The "Official" Denon AVR-3808CI Thread - Page 653

Hey guys, a quick question if you guys can diagnose what's going on with my Denon. It's been 4-5 months since I've used my system due to my infant son. He's 8months old now.

Tonight, When my wife and I were trying to watch a movie through our PS3. The moment it is turned on, the picture quality that is connected via hdmi that we ran through the denon receiver. It looks really bad and it's getting a lot of green color. I thought it Was the hdmi cable, and we switched to a regular DVD player with diff hdmi , it's getting the same picture quality with lots of green shades and not clear at all. It's the same picture as if you are running the component with only 2 cables plugged in.

Can someone help? Is my receiver getting bad? Or do I need to reset my receiver?

This may be a question for the Oppo BDP '95 thread in the Bly-Ray forum, but I play my Oppo BDP '95 through the Ext. In inputs of my '3808. I also have the pre-outs on the AVR going to an outboard amp' powering a Zone 2 set of speakers. (I'm bi-amping' the fronts.) I have set my Oppo's multi-channel setting to LF/LR and use the player's Stereo outputs in place of the multi-channel FL/FR outputs to take advantage of the superior DAC's from the stereo side. That set-up sounds great in my Main Zone, but the only way I can get the Oppo to play in the Zone 2 is if I run a set of stereo cables from the unused FL/FR outputs to a separate set of analog inputs in the 3808.

Why is that happening, and by using another set of connectors from those unncessary FL/FR outputs on the Oppo to a set of analog inputs on the AVR, am I compromising the sound quality in my main zone?

Thanks for the info' and please let me know if this question could be better answered in the Oppo' forum.

1. Shouldn't be any compromise in the main zone as the EXT IN jacks are the source for the main zone only (no Audyssey or bass management), rather just amplification straight to the main zone speakers.
2. Re: external sources, only 2CH analog (not EXT IN) and PCM 2.0 over optical/digital coax will pass to Zones 2/3.
Edited by jdsmoothie - 9/15/12 at 7:03pm

I'm not sure which device has potential solution to my problem so this might be the wrong section for this. Here is my issue. In my dedicated theater my setup consist of Denon 3808 (used as a pre-amp) with my source devices consisting of a PS3, XBox 360, Sony BDP-960 400 disc Blue-ray changer, Sony 400 dvd changer(used only for cds), roku and a HD-DVD player. Using a HDMI splitter from Mono Price, I have the Denon connected to 2 video devices. A Sony 1080p 52 inch tv and a Panasonic 720p PT-AE700u projector. Now I want my TV to display 1080p when I used it and obviously I need the projector to 720p when I use it. Currently if I set up my PS3, Xbox, Blue-ray changer and Denon hdmi settings to auto, everything reverts to 1080i when I use the tv. To get 1080p on the tv I have to force all (except the denon. I can leave that on auto) to do 1080p. But then I get a blank screen when firing up the projector. So as it stands now, I have to manually change the settings to get what I want. Is something I can do or am I stuck with this?

unfortunately this is a consequence of the way HDMI works, when the display (sink) handshakes with the source device it reports the resolutions it can accept and the sources adjust accordingly. Apparently your 720p projector can accept a 1080i input max, but not 1080p, so the sources reset.

may be time for a new PJ? or just live with 1080i from your sources.

there are also "EDID override" devices out there that you can insert into the signal path between the receiver and the displays, which will prevent the EDID info from the PJ from getting to the sources and causing them to reset. However, the source will then output 1080p which will still result in a blank screen on the PJ, since it apparently doesn't accept that input resolution.

Thanks for answering. Yeah, I figured that the PJ was limiting the resolution. But I just thought that if the projector was off then it would factor in that matter.

Most devices still remain in a standby state which keeps the HDMI connection in tact. You would need to disconnect the cable to the PJ to get 1080p to the TV.

Do you think turning of the master power switch on the projector will do any help?

Batpig,

I agree it's time for a new pj but first I would like to get a new Receiver. I'm running out of HDMI inputs. I didn't mean to get behind in technology but I filled up most of my time (and money) going back to school to get a Computer Networking degree. Besides, as far as the projector goes, I was kinda hoping that L.E.D projectors would have started popping up by now.
Edited by boxker - 9/20/12 at 7:36am

As long as the PJ is fully powered off, then likely yes, although disconnecting the cable would of course be the best solution.

