Info and forum posts by 'MJJ'

RE: Aiwa 370 Picture problem?

> I had the same problem with the Stuart Little disc on my Aiwa 370!

I have this problem on my LG3350 - the 370 uses virtually the same internals.

I put it down to the fact that the jerkiness is occurring `within` the menu system. I also miss some of the mouse`s words.

During the film proper, everything is very smooth.

HTHs.

RE: LG 3350 problems - Eeeeeeeeeeek!

>Any luck from LG about the noise? I think most of us have experienced
>it now we are looking for it!

I sent my LG3350E to LG and have just got the original back with two changes:

1) V1.4 firmware
2) a new `main pcb assembly`

Changes noted in use:

1) the tray doesn`t `pop out` when first switching on unit from a plug out situation - firmware
2) there is no more `helicopter` digital noise - PCB

I have done the single step stuff, and whilst there is a bit of noise it can now only be heard if you are `looking` for it.

I have played a bit of Chicken Run and there is no high freq. hissing from speakers.

I have used the -60dB tone and confirm that whilst there is noise:

a) it is comparable to `normal` CD players,
b) there is no helicopter digital mush
c) the hiss is `nearly` analogy, full spectrum (white?) noise.

So, either I had a duff card, or (as so many seem to have a problem) there is a new PCB (4 layer perhaps?).

The ball is in your court.

HTHs,
MJJ

This item was edited on Saturday, 31st March 2001, 18:55

RE: Subwoofer Placement

> For those out there who have upgraded from a stereo amp
> to and surround sound system don`t throw out the stereo amp
> with a T-piece connection it could be used as a make shift sub.

I have done this with my 75W MOSFET Arcam Delta. Luckily it has
a `mono` button so the T-piece is not needed.

Try using the phono inputs for that extra bass boost :-)

LG 3350E available in East Anglia and online.

A local superstore called Bennetts had 5 on display yesterday at 227 quid each. All had a sticker that said multiregion.

They have a website:

www.bennettsonline.co.uk

RE: LG3350E

I have an LG3350 and find the signal to noise ratio bad. Given this, I would set up my system differently if starting again:

1) get a `digital` A/V amp (receiver) with dolby digital (or DTS) decoding onboard

2) get a DVD player without onboard DD decoding

3) feed the digital audio to the digital inputs on the amp.

Basically, it is `probably` difficult to keep the video signals from the analogue audio, well difficult for LG.

Moral: put the `decoder` money into the amp.

RE: LG 3350 problems - Eeeeeeeeeeek!

>You sure it wasn`t the amp hissing rather than all 3 players - sounds a bit odd to me.

Yep, different amps. I paused the CD players and the hiss stopped. This points to the CD players being at `fault`.

Perhaps -40dB of full spectrum hiss can be heard `over` a pure tone?

What this `means` is that the overall noise from the LG is similar to other CD players. Unfortunately, the noise is more `offensive` in that it has the digital component.

Note these tests are using audio CDs. Once the video mpeg hardware decoder starts working the noise increases beyond the CD noise, but I can`t `test` it.

RE: LG 3350 problems - Eeeeeeeeeeek!

Good news and bad news.

The good news is that I visited a hifi shop and managed to play my -60dB (absolute) on an expensive (450 quid) DVD player, the cheapest Technics CD player (SL390?) and a more expensive Technics CD player (SP 670?). All 3 units had noise levels that were `comparable` to the LG 3350 - so much for the 100dB noise floor - what gives? Surely the noise should be 40 dB quieter than a -60dB signal and thus inaudible?

The bad news is that none of them had the any `digital` component. All were just hissing.

BTW, I am fairly sure that when the LG is playing a DVD, the `digital` noise is greater than when playing a CD.

FYI, the -60dB signal is a 400Hz tone. The 0dB from which it is referenced is the loudest signal that can be encoded onto a CD.

RE: LG 3350 problems - Eeeeeeeeeeek!

I have just played my audio Test CD (from RCA) and this has some
music played at -60dB and absolute silence.

The music at -60dB was about the same volume as the noise from the
DVD player on both 2 channel and 6 channel outputs.

The absolute silence was absolutely silent via the 2 channel D/A outputs
as expected (the hardware mute works).

