try the player using DVI or HDMI at 480p, with regards to the film detail test? Is there any way to purchase or download the Silicon Optix HQV Benchmark Test DVD for home use?

 

[Audioholics]

I tried each and every mode for the Film Detail test to no avail. Still, it's not the end of the world by any means.

I'm not sure what the deal on the HQV DVD is, but we can look into it.

 

[btiltman]

The future release of the DVD is advertised on www.hqv.com

 

[FoolintheRain]

displays compatible with Enhanced Black

I have a Samsung DLP 507W 720p display. I was curious if this would be considered a display that should use the "Enhanced Black" setting as opposed to normal if connected via DVI. According to previous reviews (specifically at Secrets and on the AVS forum) they said not to use enhanced unless using a computer monitor DVI system. Can you shed any light on the situation?

Also curious about the bass management with SACD when using Denon Link with the 3805 foir everything but the sacd playback. CD, DVD-A, DTS, DD sound great, but when I switch over to SACD and multi analog ins the settings for subwoofer levels don't seem to work. If I boost the +10 in the menu and exit out its not there when you go back in. Anyway around this? I've read Denon's instructions on the website (for 5900, but it says to set speakers at large...and that would send even less bass to the subwoofer in my opinion). HELP??? The only way I can get it to work correctly is to go in trough the menus and turn off Denon Link...then the subwoofer setting works with multi analog in SACD. That's a hassel when I just want to pop in an SACD after listening to just about anything else.

 

[uzun]

The 3910 passed the film detail mode test in 1080i only? What does that test emulate, and what does failing it mean? Do other players commonly fail that test? I wonder if the older Faroudja based systems, like the Panasonic XP30/XP50 etc pass that particular test?

 

[perato]

FoolintheRain,

I have a 3910 connected to an Onkyo receiver via analog cables. When I set the 3910's "Bass Enhancer" to "On," then I get subwoofer output when the receiver is in Pure Direct mode. If the bass enhancer is off, I do not get subwoofer output in pure direct mode. I don't think setting the speakers to LARGE will send less bass to the subwoofer. The LARGE setting is for people who have full range speakers and want the entire frequency response sent to the speakers set to LARGE. If the subwoofer is on, and Bass Enhancer is on, you should get subwoofer output.

Audioholics,

1. When I bought a 3910 in December 2004 the MSRP was $1299 and now it is $1499. Is there a reason for the price increase? I think the 2910 also had a price increase.

2. Is it best to run the channel level setup from the 3910 or just use the same numbers that I used when I set up my receiver (Onkyo TXSR701)? I just copied the level, crossover, and distance values from the receiver into the 3910. The 3910 does not allow increasing values just decreasing them (I could work around this by changing the master volume).

 

[Audioholics]

FoolintheRain,
1. When I bought a 3910 in December 2004 the MSRP was $1299 and now it is $1499. Is there a reason for the price increase? I think the 2910 also had a price increase.

My understanding is that they had to adjust prices for some of the newer products but I do not know the history or actual reasons. My guess is that costs rose dramatically.

2. Is it best to run the channel level setup from the 3910 or just use the same numbers that I used when I set up my receiver (Onkyo TXSR701)? I just copied the level, crossover, and distance values from the receiver into the 3910. The 3910 does not allow increasing values just decreasing them (I could work around this by changing the master volume).

I would re-run it just to be sure (you are correct about raising volume first). In my case they were identical with no adjustments needed, but I was surprised.

The 3910 passed the film detail mode test in 1080i only? What does that test emulate, and what does failing it mean? Do other players commonly fail that test? I wonder if the older Faroudja based systems, like the Panasonic XP30/XP50 etc pass that particular test?

It is a detailed scene with a front object moving quickly across the screen in 2:3 cadence. The test is whether the player can detect the cadence correctly with 2:3 pulldown and eliminate the moire pattern in the background. This particular scene is a racecar flying by empty stadium stands. The lock on to the 2:3 cadence should happen within a fraction of a second to a second. In HDMI/DVI using 1080i (on my projector) it passes. Component video (all resolutions) and other resolutions on HDMI/DVI outputs fail. Failing is basically when it locks on and falls out, locks on again, falls out... The moire pattern disappears and reappears each time it falls out.

I have a sneaking suspicion that different displays may yield different results, though I got the same results on an LCOS projector and a 3LCD projector.

These HQV disc tests are really well done and are tough tests. Getting a 90 is a pretty good score and I think we'll see manufacturers being more aware of these tests and thus improving their players as a result. This is real-world (with the exception of the myriad of cadence tests) and improvement means that you will see more detail, less noise and greater accuracy in players that perform better in these tests.

 

[hopjohn]

Clint,

Just curious if you would happen to know why it is neccessary for the DSD on SACD to be converted to PCM when engaging bass management?

Does anyone know if this is also the case on the Pioneer DV-59avi as well?

This is an extremely annoying problem for those of us who enjoy m/c audio and want to use some bass management without sacrificing audio quality.

 

[keenan]

Clint,

Just curious if you would happen to know why it is neccessary for the DSD on SACD to be converted to PCM when engaging bass management?

