Wondering if the Denon 3802 has a volume up or down display. I just got one and have the monitor out through composite to a Toshiba 57x81 HDTV not getting any volume display on screen. Yes the On Screen Display is on in the menu setting. I get the menu display but no volume display.
anyone...

too bad many receivers dont give you component video menu display. the only only Receiver I know that has it is the JVC models

thanks

primo

My theory is that manufacturer's don't want their products to have a performance disadvantage to their competition. OSD displays degrade the video quality passed through because they have to overlay a generated transparent layer on top of the video image. For menu functions, this is probably ok, as it is a setup routine. For volume display, something that would be needed during normal operation, the manufacturer has 2 choices.

1) switch the overlay on only when volume display is needed. there may be a slight disturbance when the overlay is activated and some end users might complain if they notice this or notice a picture degredation while their volume is ramping (quite a minority, I'm sure).

2) leave the overlay on at all times. While I do believe that the masses would be quite happy with this solution, it leaves yourself open for critical feedback from reviewers and the more discerning client. Many companies will not use a product in installations at all if they fail any similiar criteria. I think to use the always on feature on component video would be a very bad move and grounds for dismissal to the AV component hall of shame.

I think that there was 1 company's unit that did it the right way. There was a monitor output w/ OSD, a monitor output w/o OSD, then a record output. I don't remember who it was, but it might have been the Integra DTR series or McIntosh pre/pros.

I believe the reason for Dennon not giving you a volume display in S or composite modes is just plain lack of thought, the same lack of thought that was given to most of the user interface with that model. The receiver sounds good and has a lot of features, but I find it to be a problem to explain to clients. The engineers that designed the receiver should have asked their wives if it made sense to them before finalizing the design (that is, if their wives are allowed to speak).

As for the display on component inputs, it's just a matter of cost. To do it right would cost a few extra bucks, which most companies would rather spend on another dozen surround mode variations.

It is possible to overlay text without any significant sacrifice in picture quality--- have you noticed the logo insertion on most of the networks? If picture quality was really the issue, most people could tolerate a slight degradation of picture quaility for the few seconds it takes to indicate volume or mode.

I agree with you Keith,
look at amplifiers from Onkyo which have both an On-screen volume control and maximum volume setting which are both very useful features especially if the Amplifier is hidden away in a cabinet somewhere.

Interestingly Denons new AVCA1SR has OSD on the component output and has an On-screen volume which can be turned on or off according to taste.

Other manufacturers such as Tag Mclaren use two separate outputs as mentioned above ie one with OSD and one without.

My Denon 5803 has volume displayed in "S" and component. I don't use composite but I am sure it is there as well.

The 3802 definitely has on-screen display in composite video and S-Video.

I can't remember if there are two composite outs, but on my old 5700, video out 1 had on-screen display and video 2 bypassed all video circuitry. Coome to think of it, I am pretty sure there is only one on the 3802

When the system includes an HD DSS receiver, we can't have such displays. We use the RGB output (Sony or Panasonic) going directly to the display device. We sometimes still connect DVD players directly to the display.

I have yet to see a controller that could put the volume display on all the video signals. It is confusing for the customer to see it on VCR and ?? in composite and S, see it maybe in component, but not in RGB.

Better you should explain to the customer that the volume display will not appear in the higher resolution pictures in order to guarantee the best picture quality. This is something like the argument that one reason not to use a DSS's channel 3 output is that the customer is then watching his satellite programming as it goes through a $2.77 "Television Station" -- the channel three modulator. To paraphrase a manufacturer of RG-6: "Your satellite signal has travelled 46,000 miles to get to your house. Don't screw it up in the last fifty feet."

Ernie

excellent responses tsvisser and ernie...

thanks for your responses...

we do home theater installs and funny thing Ive never had any customers complain over volume display or any other display from the amp..one reason is that we try and minumize using more than a few features from the amp...YOU KNOW HOW STUPID CUSTOMERS ARE WITH TECHNOLOGY.

thanks again..

primo