"Official" Denon AVR 2809CI/989 Thread - Page 186

Common problem. This is caused by a combination of Dynamic EQ (which boost the surrounds to maintain immersion) and the way TV audio is mixed (badly). I even have a section of my FAQ about "surrounds are too loud!": http://batpigworld.com/fadq.html#audyssey

Dynamic EQ is designed to work with films, which are mixed at a specific reference level. Audyssey MultEQ calibrates your volume dial so that "0" on the master volume corresponds to this reference, and the lower you drop the volume, the more Dynamic EQ kicks in to restore the perceptual balance of tone (bass/treble) and surround immersion.

The problem is that non-film content (TV, music, etc) is not mixed to any specific industry-wide reference, so it's difficult to know where the volume "should" be and Dynamic EQ may end up overcompensating. This is what you are experiencing. It's likely that the folks who mix the audio for football games "goose" the crowd noise in the surrounds to make it sound immersive and engaging for the typical junky HTIB speaker systems that most folks are using at home. You will get all sorts of issues like this with TV programming, bloated bass, overcooked surrounds, etc.

On receivers newer than your 2809, a new setting called "Reference Level Offset" was introduced to allow you to tone down how aggressively Dynamic EQ does its business. On your receiver, the workaround is to trim down the input source level for your cable/sat box input. In the Input Setup menu you can go down to "Source Level" and trim it down by up to 12dB. By trimming down the input source level, that forces you to turn the volume up more to get the same "loudness", and thus tricks Dynamic EQ into not boosting as much. This input level trick can also be used to tame boomy bass with music and other non-film sources.

The other option is simply to turn off Dynamic EQ when it gets annoying.

I've experimented with a DVR'd pro game and set the input level to -10db. Your Denon guide also mentions boosting the center channel and I upped it by 2db. Not sure how much that will help since I can definitely hear crowd noise in the center channel.

I've taken a few moments to listen to the recorded game, but I think I'm going to have to just experiment while watching the playoffs the Sunday to really get a feel for how much this is helping.

Thanks for these suggestions. My, how soon my state-of-the-art receiver has become behind the times. (heavy sigh).

The level changes have apparently helped. I did not notice any moments in which the announcers were being drowned out by he crowd. I did notice that many of the network sound effects, particularly when going to commercials, seemed less thundering and annoying.

Thanks, bat pig, your suggestions really made the difference.

I suspect I know the answer to this. I have an AVR 2809CI.

Is there firmware update that will allow it to switch/ extract appropriate audio from a 3D source or is that an immutable hardware thing?

I hate to get rid of it just for not passing 3D. It has everything else I need.

Sorry, it's a hardware limitation.

You can always get a dual HDMI output BDP if you want to watch 3D movies without upgrading the receiver. Or just do what I do and don't give a crap about 3D

I was thinking of pairing an Emotiva XPA-3 with the 2809CI for my front LCR speakers. First, is this advisable and what will change in my HT experience? Second, what setting do I need to change in the receiver if I am only using pre-outs for 3 speakers?
thanks for your input.

Whether you use an external amp is a personal choice, although if the 2809CI is not currently clipping (ie. needs more powerful amp), not likely to make much difference. No setting change required when XPA-3 used; however, you will need to run Audyssey again.

A follow up question about 3D on this receiver.

What will the receiver do if an HDMI input on the receiver is connected to a Blu-Ray 3D HD source? Let be expand on that question a bit. My objective is to be able to attach HD/3D sources to the receiver for audio and use an external switch to route video directly to the TV. I would use a switch/splitter to provide the feed to the TV and receiver. Will the alien 3D or HD HDMI information cause the receiver to fail to process anything on the selected input HDMI link or will it proceed to properly decode and amplify the audio content of the HDMI as if it understood the total data stream. I understand that there is a Panasonic Blu-ray player that has two HDMI outputs for just this situation. But what I have read I suspect that the data stream on the cable for audio is not the same as the link going to the video destination. This would be a special case and I would like to be able to do at least two Blu-ray capable devices.

I have no complaints (except the setup menus and process) about the receiver. It does everything I need with audio and I expect it to work for years. I still have the Heathkit I built in the late 60's. I see no point in throwing away a device with all but a small portion of the functions working just fine. My objective is to attach a player and possibly a game box. The TV can do streaming from the internet and has an optical connection for audio output. The audio in this interface is either Dolby 5.1 or PCM. No other audio coded signals are passed through. I can probably live with that.

If the receiver will not ignore the video component and accept the proper audio stream, can disabling some connections in the HDMI cable resolve the problem?

If none of this works; any other suggestions?

