I've just upgraded from the Denon 3805 to the 3808CI and I'm having an issue with my URC MX-950/MRF-350 Universal Remote. On the 3805 I had the MRF-350 connected to the back of the receiver into the "Remote Control-Room to Room-IN" jack. However, when I try that exact setup with the 3808CI, I get very erratic results, sometimes it works but many times it doesn't, I have the Remote set to RF only so I'm not flooding the IR on the 3808. I've also run an IR emitter (using the same output from the MRF-350 as the cable connected to the back of receiver) to the front of the 3808 to see if it was the IR signal level coming out of the MRF-350, but the IR emitter is 100% accurate.

Keep in mind that I've been using the same setup with the 3805 for the last year and I've never had any issues with the cable connected to the back of the receiver.

Does anybody have any ideas or has anyone else have this issue? I've searched this forum and others and I haven't seen anyone mention this issue. I guess that could be because no one is using one of the URC MRF-300/350 RF Base Station with the 3808CI, or because no one is having any issues with it. I've also posted this question on the Denon 3808CI Forum on AVSForum.com.

Thanks,
Dan

Have you tried cranking down the MRF-350's IR output with a screwdriver?

I know I've played around with the IR Output, but I'm not positive I've turned it all the way down. I'll try that tonight and see if that helps and let you know. Thanks for your input.

Dan

In order to effectively use the rear IR port on the 3808, you need to change the 3808 settings to specify that the "two-way remote" is being used. If you do this, I'll bet you start getting rock solid control.

Yeah, I saw that on the 3808CI Setup Menu, sorry I didn't mention that, I forgot about that setting. After I wasn't getting any response to the remote when I first connected it, I found that selection in the Setup Menu and changed it, the 3805 didn't have that option so I had no idea it was there. I wasn't getting any response until I made the change, after I changed the setting on the 3808 the response was better, but still hit or miss.

I hope Freddy is right and that I am over-powering the IR Receiver on the 3808, I'll try setting the signal to it's lowest setting on the MRF-350 as soon as I get home and I'll reply with my results.

Thanks for your ideas,
Dan

Maybe try a firmware update?

I have the exact same issues on multiple 3808s and just ended up doing the emitter on the front for rock solid performance. Oddly enough, I am using the rear input from a MSC400 in one of my showroom setups and have never had a problem. Go figure? But I have experienced exactly what you describe on multiple jobs.

I lowered the IR Output to the minimum and it seems to have helped. I've gone from about 40% reliable to almost 90-95%. I think I'll continue using the rear input and maybe tweak the IR level and see if that helps.

FP, I did the Firmware Upgrade before I installed the receiver and I haven't connected up the 3808 to my network yet, so I'm not positive I have the latest Firmware, but I will check that this weekend when I connect it up.

Thanks for the ideas. If anyone thinks of any other ideas, please let me know.

Dan

Does anybody know if the Denon 2808CI has the same two-way remote setting that I need to track down. I'm having the same type of issues with the direct IR input line from my MRF-350. My situation, oddly enough, is that it works 100% when turning off the device and never works when turning it on. When I first setup the MRF-350 with the 2808, everything worked fine for about 48 hours and then it suddenly went haywire. Go figure.

I played around with the direct Line in for the 3808CI and I never could get it to work better than a 50/50 chance. I received my MX-980 on Friday and I was hoping that would be better since my 2 MX-850s work just fine when the direct line in is plugged into the Denon, but I'm having the same problems with the MX-980 as I am with the MX-950.

I've given up and I'm just using the IR emitter adhered to the front of the receiver.

Dan

If anyone else has any ideas, I'm more than willing to try them.

We've had issues with all the Denon receivers also, when trying to use the rear IR input.

Could it be a voltage issue? Doesn't the MRF-350 run at 9V, while most other items, like the Denon, run at 12V for IR?

I'm running a 2808CI via the back panel input and it works great. 100%. I am using an RTI (RP-6) back end however.

Haven't tried it with URC gear but maybe the issues is the difference between the two. I don't know what that would be, but maybe a guru around here does.