The "Official" Denon AVR-3808CI Thread - Page 657

A few guesses here:

The 3808 has separate speaker settings for 2CH vs. Multi-Channel. The menu system is a train wreck, but you need to make sure that the your 2CH set-up is "small" for the L/R, with an appropriate crossover. Again, these are not the same settings as available under "Speakers"; they are unique to 2CH. Poke around and you should find them.

Also, if you are in "Direct", you will only get out what is coming in. IIRC, there is a toggle on the remote that takes you from Direct to Stereo. If you have the 3808 set for 2.1 (as mentioned above), that toggle will go from L/R to L/R + Sub with 2CH sources.

Good luck.

Brian

Edit: Sorry..I missed that the 3808 is showing MC In. That said, I think each input has a downmix option. If you are set-up with a 2.1 arrangement, I think the downmix option would need to be on.
Edited by BGLeduc - 1/9/13 at 9:11am

Thanks for the help. Where can I find downmix option?

BTW, I believe something is really messed up in my AVR. This morning, I played a mp3 song through WDTV player (Western Digital). I see that AVR is showing as "LF/LR" under source even though it shows the source is "Dolby Digital II cinema" . I will keep trying some other sources as well.

I will have to go look later today....as I said, the menu structure on the 3808 is, IMHO, a complete train wreck. i don't recall if it is a global setting or if it is specific to the input. I think it is global, but will have to confirm that.

The display is showing you what the AVR is doing with the 2 CH source. It is saying it is decoding it with PL II Cinema mode. If you hit the "Direct/Stereo" button on the remote, it should change to say "Stereo". if you them hit the "Surround" button, it will cycle through the decoding options.

Brian
Edited by BGLeduc - 1/9/13 at 1:25pm

This is normal. PLII Cinema is not a source, it's an upmix algorithm (post processing) that takes a 2ch input and scales it up to 5.1 channels. So it is correct to see a 2ch (FL/FR) source INPUT and then a 5.1 OUTPUT to the speakers.

Ha. This is good to know. Thanks. I guess, sometimes too many options to tweak with is a nightmare.

Yes. I noticed the toggle part. Please let me know the downmix part when you get a chance. Thanks in advance.

Manual Setup/Audio

The paper manual does say that it will output to the L & R when not using center and surround channels.

Good luck.

Brian

Question for Denon owners: at this point, is it worth getting a used 3808 for ~$450 or go with one of the newer 3311/3312/3313 models? I'm guessing the 3808 can drive 4 ohm speakers better and have a generally better amplifier section, but how much of this is evened out by the features/better menu systems of the newer (and lighter) 331x models?

I would probably go with a newer unit even though the amp section is going to be weaker. You get preamp out with something like the 3312ci, so adding more power is an option. The video processing will be better in the 3312ci vs. the 3808. HT Labs tested both receivers. The 3808 does 113.5w x7 and the 3312ci does 79.5w x 7. Accessories4less has the 3312ci for $670 then add another $70 for an extended 5-year warranty.

I have a 5308ci and I'd probably go out and buy a 4520ci if mine died since I already have an external amp. Hopefully mine won't die until something useful, like Dolby Atmos, makes it into the home.

It's hard to say how much is "evened out" by the newer features. It depends if you will use them or not. The 3808 has a much beefier amp section than the recent 33xx models. And it has the same MultEQ XT. A big factor will be whether this used one has the Dyn EQ / Vol upgrade package.

If you don't care about 3D support, Airplay, or other more current network streaming option like pandora, then the 3808 is a solid bet. You certainly won't find that much sound quality for the $$$.

Yes using it like that (and I do) that $450 price looks mighty attractive if it has the upgrade package.

Anyone using PSB speakers with the 3808.

Been a very happy user of an AVR-3808ci since 2008 with daily use without any issues. An issue arose within the last week where there appears to be some type of HDMI handshake issue. The issue presents itself randomly with a an interruption in video and audio signal for less than a second. It sometimes happens only once every 15 minutes or so, and other times it will happen every 30 seconds or so repeatedly. The display on the 3808 also flashes to no connection momentarily.

Here is my Setup.

