I have a 3806 connected to Polk RM20 (HTiB, but not bad). My major concern when I bought the speakers was center channel weakness. I thought that the Denon would be able to overcome the weakness, but Audyssey seems to exacerbate the problem. Any suugestions on how to tweak the center channel so that dialogue can be understood without losing all of the audyssey advantages? For example, U571, depths charges going off and then cut to whispering in the sub, the dialogue can not be understood. In ROTK, special edition, in DTS, the second disk, the undead army boards the corsair ships and then the film cuts to Frodo and Golum. This dialogue can not be understood at all. I have adjusted the center channel from -5 to +2.5, but even then, the mix is bad.
Spacially, the TV is mounted above a "fireplace" and the center channel sits on the mantel, pointed somewhat down to ear height. Fronts are at the corners of the room (4-5 feet away from the TV (horses rapidly gallop far away)) and the rears are angled down and behind the listener. I have two Paradigms in the front that play no role in HT unless anyone has any new suggestions on how to add them to the mix. Thanks for any help. I suspect that my issue is a receiver setup problem, not a speaker problem. I have run audyssey multiple times and not reset the system ever, would resetting help?

IsZatSo,

Thanks for this and the other post. I now have my sub working. Seems that it was set up differently under different modes. This receiver has so many functions and adjustments that it can be overwhelming, and the manual isn't the best either.

Thanks again for the help.

Jim

As you may have read below my experience with the sub setup. If your like me and super excited about hooking it up, it is an immersion experience spanning several weeks. As for the sub problem, make sure your channel is set up right, meaning push the little button on the middle of the remote control and see what the sub is set to. I found mine at -15db after an Audassey setup. Quickly changing this made it thump the hell out of me as desired. If this isn't it...On page 94 of the manual shows the signal adjustable modes for surround sound. lfe output can be configured individually for the lfe signal. the mode you are using might be setup goofy like a -15db sub in one of the modes.

Just how do you reset the 3806? I have looked through the manual, and I am sure it is there, but I must keep missing it.

Thanks,

Jim

......would resetting help?

Re-initialize, rather than reset. page 60 of the "manual."

Thanks!!! Now that i have read the procedure on page 60, I am kicking myself as I have been over that page before but just missed it. Don't know how, but then again, I have been known to miss things like this before.

Appreciate you taking the time to post the page.

Take care,

Jim

Re-initialize, rather than reset. page 60 of the "manual."

Hi All,

I’ve done some internet research and can’t find an answer to my problem. Going to Denon won’t help because I purchased my gear from Singapore and I live in Australia. So now I’m just going to throw it out here and hope that some of you gurus can help.

Here’s my current setup.

One recently purchased a Denon 3806 Receiver.
Sanyo Z2 Projector (Hooked up to the 3806 via a 5 Meter Blue Jeans HDMI to DVI cable)
1910 DVD player (Connected to the 3806 using 1 meter blue jeans HDMI to DVI cable.)
Xbox connected to 3806 using blue jeans component cable.
Xbox 360 connected to 3806 using supplied component cables.


Here’s my problem. When playing Xbox or Xbox 360 games they both look dark. Games like Gotham racing or Burnout revenge look like I’m playing at dusk or something. Even the DVDs look a little more dark than usual when I’m playing them through the 1910. I’ve read the 3806 manual and have noticed there are a few different colour space options. There is YCbCr, RGB normal and RGB Enhanced. I have tried all three options and they don’t help (RGB Enhanced only makes it darker). So for now I have left it on RGB Normal mode.

Tonight I just connected my Xbox 360 directly to my projector and for it the darkness problem goes away. Everything looks great. This really sucks. I was hoping that by buying a receiver I would have one central control point to switch between all of my various inputs. Is there something I’m doing wrong? Please help.

Jaime.

Yes, this works fine. I have my xobx 360 hooked up via component to my 3806 using 720p. It passes this out just fine at 720p via the HDMI output.

I have a 360 too but it comes out looking dark when I pass the image through the 3806. Any idea why?

j.

I need some advice on my settings. Thiings seem off. For example, when I watch the NBC HD channel, I get all of the dialogue and sounds from the two front L/R speakers and the dialogue sounds muted/muffled. Until a commercial comes on, then the dialogue is perfect and all sounds is broadcast from teh center channel. But if I switch to the regular NBC channel (non-HD), the dialogue and sound comes from the center channel, but not the front L/R speakers, for both the show and the commercials. I first noticed this issue during the Super Bowl, when the commercials and sideline reporters sounded fine, but the booth commentators sounded muffled.

Any idea where my setup has gone wrong? I couldn't find any audio settings on the cable box. Could it be a symptom of the broadcast and I need to adjust the speakers accordingly?

fyi: I have Time Warner cable using a SA8300HD cable box, with the video running to the 3806 via component and the audio via coax (I think).

When the broadcast remains in Dolby Digital 5.1, even when the surround format is unavailable, that what will happen. You'll hear your center channel when the broadcast is in true stereo and you're receiver is set to PLII mode.

Hi All,

I have an AVR3806 and I'm having a problem (I think it is self inflicted). This is the setup: I have a Hitachi 55hdx62, a regular HD DirecTV Tuner, and a Standard Def DirecTV TIVO tuner all linked VIA Harmony 880 remote.

Everything has been working fine for the month since the install. The Harmony switched flawlessly between devices. Today, the cabinet maker came to install the doors on the AV stack, and when I got home from work the HD tuner no longer communicates with the TV (at least it won't give me a picture or sound). The bizarre thing is that the SD Tivo still works and I have a picture and sound with it.

Trouble shooting on the Harmony has worked like a charm until today. The AVR says the tuner is on TV Ext. In. The TIVO says the tuner is on DBS.

The TV is connected to the AVR via HDMI. The HD Tuner is also connected via HDMI to the AVR. The SD TIVO is connected via Monster Cable to the AVR.

What's the deal? Anyone know what to do? I'm having a Final Four Basketball party and I'm hoping to show the games in HD, so I need help fast.

My wife says the Cabinet guy nudged the AVR to the side to install the cabinet doors. What could he have pushed? I've tried unplugging the HD satellite and reconnecting the HDMI cables but with no luck. The Denon manuel has been of no help either (I should have gotten an engineering degree!).

Hi All,


The TV is connected to the AVR via HDMI. The HD Tuner is also connected via HDMI to the AVR. The SD TIVO is connected via Monster Cable to the AVR.

What's the deal? Anyone know what to do? I'm having a Final Four Basketball party and I'm hoping to show the games in HD, so I need help fast.

My wife says the Cabinet guy nudged the AVR to the side to install the cabinet doors. What could he have pushed? I've tried unplugging the HD satellite and reconnecting the HDMI cables but with no luck. The Denon manuel has been of no help either (I should have gotten an engineering degree!).


I'm not sure if you are aware, but the HR10-250's HDMI port is notorious for "frying". The slightest jiggle can kill the port (although mine died while sitting 15 feet from the tv/equipment while watching Conan O'Brien). When that happens, you will get either a greenish-negative picture or nothing at all. When this happens, the HDMI is kaput and you will have to switch over to component cables. Luckily, there is no real discernible difference in PQ. I have two DirecTV HDTivos and the oldest one had it's HDMI fry in the 7th month, and this week, my 2nd HDTivo had it's HDMI port quit, but when the machine rebooted the other evening, the HDMI port started working again. Go figure. Try a reboot before writing the port off for good.

Todd

I have the H-20 receiver, so I'm not sure if it has the same problems, I've got a call into Magnolia to have them walk me thru it. Any other ideas?

Just bought the 3806 and I have been unable to get the sub to work with CD or DVD. I did the setup and the receiver set up the sub just like the other five speakers, and actually set it to +2.0 dB. I have been able to go into the tone generator and give have the sub go from off to +10 dB with the corresponding increase in volume.

I have tried the sub in both LFE and LFE+main with the front speakers set to both large and small. I have worked my way through the entire manual with no luck. I have also tired another sub and it does the same thing.

Since I am able to get tones throught the sub, and the auto setup feature will set the sub up correctly, I have to assume the subs are working, the cord is working, and that it is somewhere in the receiver. I am assuming the receiver is working, as it is brand new and the other channels work great. I think it is human error on my part, but can't figure it out.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.


What modes are you not getting LFE from?

For those that have not yet found an answer see page 69 of the manual for an additional setting....

i must say I am very happy with the 3806 (wish the comcast box would handshake via HDMI to it, as the HDMI signal is a lot sharper than the component), but other than that very happy.

But last night I had some strange behavior. Comcast HDVR box via component in, and output to SRXD via HMDI. Swapping back from a HD recording on the DVR to a non HD channel after watching a show, I lost video - audio was fine. Swapping to any other component input gave the same result. (TV still recognized the signals as 1080i, 480p, etc but no picture. Switching to my HDMI DVD player input on the amp I got the picture fine. Couldn't get the OSD to come up either.

After a factory reset of the box, and 2 hours of swapping cables still no joy. So powered down for the night.

Powered up this morning, and it all works fine.arghghgh

The only thing that has changed recently is i've powered my small Velodyne sub from the AVR, and not direct to the mains. Could this have caused this strange behavior?

Slurp,

I managed to get the problem fixed. Operator setup error on my part. Appreciate all the help you and others have given.

Take care,

Jim

What modes are you not getting LFE from?

For those that have not yet found an answer see page 69 of the manual for an additional setting....

I would like to say thanks for all the info in this thread. Does anyone have an idea to fix my problem. My system:
Denon 3806
Denon 2910
Motorola DCT 6200/1000 (STB)
Panasonic 50PX60

I have the 3806 hooked up via HDMI to the Panasonic. I started with the STB and the 2910 both hooked up via HDMI to the 3806 but no picture. I swithched to component on the STB to the 3806 but still no picture. I can't even get the 2910 to work through the 3806. I have the correct video picked for both sources. I have tried playing with the HDMI out and the conversion screens but I must be an idiot if I can't get the DVD signal to pass through the 3806 or something is wrong with my unit.
Thanks,

I have a couple questions.

First, I have my 3806 connected via HDMI to my TV. When I press the "Surround Parameter" button should the surround parameter menu be displayed on my TV? The setup menu appears.

Second question: When playing a DVD with Dolby Digital EX (Star Wars - Revenge of the Sith) when the THX trailer is playing the "SB" indicator is displayed on the Input signal channel indicator, but as soon as the trailer finishes the indicator dissappears. Is this correct?

Thanks

I have the exact same setup and I am having the excact same problem. I can't even get sound to come out of the speakers in stereo mode. When going through the auto test I get sound. Any beginner's input from anybody out there would be greatly appreciated.

Here is what I did to get it working....

DVD 1920 is plugged in with HDMI...Set the HDMI resolution on the front of the DVD player and then use the remote to set the sound. From the 3806 menu set DVD video and audio to HDMI.

I have the Motorola 65xx (the one that doesn't work correctly)...I used component cables to the receiver and I would receive a video and no sound thinking that I could get sound with the hdmi cable still plugged in between the receiver and the STB. I removed the HDMI cable and plugged ina coaxial cable then changed the audio settings in the receiver setup to coaxial and everything is working great now.

I finally have my entire system set up!!!

Panasonic 42" HDTV
Denon 3806
Denon 1920
Velodyne SPL1000R
Anthony Gallo A Diva TI x 6

Hi,
I am new to this forum. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
I am trying to set up my
(a) SHARP AQUOS- LC- 45 GX6U with HDMI
(b) Denon AVR-3806 ( HDMI to HDMI to Sharp AVC box)
(c) Toshiba- VCD/DVD Model: SD-V280U ( RGB + Optical to Denon receiver)
(d) Motorola- DCT-6200 HD ( when I use RGB & Audio to Denon Reciver, It shows nothing in TV, so I have to go back RGB to Sharp AVC box and Audio cable to Denon receiver)
(f) Jamo 5.1- E500 PDD.2. ( In Easy set up it fired all 5.1 but when I use TV it shows only FL,FR & SW)

I am confused with 3806 and TV doesn't recognised HDMI + only FL, FR & SW are working. Centre & SL + SR are not responding. I have to use all three remote for channel change I have to use Motorola, for TV Input change I have to use SHARP remote. For Audio I have to use Denon.

I think 3806 is complicated and manual is not user freindly.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

STEAMMAN

deleted post

When the broadcast remains in Dolby Digital 5.1, even when the surround format is unavailable, that what will happen. You'll hear your center channel when the broadcast is in true stereo and you're receiver is set to PLII mode.

Thanks. Should I change the settings/mode then when I switch channels or the broadcast changes? I'm new to all of these modes and settings....but I certainly notice the sound difference.

Just got the 3806, and monitor audio silver rs speakers, just tried quickly to see if everything works and I cannot get the sub to play? I hooked up the xbox directly to the sub, and used its own crossover and the sub worked fine, but when I hook it up to the reciever through the SW preout connection (R), it does not play am I missing something?
thanks

did any of you listen to the pioneer 72/74 against the denon 3806-- what were your thoughts...can't decide and I need to move on. Thx!!!

Just got the 3806 (replacing a 2807) and have one question so far. Is there a way to keep the video source set to 'last' when switching to a music source (like an iPod, Sirius, XM, FM, CD player, etc.)? I have three different video sources (2 HD Tivo's and an SA8300HD) but most of the time when I'm listening to music, I still want to channel surf or at least put on some good looking HD show. As of now, I can only assign 'none' or any of my other video sources.

I hooked up component video to my Denon 3806 - It appears that I get more menu functioning to work via the component video, compared to the HDMI I can get the setup menu to work but not the surround parameters menu. Does anybody else experience this?

Just got the 3806 (replacing a 2807) and have one question so far. Is there a way to keep the video source set to 'last' when switching to a music source (like an iPod, Sirius, XM, FM, CD player, etc.)? I have three different video sources (2 HD Tivo's and an SA8300HD) but most of the time when I'm listening to music, I still want to channel surf or at least put on some good looking HD show. As of now, I can only assign 'none' or any of my other video sources.


May I ask why you replaced your 2807 with the 3806? My local Denon distributor is pushing the 3806 which I had not previously considered because of high MSRP, however he's willing to sell it for not that much more than the 2807. My main concern was HDMI 1.1 passing 1080p, but after looking at the specs it seems the 3806 and 2807 HDMI specs are identical. I read that the 3806 will only "digitize" analog video (no upconvert/scaling) but all my sources are progressive so I assume this shouldn't be an issue for me. I'm willing to spend a little extra for the better audio components in the 3806 if the 2807 HDMI features aren't much better than the 3806.

PS. If I'm passing a progressive source signal to my display, will I get Volume OSD? For example, 480p from my HTPC into 3806 via HDMI out to display via HDMI, Volume OSD or not?

