Denon DVD-2910 + Pioneer Pro-FDH1 woes (questions)?

[Mettius]

Hello all,

I'm having trouble deciding on the best way to connect my equipment and resolve a few issues. The Plasma TV's native resolution is 1920x1080 (according to the Pioneer Manual Specs) of course, it doesn't say anything about this being native i or p (I know to the actual display grid such a concept is meaningless, but if signal comes in as i it'll still be scaled to p by the TV right?

0. Is the TV 1080i or 1080p native (or is that a stupid question?)?
1. HDMI or DVI to Pioneer?
2. What output on HDMI/DVI to Pioneer? My options for HDMI/DVI are 480p/576p, 720p, 1080i.
3. If I connect via component video inputs I can choose either Progressive or Interlaced (presumably this is only at 480i or p, but I can't tell from any of the manuals.

Notes: On both my Loewe CRT TV via component outputs i or p doesn't matter (old CRT TV with no DVI/HDMI inputs) and the new Pioneer Plasma when DVD player DVI output is set to 480p, I have about 5% overscan. I have none when DVI is ouptut from DVD player is set to 720p or 1080i. (using DVE to test this)

Discussion: From reading the referenced articles (see below) I understand one generally wants to limit the number of devices doing scaling.
I also "know" I want to use a digital transport medium (i.e. DVI or HDMI vs. Component Video). I would think then that ideally I'd either want to output 1080p from the DVD player to the TV (scaling done only by the DVD player), or output 480i from the DVD player to he TV (scaling done by TV only).
Of course, my DVD player doesn't output 1080p, nor 480i from the digital connections (HDMI/DVI)!
Further, the CNet article below claimed things look "soft" with 480p input, which makes me want to avoid that (though they don't mention what player they were using with this, a PS3 perhaps.)

Equipment List
Denon DVD-2910
http://www.usa.denon.com/ArchivedDVDPlayers.asp?archivedModelSearch=true&clearCurrent=true&archivedCategory=DVD&archivedModel=DVD-2910&imageField.x=113&imageField.y=7
Pioneer Elite Pro-FDH1
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Support/HomeEntertainment/PlasmaTVs+Monitors/ci.PRO-FHD1.Support

Receiver is a Denon AVR-3805, but as it lacks DVI/HDMI inputs I don't suppose it will factor into this discussion.
http://www.usa.denon.com/ArchivedAVReceivers.asp?archivedModelSearch=true&clearCurrent=true&archivedCategory=AV&archivedModel=AVR-3805&imageField.x=111&imageField.y=9
Old TV: Loewe Aconda 9383 (CRT)


Previously the 2910 was cabled via component leads to the Denon 3805 which was connected my my Loewe 38" Articos CRT (man, what a picture, but... too small must upgrade! Bigger is better... ahem...)

Bibliography:
Video Processing in DVD Players, Receivers and Displays http://www.audioholics.com/education/display-formats-technology/video-processing-in-dvd-players-receivers-and-displays
and this: A Primer on DVD in a High-Def world;
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=477740
Review (UltimateAV)
http://www.ultimateavmag.com/flatpaneldisplays/1106piofhd1/index.html
Review (CNet)
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/pioneer-pro-fhd1/4505-6482_7-31641854.html

 

[Martiad3]

I'll go ahead and take a stab at these

Hello all,

0. Is the TV 1080i or 1080p native (or is that a stupid question?)?
1. HDMI or DVI to Pioneer?
2. What output on HDMI/DVI to Pioneer? My options for HDMI/DVI are 480p/576p, 720p, 1080i.
3. If I connect via component video inputs I can choose either Progressive or Interlaced (presumably this is only at 480i or p, but I can't tell from any of the manuals.

0) No asked question is stupid: it's 1080p native (all fixed pixel panels are a native "p" resolution.

1) I'd say HDMI would be preferable simply because you could then get audio through the TV speakers if you don't feel like using surround sound. Other than that, there will be no difference in the video signal as both will transport the ones and zeros of a digital signal just fine.

2) Simple answer: try all the different options and pick whichever one looks the best to you since that is what truly matters. My pick: 1080i since I like bigger numbers You really shouldn't notice any real difference since both of these components should have top notch scalers and deinterlacers.

3) Again, test both options and compare the best looking one to whichever hookup you chose previously. Again, both the DVD player and the TV probably have high quality deinterlacers and scalers and you shouldn't be able to tell a difference.

if signal comes in as i it'll still be scaled to p by the TV right?

It'll be deinterlaced into a progessive signal that the TV will display, yes.

Hope that helped a little. Enjoy!

 

[Duffinator]

Previously the 2910 was cabled via component leads to the Denon 3805 which was connected my my Loewe 38" Articos CRT (man, what a picture, but... too small must upgrade! Bigger is better... ahem...)

Connect it the same way as before if you want to swtich video through your AVR. Are you using HD cable or sat? Is that run through your Denon as well? Also if the 2910 upconverts it will only do so via HDMI so if you want to use that feature you will need to connect it straight to the Pioneer. So it really depends on what functionality you want to use. Your TV will deinterlace the picture from 1080i to 1080P.

 

[Mettius]

Connect it the same way as before if you want to swtich video through your AVR. Are you using HD cable or sat? Is that run through your Denon as well?

Actually, though it may seem strange, we don't have cable or satiliite. We only watch movies (via DVD player) at present.

-Mettius

 

[Mettius]

I'll go ahead and take a stab at these

2) Simple answer: try all the different options and pick whichever one looks the best to you since that is what truly matters.

This is of course the hard part. Soooo many options on the TV.

-Mettius

 

[Thunder18]

Both the FDH1 and the 2910 are known good quality units. You really will have to try them both out to determine which one scales and deinterlaces better. I don't have much pity for you though. That's some nice equipment

 

[Martiad3]

This is of course the hard part. Soooo many options on the TV.

-Mettius

Hard part?? Come on, that's the FUN part!

 

[Duffinator]

Actually, though it may seem strange, we don't have cable or satiliite. We only watch movies (via DVD player) at present.

-Mettius

Do you watch TV? If you are using only one source and are not concerned about swtiching video through your AVR then I'd run the HDMI straight from the player to the TV.