Denon AVR-3808CI

The Denon AVR-3808CI is one of several new models as part of Denon's 2007 lineup that features 13 new A/V recievers. It is a 7.1 channel receiver with 130W / channel, with 4 HDMI inputs and includes a Faroudja DCDi video processor chip. With a suggested retail price of $1599 it is considered among the four high-end Denon models with the AVR-2808CI ($1199), AVR-4308CI ($2499), and the flagship AVR-5308CI ($5199) rounding out the other three.
 

Denon AVR-3808CI
MSRP $1,599.00
Release date July, 2007
Brand Denon
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Pros & Cons

ProSCORE
11 reviews
84
negative
mixed
positive
10 positive
0 mixed
1 negative

[i] How is the ProSCORE calculated?

show me!

Pros:
Do you agree?
•
All video sources switched to the HDMI output
+10agreedisagree

•
Includes 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
+9agreedisagree

•
USB 2.0 ports and Ethernet connectivity
+8agreedisagree

•
Upscales HDMI signals to 1080p
+8agreedisagree

•
Excellent SD upconversion
+8agreedisagree

•
Control your receiver from your PC using a web browser
+8agreedisagree

•
Improved GUI interface
+7agreedisagree

•
Includes 2-way IR remote and supports 2-way RF remote
+7agreedisagree

•
Excellent audio quality
+3agreedisagree

•
Audyssey Pro package available free for new buyers, or as $100 upgrade for previous owners
+3agreedisagree

•
Silent, fan-less operation
+3agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?
•
Poor 1080i deinterlacing (HDMI 1080i to 1080p conversion)
+4agreedisagree

•
Cannot upconvert 1080p component video to the HDMI output
+3agreedisagree

•
Expensive compared to Onkyo competition
+1agreedisagree

•
very hot in standby mode = too high 'idle' power consumption
+1agreedisagree

•
Silicon Optix Realta chipset should be included
-1agreedisagree


13 people added to this review by submitting or voting on pros and cons. Add your say!
See individual votes »

Details

The AVR-3808CI includes a revamped GUI that replaces the simple text-based OSD found on earlier models in the Denon history. It also includes added digital media capabilities with two USB 2.0 ports (one front/one rear) for connecting mp3 players and USB hard drives, and an ethernet port that includes audio streaming, web browsing, and PC diagnostics of the receiver.

Transcoding / Upconversion / Scaling
 

All of the video sources can be transcoded to the HDMI 1.3a output simplifying your home theater system setup;  the Faroudja DCDi chip will upscale video sources to 1080p. The flagship model AVR-5308CI includes the Silicon Optix Realta chipset that will upscale all video sources to 1080p. The AVR-3808CI has been released at around the same time as the similarly priced, and feature-rich Onkyo TX-SR875 that includes the Silicon REON HQV chipset, that is generally accepted as a superior chipset.
 

The AVR-3808CI was made available in late July 2007 with an MSRP of $1599.

Competitors

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Articles

• Denon AVR-3808CI vs. Onkyo TX-SR875

written by Erik Aug 15, 07

This report was started July 31, 2007 at 3:04 pm by Erik
with the last edit occurring January 8, 2009 at 4:05 pm by lorax1284
This page has been viewed 22572 times, with 173 edits by 21 contributors.
See the full report history »

Competitors

Denon AVR-3808CI is ranked 5th among it's competitors.  See the top picks in A/V Receivers »
Onkyo TX-SR876

Onkyo TX-SR876

MSRP  $1,599.00    Released  September, 2008
Pros
  • Silicon Optix Reon HQV-50 Video Scaler
  • Audyssey Dynamic Volume, Dynamic EQ, and Auto Setup
  • Output Any Video Signal in 1080P (via HDMI output)
  • 2 HDMI Outputs
Cons
  • Only 4 HDMI Inputs
  • No USB ports
ProSCORE
6 reviews
88
Vote! (4 votes)
vote Denon AVR-3808CI 25% vs. vote Onkyo TX-SR876 75%
Yamaha RX-V3900

Yamaha RX-V3900

MSRP  $1,899.95    Released  September, 2008
Pros
  • 4 x HDMI inputs + 2 HDMI outputs
  • Internet + network connectivity with Web browser control
  • Anchor Bay VRS Technology + PReP video processing for large displays
Cons
  • Anchor Bay not as good as Silicon Optix HQV Reon-VX in Onkyo and Denon
  • No THX certification
  • No HDMI to HDMI upscaling
ProSCORE
12 reviews
95
Vote! (3 votes)
vote Denon AVR-3808CI 33% vs. vote Yamaha RX-V3900 67%
Onkyo TX-SR875