May I ask why you replaced your 2807 with the 3806? My local Denon distributor is pushing the 3806 which I had not previously considered because of high MSRP, however he's willing to sell it for not that much more than the 2807. My main concern was HDMI 1.1 passing 1080p, but after looking at the specs it seems the 3806 and 2807 HDMI specs are identical. I read that the 3806 will only "digitize" analog video (no upconvert/scaling) but all my sources are progressive so I assume this shouldn't be an issue for me. I'm willing to spend a little extra for the better audio components in the 3806 if the 2807 HDMI features aren't much better than the 3806.

PS. If I'm passing a progressive source signal to my display, will I get Volume OSD? For example, 480p from my HTPC into 3806 via HDMI out to display via HDMI, Volume OSD or not?

The main reason was one of money. I bought the 2807 on Friday, and went to a wedding on Saturday where I bumped into a friend of mine who is doing brisk business with his HT Install company. He mentioned being able to get Denon at cost and his quoted price for the 3806 was about $200 cheaper than the MSRP of the 2807, so I grabbed one. The 3806 is 10lbs. heavier than the 2807.

I had no problems with the 2807 whatsoever. My first inclination was to go all-hdmi, but I am using my AVR to switch component video sources into my office via component-over-CAT5 cabling, so I needed to hook up component connections anyway. I ditched the HDMI for now...I'll probably try it out later. I'm not even sure if the receiver can output over HDMI and component at the same time. Anyone? I also have no composite or s-video devices (even my vidcam is HD!), so upconverting isn't necessary; I'd rather native have pass-thru anyway since my plasma does a great job of scaling.

I'm not sure about the 480p-HTPC question. I'll do some checking in the manual. I can set my hr10-250 to 480p for testing if needed (I don't have an HTPC yet).

My initial opinion is that the 3806 sounds a bit "better". I'm not sure how to describe it, maybe the extra 10 wpc made the difference (I doubt it). I didn't feel that the 2807 was lacking, but at the same db levels, the 3806 sounded a bit more crisp and "live". I felt that I could more easily pinpoint my speaker locations with the 2807 vs. the 3806. Neither had been setup with the auto-setup. I made almost no adjustments to anything but soundfield (DD, Prologic Cinema, etc.).

Todd

The 3806 is clearly the better receiver in the audio department. The audio specs and parts are not the same, i.e, DACs, etc.

i dunno about this but i was asleep a few nights ago and about 4.30 in the morning my 3806 turned on and woke me up. It came on pretty loud & not on the input i turned it off from earlier that evening. I doubt a mouse crawled over it & i dont have a cat or dog inside to walk over the buttons and turn it on.

guys, im kind of confused, i believe the denon website used to say that the 3806 had 1080i HDMI switching, now it says 1080p...did my eyes deceive me?

Those of you using a HTPC with DVI-HDMI, what resolution are you guys running? I was able to reboot my PC and my display synchs at 480p for the bios screen and Windows loading but once it's gets into the desktop I get nothing. I usually run 848x480@60Hz.

Guys, need a little help. I had component to HDMI working and the OSD would show up etc. I purchased a HDMI cable to get my Satt receiver to use HDMI but once I connected my HDMI cable the OSD synchs up at the previous resolution but I get a blank black screen. I setup the outputs correctly for DBS to use HDMI Input2 and my display synchs to 720p like it's supposed to but blank black screen. So I'm pretty pissed, went back to my setup that was working, Satt using component to receiver, receiver to display HDMI. Display synchs up at 720p but still blank black screen. I read Malik1 had a similar issue and it turned out to be a bad receiver. The strangest part though, when I tried my HTPC, the bios and windows loading screen showed up properly synching at 480p. Any ideas?

This evening, I went to watch recorded content on my SA8300HD, but something odd happened. First, I switched over to the cable input on the 3806. No problem. When I hit 'DVR' on the STB to get to my recorded programs, the menu popped up, and then the 3806 went to the flickering-sync-screen, and the component3 input went to 'no signal' on my plasma. Now, the 3rd component input doesn't work at all, with ANY of my component devices. This receiver is only 6 days old. I haven't fudged with the connections since day 1. I have ruled out the STB as the STB works just fine on the other two component inputs, as well as the extra component input directly to the PDP.

I purchased this receiver for the extra component/HDMI inputs, and without this, I'm really up the proverbial creek.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

EDIT: False alarm...it seems I have accidentally programmed my Harmony to send two commands at once, the STB's 'DVR' button also sends a 3806 'v.sel' button press (which switched video sources to an unused source). All is well.

Turned out my problem was my DVI to HDMI adapter. Must have shorted it by accident. Bought another adapter and I get video now. I noticed when I pause or fast foward etc, the audio drops, and both video and audio stutter, and it happens twice after pausing or fastfwding. It's really annoying. I have my Sattelite "profile" set to auto, would hard coding it to DD5.1 or stereo help? Problem is most of the channels I watch switch back and forth between 5.1 and stereo.

I'm having trouble getting auto setup to work. I have run the tests, and it finds all my speakers, except for my sub (I know this because it is the only speaker where it has to do the "floor bump" four different times, each one louder). At the end of the test, it says "No speaker or too much ambient noise". I have tried this with the sub at 50%, 100%, etc. with no luck. My windows are closed and my room is completely silent.

Any suggestions?

As of now, the sound is flat and tinny/harsh and I know it can be improved.

That happened to me as well. In my case, the subwoofer has its own volume control, and it has an auto-off feature (shuts off when there's no signal for 15 minutes, and turns on automatically when it detects an incoming signal). Just play with the subwoofer volume settings and find a setting that's enough to trigger the subwoofer on.

That happened to me as well. In my case, the subwoofer has its own volume control, and it has an auto-off feature (shuts off when there's no signal for 15 minutes, and turns on automatically when it detects an incoming signal). Just play with the subwoofer volume settings and find a setting that's enough to trigger the subwoofer on.

That's the thing. When the 3806 is doing it's test, the sub is POUNDING away really, really loud. I can't understand how the mic can't hear it when my neighbor has knocked on my door saying he can hear it next door.

I am a new comer for home theater and recently bought a denon 3806. Yesterday I turned the 3806 with DVD player. I hear the sound from my speaker like a gunshot, then hte receiver showed power off and front display panel totally/literally blacked out. When I was tryiong to turn hte power back on, the main power is OK , hte standby bottom was green, but nothing happened in term of sound and vedio, and front display panel was BLACK, nothing displayed. I tried to turn Dimmer, to reset the microprocessor, to disconnect the power. No luck. Please help!!!!

I am a new comer for home theater and recently bought a denon 3806. Yesterday I turned the 3806 with DVD player. I hear the sound from my speaker like a gunshot, then hte receiver showed power off and front display panel totally/literally blacked out. When I was tryiong to turn hte power back on, the main power is OK , hte standby bottom was green, but nothing happened in term of sound and vedio, and front display panel was BLACK, nothing displayed. I tried to turn Dimmer, to reset the microprocessor, to disconnect the power. No luck. Please help!!!!

Sounds like a power shortage to me and the amp to protect itself shut down. Check your electric cables, fuses etc, before trying to bring it back on. Also have in mind that if you have chosen the "pure direct" function the panel will be like it's turned off

Sounds like a power shortage to me and the amp to protect itself shut down. Check your electric cables, fuses etc, before trying to bring it back on. Also have in mind that if you have chosen the "pure direct" function the panel will be like it's turned off


Thanks for your reply, It worked fine before this happened. The standby/on knot indeed showed GREEN when I bring the power back on, the remote control can turn on and off the unit. But no sound/video from it and the front display panel was still back. Is it possible some how I just broke the display panel even all I did was turnning the unit on when volume control on my DVD player was set to very high? Thanks!

I'd check the speaker cables (both ends) for a short.

Any 3806 owners tried the Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD player with the 3806 yet? Any problems? I'm really only concerned about the audio via HDMI input.

I'll apologize now as I have not read this whole thread, I'm a current 3805 owner and I can get a good price for it so I figured drop a few more Benjamins and be able to use the superior audio from the HD-A1.

Thanks in advance. :)

Is anyone using the SA8300HD box with their 3806?

I am trying to control the volume on the Denon with the remote from the cable box.

The remote for the 8300 comes with a Denon code, but it does not work on the 3806. I also tried the 8300's remote "code search" feature to no avail.

Has anyone found a code for the 8300HD's remote that will work?

I am having trouble with this. Currently I have a Denon 3910 hooked up to up to 3806 via HDMI in and HDMI monitor out to a Mits 52628. Also have a Dish ViP211 hooked up via HDMI out to HDMI in to 3806 with HDMI out to Mits HDMI in #1

Now I have a Daewoo region free DVD player hooked to 3806 via component to component input 3 which has been assigned to VDP input. I have VDP set to upconvert via HDMI. When I turn on the Daewoo via VDP on 3806 I get no onscreen menu or even a Welcome screen to the Daewoo. Am I forgetting something?

Should also say the Denon 3910 and Dish HD receiver operate as they should using the 3806 as a "switch" with the HDMI monitor out to the Mits Tv HDMI 1 input.

I am having trouble with this. Currently I have a Denon 3910 hooked up to up to 3806 via HDMI in and HDMI monitor out to a Mits 52628. Also have a Dish ViP211 hooked up via HDMI out to HDMI in to 3806 with HDMI out to Mits HDMI in #1

Now I have a Daewoo region free DVD player hooked to 3806 via component to component input 3 which has been assigned to VDP input. I have VDP set to upconvert via HDMI. When I turn on the Daewoo via VDP on 3806 I get no onscreen menu or even a Welcome screen to the Daewoo. Am I forgetting something?
I think the problem is you can't upconvert the signal using a component feed, it has to be HDCP protected, and component has no such protection. Try outputting 480i or 480p from the 3806 and see if you get anything on your screen.

I will say that Dish Network ViP211 HD receiver does work with the Denon 3806 as a switching device. No problems with getting the video and audio via HDMI out to 3806 to Mits TV via HDM 1 input on the TV. There are other problems with the 211 but it does play nice with the with the 3806.

Any 3806 owners tried the Toshiba HD-A1 HD-DVD player with the 3806 yet? Any problems? I'm really only concerned about the audio via HDMI input.

I'll apologize now as I have not read this whole thread, I'm a current 3805 owner and I can get a good price for it so I figured drop a few more Benjamins and be able to use the superior audio from the HD-A1.

Thanks in advance. :)

I'd like to know this also as I just ordered these same components. Once I receive them and hook them up I'll let you know of my findings.

I'd like to know this also as I just ordered these same components. Once I receive them and hook them up I'll let you know of my findings.
Thanks, I'll probably be picking one up in about a week as well.

Can someone please confirm they can receive DD5.1 bitstream over HDMI? I only have a Expressvu 9200 sattelite receiver and it will only pass stereo for some reason. I have a bug report in with Bell Expressvu.

I have my cable box hooked up to reciver via hdmi and i have output via hdmi from the reciever to the projector, all this works fine, but I cannot get the reciever menus to be displayed through the projector, I want to run the setup etc, and the reciever is in another room, (back closet), i thought the menus would be displayed on the projector but maybe it doesn't due it through HDMI or is there an option i must enable to allow it to do so?

thanks
Ankur

Finally finished my theater room, 5.1 Did manage to get some sound out of the Denon 3806 configured and started to play a movie, I couldn't get the rear surrounds working on surround A. I turned off and thinking maybe they should be on Surround Back moved the wires. turned the movie back on and sound from the rears. It sounded good! (played twister) but I read on this forum that u shouldn't use the Surr back? The manual is crap very frustrating to read, anyone know what I am doing is right or wrong and how to fix it if its wrong?

Thanks for any info

Polk RTi10's
Polk CSi5
Polk rears

ankuse,

Is your projector capable of receiving a 480i signal through HDMI? I beleive the OSD for the 3806 is 480i only.

clavoie is correct on this. My projector always jumps to 480i for the menu.

livewire, my surrounds are hooked up to surround A not the rears. Only advice I can give for now is go into the main menu, speaker configuration. Make sure A is on. Go to the test tones and make sure that you can get the test tones out of the speakers.

Thank, I tried it again on A and reconfig'ed ended up working. Don't have much luck with the autoset up with mic. says mic is not detected when its plugged in.?

another question please help. Does anyone have the Buttkicker LFE set up with amp? I have mine hooked up (quick connect package) and can't get the berklines to shake at all. Is there something more I have to do in the Denon to get more signal for the Buttkickers? The Polk 505 sub works so I know it has out put.

I just spent the last two days comparing the Pioneer VSX-72-TXV head-to-head with the Denon AVR3806 in our showroon...or should I say resisting the urge to take the hammer to the Denon.
Anyways, here are my conclusions.
HDMI conversion / Switching:
Denon:
1) will convert all analog video to HDMI, however a serious loss in pq was noted. We ran our HD Sat out via component and DVI (adapted to HDMI) into the Denon and out to the Infocus 7210 Projector via both HDMI (adapted to M1/DVI) and component. Component in to component out, no change in pq. HDMI in to HDMI out, no change in pq. Component in to HDMI out, serious loss in pq.



I just found HDMI in HDMI out also got some quality loss in the image. is there any setting on 3806 can improve this? thanks.

I just found HDMI in HDMI out also got some quality loss in the image. is there any setting on 3806 can improve this? thanks.
Really? What was the source and were you having the 3806 process the video or was it straight pass-through?

Hi,

I use the 3806 as a pre-processor in my system.

2 questions for you guys:

1. Any option in running my main speakers in "full mode", i.e no cross at all? My Wilson's are more than capable going lower than 40HZ.

2. I have a Velodyne DD 15" sub with Room correction. Which RC do I run first the one in the Denon or the one in the Velodyne?

Thanx very much.

Ran

Really? What was the source and were you having the 3806 process the video or was it straight pass-through?


Where to setup the 3806 to pass-through the HDMI in and out? I thought it will be pass-through the HDMI in to HDMI out by default.

Where to setup the 3806 to pass-through the HDMI in and out? I thought it will be pass-through the HDMI in to HDMI out by default.
I don't know, I'm planning to pick up a 3806 to replace my 3805, but I would have assumed that there wouldn't be any signal degradation with the HDMI in/out. I would have to look at the manual to see how to pass-through the signal.

What sort of problems are you seeing?

I currently have:
Denon 3805
Denon 3910
Panasonic 507UY Plasma
DISH network 622 HD DVR.
6.1 surround sound system is via Boston Acoustics (vrm-60, VRMC )

I'm planning on upgrading and selling my 3805 and 3910 on Ebay.

Planning on getting a 3806 for a receiver and the New Toshiba HD DVD player.

