** OFFICIAL ** Denon AVR-3310CI/990 Owner's Thread - Page 4

I recently purchased a 3310 from Electronic's Expo--fast shipping and very good price.

I have been trying to get things set up. Having used Onkyo (most recently a tx sr 702) products in the past, adjusting to Denon is taking some time. First as has been stated by others, Denon's remote controls were designed by idiots. I purchased the Harmony One and have been pleased with it.

When installing a firmware update, my 3310 froze and became a brick. I thought that I was going to have to send it back since I could not get the unit to respond to the remote or to the buttons on the receiver. So, I started messing with the receiver via the network connections, which allowed me to reinstall the firmware from my computer. Thus, anyone with a locked up receiver should consider using the network connection to reinstall firmware.

Overall, the sound of the Denon is fantastic--must better than the Onkyo. But, this unit is more powerful and more advanced than my old Onkyo unit. Plus, the Denon does not run as hot as the Onkyo (I could fry bacon on that thing).

However, figuring out how to change setting in the Denon is not intuitive. And, yes, Denon's manual is awful.

I really like the network set up on the 3310 because it allows one to play music stored on your computer. The interface using a web browser can be a little slow at times, but it is cool nonetheless.

Overall, I am happy with the 3310. Denon could have done a better job allowing user flexibility in setting sound processing modes as defaults or perhaps I simply have not figured out how to make such setting.

BTW: As a plug to batpig, your website is very helpful.

Greg

You most definitely can set surround modes as defaults, this is called "Auto Surround Mode". The Denon will memorize your preferred surround mode, separately for each input, and for each input signal.

"Auto Surround Mode" is on by default; assuming you haven't turned it off it should be fine. See pg 37 of the manual -- you can see it will memorize the last surround mode used, by input, for each of four input signals: 2-ch PCM (and analog), 2.0 DD/DTS, multichannel DD/DTS, and multich PCM.

All you have to do is choose the desired surround mode when you get a certain input signal, and it will remember it the next time you get that same signal. This is a pretty flexible system because you can (for example) have it default to PLII MUSIC mode when you get 2-ch signals from your CD player, but go to PLII CINEMA mode when you get 2-ch signals from your cable box.

If you go to the INFORMATION menu and then select "AUTO SURROUND MODE" it will show you a list of what the current memorized settings are.

At what point during the update did this happen and what did the LCD say that made you realize it had bricked? I noticed that on the first update I did, the LCD read "6 minutes remaining" for several minutes. I was getting kind of antsy too, but decided to ride it out and it went through just fine.

I do not remember exactly, but it was something like "GUI Updating" or "OSD Updating" (around 5 or 6 minutes). The unit kept trying to download and perform the update but would not proceed (The unit showed various error messages). So, I canceled the update and the unit became mostly unresponsive. A couple of functions still worked, but I could not reinstall the firmware from the receiver panel or the remote. Once I initiated the firmware download from my laptop, the firmware upgrade worked flawlessly.

It was probably a fluke or perhaps an internet connection issue.

Greg

I'm looking for a receiver & was looking at the Pioneer Elites & the Onkyo brand, but I have now put Denon in the running and I know I'm on a Denon thread so you would lean more towards one but it's worth a try.

Between a new Onkyo SR-876 $899, a 4 month old used Pioneer SC-05 for $600.00, a new Pioneer SC-07 $980 Shipped, a new Onkyo TX-SR806 $599 Shipped and last but not least a new Denon AVR-3310CI $1,088 Shipped?

I just recently bought a used Samsung HLT6187SX/XAA DLP HDTV and my components are a Comcast Motorola DCH3416 HDMI, Xbox 360 HD component wires with optical audio, Soon to have PS3 HDMI, Samsung DVD1080P8 upscaling Dvd player HDMI and a Logitech Harmony One universal remote.

A couple of days ago I bought the Mirage Omni speaker package consisting of a pair of 550 CH front tower speakers, C150 center channel speaker, pair 150C Bookshelf's rear speakers & a used Klipsch SUB-12 Subwoofer.

