Please post Only Denon AVR 1909 related info here!
DENON AVR 1909/789 FAQ
Denon AVR-1909 Product info page:
http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4241.asp
Denon AVR-789 Product info page:
http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4560.asp
From the above you can download the Manual, Product Sheet etc.
Reviews:
http://whathifi.com/Review/Denon-AVR-1909/
Many Thanks to BATPIG for preparing FAQs and sharing with the fellow and future Denon AVR-1909 owners.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. GENERAL PRODUCT INFORMATION
Q. What is the difference between the 789 and the 1909, I was looking at their specs on the Denon website and they look identical?
A: Denon puts out two parallel receiver lineups, with four-digit and three-digit model numbers. The four-digit models are generally sold by high end stereo shops and custom installers, and the three-digit models are the "consumer" version sold in retail outlets like Circuit City and Fry's.
However, there is ZERO difference in terms of power, specs, sound quality, build quality, etc. between the two lines. Denon has been doing this for years, it is exactly analagous to the Yamaha HTR and RX-V parallel receiver lines.
There will usually be one or two minor differences to differentiate the three-digit and four-digit models. There is typically a slight cosmetic difference between the two lines, and different remotes.
In the specific case of the 1909 vs. 789, the only differences (besides the cosmetics) is:
1. the 1909 includes a small, second remote intended for Zone 2 operation, and
2. the 1909 has a plug on the back labeled "RF/RC 2WAY", next to the Sirius plug. The function of this plug is to allow you to hard-wire a two-way RF remote controller (sold separately) to use in a different room. See page 20 of the manual for a detailed explanation.
In all other respects, the 1909 and 789 are IDENTICAL.
Q. I noticed that last year's AVR 988 is on sale for the same price as the 1909/789, should I get that instead?
A. While the 988 (same as 2808ci) is a higher-end model, a critical difference is that it does not have the newest Audyssey features, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ.
For more info, please see the "official" 988 vs 1909 thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1049185
Q. I noticed that the AVR 2309ci/889 is only a couple hundred more. Is it worth it to step up to the higher model?
A. The primary benefit of the 2309/889 vs the 1909/789 is the addition of the fourth HDMI input.
Both 1909/789 and 2309/889 have identical audio decoding capability, identical video processing capability, identical multizone functionality, and identical Audyssey feature sets.
This is a list of features you gain stepping up from 1909/789 to 2309/889:
1. 2 lbs heavier, and a 2-inch deeper chassis
2. A slightly better amp section with superior 4-ohm performance (see this post for bench test results)
3. A fourth rear HDMI input
4. A fourth rear S-video / composite video input
5. S-video and optical audio inputs on front auxilliary input
6. Dedicated phono input with pre-amp stage
7. Detachable power cord
8. RS232 and 12V Trigger ports (2309ci only)
Only you can decide if these features are "worth it", please do not ask
Q: I’m afraid to buy a Yamaha because it clips the HDMI video signal, and I’m afraid to buy a Harman Kardon because of all the problems with the PS3. Please tell me the Denon works?
A: Denon seems to get HDMI implementation correct.
At this point, there are no known bugs at all with the 1909/789 and the PS3. Enjoy!
The Denon 1909/789 will also correctly pass BTB/WTW signals over HDMI (no video clipping), and test patterns have confirmed that it does not touch digital video while passing it through.
The only thing generally wrong with Denons is the sucky manual!
Q. Does the AVR 1909/789 screw up the video at all?
A. Not that we know of. As noted above, all Denon AVR’s correctly pass BTB/WTW.
The 1909/789 will not do ANY processing to HDMI video. The only thing it will do is pass the video through. There is NO processing and NO degrading/clipping of HDMI video at all.
The only video processing available is analog-to-digital transcoding and scaling. The analog>digital transcode may soften the picture slightly, although you probably will never notice it. If you leave all the video settings at the defaults, the Denon will take any analog signal you input and output it via HDMI at the highest resolution setting your TV accepts.
The Faroudja scaler in the Denon does a good job in general with standard definition material (as it was specifically designed for 480i deinterlacing in progressive DVD players), but it is no great shakes in terms of scaling and HD processing (especially 1080i deinterlacing).
However, it may still be better than the video processing in your TV. You will have to test this out yourself and see which does a better job.
If you would like to disable the video processing on an analog source, set “i/p Scaler” to OFF under MENU > INPUT SETUP > VIDEO. When the scaler is set to OFF, it will just pass through analog signals to the HDMI output at the same resolution they came in, with no processing or scaling.
For some specific reviews of the Denon’s video processing using this Faroudja implementation, please read the following two reviews of the 3808ci. The video processing section is the same as the 1909/789, except for the fact that digital video processing is available in the 3808ci and not in the 1909/789. So ignore the parts about digital video, but all of the commentary about analog video processing will apply:
Home Theater Mag: http://hometheatermag.com/receivers/...at/index2.html
CNET (scroll to the end section on Video): http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers...-32553611.html
Q: I'm afraid to buy an Onkyo because people say it runs so hot. Does the 1909/789 run hot?
