Really need help on setting up DVD3930CI

[h317]

I got a demo Denon DVD3930CI yesterday and had a hard time getting the multi-channel to work. I want to make sure that I did not miss anything before taking it back to the dealer for help.

For some reason, out of the 5.1 set that I have, the 3930 can only output sound to the FR and FL. All SR, SL and SW are dead silent. I use the the set of RCA cables to connect to my Sony BD player and it worked just fine.

The other strange thing is that the entire page of "audio setup" is grayed out other than the "compression" setting. That means I can's access options under the "audi channel", "digital output", "down sampling", "source direct" and "bass ehancer". Why are they grayed out?

I am getting very frustrated as the only reason I get this equipment is to play SACD, which has to be played using multichannel. Any Denon DVD player (particularly 3930CI) oweners here who can help?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Jeepers]

I looked in the manual. Do you have the Denon Link set to Off ? (Digital interface setup screen).

 

[h317]

Yes, the Denon Link was set to off. Since you said you "looked in the manual", I assume that you own a 3930CI. Are all but one item of the your "audio setup" page grayed out like mine? Thanks.

 

[Jeepers]

Yes I own a 3930CI (actually a 3930, the European version).
I don't have any SACD and consequently don't use the 5.1ch audio out or Denon link but NONE of the items on the "audio setup" page are grayed out.

 

[Nomo]

I have never owned a Denon, so I'm only guessing here.

First the obvious: is the disc you are playing a multi channel recording not just stereo?

Secondly: On my Yamaha player, certain menu functions can be grayed out depending on what type of disc is currently in que.
Are these menus also grayed out with a CD in the tray?

 

[PENG]

Yes, the Denon Link was set to off. Since you said you "looked in the manual", I assume that you own a 3930CI. Are all but one item of the your "audio setup" page grayed out like mine? Thanks.

I don't know if my 3910's setup menu is similar to your 3930 but with the 3910 you have to set Denon Link, IEE1394 to off and HDMI to 2 channel in order to access the audio setup. Again, mine is 3910 but no harm giving it a try.

 

[h317]

First the obvious: is the disc you are playing a multi channel recording not just stereo?

Secondly: On my Yamaha player, certain menu functions can be grayed out depending on what type of disc is currently in que.
Are these menus also grayed out with a CD in the tray?

Yes, the CD is a SACD Multi-channel disc. I even tried the Eagles Farewell Tour DVD on both my BD player (with multi-channel connection) and my 3930 (with multi-channel connection). The BD player produced output to all 5.1 channel while the 3930 didn't so I am almost certain that it's the 3930 issue.

And yes, the menu grayed out regardless of whether there is disc in or not.

The other strange thing is that certain menu items are available (e.g. Dialog Language, Disc Menus Language) when I reset the player following the manual instruction. I am not sure if it's a defective model so I really need the current Denon DVD player owner to let me know if that is normal.

 

[h317]

I don't know if my 3910's setup menu is similar to your 3930 but with the 3910 you have to set Denon Link, IEE1394 to off and HDMI to 2 channel in order to access the audio setup. Again, mine is 3910 but no harm giving it a try.

Thanks, Pen.

Ok, I am half excited now. The multi-channel connection works now as soon as I change the HDMI to "2 channel". But that means I lose the convenience/luxury of 1 HDMI cable for both audio/video signal unless I switch the HDMI between "2 channel" and "Multi Channel" every time I change from SACD listening session and movie watching session. Is there another way to do that?

 

[Jeepers]

Thanks, Pen.

Ok, I am half excited now. The multi-channel connection works now as soon as I change the HDMI to "2 channel". But that means I lose the convenience/luxury of 1 HDMI cable for both audio/video signal unless I switch the HDMI between "2 channel" and "Multi Channel" every time I change from SACD listening session and movie watching session. Is there another way to do that?

Have you tried the "Super Audio CD Setup" key on the remote or on the 3930, next to the "Video mode" key ?

 

[h317]

Have you tried the "Super Audio CD Setup" key on the remote or on the 3930, next to the "Video mode" key ?

I believe that key is to toggle among "CD/SACD Stereo/SACD Multi". I set it to "SACD Multi" for the SACD that I am testing.