Onkyo TX-SR875

MSRP  $1,699.00    Released  July, 2007
Pros
  • Reon-VX HQV video processing (1080p)
  • Upscales all video sources to 1080p/HDMI
  • Supports bi-amplification and bridged operation
Cons
  • No tweaking of the REON processor except to disable xvYCC
  • Problems with HDMI handshaking with some video sources
  • Automated Audyssey setup required some manual tweaking for acceptable results
ProSCORE
23 reviews
85
Vote! (8 votes)
vote Denon AVR-3808CI 38% vs. vote Onkyo TX-SR875 62%
Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH

Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH

MSRP  $1,600.00    Released  August, 2007
Pros
  • LAN / Internet streaming
  • Send room acoustic data to your PC over RS-232
  • Upscaling using Faroudja chip to 1080p over HDMI
  • Advanced MCACC system /w full phase control
  • Looks great; nice build quality
Cons
  • Lackluster UI compared to competitors
ProSCORE
18 reviews
88
Vote! (13 votes)
vote Denon AVR-3808CI 38% vs. vote Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH 62%
Marantz SR7002

Marantz SR7002

MSRP  $1,399.99    Released  October, 2007
Pros
  • Upconverts video sources to HDMI
  • Decodes Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA
  • 2 HDMI 1.3a outputs
  • Dual assignable component video outputs
  • Decent price
Cons
  • Not a toroidal power transformer
ProSCORE
2 reviews
92
Vote! (3 votes)
vote Denon AVR-3808CI 67% vs. vote Marantz SR7002 33%
Yamaha RX-V3800

Yamaha RX-V3800

MSRP  $1,699.00    Released  September, 2007
Pros
  • LAN-connected - can stream MP3, WMA, WAV
  • 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
  • Upscales SD sources to 1080p
Cons
  • No HDMI-to-HDMI upscaling
  • Only upconverts 480i/p, and only over analog
  • Uses unproven Anchor Bay Technologies ABT1010 scaler instead of Faroudja or HQV
ProSCORE
9 reviews
74
Vote! (8 votes)
vote Denon AVR-3808CI 75% vs. vote Yamaha RX-V3800 25%
Sony STR-DA5300ES

Sony STR-DA5300ES

MSRP  $1,699.00    Released  September, 2007
Pros
  • 6 HDMI 1.3a inputs (most competitors have only 4)
  • Includes 2 remotes - one advanced, one simple
  • Excellent graphical user interface
Cons
  • Doesn't upscale lower resolution HDMI sources to 1080p
  • Reon HQV chip is better than the Faroudja DCDi
  • No network streaming functionality
ProSCORE
10 reviews
81
Vote! (6 votes)
vote Denon AVR-3808CI 83% vs. vote Sony STR-DA5300ES 17%

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Comments

1.  avatar Joel said:

The inability of the AVR-2808CI to u[pconvert to 1080p is for me, a fatal flaw. I would not buy the unit since I want to be able to upconvert my 1080i cable signal.
Aug 02, 2007 12:05am
2.  avatar Erik said:

Looks like there was some confusion about the capabilities of the Faroudja DCDi chip included in this receiver. IT WILL UPSCALE TO 1080p. (Though perhaps not as well as the HQV chips)
Aug 14, 2007 11:19am
3.  avatar JVi said:

One pro review @ CNET mentions that when HDMI to HDMI upscaling is set with the 3808CI to scale from 1080i to 1080p the results are not very good. Any comments?

Dec 05, 2007 12:38pm
4.  avatar Erik said:

It's definitely an interesting point about this receiver. The HDMI upscaling feature is one that sets this receiver apart from its competition (I don't think any of its competitors at its price point do it), but given the fact that it's performance is poor in 1080i deinterlacing, it kind of makes it an irrelevant feature. From the CNET review, it sounds as if your source player will do just as good a job scaling as the receiver itself.
Dec 05, 2007 1:13pm
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Reviews

Sort by: Most helpful  •  Newest  •  Most positive

lorax1284

avatar
January 8, 2009
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
83
negative
mixed
positive
10 pros
2 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • All video sources switched to the HDMI output
  • Includes 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
  • USB 2.0 ports and Ethernet connectivity
  • Upscales HDMI signals to 1080p
  • Excellent SD upconversion
  • Control your receiver from your PC using a web browser
  • Includes 2-way IR remote and supports 2-way RF remote
  • Excellent audio quality
  • Audyssey Pro package available free for new buyers, or as $100 upgrade for previous owners
  • Silent, fan-less operation

