Really need help on setting up DVD3930CI

[h317]

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.

Thanks you, Peng for spending your valuable weekend time for the research

Yes, there is a subtle implication on page 11 but I could not find anything on page 19 that suggested clearly of the "requirement". Maybe because you are
reading a 3910 manual? Anyway, now that we know the workaround and that it's a Denon thing, I am relieved that my demo unit is as functional as a new one .

As I mentioned in my initial post of this thread, I tried connection 5.1 multichannel to my Sony BD-300S and it worked without any problems. I could switch between HDMI multichannel and multichannel analog output easily through my receiver's selection. Something to do with HDMI version as Denon uses 1.1?

 

[PENG]

Thanks you, Peng for spending your valuable weekend time for the research

Yes, there is a subtle implication on page 11 but I could not find anything on page 19 that suggested clearly of the "requirement". Maybe because you are
reading a 3910 manual? Anyway, now that we know the workaround and that it's a Denon thing, I am relieved that my demo unit is as functional as a new one .

Yes, it is clearly stated in the 3910 owner's manual on page 19 but only implied/hinted in the 3930 manual on page 11. I did read both manual as I was curious to know more about the new and improved 3930. I am now pretty sure that there is nothing wrong with your demo unit. Good to know that you can now sit back and enjoy those high definition SACD/DVDA sound.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

...I am using a Yamaha RVX3800. I am not sure if my Denon DAC is better than my Yamaha...

...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...

The Yamaha 3800 has the slightly "lower-end" Burr-Brown PCM-1791 (SNR 113), while the Denon DVD-3910 & 3930 have the slightly "higher-end" PCM-1796 (SNR 123).

PCM-1791 (113dB SNR, 0.001% THD): Yamaha V1800 & 3800, Denon 3808, 4308, DVD-2930
PCM-1796 (123dB SNR, 0.0005% THD): Onkyo 805/875/905, Denon 5308, DVD-3930CI, DVD-3910
PCM-1792 (127dB SNR, 0.0004% THD): Yamaha RX-Z9 and RX-Z11, Denon 5805ci and DVD-5910

The PCM-1796 & 1792 are supposed to be capable of Straight DSD -> Analog conversion, whereas the PCM-1791 goes from DSD -> PCM -> Analog conversion.

 

[Jeepers]

PCM-1791 (113dB SNR, 0.001% THD): Yamaha V1800 & 3800, Denon 3808, 4308, DVD-2930
PCM-1796 (123dB SNR, 0.0005% THD): Onkyo 805/875/905, Denon 5308, DVD-3930CI, DVD-3910
PCM-1792 (127dB SNR, 0.0004% THD): Yamaha RX-Z9 and RX-Z11, Denon 5805ci and DVD-5910

QUOTE]

Are you sure that the Z11 has the PCM-1792 ?
The catalog mentions :
"RX-Z11BL High Quality Audio Parts
1 Volume IC JRC NJM1194 (left), Burr Brown audio DAC
(DSD1796, center) and Op amp LM4562 (right)
2 Schottky barrier diodes"

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Are you sure that the Z11 has the PCM-1792 ?
The catalog mentions :
"RX-Z11BL...Burr Brown audio DAC...DSD1796..."

Oops. My Bad! Sorry about that. It looks like the Z11 does have the Burr-Brown (Texas Instrument) PCM-1796, which is the same one used in the Denon AVR-5308ci.

 

[PhilCohen]

Another important note for DVD-3930ci owners

I just got my Denon DVD-3930ci machine a few days ago(I bought a modified "Code-Free" version,for unrestricted playback of imported discs)

If you plan on playing DVD-Audio discs,and you want to play the ACTUAL Hi-Rez DVD-Audio tracks(not the DTS or Dolby Digital tracks),you must:

1.Push the setup button on your remote control.

2.Go to Special Settings(of the six icons you'll see on-screen,this icon will be on the far right)

3.Use the up/down/left/right buttons on the remote control to go DOWN to "Player Mode".

4.You'll see two options("Audio" & "Video")

5.Select "Audio" and push the "enter" button on your remote control.

