** OFFICIAL ** Denon AVR-3310CI/990 Owner's Thread - Page 21

If you are willing to spend a little extra money on a third-party product, check this out: "Next Generation" Remote Extender on Amazon.

It's really an amazing product- you put the battery-sized (AA or AAA) transmitter in a remote (I recommend a nice learning remote, I'm not a fan of the Harmony series though... personal preferences there) and the receiver where your amp is (it has an extension cord for the IR repeater, too, if your cabinet is tight) and it "just works".

The transmitter in the remote (somehow) picks up the IR signal your remote is sending, transmits it via Rf to the receiver, which repeats it back via IR.

Works great, from anywhere in the house- and you don't have to point your remote at anything any more, which is a nice bonus.

Maybe this might help: Electronic Expo using coupon code WS901X3807 ($920), fs for me - not sure to other states.

Firmware update has failed....now what do I do???

Earlier today I went to update the firmware on my 3310CI (against my better judgement) and sure enough it has failed! It is locked up on this screen: "Ether SBL 01min updating".

It said the update would take about 15 minutes and it has been well over an hour now. I did notice a couple of other updates before it got to the "Ether SBL" screen...those I noticed it had a percentage of the download, then checking download, ok, then the word 'updating' with little arrows moving left to right, then it went on to another one,
little arrows, etc., then to where it is stuck now. No percentage of anything being downloaded, no arrows, display locked as stated above.

So now what do I do??? I did a firmware update when the unit was new (July 2009) and resisted doing any more updates account of all the problems others have reported here. But I did notice a lot of recent posts saying that updates went well, so I thought I'd give it a try...stupid me!

Help please!

Ted in Mesa AZ

Further to my post above....after waiting for almost 3 hours I finally unplugged the unit, and then tried a microprocessor reset (power on, holding down DSP and standard buttons at the same time). All that did was to make the unit keep retrying the update. I did notice that once it started trying the update the timer started at 7 minutes and then locked up at 1 minute. I also noticed that as soon as the timer started at 7 minutes the lights on the router for it went out!! As in it gave up and sat there fat, dumb and stupid. While reading through some of the other threads about this issue, I saw where someone mentioned holding the up/down buttons while powering on to get the unit out of update mode...and that worked!! Thanks!!!

Now, of course, I have to re-run the audio set-up program (Audessey) and re-label my inputs, etc. But the good news is, I can still connect to and listen to internet radio stations....I had feared the worst...no more internet stations.

***update*** I can only connect to 'regular' internet stations, i.e., selected from the list in the AVR. However, if I try to connect to a station that I had set up via the RadioDenon website, it says 'connection down' - however, I can connect to that station here on this computer. So I guess there is still a problem somewhere!!! I've always wondered if connections to stations set up via RadioDenon had to go through a Denon server somewhere account it takes quite a bit longer to connect and load, as opposed to the 'regular' stations that are pre-loaded in the unit.

So does anyone have any ideas why the unit cannot complete the "Ether SBL" update, but the other ones completed ok? And obviously I can still connect to the Internet with no problems account the internet radio works fine.

I guess I will leave well enough alone for now.....

Ted in Mesa AZ

Thanks for the info

Looking for some advice.

I will be purchasing the following shortly

B&W 685 (Fronts)
B&W DS3's (Rear Surround)
B&W HTM62 (Centre)
B&W AS600 (smaller sub, fine for my needs)

all this is going into my basement with an Optoma HD20 projector setup (hopefully get a 120" image).

Do you think a Denon 3310 is overkill for this setup or should I track down a 989 for much lower price? My most improtant criteria is quality of sound -not wooried much about video upscaler features, network interface (as I am using a HTPC) etc.

I am 70% movie/HD TV, 30% music (lossless files etc.)

Also, for you familar with hifi theater and kids.....

My wife and I will be arranging the stork to come soon.....how have you kid proofed your speaker setup?

-Should I wall mount my 685's (deminish sound/bass quality?). I am conecerned that if I use stands (even when filled) the kid will push it over at some point
-Spring for the 684's (sturdier)

any other thoughts and very much apprecaited in advance.

Darkstar3

-Also any advice on centre channel and sub kid proofing

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Please Help!

I am a long time reader here on AVS, and a first time poster.

I usually read forums, research audio publications, and go out to test equipment to make my final desisions. But, this time I am having real trouble making my second final desion regarding my avr purchase.

I purchased a 3310 about 10 days ago picking it over the 4310 (my initial first choice) believing that it filled all of my primary needs and I could save a "little" money. I immediately second guessed my desion and went back to the dealer/distributer 2 days later and asked if I could upgrade. He agreed, but said he was out of stock of the 4310 and was expecting more in 10 days.

