** OFFICIAL ** Denon AVR-3310CI/990 Owner's Thread - Page 24

I have had this unit since October. The internet radio feature is awesome!

This is a pretty old question, but I didn't see a full answer for it. I think someone responded to say that it does a very nice job of upconverting.

Downconverting, however, not so much unfortunately. I would also like this functionality, but alas the only video that will go to ZONE2 is SD video coming in over an RCA (composite) connection. HDMI or component video will not go to zone 2, nor (for that matter) will the audio from an HDMI or digital connection.

This is pretty unfortunate, if you ask me. Of all the things I have hooked up to my AVR (PS3, Xbox, Wii, Cable box, Apple TV) only the cable box seems to support simultaneous HD/SD outputs. In other words, I have an HDMI cable as well as 3 composite cables (V/R/L) from the cable box to the AVR and the cable box automatically outputs HD to the HDMI and SD to the composite. And so I can watch the cable in zone 2 and the main zone at the same time.

Unfortunately, nothing else supports this. The PS3 comes close- all I need to do is turn on "Multi-out" for audio (which turns OFF 7.1 output) and change the resolution to 480i and it will output to zone 2- no cable fiddling required.

The XBox and Wii (which I have a component cable for) will not go to zone 2 without switching cables around. The Apple TV also won't (because it doesn't actually HAVE a composite video out, if you can believe that)- though I understand there is a hack you can apply (if you've patched your aTV) to turn one of the component outs into a composite out, at which point I believe I could configure it to 480i and get zone 2 output without re-cabling.

In other words, it's all a huge pain and I really wish it would just downconvert digital video and audio signals for zone 2. As it stands, the zone 2 video output is not so useful- which is a real shame. I have it routed (via an rf modulator, using our existing coax cabling in the walls) to a guest bedroom, and it would be really great if all the game systems and apple TV worked without having to change settings and particularly without having to change cables.

I hope that overly long answer helps you or someone with... something.

In addition to analog, PCM 2.0 over optical/coax will also be sent to Zone 2. Also, a work around for this problem is simply connecting a set of Zone 2 speakers to the "B" speaker posts which will then allow HDMI audio to Zone 2 (with impedence issues if both A+B speakers are used) or better yet, if not using the surround back speaker posts, connect the Zone 2 speakers to them and set AMP ASSIGN to Front "B" Bi-Amp with no impedence issues at all.

Has anyone heard of any firmware update issues with the other Denon units or is it just this model?

Mine is about two weeks old (don't know fw ver date) and is having the same problem everyone else seems to be experiencing. I have no idea why I want to update the firmware, but I have tried several times and its apparently not ment to be?

All 2010 models require a firmware update, although the 3310 and 4310 will have more updates as they are specifically designed for receiving updates in an easier fashion over the network connection, whereas the lower models must have updates installed via a RS-232 jack if equipped or by an Authorized Repair center if not. Speaking for the lower level models, there are no real issues with the single firmware installation that is available. I believe the issue with the 3310 has more to do with the network connectivity problems.

I have been enjoying mine for a few weeks and done two firmware upgrades without problems. Today all of a sudden the remote will not turn the unit on or off, and the menu keys dont work, while some other keys (volume, input select) seem to be working well. A reset of the unit did not fix it. Anyone found this problem and knows the fix?.

Whenever there's a problem with the remote, it's generally resolved by one of the following:

1. Move the #2 switch on the remote back to MAIN off of either Zone 2 or Zone 3.
2. Replace the batteries in the remote.
3. There's a new HDTV being used and the IR from the TV is causing interference (buy a universal remote).
4. Reset the Microprocessor
5. Replace the remote (ideally with a Harmony)

Wow, I just got on here and read all the firmware update issues. I bought my 3310 a few months ago at a local retail store. It has gone through about 4 firmware updates with no issues at all. Everything works fine.

I bought this unit because I thought I might use the networking features, but I don't use them. There are way better solutions out there if you want to stream network music. I use Squeezebox Duets and an iPod Touch/IPhone (running iPeng app), or Duet controller to select music, whether Napster, my home server, Pandora, Slacker, Podcasts, Internet Radio, etc, etc. I also have a PC plugged into the 3310 which is much more convenient than trying to use 3310 network functions. All the equipment is in a closet; I have a touch screen monitor to control the PC.

With Windows 7 on all the PC's in my house I can use the "Play To" feature and from any PC in the house "Play To" the 3310. That is if I wanted to. "Play to" is slow...it takes at least 10 seconds for a song to start playing when I do that.