Anybody have the New HD DVD player hooked via HDMI and the Dish 622 Via HDMI and out to TV via HDMI. Would this work considereing all the problems with this receivers HDMI Switching? I want both video and audio via HDMI.

When Blue Ray comes out I may hook up the 622 via component and install the blue ray via HDMI.

I also would appreciate any comment whether this is a wise upgrade.

Can anyone tell me if the ring of the Rm20 sounds like the Bookshelfs Rti6? Because reading some reviews looks like use the same drivers, but a little small, this is posibble? im wanting a htib to work with my Pioneer D914 but the sound of Rti6 don´t like too much, the highs and mids sounds inside the book.- Sorry because my english is very poor.- Thanks a lot.- Elio.

Actually, I noticed that it does have some signal degradation with the HDMI in/out. I use the sim2 300e and 2 meter HDMI in 3806 and 10 meter HDMI out from 3806. Now I plan to connect the HDMI from DVD player to the projector directly.

I tried to look this up in the manual but I wanted to confirm with you experts. Is there any way to have zone 2 hooked up to the reciever but keep 7.1 sound? It seems like you have to sacrifice the back speakers for zone 2.

I tried to look this up in the manual but I wanted to confirm with you experts. Is there any way to have zone 2 hooked up to the reciever but keep 7.1 sound?


Nope unless you use another amp. I use another amp and power zone 3 then you keep your 7.1 sound.

I'm a new 3806 owner with a problem.

I ran the intiial Audyessy Auto set up/ EQ with no problems. Trying to run it again, it skips the process and goes to the next room check with out cycling through.

It says "wait" then when that goes off and I press start, it goes back to the same menu that I came from when choosing to do the EQ.

Do I have a defective 3806 or defective brain?

Allen

I'm a new 3806 owner with a problem.

I ran the intiial Audyessy Auto set up/ EQ with no problems. Trying to run it again, it skips the process and goes to the next room check with out cycling through.

It says "wait" then when that goes off and I press start, it goes back to the same menu that I came from when choosing to do the EQ.





Are you pressing the left cursor/arrow button on the remote or Enter? You need to press the left cursor/arrow button when it's next to Start.

Are you pressing the left cursor/arrow button on the remote or Enter? You need to press the left cursor/arrow button when it's next to Start.


JaseH' Thank you. Went home and tried left click instead of enter. Everything go.
Defective brain. Thanks again.

Allen

I want to hook a Crown K2 to my SVS 20-39CS+ sub via the 3806. The crown has balanced and 1/4" inputs. I checked the Rat Shack web page and no cable would do the trick. Can anyone point me in the right direction for an inexpensive cable to hook the two together??

I want to hook a Crown K2 to my SVS 20-39CS+ sub via the 3806. The crown has balanced and 1/4" inputs. I checked the Rat Shack web page and no cable would do the trick. Can anyone point me in the right direction for an inexpensive cable to hook the two together??
You could use something like this,

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2123275&cp=&origkw=rca+to+balanced+plug&kw=rca+to+balanced+plug&parentPage=search
RadioShack.com - Home & Office: DJ equipment & lights: Monster® Cable DJ-CR-1M3.3 ft

or, look in the drawers they have at Radio Shack and see if they have a converter plug, without the cable.

Or, you could use the below, they're not inexpensive, but they're high quality, I've used them before, but I don't recall where I purchased them.

http://www.cardas.com/content.php?area=products&content_id=14&pagestring=Adapters&product_id=52
Cardas Audio

I've been looking at some Cardas converters on audiogon but I could cut the rat shack cable down the middle and just use one channel. I wish someone made a single RCA to 1/4 cable....

Thanks

I've been looking at some Cardas converters on audiogon but I could cut the rat shack cable down the middle and just use one channel. I wish someone made a single RCA to 1/4 cable....

Thanks
I'm sure someone does, it's just tough to track down. I think I paid about $40 for the Cardas pair, but you only need one and I'm not sure if they can be purchased that way. I would go through all the parts drawers at Radio Shack, I'll bet you'll find one in there.

Try PartsExpress.com, they have all sorts of connectors.

Where did you buy the pair from? The best price I've seen is $63

Where did you buy the pair from? The best price I've seen is $63
I'll see if I can find the receipt, for some reason I think it's a company somewhere in the Pacific northwest.

I just went through my bookmarks and came across the below links, none of them is the one I purchased from, but you might check them out. I'll look for the receipt tomorrow.

http://www.ayre.com/accessories.cfm?accessID=4
Ayre Accessory Page

http://www.american-digital.com/prodsite/product.asp?p=847&c=169&name=Klone3-20Ft.RCAtoXLR-f(stereo)
Klone 3 - 20 Ft. RCA to XLR-f (stereo) from American-Digital

http://www.compucable.com/audio_video/get_data.asp?title1=XLR%20Connectors%20and%20Adapters&sub_title=XLR%20Connectors%20and%20Adapters&heading=Connectors%20and%20Adapters&sub_heading=XLR&warranty=Lifetime%20Warranty
Welcome to Addlogix, Audio/Video, BNC RCA Digital, XLR, SVHS, Stereo Cables, JVC, Panasonic, Tohiba, Sony Custom Cables

Wow. Finally got the two working via Ext In analogue. Listening to Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Wow. Patience is a virtue. I am not on friendly terms with Denon manuals. Perseverance pays off! This album certainly didn't sound the same for a certain young 18-year old frosh at Miami University in 1974 sitting on the floor listening to the album playing on one of those free bank give away turntables and receivers.

The graphics on Fleetwood Macs Rumors was a surprise with DVD-Audio. It is a shame that these formats are struggling. They are both great. As usual, I have come to the party too late.
Report Post

Re - XLR to RCA adaptors - I purchase mine at my local guitar/PA music shop. Only cost a few dollars each. You may be able to find them locally also.

Just got done swapping a 3805 for the 3806. How do you turn the front panel display off? The 3805 remote had a dimmer button but I don't see anything like that with the 3806 remote.

Wow. Finally got the two working via Ext In analogue. Listening to Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Wow. Patience is a virtue. I am not on friendly terms with Denon manuals. Perseverance pays off! This album certainly didn't sound the same for a certain young 18-year old frosh at Miami University in 1974 sitting on the floor listening to the album playing on one of those free bank give away turntables and receivers.

The 3910 was recently updated to support Denon Link III which is also supported by the 3806. Hooking via DLIII the two will give you Digital connection for your SACD which should yield better results.

So is this confirmed about a signal quality loss with HDMI in to HDMI out? What resolution was being used ?

I wish someone made a single RCA to 1/4 cable....
http://www.soundprofessionals.com/cgi-bin/gold/item/SP-RCA-PHONE

Did anyone else happen to see that the Denon AVR-3806 is available at Costco for $200 less than retail.
It's available at Costco.com (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11095789&whse=&topnav=&browse=&s=1) again.

So is this confirmed about a signal quality loss with HDMI in to HDMI out? What resolution was being used ?
I'm wondering about that myself, I haven't done any critical viewing yet and in any case, it will be a hassle to switch back and forth, taking the 3806 out of the chain.

Just a quick connection question for you experts:

My front speakers are Def Tech 7002 with built in subs, as well as, the center channel (model ??). Currently, my bass shakers are plugged into the sw jack of the "pre out" jacks on the 3806.
I have run sub woofer cables from the 2 fronts and center channel (LFE's) and not excatly sure where to connect to the receiver? Is it as easy as plugging them into their correct position within the pre out jacks...LF, RF and C? Just a little unsure since there is only 1 sw jack.

Thanks - Sorry for the dumb question!!

All,
I wonder if there's anyone who'd own both the 3806 and the 1906? I hope someone can tell me whether we can hear difference in SQ between the two receivers when playing at moderate loudness?
I want to get setup a 5.1 system in a small room (10ft width x 10ft height x 15ft long) so I don't really need too much power, also I am not bothered with all the video features in 3806, the only thing I really care is the SQ.

Thanks for sharing.
barry

Well..just got done reading this thread, so my head is a bit wobbly. I am looking to upgrade to the 3806 from the 3805. I have also looked at the 4306, but am very hesitant to say that there are $700 worth of benefits to step up to the 4306. My main reason for going to the 3806 is for the HDMI switching. Yes, I have seen that many people are having difficulties, and I wonder if I am asking for the same. Here are the video sources I currently have in my HT:

Sony VPL-HS10 projector (component and DVI in)
Denon DVD-1910 (DVI Out)
Motorola BMC-9012 Moxi DVR (component or DVI out)
HTPC with nVidia 6600GT video card (DVI out)

As you can see, everything is DVI. I know you can get DVI/HDMI adapters, but I want to see if anyone here sees any red flags or possible issues using any of this gear with the 3806 in terms of video switching to the HS10.

Thanks in advance!

Is the HDMI portion the same as the 2807? My 2807 works fine with my HD DVD player and a VP30. So I'm hoping it will work with the 3806.

In my case, the 3806, VP30 and HD-A1 all work together just fine using HDMI.

HD-A1>3806>VP30>display

Great! That is how I have it connected to the 2807 and I will do the same for the 3806.

Great! That is how I have it connected to the 2807 and I will do the same for the 3806.
Yeah, when I initially hooked it up that way it wouldn't work, I didn't get an image on the display even though the VP30 showed a blue light indicating signal. I messed around with the settings in the 3806 and it worked. When you get the 3806 and if you have trouble, let me know and I'll run down the settings I have.

The 3806 is pretty sweet, there's a few features added the 3805 did not have. :)

All,
I wonder if there's anyone who'd own both the 3806 and the 1906? I hope someone can tell me whether we can hear difference in SQ between the two receivers when playing at moderate loudness?
I want to get setup a 5.1 system in a small room (10ft width x 10ft height x 15ft long) so I don't really need too much power, also I am not bothered with all the video features in 3806, the only thing I really care is the SQ.

Thanks for sharing.
barry

I have don't have a 1906, but I do have a 3806 and a 1705. I think the 1705 is one hell of a good little receiver. It filled in on the main system when my Onkyo broke and before I got the 3806. I think the 1705 sounds every bit as good as the 3806 at moderately loud levels and this is in about a 500 sq ft area. With this in mind I would say the 1906 would be more than up to the task of 5.1 in your small room.

Nick

Thanks Nick, that's all the assurance I need.. :)

I can now add myself to the "official 3806 owners" thread as I picked up mine (at WAY below retail ) but have not had time to unpack it. Can someone tell me if the newer versions ship with the new remote. I went to Denon's website and clicked on the "more pictures" and it showed the remote that comes with the 4306/4806.

I can now add myself to the "official 3806 owners" thread as I picked up mine (at WAY below retail ) but have not had time to unpack it. Can someone tell me if the newer versions ship with the new remote. I went to Denon's website and clicked on the "more pictures" and it showed the remote that comes with the 4306/4806.

There is a newer remote for the 3806? Did not know that. What is the difference?

Nick

The picture on the website is the one that came with my refurb 3806 I got today. I like the 3805 remote better.

I went to Denon's website and clicked on the "more pictures" and it showed the remote that comes with the 4306/4806.
Denon's website shows this remote when I click "VIEW MORE IMAGES" for the AVR-3806.
AVR-3806 Remote (RC-1024) (http://usa.denon.com/RC1024_rdax_250x919.jpg)

Denon's website shows this remote when I click "VIEW MORE IMAGES" for the AVR-4806.
AVR-4806 Remote (RC-995) (http://usa.denon.com/RC995_rdax_300x976.jpg)

They are not the same remote, obviously.

The 4806 remote is more like the 3805 remote which I like. My 3806 remote is like the one pictured in your link which i don't like as much

Sorry to have caused confusion, I was actually referring to the 4306, the 3806 has always had the older style, I assumed wrongly that the 4806 had the newer one as well. Now that the confusion has past, tell me why you prefer the older one to the new one.

Sorry to have caused confusion, I was actually referring to the 4306, the 3806 has always had the older style, I assumed wrongly that the 4806 had the newer one as well. Now that the confusion has past, tell me why you prefer the older one to the new one.
The 3806 and 4306 have the RC-1024, which is newer.

The 4806 has the RC-995, which is older.

I use my 3806 solely for Home Theater purposes. I got in in November of 2005. It's used about, 4 -5 times per month. It's connected to my flat panel TV via the HDMI cable, and DVD's are viewed using my Denon 1906 DVD player.

On two occassions about 3/4 of the way through a movie the source mysteriously changed from Dolby/DTS to Tape??? So, I'm watching a movie then all of a sudden the screen goes blank.

The first time that it happened (during Narnia) I though that I had accidentally pressed a button on the remote since it was laying right next to me. The second time (during Man On Fire) I was no where near the remote??? Also, we've probably watched 2 movies between Narnia and Man on Fire and everything was fine??? Each time, once I realized what was going on and switched back to the appropriate source everything was fine for the remaining portion of the movie.

Anyone else experience anything like this? Any suggestions? I hope that this is not going to be a serious problem. :(

Thanks.

On two occassions about 3/4 of the way through a movie the source mysteriously changed from Dolby/DTS to Tape??? So, I'm watching a movie then all of a sudden the screen goes blank.
Maybe the flat panel TV (plasma?) is giving off infrared radiation that confuses the receiver.

Or maybe someone is just playing a trick on you. Was anyone else around, or outside the window? ;)

Maybe the flat panel TV (plasma?) is giving off infrared radiation that confuses the receiver.

Or maybe someone is just playing a trick on you. Was anyone else around, or outside the window? ;)


My TV is a Phillips 37" LCD. I've had the TV longer than the 3806 and the problem happened after nearly 5 months of ownership. :confused:

I just got my 3806 today and hooked it up to the Toshiba HD A1 via hdmi. No problems to report. Audio and video work great. The only problem I'm having is that my DTV hr10-250 appears to have a dead hdmi out for the audio. Could not get that to work. Connected with a fiber optic cable and the sound is great. As far as I can tell, I've set the audio/video up properly in regards to the hdmi for the sat receiver. Anyone have any ideas as to why the audio via hdmi would not work other than the sat receiver may have a bad hdmi out? Thanks.

It's available at costco

In for one. Does anyone know how long costco orders take? i ordered mine on the 8th but according the status its still processing...

In for one. Does anyone know how long costco orders take? i ordered mine on the 8th but according the status its still processing...
When I ordered one 2 weeks ago, Costco shipped it on the next day, and the status was updated on the 2nd day. I actually plan to return it unopened for a full refund, since I bought another one for less at Tweeter.

I actually plan to return it unopened for a full refund, since I bought another one for less at Tweeter.
Really? I don't see it on Tweeter's website. How much less than the Costco price?

When I ordered one 2 weeks ago, Costco shipped it on the next day, and the status was updated on the 2nd day. I actually plan to return it unopened for a full refund, since I bought another one for less at Tweeter.

