Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions Learning to use my Denon AVR-890

Hi,

As some of you already know, I started to build my future HT last week. For now, I have the AVR-890 and M80s for the front. Since it's my first HT, this is the first receiver that I have used. I already ran Audyssey. Also I've been playing with it all week, there is a couple of things so far that I can't seem to figure out and the Denon user manual is not really "newbie friendly":

1) I have the TV, the receiver and the blu ray player connected thru HDMI. I have the HDMI control feature enable as I like the fact that when I turn on the TV or the BDP, the RCV turns on. The problem that I found is that when I turn on the BDP to listen to a CD, the TV and RCV also turn on, then since I am listening to music, I turn off the TV and then the BDP and RCV also turn off. Is there a way to only enable some off the turn ON/OFF features or my only choice is to disable HDMI control all together?

2) When watching video content, DVD, BD or even flipping thru TV channels, I noticed that the RCV displays "offset -XdB" with X changing. What exactly does that mean? I couldn't find it on the manual.

3) Finally my biggest issue. As I said, for now I only have the fronts. When watching a DVD, Dolby Digital shows up on the RCV. I can ear everything perfectly clear except the dialog. I understand that in a 5.1 movie, most of the dialog goes to the center channel that I don't have. The problem is that most movies nowadays don't come with the stereo soundtrack anymore. I tried to set the RCV to stereo, and STEREO shows on the display but I didn't hear much difference. I also tried different modes like DIRECT, PURE, and other Denon effect, but nothing really helped. Is there a way that I can set the RCV to send the center channel track to the fronts? Can I do something or do I have to live with this until I get a center?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Bruno

1) I don't have the answer, but seems this topic was discussed recently on another thread, I'm sure someone will chime in..

2) Mine does that as well, it is normal. Don't have the answer as to why.

3) If you have the receiver set to "no" center, the front left/right speakers give you the center experience in what is called phantom mode. Actually, if your sitting in the sweet spot, you should not notice a difference in dialog from when you get a center channel. When you start to move off to either side, that is where the phantom mode does not work as well.

You should be using "standard" mode which would display Dolby Digital, or whatever the standard movie track is set for...

I have the center set to "no". I must be doing something else wrong then.

For 1) disable that feature and get a harmony remote. As you have discovered you can't program through the receiver which component you want to use so they all turn on. Using the Harmony or similar remote you can program any setup you want.

Are all your speaker options set to off except FL and FR?
Mel

Hi Mel,

Is there a specific model number that you recommend for the remote?

Yes everything off except FL/FR.

I am loving my Harmony One, I would also look to the harmony 700. The newer style feels better in your hand.

The Harmony one does look good. Can you access all the menus of all the devices with it or do you still need some of the original remotes for some functions? How complicated is it to program?

I have the Harmony One as well. For my use I just use the settings that were available. If I need anything extra remote wise which is rare I just grab the original remote. It's not that complicated to programme through your computer. If you have any problems there are many here that can help you out.
Mel

I have the same receiver (2310) so I should be able to provide some input.

1. HDMI control is NOT what turns the other components connected to the receiver on or off (and vice versa). HDMI control keeps the last HDMI input you were using powered when the receiver is in standy mode. This allows someoone to watch TV using the TV speakers if they do not want to crank up the receiver and surround, for example. There is a seperate setting once HDMI control is turned on which is responsible for powering the receiver when another connected component is turned on. I don't remember the name but it's under HDMI settings in the menu, and I know it can only be used when the HDMI control is on.

2. Pretty sure this is Audyssey Dynamic Volume at work. I noticed this as well but have never paid much attention to it.

3. Leave the Denon in "auto" and displaying Dolby Digital. In the speaker setup menu you should only have it set to the speakers you have. If there is no center, the receiver should automatically direct center information to the front L & F.

You can program the One to do anything the original could do. I have mine set up to change the aspect ratio of the TV when I switch from SDTV to HDTV/DVD.