I have been flip floping ever since as the prices were I am living are a concern and are roughly equivelent $1600 for the 3310 and $2500 for the 4310 (euro conversion)(these are very good prices here ). As the $900 difference is not exactly pocket change, I am having a hard time deciding if it's worth it.

I will definately use some of the added features of the 4310, some now and some in the future. However, there are workarounds for some of these features with the 3310, ie. a splitter vs. the dual hdmi outs on the 4310.

I am happy with the performance of the 3310 but I also dont want to wonder later if I should have got the 4310 while I had the chance. (I dont change gear that often)

I have about 36 hours left to make my mind as the dealer will not take back the unit after Mon. am my time.

Any thoughts or opinions (objective or subjective) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Actually, you can do better at placing your order with JandR.com.

Mine was $895 delivered.

Boy that's even a better deal, great going .

Reposting from my earlier posting. The frequency of this issue has increased considerably. I have noticed that this audio blanking happens most often in the Net/Audio mode. However, if I play in pure-direct setting, the audio never blanks out. Its driving me nuts - losing the audio every few minutes. Anyone else facing this issue?

I think I may have this issue too. I posted about my experience a few pages back. Whenever using the Net/Audio source streaming internet radio after about 2 hours it will just blank out and go silent. I thought this might be either a buffering issue or something from the source. The frequency of this has not increased. It also takes hours, not minutes. That's just wrong!

Is this on media you're sharing or streaming off the internet?

Strange problem since Sunday evening. When I turn on the HT (DirecTV box, AVR and Toshiba LED TV) the screen says there is no video signal. I checked all the settings and they seem correct. Yet nothing seems to restore a picture except totaling powering the Denon off. Even after I do that, however, the problem keeps reoccurring.

Right before the problem first happened I was fiddling with the scaling and picture mode settings on the ToshibaTV and Denon. I had done the same thing before without any trouble, however.

I think I have the Toshiba set to native and the Denon set to scale analog and HDMI with a full picture mode. The DirecTV box is also set to native.

I have to think it's something I've done rather than a problem in the Denon, but I have yet to resolve the issue.

Another thing. Around the time the problem first cropped up I tried to use the Media Server thru the NET/USB input. The connect got held up, however, and seemed to briefly freeze the Denon. I disconnected the Ethernet plug for now and unplugged the Denon before I left for work.

If anyone else has had a problem like mine, let me know.

Yes I saw your note. In my case, its not just happening on Net/Audio - but on all sources, including Blue Ray Player (connected to HDP via HDMI), HTPC (connected to VCR via HDMI for video and optimcal for audio). And yes, the frequency is every few minutes - today 3 times in a 30 minute TV show.

I am going to call Denon tomorrow. Very disappointed at this point.

I have seen the freezing issue. Apparently this is just the nature of the beast when using that source. In regard to video processing, let me know if you find the processing in the Denon to produce a "jittery" image. I have a 1080i going into the Denon over HDMI and when the VP bumps it to 1080P the image has quite a bit of stutter on my 65". Are you using the HDMI contol on your TV? That may have something to do with your video signal dropping.

GUI Overlay Stopped working, help!

After lurking around here I bought a 3310CI. I connected my DVD and PS3 via component to the AVR, the AVR via component to the TV. All GUI was fine. I connected the HDMI cable for audio for my PS3. My GUI still worked. I connected my PVR via HDMI to the AVR, video blinks from AVR. I disconnected the HDMI from the PVR, only TOS link to AVR from it now, and I lost the GUI from the AVR when PS3 selected.

Someone here mentioned he bought some card with HDMI inputs to get around this problem. I'm considering doing the same but the Denon manual says I should be getting the GUI. I played with the converter/-i/p settings as recommended by batpig's web page but still no joy. I even risked a firmware update and still no GUI. It seems the GUI never displays at 1080i (even when specified on one of the video out sections).

Did I miss something? Will this just not work? I'm planning to call Denon tomorrow also.

I've been trying to get sound for two days. Tried Manual setup first. No sound output. Audyssey setup says Caution No Microphone and no Speaker. There is nothing wrong with my speakers. I suppose I need to return for a replacement.

Also the feature that allows you to place the unit on stanby and listen to sound through TV does not work.

To resolve my freezing issue, I had to reset the microprocessor back to default settings on the Denon. Not sure if that eliminated my first firmware upgrade, but at least the TV turns on like it is supposed to.

