Denon AVR-3808CI Receiver Review

[mike c]

i setup my 3808 yesterday ... i didn't use the auto setup.
i used my SPL meter to balance the channels, and i pretty much know the actual distance of my speakers.

my question is, am I wasting the 3808's "powers" by doing the setup manually? should i let it do the audyssey stuff?

 

[solomr2]

It only takes a few minutes to do Aud setup, and I highly recommend you try it and see if you like the results. I was astonished by how accurate it was with the measurements it came up with for speaker distance. However, in the end I found audyssey setting a bit flat for movies, but perfect for music. I decided to boost my sub my rear surrounds a bit to add a little more ambient sound for movies. When I listen to stereo music, I switch it back to Audyssey.

 

[mike c]

thanks, i almost wholly use this setup for movies - so music doesn't enter the picture here

 

[brulaha]

Audyessy does a lot more than just set speaker distances and trim levels. It actually re-eq's your whole system, and it doesn't use a parametric eq from what I understand. It's actually analyzing the entire frequency spectrum and making hundreds of modifications to the signal to provide a flat response. I have had a very good experience using it. I'm sure it will vary room to room. I think for the best results you want to group the mic locations around the main listening position or a couple main seats, and not all over the room. I also used a tripod as recommended when I set up mine. I believe the mic is very very sensitive. Try it and see if you like it.

 

[mike c]

ill try asap i only have two listening positions

 

[Epetrone]

3808 HDMI Problems

I have had this reciever for about 4 months now and I have had zero issues with HDMI. I have a Directv dvr and a PS3 hooked up. the picture never flickers once selected on that output. I do notice on initial selection of the source it take about half a second to get the "lock" on the signal and then everything is perfect. I hope you get your problems resolved quickly so you can enjoy this reciever as much as i do.

 

[solomr2]

Are you using 1080p resolution for your devices going through the Denon?

I'm curious if my problems are related to the high resolution. When I connect my XBOX and my DVD player directly to the TV at 1080p, I have no flickering problems at all from either device. But going through the Denon they both flicker, the XBOX especially. However, my Comcast Motorola DVR which is only outputting 1080i doesn't flicker at all.

I've tried everything I can think of, even switched cables around trying different cables to make sure the problem was not related to bad HDMI cables (I use the top of the line BlueJeans HDMI cables, short runs of 3 and 4 feet). I also downloaded all the patches from Denon, Microsoft and Oppo, which helped a little, but it still flickers quite a bit.

I talked to Denon twice, they insist it's not their problem, and one guy started telling me Oppo is cheap Korean crap. I inquired if they would consider repairing my receiver, but the problem is they want me to send it in at my own expense, and they want 6-8 weeks before they return it. That's just unbearable for me.

I'm so frustrated with this damn annoying flickering, I have seriously considered buying another receiver. However, I heard the Pioneer Elite receivers also have this problem. I don't know about others.

 

[mike c]

i'm re-learning the menus ...
but have a few questions:
1) my SD DVD is connected to the 3808 using HDMI - picture is fine, but audio takes quite a bit too long to cut back in when going from a menu to a specific chapter. (think scene selection OR LFE demo disc)

yes I could use optical, but that would prevent me from using my ONE and ONLY DVD-audio disc.

2) it's not upscaling my composite input to HDMI output. i already set the settings to "upconvert" ... my previous 2307 was like this as well BUT after awhile, it fixed itself (yes, really) with my 2307, whenever i want to see the SMS-1 video, i had to switch the source on my projector. one day, it just worked, outputting suddenly on HDMI.

 

[Epetrone]

HDMI flicker

Not sure if you last post was talking to me directly, but I only get the half second flicker with the PS3 over HDMI. My Directv box does not do it. Not sure what the problem is, but at the fraction of a second it flickers, it does not bother me. If you are really bothered by it, buy another and put old one in the box. hahaha. Just kidding.

 

[brulaha]

I have a half a second delay too. That is it, nothing that bothers me. I use HDMI audio from all of my sources. I don't have any optical connections.

In regards to transcoding, I just attached my computer to my receiver (video only at present) using an S Video cable into the receiver. It has no problems converting it to HDMI and sending to the display. Under manual settings, HDMI, you have to make sure you have A to H selected for the receiver to take advantage of this feature.

 

[mike c]

i think i did check the a to h thing. i'll verify if the setting was saved.

mine does more than a few seconds ... maybe 4-5 seconds
chapter to chapter is fine, but jumping TO a chapter has this delay.

 

[brulaha]

I have a feeling that the delay might be in issue with the DVD player your using. I think some players just negotiate the HDMI handshake better than other players. I bought a phillips player and couldn't use the HDMI connection at all. I changed it out with a Sony player and had no problems. Other than that, I don't have an explanation.