How did you do it? I could not get Tweeter to budge on price. I ended up paying one G at my local B&M.

Nick

Hi.

I have just bought an Optoma HD72i projector, a Denon 3806 amp and a Denon 1920 dvd.

When connecting the 1920 via HDMI to the projector, it works great and pq is nice.

But when I connect the 1920 to the 3806 and then to the projector, all via HDMI, I get no picture. The amp is just clicking away, trying to negotiate somehow.

When I connect the dvd via component to the amp, it can upconvert and pass it on to the projector.
The osd from the amp works fine on HDMI too, and when accessing the osd when the dvd is playing via HDMI I can hear the sound from the dvd, but as soon as I leave the menu the sound shuts off.

I have read about some problems with the firmware on the 1920, and have tried both the v1.17(reg2 locked), v1.23(reg unlocked) and v1.24(reg unlocked)

Both HDMI cables work fine when connected directly to the projector, and both work fine when upconverting from component to HDMI.

After having tried every possible setting I´m getting kind of frustated of this issue, as it was one of the big points for bying this amp.

I really hope someone has a solution for this.

Really? I don't see it on Tweeter's website. How much less than the Costco price?
Tweeter was selling it for $999 during their "May private sale" last weekend (May 5 thru 7). I bought it for $1299 before the sale and then got a price match during the sale.

Tweeter was where I bought mine at for that same price. It was really the only reason I bit because I had been looking at the 2807. I have been so busy I have not taken it out of the box (gotta work to pay for the thing!).

Well, after reading some of this thread today, I got the receiver bug and bought a 3806. I wanted the 5805, but I want a ferrari too... :D

I came home and replaced my aging Pioneer Elite that I bought in 1997 and ran the automatic setup. Afterwards, my system had a complete absence of bass. My setup is as follows:

2 - Definitive Technology 7002
1 - Def Tech CLR2500
2 - Def Tech BPX something or other
1 - Denon 3806 (receives Optical audio in from DVD Player)
1 - Panasonic AE700 (receives component from DVD Player)
1 - Sony DVD player

The first 3 drivers listed have powered subwoofers in them and normally make quite a large amount of bass. All of the speakers were recognized as large, the distances were almost right on, and there were some speaker boosts that I knew would be need based on past performance in the room. I performed 6 placement tests with the Mic.

After the Audessey EQ setup and with it enabled, I noted that the life left my speakers. The sound seems very dull, almost vague. For some reason it also set the 67hz mark at -9db on the right channel and -11db on the left. It also dropped off by 3 or more db the 250 and 500 marks. Basically when my fireworks on DV Essentials go boom, it is more like a pop :( .

I went and adjusted the manual EQ settings and added the bass back in. I am guessing that I would need to further modify my "flat" baseline to get the sparkle and life back into the speakers. My concern is that I really bought the receiver only for the automatic setup features. The fact that it is a multi-octave EQ as opposed to a parametric EQ was appealing. Most appealing of all was the idea that I could have 6 seating positions in my theater that would have reasonable sound. So far, I am in fear that I made an error in my purchasing decision.

Prior to adjusting/creating a manual EQ setting I attempted to modify the Bass setting in the Tone control, but this accomplished nothing really noticeable. If I am using Manual EQ, am I still getting the benefits of the Audessey technology?

Do I have incorrect expectations of the Automatic Setup Application? (I read the article on Audioholics about Audessey and I must say that I thought it sounded like an amazing technology.)
I know that there used to be problems with MultEQ, Might they still exist?
Is there a chance that I need to update my firmware?
Any other recommendations of what I may be doing wrong?
Is there any additional information you would like me to provide about this?

Thank you for any input on this!

I too would be interested in responses to your post. I have had the 3806 for about two months and I have not run auto setup yet because of posts I have read like the one above. That being said the sound is damn nice with the manual tweaks I have made to the levels. I have not played with the EQ however.

Nick

mgpickens, I have the same issue with you when I use Audyssey as my EQ and I have learned to ignore it by using either "Front" or "Manual". The Audyssey settings, apply to all four different modes, so you may use whichever according to your acoustic taste. Enjoy your 3806!

Did you tell the 3806 you don't have a Sub?

Otherwise how would it know to send full range to your speakers?

Last night I tried setting up the receiver with the mic, which I thought would be pretty easy. The problem I'm having is getting the OSD to work. It worked the first night that I hooked the 3806 to my tv but not since. I'm running hdmi from the satellite receiver to the 3806 and hdmi to the tv from there. I've read in prior posts that the osd is 480i only. That being said my tv is capable of 480i and am wondering why the osd would have worked a couple of days ago but not now. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

In my case, I've "told" the 3806 that I have a sub, and set my front speakers as large. Thus, requesting, full range treatment from my receiver which I enjoy in every other case but Audyssey.

I verified that only the speakers I have are enabled in the 3806. No sub enabled here... No crossover settings... just five speakers set to large.

I suppose I could try re-running the auto-setup and have the subwoofers on the speakers turned all the way down... Then I could just set those back up to halfway after it is done calibrating and see if it is better. But that still doesn't address the vagueness and dullness of the high end.

I also have some acoustic panels placed at the first reflection points on the wall and bass traps made of acoustical cotton in all 4 corners of my theater room (converted family room). I would think that would make it easier for the auto-setup...

Hi mgpickens - The 3db down points of 250 & 500hz sound like a room resonance, and the sharp bass cut at around 60 hz could be due to room placement interactions with the speakers. The dull highs could be your room treatments. I have had similar results with room treatments. Sometimes they can make a room sound pretty lifeless, especially if it's fairly flat to begin with. Try running the auto eq with the treatments out of the room and see if the sparkle returns. Just a suggestion from personal experience.

I just got my 3806 today and hooked it up to the Toshiba HD A1 via hdmi. No problems to report. Audio and video work great. The only problem I'm having is that my DTV hr10-250 appears to have a dead hdmi out for the audio. Could not get that to work. Connected with a fiber optic cable and the sound is great. As far as I can tell, I've set the audio/video up properly in regards to the hdmi for the sat receiver. Anyone have any ideas as to why the audio via hdmi would not work other than the sat receiver may have a bad hdmi out? Thanks.
While I have not picked up an HDMI-in/out receiver yet, I had a similar problem connecting my DTV H20 to my Pio 1130. I tried this before hooking up my Denon 3300. I ended up having to use the optical option. My A1 was fine. I hope this problem is taken care of when the MPEG-4 capable DVR's are released in July(if they're ever released).

I, too, can get the 3806 at less than $1k out-the-door from Tweeter. They just sent a mailer out. Not sure if this was for their "preferred" customers or for everyone.

Hey mgpickens...while I was a big proponent of MultiEQ when I first bought my HT system (3806, 3910 and ML speakers all around) I've since changed my tune. I had good success with Audyssey at the beginning, but during the break-in period for my speakers, the sound degraded. This was a concern, I expected better sound, especially in the low end from the mains.

I did the whole auto EQ thing from the start, auto EQ with six mic placements, etc. But after a short while the soundstage started to "disappear"....there was less low end, less sonic balance and less high end definition. Yikes! Long story short...I disabled EQ completely. With EQ off, I went the manual route....Radio Shack SPL meter, DVE, fine tuning speaker placement....and achieved awesome sound. Whenever I enable EQ since, the sound just dies, whether Audyssey or Front.

The 3806 is an excellent and musical AVR, but if you don't get decent room EQ from it, turn it off and go totally manual.

I got my 3806 a few days ago and just received a Mirage s12 sub yesterday. I got what I thought was a great deal on the sub as it was a returned item. Well I got everything hooked up and setup my speaker configuration on the 3806 and I get nothing from the sub. I've got the sub connected with an RCA cable from the SW pre-out on the 3806 to the LFE in on the s12. Speaker are set to large front, small center and back, LFE+main. Even when generating a test tone to the sub I get nothing. When I have the auto detect set on the sub the light goes from red to green as I switch between sources with LFE and no LFE. This is the first sub that I've owned as my previous receiver is 14 years old and had no LFE (no digital audio, component inputs either). Am I missing something in the 3806 setup in order to get LFE output. I've read though the manual several times and researched this thread with no answers to my problem. I don't know...defective sub? :mad:

Since the sub is getting the signal (light goes from red to green) I would first go to the back of the sub. Is the crossover disabled and/or turned all the way up? Is the power dial turned to twelve o'clock or so? That being said, my HSU only needs to be set at eight-thirty to fill my room. Experiment some here. On the 3806 what is the sub level set to? I would set it to "0" while experimenting with the dial on the back of the sub.

That's all I can think of at the moment.

Nick

Nick,

The crossover is turned all the way up (120hz) and the level is at 12 o'clock. The 3806 sub level is set to 0. Nothing from the sub. I'm going to hook up the high level inputs to my front channels and see if I get anything with this method. If not I guess I'll contact Mirage about warranty repair.

I've got the Mirage S12 and the Denon AVR 3806 and they get along very well together. However, there have been reports of defective Mirage S12s, particularly those from Vanns which had been selling them at a very steep discount.
Nonetheless, you should keep experimenting with the crossovers and levels. Have you tried defeating the subwoofer's own crossover, which lets your processor/receiver control the signals sent to the subwoofer?

I believe I've tried defeating the subs crossover by setting the filter to off. Is this correct? Is it possible to turn off the bass management on the 3806 and use the crossover on the s12? Do I even need to turn off the bass management to use the s12's crossover?

Sounds to me like you do have a defective Mirage.

s2silber,

Well it turns out I DID have a defective sub. I contacted warranty repair and they told me that a few had come back that were sold by Vann's. They said I could just remove the amp and send it in as opposed to sending in the whole sub. They also said that while I had the amp off I might want to check and see if both wires are connect to the woofer. I guess while in transit a lot of times this connection will come off. Well sure enough when I got the amp off the negative wire to the driver was laying on the bottom of the sub. Problem fixed. Now back to the regular 3806 programming. I have yet to do the auto setup as I'm waiting to mount my surrounds in there permanent locations. I'm wondering what settings you have with the 3806 and s12 as the LFE on the 3806 seems rather weak. Here are my settings.

3806
Fronts set to large, crossover at 60hz
Center set to large, crossover at 80hz
Backs set to small, crossover at 80hz
SW set to LFE+main, level set to 0, crossover at 80hz

Mirage s12
Filter off
Level at 1 o'clock

What is the difference between the SW set to LFE+main and just LFE?

Just wanted to let you all know that I solved this problem.

I set the projector to "source lock" on the HDMI input.

Now it switches fine between the OSD(480i) from the 3806 and the signal(720p) from the DVD1920.




Hi.

I have just bought an Optoma HD72i projector, a Denon 3806 amp and a Denon 1920 dvd.

When connecting the 1920 via HDMI to the projector, it works great and pq is nice.

But when I connect the 1920 to the 3806 and then to the projector, all via HDMI, I get no picture. The amp is just clicking away, trying to negotiate somehow.

When I connect the dvd via component to the amp, it can upconvert and pass it on to the projector.
The osd from the amp works fine on HDMI too, and when accessing the osd when the dvd is playing via HDMI I can hear the sound from the dvd, but as soon as I leave the menu the sound shuts off.

I have read about some problems with the firmware on the 1920, and have tried both the v1.17(reg2 locked), v1.23(reg unlocked) and v1.24(reg unlocked)

Both HDMI cables work fine when connected directly to the projector, and both work fine when upconverting from component to HDMI.

After having tried every possible setting I´m getting kind of frustated of this issue, as it was one of the big points for bying this amp.

I really hope someone has a solution for this.

What is the difference between the SW set to LFE+main and just LFE?
The manual explains it on page 76. With the LFE setting, for any speakers that are set to LARGE, LF material that is programmed for the speakers is sent those speakers only. With a LFE+MAIN setting the LF from the other channels, LARGE and SMALL is reproduced in the SW output providing for a smoother LF output. The manual explains it a little better than I have here.

So i guess when all speakers are set to small it shouldn't do anything but I seem to hear a difference in bass when swicthing between LFE and LFE+main even though all my speakers are set to small.

So i guess when all speakers are set to small it shouldn't do anything but I seem to hear a difference in bass when swicthing between LFE and LFE+main even though all my speakers are set to small.
I'm not sure, but what may be happening is that there is some LFE content above the crossover frequency you've chosen and it is being reproduced in the mains when you choose LFE+MAIN.

IIRC, the 3806 has 3-4 db(0-5-10-15db) settings for the LFE signal and if it's set to one of the higher ones it may be that the mains are getting some of that signal above the crossover point. Since these are not brickwall filters a setting of 80Hz as a crossover point will have different output at frequencies above 80Hz, the higher the boost, the higher the amplitude of the frequencies that are above the crossover point. IOW, you may have more 100-120Hz energy when using one of the higher db settings as opposed to using one of the lower settings.

Just upgraded from the 3805 for use with the new Toshiba HD A1 (HD DVD PLAYER). Anyone have it set up with HDMI? Anything to look out for. I'm planning to hook up the BLU RAY and HD DVD via hdmi to the receiver and the 622 out to the TV Directly via Component.

Also anyone have the MX Series Remote File for this Receiver?

I recently bought the Denon AVR-3806 and hooked it up to my JVC 56FH96 RPTV via HDMI. Everything worked great for about 3 months and just recently the Receiver stopped passing the video signal. That same day, I also noticed that the sound to my speakers would periodically become almost completely muted and static-filled. Finally, when I would switch to the "Cable" Source on my Receiver, the LED readout on the Denon would completely black out after about 4 seconds....sound still going to the speakers..and of course no video going to the TV.

Has anyone else experienced any problems like this?

I have no idea what it could be, but concerned it's a serious problem with the internal processor?

I'd call Denon and try to get a replacement unit or warranty repair. If you'll read back in this thread, you'll see that there have been quite a few HDMI related problems. What you're describing sounds like a total breakdown.

Finally, when I would switch to the "Cable" Source on my Receiver, the LED readout on the Denon would completely black out after about 4 secondsThat symptom sounds like you've possibly set that source to Pure Direct.

i would like to question the experience of other owners who have used zone 2 for video out to another room.
How have you done it & how easy is it to control?

Just upgraded from the 3805 for use with the new Toshiba HD A1 (HD DVD PLAYER). Anyone have it set up with HDMI? Anything to look out for. I'm planning to hook up the BLU RAY and HD DVD via hdmi to the receiver and the 622 out to the TV Directly via Component.

Also anyone have the MX Series Remote File for this Receiver?


i am curious....what BluRay products do you have? I & many others would like to know where we can get them.

What part of planning do you not understand. I currently have the HD DVD and about 15 HD DVDS. When BLURAY comes out I'm planning to hook up via HDMI to the 3806.

