Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions 3808ci owners, help changing music/cinema, etc.

Ok, on my 2805 if I was listening to Diana Krall in "Stereo" mode, then decided to try Dolby PLIIx Music mode, there was a button on the remote, "music", which allowed me to cycle through the options game/cinema/music easily. My 3808ci seems to be "locked" on cinema mode. How the heck do I easily try different modes.

I've looked in the GUI, but can't seem to locate anything. At one point I found a spot where you could tell the Denon that the "rear" speakers would be in Matrix, EX, etc. modes, now I can't find that anywhere...this is one reason I hate Denon's, not user friendly.

You hate Denons? Why'd you by another one?

you got me, arggg. this is just crazy, I should be able to cycle through different modes easily....

Did you try pressing the surround mode button (eg Dolby PLIIx) to cycle through? That's how my H/K works.

That is what I'm trying to do. On the 2805 remote, there was a Standard button. When you were in Movie mode it would cycle through Dolby PLIIx Cinema, DTS Neo?, etc. When in Music mode, it would cycle through Dolby PLIIx Music, DTS, etc.

I just can't figure it out, the first night I had it, I was able to hit "Standard" and it would do like you say, now it is locked on Cinema mode. I can go into the GUI and change the default to Music, then that sticks. But, for movies I don't want that.

I even tried to turn off "auto surround". I'm sure I am doing something stupid..where are all the 3808 owners.

I don't want to read the dreaded manual...

I have the same issue. The way I resolved it was to use two of the three quick select buttons, one for the cinemas and the other for music (the third is for analog multi-in). Mind you, this is convenient for me because I only have one input source.

I can't help, but I can sympathize. Denon's manuals and remotes suck. My best suggestion is to get a good programmable remote and program the buttons to do what you want. Even that is iffy because Denon remotes don't always have commands to learn how to do this. The Harmony One is a great option.

If it makes you feel any better, I recently got a 3808 as a gift from my daughter. I hooked it up for 2 days and promptly reverted back to my 2308. The extra power and network connectivity are just not worth the extra aggravation.

Just hit the standard button to go back to dolby PLIIX Randy

that is the problem Lorenzo, the Standard button does nothing. If you read what I said above, the standard button on my 2805 allowed me to cycle through the various options; game, cinema, music for PLIIx. Right now when I watch movies it is on "Dolby + PLIIx Cinema" which is what I want for movies. However, if I am listening to music or Pandora on my HTPC, I used to be able to hit "Standard" and change to PLIIx Music.

Are you using the actual Denon supplied remote or a Harmony or other remote Randy? I myself have never been able to get a handle on the Denon remote as I find it is too easy to get it switched into another mode that won't control the receiver. Maybe that is the problem you're having here.

OK. So I dug out my Denon remote for the 3808. In the amp mode which means that the amp mode in the top left should be flashing,
I can get the 3808 to cycle through the cinema, theatre, and other DSP modes by hitting the SIMU button. To go back to dolby PLIIX etc. I just keep hitting the standard button.

At least that's how mine works. I generally use my Harmony One which actually has separate buttons for almost all the advanced DSPs.

Sorry Randy I understand what you are saying now. I too can't find anything directly on the remote to switch between PLIIX Cinema or Music. Maybe you have to do this through the Menu on the Receiver?

The Denon main remote with touch pad, I don't own any other remotes. Are you talking about the "extra" modes like theater, stadium, etc.? I don't use those, I'm trying to cycle through the various PLIIx modes. Say I'm listening to music streaming on the internet, I normally use the stereo/direct modes, but sometimes I like to hit "Standard" and use PLIIx Music. Right now it is defaulting to PLIIx Cinema and won't change no matter how many times I hit the "Standard" button.

If I read the manual right, if I have "back" speakers turned on, then I should have options like Matrix on/off, EX, ES, for movies as well. Just seems to be locked on PLIIx Cinema.

It is strange that my older 2805 had a more friendly remote. The 3808 comes with a second remote for other rooms, but it does not seem to have the same buttons either...

I know I can't talk the wife into a Harmony, I'll just have to try and figure this out...thanks for the help..

The only real mention of the Cinema vs. Music vs. Game mode in the manual is on page 41. It seems like you have to change it on the GUI menu and that there is no direct way to change it from the Denon remote.

If it helps I believe you can set up different devices to default to the different modes.

Randy, what happens when you press the Parameter button on the remote?

