The "Official" Denon AVR-4306 Thread

I am not sure if I am overstepping my bounds here, but I see that there are many scattered threads out there on the subject of the 4306. I have had my hands on a few of them and have been creating universal remote interfaces for them. In doing this I have run across several functionality issues that I would like to post and get a dialog started for.

This is a repost from another thread:

All Denon 4306 Users!

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I have been implementing the AVR 4306 lately and I have run across several issues. I will list my observations here and hope to hear from others with similar experiences......

1)Network audio and USB sources are digital and thus not available in the zone2 and zone3 signal outputs. They are, however, available in the Tape/VCR outputs which repeat zone2 content. To allow these digital signals to be fed to an external amplifier in zone2, I used the Tape out which activates with zone2 but then switched to a dead input before I switched zone2 off (using a Pronto). This provided me with a solution that behaved exactly as if I were using the zone2 output. These digital sources are also available to the zone2/3 reassigned speaker output.

2)Zone2/3 control of the network audio, USB and iPod are not possible when the main zone is off with the exception of the G1-8 preset controls (pg 79 of 4306 manual). This includes track skip and preset selection. This limitation really sucks!
I did, however, discover that these controls and more are available through the computer's browser using the IP address even with the main zone off.

3)Somehow it eluded me to test if the net audio, USB, iPod controls actually work when the main zone is on but with another source selected. Does anyone have experience with this?

4)Denon lists many discrete codes including those related to the Net audio, USB and iPod functions that are not available on the factory remote (Some are available via toggle or menu navigation). They are in Sharp or Kaseikyo format. I am new to format conversion and I am trying to learn. Does anyone have these codes in a Hex form already?

5)I have not implemented a USB device or activated the XM radio features. I would appreciate any information on the limitations or idiosyncracies associated with these so that I can arm myself!

Thanks, Troy

[quote=mrfreezetas]From my understanding is to play video or see photos, you need the dock connected with the A/V cable also connected.
The Denon/ MCM cable carries audio only I think.[quote]

To view still photos with iPods that have a slideshow feature, you must put the iPod into "Remote" mode (pg 45 of manual). In this mode you do not have monitor display of the navigation as you do with the "Browse" mode. You must view the iPod's screen to navigate to these files with the denon remote. This seems a little goofy since you are close enough to operate the iPod manually when doing this.
You will know when you are in the Remote mode when the iPod displays as it normally does when using it independently. When not in Remote mode it reads only "Denon".

To view video it is my understanding that the AV cable must be used from a dock that provides an AV output. The iPod cable can remain connected to facilitate the goofy "remote" control mode if you set the iPod assignment to a particular AV input. I have been told, however, by a little bird, that Denon does not recommend usind a dock due to the frequency of encountered problems.

Regarding the iPod reassignment.... I have assigned the iPod to VCR2 instead of Aux so that I could have discrete input switching from the commands available on the remote (instead of toggle between Auxnet, AuxUSB and AuxiPod). Has anyone tried the discrete Aux source commands now made available from Dave to see if they actually work discretely?


Troy

You are correct. The manual is anything but clear especially concerning the iPod-USB-Network audio features.

I had a long three way call with a couple of the regional reps regarding these issues and it became clear to me that the iPod interface was designed primarily as an audio feature. Video support for the aux inputs was a total afterthought and it sounds like video could be included in future generations (a few R&D components have already been made).

That said, were you able to navigate the native iPod screen to your photo files with the Denon remote? Once you have selected the "remote" mode, I believe you have to select the Tuner "TU" controls to do this. I do recall, however, that the navigation controls also worked when the "Amp" control was selected as well.

If this still does not work for you, let me know and I will put it to the rep.

The alternative, which may be the actual intention, is that you can change the iPod input assignment in the setup menu (a fairly straightforward process). As mentioned, I changed the iPod assignment to VCR2 and then renamed the input to say "iPod". This will transfer all of the same controls available from the aux input to the VCR2 input when using the iPod cable as well as routing the audio to VCR2. You can then hook up a composite video connection as you normally would from the iPod (if from a dock, you must also change the iPod settings in the menu to specify the inclusion of a dock) to the VCR2 AV input on the back of the receiver. This way, when you select VCR2 (or "iPod" in my case) you get all of the same on screen audio control features when in the "browse" mode and the video output of the iPod when in the "remote" mode.

If you need page 44 and 45 back you can download the PDF from the Denon Site

I am out of town and will return next week. I am bringing in another 4306 when I get back. I will review all of these issues and post a comprehensive list of and guide to these features when I get a chance.

Regarding the "remote" mode. You will not see a text display saying "photo data". The remote mode simply allows you to use the Denon remote to navigate the iPod to your files just as you would manually with the scroll wheel.

Congrats! Let me know anything else that you run across.

The Zone 2/3 pre outs do not pass digital info (USB, Net, coax, optical). The tape outs do, however.


I think you already answered this. The Off hard button while in amp mode is an all off. While in zone2/3 mode it is a main zone off.


My question was..... If the main zone is on and a source other than one of the aux inputs is selected in the main zone, will the controls for the aux sources still work when listening to them in zones 2 or 3. I have already established that control of the aux sources (other than the G1-8 commands) when listening in zones 2/3 do not work when the main zone is off. I can understand this from the point of view that it is meant largely as an on screen navigation system but it is a real pain when you are unable to skip tracks or use your preset controls unless the main zone is on. It would be even more tragic if these controls were not available when the main zone is on but with different source selected. I do not have one at the moment to test this.


This one has been patially answered in another post regarding Dave's PCF


I was thinking that you could load up a hard drive via the network or a USB from the computer and then hook it up via USB to the receiver but it would be much nicer to avoid the plugging and unplugging involved in updating the drive.

Is anyone aware of a drive that could be networked while simultaneously connected via usb to the receiver? This would eliminate the windows media connect issue that comes up when networking a drive directly to the receiver without a server.

The whole network-USB-iPod debate going on now seems to be pointing to the larger issue of where the music is stored. If you are using iTunes and your media connect is pointing to the same source files then home use of the iPod is not really needed. Just use the net audio to pull off the same files. The only thing you loose is the iTunes playlist access which can be reconstructed in Windows media Player if it is not too much of a hassle. However, having a connection available for other iPods is cool but this can be achieved with a manual connection using the front receiver inputs. Who wants to burn in their display with all of that on screen navigation anyway?

The USB has similar considerations. If used as a temporary source (portable drive) then no problem. If used as a permanent input I guess the only option so far is a local media server or laptop dedicated to the audio system.

rsblaski,

The audio mode settings should default to the last known setting of each individual device. I am not aware of a reset that occurs when the unit is power cycled (at least not with any other Denon piece that I have seen). I will look into it to see if the Pure setting is a global setting that, because of the change in circuitry pathways, functions differently.

Troy

Dan,

By chance, have you checked to see if any of these aux source (iPod-USB-Net) discrete codes from Dave's PCF control the aux devices when listening in zone 2 or 3 with the main zone off? In particular, the Multi preset, skip and random codes for these three souces.

I will have a chance to test myself next week.

Troy