In reply to:
unlike my Denon 200, the "drop shadow" or below black portion of the THX test was not visible as it was w/the 2200. Is this a deffective unit or will it simply just "do better" using DVI output on this particular model.
Waitaminute... hold the phone...
Your "NTSC pedestal" (7.5 IRE) and 0 IRE (blacker than black) both look the same, and you're wondering if you have a defective unit?
Uh, that's HOW you set up a display... they should be identical... that's how the PLUGE works. you start with the brightness high, so all three bars (0, 7.5, 10 IRE) are visible, then turn down the brightness or black level until the 7.5 IRE bar is as dark as the 0 IRE bar but you can still make out the 10IRE bar. Pedestal is set.
Then you move to the top side... look at the white square in the bottom left (well, 2nd from left)... adjust white level or contrast up until this "blooms" or bleeds into the squares beside, now turn it back until it doesn't. Luminence is set.
Then if you have a Blue Only switch.. turn it on, and adjust saturation until the outer two tall blue bars match the shorter bars below them (in full colour, the bars are grey and blue). Once they match, saturation is set.
With blue only still on, adjust the hue control until the inner two blue bars (magenta and cyan in full colour) match exactly. When they do, hue is set and you're good to go.
If you don't have a blue only switch... you'll need practice to get the last two measurements right.
Remember to turn off Blue Only.
Bren R.
