Denon 3910?

[Johnd]

Hi all! I know this topic has been covered (somewhat), and I have read the reviews (for both the 3910 and 2910). I need to replace my badly outdated Denon 5000 (no progressive scan, no sacd, etc) with a good to very good dvd player. In your opinion, is the 3910 worth the extra $500 over the 2910? Or is all else (with picture and sound quality) about the same as the 2910? I particularly like the 3910 for the Denon Link. I will be connecting to the following: Thanks to all for your responses and insight.
Denon 5803 receiver
Sony VPL-10wht projector
Paradigm Studio 100s mains
Paradigm Servo 15 sub
Paradigm Studio CC-570 center
Paradigm Minimonitor surrounds (4)

 

[j_garcia]

Denon Link wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, but if you'd like it, I'd say go for it. Having owned the previous models, I would say there wasn't a $400 difference between the 2900 and 2200, and I was quite happy with the 2200 but I got a great deal on the 2900. If your goal is to keep cost down, the 2910 should work. If you're looking for every last bit of additional detail video and audio-wise, and the convenience of a single digital connection for all audio formats to the receiver, then go with the 3910. Secrets reviews mentioned the 2910 has the CUE (Chroma Upsamling Error), while the 3910 does not (due to a slightly different MPEG decoder?).

Nice system Where's the sub?

 

[Johnd]

Nice system Where's the sub?

Thanks for the reply j garcia...but I don't really understand the question. Physically, it is now in the middle of a 26' x 15' room (with terrazzo floor). However, I just purchased a 40' cable that will allow me to place it anywhere, and sample it with the test sounds I obtained from this site. So in your opinion, I will not gain much (picture/sound quality) with the 3910?

 

[j_garcia]

Doh, missed the S-15 My bad.

According to Secrets, the 2910 is pretty close PQ wise via both HDMI and component to the 3910. That's what I found with the 2200 vs 2900 also via component, with the 2900 being slightly better, but not earth shatteringly so (in other words, not $400 worth).

CUE is more noticable the larger the screen is, so that is something you may need to consider also, since they said that the 3910 did not exhibit it vs the 2910.

Excerpt:

The video performance de-interlacing wise is identical to Denon’s upper end offerings such as the DVD-3910 and DVD-5900. The MPEG decoder doesn’t seem to be quite as good as the ESS offerings in the upper line. This decoder had severe 4:2:0 CUE issues that were so bad that the Faroudja’s chroma filters couldn’t get rid of them totally. The same went for the 3-2 alternating CUE test. There were obvious banding and flicker even with the Faroudja filters engaged. This was not the case with the 3910.

The other tests went fine. Black levels were dead on, and the white level measured out at an excellent 101 IRE. The video frequency response was pretty flat, though not quite as good as their upper line of players, which was expected. Y/C delay was perfect at absolute zero via all outputs.

 

[Johnd]

CUE is more noticable the larger the screen is, so that is something you may need to consider also, since they said that the 3910 did not exhibit it vs the 2910.

Excerpt:

Thanks for the compliment. My screen size is 80", so if it is that noticeable, maybe I should stick with the 3910. I'll look into it further. Thanks.

 

[Rik]

I really like my 3910, but it's a shame when you use the Denon Link that it makes some of the things that really add expense to the player pointless. I'd like to see Denon add D'Link to some of the cheaper players in it's line.

 

[Johnd]

Rik: so do you think I'd be fine with the 2910...or does the 3910 still have superior picture/sound quality (above and beyond the Denon Link)?

 

[Rik]

I have never used the 3910 except through the D'Link, it was the sole pupose for my purchase of the 3910 over it's little brothers. I don't think it's possible for the DACs to outperform the all digital transfer of the D'Link, so I say go with the 3910. Picture wise I have the 3910 hooked straight to my Sony via HDMI and I could not be happier.

 

[WHALER]

Get the 3910 - You deserve it and you won't be saying I WISH I HAD BOUGHT THE 3910 lol Next week I am going to get my total system set up.

 

[Johnd]

Rik & Whaler: Thanks for the input. I'll go with the 3910.

 

[j_garcia]

Yeah, when I bought the 2200 I was always thinking in the back of my head that I should have just broke down and gotten the 2900.... I think the 3910 is a good choice.