*Official* Denon AVR 2309CI/889 Thread - Page 27

I just got an 889. I added it to my Harmony remote, but it seems a lot of functions are missing.

Has anybody else found this to be a problem?

I emailed support. So we will see, but I read a lot of posts in the 789 thread with this same problem. It seems like they don't want to do it or something.

As much as I hate my downstairs neighbors I just have no place to put one right now so will have to wait for the moment. Now if I could just figure out the distorted picture problem from the cable box component upconvert to HDMI.

On another note if you all dont mind another question, I orginally hooked my HD-DVD player thru component to the DVD input on the reciever. I had nothing plugged into the DVD HDMI input, and in the input settings had Comp-1 and HDMI-1 inputs set to this input. But when I tried playing I would never get a picture thru the HDMI to the TV Monitor. When I changed to the DVD input using source selection the 889 screen would say it was picking up HDMI-1 from what I remember. I tried deleting the HDMI input from DVD and did not seem to help and still no picture. When I plugged an HDMI from the HD-DVD to the HDMI input on the reciever I did get a picture back. I verified the components on the player where outputting a signal. Was I missing something?

On one of batpig post in the 1909/789 thread page 6 link #152: As others suggested, just use any other Denon model, they all have essentially the same remote IR commands. I have been using the codes from my old AVR 2105 for a 3803, 1905, and now a 2307ci. It wasn't worth the trouble to delete the old device and add a new one, and all the codes are the same anyway. I ended up teaching the Harmony the "RoomEQ" and "Night" buttons from the remote, but that's all I had to change for my current setup.

You may have to try a couple or maybe teach the Harmony a couple random things from your remote. Try one with Audyssey features (like 2807, 2808, etc) so you can get access to those buttons.

Also check batpig post page 82 link #2439: Over in the 2809/989 thread, poster The Soapbox Kid listed a bunch of Hex Codes for discrete Dynamic EQ/Vol settings as well as surround fields. Any ones that you want added to your account, you should copy/paste them into an email to Logitech Tech Support and say you want them added to your account.

You should also call them up and bitch at them to add them to your account and complain that they aren't in the general 1909/789 code database, because several others have been pushing them on this.

Here are the hex codes for Dynamic EQ/Vol settings:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...0#post14644770

Here is the hex code for discrete HDP input:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5#post14890345

Here are the hex codes for surround sound modes:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...5#post14702445

you broke the links... maybe just link direct to the post...

but yes, my advice is to 1) just use a different Denon AVR model number and/or 2) email the discretes you want to Harmony tech support and they will add it for you (search for hex codes in the 2809/989 thread)

Thanks for that. I wonder why there are no thorough reviews of the 2309CI/889 yet? I was considering an Onkyo TX-SR706 or TX-SR806 but from what I've read in the related threads they are buggy. So I started looking at other brands for an AVR with all the new Audyssey features (THX is a plus too) and I came up with Integra and Denon. Apparently, can't buy Integra online at a discount. I've never owned a Denon so I want to read a review or two, but can't find one other than this one and it doesn't go into details. I've taken a stab at comparing the features and specs. of the Denon to the Onkyo but they don't use the exact same terminology so it is hard to compare them feature-for-feature.

Can anyone shed some light on how the Denon AVR-2309CI compares to the Onkyo TX-SR806 in terms of features and performance? I just ordered a Samsung LN46A650 from Amazon and have Paradigm speakers that I am happy with (will be buying more to create a 7.1 HT).

Thanks for any advice.

Lou

If I'm reading correctly, although you only had a component cable input, you actually had both the HDMI and Comp 1 settings being used. If so, I believe HDMI takes priority and since you had no HDMI cable actually plugged in, you didn't get any picture. Try using HDMI only, letting your HD DVD player do the upscaling to 1080p and see how it compares to the 2309 doing the upscaling.

As far as the SA Cable box and your banding issue, why not just let it do the upscaling to 1080i and run HDMI directly from it to either the HDTV or the Denon?

