3806 Firmware Upgrade Questions

[avliner]

Hi guys,

have been reading a lot about the latest firware upgrade here and over at AVS and it seems that there are some risks involved when you do that.

AFAIK, the main reason for such an upgrade is to enable the 3806 to get 7.1 PCM, so you'll be fine when using both, BD & HD DVD players.

I've been checking the current firmware and have found the following:

MAIN: VEROO. 59
SUB: VEROO. 49
DSP: VEROO. 45

Latest firmware figures should be (I've downloaded it):

MAIN: VEROO.76
SUB: VEROO.56
DSP: VEROO.45

In other hand, I don't have any HD player for the time being (and not planning to get one, until the format war settles down), so my question is:

how worhty and safe is to make such an upgrade, just for basically the sake of getting 7.1 PCM over HDMI??

Could you guys shed some light on this for me??

Bottom line is that if risks involved are a real possibility, I might as well leave the current firmware untouched and keep enjoying my 3806 the way I've been doing thus far.

Cheers!

 

[avliner]

Is there anybody willing to chime in??

 

[xboxweasel]

Well, I can't say that I have upgraded the firmware in a piece of stereo equipment yet. But I have never had a problem upgrading the firmware in my PC (motherboard BIOS, DVD rom), PS3, xbox, xbox360, etc.

I think it is a cool feature. If you can get 7.1 PCM support through a software patch versus buying a new receiver, then that's just bloody awesome.

My thoughts:

If you don't need those extra features right now, and feel uncomfortable, then wait. Maybe by the time you want to do it you will have some feedback from other users.

Is this firmware update a release by Denon? Are they guaranteeing the firmware upgrade at all (in case something does go wrong)? What about taking it to a certified Denon dealer and letting them do it for you? Maybe the liability is on them then. Is the receiver itself still under warranty?

 

[avaserfi]

If you check out AVS they talk about it quiet a bit in the 3806 thread. Mine came with the newer firmware and my suggestion is don't bother if you don't need the added functionality.

 

[avliner]

Thanks guys,

matter of fact I don't need it right now, but it's always good to know that something can be done to improve functionalities though.

My 3806 is not under warranty anymore. According to the firmware theard over at AVS, such firmware applies to both, 3806 & 4306.

It's quite easy to check your current firmware version, though, but as I said before, I've never did any AVR upgrade so far.

 

[avliner]

Question about 7.1 LPCM processing

I have one more question I'd like to share with you guys regarding to the LPCM processing stuff; I mean, my 3806 - the way it is now (without the latest firmware upgrade) - does process 5.1 LPCM normally.

In other hand, the DPLIIx processing allows the 2 rear surrounds to get the sound as well, so my question is:

will I be fine to get 7.1 LCPM (analog multi channel input) if I plug, let's say, a BD or HD DVD into it, or there's no way at all to get it, unless I do the firmware upgrade??

Thanks for any further comments!