The absolute silence via the 6 channel D/A was noise at about -60dB there being no hardware nor software mute (as expected).

Pausing the audio CD gave absolute silence via both D/As (6 channel software mute). Single step on audio CD is not available.

The S/N ratio of the LG3350 is specified to be more than 100dB. As the
noise seems to be as loud as a -60dB audio signal can one say that the
S/N ratio is 60dB? If so, the unit is well off the design specification.

RE: LG 3350 problems - Eeeeeeeeeeek!

> So presumably, LG are using either the Zero Detect Mute
> (which could be affected by noise on the data lines)

Surely there can be no noise (that would have any affect) on the data lines. That is what digital is all about?

> You suggested that there are mute inputs on the following
> amplifiers which are not used?

Sort of. Each channel has a clamp transistor driven by the control panel CPU. The 2 channel `clamp` has other inputs - from the 2 channel mute via another transistor.

I suggested using the 2 channel mute on all 6 channels, but this would only cure the mild pause mute problem.

If you wanted to use the 6 mutes, you would need 6 extra transistors and 6 wires going from the decoder board to the output board - messy.

>However, whether or not correct muting is sorted out is not really
>the issue.

I agree.

>The problem is the fact that the noise is there during
>normal playback, and as you say, this is a design flaw. I`d
>be interested to know whether this problem exists with other players >that have 5.1 decoding before giving up on the LG, though.

Yep.

RE: LG 3350 problems - Eeeeeeeeeeek!

>The normal audio out phonos haven`t got the noise, but a
>slight `clicking` when stepping single frames instead.

This is probably the hardware zero detect operating.

>The noise on mine has got a sort of chopping sound in it as
>well as the general electronic sort of noise, a bit like a helicopter

I refer to this as a digital `mush`.

As the sound changes during pause and single step, I think we are
seeing LG relying on software to mute the D/A converter rather than the
hardware - which is not used. A firmware upgrade would cure this I guess.

>and what is worse I think it is there all the time during playback

On Chicken Run, I sometimes get a high frequency hiss at the rears
when most of the sound is forward, that is what first made me aware
of the problem. Is it possible that the 5.1 encoding is at fault? Doesn`t
CR have some special enhanced 5.1 encoding?

>Do you think it is worth raising this with LG?

Yes.

Basically, I consider this a design problem and as such it can be returned at any time because it is always `unfit for purpose`.

RE: LG 3350 problems - help please

> I don`t have a 5.1 setup, but can I test this out for you
> using just a couple of speakers on two of the outputs?

Just move your existing stereo phonos to the front L+R on the 5.1 outputs. Play your favourite DVD and pause, then single step. A noise `should` `appear` after 5 or so `steps`. If not, try the rear L+R.

If yours is OK, then I may have some bad solder/components around the 5.1 D/A converter - I will send it back to dabs.

If yours is noisy .....

Thanks IT Troll.

RE: LG 3350 problems - help please

Me again. I have just looked at the service manual and guess what?

The 2 channel D/A chip (PCM1716) has a zero detect output that mutes the `downstream` analogue amplifiers when `the data is continuously zero for 64K clock cycles`. The LG3350 uses this output to mute the two channel outputs.

The 6 channel D/A is the PCM1600 and has 6 zero detect outputs that should be used to mute the downstream analogue amps. The problem is that on the LG3350 circuit diagram THEY ARE NOT CONNECTED. The 6 channel outputs are not muted when they should be!

Looks like LG have skimped on the circuitry (basically not enough pins on the board to board connector is my guess), but looking at how the 2 channel mute works, 6 1K resistors can take the 2 channel mute signal (which will probably be muted when the 6 channel `should` be muted - dodgy guess?) and apply it to the 6 individual mute transistors (used only in the `absolutely everything mute` mode).

Are you guys sure that your dolby digital is quiet, as this `makes me think` that there is a design fault?

This item was edited on Sunday, 4th February 2001, 23:30

RE: LG 3350 problems - help please

As no-one is replying, I will have to do it myself :-)

> In general, the noise stops when the disc is paused, and then
> comes back during the single step to the next frame.
> All channels have the noise.