A: The 1909/789 does not run very hot. AVS member Bugs has graciously tested this out for us, his results are pasted below:
Temperature
The 1909 is a relatively cool-running component. Installed in a 5.1 system, on an open shelf, with 8" of clearance on the sides and 5" of clearance on the top and back, the 1909 had a temperature rise of 26F -28F (14C - 15C) after running for 2 hours at a volume of -18dB.
For a comparison, an Onkyo TX-SR606 installed in the same system had a temperature rise of 50F - 52 F (28C - 29C) under the same conditions.
Link: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...2#post14532462
Member Alan TN has also independently corroborated Bugs' results: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post14412888
Q: What about power consumption?
A: Bugs has also been gracious enough to test this out with a "Kill-A-Watt" meter:
Power Consumption and Memory
There are 4 power states.
1. OFF: No power to any circuit (0 watts)
2. Standby, HDMI Control OFF: Power supplied to memory circuits (0.3 watts)
3. Standby, HDMI Control ON: Power supplied to memory and HDMI switching (30 watts)
4. ON: Power to all circuits (60 - 110 watts)
Toggle between OFF and Standby using the "ON/OFF" button.
Toggle between Standby and ON using the "ON/Standby" Button.
Toggle between "HDMI Control OFF" and "HDMI Control ON" in Menu>Manual Setup>HDMI Setup>HDMI Control. Note: setting HDMI Control to ON enables the 1909 to do an HDMI pass-through of audio and video signals when it is in Standby mode.
The memory circuits are powered in all states except OFF. The 1909 has memory back up that will retain Audyssey and other custom settings for about a week. If the 1909 is left OFF or unplugged for more than a week, you will lose any settings in memory and have to rerun Audyssey and input any personal tweaks again.
2. AUDYSSEY
Q. What is the deal with these new Audyssey features, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ?
A. The guys who made it can explain it best. Here are links to Audyssey's explanations of the new technologies:
Audyssey Dynamic Volume:
http://www.audyssey.com/technology/dynamicvolume.html
Audyssey Dynamic EQ:
http://www.audyssey.com/technology/dynamicEQ.html
Note that these technologies are supplements to, not replacements for, the Audyssey MultEQ auto-calibration and room EQ system.
Q. What is Audyssey MultEQ?
A. Audyssey MultEQ is a powerful auto-setup and room calibration program which applies frequency correction to your speakers in an effort to compensate for any acoustical problems inherent to your room.
For more information, please see the Audyssey FAQ on the "official" Audyssey thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5#post14456895
Also, check out the Audyssey MultEQ product description at the Audyssey website:
http://www.audyssey.com/technology/index.html
Q. I ran Audyssey and my subwoofer level is strange / I ran Audyssey and my speaker levels look really funky... what gives?
A. All of these questions are common Audyssey questions and fully covered in the Audyssey FAQ:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5#post14456895
Feel free to simply turn down your subwoofer (either on the sub’s volume control or in the receiver’s channel level settings) if you find it’s too boomy. It won’t screw up Audyssey EQ’ing.
Q. Audyssey set my speakers to "large" and I know they should be "small", will changing this manually screw up Audyssey?
A. No, it won't hurt anything and is actually recommended in many cases. This is well covered in the Audyssey FAQ:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5#post14456895
Q. Is the “Night” mode the same thing as “Dynamic Volume”?
A. No, the “Night” button on the remote is for the old-school version of “Night” mode that receivers have had for years, it is nothing more than a simple dynamic range compressor. Denon confusingly left a dedicated “Night” button on the remote, but this button does NOT have anything to do with Dynamic Volume or Audyssey at all.
If you are using the Audyssey Dynamic Volume (and you should, it is a much more sophisticated version of “Night” mode), then you should never touch the “Night” mode button.
3. GENERAL SETUP AND HDMI / VIDEO OPTIONS
Q. How the heck do I set this thing up??
A. You need to be patient, and walk through the setup menus step-by-step.
First, hook everything up, and WRITE DOWN exactly what you plugged in where, because you will have to assign all your inputs to coordinate. This isn't like the good old days where you just plugged the "TV" audio into the plug called "TV" and called it a day.
Once you have everything plugged in and you are ready to go, think of it as a three step process:
STEP 1. Set up all of your basic speaker parameters (size, distance, level, etc) -- this can be accomplished either through the AUTO SETUP menu (letting Audyssey do it), or manually in the MANUAL SETUP menu under SPEAKER SETUP.
STEP 2. Set up all of the basic options for video output, Zone 2, etc. -- these are all in the MANUAL SETUP menu, after SPEAKER SETUP (see page 29 of the manual). See the next FAQ question for info on HDMI settings.
STEP 3. Set up your specific input assignments and other input-specific settings (like renaming the “HDP” input to say “PS3” for example). This is accomplished in the INPUT SETUP menu (see page 38 of the manual).