I know Onkyo is coming out with the TX-SR807 & TX-SR877 and Pioneer came out with the SC-25 & SC-27 to replace the SC-05 & the SC-07 Elite Series so I don't know which models to compare this new Denon to & how it stakes up with all the new models & price comparisons.

I'm good at configuring video products but when it comes to audio I can hook it up and get it to work but have no idea on configuration all I know is I want the THX feature that allows you to hear the person talk during loud background noise with out blasting the volume & get the best sound & HDMI,Component video quality out of my setup which I will be keeping for years to come.

So after debating for some time and checking here I decided to pull the trigger on a 3310. Went to our local shop that is the only Denon dealer in town (small area) and they no longer carry Denon products! The hell you say! The salesman told me that when Denon moved manufacturing to China they were getting returns left and right as he pointed to 4 extremely marked down receivers. Have you guys heard of anything like this?

One thing you may wish to consider is how much power you need to fill your room; I have a relatively large room in my main HT setup so I bought an Onkyo 876 last year as its amp section is hard to beat at the price point. Looking at the 876 versus 3310 there is no comparison in the amp section as the 876 weighs 51 pounds versus 29 for the 3310. Now don't get me wrong the 876 is not perfect but its pretty close. I only have one significant issue that annoys me with this unit and that is that when I run my SA8300HD PVR through it switching between channels with different resolutions results in a significant delay (10 seconds through the 876 versus 5 when connected directly to the TV). The only other issue of concern with the 876 is that while its scaler is top notch and very flexible (includes zoom options which Denon does not) it does not auto pillarbox 4x3 content like the Denon or Yamaha 3900 - you have to do it manually. Those issues aside I think the 876 is unbeatable if power is a priority.

Having said that I just finished deciding between a Denon 3310/990 and 2310/890 for my secondary HT room (bought the 890 on the way home from work as networking is not a feature I need in an AVR) that is only about 140 square feet as the Denon units offered all the features I felt I needed and power was not as significant a priority as it was in my main HT room. Nevertheless at the price you can get the 876 I would have bought a second 876 (tough to get really good deals on 876's in Canada) and I would highly recommend it unless the issues I raised above are a significant concern for you.

Hi EVT thanks for the reply.

First off this is going in a unfinished basement and from the back wall where the TV is to the back of the couch its 186" but it continues much further then that after the couch because there are no walls and it's 202" wide in the TV area so L 186" x W 202", where I would need the best sound quality.

Questions on the TX-SR876

Is the PVR a known issue with all types of PVR's or is it only to certain companies because that would be annoying?

Is auto pillarbox 4x3 when it's in standard definition or standard definition on a HD channel it stretches it to fit automatically? My Samsung does not do that automatically you need to press the P size button.

Is the upconvert better then my TV?

Does it over heat?

Do you know anything on the 877?

My 3310 arrived last Tuesday, and I've been enjoying it quite a bit since then!!! Sound quality is very good. My old Onkyo was no slouch either, but I do think this is better. A lot of that probably has to do with MultEQ and Dynamic EQ. It sounds good with thoes features off, but once I setup MultEQ, it sounded much better. The difference when I turn off Dynamic EQ at a volume < 0db is dramatic as well. I need to rerun the MultEQ setup though, as it put my sub at the max -12db correction, which means it may have set the other levels less than optimally since it didn't have room to fully adjust the sub where it wanted. I'll turn it down and run again. I'm curious, now that I've listened to this for a week, to plug my old receiver back in and compare.

I can't compare to a model like the 4310 and how the better DACs, MultEQ XT, or extra power would make things better. But I'm happy to have the extra $500 I still have to my name by getting the 3310 over the 4310.

I do think the video processor is doing a better job with SD TV than what's built into my Samsung TV or Tivo. It's not dramatic, but it seems a little smoother.

I didn't think setup was too bad, but I'm more technical than most. It certainly isn't the best designed interface or the most well written manual, but I didn't think they were the worst I've seen.

Just a few random thoughts. I'll be playing more and may write up a more detailed review later if I think I've got anything worth sharing.

