Features
Remote Controls
Inputs and Outputs Notes

Features

7-Channel Equal Power Amplifier: The Denon AVR-3808CI features a 7-channel equal power, discrete amplifier. The amplifier is rated at 130 watts x 7-channels RMS.

AL24 Processing Plus: Denon has further developed its propriety AL24 Processing to support the 192 kHz sampling frequency of DVD-Audio. AL24 Processing Plus thoroughly suppresses quantization noise associated with D/A conversion of LPCM signals to reproduce the low-level signals with optimum clarity that will bring out all the nuances of the music. AL24 Processing Plus is applied to not only the front left and right channels, but also the surround left and right, center and subwoofer channels.

24-Bit, 192 kHz D/A Converters: The AVR-3808CI uses highly accurate Burr Brown PCM-1791 Digital-to-Analog converters, two for each channel, for a total of 16. The 192kHz sampling and 24-bit word length capabilities of the DACs allows you to play high-resolution recordings and hear the increased clarity, detail and dynamic range of those recordings.

DDSC HD-Digital (Dynamic Discrete Surround Circuit): The Denon AVR-3808CI is equipped with the latest technology in surround audio performance, DDSC HD-Digital, featuring dual Analog Devices Hammerhead SHARC 32-bit floating point DSP processors. All elements of the Surround Processor are optimized to the highest standards by the use of selected high performance and discrete components, particularly the A/D and D/A converters and the sophisticated DSP surround decoder.

Custom Integration: The AVR-3808CI carries the "CI" stamp, which is Denon's certification to custom installers that the receiver has advanced connectivity and control features often required for custom home integration and theater applications using premium control systems. These features include a RS232C jack for use with whole house control systems, remote in/out IR command control, and assignable +12-volt triggers.

Video Up-Conversion Powered With DCDi By Faroudja: The AVR-3808CI is equipped with a flexible video switching system that converts video signals in an effort to only require one video connection from receiver to TV. The video switching system features a Directional Correlation De-interlacing (DCDi) special video processor developed by Faroudja that involves advanced algorithms to remove the jagged edges that appear when standard interlaced video is viewed on progressive scan displays. DCDi converts standard interlaced signals into progressive scan signals in order to eliminate the stair-casing effect that conventional up-converters can introduce to diagonal edges. Unlike most other conversion circuits, this receiver will convert analog signals from composite video, S-Video, and component video to HDMI up to 1080p.

• Composite Video: can be converted to S-Video, component video, or HDMI
• S-Video: can be converted to composite video, component video, or HDMI
• Component Video: can be converted to composite video, S-Video, or HDMI (480i signals only when down converting)

Note: Video signals input as HDMI must be output via HDMI.

Noise Shaped Video (NSV): The NSV precision video feature works in the digital domain to reduce noise in the video signal frequency band in order to enhance video signal linearity, provide accurate signal representations, and enhance the picture quality. Noise shaping techniques can be combined with dynamic element matching techniques in order to reduce the matching requirements of DAC elements by converting the analog mismatch into  and out of band noise. This approach of dynamic element matching and noise shaping has been shown to allow the use of sigma delta modulation at video data rates. NSV can achieve ultimate precision with 12-bit fidelity in both digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital domains.

HDCD Decoding: The AVR-3808CI automatically detects and decodes the digital bitstream from a CD that has been encoded through the special High Definition Compatible Digital (HDCD) process. HDCD discs use 20-bit encoding and other proprietary processing to provide the ultimate in CD listening.

Surround Modes: This receiver incorporates a wide variety of surround modes to bring you maximum enjoyment from your audio and video software. The surround modes include:

• Dolby Digital: Dolby Digital is a 5.1 multi-channel digital surround format.
• Dolby Digital EX: Dolby Digital EX is a 6.1 multi-channel digital surround format.
• Dolby Digital Plus: Dolby Digital Plus is an improved Dolby Digital surround format that is compatible with up to 7.1-channels of discrete digital sound and also improves sound quality due to extra data bit rate performance.
• Dolby TrueHD: Dolby TrueHD is a high definition audio technology, using lossless coding technology to faithfully reproduce the sound of the studio maters.
• Dolby Pro Logic II: Dolby Pro Logic II technology processes any high quality stereo (two-channel) movie and music audio into five playback channels of full-bandwidth surround sound. A matrix surround decoding technology, Dolby Pro Logic II detects the directional cues that occur naturally in stereo content and uses these elements to create a five-channel surround sound playback experience. You can choose from the following Dolby Pro Logic II formats - Cinema, Music, or Game.
• Dolby Pro Logic IIx:  Pro Logic IIx expands any existing stereo- or 5.1-channel audio for a 6.1- or 7.1- channel playback, creating a seamless, natural surround soundfield that immerses you in the entertainment experience. You can choose from the following Dolby Pro Logic IIx formats - Cinema, Music, or Game.
• DTS Digital Surround: DTS Digital Surround is a 5.1 multi-channel digital format used for both commercial/theatrical and consumer grade applications.
• DTS-ES Extended Surround:  DTS-ES features two 6.1 multi-channel formats:
• DTS-ES Discrete 6.1: DTS-ES Discrete 6.1-channel is a 6.1-channel discrete digital audio format adding a surround back channel to the DTS digital surround sound.
• DTS-ES Matrix 6.1: DTS-ES Matrix 6.1-channel is a discrete 6.1 channel digital audio format inserting a surround back channel to the DTS surround sound through matrix encoding.
• DTS Neo:6 Surround: DTS Neo:6 is a matrix decoding technology for achieving 6.1-channel surround playback with 2-channel sources. You can choose from two DTS Neo: 6 Surround formats - Neo: 6 Cinema and Neo: 6 Music
• DTS 96/24: DTS 96/24 is a digital audio format enabling high sound quality playback in 5.1-channels with a sampling frequency of 96 kHz and 24 bit quantization of DVD-video.
• DTS-HD High Resolution Audio: DTS-HD High Resolution Audio is an improved version of the conventional DTS, DTS-ES and DTS 96/24 signal formats that is compatible with sampling frequencies of 96 or 48 kHz and up to 7.1-channels of discrete digital sound. High data bit rate performance provides high quality sound.
• DTS-HD Master Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio is a lossless audio format compatible with up to 96 kHz and up to 7.1-channels. The lossless audio coding technology faithfully reproduces the sound of the studio master.
• Combined Surround Modes: The receiver features several combined modes using existing Dolby and Digital Theater Systems (DTS) surround modes:
  • Dolby Digital+Dolby Pro Logic IIx (Cinema and Music)
  • DTS+Neo:6
  • DTS+Dolby Pro Logic IIx (Cinema and Music)
• Neural Surround: Neural Surround has been adopted by XM Satellite Radio for digital radio broadcasts of XM HD Surround recordings and live events in surround sound. Neural Surround employs psychoacoustic frequency domain processing which allows delivery of a more detailed sound stage with superior channel separation and localization of audio elements.
• Denon Original Surround (DSP) Modes:
  • Wide Screen: this mode is for enjoying the atmosphere of viewing a movie on a large screen
  • Super Stadium: this mode is suited for viewing sports programs
  • Rock Arena: this mode is for enjoying the atmosphere of a live concert in an arena
  • Jazz Club: this mode is for enjoying the atmosphere of a live concert in a jazz club
  • Classic Concert: this mode is for appreciating classical concert programs
  • Mono Movie: this mode is for playing monaural movie sources with surround sound
  • Video game: this mode is suited for achieving surround sound with video games
  • Matrix: this mode lets you add a sense of expansion to stereo music sources
  • Virtual: this mode is for enjoying surround effects using only the front speakers or headphones
  • 7CH Stereo: this mode is for enjoying stereo sound from all speakers

Surround Parameters: You can adjust the following surround mode parameters:

• CINEMA EQ (Cinema Equalizer): The Cinema EQ function gently decreases the level of the extreme high frequencies, compensating for overly-bright sounding motion picture soundtracks. Select this function if the sound from the front speakers is too bright. This function only works in the Dolby Pro Logic (including PL II and PL IIx), Dolby Digital, DTS Surround, DTS Neo:6, and Wide Screen modes.
• D.COMP (Dynamic Range Compression): Motion picture soundtracks have tremendous dynamic range (the contrast between very soft and very loud sounds). For listening late at night, or whenever the maximum sound level is lower than usual, the Dynamic Range Compression allows you to hear all of the sounds in the soundtrack (but with reduced dynamic range). This only works when playing program sources recorded in Dolby Digital or DTS. You can select one of the four settings: "OFF", "LOW", "MID" (middle), or "HI" (high).
• LFE: This setting adjusts the low-frequency effects level (LFE). You can adjust the LFE from -10 to 0 dB.
• Center Image: This function assigns a center channel signal to the front left and right channels for wider sound. You can adjust the center image range from 0.0 to 0.3 to 1.0.
• Panorama: This feature assigns front left and right signals to surround channels for wider sound. You can turn this feature On or Off.
• Dimension: This settings shifts the sound image from the center to the front or rear to adjust playback balance. You can select from 0 to 3 to 6.
• Center Width: This function assigns a center channel signal to the front left and right channels for wider sound. You can select from 0 to 3 to 7.
• Delay Time: This feature adjusts the delay time to control the sound stage size. You can select either 0 to 30ms to 300ms.
• Effect: This settings switches the effect signal for multi-surround speakers either On or Off.
• Effect Level: This function adjusts the effect signal level from 1 to 10 to 15.
• Room Size: This feature determines the size of your acoustic environment. You can select from Small, Medium small, Medium, Medium large, or Large.
• AFDM: This feature auto-selects the surround mode by the connected source's content.
• SB CH Out (for multi-channel sources): This setting selects the playback mode for the surround back channels of the receiver. You can choose from Non Matrix, Matrix, PLIIx Cinema, PLIIx Music, ES Matrix, ES Discrete or Off.
• SB CH Out (for 2-channel sources): You can select either On or Off for the surround back channels when listening to a 2-channel source.
• Subwoofer: This feature selects whether or not to output subwoofer signals when the receiver is in the Direct or Stereo mode.

Tone Settings: You can independently adjust the system's overall Bass and Treble settings from -6 to +6 dB. These settings can be set for the main zones, as well as zones 2 and 3.

Night Mode: This mode is optimized for late night listening. You can select from the following Night Modes - Low, Middle, High or Off.

Restorer: This function restores compressed audio signal to how they were before compression and corrects the sense of volume of the bass to obtain richer playback sound. You can select from one of the following modes - Mode 1, Mode 2, Mode 3 or Off.

Two-channel Music Modes: There are three 2-channel playback modes exclusively for music:

• Pure Direct: plays back music with an extremely high level of sound quality. All the video-related circuits are turned off so that music signals are reproduced with high quality. When an analog mode is selected, the digital processing circuits are also turned off to achieve the highest purity.
• Direct: audio signals bypass the tone control circuits, and are transmitted directly, resulting in good quality sound
• Stereo: allows you to adjust the tone to achieve the desired sound

Personal Memory Plus: The receiver has a personal memorize function that automatically memorizes the surround modes and input modes selected for the different input sources. When the input source is switched, the modes set for that source last time it was used are automatically recalled. The surround parameters, tone control settings, and playback level balance for the different output channels are memorized for each surround mode.

Auto Setup: The receiver is equipped with an Auto Setup and Room Equalization function, to achieve the most ideal sound field for your room. The AVR-3808ci's Audyssey MultiEQ XT function is designed to optimize the sound quality at each listening position in the room. The included DM-A405 microphone is used to measure test tones at each listening position. This measured data is then analyzed using a program to improve acoustic characteristics in the listening area. For best results at least 8 positions should be measured, including a main position. The main position is given more weight in the calculations. The Audyssey function adjusts the following measurements automatically: Speaker Configuration, Distance, Channel Level, Crossover Frequency, and Room EQ.

Room EQ: The Room EQ function offers the following adjustments:

• Audyssey: Adjusts the frequency response of all speakers to correct the effects of room acoustics.
• Audyssey Byp. L/R: Optimizes frequency response of speakers except front speakers to match room acoustics.
• Flat: frequency response of all speakers are flat.
• Manual EQ: This feature adjusts the tonal quality for each speaker using the receiver's built-in graphic equalizer. You can select -20 to +6 dB for the following frequencies for each speaker - 63Hz, 125Hz, 250Hz, 500Hz, 1kHz, 2khz, 4kHz, 8kHz, and 16kHz.
• Off: Turns equalizer off.