In summary, there are better networking solutions for your receiver if you have room to connect a PC or other streaming device (e.g. Squeezebox) to it. The only thing I use the networking for on the 3310 anymore is for setup functions. So, even though I have a 3310 and I love it, and it works perfectly as designed, for most people I would recommend buying a 1910 or 2310 and using the money saved to buy a squeezebox duet or similar.

just finished a successful update on my 3310.

I've had the 3310 ci for a few months now. I have it paired up with 2 Paradigm Monitor 11 v.6's. I have a 7.1 set up. I only noticed today that whether I have the setting on "Direct", "Stereo", or even "Pure Direct" I am still getting a bit of sound out of my center, surrounds and rear surrounds. The volume level is consistent throughout all the speakers other then the two mains. It is the same case when I turn on and off my "B" Speakers. Has anyone else has this issue?

Also, is there anyway to program the 3310 remote to work with the Samsung 1500 Blu Ray?

Thank You,
Ben

Has anyone out there had success with Denon and/or Samsung firmware updates for the earlier reported TrueHD / DTS-HD MA audio issues? I am about to pull the trigger but I have a Samsung BDP-1590 (same as 1600) and I don't want to have audio failure.

Dang!. It was item #1. Fixed!!. Thanks!.

This is like saying "I just got a car to go to church but I dont use it because I have a nice helicopter that takes me there much faster". I think the networking options make a lot of sense to people that use them and dont spend more money in redundant equipment that do the same thing just to see if you like it better. The 3301 works very well as music server and as internet radio player. If you buy it, dont get a squeezebox. Not logical.

Ouch. Ha! Yah, I know and I see your point. Knowing what I know now,though, I might do things differently and save some money. I guess that was my point. The 3310 is a very nice receiver, easily the best I have ever owned. The audio and video processing this thing does is amazing. In fact, all the things I like about it are too numerous to mention. But IMHO if networking is the only reason for spending the extra money on the 3310 versus, say a 2310, I'm just saying you might consider your other networking options. I wasn't really buying redundant equipment just to see which I liked better. If you have a computer and an iPod Touch/iPhone, the iPeng controller app is only $10 and the software to simulate a squeezebox is free. If you don't have or don't want to use a computer, a squeezebox receiver is $150, still cheaper than the built in networking premium. Just a thought.

Some of the Panasonics have known problems with using 1080p/24 fps resulting in judder. I have the Panasonic TH-50PZ800u and that is the case. I learned about it on cnet.com. My resolution is to just not use the 24p setting. It may help to read their review of your model to see if they're still having issues with this.

I have a Denon 989. 115 WPC at 0.08 THD.

I need another receiver for my HOMe theater in my basement. About to pull the trigger on some B&W 805S and need a quality sound for a budget. I was thinking the 3310 because of a little extra power, 120 WPC, and 0.05 THD over say another AVR 989/2809.

Batpig, jdsmoothie et all, is the amp or sound section in a 3310 the same as a 989/2809? It appears not based on the specs.....

Do you reco a move in this dirrection (3310 vs 989) to increase sound quality? I am thinking I should be hunting for 4809 or 4808 (correct?) now?....looking for a solid AVR that priortizes sound.... and room EQ (Dynamic volume is very cool too).

Thanks in advance...

Although the 3310/990 replaced the 2809/989, it is a step down in audio quality, simply adding some networking features and raising the price. I'd either go with another 2809/989 (if you can find one) or upgrade to the 48XX series (keeping in mind the 4310 replaced the 3808 and the 4810 replaced the 4308 as there is no 4808 or 4809).

Well I just kept turning it off (hard reset) when it seemed to hang/fail and eventually it eather updated or just gave up and went away? How can you tell if the update was successful? Does it list firmware version somewhere? What is the current version?

I made the plunge and bought the 3310. It was a nice upgrade in sound over my HK340 (which will being spending retirement at my mothers house). I haven't run Audyssey yet but will do when I have a quite house a time. I also haven't connected it to my network to run the firmware update but I may wait for a compelling reason for a firmware update.

We'll see how things go.

Thanks for your response jdsmoothie. I am going to seriously consider another 2809/989.....

anyonte else agree or disagree with jdsmoothie that the 989 will better for sound quality than the 3310/990?

Batpig, any thougths on this one?

I listened to all sorts of receivers in the $700 to $,2000 range and didn't notice what I would consider major differences in sound quality. Calibration technologies like Audyssey do wonders, as batpig constantly points out.

The lower-model Denon 2310CI, for example, generally held its own with the much heavier Pioneer Elite SC-07 in a medium-size room. Pioneer had somewhat more dynamics when I pushed the volume on movies, thought I thought the Denon was slightly more musical to my ears. I would have been happy with either AVR.

