Doesn't your Denon use the Faroudja FLI-23xx deinterlacer/scaler? I'm not up on the newer Denon players, but many of their older models (2910, 3910, etc.) had known macroblocking issues because of this. If this is true for the 2930CI as well it could be contributing to the problems you're seeing...
The slipcover artwork on both of these editions is leaps and bounds better than the hideous cover art Warner used on the standard release IMO. I particularly like the Best Buy slipcover. That alone would have been enough to sway my decision if I hadn't purchased the HD-DVD. :D