A partial review
Written: Dec 31 '02 (Updated Jan 22 '03)
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Pros: Good quality A/V receiver that "up-converts" S-video inputs to component output
Cons: busy remote, bug in onscreen setup
The Bottom Line: A solid receiver with many features, marred only by a very sensitive and choosy video up-conversion circuit and obtrusive on-screen displays.
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| d_cortesi's Full Review: Denon AVR-3803 7.1 Channels Receiver |
Most of the reviews for the Denon 3802 (note: -02) pretty well apply to the 3803, and what's more, my speakers are so, um, modest? that I can't comment fairly on its audio qualities. So this is a short review concentrating on the 3803's video switching and setup features, and hopefully some audiophiles will fill in with more detailed comments later.
[weeks later -- how come nobody else has weighed in? There's lots more to be said about this machine...]
I wanted a receiver to be the heart of a modest home theater composed of:
* A DirecTivo satellite receiver/recorder (S-video and optical audio out) (www.tivofaq.com/DirecTiVo.html)
* A Denon DVD player (component video and optical audio out)
* An older S-VHS VCR (S-video and stereo audio out)
* Various other audio sources such as an iBook playing a large collection of MP3s through a Griffith iMic USB-to-stereo adapter (www.griffintechnology.com/products/imic/).
The receiver needed to take the three video sources (2 s-video, one component) and switch the selected source to the component (RGB) jacks of a new Samsung TV. I was positive I did not ever want to have to switch the TV's source selection when I also switched the receiver's source.
I actually bought & took home a Denon 2803 before I discovered that, although it boasted "2 component video inputs, 1 output" in fact it could not take S-Video in and put it out on the component cables. Back to The Good Guys and upgrade to the 3803, which does have the ability to "up-convert" video.
The 3803 is heavy and solid and has few controls on the front. The remote can be programmed to control many devices. It is large and very busy, and features a small LCD window that shows which device it is trying to control. I cannot comment on the remote as a universal controller because I am instead using a Philips Pronto to control the receiver and everything else (www.pronto.philips.com). The Denon remote stays in a drawer with 4 others, except when I need to change the receiver's on-screen setup options -- I didn't program those buttons into the Pronto.
Most of the 3803's extensive setup is done on-screen, and this is where the bug occurs. Under the following conditions:
* The TV is driven from the receiver's component video output (not an S-video or composite output, which work fine)
* There is no input video signal from the selected source (audio-only source, or the DVD or VCR is selected but turned off)
...the 3803 displays its setup menu for about 1/2 second and the screen goes black! You can't do the setup. The Good Guys actually took the first 3803 back and gave me another because (I thought) it couldn't be set up.
In fact, all that is required is to have a valid video signal (e.g., turn on the VCR or the DVD and select it). Then the 3803 setup menu appears very nicely over the video picture and remains on screen.
The setup is sophisticated and elaborate. You can set the level of every speaker as well as its delay in terms of distance in feet from your listening position. You can set the base volume of any of your 6.1 speakers individually with a white-noise test. And there are many other panels of setup, most of which can be left at the default values.
The 3803 has a bank of optical (Toslink) audio inputs, and these are switched separately. One setup panel is devoted to telling the 3803 which optical input it should associate with which source. For example I have the DirecTivo video coming to the "DVR" input jack and I had to tell the receiver to relate optical input #2 to DVR.
The important "up-conversion" from S-video or composite to component output is actually quite finicky about signal quality. The manual has one confusing sentence warning you that not all video sources will work, and "an external signal stabilizer" might be needed. [Would somebody please comment on what that might be?]
My old Mitsubishi S-VHS VCR could be selected and its audio came through, but its video displayed as a black screen -- until it had warmed up for 15 minutes. Then suddenly its output would appear on the screen! At first I assumed it was the Denon that had to warm up, but eventually I established that it was the VCR warming up that made the difference -- the Denon could be stone cold; if the VCR had been on 20 minutes or more, its picture came through, and if not, not.
I replaced the VCR with a new JVC S-VHS unit (for $99!) and its output comes through the 3803 without a problem -- unless I select its on-screen setup menu. The internally-generated menu image apparently isn't clean enough to suit the 3803, which blacks the screen. I had to connect the VCR to the RF input of the TV for its setup. But for playing back tapes and saving the Tivo's output, it works.
An additional, though petty, criticism is that the 3803's on-screen status displays are large, blocky, and crude. Whenever you change volume the legend "MASTER VOLUME -28.5 DB" (or whatever db level) appears across the bottom of the screen. When you mute the receiver the word *MUTING* flashes in the top center of the screen and remains as long as the receiver is muted, very obtrusive.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1200
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Epinions.com ID:
d_cortesi
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Reviews written: 5
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