Has anyone tried the DVI switching capabilities of the 990?
I'm wondering if there is any amount of signal degradation, any artifacts introduced, etc..
Especially at 720P resolution.
Anyone with an opinion?
Thanks!
Zed.

Works fine. I am using it in 720p. My setup is goes from the 990 to a distribution amp and on to a 30 ft cable run to a projectror. The run to the amp is just a standard cable run. I have never tried a longer run.

the only issue is that you cannot set up the unit when it is DVI mode. You have to use an S-video monitor to do that. Also, the lip sync delay control has no readout when you are using DVI. I have asked that they put this on the front panel of the 990 like all the other remote control functions. I guess enouugh people have to ask them.

I am considering the purchase of an Oppo DVD player because of its' DVI output, but I would need to use a 30' cable to connect it from the 990 to my Sanyo PLV Z2 projector. I have heard that there can be some signal degredation in longer DVI cable runs. Has anyone had any experience with this? I would appreciate any advice.

I've found no degradation through the DVI switching, tested with both HD cable and an OPPO DVD player.

The DVI standard limits cable run to 18 feet, so a 30 foot cable violates the spec. There are some manufacturers that claim to be able to build a 30' cable that will work, and there are also some signal boosters that will extend the range of the DVI signal. I haven't tried either, however, since the longest DVI cable in my system is around 4'.

I have 10 meter long DVI cable directly btw my dvd player and projector. It violates the spec, but I don't see any degrade to picture quality.

Kwok

I know what a degraded analog signal looks like, but can anyone describe what a degraded digital signal looks like? Is it pixelated, or what?

Can also use an HDMI cable with DVI converters on each end...

-SM

Spec notwithstanding, DVI can go much longer than 18'. With 720p and 768p signals I know of a few dozen people who are successfully using standard copper cables at 30 feet, and a couple who have gone up to 50'.

At 10 meters, slightly more than 30', I have personally seen 1080p transmitted. You would probably start to see degradation at 1080p at 50' though.

Signal problems are very easy to spot in DVi transmission. They appear as single pixel bit errors, usually called "sparklies". They appear as single pixels that are dramatically the wrong color, i.e. a light blue pixel in a dark red error or some such.

When your DVI cable is on the verge of being unable to support your signal, you will see these. When it is a bit worse, you will simply lose picture entirely.

BB

Ethereal makes a real nice cable for long runs. It is much fatter because it uses thicker wires. Loss is related to volume so a fatter cable is a better cable. I am running 10 meters, but it is from a distribution amp, with no problems.

I am using the 990's DVI switching for both my DVD player and HD satellite receiver, and have been unable to detect any difference between directly connecting the input device to my bigscreen and connecting the input device using the switch in the 990.

It should also be noted that the quality of the component video section on the 990 is excellent.