Fairly new and very frustrated needs help with Denon 3805 setup.

[LCRush]

I have just connected Polk speakers, 5.1. I have a Samsung HL-5067W TV. I cannot do an Auto Setup for my new Denon AVR-3805. No mic came with it, but one did for my VelodyneSPL-800R sub. I used this mic to set up the Sub equalizer with with no problems. Since it fit the mic input for the Denon AVR, I thought it would work to do the auto setup. It does not. I am having difficulties with playing CDs and DVDs on my Denon DVD-2910. The setting that stays most consistant on the AVR is 7-channnel for TV. I only have 5 channel speakers, but I know that is not really a problem. It is not doing the setup. My remote works for some things and not others and has new batteries. I would think Denon would provide a mic for the auto setup, but they don't and state it is an optional piece of equipment. Does anyone know why the Velodyne mic does not work? Has anyone had a lot of experience doing a setup for Denon AVRs? I am frustrated even though all the speakers work.
Thanks for any suggestions or help.
Larry

 

[MDS]

The Velodyne mic may not work for any number of reasons. I'm just speculating but it might not be an omnidirectional mic, it might require phantom power, it may not be of the correct impedance, etc.

You can always calibrate the receiver manually.

 

[LCRush]

I have taken the fact the this mic is not the right kind. I asked two, so called experts, and they both stated that they THOUGHT it would work. I will just get a meter and do the setup manually, per Avia. I just like things to work the way they say they should. I still am having trouble knowing how and what to input in the setup, even manually. I cannot use the Avia guide, unless I can get the DVD player to show onscreen.
Any more suggestions will be appreciated.
Larry

 

[MDS]

Ok, I thought the main issue was with calibrating the receiver; ie making the sound level of each channel the same, but now I get the feeling that you need help with more general setup first.

You should start with one component at a time - say the DVD player first. Is that the kind of setup information you need?

 

[nova]

Larry,
Do you happen to have a Radio Shack SPL meter? If so it will work fine with the 3805. I have run the auto cal with both the Radio Shack SPL and the Denon mic, there was very, very little diference.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Ok, I thought the main issue was with calibrating the receiver; ie making the sound level of each channel the same, but now I get the feeling that you need help with more general setup first.

You should start with one component at a time - say the DVD player first. Is that the kind of setup information you need?

This is good advice. I'd also suggest sitting in front of the unit with the manual, and experimenting. You can use all the controls on the receiver without having to use the remote. Once you've mastered the controls on the receiver, then take on the remote. It's not a user friendly remote, as it will dim after 20-30 seconds.

Many claim the auto set up is overrated. You can get excellent results manually with a little time. (a tape measure to the seating position works wonders) Don't forget speaker position/angle is just as important as getting the receiver tweaked properly.

You should read through the manual 2-3x when you have some bathroom/evening time.

If you have specific questions, just ask. I'm pretty versed on the 3805. It's quite a learning curve.

 

[LCRush]

Thanks to all of you who are responding. The learning curve on the AVR remote is overwhelming. You are so right about the remote backlight going off after a short time. Who thinks of these things when they are planning new equipment? I think I have the HDMI Samsung with audio from the Denon AVR working pretty well. Tomorrow, someone will come over and to help me. I hope he can answer all of my problems. If I can get the DVD to work, I think I can calibrate everything. I had planned to use a RadioShack meter and will purchase it later after I mount the speakers. I will then try to recalculate the speakers. Since you are familiar with this AVR unit, I may continue to call upon your expertise.
Larry

 

[JVC]

You may have to use s-video for the OSD (on screen display). I've read where folks have problems getting OSD to work with HDMI and component inputs.
Good luck!

 

[Snap]

No problems. The most comon mistake with the 2910 and HDMI is the the push button on the front. Telling the DVD player to go out HDMI. The second is people forget to hook it to the TV with the TV's inputs being set to the HDMI video selction. What happens is you hook up the HDMI cable to your tv. Make sure that the TV is set to the video inputs for HDMI. Then select HDMI on the 2910. It will blink. That is cause the 2910 is checking the HDMI cable, and the TV's ability to receive it. If you do not have the TV on and the right video selecton on the TV, it will not work. (Common mistake) Once that is done you can now use the 2910 via HDMI. You can also use the DVD menu to set up the 2910.

As for the 3805 hook that up to your TV via component cable, select the right inputs on the TV and then you can use the on screen display to work the 3805.

Manual calbration is the best way to go anyways. The mic I only use to set speaker distance and give me a ruff start at calibrating.

Good luck.

PS: The Radio Shack SPL is the way to go.

 

[eirepaul]

3805 is great, but.....

I love my 3805, but I eventually got too frustrated with the remote and got a Harmony remote instead - much more user-friendly. The Denon remote looked very cool, but that wasn't enough for me.

I have the Denon mic, but I haven't been in too much of a hurry to check out the auto set-up. I am very satisfied with my manual set-up procedure (RS meter and tape meaure). I also have read that the auto-calibration is over-rated. Just go through the OSD menu slowly, step by step,and you will become familiar with it. It's fairly logical. Good luck - it's a great unit.

 

[LCRush]

Again, thanks to all who are replying. I had a so-called expert come over to help me. He couldn't figure out anything! He has a degree in electrical engineering, but was more confused and understood less than I did. He did not help, at all, and had the nerve to charge me $50.00. I did not want a scene so i paid. I finally called tecnical support from where I purchased the equipment. The techi was fantastic. I had talked with others, but this guy knew it. We did, as was suggested above, just used the front buttons on the AVR. I got the DVD to work with the onscreen setup for the audio. With his help, I was able to get everything to work, again with only the buttons on the front of the AVR. We spent over one hour doing this, and he never rushed me or seemed frustrated. He said after I try to use the remote, if I was still having difficulties, call him back and he would go through the remote step by step. I found this company, from whom I purchased everything, the least expensive for almost everything with no shipping charges. I am not sure I should post their name on this forum, but anyone can email me if they want the name: l_rush@hotmail.com
I am going to call Denon and see if they have suggestions for learning the remote.

 

[LCRush]

I am still learning, but slowly I am getting able to do more and more. It has been suggested that I buy the Denon mic (I heard around $60.00!) as well as the SPL meter from RadioShack. Using the mic first and than the meter, with a final look at each set-up area manually, will fine tune to the max. Any comments?

I used monster cable for all of my speakers, except the LR and LF front speakers. I ran out of wire and purchased RadioShacks 16 guage speaker wire. Now that everthing is connected and working, should I order Monster cable for these two speakers? Will I hear a sound difference?

 

[jaxvon]

Unless your front two speakers have really long runs (like 100ft), you aren't going to hear an audible difference.

 

[Buckle-meister]

It has been suggested that I buy the Denon mic (I heard around $60.00!) as well as the SPL meter from RadioShack. Using the mic first and than the meter, with a final look at each set-up area manually, will fine tune to the max.

You will only need one or the other, not both.

Regards

 

[LCRush]

Thanks for the helpful info. I purchased the mic. It should arrive next week. I hope to have all my speakers mounted and then I can run the setup. I already like what I hear, even with the center speaker and the two surround speakers on the floor.

 

[LCRush]

JVC, you were so right. I called Denon Tech Support and they not only said the OSD should work with a video cable from the Denon 3805 AVR monitor output to the Samsung DLP AV1 input. They even referenced the pages in their instruction manual, which stated the same thing. It never did work, so I purchased a S-Video cable and hooked it up from the monitor output to the AV1 input and it worked!

 

[JVC]

Glad it worked out for you!
Good luck! When you get everything set right, let us know how you like it?