For now I've unplugged the Ethernet connection. Still can't get the USB/Net button to show me the Media Server, and when I try to enter Rhapsody, I cannot get to the page on which I am supposed to enter my password.

Seems like the Internet thing is still a work in progress for Denon. I don't really need networking for photos or music, just the firmware upgrades, etc.

Still it would be nice if it just worked and there were no freezing issues. I am pretty certain now that what caused my problems in the first place was an incident in which I pressed to enter Media Server three times in rapid succession. I did that thinking I had not pressed the button hard enough.

Instead, I think I cause the Denon to freeze and then to disrupt other aspects of the processor's functions such as switching the video on. Can't explain why that would be the case, but this has been my experience so far.

Outside of the networking issue, the receiver works and sounds great and does what I want it to do.

Before my network/freezing issues, I ran Audyssey five times to fine tune the sound. I have a pair of floorstanding Daqhquist QX10’s, a large Dahlquist center speaker and two dipole Daqhquist surrounds.

My sub is an circular SVS 20-39, which is supposed to reach down to 20HZ.

The Canadian-engineered Dahlquists are no longer made, but they are fine speakers, similar in sound quality to midlevel PSB, Paradigm or Energy speakers.

Audyssey set my full-range towers to 40Hz on three occasions and to 60Hz on the other two. My towers are supposed to go below 30Hz before any significant deterioration.

My center has been set at 60Hz twice and 80Hz three times.
My surrounds have been set at 110Hz four times and 120Hz once.

After all my Audyssey runs, I though the bass was still strong. Audyssey was dialing the SVS down -12 the first three times with the sub gain knob set at the “noon” position. I turned the knob down to the 10 o’clock position and still got a -12 dial-down.

Finally I put the gain knob at the 9 o’clock position and I got a -8.5 setting. Batpig suggests in his Denon FAQ that the sub gain should be set so that Audyssey doesn’t dial it down more than -1 or -2, but I don’t want to turn the knob down to the 8 or 7 o clock position. I’d be curious to know if anyone else has done that.

In any case, I have mostly stuck with my last reading. The Audyssey gets my speaker distances correct and I left the fronts at 40Hz, the center at 60Hz and the surrounds at 110.

I might drop the center channel to 80Hz and reduce the distance setting a wee bit because dialogue in some movies is still recessed. Base still seems strong, but my SVS is powerful and Batip says many of us are not used to reference bass. Guess I just need to do more critical listening.

Generally speaking, I find the Denon very accurate musically with crisp highs, good midrange and a tight but punchy low end. I am very pleased with the sound from Pure Direct, stereo and the surround encodings.

The only problem I seem to have is with a few Xbox disks. The latest NCAA college football that my son plays is supposed to be encoded in Dolby Digital, but parts of the sound mix are quite muffled, like when “sideline reporter” Erin Andrews pops up on the screen.

Tried a number of settings but cannot fix the problem. My son likes to listen to the Xbox in 5-speaker stereo to get around the issue. It’s unclear to me whether this is an EA problem or a Denon problem.

Dbrun, I haven't done enough testing yet to decide whether I want my DirecTV HR21 DVR, the Denon or my Toshiba LED TV to do the upconversion. (Sometimes I get confused as to which device is doing what!)

Right now I have the DVR set to accept 480P, 720 and both 1080 signals. I blacked out 480i, so I assume the DVR is upconverting any 480i to 480p.

The Denon is set to convert analog and HDMI to 1080p in a "full" picture mode, which the Toshiba LED 1080p should just accept without any upconversion. At least that is my understanding. I'll fiddle some more in the next week or so and report back.

Did you decide to get the Denon? I have the 777ES & just bought the 3310 last night and am not sure I want to keep it yet? Would be interested in your thoughts?

Yes my blu-rays sound better (slightly), but voices sound a little muddier (maybe I have not found the right settings yet). The speaker calibration seems to work pretty well.. I had higher hopes for the network part and overall the receiver does not seem very responsive (slow to respond to commands). I was also hoping for more of a video overlay feature rather then just filling the screen with a menu. While I know that I had none of the above in my 777, I guess I just had higher hopes for how things have progressed over the last 10 years & was expecting something more from exciting for my $1000? Not sure if the uncompressed audio alone justifies the upgrade?

I am a bit disappointed that one can not stream video though this? Seems with all the new bluray players being netflix enabled the receaver should be too?

Has anyone tried putting the extra set of speakers upfront to do the dolby height thing with this yet? Just wondering if its worth ripping my speakers off the wall and finding some cables long enough to give it a go?