I have investigated some more. If you pause the disc, the speakers are sometimes silent, subsequent pause steps will bring up the noise and it will sometimes stay during the pause proper.

Oh yeah - I now reckon it happens on ALL discs.

Note: this ONLY happens via the Dolby Digital decoder circuitry. If you use the `normal` 2 phono outputs (via the highly rated BurrBrown D/A) the unit is totally silent when it should be.

Surely someone can do a check - sob!

RE: One For Jimbo/Troll-Macrovision 3350

> Maybe a daft question, but have you tried recording from your LG?

Yep, the brightness kept fluctuating every 2-3 seconds.

LG 3350 problems - help please

I `think` that there is a sound problem on my LG. There seems to be high frequency whistles and digital clock `mush` when playing `some` DVDs. In general, the noise stops when the disc is paused, and then comes back during the single step to the next frame. All channels have the noise.

The discs that have the `noise` are Chicken Run and Stuart Little.

The digital clock mush could be directly related to disc rotation speed - perhaps these discs are offset and the kit is working in overdrive to follow a `wiggling` track.

Can some of you guys check out your kit at `normal` listening volumes?

BTW, you do have to get close to the speaker so be careful!

RE: AIWA 370, Factually accurate review from what Hi-Fi etc etc

> I happened to think the article was factually 100% correct.

What bugs me is that they drooled over the ARCAM CD player a few pages on saying that it was sooooo goood, what with its Burr Brown Delta-Sigma 24bit D/A converter. What they didn`t mention (or know) was that the Aiwa/LG also uses a Burr Brown Delta-Sigma 24bit D/A converter!!

Go figure - me, I think it is a case of `Emperor`s new clothes` with these `What HiFi` guys.

LG3350/AIWA DV370, the Arcam CD72 and What HiFi

I have just bought the Feb 2001 What HiFi for the DVD stuff and
found that it had the Aiwa DV370 and the Arcam CD72 on review.

What is the connection between the two? Well, What HiFi said
that the Aiwa was poor except for the CD quality which `mildly
impressed` and the Arcam (a 400 quid CD player), well there
were too many superlatives to relate.

So surely there can`t be a connection? Well, they mentioned, with
gushing pride, that the Arcam had the same DAC as found in their
Award winning 7SE player.

What they failed to mention (or know?) was that the Aiwa and LG use
a similar Burr-Brown Delta-Sigma 24bit DAC (PCM1716) to those fitted
to the Arcams.

Emperor`s new clothes and HiFi ........ it never changes :-)

This item was edited on Saturday, 27th January 2001, 16:55

RE: Is Dolby Digital much better?

>. So should i get the LG3350e with on board Dolby Digital decoder
> at 250,

I got mine from dabs.com for 180 quidish. There seems to be a wait, but it does seem to be the sort of unit you might `need`.

>or should i buy the Samsung 511 at only 150 and use my
>Pro-Logical decoder already in my Hi-Fi?

I went for the LG and sold my old CD player, so in the end, I upgraded for 150 quid. BTW, the LG 3350 uses mid-high quality analogue D/A converters (burr-brown PCM1716 24bit resolution), that should match the quality of any mid range CD player.

>Does Dolby Digital justify the extra price? as sound and Visual are
>what i`am really after with a DVD player,

It is worth 30 quid extra, perhaps not 100 quid. The effects on Chicken Run `in the oven` are superb in DD as the flames light up around you running from centre clockwise thru 360 degrees!

>i`am not to bothered about MP3 play back ect.

I was/am.

>If i get the LG with Dolby Digital what cables do i need to hook it up to >my Hi-Fi/Amp?

Just get 3 lots of standard stereo phono leads of the appropriate length.

>And how much do they cost?

I got 3 5m lengths for about 36 quid.

RE: LG3350e owners esp. Ittroll

> Nope, two of my mate`s machines are 1.3`s and they`ve tested
> them for this effect, and no resulting difference from mine

Oops! Still, given that it still works and I got it mail order, I`ll hold fire. I`ll keep you posted if it gets worse. I may email a message to LG.

Anyway, it after a re-site, it stays plugged in all the time. `Feature` is now out of site - out of mind :-)

Out of interest does your, or your mates`, transport move/reset at all when mains is applied and then the `on` button pressed?

