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"HDMI/HDCP issues NOT Denon" on by jchandlerhall
Pros: Connectivity, upconversion, room 'tuning' and more
Cons: can't disable non-used inputs
Summary: Hey,
I also am experiencing the HDMI copy protection issues from my cable+DVR settop box into the receiver. I can get the menus, but not the actual 'shows'. It states something about HDCP copy protection - blocked.
Talked with SciAtl (now a cisco company) tech spt about the issue. They stated that my cable company needs to provide the HDMI software module version 1.1 or greater to support receivers, such as this one. He knew immediately what the issues was. HOWEVER, there is no guarantee that my cable company will provide this, or at least in any timely fashion.
FYI. -
"Great sound and number of features" on by peedub
Pros: Sounds great, plenty of power, lots of connectivity options
Cons: does not include proprietary $60 ipod cable, ipod navigation is too slow and cumbersome, gimmicky remote control
Summary: i bought this primarily because of Denon's reputation for hi end sound, HDMI switching, and the ipod OSD. Audessey does a great job for calibration. The difference is remarkable. Sounds great. HDMI quality also does not disappoint. Ipod controls are worthless though. Navigation is much too slow. Scrolling through your MP3's to find a song can take minutes. $60 for a denon branded cable is a joke. MCM sells a generic cable for $10. Works the same.
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"The 4306 is No Lightweight!" on by Rockiteer
Pros: Great sound, great configurability, great quality.
Cons: Not a small time investment will needed to get going with this full-featured A/V receiver.
Summary: I bought my 4306 on March 4th on sale ($100 off list) at B--- B--, and so far, I'm very satisfied. There are a few things to be wary of as you get it set up, but you will ultimately be a very satisfied owner, if my first three weeks are any indication. Complicated it is, as I'm still learning things about it, even though I've used it just about every day since I got it.
A few people don't like the manual, and I agree it's less than ideal, but anything as complex and full-featured as the 4306 is not going to be easy to use straight out of the box no matter how good the user's manual. The Denon website has some helpful information including a very lengthy FAQ, and the AVS forum has lots of good info too. The wait for technical support today was not more than a few minutes. So with just a bit of patience, and discipline to go through the manual, you'll get to know the 4306 very well and it'll do all you want, and then some.
I like the different surround sound simulations for listening to 2 channel input out of my 5.1 speaker setup. I like having so many options for music sources. I like the RC-1024 remote which is programmable and serves as a good replacement remote for most of my components. I like the way I can rename the sources. I'm still getting used to the left control knob not being the FM tuner, but that's my old habits dying hard. -
"Already outdated..." on by ChuckBerg68
Pros: Thought there was some...
Cons: HDMI does not work....
Summary: Was just informed today from Denon that this unit has HDMI version 1.1, and they have no plans to upgrade it via. firmware revision. I just purchased the unit and hooked up my Xbox 360 Elite and my Motorola DVR cable box and neither one will work. They both put up notes saying secure HDMI connection not detected, and they don't allow HD content to pass thru. When I direct connect to both units picture looks beautiful, but not thru the AVR-4306. Apparently the AVR-4306 uses an HDMI repeater that the copy right systems don't like. So be warned...your next generation toys will not function properly with this receiver. My plan now is to purchase an addtional HDMI switch box and run the audio via. Toslink cables. What a drag!!!!
ChuckUpdated
I spoke directly with Denon's tech. department and they told me 2 things. First, the HDMI is version 1.1, and 2nd that they used an HDMI "repeater" not a "switch". This is detected by my Motorola cable box from Comcast & from my Xbox 360. The cable company can turn off the "flag", but the Xbox 360 cannot. Also there are several other components that also cannot turn off the "flag". So again per my previous post, be very careful on your next purchase that you do not get an HDMI "repeater" as once they turn on the full copyright protection bit in HDMI you will be screwed!!!! Sorry guys, but it's the truth. -
"BEST ALL-ROUND RECEIVER AT A GOOD PRICE" on by myuran
Pros: BEST SUITED FOR HOME THEATRE FAN WHO WANTS WEB CONNECTIVITY
Cons: AVERAGE LOOKING; POOR SPEAKER TERMINALS, AVERAGE REMOTE
Summary: HAVING SALIVATED SINCE THE RELEASE OF THIS RECEIVER, I BOUGHT ONE AFTER APPROVAL FROM MADAM BOSS.
NOT BEING AN AUDIOPHILLE, I WAS PARTIALLY SATISFIED WITH MY PREVIOUS PIONEER RECEIVER(DESIGNED FOR SMALL HOME SYSTEMS), BUT ALWAYS SLIGHTLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE SOUND THROUGH MY WHARFEDALE DIAMOND SPEAKERS WHICH I PAID GOOD MONEY FOR WHEN THEY FIRST CAME OUT.
SINCE CONNECTING THE DENON TO THESE SPEAKERS, I CAN'T BELIEVE UP TO NOW I HAD BEEN ONLY LISTENING TO HALF THE MUSIC FROM MY PREVIOUS SYSTEM. THE HIGHS AND LOWS THAT I HAD NEVER HEARD PREVIOUSLY, TO INSTRUMENTS THAT DIDN'T SEEM TO PREVIOUSLY EXIST IN THE SONGS HAVE SUDDENLY APPEARED. I WISH NOW I HAD SOME REALLY GOOD SPEAKERS.
WHAT I FOUND MORE AMAZING WAS THE BREEZE WITH WHICH IT CONNECTED TO MY ROUTER (D-LINK) AND OFFERED ME OVER 500 RADIO STATIONS TO SAMPLE. ALTHOUGH THE SOUND QUALITY AS YOU WOULD EXPECT IS NOT FANASTIC.
AFTER DOWNLOADING WINDOWS MEDIA CONNECT FROM MICROSOFT WINDOWS UPDATE, I HAD ACCESS TO MY SONG COLLECTION FROM MY COMPUTER - WITH AMAZING EASE AND NIL DELAY.
ALTHOUGH I HAVE HAD THIS FOR OVER ONE WEEK I HAVE NOT EVEN SEEN THE VIDEO QUALITY SINCE I HAVE BEEN TOO BUSY RE-LISTENING TO MY SONG COLLECTION.
YOU MAY BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE ALL THESE FUNCTIONS CHEAPER THROUGH VARIOUS AV SET-UPS SUCH AS THE BUFFALO - BUT NOTHING AT PRESENT CAN MATCH THIS AS AN ALL-IN ONE SYSTEM WITH INTERNET AND COMPUTER CONNECTIVITY ALONG WITH AMAZING AUDIO AND APPARANTLY VIDEO PROCESSING.
FINALLY, THE SET-UP TO ME DIDN'T SEEM AS DIFFICULT AS IT IS MADE OUT BY THE REVIEWS. THE MANUAL SEEM TO PAINSTAKINGLY LIST ALL THE STEPS INVOLVED.
THE TWO DISAPPOINTMENTS ARE, THE SPEKER TERMINALS ARE CRAMPTED AND LOOK A LITTLE FLIMSY, NAD THE REMOTE LOOKS HORRIBLE AND DOESN'T SEEM USER FRIENDLY.
Denon AVR-4306 user reviews (black)
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