Does anyone know if this is also the case on the Pioneer DV-59avi as well?

This is an extremely annoying problem for those of us who enjoy m/c audio and want to use some bass management without sacrificing audio quality.

Because you can't do BM in DSD without losing the flexibility of setting different cutoff points. IIRC, DSD is set at 80Hz if BM is implemented. Denon felt that the ability to set different cutoff points was more useful.

 

[keenan]

Also curious about the bass management with SACD when using Denon Link with the 3805 foir everything but the sacd playback. CD, DVD-A, DTS, DD sound great, but when I switch over to SACD and multi analog ins the settings for subwoofer levels don't seem to work. If I boost the +10 in the menu and exit out its not there when you go back in. Anyway around this? I've read Denon's instructions on the website (for 5900, but it says to set speakers at large...and that would send even less bass to the subwoofer in my opinion). HELP??? The only way I can get it to work correctly is to go in trough the menus and turn off Denon Link...then the subwoofer setting works with multi analog in SACD. That's a hassel when I just want to pop in an SACD after listening to just about anything else.

It sounds like you are missing a step when setting this up. The switch between all signals that DL transports and what you get on the Ext Inputs is seamless when everything is set up right. When I first setup my 5900 with the 3805 it took 3 times to get it right, but once done it works great,

When you first setup the speakers and SW level did you do it with Denon Link and Source Direct set to off in the player? Once you are done, then you go back and set Denon Link to "on".

 

[uzun]

I think the Pioneer 59avi converts all DSD data to PCM regardless of what settings are used on the player. The 3910 will convert DSD to PCM if you don't set SOURCE DIRECT to ON.

 

[hopjohn]

Because you can't do BM in DSD without losing the flexibility of setting different cutoff points. IIRC, DSD is set at 80Hz if BM is implemented. Denon felt that the ability to set different cutoff points was more useful.

Sorry but what is IIRC?
If this happens to be the case, then why not allow the user the option of an 80hz cutoff with no conversion rather than simply a direct mode only. To me it defeats the purpose of hi-res for most listeners.

I suppose the best option then for BM is to use direct mode along with an Outlaw ICBM.

 

[MDS]

IIRC = If I Recall Correctly.

 

[201jamesg]

Based solely on the quality of Redbook CD performance, how would you rate the 3910 against the Rotel 1072? I'm not interested in DVD-A or SACD, so I'm thinking it might make more sense to get a dedicated CD player, and a DVD player (like Panny S-97 or Sony 975) to fill in until HD/Blu-Ray arrives.

 

[zepaholic]

<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: arial"><A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/DenonDVD3910Review1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 66px" alt=[front1] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/front1_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>Denon surprised us recently when they told us that their new DVD-3910 universal DVD player was essentially the former flagship DVD-5900 player (with a slightly scaled down power supply) and a whole lot more. The new DVD-5910 (review coming) is set to be a completely new flagship model that will raise the bar in terms of what a DVD player is capable of. In the meantime, for those wanting absolute video and audio excellence in a player priced for mere mortals, Denon's new DVD-3910 is the player that you should focus your attention on. Priced $500 below the DVD-5900, Denon's newest universal player adds HDMI and some improved bass management options to name just a few of the highlights. We're at the EHX Expo today, but wanted to give you something to chew on while we're looking over some of the newest home automation and installation electronics products that will be coming to market in the next few weeks and months.</SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: arial">[Read the Review]</SPAN></P>

Will you be giving this gem away when you are done (monthly contest).

 

[MarkSJohnson]

Denon Link?

Does anyone know exactly when the Denon Link is supposed to be upgradeable for SACD?

After waiting so long for this and getting excited at the recent announcement from Denon to proclaim the SACD "approval", I read this morning on another forum that a 3910 owner contacted Denon and was told "late next year".

Does anyone know if this is correct?

They can't seriously be talking Fall of 2006, can they?

 

[uzun]

I was able to run the Silicon Optix HQV Benchmark test locally on my Panasonic XP50 and a Denon 3910, and my results are essentially identical to Clint DeBoer's regarding the film detail test.

The Panasonic XP50 handles it fine, locks on almost immediately cleaning up the bleachers in the background and never pops out of sync.

With the 3910 hooked to my 65" CRT RPTV (Sony 65WS550, which has native 1080i and 480p scan modes) the 3910 set to 1080i locked on instantly and never lost sync.

All other modes, 480p component, 480p DVI, and 720p DVI would go in and out of sync while the race car swept by the bleachers.

Maybe this is something Denon can fix via firmware, since it works in 1080i mode and fails in all other resolutions?

 

[keenan]

Does anyone know exactly when the Denon Link is supposed to be upgradeable for SACD?

After waiting so long for this and getting excited at the recent announcement from Denon to proclaim the SACD "approval", I read this morning on another forum that a 3910 owner contacted Denon and was told "late next year".

Does anyone know if this is correct?

They can't seriously be talking Fall of 2006, can they?

It makes sense, late 2006 would be when equipment spec'ed with SACD 2.0 will probably hit the market. As far as current Denon equipment passing SACD over Denon Link, they have been trying to get approval since 2003, so I wouldn't hold your breath...