Denon AVR3808CI
Pioneer Elite PRO-111FD
Motorola DCH3416
Sony BDP-S550
Dune Smart H1

All components are connected to the AVR3808ci via HDMI. There is only one HDMI cable running from the AVR to the display.

The issue presents itself on both the Sony BDP-S550, and the Motorola DCH3416. So far in testing it doesn't appear to impact the Dune, maybe the Dune doesn't do HDCP, thus no issue?

I have updated the firmware to the most recent version, and done a Microprocessor reset. But the issues still persist. Next on the list is to run a new HDMI cable between the display and the AVR (no easy task - I have conduit but i need to remove the display-mount completely from the wall in order to access the one side of the conduit).

Could something in the unit be going bad? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

disconnect all hdmi cables (including at the display) and remove power from the AVR. let it sit like that for half an hour or so. connect everything again and see what happens.

Yes. Image series and I love my set up. The only problem was the PSB sub that capped out 3 times.

Just tried this, and I am still having the same issue.

Due to the fact that I am not having the issue with the Dune player do you think the issue lies with HDCP? What would cause this?

Not sure what the Motorola and Sony are (players?) but have you switched the cables from them to different AVR inputs?

The Motorola is the Comcast HD-DVR, and the Sony is a Blu-ray player. I have tried switching them to different inputs with the same results.

I am ordering a new Monoprice HDMI cable (9173) for the display to test out to see if that makes a difference. Maybe the signal isn't strong enough, but I don't know why that would have happened after 5 years.

Then you have not ruled out the cable from the devices to the AVR.

How long is the cable to the display?

what length of cables do you have going between your devices and AVR? If you search around the web (i've experienced it myself) you can see instances where odd issues, especially handshakes, exist when using hdmi cables shorter than 6ft in length.

The length of the cable to the display is 50' through conduit to the display which is above the fireplace. It's been 5 years with absolutely no issues though. I am going to order a new cable to see if that solves the issue.

That is a bit long. Maybe corrosion has affected it. Some people use video processors like DVDO for long runs because they typically put out a bit stronger HDMI signal.

I've been using PSB Century speakers with Denon amps for about 14 years now. Very highly recommended.

and i meant the cable/disc players that are exhibiting the handshake issues. If the cables going from those devices INTO your AVR are less than 6ft, they could potentially be your gremlins. I know it's been working just fine until now, but I experienced similar issues in a setup that had been working just fine and they went away when I replaced my 1.5' and 3' cables with 6' cables. Buy some 6 footers from monoprice and see. You might also want to look into the monoprice HDMI with Redmere cables for that distance between the AVR and display.

I will be giving that all a shot. I just purchased the Monoprice 30' HDMI Cable with Redmere. And I am using shorter HDMI cables for the two trouble components, so I will try swapping those out as well. I will report back here once they all come in.

I know this is just me complaining but I think HDMI stinks. I love HD A\V but what a bad implementation. I have had both expensive and cheap cables go bad at the ridiculous connector. On top of that HDCP just makes it worse. A lot worse.

You're not the only one.... I can't even imagine how much shorter all these Denon owner's threads would be if HDMI was as simple and robust as, say, component video. Plug it in, it works, boom!

For that long of a run, you are probably better suited to run CAT5E/CAT6 and use HDMI baluns. I've had some less than desireable results running HDMI longer than 35ft.

I have never been sorry I bought the 3808. It is an amazing product, and I am very very happy with it. Yes, the menus leave a bit to be desired, but who plays with those all the time? Set it up and forget it.
I recently purchased an Emotiva XPA-5, to see if it would make a difference. And to my ears, yes, it is an improvement, though not night and day. So if you plan on adding an external amp down the road, you might want to get the newer versions with all the new features.

I have several problems with my 3808A (just upgraded with the denon kit to A2.04)

Receiver can't see True HD (all another fomats, DD,DTS,DTSMA works fine) and have freezes playing music from USB.
Also, when playing music from media server (UPNP is ON, and i checked with 3 different PC) I get "server error" or ''network problem" message periodically (sometimes it plays for an hour and sometimes for 5 min, before "server error"). May be some one know how to fix it?

(I have marantz SR5006 else, and it works fine with the same media server)