Thanks for your time.

RE: Is Dolby Digital much better?

The LG3350 decoder is only any good if you have 6 channel audio into your amp, or you have lots of amps!

AFAIK, it is only for earlier generation amps like my obsolete Kenwood 5010. Most new AV amps have DD and DTS decoders onboard. The chips only cost 2 quid FFS.

Prologic has left front (LF), right front (RF) and rear.

Dolby digital has LF, RF, LR, RR, centre and subwoofer option

DTS is like DD but higher quality (less audio compression).

RE: LG3350e owners esp. Ittroll

>Sorry to disagree MJJ, but this does NOT happen on my 370,

Different firmware going by your site.

>and has never happened on any of our display 3350`s in store, and the
>power to them is OFF every night.

Check the firmware, if it is 1.3 then maybe it is a `fault` on our machines.

>>When the mains is switched off, the CPU is turned off as well.
>>When it starts up in this state, it obviously doesn`t know if the
>>tray is open or closed.

>>This is it`s way of resetting the mechanism.

>It may be a mechanism reset, but that doesn`t mean it isn`t a fault.

As a `programmer` I would say it is software controlled and thus a feature not a fault :-)

>Once my site is updated, you`ll see that my Aiwa has been in PIECES >for research into it, and I have never had the tray do anything like this.

Probably because your firmware is version 1.2 and mine is version 1.3?

Solidarity between all software programmers :-)

RE: dolby digital amps advice?

I have a previous generation 5010 with 50W/channel. It seems OK in all respects except tuner performance. I can`t get a strong enough signal for it. To get it to perform correctly, I will have to get a roof mounted aerial :-(

If you go to the kenwood site you will notice that the 7030 has onboard DTS which suggests that the 5030 doesn`t do DTS.

With your DVD, you would have been OK with the 5010 which has 6 channel audio inputs.

If your DVD hasn`t got digital out, then you may find yourself a technology generation out.

If I was buying again I would go for digital inputs/outputs on amp and dvd.

RE: Just bought an Aiwa 370.

>I am using a cheap scart...would a decent cable enhance
>visual/audio quality?

What is cheap? If it cost less than a tenner, dump it, otherwise my rule of thumb is: how dark is the bands above and below a widescreen image on a 4:3 TV. The darker the better.

I have used:

1 ) 10 quid 1.5m SCART - very good contrast (black bands)
2) 20 quid 5m composite - washed out, (dark grey bands)
3) 10 quid 5m S-video - better than 2) but not 1)

Size (length) DOES matter!

RE: LG3350e owners esp. Ittroll

>bought lg3350 sunday.every time i turn player on the tray comes out
>a couple of inches then goes back in.is this a fault

Nope!

>or just a way of
>checking if theres a disk in?

Yep! On mine it happens ONLY when the machine is switched off at the mains and then switched on and then activated by the on button.

When the mains is switched off, the CPU is turned off as well. When it starts up in this state, it obviously doesn`t know if the tray is open or closed.

This is it`s way of resetting the mechanism.

I consider it operationally correct and not a fault.

Diagonal white lines - seems TV based. Try another input type? You have 3 choices :-)

This item was edited on Saturday, 20th January 2001, 23:03

RE: confused on LG3350E!!!

>Ok, surely enabling VCD playback on the LG3350e can`t be too difficult or expensive for LG!

Possibly not. I have the Service manual (16 quid to you) and there is some interesting info to be had regarding VCD. I just don`t want to open my unit up just yet. Perhaps IT Troll might help here?

Regarding macro. The initial block diagram of the unit shows an SAA7126 video encoder which has macrovision. Just replacing this with an SAA7127 gives no macro!!

Unfortunately, the `final` circuit diagram doesn`t show this chip. I think it may now all be in the ZiVA 4.1 :-(

RE: dabs.com & LG 3350e

Dabs seem OK to me.

I ordered a LG3350 just before XMAS with a 2 week wait time and it arrived in 4 days - got it XMAS eve - nice prezzy!

You guys might be as lucky as me :-)

This item was edited on Thursday, 18th January 2001, 22:05