And if you want to know where to pick one up try AMAZON in June or July. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Well, to make a long story short I'd been without a pre/pro for three weeks, listening to sound directly through our Samsung DLP TV. Picked up the 3806 last weekend and have hooked it up to my B&K AV5000 amp, but using the 3806 to power zone2 speakers on my deck outside.

Overall I'm very pleased with the sound and functionality of the 3806.

I tried hooking up my Comcast Motorola 6412 box via HDMI, hoping I might be lucky. Yea, right.... Well at least I tried. When trying a bunch of different settings I actually got an on-screen error message once, that I think was generated by the Motorola box, indicating something about HDCP through HDMI repeaters not being supported - that isn't the exact message but it was that specific. Couldn't get it to appear a second time and the first time it was only on screen for about a second.

Right now I have the Motorola box wired through component input, and out to TV via HDMI (after Denon up-conversion from the component) and component cables. I really don't see much difference between the two. I also tried to compare with direct Motorola to TV via HDMI, and couldn't see much difference there either even though intuitively I'd expect the later to have the best picture.

I've found the Audessy equalization routine identified all my speakers, older NHT Super Ones, Zero's and Center as LARGE and set the Sub crossover frequency very low (40hz). Speakers are rated to around 80HZ (a little lower on the One's), so I need to play around with this a bit. I think I recall seeing how to over-ride this setting and still do the automatic EQ but I'm not sure.

I also agree with the comments here about the poor quality of the Denon manual. Yuck. I'm also not thrilled with the remote. But I'm happy with the receiver overall. Sounds very nice from what I was using before. At some point I'd like to try swapping between the internal amps and the B&K amp, but haven't done so.

The B&K amp is about 7 years old or so, and was advertised as being able to bride two channels into one for a gain from 105 watts to 200 watts at 8 ohms. I thought I'd bridge two pairs of amps and use for left & right, and use the 3806 internal amps for surround. But B&K won't support the bridging any longer and will not provide instructions now. That may be the subject of another post.... :mad:

If anyone has any suggestions or tips on the Audessy set-up comments above let me know.

Larry

Why the 3806 over the Yamaha RX-V2600?

Why the 3806 over the Yamaha RX-V2600?

If you're asking me, didn't even look at the Yamaha in detail. Probably no good reason, other than a bias from some research done so long ago it's no longer relevant. Also, the Denon seemed to have good reviews, had all the features I needed and seemed right - so I didn't see the need to agonize further with other possible alternatives.

Just picked up a 3806 and have not even took it out of the box and then read a review in Sound and Vision between it, the yamaha 2600 and an Integra. The 2600 took top honors due to the HDMI switching and the remote, otherwise they thought the 3806 was a great receiver. I hate it when I make a decision and then read something like this, makes me question my choice.

I use the harmony 880 for everything.

Will the 3806 or the 2600 work with the Pioneer Explorer 8300HD DVR cable box? I would like to use the HDMI with it and 8300HD->receiver->HDTV.

Ditto. Very happy with the 3806. Only wish I could afford to upgrade to their other receivers. I use the Harmon 880 remote. Works with the Denon without a hitch. I read the review, the only thing he didn't like was the remote. HDMI switching works great for me. I no longer have a VHS in my system so HDMI switching doesn't seem to be a problem for me. I will agree with the review in this, the remote is not the greatest, but I upgraded from a Denon AVR-3300 which I loved, and THAT remote WAS a clinker.

Remotes should be a selling point for first time buyers, but anyone on this forum has some type of universal? This AVR as far as sound and HDMI switching for my components is flawless.

I have:

Denon 3806 receiver;
Mitsubishi TV 523806 DLP;
Dish Network ViP 211;
Denon 3910 DVD;
Oppo DVD - Made Region Free;
Toshiba HD-A1 (blasts away OTA HD and Satellite by far)
Monoprice 5 x 1 HDMI switch

Just my opinion of course. Very happy though.

Harmony 880 works for me.

I have a Harmony 688 remote (older cheaper but less features than the 880) and it works fine. The remote that comes with the receiver looks great but works just OK, but I tend to keep such remotes around for set-up, then put them away so they'll stay safe and working.

I really like the Harmony remotes, they program easy, can be adjusted easy with web interface, the Harmony support is pretty good if you have any problems or need special set-up help. And they work in a way that integrates between the components we use really well. Generally some very good internet discounts on these.

The remote works VERY well with this receiver. I don't program remotes. This one is a no brainer. I work for a bank, not for Harmony, this sucker, is easy.

I'm not sure I'm following this thread. I've tried hooking up my TimeWarner Digital Sat. Unit (Scientific America? ) to the AVR-3806 using only the HDMI connection. I get no output and the amp apparently fails to detect any input signal from the HDMI slot. Is that the same result that everyone else is getting? Is this an "firmware" update issue or is there a work around? Does the same issue occur if I run composite video from the TW Unit - i.e. will the HDMI then handle the audio from the TW unit or do I also have to run either an opitical or cable connection? Any guidance would be helpful.

BTW, anyone use the auto setup and notice that the output level for the subwoofer was too low (the resulting setting -12 db)?

The Cable boxes all have a problem with HDMI due to lag in upgrading for the cable box makers. My Dish Network 622 works flawlessly.

We're still on remotes but the problem you are having is a "handshaking" issue and is a problem with the cable box. Your 3806 is not at fault. There is a firmware upgrade but the cable cos. are slow implementing it. The solution: use component cables.

This is really weird for me but my 3806 starting crashing shortly after starting to play a SUPERBIT DVD. I though at first it was only while using DTS but I switched to DD and had the same problem. I tried multiple SUPERBIT discs with the same results. I have since played several non-SB disc in both DTS and/or DD with no problem.

I have had my system for over five months now with no previous issues. The only recent change was I added the rear surrounds to complete a 5.1 setup; previously I had only a 3.1. The only mods I made to the receiver was adding the rears.

The receiver pretty much lapses into its own version of a BSOD and and requires to be powered down and restarted to work again. Please help if you can.

Thanks,
Rocky

My system:
Denon AVR-3806 & DVD-1920
Sony 50" SXRD
Klipsch Synergy (F-3, C-2, S-1, SUB-12) Speakers
Monster M1000DAV HDMI
Harmony 880

I am embarrased to say as technical as I am I spent the entire afternoon trying to figure out how to hook up and program my 3806 - WHEW! Since I couldn't use the on-screen menus (Sammy doesn't do 480p over HDMI) I used the limited receiver screen - e.g. salt in wounds.

Part of this time was spent on the phone with the VERY knowledgeable person at Denon Customer Service, where she patiently explained that what I want is unrealistic.

My objective - run HDMI in from SA8300HD and Sony DVD 1080i, run HDMI out to Samsung 6163, run audio zones 2 and 3 to Sonance amps. Eliminate all component and RCA cables. One simple cable from each component to each component, plus speaker connections.

Nada. I was overly optimistic about HDMI 1.1 and 1.0 and HDCP compatability.

Apparently I have to step back to component video because Denon doesn't support audio out over HDMI. And now run separate audio cables. What the....

Also, I have to switch separately the input for each zone, cannot sync with main amp input.

I am not an audio guru, I'll leave that up to the excellent posters on this site, but I'm thinking HDMI switching is not a 3806 strongpoint, which is the primary reason I got the thing.

Okay - so those of you who have been successful with AV switching on the 3806.
What's the right combination to get the cable, DVD, CD and XM (external) in and the video out? Run lots of RCA cables, optical where I can (new to me)? Drop the $500 of HDMI cables and go back to components?

I am definitely one lost puppy and a seriously dissatisfied Denon user.

Chezwatts, I understand your frustration. I have not tried to use the HDMI on my 3806 because I have no need for it. What I would like to pass along is that from everything I have read about HDMI 1.1 is that it is not ready for prime time regardless of which receiver you use. If others chime in here with ways to get through your problems. Great. If not perhaps you might want to consider returning the 3806 and wait until the next upgrade of HDMI comes out.

I currently have a Toshiba HD-A1 and a Oppo 970HD running through HDMI on the 3806 and everything works fine. Many cable TV STBs don't work because apparently their firmware doesn't recognize how to cope with a repeater device like the 3806.

As far as I can tell, HDMI 1.1 seems to working just as it should on the 3806.

The 3806 works fine as well as the 2807.

Hi Aaronwt, the 3806 works fine in what context? Sadly this market seems to come down to compatibility between disparate components.

Agreed, 2807 would be newer than the 3806. I considered that when I got the 3806, but I wanted to integrate my, until now, stand alone sonance 2nd and 3rd zone amps.

Nick250 - help me out. How is it you have no need for HDMI?

That was my ultimate objective, so to me saying you don't need HDMI for your AVR is like saying you don't need USB or CAT6e for your computer. It is theoretically anyway the common connector.

Perhaps I'm seeking the wrong objective. Are you saying a bundle of component and RCA audio cables running to three or four systems is the right answer? If the audiofiles agree then I'm on it - I'm not one to run contrary to common wisdom.

Nick250 - help me out. How is it you have no need for HDMI?

That was my ultimate objective, so to me saying you don't need HDMI for your AVR is like saying you don't need USB or CAT6e for your computer. It is theoretically anyway the common connector.

Perhaps I'm seeking the wrong objective. Are you saying a bundle of component and RCA audio cables running to three or four systems is the right answer? If the audiofiles agree then I'm on it - I'm not one to run contrary to common wisdom.

Since I have only two video connections going to my TV, video switching via the receiver seems like more trouble than it's worth. Note that I rarely use the AV system for regular TV watching. I listen through the TV's speakers. I Have a Motorola digital STB and a DVD player. The Motorola STB is connected to my TV via a DVI connection for video and to the 3806 with an optical cable for audio. The DVD player connects to the TV with component cables for video, and a second optical cable to the 3806 for audio. For me that's all I need, especially since I usually don't want to fire up the whole AV system to watch TV.

If I want to watch TV I just turn on the TV. If I want to watch a movie, I turn on the AV system and punch "DVD" on the 3806 remote, tap the video 2 on the TV remote and I am good to go. It will be a bit simplier once I get around to setting up the Harmony remote that is sitting gathering dust at the moment.

All this being said, if one has more devices to control than I do and always has the AV system fired up anytime the TV is on, then perhaps HDMI might make more sense for them. Anyway, that's my take on things.

Oh yeah, whats a USB cable? (J/K)

Nick

HDMI is much simpler since you can can pass audio and video over one cable. It works the same, juts that you only have two HDMI inputs with the 3806. I will only use it with HD DVDs and BluRay so I can get the 96khz pcm sound over HDMI. My other HDMI devices go through my VP30 which then is connected to the receiver over optical/coaxial for sound.
Oh and no need for CAT6. I've been running a gigabit network over CAT5e for 5 years.

I am currently building two zones from my 3806. The first zone is a 5.1 for the home theater, and the second zone I would like to be a 2.1 (two old audiophile-class ADS tower M9 speakers). Is there a way to add a subwoofer to zone two? I only see one LFE output on the back of the AVR, and that is currently going to run to my 5.1. If it is not possible to run separate LFEs (one to each of the two zones), is there another way to add a sub to zone 2?

The tower speakers for the 5.1 system are def tech BP7004's, which have built in subs in each tower - another thing I will figure out how to do - but I mention that in case it changes the equation.

Thanks,

Lee

ok, I've read thru a good chunk of this thread and its seems most people are have the same problem as I with regards to "no audio" thru the HDMI cable from a Directivo HR10-250. Using an optical cable for audio works fine but cannot get any audio thru the HDMI cable.

What I find to be really strange is that if you go into the Denon's setup and tell the HDMI to pass thru to the TV rather than use the AMP, the TV gets the Audio and Video signal without any problem.

In theory this seems to make it a Denon problem, no? (unless the Denon sees the signal but refuses to play it due to some sort of HDMI violation? Wouldn't that affect video too?)

Anyways, has anyone gotten the Denon 3806 to play the audio from a HR10-250 using only the HDMI cable?

I have the same problem and am also running audio through a fiber optic cable. From what I've read at tivo community this is common. Apparently the hr10-250 does not pass audio via hdmi. So I would say that it's not a Denon problem since people with other AVR's are experiencing the same problem.

The HR10-250 does pass audio over HDMI. I'm using two right now with the audio going over HDMI to my VP30. Then the VP30 strips the audio and sends it to the receiver over the optical/coaxial and sends the video to the TV over HDMI.

To clarify my previous comment:

When you go into the Denon Setup and configure the HDMI, you can tell the Denon to just pass-thru the audio to the TV rather than send it to the speakers and when doing so the the TV is receiving the audio and playing it. This is with a HDMI cable going into the Denon then another out to the TV. The TV plays the audio just fine. There is definitely audio coming out of the TIVO's HDMI output, and the Denon is not blocking it, it just won't capture it and send it to the speakers...

Has anyone tried the new Oppo 970HD DVD player with the 3806 using HDMI yet? I have not been able to any SACD or DVD-A 5.1 channel sound with the 3806, all I get is 2 channel.

This setup works fine with the Toshiba HD-A1, I get the PCM 5.1 multi-channel signals so I'm not sure where the problem lies, the 3806, or the Oppo.

Anyways, has anyone gotten the Denon 3806 to play the audio from a HR10-250 using only the HDMI cable?

Different hardware, same problem. I cannot get audio from my SA8300 over HDMI, nor my Sony DVD. The 3806 useless, er user, manual was very clear, "Denon does not support audio over HDMI". I wish I had known that before I purchased.

I couldn't tell if that meant it gets stripped on the inbound or the outbound because even with separate audio in I couldn't get sound out to the TV over HDMI.

Either way it's happening in the Denon. I guess technically it's not a problem with the Denon when they tell you in the manual they don't do it.

This AVR as far as sound and HDMI switching for my components is flawless.
I have:
Monoprice 5 x 1 HDMI switch

Hi Alfbinet,

Are you using the internal HDMI switching on the Denon or the Monoprice HDMI switch, or some combination thereof? Curious about how you cabled this setup.

Thanks

The 3806 useless, er user, manual was very clear, "Denon does not support audio over HDMI". I wish I had known that before I purchased.


Where in the manual does it say that?

Where in the manual does it say that?

Could be referring to the Troubleshooting section. It's not saying the 3806 can't play HDMI Audio signals but if that is one of the problems then you should check the HDMI Audio playback settings and make sure under the HDMI In Assign you have HDMI Audio set to AMP.

