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The Denon AVR-4308CI ($2499) is a 7.1 a/v receiver featuring HDMI 1.3 and digital video transcoding/upscaling to 1080p. The AVR-4308CI supports the decoding of the popular high-definition audio formats (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA). It is similar to its predecessor AVR-4306CI, but adds HDMI, more power, Internet streaming and Wi-Fi capabilities. It delivers 140 W of power to each of its 7 audio channels, and features advanced multi-zone audio and video, including the ability to transcode all video sources to a zone 2 component video output. Like the Denon AVR-3808CI ($1599) it features Faroudja DCDi video processing with all input video sources output to HDMI. It supports up to 1080p video, but lower resolution sources like 480i, 480p, 1080i are not upconverted to full HD because of a limitation of the chip.

Pros & Cons

Pros:
8 people have already voted. Do you agree?

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Includes built-in WiFi
+6agreedisagree

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Internet and network streaming of digital audio (mp3), Internet radio
+5agreedisagree

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4 x HDMI 1.3a inputs, 2 x HDMI 1.3a outputs
+5agreedisagree

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Component video output for zone 2 with upconversion from all video sources
+4agreedisagree

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Little to no audio sync issues
+3agreedisagree

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Clean and fast source switching
+2agreedisagree

Cons:
Do you agree?

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Cost
+3agreedisagree

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Problems
+1agreedisagree

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Mediocre 1080i Deinterlacing
+1agreedisagree

Competing products

Denon AVR-4308CI is ranked 3rd.  See the top picks in A/V Receivers

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More information

Features

  • 140W/channel x 7
  • Newly revised front panel and controls
  • ALL NEW GUI Setup and control interface (front panel setup possible as well)
  • Discrete Zone 2 component video output
  • Integrated Wi-Fi
  • Zone 4 digital input/output
  • 0.05% THD
  • 3 independent power transformers
  • 6 independent power supply circuits
  • Dynamic discrete surround circuit-HD (revised for HD audio formats)
  • Analog Devices SHARC 21366 (1) and 21367 (1) DSP
  • Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital+ decoding
  • DTS-HD Master Audio decoding
  • Dolby Digital EX, DTS ES Discrete/Matrix/Neo:6
  • XM-HD 5.1 with Neural Surround
  • Compressed audio restorer for portables/iPods
  • Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction with eight (8) mic positions
  • Revised Y/Mold setup microphone
  • AL24 processing (AL24+ on ALL CHANNELS)
  • 24-bit/192kHz DACs (2/8 ch PCM1791A)
  • Analog-to-Digital conversion all channels on stereo analogue inputs (24/192 PCM1804)
  • Variable high/low-pass crossover points (12/24dB) 40-250Hz
  • Assignable digital inputs
  • Denon Link 3rd (PCM/DSD compatibility)
  • 8-channel parallel digital inputs (for professional monitoring use)
  • iPod-ready with Denon D-dock
  • USB port (front and rear) for portable music players/flash drives/HDD with Command and Control functionality, on-screen data
  • XM Satellite Radio-ready (Mini-tuner compatible)
  • Multi-source, multi-zone discrete tuner select function (AM/FM/XM/HD)
  • HDMI 1.3a repeater inputs/outputs with support for 1080p/24/60 and 12-bit Deep color, xvYCC color space, auto lip sync correction, and 7.1 uncompressed 24-96 audio plus SACD
  • Analogue to HDMI video conversion/scaling (480p/720p/1080i/1080p)
  • Faroudja DCDi video processing (FLI-2310)
  • Audio Inputs/outputs: 3 digital S/PDIF4 digital optical2 optical, assignable S/PDIF outputsPhono input10 analogue inputs including tuner2 analogue record outputs (with DAC to allow digital source output)
  • Video Inputs/outputs4 HDMI 1.3a inputs2 HDMI 1.3a outputs7 composite/s-video video inputs3 composite/s-video video outputs3 component video inputs (100MHz)2 parallel (main zone) component video outputs (100MHz)
  • Independent video conversion (s-video to composite/component for Zone 2)
  • Source delete function
  • Source function rename
  • Dual surround mode speaker selection
  • System setup/surround parameters lockout
  • 8-channel external analogue inputs
  • Pure Direct/Direct/Stereo modes for digital/analogue inputs
  • 6 DSP effect modes
  • Multi-channel stereo mode
  • 56-station auto-preset memory tuning
  • RS-232 port with new Denon 2-way remote control and RF/IR base station
  • RJ-45 Ethernet port (MAC/PC streaming, Internet radio, web browser, enhanced for WMA lossless and AAC)
  • PC setup and control via Ethernet (with remote off-site diagnosis, correction, update and upgrade capability)
  • 3-zone, 3-source (with DACs for digital audio PCM support and Zone 4 digital I/O)
  • Composite video output for second zone with OSD for meta-data from iPod/XM/streaming
  • Discrete IR remote codes (4 for main zone, 2 for multi-zone)
  • Enhanced power amplifier assign for multi-zone (Zones 2 and/or 3 in split mono) or bi-amping; nine (9) modes in all
  • 8 channel preamp outputs for main zone
  • Relay-controlled protection circuits
  • New enhanced multi-zone remote with punch-through commands
  • Compatible with RC-7000/7001CI IR/RF 2-way remote/base station (optional
  • 40.8 pounds
  • Dimensions: 17.1" x 7.7" x 17.9"

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2 comments about Denon AVR 4308 CI

1.  avatar omarbec  Sep 04, 2007 8:21pm

Not user friendly. Very difficult to setup. Setting change suddenly for no reason. I keep mine locked up all the time.
2.  avatar LarryB08  Dec 04, 2007 1:21pm

I have been a Denon-ophile for years now both with their receivers and DVD players. I am the kind of person that, once I find a brand that gives me all I need and then some, I stick with them.

I am not sure what is not user friendly about the system as, if you are willing to make the effort, you can get the AVR operating as you want. The OSD is so much better than the 4306 and once I make a setting for a specific input mode, it has never once changed.

While I have seen negative comments on some functions, such as video switching/conversion, on the 4308CI, I have seen just as many superlative owner comments on its flexibilty, great sound, tons of useful features, etc. Actually, the only area that I have consistently heard that some receivers such as the Onkyo 905 excels at is video switiching over HDMI given its chip is different, and supposedly better than, the chip in the Denon.

And that may very well be true. But since the video signals from my SD and HD DVDs and SD and HD cable, to my eyes, look very good and even a bit better than through direct connections to my TV, that is all I need. I have also heard that the 905 has problematic lip sync issues and long switching delays. The Denon switches fast and cleanly and the sync is spot on. I know that lips out of sync would drive me crazy even if the 905's overall picture quality is superior.

In short, for me, Denon's 4308CI is well built, reliable, at or near the head of the curve feature wise, and continuously produces the best sound I have ever heard pumping out of my JBLs. Oh, and I don't have to worry about keeping a fire extinguisher nearby the Denon:-)

So if someone is going to ask my opinion or recommendation, I must go with the quality and features that have served me so well for so many years - and that's Denon.
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    Key Features:

    Audio Inputs HDMI
    Manufacturer Denon
    Number of Channels 7.1
    Price $2,499.00
    Product Line Denon 2007
    Release Date Jul. 31, 2007
    Video Inputs HDMI
    Watts per Channel 140 W

    Sponsors

    Product page stats

    6833 views and 57 edits (see all)
    Created: 08/10/2007 - 10:51
    Modified: 03/04/2008 - 8:17
    Model # variations:

    AVR, 4308, CI, AVR4308, 4308CI, AVR4308CI