75% network update failure rate on the last 6 AVR's I have installed. The latest one is the biggest pisser.

AVR-3311CI gets installed on a project. Wired, configured, audyssey'd, programmed, working great. A message pops up about an available firmware update. Like an idiot, I hit enter to continue. All downhill from there. Of course the update fails, I should have expected that. What's worse, is that it locks up the receiver and I have to hard power cycle it to get it going again, and upon rebooting it goes right back into the update cycle. Now I have solved this problem before by doing a microprocessor reset, only this time, that doesn't stop the update cycle. All of my settings, audyssey, etc are gone, but it still try's and fails to update. If I unplug the ethernet or block it's access, it will let me operate the receiver, but will give no feedback to the RTI system, or allow me to redo the Audyssey setup. I called tech support and they were no help. They suggested that I send it in for repair. Repair? This is a brand new unit, just opened the box and you want me to take it in for repair? How about you don't sell me some pos that needs to be sent in for service before it can be installed.

You are killing me Denon. This is seriously impacting the profitability of this job, not to mention the customer's satisfaction level. This is the 4th time recently that I have had network problems with a Denon AVR, wtf? Are the rest of you having this type of issue? Denon, care to respond?

BTW, I have tried putting the receiver thru as a DMZ, doing a static IP, etc. All of the jobsites where I have had this issue are standard residential DSL or cable, with run of the mill network equipment. If this were a one time thing, I might be inclined to think that there is something going on with the network or ISP, but four different locations? The error message, if anyone is interested is:

Main ROM 01min
Updating fail 83

I don't care for the CI Denons. Many of you will think this is trivial, but anytime it takes more than 1.5 seconds to tune to a preset FM station, anytime component video /analog audio switching takes longer than a second to flip, or anytime I have to mess around with power on delays, I give a big thumbs down.

1.5 seconds for presets?

I just did a 980/msc400 controlling a denon CI avr and the sirius/fm presets are in steppers like this: direct search,9,enter...no delays, works 100%

Power on delays? Why worry about power on? The new 10/11 units power on to input...a huge plus!

We had a 4311CI that was killed by an update. We put in a 3311 while the 4311 was in the shop and it was killed by an update. Denon acknowledged that there was an automatic update that went through even if you had auto update off and it fried the ethernet card. The receivers would work if you had the ethernet unplugged.

They replaced ethernet cards in both units and both were fine after that.

Cool thanks for the tip on the presets. I must be doing it wrong. That's good info on the newer receivers too. Has the switching become a little more fluid yet? I like it to be completely seamless when possible. Sorry, sometimes it's those little things that count! No laughing please, but I still use a Sony DA3ES at my house and it's switching is instant, maybe faster than the Marantz.

Ever use a Bluray? ;>)

Client had one of the first gen Sony's because a "friend" told him how much better the picture would be.


What a total and complete POS. You could take a 15 minute nap while it was powering on, and then take another 15 minute nap while it finally began loading the disc.



Was displayed on a 720P RPTV....LOL



All the client said to me was "Why does it take so long?", "Can't you fix it?" and "Why doesn't it look better?"

Agreed, I'm not sure what you are doing wrong. All my preset tuner programming is very quick. I've never had slow switching delays with component, only with HDMI and that was due to the resync. However, the new xx11's won't resync if the current input command is resent. As for power on, these things really don't take that long but between INPUT select power on and User Presets, hell with a User Preset you can send a single command and already have  POWER ON, INPUT SELECT, VOLUME LEVEL & SOUND MODE....done! THat's pretty quick.


I've only ever had a one problem doing a network update and that was on a AVR4310. It just got stuck. I let it sit overnight, came back and went ahead and power cycles. Started update again and went fine.  I've had them freeze up, but always got through it.

If you run Audyssey PRO instead, you can save the program and just reload to the avr after your updates and resets are done.

Try Integra. Instant replacement of up to six months old, after that repair. (the sucky part is its 6 months from when YOU are invoiced from Integra).

