Follow Up: Denon’s HDMI 1.3 Receivers

February 6, 2007

DenonBack in November Audio DesignLine unveiled some of the first details surrounding (pun intended) Denon’s forthcoming A/V receivers with HDMI 1.3 support, we now have a few more tentative details about the new ‘08’ series of receivers from Denon. It appears as if the receivers will be rolled out in two waves, the first wave in July will include the AVR-4308ci and AVR-3808ci with the AVR-1508, AVR-1708 and AVR-2808 following in September.

Again these are tentative details but should remain accurate baring any last minute launch snafus. The AVR-4308ci ($2,499) will sport four HDMI 1.3 inputs with two parallel HDMI outputs, support for internal Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio decoding over HDMI, auto lip-sync correction, 8-position Audyssey MultEQ, Ethernet & Wi-Fi capabilities for internet radio and presumably support for Windows Media PlaysForSure functionality. The 4308 will also support second zone component video output and digital to analog conversion for multi-zone applications.

The AVR-3808ci (also tentatively expected in July) will retail for $1,599 and features four HDMI 1.3 inputs, support for internal Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio decoding over HDMI, auto lip-sync correction, 6-position Audyssey MultEQ, Ethernet connectivity and again presumably support for Windows Media PlaysForSure. The 3808ci also supports digital to analog conversion for multi-zone applications. Both the AVR-4308ci and AVR-3808ci are said to have had their on-screen graphical interfaces redesigned as well.

The second wave of receivers in September will include the AVR-1508, AVR-1708 and AVR-2808 (no pricing as yet). The AVR-1508 AVR-1708 will support HDMI 1.3 but ‘switching mode’ only, in a nutshell that means that they will support HDMI audio, ‘Deep Color’ and 1080p pass-through but not internal Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD processing, although you can still achieve lossless audio from Blu-ray and HD DVD output as PCM from the players over HDMI.

The AVR-2808’s HDMI 1.3 path is said to offer the same functionality as the AVR-4308ci and AVR-3808ci, i.e. internal Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD decoding as well as auto lip-sync correction. Good stuff indeed, I can’t wait to get my hands on the AVR-3808ci.



Posted by B.Greenway | | Filed Under Surround Sound


Comments

  • puddy77
    Will the AVR-4308ci and AVR-3808ci decode DTS-HD Master Audio (the lossless one)? Or just DTS-HD (the lossy one)?
  • hifi
    Do you know if the AVR-3808ci will be THX certified in any way?
  • B.Greenway
    Hifi, Denon generally reserves that for the upper tier so it could go either way, if I had to guess I’d say THX for the AVR-4308ci and above.
  • B.Greenway
    Puddy, I’m pretty sure that’s a yes to HD master, if I find out different I’ll reply again.
  • olof
    Puddy, It looks like it´s DTS-HD here anyway: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_1/show...
  • Eric Hyman
    What chips will be used for scaling and deinterlacing in these models?
  • ed
    does denon have any av's that have some kind of circuitry to even out the audio volumn when a tv show goes from program to comercial (it gets real loud) then back to program (gets low again)?
  • B.Greenway
    Hi Ed, I'm not familiar with that specific function but its not something I would have sought out either, I'll take a look and update here if I find anything. The 'Night' mode might have a similar effect, I believe it compresses the peak loudness a bit.
  • Proudy
    Would anyone know if HDMI 1.3 will be upgraded to the AVC A1 amp this year?
  • John H.
    What's your source for your info? Do you have a URL?
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