Denon AVR-2808CI

The Denon AVR-2808CI home theater receiver looks like most receivers in many ways. It houses a multitude of functions within a very plain and basic black exterior. There are three knobs to the right of the LED display screen that let you easily select AV profiles without having to go into the programs you've already set.

To the left of the LED display screen are the buttons that allow you to select video, zone, and tuning along with source input. This is also where the power and standby buttons are.

As many as eight channels can be connected, via banana plugs or more typical connectors, to the speaker terminals on the back of the model. There are a lot of audio options here, and you can even hook up external speakers.

 

Everything is Deep Color and XM ready, so the creative part of this is up to you! Of course, it's what's inside the plain black box that counts, and this model offers a lot. The 28808CI is state of the art for this company with its Faroudja video processor and Dolby True HDand DTS-HD master audio codecs. It has received THX Ultra 2 certification, and offers most everything you would need for your home entertainment. For instance, it's got a powerful amplifier.

Also, there are three zones of audio and two of video, so people can watch or listen to different things in different rooms without any problem at all. Speaking of convenience, the remote is probably just what the average person needs. It has a soft-touch screen that isn't overly fussy for those in your life who are not techno-savvy.

You don't get a lot of menus, which is both a blessing and a curse. Instead, there's a single screen with icons and abbreviated labels, and the blinking lights tell you what's active and whether you're programming correctly.

It can be a bit confusing, but you should be able to figure it out. Additionally there is a sub-remote included to be used in zones two and three (the other areas of your home), and it is less confusing.