Hi all,

My 2309 is on the way and I was reading the PDf manual.
On page 9 there is a chart showing the flow of video signals. Instead if clarifying things, it got me confused.

Question: Can you run just one HDMI cable from the receiver to the TV to send signals from ALL my sources? digital AND analog like VCR?

I did not understand what the meaning of lines of different intensities mean in the flow chart.

Thanks for your help.

simple answer, yes, you can just run one cable.

the chart reads from left-to-right as the direction of signals flow. inputs on the left, outputs on the right. so, for example, if you look at composite video or s-video, there are four arrows going from the left out to all four output types on the right, indicating that something INPUT to composite or s-video can be OUTPUT via any of the four monitor connectors. HDMI, however, only has one arrow indicating that it can only be output via HDMI as well, and can't be downconverted for component/s-video/composite output.

bottom-to-top shows the progression of signal quality, from composite being the worst up to HDMI being the best.

the different color/weight of the lines just groups them into input type so it's easier to read, i.e. the light gray are all composite inputs, the medium fray are all s-video inputs, etc. just lets you follow the flow by signal type.

the dashed line means that it won't downscale HD signals to composite/s-video output, only 480i signals coming in via component can be output via composite/s-video.

I have it via HDMI now but at the time of setting it up I was a cable short so was using the component. I had thought the same of the HDMI taking priority but I tried removing the HDMI as an option for that input or so I thought I did in the input setup menu.

As for the SA, I just have seemed to have been happier with component in the past from the cable boxes to the TV. For some reason and could just be me I have never gotten the wide zoom/full screen setting to work the way I want consistently between channels using HDMI. Might just be me not setting something right somewhere or maybe how I have the upscale convert in the cable box set come to think of it. But can say the picture even on channels without the banding looked no better after upconvert thru the 889. Plus I wanted to use the HDMIs for my BluRay, HD-DVD, 360, and PS3(yes I have a blu player too and prefer the player for movies)

In the end both of these issues are almost a non factor as not effecting my setup currently but more or less just wanting to understand how it works and if there is a potential problem is all

so my buddy is taking delivery of the 2309 this week along with a 46" XBR8...the guys at the store told us to let the TV do the upscaling since it apparently has a better video processor than the AVR. Can someone help me out with this I am confused.

no offense, but is there a question? what do you need help with?

if you are confused about upscaling, check out the AVR FAQ at the top of this forum, and also the upscaling FAQ at the top of the SD DVD player forum.

It really does help to learn more about this "new" HDTV technology as it is a far cry from your old CRT. Read up on the threads batpig suggested. That said, the Sony XBR8 is a 1080p fixed panel display TV so it can ONLY display 1080p. Therefore everything fed into it is upscaled to 1080p. And the sales guy is probably right ... it will do as good as or better job of upscaling SD channels than the 2309.

Isn't that true of most late model HDTVs? I will be taking delivery of a Samsung LN46A650 in a few days and the issue of where the upscaling should take place has occurred to me as well (I posted a question about it a while back). I am deciding on what AVR to get and I don't know how important an AVRs scaling capabilities are since it sems to me that most if not all of the time it is best to just pass through the video stream to the TV and let the TV do the scaling.

yes, pretty much, although you can't really generalize too much since it's a very case-by-case thing. Ultimately, you have to try it and see. The Sammy's get excellent reviews from CNet for video processing and do quite well in the HQV tests for deinterlacing/scaling.

It's true of ALL fixed panel displays and your 1080p Sammy is no different. Now whether you choose to have an intermediate component such as an HD cable/satellite box, HD DVR, Progressive DVD player, BD player, or AVR upscale as well is your personal preference and whether you feel there is a difference. It's probably a 50/50 split as to folks who prefer to use the Denon to upscale and those of us who see no difference and choose to bypass it (using just an optical cable for DD 5.1 HD TV broadcasts) or by running HDMI to it and just having it pass the video through untouched. It might be different with one of the mid to upper end AVRs using a far better chip than the Faroudja FLI2310 like the Realta chip in the Denon 5308.

