Denon AVR-3311CI Zone 2

[Cygnus]

Hi all, long time no see!

I just recently moved into an apartment and have my Denon AVR-3311 hooked up in the living room to my 46" Samsung. I also have another new smaller Samsung in my bedroom, and I'd like to be able to watch what is playing through the receiver on the other TV. The problem is that my Apple TV2 and PS3 are hooked up through HDMI. There is a Zone two composite output on the receiver, but I can't downconvert from HDMI to Composite, obviously, so that's ruled out.

Now, there is a HDMI Monitor 2 output on the back of the receiver. Can I hook that up to the other TV and have it send video and sound to the other TV, or is there a better (or none at all?) way to do this? Edit: Also, I have two speakers I can use in the bedroom as well, so I don't need to use the TV speakers, if I can get away with it.

Thanks,
Travis

 

[Adam]

Hi, Travis. Yes, the HDMI Monitor 2 will send video and audio to your second TV. Some things to consider:

• It won't send a signal out through both HDMI outputs on the back panel. You need to toggle between them, which you can do using the "Monitor Select" button on the remote control (or by going through the receiver's menu).
• It won't send audio through the HDMI outputs and to the speakers at the same time, so you need to toggle between those settings if you normally play HDMI audio through your speakers.
• This thread is similar. I point it out because it was mentioned that the receiver might set the HDMI video output resolution to the smaller of the two connected displays, and it's something to be aware of if you notice something looking different on your TV.

Do you already use the pre-amp outputs on the Denon?

 

[Cygnus]

Thanks Adam!

That's awesome that it'll do that.

So, what I got from that other thread was that if the second TV is on, the first one will have a lower resolution than if the second TV is off, correct?

Also, in regards to the speakers, I'm assuming that - with a DAC in place - I should be able to send the sound of the source over those speakers in the other room - over Zone 2?

I'm not using the pre-outs at the memnt, but I can if need be, with my Denon AVR1706.

 

[Cygnus]

Also, both TV's will output the same resolutions, which may or may not affect the end result?

Why does the sound on the main speakers shut off when Monitor 2 is selected?

 

[Adam]

So, what I got from that other thread was that if the second TV is on, the first one will have a lower resolution than if the second TV is off, correct?

Dang, my mind was a bit slow on that one. Your receiver won't output to both at the same time, so I think that you've got nothing to worry about. Sorry.

Also, in regards to the speakers, I'm assuming that - with a DAC in place - I should be able to send the sound of the source over those speakers in the other room - over Zone 2?

I'm not using the pre-outs at the memnt, but I can if need be, with my Denon AVR1706.

Ahhh, I missed your edit about having speakers in the bedroom. Are you planning on using the Zone 2 speaker connections, or the Zone 2 audio out connections? I ask because digital audio inputs might not be converted into analog outputs for the Zone 2 audio out connections (I'd check your manual, but don't have time at the moment). So, we'll need to work through a couple of details, but you can get audio sent to those two speakers.

 

[Cygnus]

Dang, my mind was a bit slow on that one. Your receiver won't output to both at the same time, so I think that you've got nothing to worry about. Sorry.

All good! Yeah, I wont be using both displays at the same time anyways, so that'll be okay.

Ahhh, I missed your edit about having speakers in the bedroom. Are you planning on using the Zone 2 speaker connections, or the Zone 2 audio out connections? I ask because digital audio inputs might not be converted into analog outputs for the Zone 2 audio out connections (I'd check your manual, but don't have time at the moment). So, we'll need to work through a couple of details, but you can get audio sent to those two speakers.

Either way works for me because this point because the main room at the moment would only be 5.0, and I can just use the Surround Back terminals for the Zone 2 speakers. Also I could use 2 DAC's (one for the ATV2, and one for the PS3) for zone two audio, as the 3311 wont send HDMI audio over zone 2. Although, I think the Denon will send PCM2.0 toslink over Zone 2, just not anything else, so that should be okay for playing music.

I wonder if - like the ATV2 - the PS3's toslink connection is always active alongside the HDMI one?

I may upgrade to 7.0 at some point though, in which case I'd use the old Denon to power the second zone in the bedroom anyways.