For a more detailed explanation, refer to this post:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...2#post14445722
The other two main menu areas, PARAMETER and INFORMATION, are not used when setting up the receiver.
The PARAMETER menu is for adjusting specific sound parameters depending on the surround mode you are in (see page 46 of the manual). Note that not all parameters will be available all the time, this menu changes depending on what surround mode you are currently in (e.g. Dolby Digital vs. Stereo vs. DTS-MA etc.). Pages 76-77 of the manual detail which parameters are adjustable according to which surround mode you are using.
The INFORMATION menu is, you guessed it, just to get information about various things going on in your receiver (see page 52 of the manual).
Q. What should I do with all of these HDMI settings? I don’t know what any of them mean?
A. In general, with a typical home setup you can leave these all on their default settings and things should work, as long as you have correctly assigned all of your inputs. By default, the Denon has video conversion enabled, and is set up properly for an HDMI connection between receiver and processor.
The only reason to change any of the HDMI settings is if you have an atypical setup – like a HDMI/DVI connection to your TV – or if you want to specifically disable the video conversion and processing for some reason.
General HDMI settings can be found under MANUAL SETUP > HDMI SETUP.
A brief explanation of the options:
1. COLOR SPACE: In general, just leave this on default (YCbCr) unless you are using an HDMI/DVI connection or an HTPC or something where you specifically need RGB color.
2. RGB RANGE: Leave this alone (NORMAL) unless you switch to RGB in COLOR SPACE.
3. AUTO LIPSYNC: Will only do anything if you have a compatible HDMI 1.3 display. You can just leave this on default (ON) unless you have problems.
4. HDMI AUDIO OUT: This selects whether HDMI audio is “stripped” from the signal to be played on your surround sound speakers, or whether you want the HDMI audio passed through to your TV. Leave it on the default setting (AMP) unless you specifically want to use your TV speakers.
5. HDMI CONTROL and 6. POWER OFF CONTROL: These settings, like Auto Lipsync, require compatible HDMI components. For more information, see page 62 of the manual and the HDMI Control question, below.
Q. How do I set up the video processing so that everything works right and I can just connect one HDMI cable to the TV?
A. In addition to these general settings, you can also set up the specific video processor settings independently by input. This is done in the INPUT SETUP under VIDEO.
By default, the Denon AVR 1909/789 is set up to output everything to your TV via an HDMI cable, and will scale all analog sources automatically to the highest HDMI resolution your TV accepts. If all you want to do is plug everything in and run one HDMI cable to your TV, then DON’T CHANGE ANY SETTINGS and it should work fine as long as you have assigned all of your inputs correctly in MANUAL SETUP > ASSIGN.
Q. HDMI Control? I can watch TV when the Denon is off? Wow, really??
A. The HDMI Control function allows you to "pass through" the HDMI signal from device to your TV, even when the Denon is in "Standby" mode. You cannot change inputs while utilizing this feature, so make sure to switch the input to the one you want before powering down to Standby.
Bugs has yoeman's work getting to the bottom of this feature. For detailed discussion and explanation, please see this post:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...6#post14443246
4. PLAYBACK AND SURROUND MODES
Q. Why isn't the Dolby TrueHD / DTS-MA light turning on when I play a Blu Ray on my PS3?? I set up everything correctly but all is says is "MULTICH IN". What the heck does that mean?
A. The PS3 cannot bitstream the new hi-definition audio codecs: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD and DTS-MA. You will NEVER EVER see the "Dolby TrueHD" or "DTS-MA" light up on the receiver when using a PS3 as your only Blu Ray player.
In order to hear these new codecs from the PS3, the PS3 must decode them internally and output them as Multichannel PCM (also sometimes referred to as MPCM or LPCM). Make sure that you change your PS3 audio settings to enable multichannel PCM output (please refer to the PS3's instructions or the PS3 sections of AVSForum for specific questions on the PS3).
Please refer to the PS3 FAQ, and scroll down to the “AUDIO SETTINGS” section:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1058533
If you have set everything up correctly, the Denon display will light up as "MULTICH IN", indicating that you are receiving multichannel PCM. If you hit "Status" on the Denon, the display should say something like "PCM 48kHz 3/2/.1" indicating that you are receiving 5.1 channel PCM (3 fronts / 2 surrounds / .1 LFE track).
You can also check the info on the PS3 to verify that it is outputting the correct soundtrack. Note that sometimes a Blu Ray will default to the standard DD/DTS track, so you might have to manually select the TrueHD/DTS-MA soundtrack.
If you want to disable the tone controls and any processing, you can hit the "DIRECT" button on the Denon remote, and the display will now read "MULTICH DIRECT". This is exactly analagous to the "DIRECT" vs "STEREO" modes for listening to 2-channel music, like that from a CD. You can still enable Audyssey EQ'ing when listening in "MULTICH DIRECT" mode, but all other processing options (like tone control) are disabled.
For more information, please study the AVR FAQ stickied at the top of the forum, especially the sections on "What do the terms bitstream, PCM and MPCM mean?" and "What do I need to enjoy lossless audio?"