As for the transcoding I'm also unsure. I really have had the type of problems your indicating. I don't know if this is a helpful suggestion, but did you think about trying to upgrade the firmware and see if that helps?

 

[mike c]

is the network connection the only way to upgrade a receiver? can i use a flash disk? dvd player (with disc)?

i don't think there's a 3808 firmware update

http://www.usa.denon.com/ProductUpdatesUpgrades.asp

+ the fact my unit is NON-CI

anyway, it's no biggie, i'll figure something out.

 

[solomr2]

I believe the firmware upgrades for 3808 and new receivers in the Denon lineup are no longer available except through network. They don't even list them on the site anymore. You have to connect the network cable to your router, and then go into the manual setup and select the check for updates option. It does the rest on its own.

As for those reporting and asking about flickering issues;
My flickering problem occurs not at switching or when first initializing the connection, but during actual playback of the source, sometimes several minutes after the source is already connected. I notice it most when text is on the screen, especially when I'm playing XBOX 360 games.

I have the latest firmware updates for all my devices, including the Denon 3808CI. The problem is persistent. The only thing I can do to correct it is to switch off to another source for a second, and then switch back (this was recommend by Denon). This causes the receiver to renegotiate the HDCP handshake. However, this only clears the problem for a few minutes at a time, then it starts flickering again within 5-10 minutes.

My settings on the Denon are set to auto detect the incoming signals. On my XBOX 360 Elite and on my Oppo DVD player, I am outputting 1080p. My Comcast DVR is outputting 1080i. I don't have any flickering problems at all with the Comcast device, only the XBOX and the Oppo, both of which are outputting 1080p.

I'd like to hear from other owners of the Denon receivers if they are having any issues with 1080p input sources. This seems to be the key.

 

[brulaha]

Solomr2, Maybe you can contact Gene DellaSala and see if he has any suggestions for you. I'm pretty sure he has a relationship with Denon, and is supposed to be doing a podcast with them soon.

Mike c, I think Solomr2 is right, in that you have to check via the network to see if you can upgrade your firmware. I've never done it as I've never had any problems with my unit and didn't want to risk it.

 

[solomr2]

Solomr2, Maybe you can contact Gene DellaSala and see if he has any suggestions for you. I'm pretty sure he has a relationship with Denon, and is supposed to be doing a podcast with them soon.

Mike c, I think Solomr2 is right, in that you have to check via the network to see if you can upgrade your firmware. I've never done it as I've never had any problems with my unit and didn't want to risk it.

Thanks. Umm, who is Mr. DellaSala, and how do I contact him?

Thanks again.

 

[brulaha]

Gene is the owner of this web site...http://www.audioholics.com/Members/Gene/biography-1/

I believe you can contact him at gene at avrant dot com. I'm not sure if they have that up and running yet.

 

[jiro77]

AVR-3808 HDMI random drop outs

I recently submitted the following to Denon's online support. I guess I'll see what they say in a couple days and post back....

Using HDMI, why does the input signal randomly dropout for 2-3 seconds every 1-3 hours of normal operation?

model #AVR-3808CI

The input signal dropout is observed on the receiver's display. The signal drops out, then it is restored, and resumes normal operation. During the dropout there is no sound from the reciever, or video on my sony 52XBR4.

At first I thought it was my Motorola cable (Comcast) box, but the problem also happens when I am using my Playstation 3. Then I tried replacing my HDMI cables. Both cable box and PS3 connections use BJC Belden Series-F2 HDMI cable from bluejeanscable.com and are 3 feet in length. Bluejeanscable.com states that the Belden Series-F2 HDMI cable is HDMI1.3a certified. Also, I am using a Monster Power HDP 2400 power conditoner to supply power for all devices. Any ideas on what might be happening?

Additional info:

Playstation3 is conncted to the DVD HDMI port of the receiver. (3ft)
Motorola cable box is connected to the TV/SAT HDMI port of the receiver. (3ft)
Sony 52XBR4 is connected to the Monitor HDMI port of the receiver (8ft)

All 3 devices use the BJC Belden series-F2 HDMI cable.

For the most part I really love the receiver. Using HDMI, the receiver works with my PS3 and cable box, except for the random dropouts.

 

[jiro77]

One more thing for AVR-3808 owners...

If you want wireless ethernet capabilities, use a ethernet gaming adapter. I store all my music on my laptop and stream flac music files with Vista. I can also stream .wav music files that were encoded in DTS 5.1ch, and the reciever will play 5.1ch. One of my favorite features of the receiver.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I have never had a signal issue and I use the exact same HDMI cables. Have you done a recent firmware upgrade?