To all the Denon owners out here. When I play movies, my receiver always goes to Neo:6 for 5.1 unless it's a DTS. Is this normal? I can't get my receiver to show DD 5.1 but maybe that's just the Denon. The Neo setting seems to muddy the sound on alot of the movies. I can set the receiver to 5.1 stereo but is that true 5.1 separation?

It's not normal. Double check that the movie is outputting in Dolby 5.1, not 2.0. Let's see... to get it in Dolby Digital, press a lot of buttons until the display mysteriously changes to Dolby Digital. As I recall from a 3806, this is the Normal button. Err.... I was feeling at lot more helpful when I started this post than when I finished it.

My 2805 is sometimes confusing also, last night it was in ProLogixIIx mode when I was watching the Incredible Hulk, actually it was cool as it used the rear speakers for 7.1. The screen said Dolby Digital + ProIIX Cinema...

Cgolf, I'm sure it will work, the Denon's really suck in this area. Try clicking the Standard Button on the remote, not the Cinema button. When you click the Cinema button you have other options like you mentioned plus ProLogic Games/Movies/Music options. Also, on the remote on the lower right hand side there is a button, I think it is called Surround Mode or something like that, there is also one on the receiver near the right side smaller knob. Once you click that you can go right/left and select different options. Make sure in the menu system you have AUTO set for surround mode...

Let us know if you figure it out man. Some movies also have a setup menu where you have to select 2channel or 5.1, etc...
Also, on most movies during the beginning credits and trailers, your receiver may say Pro Logic, or something else, that is normal. Once the movie starts it should then go to 5.1 DD or whatever...

Randy

Charles, Randy is right about "Auto" in the setup menu. Also, not sure what remoye you are using, but on my MX-700 (for my 3803) and MX-850 (for my 1905), I have buttons set up for each of the audio types. When the receiver gets a little cranky, a simple button push for the preferred audio solves the proble. The Denon remote should already have buttons available for this quick fix.

Sounds like you need to go into your input setup on the Denon and fix the settings for the DVD input. You have it preferenced for Neo6.

These things are confusing but the more you read the manual (Denons famous for terrible manuals) and the more you play with it and stick around here you will understand what all those crazy options/settings are.

Randy,
Thanks for the info. I've tried everything but still can't get DD 5.1 or DD EX. I can get DTS with Gladiator though. I've reset all the inputs, tried all the different settings and tried different DVDs. I wonder if something may be damaged in the receiver. I may go back to my Yamaha. Never had any trouble with it.

Charles,

I may have experienced the same problem you have with my Denon 3805 this weekend. It appears the digital input has 3 different modes (Auto, PCM, DTS). The 3 modes are selected by sequentially hitting the digital input select. (This should be in the same area of the remote that lets you select stereo analog in or 5.1 analog in.) In my case, once in DTS mode nothing would change and no sound would come out from my Dolby Digital disk. Hope this helps.

I was quite frustrated for awhile because the thing “suddenly” didn’t work. I think I accidentally changed digital input modes when I was playing a SACD the night before and was switching between my 7.1 analog inputs and the digital input on my receiver.

I'll try that. I keep thinking that I've tried everything and then I find another button to play with. Maybe I just haven't hit the right button yet!! All I know is that I can't get any movies to come up as DD 5.1. I'm sure it's just a button malfunction, er I guess that used to be called operator error....

Have you tried just resetting your receiver back to default settings, and starting over. On page 64 is the instructions for the 2105 in the manual. Of course, you will be starting over, but it sounds like you really have it messed up

1. Turn main power off on receiver (not remote)
2) Hold the SPEAKER A and B button down at the same time, and turn the power button back on.
3) Continue to hold the buttons until the display starts flashing, then you can let go. The receiver will be reset like the day you took it out of the box.

No, I haven't reset everything to default although it did cross my mind to reboot. I have gone back through all my settings to make sure there weren't any glitches and I couldn't find anything that I noticed that would cause this. I've rechecked the audio cable and it's ok-goes to my receiver coax input. Reset may be the next step.... aaaaarrrrrggggghhhhh.....

If you've tried hitting the "Standare" button on the remote during movie playback, and/or the "Surround Mode" button to cycle through the various options, I'm not sure what to tell you. I agree the Denon's are not the most user friendly to operate.

Staaaan-dare! o-o-o-oh
E, standare. o-o-o-oh.

Sorry, was channeling Dean Martin for a bit there.

I'm not sure what you mean. Give me more info please!!! Thanks.

I finally solved my Denon issue. I tried and tried to get it to play in DD 5.1 but it wouldn't. Might be me, the operator or it might be the unit. Don't know, so I bought a new Yamaha RX-V657 that will take care of me until I can afford separates-which I hope to get by mid 2006. I have always owned Yamaha receivers and have been totally satisfied with them but have always wanted to try a Denon because of their reputation. I did but I have never liked the sound as much as the Yamaha sound. Can't explain it other than at 58 I have Yamaha ears and not Denon ears. Guess this was just a way to get back to where I wanted to be anyway -:)

I'm sorry you could not figure out the Denon issure, but am happy you found your way back to Yamaha, nothing wrong with them either