Cons

  • Cannot upconvert 1080p component video to the HDMI output
  • very hot in standby mode = too high 'idle' power consumption

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

karlonordo

avatar
June 4, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
78
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
2 cons
have ithave it
love itlove it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • All video sources switched to the HDMI output
  • Includes 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
  • Upscales HDMI signals to 1080p
  • Excellent SD upconversion
  • Control your receiver from your PC using a web browser
  • Improved GUI interface
  • Includes 2-way IR remote and supports 2-way RF remote

Cons

  • Poor 1080i deinterlacing (HDMI 1080i to 1080p conversion)
  • Silicon Optix Realta chipset should be included

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

Raptor007

avatar
December 11, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
75
negative
mixed
positive
6 pros
2 cons
have ithave it
love itlove it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • All video sources switched to the HDMI output
  • Includes 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
  • Upscales HDMI signals to 1080p
  • Excellent audio quality
  • Audyssey Pro package available free for new buyers, or as $100 upgrade for previous owners
  • Silent, fan-less operation

Cons

  • Expensive compared to Onkyo competition
  • Silicon Optix Realta chipset should be included

Competitors

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

the jordan

avatar
February 2, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
88
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
1 con
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • All video sources switched to the HDMI output
  • Includes 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
  • USB 2.0 ports and Ethernet connectivity
  • Upscales HDMI signals to 1080p
  • Excellent SD upconversion
  • Control your receiver from your PC using a web browser
  • Improved GUI interface

Cons

  • Poor 1080i deinterlacing (HDMI 1080i to 1080p conversion)

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

charusamarth

avatar
January 31, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
8 pros
0 cons
want itwant it
have ithave it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • All video sources switched to the HDMI output
  • Includes 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
  • USB 2.0 ports and Ethernet connectivity
  • Upscales HDMI signals to 1080p
  • Excellent SD upconversion
  • Control your receiver from your PC using a web browser
  • Improved GUI interface
  • Includes 2-way IR remote and supports 2-way RF remote

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Competitors

charusamarth prefers Denon AVR-3808CI over Onkyo TX-SR875, Sony STR-DA5300ES, Yamaha RX-V3800, Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH
Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

sclevin

avatar
December 21, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
7 pros
0 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • All video sources switched to the HDMI output
  • Includes 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
  • USB 2.0 ports and Ethernet connectivity
  • Upscales HDMI signals to 1080p
  • Excellent SD upconversion
  • Improved GUI interface
  • Includes 2-way IR remote and supports 2-way RF remote

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Competitors

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

pmac

avatar
December 10, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
60
negative
mixed
positive
3 pros
2 cons
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • All video sources switched to the HDMI output
  • USB 2.0 ports and Ethernet connectivity
  • Control your receiver from your PC using a web browser

Cons

  • Poor 1080i deinterlacing (HDMI 1080i to 1080p conversion)
  • Cannot upconvert 1080p component video to the HDMI output

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

witchdog

avatar
September 16, 2007
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
100
negative
mixed
positive
5 pros
0 cons
love itlove it
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • All video sources switched to the HDMI output
  • Includes 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
  • USB 2.0 ports and Ethernet connectivity
  • Improved GUI interface
  • Includes 2-way IR remote and supports 2-way RF remote

Cons

Did not agree with any cons

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

dbenhur

avatar
December 14, 2008
approved
reviewer
ProSCORE
0
negative
mixed
positive
0 pros
1 con
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

Did not agree with any pros

Cons

  • Expensive compared to Onkyo competition

Competitors

dbenhur prefers Onkyo TX-SR876, Onkyo TX-SR875 over Denon AVR-3808CI
dbenhur prefers Denon AVR-3808CI over Yamaha RX-V3800, Sony STR-DA5300ES
Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No

Sina172

avatar
December 13, 2008
ProSCORE
92
negative
mixed
positive
11 pros
1 con
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pros

  • All video sources switched to the HDMI output
  • Includes 4 HDMI 1.3a inputs
  • USB 2.0 ports and Ethernet connectivity
  • Upscales HDMI signals to 1080p
  • Excellent SD upconversion
  • Control your receiver from your PC using a web browser
  • Improved GUI interface
  • Includes 2-way IR remote and supports 2-way RF remote
  • Excellent audio quality
  • Audyssey Pro package available free for new buyers, or as $100 upgrade for previous owners
  • Silent, fan-less operation

Cons

  • Cannot upconvert 1080p component video to the HDMI output

Did you find this review helpful? Yes  /  No
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This product is also known as:

AVR, 3808, CI, AVR3808, 3808CI, AVR3808CI