The PVR issue is a known issue at least with the SA8300HD, not sure about other cable boxes. The 876 does not auto pillarbox standard definition 4x3 content, instead if the 876 is set to full it stretches the 4x3 image. Bear in mind though that some devices do pillarbox SD 4x3 content even when sent out at 480i.

THe upversion is likely signicantly better than your TV, also if you have to zoom 4x3 widescreen material it does so (though manually) very well with minimal picture quality loss.

The 876 does not overheat but the top near the back of the unit is hot to the touch.

As for the 877 I don't have any details but I'm sure it will have Dolby IIz and at least a few more HDMI inputs, anything else would be pure speculation.

If the delay on the cable box is a major issue for you (I personally find it acceptable but still annoying) then you may decide to lean towards the Denon as a user in the 2310 thread confirmed that the increased delay in that unit is marginal. For my secondary HT room I decided to return the 890 and picked up a 3310 even though I could have bought an 876 for less than $200 more; however, in my main room I don't think I would take any Denon receiver lower than the upcoming 4810 which costs a lot more money as my main HT room is quite large with high ceilings and it is completely open on the one side.

Question for you owners how does the unit do heat wise? I have a enclosed cabinet stand that I put my reciever in, as well as DVD and Sat reciever. My center channel is the only thing on top. I just dont want to over-heat the darn thing when I plug it in this weekend.

Heat's not too bad. I've got it in a cabinet with glass doors (not airtight by any means) and a back panel with some big cutouts that let basically the whole back of the receiver stick out (cabinet not quite deep enough). So it gets some ventilation. There's about 2-3 inches between the top panel of the receiver and the next shelf up. It's in there along with a Tivo. It's warm but not hot. It probably would be a good idea to have it out in the open to let it get more air, and I may get a new cabinet at some point. But I'm not overly concerned.

Has anyone been able to determine if PREP is active on any of the new Denon models (i.e. 2310/3310/4310)?

Ok whats PREP or am I just showing my ignorance

Essentially, one of the features of the ABT chip so the re-interlace progressive signals (which may be incorrectly done) and then to apply its own deinterlacing solution.

This features was implemented in the Yamaha 3900 and many users commented that they noticed an improvement on devices with average deinterlacing that were outputting 480p to the 3900.

Ok thanks EVT. I thought I had heard that term on the Yamahas. I wasnt aware that the Denons may have it too.

Just got a 3310 two days ago. I have to say for 1k plus receiver i am disappointed. This thing should be around 700. I guess i am missing something. It feels cheap, it looks cheap. All the stupid inputs are shared. So if you have your 4 HDMI inputs filled you also loose the analog counterpart. Why not just remove them if you can't use them. Who is going to be able to use them anyway buying a receiver like this. This improved GUI is crap. Looks like text over a screen. Big deal. My 15 year old sony had a GUI like this with a RF mouse. The HDCP will not work with my DVD. The HDMI does not even look as good as the component. I think I'm gonna send it back and get the yamaha 3900 instead. I feel like I was short changed. I really wanted the networking but I haven't even bothered hooking it up. The person the mentioned the HD radio antenna issues was right. It sucks. Don't waste your time unless your within range or using outdoor antenna. They are in some cases running 1/10 the analog FM power levels.

you are wrong about this part, as all inputs (except composite) are fully assignable.

anyway, if you don't like it you don't like it. that's why restaurants have menus!

Okay so I have an HDMI plugged into DVD input and analog Composite plugged into DVD input also. I was only able to use the HDMI input.
My kids have 4 different game systems that need to get into this thing.

Yes true enough. That's why i'm just voicing my opinion about the food. Maybe someone else shares it.

Also my son accidentally touched the top of it and burned his hand. Nothing bad but he did burn it.
I was just expecting more from Denon.

I just got my 3310 last Thursday and I am very happy with it...it certainly is a big change from my old Pioneer SX-1980 unit! I do think it runs a bit warm - but I am in Phoenix AZ and the room temp this time of year is 82 F, so maybe this winter it will run cooler.