Subwoofer Control: You can adjust the cutoff frequency of the subwoofer output from 40Hz, 60Hz, 80Hz, 90Hz, 100Hz, 110Hz, 120Hz, 150Hz, 200Hz or 250Hz. You can also select the subwoofer output level between 0, 5, 10 or 15 dB.

Amplifier Assign: There are seven amplifier channels built into the receiver. These channels are typically used for 7.1 channel surround in the main room, but the amplifier assign function gives you the option of configuring the system differently if you prefer. The amplifier features four different amplifier assignment configurations.

Bi-Amp: Four of the seven amplifier channels can be used to bi-amp the front speakers, leaving three to power other channels.

Dual Surround Speaker Mode: The AVR-3808CI provides the ability to connect two different sets of surround speakers, and place them in the appropriate locations in your home theater room, so that you can enjoy both movie soundtracks and music listening, with optimum results and no compromise. If you play one pair of surround speakers at a time (Surround A or B), the minimum impedance of the connected speakers is 6 ohms. If you play both pairs of speakers simultaneously (Surround A + B), the minimum impedance of the connected speakers is 8 ohms.

Multi Zone/Multi Source Operation: Denon's Multi-Zone/Multi-Source function lets you select different audio/video sources for listening and viewing in different locations of your home. The AVR-3808CI features a Main Zone (Zone 1), Audio/Video Zone (Zone 2) and Audio Only Zone (Zone 3). The Main Zone 1 contains 7.1-channel playback of your audio/video gear in your main entertainment room. The Audio/Video Zone 2 allows stereo audio and video playback of another AV source connected to the receiver in another room of your home via left/right RCA audio or speaker terminal output connections and a composite video connector. Audio Only Zone 3 allows you to play a stereo audio source connected to the receiver in a 3rd room of your house via left/right RCA audio or speaker terminal output connections.

Note: Zone 2 and Zone 3 feature either a preamp-output or speaker terminal output so you can use this amp or a separate amp to power speakers in another room. When using the AVR-3808CI to power speakers in a second room of your home, the main zone is restricted to 5.1-channel at the same time. Also, when using the AVR-3808CI to power speakers in a second and third room of your home at the same time, the main zone remains 5.1 channels, but the 2nd and 3rd Zone speakers are mono. When using the receiver's preamp output terminals for the second and third room you need an additional amplifier in each room to power those speakers and the main Zone of the receiver remains 7.1-channel.

Home Network Function: The AVR-3808CI is equipped with an Ethernet port that lets you build various types of network environments. You can use these network environments to take advantage of 3 home audio network functions:

• Music Server: The AVR-3808CI's Music Server function lets you stream audio and still image files (MP3/WMA/WAV/MPEG-4 AAC/FLAC) stored on your PC to the receiver. This network connection uses 2 standard technologies: Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service or Windows Media DRM10. To access iTunes library and playlists you need to install Twonky Media software to your PC. Twonky Vision is a software program needed to manage your iTunes database and can be downloaded from www.twonkyvision.com for a one time fee of $29.99. The AVR-3808CI also supports MP3 ID3-Tag (ver.2) and WMA META tags. The AVR-3808CI only supports files that are not copyright protected.
• Internet Radio: Internet Radio is a system that lets you hear radio broadcasts from stations on the Internet. A wide variety of stations, both large and small and some which are operated by individuals, can be found on the Internet. Until now, radio stations could only be heard if you were within listening range of their radio waves, but with Internet Radio, you can listen to broadcasts from all over the world. The list of stations that the AVR-3808CI uses comes from the vTuner radio station database that has been customized for Denon.
• A/V Receiver Network Setup (Web control): This function lets you set up and control the A/V receiver over a network using Internet Explorer on a PC. The AVR-3808CI's Ethernet port also supports serial controls that use Crestron and others.