Okay, that's quite a bit different than what chezwatts stated. :)

I recently purchased and set up my new 3806. The main zone is 5.1 (using surround A speakers, B not used). I set the surround back as zone 2. So, I set the source for zone 2 to one source (eg. CD) and the main zone to a different source (e.g. tuner). I have two issues: 1) when I use the remote and choose zone 2 (pressing Amp) and then use the volume switch on the remote, the volume for both zone 2 and the main zone increase and that confuses me... 2) after increasing the volume (see #1), I can hear both sources in the main zone (eg CD and tuner)... that confuses me too. Can anyone provide an explanation for what is happening and how I can correct it? thanks.

I have def techs towers set up in a soon-to-be 5.1 main room. Another room will be a 2 channel audio system set up as zone 2. The Def Techs have built-in subs that allow me to keep the lfe output on the 3806 free. I'd love to use this in zone two for 2.1 audio. Can I use a sub in zone 2?

I have a 3806. Began "tuning" the controls and lost the video output. I am running two component inputs and one s-video. Worked fine until I did something wrong and can't figure out how to undo it. The sound works fine, no picture, not even the OSD.

I know this post will add nothing to the current discussions, but I do need to echo some of the previous comments.

First I woul like to thank the posters in this thread. I have already learned a lot.

I like the features of this amp, and the power is in the range I need. I am still unsure about the sound quality as I haven't gotten the Auto Setup to provide better sound than when I did a quick manual setup. I will post more on this in the Audessey thread.

I do have to say the Manual is soo bad. The people at Denon that released the manual should have to write " I will not release useless manuals", 1000 on the chalk board every day until they put out something that is helpful.

I am not a big fan of the remote either, although some decent explanation of how to set it up and to use it, would be helpful. I have spent several hours and now have my CD Player, DVD Player, and Cable Box codes in the Denon remote.

In the end the Universal remote is still pretty useless for my purposes. I know you can duplicate keys off your other remote, but there aren't too many keys. and you still have to press the CD key on the bottom and top to start working the CD, and then it still woun't change disks.

Either I need to spend another 8 hours reading and fiddling to get it to do more, or I just use my $80 Sony Universal remote which seems to do much more.

I am sure it sounds like I dislike this reciever more than I like it at this point. I am sure I will like it once I get it setup, but it shouldn't take this much time to setup and get decent sound and to get the universal remote working.

This may be a great amp after 80 hours of setup time, but most people will throw in the towel by 4-8 hours. So my appraisal of the Amp after 4-8 hours of setup is that it is only Fair. Denon could increase this by; Including a decent manual as this would decrease setup time (and frustration); including a decent universla remote, and making the Auto Setup work better than one can do with 5 minutes of manual setup.

Regards,
Darrell

Like the above poster, thanks to you all for all the info posted above. I think I've accomplished more from you all than I've gotten from that danged manual.

I'm setting up my 3806 for the first time and am trying to figure out if we can adjust the "main" level going to the sub in a LFE+main setting, separately from the LFE level? I'm having a tough time trying to match (or feather) the low frequencies of the main channel going to both the fronts and the sub. Is this not possible or am I missing something?

I currently have a Toshiba HD-A1 and a Oppo 970HD running through HDMI on the 3806 and everything works fine. Many cable TV STBs don't work because apparently their firmware doesn't recognize how to cope with a repeater device like the 3806.

As far as I can tell, HDMI 1.1 seems to working just as it should on the 3806.

So, a question for those people with Toshiba HD-A1 connected to 3806 via HDMI...

Over TOSLINK or coax, the Toshiba HD-A1 converts DD+ to DTS @ 1500kbps, right? PCM 5.1 is available with 6 analog RCA cables.

Can PCM 5.1 be sent over HDMI without analog cables? How do you set 3806 to receive that signal? Is it better than DD+->DTS@1500?

Does the 3806 even ackowledge anything (or error message) when sending DD+ over HDMI? Does it simply give regular DD and strip out the + (and report Dolby Digital on the 3806 display)?

If 1500kbps is the limit for TOSlink, is it also the limit for DTS? Would the DD+ -> DTS conversion be better over HDMI? My guess is same. I seem to recall regular DTS has 1500kbps limit.

It sends 5.1 96khz pcm over HDMI. That is what shows up on my 3806/2807 display. It sounds better than the 1.5mbs DTS over optical/coaxial.
I then have the 3806/2807 apply DPLIIx to the 5.1 pcm so I can get 7.1 channels. It sounds very good.

I'm setting up my 3806 for the first time and am trying to figure out if we can adjust the "main" level going to the sub in a LFE+main setting, separately from the LFE level? I'm having a tough time trying to match (or feather) the low frequencies of the main channel going to both the fronts and the sub. Is this not possible or am I missing something?

You can adjust both the overall SW channel output (from -12db thru to +12db) and the LFE level (for Dolby/DTS). The LFE level is probably best left at the default which is 0.

To adjust the SW channel level press the CH/SEL Enter button on the remote and FL will appear, keep pressing until you cycle through to SW. Then use the left/right cursor buttons to adjust the level up or down. This will only affect the mode that you're currently in (although it will class Dolby/DTS as one mode). If you want it to affect ALL modes then you must adjust the level from the Main Setup Menu, 2. Speaker Setup, 4. Channel Level.

To adjust the LFE level you'll need to go into the Surround Parameters menu whilst playing a Dolby/DTS signal. Press the PARA button on the remote and you can then access the different parameters such as Cinema EQ, Dynamic Compression, LFE, Tone etc etc.

I'm assuming you'll be using the OSD to see these options.

Sweet...thanks Jase H! I knew a separate LFE level had to be there somewhere, but I kept expecting it as a separate channel adjustment rather than a surround parameter.

So, a question for those people with Toshiba HD-A1 connected to 3806 via HDMI...

Over TOSLINK or coax, the Toshiba HD-A1 converts DD+ to DTS @ 1500kbps, right? PCM 5.1 is available with 6 analog RCA cables.

Can PCM 5.1 be sent over HDMI without analog cables? How do you set 3806 to receive that signal? Is it better than DD+->DTS@1500?

Does the 3806 even ackowledge anything (or error message) when sending DD+ over HDMI? Does it simply give regular DD and strip out the + (and report Dolby Digital on the 3806 display)?

If 1500kbps is the limit for TOSlink, is it also the limit for DTS? Would the DD+ -> DTS conversion be better over HDMI? My guess is same. I seem to recall regular DTS has 1500kbps limit.

Well, I sort of answered my own question by buying a Toshiba HD-XA1 HD DVD player. It works nicely with HDMI and I leave the player on AUTO sound output over HDMI. It converts internally the Dolby Digital Plus source into PCM and outputs it over HDMI @ 96kHz 3/2/.1 sound input on the 3806 which is the Multi CH IN.

I had to turn off/on the 3806 to allow the HDMI to work though.

One question though, is there anyway to turn off the On Screen Displays to the HDMI port, but leave them active for the other ports? My TV allows two inputs and I switch to the "TwinView" to make 3806 adjustments, but now passing HDMI through causes a problem with my HD DVD player when I go to change something (like set audio delay). I've set OSD to off for both feature change and volume, but still get it when I go to the setup menus. Actually, is there a way to defeat OSD entirely for when I use HDMI connection?

Does this model have a DVI input for your computer or does only the more expensive 4806 have it?

I look at the specs but could not find it listed as a feature?

How are you suppose to input your computer output video to it?

Thanks.

Need_A_Screen,

You can get a DVI-HDMI cable and take your PC output in through 1 of the 2 HDMI connections.

Regards,
Darrell McCombs

Well, I sort of answered my own question by buying a Toshiba HD-XA1 HD DVD player. It works nicely with HDMI and I leave the player on AUTO sound output over HDMI. It converts internally the Dolby Digital Plus source into PCM and outputs it over HDMI @ 96kHz 3/2/.1 sound input on the 3806 which is the Multi CH IN.

I had to turn off/on the 3806 to allow the HDMI to work though.


I'm not quite sure what you're saying here. First it sounded like you're using the Toshiba's HDMI output into the 3806 and getting 96kHz, but at the end you mention the 3806's Multi-CH In, which is analog. Please clarify.

I'm running HDMI from my HD A1 to the 3806 and it will only provide audio when the dvd player is outputting PCM. When I first started watching HD DVD's audio was output in DTS. Now mine also shows Multi ch in. I don't know what's happened but I sure would like to get back to DTS.

Some Venting

I see numerious posts about SA8300HD as well as other Motorolla and Scientific Atlanta boxes over HDMI.

It's not going to work!

I spoke in debth with Matt Good of Denon (I'm a Denon Dealer) Denon is working closely with Motorolla and SA and IT's NOT DENONS FAULT!

The AVR is simply a repeater and the cable boxes don't allow that.
If you were to plug the cable box directly into the TV via HDMI and out of that TV into a second one it still wouldn't work.


Remote
I hear a lot of belly aching about the remote.
A little history lesson here, did you ever work with the 3805 remote? The 3806 is head and shoulders over the old.
If you are buying a receiver of this calliber set it up with the remote and then throw the remote in the drawer!

FYI the 07 models will be all hard buttons on the remote.

Setup.
Maybe the setup is tough for the amature but it's a breeze for a pro. Try setting up a Sony or some of the others out there. Once you master Denon setup the others are awful.
There is a reason why these receivers are not in the big box stores. They are desighned to be sold and installed by professionals.
So dont beat up Denon because you are having trouble.

The 3806 is one of the best receivers I have ever had in my AV rack.

Sorry for the vent but I dont like the Denon bashing that goes on in this thread.
Denon has a great product. If they didn't I wouldn't be selling it.

Scott,

No product is perfect, and Denon is not exempt from this. Personally, I think they should be praised for the elctronics (audio quality), but most of the human interface aspects are just awful. The remote, the manual, and the menu interface are awful.

You summed it up yourself. A Pro can probably figure this stuff out without much issue. If this was my full time job, my livelyhood, I could as well. But that's my point!!!! We should not have to dedicate our lives to getting a Receiver setup and functioning. Most of want to listen to the equipmnet and do other things with our lives. Who wants to spend hours upon hours running setup, figuring out the unobvious menus, and screwing around with a remote.

Heck, I hoped after spend a decent chunk of cash, I would be spared dealing with an unfreindly user interface.

While Denon should be prased for thier excellent sound quality, they should be "Bashed" for thier poor user user interface. Can you really tell me the Manual isn't a POS?

Regards,
Darrell McCombs

Remote
I hear a lot of belly aching about the remote.
A little history lesson here, did you ever work with the 3805 remote? The 3806 is head and shoulders over the old.
If you are buying a receiver of this calliber set it up with the remote and then throw the remote in the drawer!

FYI the 07 models will be all hard buttons on the remote.


I actually didn't mind the 3805 remote that much, the thing I don't like about the 3806 remote is the lighting. Unless I've missed something you have to press the ON button to light up the touch screen, the motion sensor on the 3805 remote was a better setup IMO. Plus, I don't like that I have to go to the receiver to dim the display, on the 3805 remote there was a button for it.

I'm running HDMI from my HD A1 to the 3806 and it will only provide audio when the dvd player is outputting PCM. When I first started watching HD DVD's audio was output in DTS. Now mine also shows Multi ch in. I don't know what's happened but I sure would like to get back to DTS.

This is what you want. The 96khz pcm is the DD+ after it's decoded by the A1. The DTS signal is not as good but if thats what you want you just have to go into the A1 setup and change the audio settings.
The mutichannel in that's being referred to is over the HDMI not the analog in. When the 3806/2807 receives the 5.1 pcm it shows it as being 96khz pcm in the display and then mutichannel in pops up in the display. This is defintely better sounding than the DTS, at least on the 24 HD DVDs I've tried so far.

I'm not quite sure what you're saying here. First it sounded like you're using the Toshiba's HDMI output into the 3806 and getting 96kHz, but at the end you mention the 3806's Multi-CH In, which is analog. Please clarify.

I'm running HDMI from my HD A1 to the 3806 and it will only provide audio when the dvd player is outputting PCM. When I first started watching HD DVD's audio was output in DTS. Now mine also shows Multi ch in. I don't know what's happened but I sure would like to get back to DTS.

From what I've read, this is how things seem to work for this HD DVD player...

If you use the either the coaxial or optical digital audio S/PDIF cables for audio from the Toshiba HD DVD player, then the player converts the DD+ (Dolby Digital Plus) (or whatever is on the disc like Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD) signal to regular DTS @ 1500kbps. Most all of the current HD DVD disks use DD+ as best sound they get for now until TrueHD is better supported. This is the highest quality sound that can be transmitted through S/PDIF cables. Regular DD is limited to 640kbps per spec and on DVDs is limited to 448kbps I think, and often not that much. DTS can go as high as 1500kbps, so is generally considered better than DD for DVD playback. Since most people have DTS on their receivers, but no receiver yet supports DD+ or DTS-HD (and couldn't get that signal at high bit rates over S/PDIF anway), the HD DVD player internally decodes the DD+ into DTS at the maximum bit rate allowed for best sound under these circumstances.

However, if you want to connect six analog cables between HD DVD and 3806 (only 5.1 outputs, not 7.1 on this Toshiba player, even though HD DVD standard supports it), then the player will internally decode DD+ (TrueHD, DTS-HD, DTS, PCM, whatever) and output it over the analog outs for the receiver to pick up at full resolution of DD+, just analog and not digital.

Similarly, if you use HDMI into receiver, the player will decode the DD+ and send linear PCM stream digitally through HDMI. When I start a disc, the receiver says 96kHz 3/2/.1 on front panel. This is how I have it connected, and I don't have 6 analog cables. After the 96kHz 3/2/.1 is shown for a few seconds, it sayd Multi Ch In on the front. I think that the digital stream can use the built-in bass management and other features of the receiver better than analog, but not quite sure about all of this.

For regular DVDs, the player outputs the Dolby Digital, DTS, Pro Logic, whatever stream out both S/PDIF and HDMI like a regular player. No transcoding.

sarcevic, In the setup menu on the HD DVD player, set the Digital Out HDMI to "Auto" in the audio settings and you will get the DD+ output as PCM, which is better than DTS over S/PDIF. This is the best you can do.

How do you view what signal is coming into the receiver. I know with my HD DVD player it pops up as 96khz pcm but with the BluRay player nothing pops up like that. Is there a way to view what frequency the pcm is?

I finally connected the 3806, but I haven't turned it on. I have a comment&question for the great helpers in this thread. I'm disappointed with the speaker terminals, not being
the same width as standard speaker banana plugs. But then again everyone has the same problem. The remote (RC-1024), does it use up batteries, it seems with small screen that
lithiums or rechargeables might be the way to go.

I finally connected the 3806, but I haven't turned it on. I have a comment&question for the great helpers in this thread. I'm disappointed with the speaker terminals, not being
the same width as standard speaker banana plugs. But then again everyone has the same problem. The remote (RC-1024), does it use up batteries, it seems with small screen that
lithiums or rechargeables might be the way to go.