 

[h317]

Ok, I don't want to add another thread for a simple question. I have a couple of Mon$ter video RCA cable that I bought years ago (way before internet so don't bash me for falling for that hype ). Can I use them for the multi-channel audio connection?

 

[leo1058]

yes you can

 

[PENG]

Thanks, Pen.

Ok, I am half excited now. The multi-channel connection works now as soon as I change the HDMI to "2 channel". But that means I lose the convenience/luxury of 1 HDMI cable for both audio/video signal unless I switch the HDMI between "2 channel" and "Multi Channel" every time I change from SACD listening session and movie watching session. Is there another way to do that?

After configuring your analog outputs to 5.1, if you set HDMI output back to multichannel, I would think the analog outputs should remain 5.1. You can try it and see what happens. If that does not work you still have the option to use the 5.1 analog outputs for movies. The 3930 probably has better DACs than you receiver anyway.

 

[h317]

After configuring your analog outputs to 5.1, if you set HDMI output back to multichannel, I would think the analog outputs should remain 5.1.

No, the HDMI has to remain at 2 channel for the multi-channel analog to work. As soon as I change to HDMI multichannel, the analog multichannel will only output to FR and FL. It's not a big deal as I find 5.1 analog multichannel produces better sound than HDMI multichannel but I just want to know the "flaw" is common to all Denon DVD/SACD players (particularly 3930/3910/2930). If that is the case, I can live with it. Otherwise, I would like to let Denon know of the issue.

If that does not work you still have the option to use the 5.1 analog outputs for movies. The 3930 probably has better DACs than you receiver anyway.

I am using a Yamaha RVX3800. I am not sure if my Denon DAC is better than my Yamaha but I must say I am very impressed with the 3830CI's upscaling result. It's way better than the upscaling cability of my BD player.

 

[PENG]

No, the HDMI has to remain at 2 channel for the multi-channel analog to work. As soon as I change to HDMI multichannel, the analog multichannel will only output to FR and FL. It's not a big deal as I find 5.1 analog multichannel produces better sound than HDMI multichannel but I just want to know the "flaw" is common to all Denon DVD/SACD players (particularly 3930/3910/2930). If that is the case, I can live with it. Otherwise, I would like to let Denon know of the issue.



I am using a Yamaha RVX3800. I am not sure if my Denon DAC is better than my Yamaha but I must say I am very impressed with the 3830CI's upscaling result. It's way better than the upscaling cability of my BD player.

I am not sure if my 3910 has the same flaw beause with HDMI set to multchannel the analog audio setup is grayed out and I have not yet tried the surround outputs to see if they work. I will try it and let you know. Just a reminder, be sure to check and see if your player has the latest firmware.

Regarding the DAC, I don't know what is in the 3930 but for a $1500 (listed) universal player, one would think that Denon could afford to put in better DAC than those in the mid end RX-V3800 or even their own upper mid end AVR-4308 receivers. That said, I doubt any difference would be easily audible compare to other more important factors such as room acoustics.

 

[h317]

Thanks, Peng.

I have sent Denon a email already and waiting for their answer. I will ask them if the issue is related to firmware update.

 

[PENG]

I have sent Denon a email already and waiting for their answer. I will ask them if the issue is related to firmware update.

I hooked up the analogs to try and got exactly the same results. There is no getting around; HDMI must be set to 2 channels in order to get 5.1 from the analog outs. I have my firmware updated already but it is still an older model. You may have better luck for an update but that is only if Demon considers this a bug.

 

[PENG]

I read the manual again and found that on page 19 they made it clear that HDMI must be off, or set to 2 channel, in order to output multi-channel sound from the analog output connectors. The 3930 owner's manual is not as clear, but it basically implies the same if you read page 11.

 

[TLS Guy]

I read the manual again and found that on page 19 they made it clear that HDMI must be off, or set to 2 channel, in order to output multi-channel sound from the analog output connectors. The 3930 owner's manual is not as clear, but it basically implies the same if you read page 11.

Makes one nostalgic for the days of yore with knobs and switches, doesn't it?

 

[Jeepers]

h317

I went through my 3930 settings again and with HDMI Audio set to Multichannel; the items on the Audio setting page (apart from compression) can not be changed. I misunderstood what you meant with "grayed out". All items on the Audio setting page are displayed the same way.