Link to AVR FAQ: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=968859
Q. Okay, so how do I get the "Dolby TrueHD" light to come on?? I love me some lights!
A. You need to buy a Blu Ray player which can "bitstream" the new audio codecs. Please refer to the AVR FAQ for more information:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=968859
Please note that THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE in sound quality when bitstreaming hi-res audio. The only difference is where the lossless audio is "unpacked."
Think of it like a zipped computer file that you email to your friend as an attachment. Regardless of whether you unzip it first and then attach it to the email, or you attach the zipped file and let your friend unzip it, the end result is IDENTICAL.
Q. What is the best surround mode to use?
A. Ultimately, only you can decide, but here are some pointers. A lot will depend on what type of sound you are receiving, and how many speakers you have (5.1, 7.1, etc.)
There is a giant, daunting table on page 78-79 describing exactly what surround modes are available depending on the source signal. To check what signal you are receiving, you can hit the “STATUS” button on the receiver to cycle through all the info, or you can go to MENU > INFORMATION > AUDIO INPUT SIGNAL.
You can also look at the little lights on the display – the lit up boxes on the left side of the display tell you how many audio channels you are receiving from the input source (for example, if only two boxes on the left are lit up, you are getting a 2-channel source). The boxes on the right of the display tell you how many channels are being output to the speakers.
If you have AUTO SURROUND enabled in the setup (see page 33 of the manual), the 1909/789 will memorize your settings and default to the last one you picked when it sees the same source signal again.
Note that this is memorized BY INPUT, so for example you can have different “default” settings when listening to 2-channel music on the “CD” input versus 2-channel television on the “TV/CBL” input.
To check what your Auto Surround defaults are, hit MENU, go to INFORMATION, and then select AUTO SURROUND MODE (see page 53 of the manual). It will tell you what the default surround mode is for that input, depending on the input signal type.
Here is a brief summary of different surround modes. Remember, the important thing to know is what type of signal the Denon is receiving:
1. IF YOU ARE RECEIVING A TWO-CHANNEL SOURCE:
To listen to 2-channel as 2-channel, your choices are STEREO, DIRECT, and PURE DIRECT (see pages 45-46 of the manual).
Using either DIRECT or PURE DIRECT mode will disable all bass management, which means that your front L/R speakers will get a full-range signal, and if the subwoofer is ON it will “double up” the bass from the mains.
The only “bass management” available in DIRECT or PURE DIRECT modes is the SUBWOOFER ON/OFF option in the PARAMETERS menu. If you have small front speakers that can’t handle bass, just use the STEREO mode for 2-channel music to preserve all of your bass management settings.
Also, please note that if you select PURE DIRECT, the display and video output will be shut off. This is the way it is supposed to function, so don’t freak out if the display shuts off when you hit “PURE DIRECT”.
To matrix 2-channel sound to multichannel sound, you have your choice of DOLBY PRO LOGIC II or DTS NEO:6. Hit the “Standard” button to cycle between the two, or you can hit the “Cinema” or “Music” button to directly engage the specific Cinema/Music modes. You also can tweak them independently using the PARAMETERS menu. See page 74 of the manual, as well as the AVR FAQ, for explanations of the differences.
Alternately, you can choose one of Denon’s proprietary DSP modes. As with most DSP, pretty much all of these suck, the only possible exception being the 5/7 CHANNEL STEREO mode. This mode will output unprocessed stereo sound equally from all your speakers, and can be a great choice for stereo music, especially if you just want background music at a party or something.
2. IF YOU ARE RECEIVING A MULTICHANNEL DOLBY DIGITAL / DTS SOURCE:
If the Input Mode is set to “Auto”, the receiver should default to the correct decoding mode depending on the input signal.
If you are running a 7.1 setup, you can matrix 5.1 surround sound up to 7.1 by using DOLBY PRO LOGIC IIx. You can engage this by hitting the “Standard” button on the remote, or by using the “Music” or “Cinema” button as above. The display will read something like “DOLBY DIGITAL + PLIIx CINEMA” or “DTS + PLIIx CINEMA”.
3. IF YOU ARE RECEIVING MULTICHANNEL PCM FROM A BLU RAY:
The default setting is MULTI CH IN. If you have a 7.1 setup, it will probably default to “MULTI IN + PLIIx CINEMA”, which will matrix a 5.1 signal to 7.1.
You can also engage the DIRECT and PURE DIRECT modes when listening to multichannel PCM, which will shut off the tone controls, bass management, and any unneeded processing. If you have small speakers that can’t handle a full-range signal, remember that engaging MULTI CH DIRECT mode will effectively treat all speakers as “large”.
Also, remember that “PURE DIRECT” will turn off all video, so do not use this while watching a movie unless you just want to stare at a black screen while listening to the soundtrack! The MULTI CH PURE DIRECT mode is really only useful for listening to multichannel music (SACD or DVD-A) decoded by an external player and sent as multichannel PCM over HDMI.