Are you talking about the dual bananna plugs?

If so put Left Ch+ and Right Ch+ on one plug and Left Ch- and right Ch- on another.
That will work everywhere but the center channel.

Are you talking about the dual bananna plugs?

If so put Left Ch+ and Right Ch+ on one plug and Left Ch- and right Ch- on another.
That will work everywhere but the center channel.

Thank you for your reply, great idea! Pish

Ok this topic is confusing to me: page 6 "Surround speaker selection". I have no wall/floor
space for the "A" speakers. But I do have rear channel speakers, so do I connect them to the "B" terminals or the "SB: surround back speakers" ( which is pictured in the small right diagram)

Ok this topic is confusing to me: page 6 "Surround speaker selection". I have no wall/floor
space for the "A" speakers. But I do have rear channel speakers, so do I connect them to the "B" terminals or the "SB: surround back speakers" ( which is pictured in the small right diagram)

The rears in a 5.1 setup should be connected to the Surround A terminals. If you have a 7.1 setup then you would also use the Surround Back terminals.

I connected my Sony DVP-NS75H to Denon 3806 via HDMI. I then connected the AVR to my plasma Panasonic TH-50PX60U via HDMI as well. Everything works great except I'm getting macroblocking problem now when I'm watching DVD. Prior to connecting the DVD to the AVR, I connected the DVD player directly to TV via HDMI and I didn't get any macroblocking problem at all.
Is there any of you that have similar issue? Is Denon 3806 known to give you macroblocking problem?

Nothing with my HD DVD and BluRay player.

Nothing with my HD DVD and BluRay player.


I haven't been following the Bluray threads but I understand the Bluray player will output 1080p and also raw PCM mutli-ch audio? Since you have a 1080p display, have you tried passing 1080p through the 3806 and the PCM multi-ch audio? I'm curious if the 3806 can pass the 1080p onto the display and output the "hidef" audio over a single HDMI cable.

My 1080P Samsung is last years model so it will only accept 1080P on the VGA input. The 3806 has no problem with the audio. It handles the 96Khz signal from HD DVDs and the 48khz signal from the BD disc.

Comment to Jase H ( post 1194): at first I thought the answer seemed strange
but reading the mystery manual on page 82, it shows default settings for surround
speakers and uses "A", as surround speaker of choice. It shows nothing about
"B" speakers, on that page. But on page 79, there is a topic "selecting surround
speakers". I know there are members in this forum, that have 5.1 configurations
what did you find works the best? If you connect the rear channel to "A" terminals
does the receiver mix down the A&B content into the selected set, for different
surround modes?

Comment to Jase H ( post 1194): at first I thought the answer seemed strange
but reading the mystery manual on page 82, it shows default settings for surround
speakers and uses "A", as surround speaker of choice. It shows nothing about
"B" speakers, on that page. But on page 79, there is a topic "selecting surround
speakers". I know there are members in this forum, that have 5.1 configurations
what did you find works the best? If you connect the rear channel to "A" terminals
does the receiver mix down the A&B content into the selected set, for different
surround modes?

Surround A and B produce exactly the same sound. They also share amplification. Denon give you the option of connecting two sets of surround speakers so you can have different types for different source material e.g Dipoles for Movies, Direct radiating for Music.

You could also run both Surround A and B at the same time but you would have to be careful with the impedance of the speakers on the Amp. I wouldn't run two sets of 4 ohm rated speakers connected to both Surround A & B, for example.

Comment to Jase H ( post 1194): at first I thought the answer seemed strange
but reading the mystery manual on page 82, it shows default settings for surround
speakers and uses "A", as surround speaker of choice. It shows nothing about
"B" speakers, on that page. But on page 79, there is a topic "selecting surround
speakers". I know there are members in this forum, that have 5.1 configurations
what did you find works the best? If you connect the rear channel to "A" terminals
does the receiver mix down the A&B content into the selected set, for different
surround modes?

In 5.1 you normally use only "A". "B" is used for duplicate surround speakers as described by Jase H.

Nick

When the 3806 is used with an HDMI v1.1 compatible DVD player, say, the Oppo 970HD, to play PCM multi-ch audio thru HDMI digital connection, which is responsible for bass management, the receiver or the player?

In other words, does the receiver accept multi-ch signals to which a BM has already been applied by the player? Or is it that the receiver gets full frequency signal for all channels and can apply BM to it? Or either way is possible?

If this issue has already been discussed in this thread, please let me know.

P.S. I think this question also applies to the function of speaker distance compensation.

How do you view what signal is coming into the receiver. I know with my HD DVD player it pops up as 96khz pcm but with the BluRay player nothing pops up like that. Is there a way to view what frequency the pcm is?

Blu-ray Disc spec allows for 96kHz PCM output, along with other rates, but I've heard others report that the Samsung Blu-ray Disc player outputs @ 48kHz. Most BDs so far have had an uncompressed PCM stream encoded on the BD, and it is usually 16bit/48kHz, so I think the Samsung is just sending out the stream over HDMI to 3806.

The Toshiba HD DVD player is taking the DD+ signal encoded on the HD DVD and decoding it internally and outputing PCM @ 96kHz (16bits? 24bits?).

If a BD were to have 24/96 as uncompressed (lot of disc space, so hopefully on dual-layer BD), then I think the Samsung BD player would output that on HDMI and 3806 would get 96KHz.

Interesting that the 3806 doesn't say (even briefly?) the sampling frequency of the PCM stream when playing from Samsung BD like it does with HD DVD (96kHz 3/2/.1).

When the 3806 is used with an HDMI v1.1 compatible DVD player, say, the Oppo 970HD, to play PCM multi-ch audio thru HDMI digital connection, which is responsible for bass management, the receiver or the player?I would guess the Oppo BM/speaker distance settings apply to the analog outs only.

Hello, I’ve recently purchased the 3806 model and have a couple of problems/questions.

Here is my setup-

Inputs to receiver:
1. Scientific Atanta 8300HD cable box outputs HDMI and component video. I’ve got the HDMI setup as the DBS input and the component video as the tv.
2. Old DVD player outputs component video. I’m planning on replacing this with an HDMI up-conversion dvd player soon.
3. PC outputs DVI to HDMI to the receiver

Outputs to the Samsung HP-5071 plasma
1. HDMI to DVI
2. Component Video

Here are my issues-
1. I can’t get the PC output to display on the tv. If I run directly from the computer to the TV, it works fine. However, I am unable to get the HDMI switching to work properly. The video card is a radeon 9200. I can run my s-video out from the computer to the receiver, but the resolution is awful.
2. The component video output from the receiver is not working. The tv isn’t receiving a signal from the receiver. All inputs seem to emit nothing on the component output.

I’ve tried running component directly from the cable box and dvd player to the TV. Both work fine. I’ve also successfully tested the HDMI directly from the cable box to the TV and from the PC to the TV. So I’m sure the issue isn’t my cables or television… the issues are certainly with my configuration of the receiver. I’ve tried turning on and off the video convert for the different sources and also for the HDMI output.

As an additional note, my HDMI connection from the cable box was previously not working- it gave some error from the cable box indicating that it didn’t support the proper HDCP format. After I attempted to set up the PC over HDMI, the component outputs stopped working altogether. At this point only the HDMI inputs and outputs seem to work… except for the one from the computer. The component output to the TV was showing the setup menus from the receiver, but now I get no signal from the receiver to the TV at all over component video.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. I can’t find much of anything helpful in the manual.

Thanks,
Mike

I'm using a HTPC I've gotten the sound working good from my X-fi Music (Creative) card (Coaxil Digital out cable). However I'd like to bitmap my computer at a resolution of 848x480 which is the ideal resolution for my projector. I'm using the DVI output and an HDMI input to the reciever, then HDMI to project via MA-D1 or something like that (DVI-M1?). However if I use a resolution outside of like 1280x1024 I get a blank screen. Is their a way to disable whatever conversion the reciever has going on? Or a way I can get this to work through the receiver? Or am I stuck with the higher resolution? It may not be the end of the world since the projector can downgrade or convert whatever image it gets but its not ideal.

Thanks (By the way my graphic card is ATI 1800 something, very new). I was able to get the desired resolution when I directly connected my computer to the projector. However now I am unable to do that because the theater is built and everything has to pass through the reciever.

Right now I'm listening to CDs on my Toshiba HD-A1 coonected with analog cables to my 3806 with Pure Direct activated and Room EQ set to flat. Should I set Room EQ to off to have the purest signal path? My 2ch settings in the 3806 have my L&R mains set to large with no subwoofer.

I think I followed everything per the book and no luck.
I have my main zone set up as 5.1 leaving the surr. back speaker jacks open.
I hooked up 2 speakers to the surr. back.
I set up the amp assign to zone 2. I tried setting the source to DBS, DVD with no luck.
No mater what vol. level I get nothing to play. When I set the amp. assign to surr back, the speaker work with the main zone.

Am I missing something?

[QUOTE=Scott Smith]Some Venting

I see numerious posts about SA8300HD as well as other Motorolla and Scientific Atlanta boxes over HDMI.

It's not going to work!

I spoke in debth with Matt Good of Denon (I'm a Denon Dealer) Denon is working closely with Motorolla and SA and IT's NOT DENONS FAULT!

The AVR is simply a repeater and the cable boxes don't allow that.
If you were to plug the cable box directly into the TV via HDMI and out of that TV into a second one it still wouldn't work.

Why aren't the folks at Comcast educated on this matter? I spent 30 minutes on the phone with a blabbering moron. FYI - the DCT 3412 I doesn't work either. :cool:

By the way Scott....no one told me when I dropped all of the cash that an expert was supposed to install it. Will I need someone to turn it off for me also? The HMI is awful.

I have an opportunity to upgrade my system by purchasing a new Denon 3806 for $850, but I have a few setup questions. I hope a current owner in this forum can help.

All of my source components have HDMI out - Denon DVD player, DirecTV HD STB and DirecTV HD TiVo (HR10-250). Given the 3806 has two HDMI inputs, one of my sources will be connected via component cable. My Fujitsu plasma monitor only has DVI-in. Will I be able to use the HDMI-out from the 3806 in combination with a HDMI-to-DVI adapter in order to use the DVI-in on my plasma? I know it won't carry the audio, but I will be using separate digital cables for that.

Also, will the 3806 output the on-screen display via the HDMI cable to my plasma monitor?

Any help, advice or answers would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

I am able to use an HDMI -> DVI cable with no problem to my Sony LCD.

The on-screen display works, but does not do overlays via HDMI, it switches the TV mode to, I believe, 480p.

I am able to use an HDMI -> DVI cable with no problem to my Sony LCD.

The on-screen display works, but does not do overlays via HDMI, it switches the TV mode to, I believe, 480p.

Chris,

I'm not quite sure what you mean by it doesn't do overlays via HDMI. Do you mean I have to switch video inputs on my plasma in order to see the 3806 on-screen display? Or, that when using the on-screen display the 3806 sends the signal to the plasma via HDMI, but converts the signal to 480p?

Sorry to be so dense, but I'm just getting used to the concept of owning and using an advanced receiver.

PTV,

I'm not sure why you would need the Directv HD STB and the HD Tivo both connected to your display as the Tivo has two tuners built in. The Directv HD Tivo (HR10-250) can be a little iffy though. Most people have problems passing the audio over an HDMI cable to the 3806. An HDMI cable and a digital Toslink for audio is the solution here. The HDMI - DVI cable to the projector shouldn't be a problem. Your DVD player should only require an HDMI connection for both video and audio. Make sure that your projector supports 480i over HDMI or you'll have to use another connection for your OSD.

He may have the H20 DirecTV STB which is MPEG4 capable for locals and RSN signals while the HR10-250 TiVo is not, yet it can record MPEG2 channels while the H20 is not a DVR. This is a situation I've been trying to avoid until DirecTV has a MPEG4 capable DVR ready to go.

Clavoie,

Thanks for the response. I use the HD TiVo and a separate HD STB because I record and watch a ton of television - both for pleasure and work. As far as the 480i question, I'll be using an HDMI-to-DVI adapter for my plasma. I'm not sure ot to tell if the monitor supports 480i over HDMI (DVI), but the attached is what my Fujitsu manual has printed. Can you interpret?

I realize this is a very basic question, and I hope not too "dumb". As I get ready to build a good audio system, my research has led me to the 3806. It has also led me in the possible direction of Axiom speakers. I notice that the 3806 has an 8 ohm output while the speakers I'm looking at (M80's) have an impedence of 4 ohms. Would someone please tell me if that's a problem, or is there a simple way to explain how this'll work. Thanks guys!!

I connected my Sony DVP-NS75H to Denon 3806 via HDMI. I then connected the AVR to my plasma Panasonic TH-50PX60U via HDMI as well. Everything works great except I'm getting macroblocking problem now when I'm watching DVD. Prior to connecting the DVD to the AVR, I connected the DVD player directly to TV via HDMI and I didn't get any macroblocking problem at all.
Is there any of you that have similar issue? Is Denon 3806 known to give you macroblocking problem?

I don't have the problem either... PQ is superb

DVD-2910 [HDMI]
v
------------------------> AVR-3806 [HDMI] --> TH-50PX600U
^
HR10-250 [HDMI]

I just recently installed surround back speakers, so went from 5.1 to 7.1. I've been doing some reasearch and testing out 7.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1 EX and DTS-ES Discrete 6.1, etc.

DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 works great - the receiver automatically finds it and enables the surround back and plays like I would expect it. Lord Of The Rings Extended Editions are DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 DVDs.

However, a DVD flagged as Dolby Digital 5.1 EX (i.e. some Star Wars DVDs) with Auto Flag Detect Mode enabled set the mode to Dolby Digital + Dolby Pro Logic IIx Cinema. This seems very odd to be the default for DD 5.1 EX. I checked the manual and confirmed this behavior on page 35 and 96.

To actually get Dolby Digital 5.1 EX mode, why would I have to manually go into the parameters section, turn AFDM off and turn Matrix On for surround back channels for a DVD that flagged itself as DD 5.1 EX?

One purpose for questioning this is that my rear surround speakers are not the same brand and style as the rest of my 5.1 setup, and are not as good. I generally only want to use them if there is indeed any extra info in the source for them and for most movies leave them disabled. I'd prefer not to have to manually configure each time. I would think AFDM would set it to EX and enable surround back, but otherwise set them to off. Any suggestions?

I just purchased and installed the 3806. Finished the Audessy seyup and all went fine. The first source I connected is my DirecTV H20 high def STB. Connected via HDMI and using the 3806 HDMI out to a Fujitsu plasma monitor. It seems like the H20 is in an endless restart mode, the resolution lights on the fron panel are cycling back and forth, occassionally the picture from the H20 appears, but quickly goes away and the whole restart process begins over. Can anyone tell me what might be wrong - how I can make it work? Please help.

