Denon DVD-3930CI Review

[Audioholics]

<A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/avhardware/denon-DVD-3930CI-DVD-playerp1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 94px" alt=[DVD3930CI] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/DVD3930CI_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>The DVD-3930CI was another surprising release from Denon. Just as the DVD-3910 seemed to obsolete (in a practical sense) the DVD-5900, they again appeared to pile nearly all of the great features and functionality of the new DVD-5910CI into a less expensive package. While I’d love to leave some hope for DVD-5910CI owners, I’m afraid this DVD-3930CI player will leave them wondering what exactly they are getting for their additional $2300. Custom installers, however, will rejoice as Denon has issued an absolutely “pristine” top of the line player at a higher MSRP to compete with some of the more esoteric brands.

[Read the Review]

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Now the problem is going to be finding a TV that can keep pace with the DVD player.

Damn you planned CRT extinction!

 

[bri1270]

Clint - Any plans on reviewing the 2930CI?

 

[Audioholics]

Clint - Any plans on reviewing the 2930CI?

Probably, since it has the new Reon processor. I have no timeline for it as of yet.

 

[sgsilber]

Denon DVD 3930CI Options

Enlightening review, but I'm still a little confused about optimizing the multi-faceted playback options of the '3930. For example, when using the player's two-channel analogue outputs, are the player's or the AVR's audio DAC's employed -- or does this result in "double DAC'ing" if either a Denon receiver's bass management or Audyssey features are employed?
Also, when using those same two-channel analogue outputs, is an SACD/DSD signal converted to PCM, or does it remain DSD? Finally, in this same regard, is it necessary to place the AVR in "Pure Direct" mode to keep the player's processing engaged?

 

[Audioholics]

If you are using the analogue outputs, you are using the player DACs (digital to analogue converters). At that point, the player can perform bass management, or not. Most non-flagship receivers, however, do not supply bass management options for their analogue multi-channel inputs.

 

[sgsilber]

Thanks. Denon receivers, at least from the '3806 and up, do allow you to integrate a subwoofer into two-channel play, so I just wanted to make sure that this didn't shift the processing over to the receiver or result in doing conversions at both ends.
How about the question of whether SACD's remain in DSD or are converted to PCM mode when using the two-channel analogue outputs, as opposed to the multi-channel analogue outputs?

 

[Audioholics]

There is no PCM conversion unless you are engaging bass management. This is also true with the DVD-3910

 

[Jack Hammer]

Are the sound and picture quality of the 3930ci a night and day improvement over the 2910 (or 2910ci), or just more refined?

Thanks

Jack

 

[ironlung]

Why!!!!

This thing just plays standard def DVD's correct? and cost $1500

 

[ssabripo]

I'm still waiting to hear feedback of a mano a mano comparo between the 3910 and 3930.....

Clint, any feedback here? I saw the 2930, and liked the video side (almost on par with my 3910), but the audio was not there..........I want to see how the 3930 stacks up. I would expect some improvement on the video side, but not sure how the audio would stack up

 

[djoxygen]

"Squeeze" mode

In the review you said, "I recommend turning Squeeze Mode off (so that 4:3-encoded material can be stretched to fit the screen if you so desire)."

If this is similar to the Oppo Squeeze mode, I recommend leaving it ON so that all material is presented in its correct aspect ratio, rather than having 4:3 material displayed in, as we call it in the pro video world, "sports-bar mode".

<rant>One of the most annoying things to me about modern DVD production is the mixture of 4:3 and 16:9 anamorphic content on the same disc. While it may make artistic sense to display some extras material in its original 4:3, there is no excuse for previews, studio logos, and the like to be 4:3 letterboxed.</rant>

That said, one of the best things about moving from 5-year old Sony DVD player and Hitachi CRT RP system to the uprezzing HDMI combo of Oppo and Westinghouse is that with the I *never* have to touch the aspect button anymore with the Oppo dancing between 16:9 and 4:3 as appropriate.

 

[ironlung]

Imagine 240 lines of clarity on your 1080p display

Did you guys see the new 4 head hi-fi VHS player from Sony? Auto tracking, stereo sound, high speed rewind, VCR plus+ to record really easy from the codes in your TV guide...you know....the bomb!!! MSRP $950 and the infrared CORDLESS remote is no extra charge!!!!!!!

It will look super sweet next to the 3930 in your AV museum.

 

[westcott]

I too wait with baited breath for the 2930CI review. $650 is much more my speed, price wise.

 

[Adam]

All,

Ironlung pokes fun but brings up something that I've wondered myself. With higher-def discs and players available (and presumably getting better in the next few months), what is the motivation for buying a high end standard-def DVD player when the higher-def players are cheaper?

Thanks.

Adam

 

[billy p]

Well I was price shopping the other day. Samsung Blu Ray @ $1100.00Cdn and the Pioneer Elite Blu ray @ $1800.00 Cdn. I guess you do pay for the name on the label and Denon no matter how good the PQ, still won't touch the (hd dvd or Blu ray IMHO)

 

[sgsilber]

All,

Ironlung pokes fun but brings up something that I've wondered myself. With higher-def discs and players available (and presumably getting better in the next few months), what is the motivation for buying a high end standard-def DVD player when the higher-def players are cheaper?

Thanks.

Adam

That's a fair question and one that discriminating music enthusiasts (audiophiles) might answer differently than those who buy DVD players primarily for movies. Aside from DolbyTrueHD and other movie audio enhancements, none of the high-def' DVD players out there now, or on the immediate horizon, will be able to touch the Denon '3930 as a high-end player for music.
Personally, I plan to get an HD/BRD player as soon as they get the format issues and first generation kinks worked out, the prices come down and when there's more new release HD movies available. But the Denon can stay in my system for a long time as an audiophile quality CD player.

 

[Smackrabbit]

All,

Ironlung pokes fun but brings up something that I've wondered myself. With higher-def discs and players available (and presumably getting better in the next few months), what is the motivation for buying a high end standard-def DVD player when the higher-def players are cheaper?

Thanks.

Adam

One reason, as discussed, was that it's also a top-flight music player as well. However, if I'm someone that owns a few hundred DVD's (and I have quite a few friends that do), I'm not going to replace those all instantly, so if I can get a top notch DVD player that will improve the quality of what I already have on my display, and this should be my last DVD player before HD-DVD/BluRay plays out, and for only a couple bucks per DVD, to me, that's reasonable.

 

[agarwalro]

Should'nt this be a pro? "Makes DVD-5910 owners feel like they got ripped off "

Now if only I can convince my better half to let me buy a DVD player this is almost twice as expensive as my car...

 

[Sleestack]

I love my 5910ci... but it hasn't been touched for video since I got my Panny Blu-Ray player and 65" 1080p plasma. It still serves my 5.1 audio needs very well but not as well as the Bel Canto PL-1A I regretfully sold.