DENON AVR 1909/789 FAQ
Denon AVR-1909 Product info page:
http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4241.asp
Denon AVR-789 Product info page:
http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/4560.asp
From the above you can download the Manual, Product Sheet etc.
Reviews:
http://whathifi.com/Review/Denon-AVR-1909/
Many Thanks to BATPIG for preparing FAQs and sharing with the fellow and future Denon AVR-1909 owners.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. GENERAL PRODUCT INFORMATION
Q. What is the difference between the 789 and the 1909, I was looking at their specs on the Denon website and they look identical?
A: Denon puts out two parallel receiver lineups, with four-digit and three-digit model numbers. The four-digit models are generally sold by high end stereo shops and custom installers, and the three-digit models are the "consumer" version sold in retail outlets like Circuit City and Fry's.
However, there is ZERO difference in terms of power, specs, sound quality, build quality, etc. between the two lines. Denon has been doing this for years, it is exactly analagous to the Yamaha HTR and RX-V parallel receiver lines.
There will usually be one or two minor differences to differentiate the three-digit and four-digit models. There is typically a slight cosmetic difference between the two lines, and different remotes.
In the specific case of the 1909 vs. 789, the only differences (besides the cosmetics) is:
1. the 1909 includes a small, second remote intended for Zone 2 operation, and
2. the 1909 has a plug on the back labeled "RF/RC 2WAY", next to the Sirius plug. The function of this plug is to allow you to hard-wire a two-way RF remote controller (sold separately) to use in a different room. See page 20 of the manual for a detailed explanation.
In all other respects, the 1909 and 789 are IDENTICAL.
Q. I noticed that last year's AVR 988 is on sale for the same price as the 1909/789, should I get that instead?
A. While the 988 (same as 2808ci) is a higher-end model, a critical difference is that it does not have the newest Audyssey features, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ.
For more info, please see the "official" 988 vs 1909 thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1049185
Q. I noticed that the AVR 2309ci/889 is only a couple hundred more. Is it worth it to step up to the higher model?
A. The primary benefit of the 2309/889 vs the 1909/789 is the addition of the fourth HDMI input.
Both 1909/789 and 2309/889 have identical audio decoding capability, identical video processing capability, identical multizone functionality, and identical Audyssey feature sets.
This is a list of features you gain stepping up from 1909/789 to 2309/889:
1. 2 lbs heavier, and a 2-inch deeper chassis
2. A slightly better amp section with superior 4-ohm performance (see this post for bench test results)
3. A fourth rear HDMI input
4. A fourth rear S-video / composite video input
5. S-video and optical audio inputs on front auxilliary input
6. Dedicated phono input with pre-amp stage
7. Detachable power cord
8. RS232 and 12V Trigger ports (2309ci only)
Only you can decide if these features are "worth it", please do not ask
Q: I’m afraid to buy a Yamaha because it clips the HDMI video signal, and I’m afraid to buy a Harman Kardon because of all the problems with the PS3. Please tell me the Denon works?
A: Denon seems to get HDMI implementation correct.
At this point, there are no known bugs at all with the 1909/789 and the PS3. Enjoy!
The Denon 1909/789 will also correctly pass BTB/WTW signals over HDMI (no video clipping), and test patterns have confirmed that it does not touch digital video while passing it through.
The only thing generally wrong with Denons is the sucky manual!
Q. Does the AVR 1909/789 screw up the video at all?
A. Not that we know of. As noted above, all Denon AVR’s correctly pass BTB/WTW.
The 1909/789 will not do ANY processing to HDMI video. The only thing it will do is pass the video through. There is NO processing and NO degrading/clipping of HDMI video at all.
The only video processing available is analog-to-digital transcoding and scaling. The analog>digital transcode may soften the picture slightly, although you probably will never notice it. If you leave all the video settings at the defaults, the Denon will take any analog signal you input and output it via HDMI at the highest resolution setting your TV accepts.
The Faroudja scaler in the Denon does a good job in general with standard definition material (as it was specifically designed for 480i deinterlacing in progressive DVD players), but it is no great shakes in terms of scaling and HD processing (especially 1080i deinterlacing).
However, it may still be better than the video processing in your TV. You will have to test this out yourself and see which does a better job.
If you would like to disable the video processing on an analog source, set “i/p Scaler” to OFF under MENU > INPUT SETUP > VIDEO. When the scaler is set to OFF, it will just pass through analog signals to the HDMI output at the same resolution they came in, with no processing or scaling.
For some specific reviews of the Denon’s video processing using this Faroudja implementation, please read the following two reviews of the 3808ci. The video processing section is the same as the 1909/789, except for the fact that digital video processing is available in the 3808ci and not in the 1909/789. So ignore the parts about digital video, but all of the commentary about analog video processing will apply:
Home Theater Mag: http://hometheatermag.com/receivers/...at/index2.html
CNET (scroll to the end section on Video): http://reviews.cnet.com/av-receivers...-32553611.html
Q: I'm afraid to buy an Onkyo because people say it runs so hot. Does the 1909/789 run hot?