I eventually decided I wanted to go one level up from the 2310CI, in terms of power and features, but not spend as much as an Elite would cost. I looked at the 2809 but went with the 3310CI because, well, it was newer! I got a very good deal similar to what I would have paid for a 2809, and besides, I wanted an Ethernet port for firmware upgrades.

By and large, I am very happy with my choice. Like some others, I've had network issues. My AVR won't connect to the network and I will do a reset in the near future. AVR makers still have some stuff to learn about networking, it seems.

The networking feature did work when I first got the AVR and I upgraded the firmware. I pressed some USB/Net input buttons too many times, however, and the connection froze. Fortunately I don't need networking because I have Squeezebox Duet for music and DirecTV for video media sharing.

I agree with rgdawson. While the Denon networking feature is nice, even when it works the AVR is slow and far less flexible than a product designed specially as a PC and Internet media server/service. Those who truly value those services would be better off investing in a dedicated solution. For others the Denon will do the job.

Question for you? I've just started reading about squeezebox. I am looking for an easy way to get access to my MP3's while I'm outside. Am I reading the material right in that the squeezebox will interface with my media server to stream mp3's through my receaver? If so, does it use an RF remote?

I want to run a zone off my Denon to my outdoor speakers & figure a RF remote will let me control it from there but I'm not sure how to be able to change the music I want without having to run to my basement to view the choices? It looks like the remote on the duet might be what I'm looking for if its wifi or rf enabled? Also does it have a volume control on it?

Good point. Although the 2809/989 uses the Audyssey MULT EQ XT (advanced filters), Denon opted to use only MULT EQ (basic filters) in the 3310 (same as used in all the lower models as well). MULT EQ XT is only available on the 4310 and 4810 for the 2010 models.

Just got my 3310CI and will be installing it this week... BTW, got it at electronic-expo using code on post..thanks by the way as it saved me ~4 penny's. Would gone for the 2310 but I need the networking aspect. I will read BatPIG's site and go over this fourm for do's and don't in the setup with network. Anyways wanted to thank all the info and AVS ROCKS!!!!

Audio/Video Adjust Menu - The manual is not very clear on this menu section. Are the settings per input or what? Anyway to make a change here be global (eg turn Dynamic Volume on). Are the changes here remembered after power is removed or the unit is reset?

Squeezebox operates via WiFi and has no effect on a receiver's operation.

The Duet comes with one WiFI receiver ( a very small box) that attaches to the AVR via digital or composite. The handheld remote controls the receiver. You can add more WiFI receivers as needed.

On MultiEQ vs XT, my room wasn't big enough to really warrant XT. I've herd some AV reviewers say it's best for more expensive systems in larger, more challenging rooms.

Got my unit and after 20 hours of configuring and updating finally got it to the way I want it (almost). I've went thru the manual and this thread and haven't seen anyone w/ this issue.

When I power down or go to standby, and restart the unit, it Always goes into the TV input. I have my TV come thru the SAT/CAB input. Also if I'm watching DVD or using the tuner or whichever, whenever I power it down and turn it back on, it defaults back to TV which is not assigned anything. It gets really annoying as I would like it to automatcially go back to its last used source, but it always goes to TV.
I'm assuming that since I haven't seen this as a complaint it is only happening to me, but I can't find anything in the manual to change it.

Could someone just tell me if it's a quick 5 second fix?

thank you all in advance.

Just bought a 3310ci. Haven't had any issues with it yet, not with firmware upgrade or HDMI (just a 360 and a VIP-722).

I do have a question, though. According to the manual, I can do surround back OR bi-amp the front speakers, but not both, however this amp has surround back posts AND front B posts. Since it's passive bi-amp, it seems to me that I could run front A and front B to biamp and still use surround back. Is this any different?

Also, anyone experimented with bi-amping these? I know some are dubious about the benefits, saying that it all comes from the same power supply and doesn't improve the wattage, however, having designed and built a few discrete amps in school, I know that although the power supply is the ultimate limiting factor, it's not the ONLY limiting factor. I'm not sure what the power supply rating is in this thing, but from what I understand from some of the published testing, the amount of power per channel holds up well as you add channels on the Denons, leading me to believe that the power supply can take it, but that's just a guess. I'd like to hear some opinions/experiences.

Do you have the source set to autodetect? I don't have the steps right in front of me, but I do remember in the menu a setting to autodetect a source signal and use that. Mine was set to auto by default, but I haven't run any of the configurations yet so perhaps the autosetup changes this.

Welcome whirl, most likely the reason your AVR is returning to TV input is because you have the TV's HDMI-CEC feature turned ON. Try turning that to OFF and see if that helps.