Marantz 8003 owners discussion

[Jonas]

One of the selling points for me on the AV8003 was the ability to have video passed through untouched. That's always a problem on a lot of AV amps and processor, you can't fully disable the video processing.

[THX-UltraII]

and how do you send the video through the av8003 untouched? Is there a setting for this?

[martintyler]

i cant check, as i am at work, but its there is a setting which has things like auto, through (or pass?) and probably 720, 1080 etc

[Jonas]

Originally Posted by THX-UltraII

and how do you send the video through the av8003 untouched? Is there a setting for this?

In the setup menu go to VIDEO, then set HDMI aspect to THROUGH and HDMI OUT1/2 to THROUGH. Also if you want component video sources untouched and have the component video out hooked up, make sure ALL the Video Conversions per input is set to OFF. This is on the first option on the video menu.



As far as I can tell the above means the HDMI video signal is untouched.



On a different topic how are you getting on with your AV8003?



For me despite it's GUI quirks and a few missing features I have really grown to like mine and can't see myself changing it for quite some time.



Jonas

[kiwidoug*]

Originally Posted by Jonas

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText">rayda wrote on Sat, 22 November 2008 11:52</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Hi,



How would the AV/MM 8003 combo compare to Yamaha's RX-ZX11 receiver?



In particular the network features and AV performance? (Both are in the $10,000 bracket in NZ, hence my dilemma as it seems hard to get a side by side comparison at retailers). Thanks guys - great forum, first time user.

I can't comment on the DSP-Z11 (UK model), but I did use to own a DSP Z9 which the Z11 replaced. For me the Z11 was simply to expensive, it did have more features but at a massive price increase. I also wanted to move away from the integrated design as I like the flexibility of being able to run separate power amps. The AV8003 only just edges out the Z9 in pure audio performance, so I suspect the Z11 to 8003 will be a close run thing. However I actually find the MM8003 to be the really impressive part of the Marantz combo, it's an absolute bargain for such a amplifier.




Thanks Jonas and Martin for your replies. Just purchased the AV/MM 8003. Audio is all that's said to be in online HT magazine reviews - enjoying it so much with new Magneplanar 1.6's and MJ Acoustic 200 sub (wash my mouth out using a sub for 2-ch audio) that we're yet to put video and network through its paces.



Transparency and detail an improvement and at lower volumes over (late 1980's) Rotel RC-960BX preamp and RB-980BX 130W amp - finally found in the Marantz agreeable audio quality as an HT package at this price point. (Have not auditioned latest Rotel's D-class pre/pro/amp 1500 series at this price point, or Pioneer Susano at another NZD3k dearer).

[Jase]

Originally Posted by THX-UltraII

I watched 'I Am Legend' on Blu-Ray last night and noticed that the dark scenes looked washed out/not inky/grey.

I get the same with &quot;I Am Legend&quot; on Blu-Ray with my Pioneer KRP-500M and Pioneer BDP-51FD. There are a couple of scenes in the building that the dog runs into that look washed out/grey rather than black. All other discs look great, whether they be DVD, HD-DVD or Blu-Ray.



The Plasma has been calibrated so greyscale, contrast, brightness etc is spot on.



I put it down to the disc and those particular scenes.

[Jonas]

I have been finding similar 'scenes' on certain Blu-Ray disks, Pans Labyrinth (dark scene in the bed room) and Iron Man (cave sequence). I have been messing around with the Enhanced RGB settings on my Denon 2500BT, which fixes it. However it is very difficult the calibrate the contrast and brightness with this setting.

[Jase]

Originally Posted by Jonas

I have been finding similar 'scenes' on certain Blu-Ray disks, Pans Labyrinth (dark scene in the bed room) and Iron Man (cave sequence). I have been messing around with the Enhanced RGB settings on my Denon 2500BT, which fixes it. However it is very difficult the calibrate the contrast and brightness with this setting.

I think it's just certain scenes on some discs. If Brightness or Black Level was incorrectly set then every scene with any black in it would look wrong.



Discs do seem to vary. I watched M.I.3 on HD DVD the other night and the blacks were very black, almost to the point of being crushed. Last night I watched Serenity on HD DVD and the blacks on that in some scenes looked washed out so I had to lower the brightness a couple of notches. This setting would have completely killed M.I.3.