Nice to hear Denon powers on with input choice, like Integra.

Chris,

Allow me to begin with the 3311CI's have been working very well with updates in the field, I personally have one and can vouch for it. This doesn't change the fact that some people are having issues. What is causing the issue is to be determined.

Could you please provide the Mac address for each of the AVR's in question. This is located on the rear of the AVR and is also located in the Network info area.

Please PM or email me the information.

I do understand the frustration with this, but I can't assist any further without some support from our CIs. So, to the others with the same issue. Please forward me the same information so the issue can be investigated and addressed.

Thank you in advance.

Jeez, I don't sell Denon and I knew about this. Either you guys don't attend Denon trainings, which are excellent, or they just don't have them in your area.

Hey, Mark, are there any online trainings? Maybe youtubes of you doing a training, edited for just the best of the information?


While it's a good idea to gather all the information you might be able to gather about a unit with problems, this is the first time I've heard of getting the MAC address for each unit. I would totally expect to have to have the model number; if I'm doing my paperwork I will record the serial number (from which Denon should be able to instantly tell everything, including the MAC address); but taking the time to write down the MAC address? Wow.

dirtyballs, you bypassed the thing that, for years now, I have thought amazingly ridiculous about Denon receivers: you should open them up and do a firmware update before you do anything at all to it. And Denon trainings make this clear, so you must have missed that. I believe it's in the manual. I haven't looked for a while, but that info used to be buried in the manual on about page 60-something.

Unfortunately, IIRC, firmware updates really will cancel all those settings. If Mark says I'm wrong, then okay; but in his trainings he doesn't just tell us, he warns us that the firmware updates should be done first so that we don't lose custom settings.

To me, Denon is like the most high-maintenance mate you could possibly have, one that you're totally in love with: it takes stroking and compliments and gifts and sacrifice to get it turned on, but once you do that, the orgasms are fantastic.

That's a bit too much for an A/V receiver to demand of an installer, I think.


Again, I bet that no installer copied down the MAC address. If they didn't yank the unit and replace it, but somehow got it working, they'll have to now make another trip to the client.

Are you sure you (Denon) can't work out what the MAC address is from the serial number?

I think the reason for the MAC address request is so they can look at their server and see that MAC address X attempted update and then try to determine what failed. The serial number information may not be available at that point and it may only report the MAC address of that specific device.

That's my thoughts as well. Each MAC address is unique. I wonder how long before they just use the MAC as also the S/N.

Denon's don't have to be cuddled, they simply offer more features than many other manufacturers. These features take more setup that most people aren't familiar with b/c nobody else offers them.

That sounds completely correct.


I'm not saying that when one has the MAC address, the serial number info is or is not available. I'm saying that most of us should already be including the serial number in our invoicing (and perhaps Denon distributors include it in theirs), and that Denon should have a readily-available database that would allow them to look up the MAC address from the serial number. They should not be asking us for information that we haven't previously had to record for ANY product we sell or use, and that getting this info would often require a roll to the site.

I too have been in update hell lately. I have had wonderfull success with Denons until recent firmware update trouble.

In the last two months... with updates done prior to installation.

1) Fried enet card.
2) We accidentally did not turn off update reminders and client proceeded. I have not been able to get the update to complete. All is working but I no longer have feedback and I have reset both the enet card and the receiver several times (to the tune of HOURS of unbillable time).
3) Client decided to do an update even after I said not to. The update could not complete and now feedback is hit and miss which caused me to alter my control programming significantly.

I have no desire to thump Denon, however... Field failures of this nature with no recourse (USB backup method???) will cause installers to run phast from the product (pun). When I have to replace a receiver (occasional failure is to be expected) or send it out to be reloaded, my client instantly looses confidence in my recommendations especially watching me sit through 20 minute updates just to find out it did not take AGAIN despite being told I just needed to try it a few times and it would go.

I am not aware at this time of any other product that I touch which has issue updating firmware via Enet.