It is cyber Monday and I'm thinking of picking up a 2309 tonight. I have a panny Plasma, Oppo 981, comcast/motorola DVR Box and a panny BD-30. I am using an Onyko 705 for my AV receiver. All connections HDMI. There is a low level hum due to the HDMI circuit with the Onyko. Seems to be a problem with the Onyko units. Will I be happy with the Denon? Does it hum? Any problems with this receiver?

the only problem with Denon AVR's is the terribly written manual

The receiver I had before the Onyko was a Denon 1803( I think that was the model). I assume it will be similar but with an OSD.

ok, if you are already familiar with "Denon-speak" it should be fine. you just have to make sure to properly assign all of your inputs (digital audio and comp/hdmi video) and everything should be fine.

I assume I can bitsream everything to the 2309 to be decodeed including multichannel hi-rez audio (DVD-A and SACD)

not SACD, I don't think anything lower than 3808ci has SACD decoding. you will want a player that can decode and sent PCM multichannel.

The Oppo 981 it converts DSD to 88.2 kHz PCM.

The XX09 series (2309, 2809, etc.) are pretty new receivers, which is why I think there haven't been many reviews. They are an update of the XX08 series, so most of the review will still apply. You can do a product comparison on the Denon website between the 2308 and 2309 to discover the new features, too.

Just purchased a 2309CI from PowersellerNYC $594 with free shipping. Almost went for an Onyko 806 at a similar price, but changed my mind. I have the 705 and have HDMI hum problems and I've read similar things about the new Onyko receivers. This will be my third AV receiver the first was a Denon 1803. I have owned a lot of Denon products and have never been disappointed.

Here's another review of the UK version...don't know how similar it performs to the US version:
http://www.techradar.com/products/au...-466939/review

I'd like to be able to be able to see the video from my blu ray player but listen to the audio from my CD player (ie. a blu ray of an Aquarium or other scenery but with my own music).
My blu ray player is connected via HDMI but the manual says the Video Select feature will not work with HDMI sources. I understand HDMI carries both audio and video but the video select function still should have been designed to be able to route the video from an HDMI source.
Can anyone think of a work-around for this? I'd rather not give up my HDMI connection, as I won't be using this configuration that often, but from what I'm seeing, it may be the only way.

Unfortunately, as many have learned, the Denon "compare" website is not very reliable and in some cases, out and out incorrect.

I do something similar to this by setting Zone 2 to SAT (optical cable from HD DVR to the Denon) and use my wireless headset with RCA cable plugged into the analog OUT jacks (VCR) while Zone 1 source is the PS3 via HDMI to the Denon. The same should work for your CD player. A 1:2 HDMI splitter would also work running one to the HDTV and the other to the Denon.

I'm strongly considering getting the 889. I just had two questions I was hoping someone could help me out with. First, I was wondering if there are any known bugs/quirks. I am steering clear of Onkyo at the moment because it seems there are some bugs in those models. Second, if I were to buy the receiver off ebay will I not be eligible for the warranty? If so is that a big concern - are denons generally pretty reliable?

Denon generally makes very reliable AVRs in this lower end line and so no bugs like you're reading with Onkyo. As always, the primary consideration is to ensure that the 889 meets your needs. Regarding the eBay purchase ..... no, it will not be covered as it is not considered an authorized vendor by Denon. Sometimes eBay vendors will offer their own warranty so worth checking. That shouldn't necessarily stop you if you can get a much better deal than any authorized on-line vendor is offering as the Denon products are generally very reliable. As an alternative, if you wanted the assurance of a warranty, you could always buy a 3rd party Extended Warranty (average $30 - 2yrs, $40 - 3 yrs) which would cover it from the original purchase date.