So far every function seems to work well, but I have just barely begun to get it set up the way I want it. I also upgraded my speakers at the same - going from Allied Radio 2385's to a set of Klipsch Rx-35 series with a 12D sub. That was an even better change ---the first time the sub fired was during a scene in U-571 when the depth charges exploded - I literally jumped out of my chair!

One minor thing I did notice is that some of the set-up menus are not exactly as shown in the manual. For example, while setting the number of speakers (I have not yet installed the rear surrounds yet - no room and none of my DVD's/Blu-Rays have 7.1 anyways) the manual said to set the number of speakers with a list of options, however apparently the unit already knew the rear surrounds were not connected and it did not present that option.

I really like how well the Internet Radio works - I had no idea how much is out there!

And apparently the firmware is up to date - it did not find any updates.


Ted

I am considering the 3310 to run my family room. I plan to purchase Aperion Intimus 5T Grand XD in a 5.1 configuration. I have gone back and fourth between Onkyo and Denon and was wondering what some owners have thought about this model after owning it. I did read most of this post already, just looking to see if anyone has buyers remorse or thinks another receiver is better for the money. I would like to spend $1200 at the max (I know MSRP is more, but online I have seen it less). Room to power is 18 x20. Thanks for any input!

Just got an on-screen message that a new firmware was available. I'm downloading it now. Wonder what changed?

Hi guys,

I'm having a little difficulty getting my PS3 setup for optimal video quality. Is there anyway that I can get the Denon to upconvert DVDs and extras in SD on BD's while at the same time allowing 1080p/24 to go through untouched?

So far, I seem to be able to either:

a) set resolution to 1080p and get everything scaled to 1080p60 whether SD or BD including 1080p24.

b) set resolution to 1080p/24 and get everything scaled to that resolution including the PS3 menu and games (which I don't want).

c) set resolution to auto which seems to do the same as option a above; or

d) turn of scaling to get 1080p/24 as 1080p/24 but then I have to rely on my TV to upconvert SD special features on BDs and 720p PS3 games.

If anyone has found a way to do what I want to do please let me know (I had hoped the auto setting would realize it should not touch a 1080p/24 signal but upconvert everything else to 1080p60).

I asked Denon what was in the latest update and got this answer:

"Firmware updates may correct small issues in things like the characters of the menu, often in other languages and other small firmware related glitches. In this case there seems to have been possible issues with certain display devices and DVD players under very specific circumstances and the latest update adjusted for it."

Like a fool, I went ahead and allowed the 3310 to install a firmware update....but now it is locked up and a brick! It started the download, and now it says "Download failed5A". I should have known better after reading on the 4310CI thread about all of the corrupted updates for that model.

Now what do I do???? Send it back and get a different brand AVR??? I am not amused at this point


Ted

Yeah, I was going to post about this too, but you beat me to it. I wonder if asking Denon to change this in a firmware update would get me anywhere. To me, Auto should be passing through whatever frame rate it sees.

I believe "all of the corrupted updates for that model" you refer to equaled ONE, and it was taken care of pretty quickly. Have you tried contacting Denon?

Hi John,

Yes I did call Denon, and they said to unplug it and start over, and this time it worked!! I was afraid to unplug it simply because it said 'do not unplug while updating'...

Thanks!

Ted

yes, that is a bummer and I don't think there's any way around it. The "Auto" setting basically lets the Denon query the TV and then automatically send the highest rez the TV will accept... however, that generally means 1080p/60 and apparently it will not let 1080p/24 pass through!

It wouldn't be an issue for a dedicated standalone BDP/DVD player where you don't care if everything goes out to the TV at 1080p/24... but that is a real bitch for the PS3 where it is dual-purpose (movies + games) and turning the games into 1080p/24 is a bad idea!

I don't think there is any way around it... maybe if enough people ask Denon they can issue a firmware update with a "1080p/24 passthrough" mode.... or change the "Auto" feature to not alter a 1080p signal (whether it is 60 or 24 fps).