Upgrade to DV29?....Worth getting and AV9 ??

[dealmaker]

Guys,

I currently have an FMJ DV27, an AV8 and a P7.

I am upgrading my PJ to one that needs one of these new fangled HDMI inputs so I need to upgrade my DVD layer to one that outputs HDMI.

Am I correct in thinking hat the DV29 is the DV27 replacemnt that does this?

The new PJ will handle 1080 (it's probably going to be a Sony Pearl)- I'm assuming the DV29 won't - is it worth waiting for an Arcam HD DVD (or even BluRay??)

On the basis that I do get the DV29 - should I swap the AV8 for an AV9 - albeit that as I only use a PJ in this setup I don't think I need the video switching capability of the AV9 - BUT does the AV9 upscale as well?? So would an AV9 be an expensvie frippery??

Can my AV8 be upgraded to AV9 specification at the factory??...or do I need to part-ex with my dealer?

Thanks for any feedback!

[Timbo21]

Originally Posted by dealmaker

Am I correct in thinking hat the DV29 is the DV27 replacemnt that does this?

Pretty much. I believe the DV27A came out after the DV27, which you could upgrade to an A. It added DVD-Audio, and had different deinterlacing IIRC. Anyway, the DV29 was the fmj after the DV27A, and added HDMI 1.1, with different deinterlacing again.

Originally Posted by dealmaker

The new PJ will handle 1080 (it's probably going to be a Sony Pearl)- I'm assuming the DV29 won't - is it worth waiting for an Arcam HD DVD (or even BluRay??)

The DV29 doesn't do any upscaling, but the Sony Pearl will happily upscale it for you to 1080.

I think it will be a long wait for an Arcam HD DVD, or Blu-ray player. I was considering buying an HD DVD player early this year, since I thought HD DVD was definitely going to win out and get full studio support. But I have decided against it, because there is just no telling at the moment. Take a look at the HD players forum, and check out the threads

T.

[Crustyloafer]

1. I would also consider the new Arcam DV139 which does have upscaling and is a significant step forward from the now discontinued DV29 in many ways.

2. The upgrade from the AV8 to the AV9 is a factory fit upgrade. If you wish to have this done then speak to your dealer who can make all the arrangements.

3. The performance difference between the AV8 and AV9 is not huge, it is there but not a massive leap. If you don't need and never will need the HDMI switching capabilities then I probably wouldn't bother upgrading it, just make sure you have the most up to date firmware on the AV8 (version 5.0) which adds a number of features that are also present in the AV9.

[dealmaker]

Originally Posted by Crustyloafer

1. I would also consider the new Arcam DV139 which does have upscaling and is a significant step forward from the now discontinued DV29 in many ways.

2. The upgrade from the AV8 to the AV9 is a factory fit upgrade. If you wish to have this done then speak to your dealer who can make all the arrangements.

3. The performance difference between the AV8 and AV9 is not huge, it is there but not a massive leap. If you don't need and never will need the HDMI switching capabilities then I probably wouldn't bother upgrading it, just make sure you have the most up to date firmware on the AV8 (version 5.0) which adds a number of features that are also present in the AV9.

Thanks Crusty,

SO the DV139 will do the DVD duties (for the time being until the Blu-Ray / DD-DVD debate is sorted) and I can keep my AV8 as I won't need the switching capability of the AV9.

How does one go about checking and indeed obtaining, the latest version of the firmware?? Is this done at my dealer?

How much does the AV9 Upgrade cost if I decide to go down that route - and does it totally convert the AV8 to FULL AV9 specification or is it a halfway house?

Thanks!

[MavAV]

Originally Posted by dealmaker

How does one go about checking and indeed obtaining, the latest version of the firmware?? Is this done at my dealer?

To identify the current firmware version on the Arcam FMJ AV8 you press and hold the 'CD', 'DVD' and OK' buttons together. The best route to upgrade the firmware is via your dealer, or upgrade to the AV9, in which case, ARCAM will do it for you.

Originally Posted by dealmaker

How much does the AV9 Upgrade cost if I decide to go down that route - and does it totally convert the AV8 to FULL AV9 specification or is it a halfway house?

The upgrade is to the full AV9 specifications, costs £700 and takes 3 to 4 weeks, although it may be quicker now that the rush is over.

[dealmaker]

Originally Posted by MavAV

To identify the current firmware version on the Arcam FMJ AV8 you press and hold the 'CD', 'DVD' and OK' buttons together. The best route to upgrade the firmware is via your dealer, or upgrade to the AV9, in which case, ARCAM will do it for you.



The upgrade is to the full AV9 specifications, costs £700 and takes 3 to 4 weeks, although it may be quicker now that the rush is over.

Thanks MAV,

So does the AV9 Upgrade give you the "full monty" - i.e. will it be IDENTICAL to an AV9 I would buy from a dealer?? IS the faceplate change an option for instance or is that done as part of the upgrade?

Thanks!

[MavAV]

Originally Posted by dealmaker

Thanks MAV,

So does the AV9 Upgrade give you the "full monty" - i.e. will it be IDENTICAL to an AV9 I would buy from a dealer?? IS the faceplate change an option for instance or is that done as part of the upgrade?

Thanks!

Yes its the "full monty" with a new face plate included in the upgrade, and I believe is identical to an AV9 purchased from a dealer, although I've not done a comparison.

[Joe Fernand]

Hello Dealmaker

Why not install a decent VP (Video Processor) - your FMJ-DV27 is a great transport.

Assuming you have more than just DVD playback going to the VPL-VW50 (the Pearl) the VP is going to enhance all of your video sources.

The VP will have a range of Analogue and Digital Inputs to cope with pretty much any video source and can Output everything on a single HDMI cable at 1920x1080p.

If you have the VP installed and configured by an experienced ISF engineer they can optimise the VP to the Projector and then optimise each Input to the VP - that way you take care of differences between your various sources.

You can spend from 1k up to 3.5K on a high quality VP - the DVDO iScan VP50 (1,999.95 GBP) uses the advanced version of what Arcam employ in the FMJ-DV137; see http://www.anchorbaytech.com/news/arcam.html

Joe

[dealmaker]

Originally Posted by Joe Fernand

Hello Dealmaker

Why not install a decent VP (Video Processor) - your FMJ-DV27 is a great transport.

Assuming you have more than just DVD playback going to the VPL-VW50 (the Pearl) the VP is going to enhance all of your video sources.

The VP will have a range of Analogue and Digital Inputs to cope with pretty much any video source and can Output everything on a single HDMI cable at 1920x1080p.

If you have the VP installed and configured by an experienced ISF engineer they can optimise the VP to the Projector and then optimise each Input to the VP - that way you take care of differences between your various sources.

You can spend from 1k up to 3.5K on a high quality VP - the DVDO iScan VP50 (1,999.95 GBP) uses the advanced version of what Arcam employ in the FMJ-DV137; see http://www.anchorbaytech.com/news/arcam.html

Joe

Joe,

Part of the reason is Space - it's finite within the custome made cabinet!

I'm now going to use a JVC HD-1 PJ (if they are better than the Sony Pearl?) - and the only thing that will go into it will be the DVD player - it's a dedicated Cinema room with no other inputs - so tpo simplify matters I was thinking of going with the DV139.

Thoughts?