6.Don't worry.Even though you have selected "audio",you'll have no problem playing video materials or watching other on-screen content present on the DVD-Audio disc(by contrast,if you selected "Video" in "player mode",the machine will ignore the Hi-Rez DVD-Audio content,and only permit you to play the Dolby Digital or DTS versions;the same as you would get if you put a DVD-Audio disc into a regular DVD player that didn't have DVD-Audio capability)

 

[h317]

I just got my Denon DVD-3930ci machine a few days ago(I bought a modified "Code-Free" version,for unrestricted playback of imported discs)

I thought the 3930ci is NTSC/PAL compatible, which means code-free from the factory already?

 

[PhilCohen]

I thought the 3930ci is NTSC/PAL compatible, which means code-free from the factory already?

The stock,off the shelf U.S.A. DVD-3930ci can play NTSC Region One discs and any disc(PAL or NTSC) that is Region Zero(AKA "All Regions").To play regionally coded region 2,3,4,5 or 6 discs,you must have a modified,code-free unit.I'm not yet permitted to post links,since I'm a newcomer to this forum.The dealer goes by the names 220-electronics or regioncodefreedvd
I got my unit for $1294(final price after shipping),which is less than many dealers charge for a stock,off the shelf unit.

 

[MDS]

I thought the 3930ci is NTSC/PAL compatible, which means code-free from the factory already?

NTSC vs PAL refers to the video format. NTSC is what we use in the US and is 29.97 fps at 60 Hz. I'm not sure of the frame rate for PAL but am pretty sure the frequency is 50 Hz.

The codes people refer to on a DVD are region codes. The region code is embedded on the disc and restricts the playback to certain locations. You can't play a region 2 disc on a player set to only play region 1 discs (or any other region code). This 'feature' is part of the DVD spec and really is just a way for studios to restrict where and when they sell discs; eg if it is released in Japan first and won't make the US for several more months you can't go out and get the imort disc and play it.

A region free player has been modified to ignore the region codes. It is not technically allowable nor spec compliant yet more and more players seem to have the ability to ignore the region code.

 

[PhilCohen]

NTSC vs PAL refers to the video format. NTSC is what we use in the US and is 29.97 fps at 60 Hz. I'm not sure of the frame rate for PAL but am pretty sure the frequency is 50 Hz.

The codes people refer to on a DVD are region codes. The region code is embedded on the disc and restricts the playback to certain locations. You can't play a region 2 disc on a player set to only play region 1 discs (or any other region code). This 'feature' is part of the DVD spec and really is just a way for studios to restrict where and when they sell discs; eg if it is released in Japan first and won't make the US for several more months you can't go out and get the imort disc and play it.

A region free player has been modified to ignore the region codes. It is not technically allowable nor spec compliant yet more and more players seem to have the ability to ignore the region code.

No stock,off the shelf DVD player is code free,because the owners of the DVD patents require hardware licensees to include the region code detection circuitry.But there are many fine modification companies that offer modified "code free" players.The modification has no detrimental effect on the player.

 

[h317]

But there are many fine modification companies that offer modified "code free" players.The modification has no detrimental effect on the player.

Hmmm... I will try poping in some region 2 DVD to see if that works. Does the modification void warranty?

 

[PhilCohen]

Hmmm... I will try poping in some region 2 DVD to see if that works. Does the modification void warranty?

The equipment modifiers who sell the "code-free" players provide their own equivalent warranty & repair service.

 

[PENG]

No stock,off the shelf DVD player is code free,because the owners of the DVD patents require hardware licensees to include the region code detection circuitry.But there are many fine modification companies that offer modified "code free" players.The modification has no detrimental effect on the player.

Except for some cheap made in XXXXX players. I believe they do play just about anything, right out of the box.

 

[PhilCohen]

I don't yet have an HDMI cable,so I haven't yet been able to evaluate how my DVD-3930ci will perform with its' video connected digitally to my(720p) Digital LCD T.V.,so I've been trying the unit's 480p performance via component video.

I'm finding the performance to be only fair to middling;quite pixelated in darker areas of the picture,though maybe this player is simply revealing more of the DVD format's limitations,limitations that are far less visible on my cheaper players.