I have had a Runco LED pj for two years now and it is under armed guard.

IMHO you should just set your devices to output 1080i max and move on and enjoy your system

this will have zero impact when you are viewing the PJ (which can't accept 1080p anyway) and it just means that you will let your Sony display deinterlace 1080i signals to 1080p, and I highly doubt the difference will be noticeable. It's a pretty obvious compromise for the time being, unless you want to go back and reset the resolution on your sources all the time.

totally off topic comment.

I have no idea what the Sony 400 is like for CD play back.

However I can say that the PS3 is a brilliant CD player. I had a dedicated NAD CD player in my setup and after trying CD's on the PS3 I took the NAD back and swapped it for a new turntable

Try it, you'll be impressed I'm sure.

blairy

I'm sure I missed something but why won't the 3808 suddenly not play back vTuner stations that are RealAudio format? I get "File Format Error" now. Never used to.

I completed a search within this thread and within AVS on this topic and could not find a similar topic.

I'm wondering if anyone might have some insight or previous experience with my situation. I borrowed an external amp -- a Mac 275 -- I was curious how it would sound in my system. I connected the Mac to the pre-outs on the rear of the 3808. The Mac is a 2-channel amp. To my surprise, while the music sounded good, it also sounded constricted. It also seemed that the volume, relative to running the 3808 without the external amp, was not as responsive, i.e. when running just the 3808 a move from -30db to -25db had more increase in volume than when doing the same thing using the external amp. And yes, I level matched the amps. Some suggested that perhaps the 3808 preamp section was attenuating the signal to the Mac. I thought maybe that was possible. But, as a test to make sure that it wasn't the Mac, I ran the source components directly to the Mac, i.e. not using the 3808 at all, and everything was fine.

I tried different cables, power cords etc. and the situation remained the same. I called Denon CS and the following summarizes those calls.

1. One rep stated that the preamp did not attenuate the signal and that the pre outs were preset and could not be changed, i.e. gain could not be increased and that "it is what it is."
2. One rep had me set the Mac into Zone 2 and run the Zone 2 amp. There was no change
3. The same rep as above had me go to Source > Source Level > Level control. There was no change
4. This rep also stated that the higher model Denons have a menu option where thepre out gain can be increased but that the 3808 does not have this option

We did some other troubleshooting steps that I can't remember off hand.

I've read through multiple forums where members did exactly what I did -- using an external amp set up using a receiver's pre outs -- and I don't remember anyone ever having this issue.

Friends, dealers, etc. that are out of my area, but are conversant in this hobby are perplexed as well. Some think the issue is with the connections, some with the settings, etc. Even after I summarize the troubleshooting steps listed above. But none can be more specific about troubleshooting.

So, I was wondering whether anyone may have had a similar issue, and, if so, how you resolved the issue.

Thanks

The 275 appears to be rated at only 75W into 2CH at 0.5% THD whereas the 3808 is rated at about 210W under the same specs.

Thanks for answering but I'm not sure what you're saying, i.e., how your response is connected to my question.

Also, if it makes a difference, the 275 is rated at 75W but Mac says that the version that I have actually tests out at 90W. And the 3808 is rated at 130W.
Edited by Ese - 10/5/12 at 9:05pm

I'm saying the 3808 amp is more powerful and there is no benefit to connecting a lower wattage external amp. If you want more power, consider connecting a 300W amp (eg. Emotiva XPA-2). Note also that although the 3808CI is marketed as 130W, it benchmarks much higher (210W) using only 2CH with the same higher THD used on the 275.

Thanks again for responding. After reviewing your second post I think I have a clearer idea of where you're coming from. But it is not a power issue.

I'm familiar with the power ratings of both amps (although I hadn't heard about the 210W for the Denon in 2-channel. That's intriguing. What was your information source. I'd like to read up on that). Because I'm familiar with the power ratings of both amps, I was not expecting any benefits from additional power because there would be no additional power.

Also, as I noted above in my post, when running the source components directly to the external amp -- and eliminating the Denon from the signal path, everything was fine. There was no issue. So it's not a power issue.

Additionally, as noted above, the Mac is a tube amp and the Denon is solid state. So, as stated above,(although I may have not have been as clear about my intent as I thought), I was curious what impact/difference, etc. there would be from 1) comparing the tube amp to the solid state amp -- in my system -- and comparing a dedicated amp to an avr with all its additional features beyond just the amps.

