Player Set-up, Remote Control, and Video Tests

Digital Interface Setup Menu
This menu is actually a bit deeper than it looks, but only if you plan on doing PCM-conversion to your HDMI output and utilizing the discrete bass management options of the Denon DVD-3930CI player. Discrete? Yes, the DVD-3930CI allows for two separate bass management settings on the player. One for PCM-converted audio sent out the HDMI output, and another for the analogue audio outputs. This is way cool and simply the first of its kind at any price level we ‘ re aware of (save the DVD-5910CI of course). If you don ‘ t plan on converting HDMI to PCM, then enable DenonLink if you have a compatible Denon receiver (and do the happy dance if you do). You can also decide on multi-channel HDMI audio or stereo (if you only have 2-channels on a TV, for example) but you cannot utilize both HDMI audio and DenonLink at the same time. To turn DenonLink on or off you ‘ ll need to fully stop the player before entering the Setup menu. At this point disabling DenonLink will enable you to engage HDMI audio and set the format preference.

Digital Interface Setup Menu - Bass Management
OK, back to bass management. The DVD-3930CI allows you to fully configure bass management of the HDMI output, provided you allow the player to convert the audio to PCM first (for SACD or legacy formats for example). Available settings include size (Large/Small/None), delay (in 1 foot increments), levels (up to 10dB of attenuation in 1 dB increments) and crossover (40 舑 120 Hz in 20Hz steps). All in all, this is one of the most sophisticated bass management setups we ‘ ve seen in a DVD player 舰 ever.

Video Setup Menu
This is the next place you ‘ ll want to park your remote and configure. The Video Setup menu is where you will set the type of display you have (16:9 or 4:3, PAL/NTSC) as well as whether you want to run progressive scan from the component outputs. A setting for Audio/Video Sync allows you to synchronize the audio with either interlaced or progressive signal as well as HDMI. Now, I edited dialogue and foley for years, and sync - whether lip sync, footsteps or even more ridiculous effects - was very important. I can identify most sync issues to within a frame depending upon the shot and the type of audio involved [thanks to Neal Anderson and Patrick Sellers who mentored (i.e. hazed) me many years ago when I was starting my career in audio editing.] The DVD-3930CI may adjust clock rates, but none of this seems to affect DenonLink audio which worked steady in all modes of operation. As for the other methods of audio connection the idea is that progressive and interlaced signals will have independent timings due to the differences in the video processing occurring with those formats. HDMI, of course carries its own clock data. Bottom line is that this feature will spark much discussion on audio forums and give a lot of nerds much to talk about.

You'll want to leave Progressive Mode at AUTO and I recommend turning Squeeze Mode off (so that 4:3-encoded material can be stretched to fit the screen if you so desire). If, of course, you are a new HDTV owner and you spent the last few years acquiring 4:3 DVDs that don't have 'those stupid letterboxes at top and bottom' then you should immediately heap shame upon you and your family and you may put the player in 'AUTO' Squeeze Mode - and never EVER again buy non-widescreen (non-anamorphic) DVDs.

Audio Setup Menu
Ah, the Audio Setup menu. This is where you will configure the player for stereo or multi-channel use including the enabling of VSS (Virtual Surround Sound) should you desire to have simulated surround with 2 speakers. Unless you do not have a Dolby Digital or DTS decoder in your AV receiver you'll want to leave 'Digital Output' at 'Normal'. 'PCM' mode will convert Dolby Digital and DTS signals to PCM for use with older receivers. Downsampling isn't required unless your AV receiver cannot process sampling frequencies over 48kHz.

Source Direct is primarily an SACD function. It will allow you to run SACD (and other) signals directly from the unit, bypassing bass management, or apply either a 50kHz or 100kHz brick wall filter (for SACD). Alternatively you can turn off Source Direct and use the bass management features of the DVD player to ready the signal for your AV receiver's analogue inputs. The default is OFF, but if you plan on using the analogue audio outputs and have a receiver with bass management over its analogue audio inputs you may want to engage the SACD filter at 50kHz (we don't recommend ever setting it to 100kHz unless you have a very esoteric setup and want to annoy the birds outside of your home).

There are a few more settings in this menu. Bass Enhancer allows analogue 2 channel output of stereo sources with a subwoofer. If you are using the analogue outputs of the player, we recommend turning this 'On' unless you have truly full range speakers and/or no subwoofer. If you set Source Direct to either 50kHz or 100kHz this feature will not work. Compression is a night mode setting that allows you to experience more bass frequencies when the overall volume is reduced.

Ratings Menu
These often underutilized settings are good if you plan on providing unsupervised access to your DVD player.

Other Setup Menu
This menu sets the player mode (Audio or Video) as well as basic features that affect the player ‘ s general operation (wall paper, screen saver, display light, auto power mode and slide show duration).