A: The 1909/789 does not run very hot. AVS member Bugs has graciously tested this out for us, his results are pasted below:
Temperature
The 1909 is a relatively cool-running component. Installed in a 5.1 system, on an open shelf, with 8" of clearance on the sides and 5" of clearance on the top and back, the 1909 had a temperature rise of 26F -28F (14C - 15C) after running for 2 hours at a volume of -18dB.
For a comparison, an Onkyo TX-SR606 installed in the same system had a temperature rise of 50F - 52 F (28C - 29C) under the same conditions.
Link: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...2#post14532462
Member Alan TN has also independently corroborated Bugs' results: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...8#post14412888
Q: What about power consumption?
A: Bugs has also been gracious enough to test this out with a "Kill-A-Watt" meter:
Power Consumption and Memory
There are 4 power states.
1. OFF: No power to any circuit (0 watts)
2. Standby, HDMI Control OFF: Power supplied to memory circuits (0.3 watts)
3. Standby, HDMI Control ON: Power supplied to memory and HDMI switching (30 watts)
4. ON: Power to all circuits (60 - 110 watts)
Toggle between OFF and Standby using the "ON/OFF" button.
Toggle between Standby and ON using the "ON/Standby" Button.
Toggle between "HDMI Control OFF" and "HDMI Control ON" in Menu>Manual Setup>HDMI Setup>HDMI Control. Note: setting HDMI Control to ON enables the 1909 to do an HDMI pass-through of audio and video signals when it is in Standby mode.
The memory circuits are powered in all states except OFF. The 1909 has memory back up that will retain Audyssey and other custom settings for about a week. If the 1909 is left OFF or unplugged for more than a week, you will lose any settings in memory and have to rerun Audyssey and input any personal tweaks again.
2. AUDYSSEY
Q. What is the deal with these new Audyssey features, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ?
A. The guys who made it can explain it best. Here are links to Audyssey's explanations of the new technologies:
Audyssey Dynamic Volume:
http://www.audyssey.com/technology/dynamicvolume.html
Audyssey Dynamic EQ:
http://www.audyssey.com/technology/dynamicEQ.html
Note that these technologies are supplements to, not replacements for, the Audyssey MultEQ auto-calibration and room EQ system.
Q. What is Audyssey MultEQ?
A. Audyssey MultEQ is a powerful auto-setup and room calibration program which applies frequency correction to your speakers in an effort to compensate for any acoustical problems inherent to your room.
For more information, please see the Audyssey FAQ on the "official" Audyssey thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5#post14456895
Also, check out the Audyssey MultEQ product description at the Audyssey website:
http://www.audyssey.com/technology/index.html
Q. I ran Audyssey and my subwoofer level is strange / I ran Audyssey and my speaker levels look really funky... what gives?
A. All of these questions are common Audyssey questions and fully covered in the Audyssey FAQ:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5#post14456895
Feel free to simply turn down your subwoofer (either on the sub’s volume control or in the receiver’s channel level settings) if you find it’s too boomy. It won’t screw up Audyssey EQ’ing.
Q. Audyssey set my speakers to "large" and I know they should be "small", will changing this manually screw up Audyssey?
A. No, it won't hurt anything and is actually recommended in many cases. This is well covered in the Audyssey FAQ:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5#post14456895
Q. Is the “Night” mode the same thing as “Dynamic Volume”?
A. No, the “Night” button on the remote is for the old-school version of “Night” mode that receivers have had for years, it is nothing more than a simple dynamic range compressor. Denon confusingly left a dedicated “Night” button on the remote, but this button does NOT have anything to do with Dynamic Volume or Audyssey at all.
If you are using the Audyssey Dynamic Volume (and you should, it is a much more sophisticated version of “Night” mode), then you should never touch the “Night” mode button.
3. GENERAL SETUP AND HDMI / VIDEO OPTIONS
Q. How the heck do I set this thing up??
A. You need to be patient, and walk through the setup menus step-by-step.
First, hook everything up, and WRITE DOWN exactly what you plugged in where, because you will have to assign all your inputs to coordinate. This isn't like the good old days where you just plugged the "TV" audio into the plug called "TV" and called it a day.
Once you have everything plugged in and you are ready to go, think of it as a three step process:
STEP 1. Set up all of your basic speaker parameters (size, distance, level, etc) -- this can be accomplished either through the AUTO SETUP menu (letting Audyssey do it), or manually in the MANUAL SETUP menu under SPEAKER SETUP.
STEP 2. Set up all of the basic options for video output, Zone 2, etc. -- these are all in the MANUAL SETUP menu, after SPEAKER SETUP (see page 29 of the manual). See the next FAQ question for info on HDMI settings.
STEP 3. Set up your specific input assignments and other input-specific settings (like renaming the “HDP” input to say “PS3” for example). This is accomplished in the INPUT SETUP menu (see page 38 of the manual).
