Help with Denon 3808CI - Zone-2

[solomr2]

I'm just not finding it in the book. I want to change input source to DVD or XBOX (current on HDP) for Zone-2, but nothing happens. I can select Tuner, and that works, but the HDMI digital sources don't seem to work on Zone-2.

Anyone have any idea how I can listing to any HDMI source on Zone-2 on the Denon 3808 receiver?

Also, can you change the output speaker setup on Zone-2 without changing the speaker setup in the main zone? For example, can I have 2-channel stereo pure direct on Zone-2, while still having 5.1 on the Main zone?

Thanks.

 

[solomr2]

Anyone have any suggestions?

I have assigned the HDMI ports and I can receive and listen to all the input sources on Main zone, but not on Zone-2. I can select them when I am on zone-2, and the display shows they are selected as input sources for zone-2. I have zone-2 powered on, and I can get sound when I select Tuner, but no sound at all when I select any of my HDMI sources as input for Zone-2. Other controls seem to be working, like I can turn sound up/down, switch sources, etc. but no sound comes out when the source is any of my HDMI inputs.

Has anyone been able to get HDMI inputs to play on Zone-2?

 

[solomr2]

YIKES!!!

I just found the problem... there is a little footnote in the book that says the following;

"Digital audio signals input from the HDMI connectors cannot be played in multi-zone".

That SUCKS, but it seems to explain why I can't hear HDMI audio sources on Zone-2, even though they can be selected as input sources (which is very misleading). This is a limitation I didn't know about or it may have been a deciding factor when I was buying the Denon.

I'm going to experiment with different connection options to see if my input devices can simultaneously output on both HDMI and component. Boy this was not in the plans.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

You just to run a redundant analog signal to the devices you want in zone 2.

 

[solomr2]

You just to run a redundant analog signal to the devices you want in zone 2.

Yeah, that's what it looks like. However, this means more cables and somewhat diminishes the perceived value of using HDMI cables. Also, I'm not sure all devices are capable of producing a PCM analog signal as well as a digital HDMI signal (I'm glad I bought the Oppo 980 and not the 981).

 

[AVRat]

I don't know of any source component that doesn't send the analog stereo signal and digital simultaneously.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Yep...I have around 5 thousand cables because of this but who cares; you still can have just one going to the display.

Yeah, that's what it looks like. However, this means more cables and somewhat diminishes the perceived value of using HDMI cables. Also, I'm not sure all devices are capable of producing a PCM analog signal as well as a digital HDMI signal (I'm glad I bought the Oppo 980 and not the 981).

 

[solomr2]

I don't know of any source component that doesn't send the analog stereo signal and digital simultaneously.

Yeah, I was fortunate so far with my DVR and my DVD player... I had a some RCA cables around and already verified they both work. However, if I recall correctly the Oppo 981 doesn't have analog outputs.

My XBox is the only one left, I will likely wait until I get my new cables I ordered from Monoprice before I test it.

 

[solomr2]

Yep...I have around 5 thousand cables because of this but who cares; you still can have just one going to the display.

Well, I care. I don't have the cables to start with, again, I don't quite understand why Denon cannot output digital to multi-zones. Seems to me this is a limitation that should be easy to overcome if they wanted to.

 

[Stoner51]

If you read the specs from the denon website it says

http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/AVReceivers.asp
Digital to Analog conversion for multi-zone connection flexibility

Isn't that what you want?
I am curious as to why it won't work.
steve

*that may be just for audio

 

[solomr2]

If you read the specs from the denon website it says

http://usa.denon.com/ProductDetails/AVReceivers.asp
Digital to Analog conversion for multi-zone connection flexibility

Isn't that what you want?
I am curious as to why it won't work.
steve

*that may be just for audio

I don't know why Denon can't do this. They have the DACs. I bought it thinking it could do this, but then I discovered the fine print I posted in post #3 above.