Hi all,

As I posted above a few days ago, I am still having problems trying to get the firmware update to finish. What is happening is that the 3310 will say there is an update available, so I start the procedure, and it does start ok by saying connecting, authenticating, but then it quits completely. The router lights go out and the unit is completely dead. When I do a reset, it says retrying update, goes thru the same steps, then the unit shuts down and the router lights go out. This goes on and on and on each time I reset it. The update is 'Ether SBL'.

I finally did a reset with the up/down buttons instead to at least get the unit out of update mode. Problem is now I cannot connect to an Internet Radio Station that I set up via RadioDenon - it says 'connection down'. However preset (i.e., ones in the AVR's internal list) station connect and play just fine. And I know that the station in question is working just fine on my computer.

So how do I get the 3310 to finish this update??? Any help would be much appreciated - thanks!

Ted

Just did a firmware update without any problems, nothing but great things so far from this unit =]

Do any of you regret buying the Chinese built 3310 vs. the Japanese 4310? I'm really on the fence about this. If the 3310 was Japanese like last years comparable models, then I'd buy it today.

I certainly regret purchasing the 3310--it was my first Denon product.

One of the reasons I purchased the Denon verses another Onkyo was the belief that less heat was produced by the Denon. I have my receiver in a closed cabinet that is fan cooled using a thermostat to turn on the fan. My observation, after removing my 3310 to have it repaired, is that my old Onkyo (2005ish model) causes my fan to turn on less. In other words, it seems that my Onkyo produces less heat. Granted my observation is not scientific and possibly biased by my frustration with the 3310.

The reason I sent my unit in for repair was the inability to update firmware without freezing and more importantly the networking function suddenly stopped working. Denon indicated that my router might be the problem, but my Denon is/was connected to a switch which is connected to a router. The Denon would not even light up a port on the switch--it worked at one time.

Greg

I haven't had the 3310 long enough to render judgment, but to echo GregSS' points, if the networking feature is a big thing then you might be disappointed. The only trouble I have had with my Denon is network related, primarily playing music or videos on my PC. The networking function has frozen far too often.

Fortunately I only need networking for firmware upgrades and that part of the process has worked fine so far. But clearly electronics companies have much work to do to make their devices rock solid for networking. Way I figure, I got the 3310 for such a good price that I can afford to upgrade in a few more years if vendors iron out the kinks.

What I do like very much about the Denon is its sound and non-networking functionality once you figure out how the AVR actually works. My old HK had a fan that constantly whirled on and ran hotter. My Denon runs cooler and quieter.

Since that's what I bought the Denon for, I am happy so far.

Hello All,

Just purchased and installed the AVR-3310 along with a match DBP-1610. I am an engineer and I work for a company that develops signal processing technology, but I must admit the 3310 has a dizzying array of features that took me a while to configure.

I have the 3310 in a 7.1 HT setup mostly for movie watching from the 1610. It is driving a Samsung UN55B7000 TV. I do also use the front B's to drive speakers in other rooms.

I have the 3310 DHCP addressed (while the 1610 fails for some strange reason) and have updated the firmware a few times already with success. I am also able to stream media from my PC, and play internet radio, and HD radio without issue.

The Audyssey set-up and subsequent manual adjustment capabilities are pretty complete for a unit at this price point. It provides a significant number of features, and I think for the money, is a pretty good buy.

Thank you (and Jeff) for the feedback. If Electronics Expo lowers their coupon price to where it was last month, I'll probably get the 4310.

well, it looks like I took a bit of a chance with the 3310ci (Electronics expo... with their coupon + Bing cash back got it down to about 35% off msrp) A few issues mentioned in this thread worry me, mostly the potential update brick. This will be my first Denon AVR, first HDMI AVR, first multi-channel unit as well. I would have gone with an even cheaper model but I needed the pre-outs. Last receiver was a stereo only Onkyo from the mid 90's (still working last I checked). I would have stuck with them this time around but it seems that their quality has diminished a little over the years, especially since their xx5 series, and they have at least as many issues with their current line as both Denon and Marantz, as well as Pioneer. I've been using an external amp and my Oppo 983 as DVD player/pre-amp... but adding a PS3 recently I wanted something to handle the switching and to power the surrounds... So thanks to those posting the good and the bad, and the ugly of modern receiver ownership.

Cheers

Hello All,
Have any of you Denon owners ever made the switch from the Onkyo to Denon? I am thinking about upgrading my current Onkyo 705 to a Denon 3310, or a 4310. I have always heard that Denons have warmer sound?