For a more detailed explanation, refer to this post:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...2#post14445722
The other two main menu areas, PARAMETER and INFORMATION, are not used when setting up the receiver.
The PARAMETER menu is for adjusting specific sound parameters depending on the surround mode you are in (see page 46 of the manual). Note that not all parameters will be available all the time, this menu changes depending on what surround mode you are currently in (e.g. Dolby Digital vs. Stereo vs. DTS-MA etc.). Pages 76-77 of the manual detail which parameters are adjustable according to which surround mode you are using.
The INFORMATION menu is, you guessed it, just to get information about various things going on in your receiver (see page 52 of the manual).
Q. What should I do with all of these HDMI settings? I don’t know what any of them mean?
A. In general, with a typical home setup you can leave these all on their default settings and things should work, as long as you have correctly assigned all of your inputs. By default, the Denon has video conversion enabled, and is set up properly for an HDMI connection between receiver and processor.
The only reason to change any of the HDMI settings is if you have an atypical setup – like a HDMI/DVI connection to your TV – or if you want to specifically disable the video conversion and processing for some reason.
General HDMI settings can be found under MANUAL SETUP > HDMI SETUP.
A brief explanation of the options:
1. COLOR SPACE: In general, just leave this on default (YCbCr) unless you are using an HDMI/DVI connection or an HTPC or something where you specifically need RGB color.
2. RGB RANGE: Leave this alone (NORMAL) unless you switch to RGB in COLOR SPACE.
3. AUTO LIPSYNC: Will only do anything if you have a compatible HDMI 1.3 display. You can just leave this on default (ON) unless you have problems.
4. HDMI AUDIO OUT: This selects whether HDMI audio is “stripped” from the signal to be played on your surround sound speakers, or whether you want the HDMI audio passed through to your TV. Leave it on the default setting (AMP) unless you specifically want to use your TV speakers.
5. HDMI CONTROL and 6. POWER OFF CONTROL: These settings, like Auto Lipsync, require compatible HDMI components. For more information, see page 62 of the manual and the HDMI Control question, below.
Q. How do I set up the video processing so that everything works right and I can just connect one HDMI cable to the TV?
A. In addition to these general settings, you can also set up the specific video processor settings independently by input. This is done in the INPUT SETUP under VIDEO.
By default, the Denon AVR 1909/789 is set up to output everything to your TV via an HDMI cable, and will scale all analog sources automatically to the highest HDMI resolution your TV accepts. If all you want to do is plug everything in and run one HDMI cable to your TV, then DON’T CHANGE ANY SETTINGS and it should work fine as long as you have assigned all of your inputs correctly in MANUAL SETUP > ASSIGN.
Q. HDMI Control? I can watch TV when the Denon is off? Wow, really??
A. The HDMI Control function allows you to "pass through" the HDMI signal from device to your TV, even when the Denon is in "Standby" mode. You cannot change inputs while utilizing this feature, so make sure to switch the input to the one you want before powering down to Standby.
Bugs has yoeman's work getting to the bottom of this feature. For detailed discussion and explanation, please see this post:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...6#post14443246
4. PLAYBACK AND SURROUND MODES
Q. Why isn't the Dolby TrueHD / DTS-MA light turning on when I play a Blu Ray on my PS3?? I set up everything correctly but all is says is "MULTICH IN". What the heck does that mean?
A. The PS3 cannot bitstream the new hi-definition audio codecs: Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD and DTS-MA. You will NEVER EVER see the "Dolby TrueHD" or "DTS-MA" light up on the receiver when using a PS3 as your only Blu Ray player.
In order to hear these new codecs from the PS3, the PS3 must decode them internally and output them as Multichannel PCM (also sometimes referred to as MPCM or LPCM). Make sure that you change your PS3 audio settings to enable multichannel PCM output (please refer to the PS3's instructions or the PS3 sections of AVSForum for specific questions on the PS3).
Please refer to the PS3 FAQ, and scroll down to the “AUDIO SETTINGS” section:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1058533
If you have set everything up correctly, the Denon display will light up as "MULTICH IN", indicating that you are receiving multichannel PCM. If you hit "Status" on the Denon, the display should say something like "PCM 48kHz 3/2/.1" indicating that you are receiving 5.1 channel PCM (3 fronts / 2 surrounds / .1 LFE track).
You can also check the info on the PS3 to verify that it is outputting the correct soundtrack. Note that sometimes a Blu Ray will default to the standard DD/DTS track, so you might have to manually select the TrueHD/DTS-MA soundtrack.
If you want to disable the tone controls and any processing, you can hit the "DIRECT" button on the Denon remote, and the display will now read "MULTICH DIRECT". This is exactly analagous to the "DIRECT" vs "STEREO" modes for listening to 2-channel music, like that from a CD. You can still enable Audyssey EQ'ing when listening in "MULTICH DIRECT" mode, but all other processing options (like tone control) are disabled.
For more information, please study the AVR FAQ stickied at the top of the forum, especially the sections on "What do the terms bitstream, PCM and MPCM mean?" and "What do I need to enjoy lossless audio?"