Note: A computer with the following specifications is required to use the Music Server feature: Operating Systems include Windows XP Service Pack2 or Windows Vista, Installed Software includes .Net Framework 1.1 and Windows Media Connect (Windows XP)/Windows Media Player ver. 11/DLNA-compatible server software, Internet Browser needs to be Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or later, a LAN port is needed along with 300 MB or more free disk space.

iPod Compatibility: Using the optional Denon ASD-1R iPod dock (033ASD1RBK or 033ASD1RWT), you can connect your iPod to the AVR-3808CI. Folder and file names appear on the receiver's display panel. The iPod can be controlled using the buttons on the main unit and the remote control. In addition, you can view photo and video data stored on an iPod on a TV or monitor. The AVR-3808CI also supports Denon's optional iPod/Network adapter docks (ASD-3N/ASD-3W, sold separately) through its iPod terminal.

Note: The ASD-1R is compatible with 3rd generation and later iPods with a dock connecter.

USB Terminals:  USB terminals that let you connect a USB-compatible portable music player are located behind the trap door on the front panel and on the receiver's rear panel. You can connect your player or PC to these terminals and play the MP3 or WMA (Windows Media) files directly through your AVR-3808CI system. When an MP3 music file includes album art data, the album art can be displayed on your connected TV while playing the file. You can also play JPEG still picture files in a slideshow fashion that are stored on a USB memory device. The AVR-3808CI is compatible with mass storage class and MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) USB memory devices in FAT16 or FAT32 format.

Note: You cannot use the front USB port and rear USB port at the same time. You must select which port you want to use - Front or Rear.

Denon Link: This receiver features the Denon Link (3rd edition), an RJ-45 jack on the back panel, which allows a one-cable connection to a compatible Denon DVD player equipped with a Denon Link connector. This digital connection allows the input of uncompressed Super Audio CD and DVD-Audio digital signals with jitter-less data transfer and ultra-low noise.

AM/FM Tuner: The receiver features an AM/FM tuner which allows you to preset up to 56 radio stations (8 stations each in 7 separate banks). You can delete any unused tuner banks.

XM Ready: With the optional XM Mini Tuner and Mini Tuner Home Dock, you can enjoy the variety and sound quality of XM Satellite radio. XM offers over 150 channels of music, news, sports, and talk radio and even has weather and traffic information in several major markets. The channel number, channel name, artist name, and song title are listed on the AVR-3808CI's display and on the connected TV monitor. XM stations are stored as presets and recalled in the same way AM and FM stations are. A subscription to XM Satellite Radio is required.

Picture Adjustments: The receiver allows you to make the following picture adjustments to incoming video through the unit's component, composite or S-video inputs - Contrast, Brightness, Chroma Level and Hue.

Auto Lip Sync: Auto Lip Sync automatically compensates for timing shifts between audio and video output.

Audio Delay: The audio signal can be delayed, from 0-200ms, to match the video signal.

Volume Setting: You can set a maximum volume level of 0, -10, or -20 dB to limit the receiver's total volume output. You can also indicate a Turn-On Volume setting from -80 to +18dB or Last (whatever volume you used last before turning the unit Off).

Muting Level Adjustment: You can set the amount of attenuation for the audio muting circuit from -40dB or -20dB from the present volume level.

Source Delete: You can delete inputs you are not using from the receiver's display and on-screen menu to make accessing your connected sources quicker and easier.

Last Function Memory: This unit is equipped with a last function memory, which stores the input and output setting conditions as they were immediately before the power was switched off.

Back-Up Memory: The unit is also equipped with a back-up memory. This function provides approximately one week of memory storage when the main unit's power switch is off and the power cord is disconnected.

Panel Lock Mode: The buttons on the main unit can be locked if not using them

Remote Lock Mode: This setting can be made so that the remote control unit cannot operate the AVR-3808CI.

On-Screen Display (OSD) With GUI Menus: An OSD with GUI menus can be displayed on your television for easy system setup. The OSD and GUI menus are sent through all monitor outputs (composite video, S-video, component video, and HDMI).

Dimmer: The receiver features 4 display brightness settings - Bright, Dim, Dark or Off.