Randy:
People have a love it / hate it relationship with the Denon's remote. I never gave it much thought, because I'm still using an old MX-700.

What I can tell you is that I set up my MX700 totally in "learning" mode (because I couldn't remember how to program it via available web codes) and I have buttons for:

• Dolby - Always puts me back to Dolby Digital if it's present, or Dolby PLII if it's not.
• Cinema - Cycles between Dolby Cinema II and DTS Neo:6 Cinema
• Music - Cycles between Dolby Music II and DTS Neo:6 Music
• Simulate - Cycles between Stadium, Jazz Club and such.
• Stereo - Always puts it into Stereo.

So, it's certainly possible at least with an aftermarket remote! Those particular codes might have been left ofer from my Denon 3803 programming, which I DID program correctly when new because Ray walked me though it...

A good after market remote makes any single task a one button job. (except with by PS3. Stupid Bluetooth...)

Randy,

If you look at the excel spreadsheet I sent you, you will see discrete codes for each of the modes being discussed.

The key to using the codes is what Mark has done with his MX-700 (and I have done with my MX-700, MX-850 and MX-900). Aside from simply putting a universal remote in play for your system, you will find that one of the models mentioned (call Mike at SurfremoteControl.com for a great price) will allow you to take advantage of the Denon codes and give you a much richer experience with your setup and the 3808 in particular.

If you want the help, I'd be happy to set the remote up for you and simply email the file for you to download to the remote.

Actually, there are a couple of PS3 remote solutions available for use with Harmony or the URC MX-XXX remotes that include discrete on and off commands.

I use this one. It is being discontinued in favor of another model, but it works great and it's $30 off until they sell out.

Their new model looks pretty cool too.

While they are somewhat pricey, they are excellent and being able to use your universal remote / set up macros instead of use the BT remote or the game controller makes you forget about the price pretty quick.

I've got no relationship with these folks, I'm just a happy user.

Thanks Ray,

I'll keep that in mind. For some reason things seem to be working now, probably just user error. May be some time before I get the WAF, since I just got the Denon approved...

So is the 3808 Denon remote working as you expected now, like the 2805?

Physically it is totally different than the 2805 remove, totally different buttons. The other night when I clicked the "standard" button, it seemed to cycle through the various options. Maybe it depends on the source your listening to as to what shows up.

Another thought - have you tried to use the 2805 remote with the 3808? The command codes are the same and this might get you some relief.

It might work, have not tried that...it just seem nuts. On the 2805 remote there were the following buttons; Standard, Game, Music, Cinema. Say you were listening to music streaming on the internet, you could click Music, then when using the "Standard" button it would cycle through the various "music" options like PLIIx Music, or DTS ???? music. Then lets say you pop in a movie, you click Cinema mode, then the Standard button cycles through PLIIx Cinema, DTS Neo,etc.

It does not make sense that a higher end Denon would not have a way to do this.

My 3801 remote works with my 3808. I know they're the same model, but thought I'd mention it.

Well tonight when I was watching a movie, the "standard" button did seem to cycle through various options; DD, DD EX, DD + PLIIx, etc. so it seems that is working. When listening to 2channel music on Pandora it won't do anything. Seems I have to go into the Denon Gui "sound parameter" setting and change it to Music mode do get those options. Oh well

Randy, I certainly agree that this should be possible and although the Denon manual isn't entirely clear on the point(surprise)it does at least imply on p.42, by stating under "Parameter" that the rather long list of items following can be "called out directly" with the "Para" button, that it can be done. Maybe you should play around with Para a bit more to see if in DPLIIx mode those changes can happen.

It might seem a bit surprising that there doesn't appear to be more owners' experience with the matter here or elsewhere, but it has to be kept in mind that I've read that some Denon owners are so terrified by the thought of having to study the manual that they haven't even found the power button yet. They just sit there staring helplessly at their silent speakers, but able to take some small comfort from the fact that they won't have to worry about their receivers shutting down.

Oooh scary post number JohnK.... 6666

The mark of the stuttering beast.

thanks John, yes I will experiment more, it seems for some reason the Parameter button just cycles through the various Audyssey options: MultEQ XT, MultEQ XT + DEQ, MultEQ XT + DEQ + DV.

Have you tried the 2805 remote yet?

Also, try a Google search, making it as specific as you can. I have found some real pearls that way (several are included in the notes I sent to you).

yeah, I'm a tech guy so Google is my friend. Just busy with the family so not a lot of time to troubleshoot. Have not tried the 2805 remote yet.