Link to AVR FAQ: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=968859
Q. Okay, so how do I get the "Dolby TrueHD" light to come on?? I love me some lights!
A. You need to buy a Blu Ray player which can "bitstream" the new audio codecs. Please refer to the AVR FAQ for more information:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=968859
Please note that THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE in sound quality when bitstreaming hi-res audio. The only difference is where the lossless audio is "unpacked."
Think of it like a zipped computer file that you email to your friend as an attachment. Regardless of whether you unzip it first and then attach it to the email, or you attach the zipped file and let your friend unzip it, the end result is IDENTICAL.
Q. What is the best surround mode to use?
A. Ultimately, only you can decide, but here are some pointers. A lot will depend on what type of sound you are receiving, and how many speakers you have (5.1, 7.1, etc.)
There is a giant, daunting table on page 78-79 describing exactly what surround modes are available depending on the source signal. To check what signal you are receiving, you can hit the “STATUS” button on the receiver to cycle through all the info, or you can go to MENU > INFORMATION > AUDIO INPUT SIGNAL.
You can also look at the little lights on the display – the lit up boxes on the left side of the display tell you how many audio channels you are receiving from the input source (for example, if only two boxes on the left are lit up, you are getting a 2-channel source). The boxes on the right of the display tell you how many channels are being output to the speakers.
If you have AUTO SURROUND enabled in the setup (see page 33 of the manual), the 1909/789 will memorize your settings and default to the last one you picked when it sees the same source signal again.
Note that this is memorized BY INPUT, so for example you can have different “default” settings when listening to 2-channel music on the “CD” input versus 2-channel television on the “TV/CBL” input.
To check what your Auto Surround defaults are, hit MENU, go to INFORMATION, and then select AUTO SURROUND MODE (see page 53 of the manual). It will tell you what the default surround mode is for that input, depending on the input signal type.
Here is a brief summary of different surround modes. Remember, the important thing to know is what type of signal the Denon is receiving:
1. IF YOU ARE RECEIVING A TWO-CHANNEL SOURCE:
To listen to 2-channel as 2-channel, your choices are STEREO, DIRECT, and PURE DIRECT (see pages 45-46 of the manual).
Using either DIRECT or PURE DIRECT mode will disable all bass management, which means that your front L/R speakers will get a full-range signal, and if the subwoofer is ON it will “double up” the bass from the mains.
The only “bass management” available in DIRECT or PURE DIRECT modes is the SUBWOOFER ON/OFF option in the PARAMETERS menu. If you have small front speakers that can’t handle bass, just use the STEREO mode for 2-channel music to preserve all of your bass management settings.
Also, please note that if you select PURE DIRECT, the display and video output will be shut off. This is the way it is supposed to function, so don’t freak out if the display shuts off when you hit “PURE DIRECT”.
To matrix 2-channel sound to multichannel sound, you have your choice of DOLBY PRO LOGIC II or DTS NEO:6. Hit the “Standard” button to cycle between the two, or you can hit the “Cinema” or “Music” button to directly engage the specific Cinema/Music modes. You also can tweak them independently using the PARAMETERS menu. See page 74 of the manual, as well as the AVR FAQ, for explanations of the differences.
Alternately, you can choose one of Denon’s proprietary DSP modes. As with most DSP, pretty much all of these suck, the only possible exception being the 5/7 CHANNEL STEREO mode. This mode will output unprocessed stereo sound equally from all your speakers, and can be a great choice for stereo music, especially if you just want background music at a party or something.
2. IF YOU ARE RECEIVING A MULTICHANNEL DOLBY DIGITAL / DTS SOURCE:
If the Input Mode is set to “Auto”, the receiver should default to the correct decoding mode depending on the input signal.
If you are running a 7.1 setup, you can matrix 5.1 surround sound up to 7.1 by using DOLBY PRO LOGIC IIx. You can engage this by hitting the “Standard” button on the remote, or by using the “Music” or “Cinema” button as above. The display will read something like “DOLBY DIGITAL + PLIIx CINEMA” or “DTS + PLIIx CINEMA”.
3. IF YOU ARE RECEIVING MULTICHANNEL PCM FROM A BLU RAY:
The default setting is MULTI CH IN. If you have a 7.1 setup, it will probably default to “MULTI IN + PLIIx CINEMA”, which will matrix a 5.1 signal to 7.1.
You can also engage the DIRECT and PURE DIRECT modes when listening to multichannel PCM, which will shut off the tone controls, bass management, and any unneeded processing. If you have small speakers that can’t handle a full-range signal, remember that engaging MULTI CH DIRECT mode will effectively treat all speakers as “large”.
Also, remember that “PURE DIRECT” will turn off all video, so do not use this while watching a movie unless you just want to stare at a black screen while listening to the soundtrack! The MULTI CH PURE DIRECT mode is really only useful for listening to multichannel music (SACD or DVD-A) decoded by an external player and sent as multichannel PCM over HDMI.