Remote Controls

Learning Main Remote Control (RC-1068): The receiver's main remote control (RC-1068) features a back-lit LCD touch panel as well as hard-key buttons for operation of the AVR-3808CI. If your other audio/video devices are of a brand other than Denon or if they cannot be operated with the preset memory function, the other device's remote control signals can be transferred and stored in the AVR-3808CI's main remote control (RC-1068). The remote control is equipped with "System Call" functions, allowing a series of remote control signals to be transmitted by pressing a single button. Up to 32 sequential signals can be stored in each of the 3 System Call buttons.

Sub/Multi-Zone Remote Control (RC-1070): The receiver's sub remote control unit is equipped with frequently used buttons, so it can be used for simple remote control unit operations. The sub remote (RC-1070) can also be used for multi-zone, so you can use it to control the AVR-3808CI from other rooms using an optional IR repeater system. The following operations can be performed using this remote:

• Switching the input source
• Adjusting the volume
• Tuner (AM/FM), XM, and iPod operations
• NET/USB direct play
• GUI menu and Zone2 on-screen display operations
• Zone power on/off

Note: It is not possible to operate devices other than the amplifier with the Sub/Multi-Zone remote.

Inputs and Outputs Notes

Rear Panel Connections: The following connections are found on the rear panel of the receiver:

• HDMI Inputs/Output: This unit has 4 HDMI version 1.3a inputs and 1 HDMI version 1.3a output. The HDMI inputs are assignable to different input sources. The HDMI jacks support HDCP copyright protection and are compatible with 30 and 36 bit Deep Color and xvYCC  technology.
• Component Video Inputs/Outputs: The receiver features 3 component video inputs and 2 component video outputs. The component video inputs are assignable to different sources. The two component video outputs are wired in parallel and used for monitor outputs (the same video signal is broadcast through both).
• Assignable Digital Inputs: The AVR-3808CI features 3 optical digital (Toslink) inputs and 3 coaxial digital inputs. Each input can be assigned to any of the different input sources except Phono and Tuner. Optical Digital Inputs 2 and 3 also have corresponding Optical Digital outputs for use with a CD, MD or other digital recording device.
• 7.1 Multi-Channel Input: The AVR-3808CI is equipped with a 7.1-channel input to accommodate present and future multi-channel formats.
• Speaker Terminals: All of the receiver's speaker terminals are binding posts. They are not 5-way binding posts because a plastic collar prevents their use with spade lugs and they are positioned too far apart to be used with dual banana plugs.
• 7.1 Multi-Channel Pre-Out: The receiver features a 7.1-channel pre-out for connection to an external power amplifier.
• XM: This proprietary terminal allows you to connect and optional XM Mini Tuner and Mini Tuner Home Dock.
• iPod Connection Terminal:  You can connect and play an iPod that has Apple's Dock connector using the optional Denon ASD-1R iPod dock (033ASD1RBK, 033ASD1RWT) or iPod network dock (033ASD3N, 033ASD3W).
• USB Port: A USB terminal that lets you connect a USB-compatible portable music player.
• RS-232C Port: The AVR-3808CI includes an RS-232C port for connection to external whole-house control systems, from companies such as AMX, Crestron, and others, and provides a software/firmware upgrade pathway.
• Ethernet: Ethernet port that lets you build various types of network environments.
• Denon Link: Proprietary input that allows muti-channel playback of Denon DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD players that are also equipped with a Denon Link connection.
• Room-to-Room Remote Jacks: The receiver has a mini-jack input for use with an optional Denon RC-616, 617, or 618 IR re-transmitter. The adjacent room-to-room output is for future use.
• 12V Trigger Outputs: The AVR-3808CI has 2 mini-jack outputs to send a 12-Volt DC "turn-on" signal to another component that accepts a 12V trigger, such as a power amplifier. These trigger outputs can be assigned to the Main Zone, Zone 2 or Zone 3.

Front Panel Connections: The following connections are found on the front panel of the receiver behind the unit's fold-down door:

• A/V Inputs: The receiver features a front panel S-video, a Composite-video, a pair of Left/Right RCA-audio, and one Optical digital input on the front panel behind the unit's fold-down door.
• USB Port: A USB terminal that lets you connect a USB-compatible portable music player is located behind the trap door on the front panel.
• Headphone Jack: The receiver has a standard 1/4" headphone jack on the front panel, positioned behind the fold-down panel.