I just purchased and installed the 3806. Finished the Audessy seyup and all went fine. The first source I connected is my DirecTV H20 high def STB. Connected via HDMI and using the 3806 HDMI out to a Fujitsu plasma monitor. It seems like the H20 is in an endless restart mode, the resolution lights on the fron panel are cycling back and forth, occassionally the picture from the H20 appears, but quickly goes away and the whole restart process begins over. Can anyone tell me what might be wrong - how I can make it work? Please help.

I recall seeing a post by someone that said that it worked at 1080i but that depends on the resolution of other inputs. It is likely that when you switch to the STB, the TV monitor is having a hard time synchronizing. Here's what you can try:

Switch to other input on your plasma TV, say the component input, count 5 seconds and then switch back to the STB. I know it sounds illogical but I've done it on my projector and that took care of the problem. While I use only component inputs, the symptom sounds similar.

In my experience, it works better if all the sources are the same resolution, say 1080i. That would mean that you might want to try setting your sources to the lowest common denominator -- not necessarily what you like if you just bought a new HD-DVD player. If you don't like this idea, at least try this: remove all sources of lower resolution and power down/up everything to see if the problem goes away.

Guys,

Quick question on digital audio from an HTPC.

Have a 3806 with a COAX Digtial output from and HDA Mystique Card going into Zone 1. Regardless, of what is done the output will not playback in Zone 2.

Analog playback works fine.

Any ideas?

Couple of questions:

1) I want to hook up 7.1 , do I hook up the seven to:

FL,C,FR,SLA,SRA,SLB,SRB

or

FL,C,FR,SLA,SRA,SBackL,SBackR

2) When I'm listening to a regular CD, how do I get all 7 speakers to play the music?

Thanks.

I know this topic has been discussed ad nauseam in this forum, but I wanted to know what the general consensus was within the group...

I currently have my DirecTivo hooked into my 3806 via HDMI. My DVD player is connected via Component Video and Coax Audio. There is one cable coming from my 3806 into my TV...an HDMI cable. The Component Video, however, does not go to the 3806. For some reason I can't get video working with my DVD player so I bypass the 3806 and only use it for the DVD Audio...my DVD player is plugged directly into my TV.

Have people just been bypassing the HDMI connections altogether and using Component video and coax/optical audio connections to and from the 3806?

I called Denon and was on hold for 2 hours before I hung up. I emailed them and never got a reply. I bought the 3806 because of HDMI switching. If it doesn't work, I'm not sure I want it...

GC

Does anyone here on the forum have a way to contact Denon customer service?

I bought a refurbished Denon AVR3806 from eCost.com, which is a Denon authorized reseller for their B-stock products. At the time some online retailers were selling new unit at roughly the same price as the refurbished Denon on eCost. I chose to buy refurbished with eCost just for the "peace of mind" that Denon will honor 90-day warranty. The unit arrived with a totally broken front panel, 3 buttons were missing and appeared to be pushed into the unit itself. Called eCost asking for an exchange because this is not exactly a "refurbished" unit. eCost refused to help but gave me a number 630-741-0300 to contact Denon. They said that they just take the boxes from Denon and ship to customers. Any problem would be with the Denon "refurbishing" process. In their words even if Denon puts bricks in the cardboard boxes eCost would never know and are not responsible.

I then called denon and after much holding eventually got a rep. Explained my situation. Initially the rep wanted to send me those buttons so I can fix my newly purchased receiver by myself. After I explained that the buttons and the board that they attached to were pushed into the unit, and it is way beyond my ability to repair a Denon receiver, the rep eventually agreed to take the unit in for an exchange. The next day I received a FedEx EXPRESS envelope, inside there is a call tag for sending the unit to Denon's Itasca, IL service center. The receiver was shipped and FedEx tracking indicated it was delivered to Denon on June 26.

During the past month I tried numerous times to call Denon for the status. Most of the time as soon as I dial option 2 for service, I got disconnected. Once or twice I was "lucky" to get through their first tier of auto-attendant, only to be put on hold for over an hour before I hung up.

So I lost over $800 and now I do not even know when or whether I will get my receiver. I'd really appreciate it if someone here can point me to the right direction to get the attention of Denon customer service.

Does anyone here on the forum have a way to contact Denon customer service?

This is copied directly from Denon's site...

I haven't had much luck getting through to them either...

Thank you for visiting the Denon Electronics (USA) website. If you have specific questions about our products, their operation, or any other inquiries, we invite you to contact us by telephone, fax, or by mail at one of the following offices:

Denon Electronics (USA) LLC is corporately headquartered in Mahwah, New Jersey:

Mail To:
Denon Electronics (USA), LLC
P.O. Box 867
Pine Brook, NJ 07058-0867

Ship To:
D&M Service Repair
Attn: Denon Customer Service
100 Corporate Drive
Mahwah, NJ 07430-2041

General Office hours of operation:
8:30 AM to 5:30 PM ET, M-F
Tel. 201-762-6500 (Main Office)
Fax. 201-762-6670 (Main Fax)

Tech and Operational Support hours of operation:
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM ET, M-F
Tel. 800-497-8921 (Toll Free) Option 2
Tel. 201-762-6665 Option 2
Fax. 888-544-8434 (Toll Free)

Repair and Service hours of operation:
8:30 AM to 4:30 PM ET, M-F
Tel. 800-497-8921 (Repair Service Toll Free) Option 2
Tel. 201-762-6665 (Repair Service) Option 2
Fax. 888-544-8434 (Repair Service Toll Free)
Fax. 201-762-6686 (Repair Service)
eFax. 973-215-2887 (Repair Service)

Thank you for posting this information. I tried all these numbers plus email. Phone calls were never answered (either disconnected immediately or on hold for hours). Email got no reply either.

I never expected such customer service from a well-known brand like Denon.

Hi, I'm a new owner of the 3806. My sources (and connections) are:

Denon 1920 DVD - via HDMI
DirecTV H20 - via component
DirecTV HD TiVo - HDMI

The 3806 is connected to a Fujitsu plasma monitor via HDMI-to-DVI adapter.

The problem is that nearly everytime I increase or decrease the volume while watching DirecTV thru the H20 a very brief, but noticeable horizontal line appears across the screen. It's a flash of, for lack of technical description, that looks like magenta colored noise. The line doesn't always appear iin the same place on the screen - sometimes middle, lower third or upper third. Like I said, a very brief flash.

Any ideas?

Will a Denon receiver (3806 specifically) route a single digital source simultaneously to both the main and zone 2 speakers?
For example, can a digitally connected CD player play music to two speaker zones through the AVR-3806?

Thanks much

Dudley

Does anyone here on the forum have a way to contact Denon customer service?
What a terrible customer service! Denon product is expensive. I don't want to risk my money.

So up in the air over whether to get a 3806 now or wait a bit and see what receivers pack 1.3. I just wish the 3806 was upgradeable :(

So up in the air over whether to get a 3806 now or wait a bit and see what receivers pack 1.3. I just wish the 3806 was upgradeable :(
If it helps, 3805s are going for up to $600 on the used market, so that and another $3-400 would get you the 3806, it 's what I did. Only thing I really don't like is the display dimmer button isn't on the remote anymore, that annoys the crap out of me, and the remote itself sucks, no auto-lighting, I liked the 3805 remote better.

Plus, I don't think we'll see Denon HDMI 1.3 receivers until mid 2007 or better unless someone has heard something different.

Already sold my 3805 ;). BStock 3806 from reputable Bstock dealers are actually fairly cheap right now.

I got a 3806 on ebay for $708 after shipping. It was in great shape, and is working great with my HD-DVD player hooked up via HDMI 1.1

I saved enough to get a Harmony 880 remote which is nicer because the HD-DVD players remote is way worse than Denon's. lol

Regards,
Darrell


If it helps, 3805s are going for up to $600 on the used market, so that and another $3-400 would get you the 3806, it 's what I did. Only thing I really don't like is the display dimmer button isn't on the remote anymore, that annoys the crap out of me, and the remote itself sucks, no auto-lighting, I liked the 3805 remote better.

Plus, I don't think we'll see Denon HDMI 1.3 receivers until mid 2007 or better unless someone has heard something different.

Already sold my 3805 ;). BStock 3806 from reputable Bstock dealers are actually fairly cheap right now.
Then what's the hold-up, you know you want it, just DO IT! :p :D

Heh, I need to. Getting tired of watching HD DVDs on my small screen in the living room, got to get my projector humming again.

I am sure that lots of recievers match up well with the Toshiba HD-DVD player, and the 3806 is one of them. I use HDMI from the HD DVD player to the 3806 and the sound is great. I also ran a set iof interconnects for 2CH audio (CDs), and the 3806 does really well with that in Pure Direct Mode.

I then ran a HDMI cable from the reciever to my 62" DLP set. I don't have any HDMI connectivity issues.

I was also able to bi-amp my front speakers which give them lots of ummph. For the $708 I paid, I am very happy with the 3806.

Regards,
Darrell

well I bit the bullet and got one for 1299.00 overnight free delivery from listen up, I know I could have save 400.00 on ebay our some refurbished dealer but look at all the probs with the denon support, oh well who knows if I made the right choice, love the 3806 though also have my fronts bi amped, and the remote is less than stellar, I am only using the hdmi cable for pure direct should I use analog cables for 2 channel cd listening?better get the book out lol

well I bit the bullet and got one for 1299.00 overnight free delivery from listen up, I know I could have save 400.00 on ebay our some refurbished dealer but look at all the probs with the denon support, oh well who knows if I made the right choice, love the 3806 though also have my fronts bi amped, and the remote is less than stellar, I am only using the hdmi cable for pure direct should I use analog cables for 2 channel cd listening?better get the book out lol

Congratulations! I bought the 3806 as well from an authorized local retailer as well. You will not be disappointed!

What a terrible customer service! Denon product is expensive. I don't want to risk my money.


I've had the same problem. I've sat on hold for more than two hours on three different occasions...No response.

The 3806 is a great receiver for me, and movies are sounding great...Except for the fact that my RR channel is dead. :mad:

I'm about ready to just mail this sucker to the CEO's house with a pile of dog poo on top of it.

My refurb 3806 had a similar problem when I received it from Ecost. I think I was on hold for 30 seconds before someone from Denon answered and they gave me the correct info of where to send the receiver for service. And my problem corrected itself during shipping. They figure there was a loose component because when they checked it out it was fine and has been working fine the last couple of months. I am glad I purchased the extended warranty since the refurb warranty is only 90 days. The Denon customer service was quick and excellent compared to my experience with Ecost.

My refurb 3806 had a similar problem when I received it from Ecost. I think I was on hold for 30 seconds before someone from Denon answered and they gave me the correct info of where to send the receiver for service. And my problem corrected itself during shipping. They figure there was a loose component because when they checked it out it was fine and has been working fine the last couple of months. I am glad I purchased the extended warranty since the refurb warranty is only 90 days. The Denon customer service was quick and excellent compared to my experience with Ecost.

I spent 1.5 hours on hold today. No answer.

Pathetic.

Hello, I have a 3806. I have a separate sub. I am "test driving" a pair of Definitive Technology 7004s. I have the subwoofer output set to "LFE+Main" and the Front speakers set to "Large". The only connection from the AVR to the front speakers is the normal speaker wire. Does all the LFE channel output get sent to the front speakers in this setting? Or do I need to split the LFE and send it to each speaker via a seperate cable?

I've had the same problem. I've sat on hold for more than two hours on three different occasions...No response.

The 3806 is a great receiver for me, and movies are sounding great...Except for the fact that my RR channel is dead. :mad:

I'm about ready to just mail this sucker to the CEO's house with a pile of dog poo on top of it.

Have you checked the setting for the rear channel in your speaker configuration? See the manual on page 75, there is a setting for whether you have 1 or 2 speakers in the rear channel. If you set the value to "1 speaker" then the output is only directed to the Left Rear speaker. This is for a 6.1 configuration.

Can you rename/label the various inputs on the 3806? For example, could I change the stock "vcr-1" to read "Sega Dreamcast" if I hooked up a dreamcast to that input?

Also, I know that the 3806 does upconversion to HDMI output, but will it do the same for Component output? I don't want to use the hdmi piece, but rather have the component as the monitor out and i'll hook up 3 component inputs as well as some composite and s-vid...I guess the most important piece would be the passthrough (will it pass it all through the one component out?) and next would be the upconversion to say 720P...would it do that through component? I tried to understand the manual, but you know...it's a denon manual :)

It appears the 2807 does this (without the upconversion on component monitor out), but I heard the 3806 is inferior with respect to switching vs the 2807...

I have a 3802 that I love, but a new dedicated ht deserves a new receiver...though i'm thinking of putting the 3806 in place of my old system, and using the old 3802 for my new HT as I don't really need the switching capabilities...any other benefit of -05 vs -02 in the 3800 series? I assume they'll both sound great and about the same??

Can you rename/label the various inputs on the 3806? For example, could I change the stock "vcr-1" to read "Sega Dreamcast" if I hooked up a dreamcast to that input?

Also, I know that the 3806 does upconversion to HDMI output, but will it do the same for Component output? I don't want to use the hdmi piece, but rather have the component as the monitor out and i'll hook up 3 component inputs as well as some composite and s-vid...I guess the most important piece would be the passthrough (will it pass it all through the one component out?) and next would be the upconversion to say 720P...would it do that through component? I tried to understand the manual, but you know...it's a denon manual :)

It appears the 2807 does this (without the upconversion on component monitor out), but I heard the 3806 is inferior with respect to switching vs the 2807...

I have a 3802 that I love, but a new dedicated ht deserves a new receiver...though i'm thinking of putting the 3806 in place of my old system, and using the old 3802 for my new HT as I don't really need the switching capabilities...any other benefit of -05 vs -02 in the 3800 series? I assume they'll both sound great and about the same??

jefflins, the 3806 does not upscale, this is a common misconception. Instead it switches from various inputs to HDMI. So you may want to consider hooking up your component inputs outputing through HDMI.
The 3806 also has the Audyssey eq in its arsenal in comparison with -05
The 2807 does upscale but it lacks other features such as multiroom support

Can you rename/label the various inputs on the 3806? For example, could I change the stock "vcr-1" to read "Sega Dreamcast" if I hooked up a dreamcast to that input?


Yes, you can rename how the inputs display on the front panel. It can get a little confusing if you change or alter digital audio input assignments though as that menu retains the stock labels-not a big deal though.


Does anyone know if the Dimmer function can be operated with an IR code, like the 3805 was? Having to physically hit the button on the front panel is annoying--why did Denon change that...?