As the 2809CI is only HDMI 1.3, it would prevent the 3D signal from displaying to the TV when using a traditional switch (ie < $100) although there are more expensive switches available that can accomplish the goal (see below). You're likely better served with a dual HDMI 1.4 BDP and move your current BDP to another room.

http://www.amazon.com/4x2-Matrix-Switcher-Selector-Support/dp/B002SP1DYC

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I did what jd recommended to reach the same objective. I bought a Sony BDP-S790 with 2 HDMI 1.4 outs, one specifically for audio if you need it. I have the Sony connected directly to the TV for video and directly to the 2809 for the fancy codec audio formats. I also have connected my Directv HD-DVR directly to the TV and to the AVR via SPDIF. This allows me to view the Directv 3D channels without running video through the AVR.

I just watched Monsters, Inc 3D and loved it, but encountered a problem. I selected the 7.1 mix and after 5 minutes there were some brief audio dropouts. I'd rewind and play the scene again and they'd be no dropout. That leads me to believe there's no error hard coded into the audio. I didn't get any dropouts when I switched on the fly to the 5.1 mix. After a half hour on that mix I switched back to 7.1. I thought the problem was gone but the dropouts came back as before.

Has anyone else encountered this? Is this an issue with my 2809?

What would be Denon's current equivalent to this receiver? One that includes wifi and 3D support.

^^
Denon 3313CI although note that Audyssey MultEQ XT is now featured on all "CI" models as well as the 1713.

Are you referring to the "5/7 CH Stereo" surround mode? What volume level? What speakers?

The 33xx series replaced the 2809 so the current equivalent is the 3313.

I don't know if any Denon's have wifi support though unless you mean Apple Airplay.

Has anyone found an HDMI switch that provides "spoofed" HDMI audio out rather than Toslink? That would be the way to go. Most of the important audio encodings were available on my 2809CI.

I am also wondering if the audio return feature in the current HDMI could be used as a basis for generating the audio in an older format HDMI for the receiver rather than a whole new switch..

Does anyone have had problems with the Surround Left signal? It seems that I am no longer getting a signal there. I did some test with the speakers switching it around and there is no sound coming from the SL channel. Is there something else I can to check it? possible blown amp or short?

EDIT: Update its now fine I just did a "signal" check in the speaker set up and now there is signal... Not sure what happened there...
Edited by BRAISKI - 3/12/13 at 6:24pm

Your best bet is to do a microprocessor reset (p. 60 OM), and if no joy, then likely a blown amp. You may want to try the SL pre-out if you have an external amp or extra AVR available.

Thanks, thankfully I didnt have to do that
I just don't want to do an upgrade like this :/

Anyone have an idea when there are likely to be HDMI 2.0 devices. I don't believe the standard is finished yet, but real soon now. Just wondering if there is any information.

So looks like this time its my sub that doesnt work and I tried other options I have except resting the microprocessor.

Can some please tell me if I was wrong in connecting 3 subs from one out put? Did this contribute to the problem?

No, that couldn't be it. The sub out is low level, it's not a powered output. Sounds like a bad coincidence, things are just dying

"Real soon now" is likely going to be too late for the 2013 models so don't count on any D&M HDMI 2.0 devices until 2014.

Reset the microprocessor.

Oh no thats quite a coincidence lol.
At "least" I have the Def Tech BP2002TL for my fronts so I can still have some bass. Till I upgrade to the 4520 just can't justify it right now with the home upgrades.

If I read the OM correctly this will reset "ALL" my settings back to factory?

Correct. A necessary evil to sometimes resolve issues though. Note that with the 4520CI you'll be able to SAVE the config file to a PC so which can then be easily LOADed after doing a microprocessor reset.

Serial control ability for the 989?

My remote is starting to go. I am wondering about the possibility of utilizing the serial port to control the AVR.

Say if I got : http://www.globalcache.com/products/itach/ip2slspecs/

What kind of things should one expect to be able to to with the AVR? I would like to be able to switch inputs, audio modes, volume, volume feedback, and mute. Can these be done with the 989 over the serial port?

Yup. Generally same commands as with the remote as well as some additional commands too.

Ok I went ahead and got the controller. Briefly I was seeing volume feedback along with some other settings. But I don't seem to be able to send any commands like muting.

I am a little confused from the manual for setting the 232 serial. What is the difference between the two settings? Does the two modes mean I have to choose between only sending commands but not receiving feedback or receiving feedback but not sending commands? I have tried switching it back and forth, but it still doesn't take any input through the 232.

For example I have tried: MUON0x0D to turn on muting.

my 989 says I need to rerun auddisey. Has this happened to anyone before? I ran auddisey successful a month ago- all 7 microphone positions. But today anytime I try to turn on dynamic audio it says "run audissey" , and under 4.3 audyssey settings in menu- multi eq xt says either manual or off and dynamic options below are stuck at off. I read if you left amp unplugged for a while settings will erase but I never lost power. Should I worry? Guess I have to get my microphone out again?