i have the 4800 and my recollection is that you can only use analog inputs (not digital) with the second zone--try connecting analog rca to your v.aux and see if that does the trick.
Denon AVR-4802R
've had this receiver for years and have had the multi-zone working with no problem. Now I'm trying to do something slightly different and it is not working and I could use some help. I have a couple of devices that have to plug directly into the TV first but I want the audio to go through the Denon. The first device was my MacBook Air and I was lazy and just used the speakers on the TV instead of trying to make it go through the Denon. I just got a Chromecast and it also plugs first into the TV. Since I will use Pandora on the Chromecast, I would like to have the multi-zone capability working.
So I decided to use the optical output from the TV and jack it into the Denon and then associate that with V.AUX. Now I can watch the Chromecast output on the TV and get sound out of the main channel of the Denon but I am unable to get sound out of the multi-zone. I make sure that the input for both the main and the multi-zones is the same: V.AUX, and the multi-zone is turned on yet no sound comes out. If I try another setup (jack in my iPhone to the CD input) I can get output both on the main and multi zones so I know that the multi zones still work. Do I need to select a different input from V.AUX for some reason? Or is there something else I am missing? Thanks for any help or suggestions.
So I decided to use the optical output from the TV and jack it into the Denon and then associate that with V.AUX. Now I can watch the Chromecast output on the TV and get sound out of the main channel of the Denon but I am unable to get sound out of the multi-zone. I make sure that the input for both the main and the multi-zones is the same: V.AUX, and the multi-zone is turned on yet no sound comes out. If I try another setup (jack in my iPhone to the CD input) I can get output both on the main and multi zones so I know that the multi zones still work. Do I need to select a different input from V.AUX for some reason? Or is there something else I am missing? Thanks for any help or suggestions.
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Loomisjohnson is correct that the multi zone output will only work with analog inputs and not digital, however if the Denon is like other A/V receivers from this same era, the suggestion to use v-aux analog will only work provided there is no digital signal present at the digital input assigned to v-aux. This happens because the digital signal has priority and blocks the analog signal. To use both inputs, digital for the main and analog for the multi zone from the same source, digital is configured the same way as you described, then use a different input for analog, something other than v-aux and one that is not assigned to any digital input, and set multi zone to that input. |
Well, I believe I can overcome optical digital output only from the TV, however it will only work if your TV can be set to PCM and not Dolby Digital. This also prevents main room Dolby Digital, but a different surround is possible. Connect the TV's optical out as you previously described, then use another optical cable from digital out on the Denon to this inexpensive DAC, and analog from the DAC to a different input on the Denon as stated in my previous post. You could use a better DAC, but since this is multi zone, assuming remote speakers, it may not be necessary. |
Yeah. I already thought of that. I see they range from under $10 to $40 or more. I may do that or just live with it the way it is. When I'm watching the MacBook I'm not likely to want to be using the multi zone. It's only when using the Chromecast and listening to music like Pandora that I might want the multi zone capability and I can already get Pandora by plugging in my iPhone so I'll probably just use it the way it is. |