I'll withhold judgement until I see how the DVD-3930ci performs when connected by HDMI.

 

[PENG]

I don't yet have an HDMI cable,so I haven't yet been able to evaluate how my DVD-3930ci will perform with its' video connected digitally to my(720p) Digital LCD T.V.,so I've been trying the unit's 480p performance via component video.

I'm finding the performance to be only fair to middling;quite pixelated in darker areas of the picture,though maybe this player is simply revealing more of the DVD format's limitations,limitations that are far less visible on my cheaper players.

I'll withhold judgement until I see how the DVD-3930ci performs when connected by HDMI.

I hope you have better luck with the 3930. My 3910 actually did better with component video than with upconversion via HDMI.

 

[PhilCohen]

I hope you have better luck with the 3930. My 3910 actually did better with component video than with upconversion via HDMI.

While I have yet to get to a store and buy an HDMI cable,I'm pleased to report that I'm starting to get better performance from my DVD-3930ci.

With the unit's settings as they are(Straight out of the box),the unit was showing DVD's in too much details, exaggerating grain, and showing too much MPEG artifacts, artifacts that were not visible,or far less visible on $500-$600 machines.

I have now used the "Picture Adjust" mode,and created and stored some settings in the first(of 5) memory postions.I've turned on both video noise reduction modes(MPEG noise reduction "on",and "DNR" at +3),and reduced sharpness at the mid & high video frequencies to "-2").This is producing more satisfactory results when playing discs with less than ideal MPEG encoding,or (somewhat) grainy videotaped productions shot at night(I've been playing "Pink Floyd-Pulse" & "Kraftwerk-Minimum Maximum")

DVD is a medium quality convenience format. It wasn't intended for real videophiles, and can't withstand the scrutiny of being shown in a super- revealing way, like the DVD-3930ci's fresh from the box factory settings will show it.

The stock, fresh out of the box settings,are simply too revealing. I was feeling really down while watching the DVD-3930ci during the first four days that I owned it. Gadget freaks will appreciate that there are so many(seemingly hundreds) of user adjustable parameters in the DVD-3930ci, but for the average person,a cheaper player is a quicker route to a good, clean satisfying picture.

I'm not criticising the DVD-3930ci's craftsmanship.Of course,as reviews have indicated, the build quality is superb.

 

[h317]

The equipment modifiers who sell the "code-free" players provide their own equivalent warranty & repair service.

Meaning that the Denon warranty is voided, right? By the way, mine is not code free. I can't play region 2 DVDs.

 

[PhilCohen]

Meaning that the Denon warranty is voided, right? By the way, mine is not code free. I can't play region 2 DVDs.

I would assume that the manufacturers' warranty would be voided by the "code-free" modification,but, as I've said, the companies selling the "Code-Free" units provide their own equivalent warranty(equivalent in duration to Denon's warranty) and the dealers do the repairs. Anyhow,I'm not sure that these companies will do the modification on machines not purchased from them.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I hope you have better luck with the 3930. My 3910 actually did better with component video than with upconversion via HDMI.

...I've turned on both video noise reduction modes(MPEG noise reduction "on",and "DNR" at +3),and reduced sharpness at the mid & high video frequencies to "-2...

For Video, I set my 3910 to HDMI RBG, HDMI Black Enhance On, Progressive Mode, 1080i resolution, kept everything @ factory setting except turned both Mid & High Sharpness to -6 and DNR to +6. I think it looks fantastic.

For audio, I turned Direct Source to ON and kept all Channel Levels and Delay to ZERO.

 

[PhilCohen]

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.

If controls in the on-screen menus ever refuse to allow you access to set certain things,you need to "reset".Simultaneously hold down the ">" and ">>I" buttons(on the unit's front panel) until the word
"Initialize" appears,then disappears on-screen. Operation of all user-adjustable parameters will then function normally again. I had the situation happen to me, where none of the "audio setting" items(in the "Setup" system) except "Compression" were available to adjust.(the other items were grayed out and unavailable). Resetting the player solved this problem. Try resetting the player