So again, I was not seeking more power.

My initial post was intended as a troubleshooting post. I was looking for folks that may have dealt with a similar situation as related to the pre outs and the preamp. It was not a "what should I buy thread." I'm satisfied with the Denon, always have been. As noted above I had borrowed the Mac amp. So, I would have no interest in an Emotiva amp.

But thanks again for responding.
Edited by Ese - 10/8/12 at 8:13pm

Good Morning JD.

As you may remember, my 3808 was unupdated due to distance from the modem/router. At your suggestion, I ordered a 75 foot cable and did the full update last night. It took about 90 minutes, 14 issues, and was successful/complete.

From the Parameter Check menu, the Spkr Config Check has Front - Surround A as Large, the Distance Check has the correct measurements, the Channel Level Check has appropriate values given speaker sensitivities, and the Crossover Check is blank. I am not sure what to do with Restore Y/N.

From the Manual Setup menu, the Speaker Setup - Speaker Config has the sizes small, and the Crossover Frequency Advanced with F 80, C 100, S A 120 and LFE+Main 150.

What have I missed?

Thanks, Jack

Nothing seems to be missing. The Parameter Check keeps the original Audyssey settings while Manual Setup keeps the changes you have made since running Audyssey. It's these Manual Setup settings that are "active" and being used. What do you think is wrong or missing?

Thanks JD,

It appearred, to the use and forget crowd, that the settings work was being forgotten.

Thanks for the distinction and confirmation that the Manual Setup Items are active.

Jack

So I just bought a pair of Afterglow Universal Wireless headphones to use while game on my 360. I have tried every which way to connect them but still haven't been able to get sound to go to the headphones. The connections are either 3.5mm headphone jack or RCA cables. Can anyone please explain how I must connect these so game sound will play through the headphones?

Either connect them to a 3.5mm to 1/4" adapter to the headphone jack on the front panel or connect RCA cables from the 360 to the AVR and then connect the wireless transmitter to either an analog output or Zone 2 pre-outs.

So I have RCA cable from 360 going to VCR input and wireless transmitter connected to 360 by USB to zone 2 preout by RCA yet I still don't have sound. What am I doing wrong now?

Also no sound if I plug transmitter into VCR analog out.

If the 360 is the only source you want to listen to with the headphones, perhaps just connecting it directly to the 360 would be your best option. Otherwise,

360 (composite R/W audio) ---> AVR (VCR R/W input)
Wireless transmitter (R/W) ---> AVR (VCR R/W output)

1. Select VCR source and ensure it's not assigned to an HDMI input.

or

2. Turn Zone 2 to ON and select VCR source.

How would I connect directly to the 360? The wireless transmitter is already connected to it by USB. And when you say not to have HDMI as the input, so I have to use component then?

If the wireless transmitter is already connected to the 360, there's no reason to connect it to the AVR.

I'm an old guy that is new to the Home Theatre world. I'm hoping that someone can help!

Problem: no audio from NetFlix, I'm getting TV audio instead??

I recently bought a Vizio "Smart" HDTV (E472VLE) that has the ability to stream movies from NetFlix, etc. I also have a Sony BluRay DVD player. I use Verizon FIOS to get my HDTV. To get a surround sound I bought a Denon AVR-3808CI. So I thought my system was pretty simple. I know the 3808CI is old, but it had HDMI and it is in pristine condition and it is all I can afford since being retired.The audio via the HDTV and DVD thru the 3808CI really sounds great. The only problem I have is when I open Netflix thru my Vizio TV, the video part is fine but the audio is from the last TV channel I was watching. Vizio internet support said to run either a digital Optical cable or analog 3.5mm/red&white RCA cable to the Denon and it would work fine. I've tried both cables and still have the same exact problem. I have my FIOS going into the 3808CI HDMI-3 (TV/CBL) and my DVD going into the 3808CI HDMI-1 (DVD). The HDTV is connected via HDMI using the 3808CI Monitor output. I now have the Optical cable running from the HDTV output into the 3808CI OPTICAL-3 input and I set the Source Select to TV/CBL- ASSIGN HDMI to 3 and DIGITAL to OPT3. I still have the same problem! What am I missing?? Thanks in advance!