The best PQ in the Denon 4306/3910 & PIO plasma 1080i combo ?

[WeAreSurrounded]

Upgraded recently to my Denon 4306/3910 combo and my TV monitor is PIONEER plasma 1080i. The setup is simple: 2 HDMI cables between player->receiver->TV, 1 DL3 cable for audio. Another HDMI cable connects STB SA 8300HD and 4306 which finally works fine (thanks to the recent COX firmware upload).

I am very satisfied with the audio , now is the time to tweak some video signals (which I don't know much about). So, here come my questions to the more experienced users:
1) Since the max signal accepted by plasma is 1080i should I choose INTERLACED vs. PROGRESSIVE in my 3910 video output format (thus avoiding de-interlacing)?
Does it make difference at all (I could not notice) ?
2) Assuming I choose 1080i as the resolution output from 3910, it should not make difference if I choose 1080i or THROUGH as the "HDMI video out" in my 4306, right? I think -in either case plasma should get the 1080i signal.
3)When I choose 1080i as the HDMI out, no matter what comes as the source , should come out as the 1080i signal, right ? So the TV should not do any more processing/deinterlacing/scaling, correct ?
This is how I think it should work, BUT...
4) When use I the SA8300HD/4306/PIO connection, the signal should be upconverted in my 4306, right ? (I choose "AUTO- HDMI/DVI" in the STB's output). But when I hit the Display button on my TV's remote, it shows me the native reoslutions (480i, 720p, 1080i) depending on the station's signal.
I though they ALL should have been upgraded tp 1080i.
So, what's going on here, is my 4306's upconverter not working or am I missing something ?
5) Also, can the RIVA calibration disc, which is on its way to me, really help me with the issues above ?
6) Lastly, there'e a lot controversies (this Forum included) regarding issue of "scaling" done by 4306. I could not find a word in the manual, the product sheets advertise it, but the Denon rep I talked to says that the only Denon receiver which does that is 4806CI. Any comments ?

Sorry for the long post - I put it also in the 3930/3910 thread ...

 

[j_garcia]

1080i is interlaced, so you need to set it to interlaced. You don't need to avoid deinterlacing. Personally, I would set it to 720p progressive because the deinterlacing is pretty good on the 3910.

Now the real question is, does the 4306 upconvert or TRANSCODE? They are two different things, and when passing HDMI, it may do nothing to the signal at all. Transcoding means it will take lower analog formats (SVID, composite, etc...) and "upconvert" them to be output via HDMI at whatever resolution you've chosen, but it may not do anything to a signal that is already digital via HDMI.

 

[JonBaker99]

Your display probably actually has a native resolution of 720P. It will accept signals up to 1080i but will scale them back to 720p. You might as well eliminate this extra conversion by setting your cable box and DVD player for 720P output.

Your 4306 does not upscale any signals. Looks closely at the small print (All incoming signals converted to HDMI retain thier native resolution). It transcodes to allow analog 480 signals to be transmitted by HDMI (VCR, older game system, etc). Your 4306 is simply transcoding that signal to the HDMI connection. This is probably okay. At the price point of your receiver your TV would probably have a better scaler built in anyways.

Any signal going into your Pioneer plasma will retain it's native resolution. Your TVs built into scaler converts it to the panel resolution. When your TV shows 480i, it is receiving a 480i signal and then scaling it the the native resolution of the panel.

Any calibration disc you use is going to help improve PQ. By how much really depends on how good you get at making corrections. However it is not going to help with the issues you listed. These discs help make your PQ look but but don't add resolution.

End result:
1. Set all sources for the resolution closet to that of your display panel and not the highest resolution accepted by the TV (720P)
2. The 4306 does not upconvert but does transcode.
3. If you really want great scaling for analog signals, an outboard scaler is the way to go. I highly recommend the DVDO VP30 (~$2000). Although Gefen is supposed to release a scaler soon that is getting some pretty good advance reviews for only $450.
4. You've got great gear! Now enjoy...

 

[MACCA350]

Upgraded recently to my Denon 4306/3910 combo and my TV monitor is PIONEER plasma 1080i. The setup is simple: 2 HDMI cables between player->receiver->TV, 1 DL3 cable for audio. Another HDMI cable connects STB SA 8300HD and 4306 which finally works fine (thanks to the recent COX firmware upload).

I am very satisfied with the audio , now is the time to tweak some video signals (which I don't know much about). So, here come my questions to the more experienced users:
1) Since the max signal accepted by plasma is 1080i should I choose INTERLACED vs. PROGRESSIVE in my 3910 video output format (thus avoiding de-interlacing)?
Does it make difference at all (I could not notice) ?
2) Assuming I choose 1080i as the resolution output from 3910, it should not make difference if I choose 1080i or THROUGH as the "HDMI video out" in my 4306, right? I think -in either case plasma should get the 1080i signal.
3)When I choose 1080i as the HDMI out, no matter what comes as the source , should come out as the 1080i signal, right ? So the TV should not do any more processing/deinterlacing/scaling, correct ?
This is how I think it should work, BUT...
4) When use I the SA8300HD/4306/PIO connection, the signal should be upconverted in my 4306, right ? (I choose "AUTO- HDMI/DVI" in the STB's output). But when I hit the Display button on my TV's remote, it shows me the native reoslutions (480i, 720p, 1080i) depending on the station's signal.
I though they ALL should have been upgraded tp 1080i.
So, what's going on here, is my 4306's upconverter not working or am I missing something ?
5) Also, can the RIVA calibration disc, which is on its way to me, really help me with the issues above ?
6) Lastly, there'e a lot controversies (this Forum included) regarding issue of "scaling" done by 4306. I could not find a word in the manual, the product sheets advertise it, but the Denon rep I talked to says that the only Denon receiver which does that is 4806CI. Any comments ?

Sorry for the long post - I put it also in the 3930/3910 thread ...

[My reply from your other post]

Plasma's are progressive by nature, so if you feed it a 1080i signal it will deinterlace it and if its 'native resolution is less than 1920x1080 it will scale it also.
You need to find the Native Resolution of the plasma is. The only 1080p Pioneer I can find is the PRO-FHD1, all the rest are 1365 x 768 or less.
Now to your questions:
1)If the max is 1080i then you cant input 1080p
2)I'm not sure if the receiver will do processing if set to 1080i in this case, you could try it both ways and see if you notice a difference, but using the THROUGH setting will make sure the receiver is not doing any processing. Yes in either case the display gets 1080i
3)If you choose 1080i out, thats what you'll get. Yes the TV will be doing processing, both deinterlacing and scaling(unless you have the PRO-FHD1, then just deinterlacing)
4)The 4306 will upconvert and scale the signal out the HDMI output depending on your settings(see page 72 of your manual)
5)AVIA is a video/audio calibration disc, used for adjusting your display and audio properties. It will not help in setting up your upconversion, but it can help you visually see what is the better setting for your display.
6)See no 4) the 4306 has full scaling ability up to 1080i over HDMI.

cheers

 

[Geno]

I also have the 4306/3910 , going to a Panny 50" 720p Plasma. I just leave everything on 720P, and it looks great, including my Dish HD receiver.

 

[JonBaker99]

Hmmm it appears Denon has some conflicting info. The specs sheet make mention that analog conversion over HDMI does not increase resolution. However the manual seems to indicate otherwise. Now I'm gonna have to go take a look at the one at the office today and toy around with the scaling.

 

[MACCA350]

Hmmm it appears Denon has some conflicting info. The specs sheet make mention that analog conversion over HDMI does not increase resolution.

I could not find this on the spec sheet.

EDIT: Found it
cheers