With a suggested retail price of $1599 it is considered among the four high-end Denon models with the AVR-2808CI ($1199), AVR-4308CI ($2499), and the flagship AVR-5308CI ($5199) rounding out the other three.
The AVR-3808CI includes a revamped GUI that replaces the simple text-based OSD found on earlier models in the Denon history. It also includes added digital media capabilities with two USB 2.0 ports (one front/one rear) for connecting mp3 players and USB hard drives, and an ethernet port that includes audio streaming, web browsing, and PC diagnostics of the receiver.
Transcoding / Upconversion / Scaling
All of the video sources can be transcoded to the HDMI 1.3a output simplifying your home theater system setup; the Faroudja DCDi chip will upscale video sources to 1080p. The flagship model AVR-5308CI includes the Silicon Optix Realta chipset that will upscale all video sources to 1080p. The AVR-3808CI has been released at around the same time as the similarly priced, and feature-rich Onkyo TX-SR875 that includes the Silicon REON HQV chipset, that is generally accepted as a superior chipset.
The AVR-3808CI was made available in late July 2007 with an MSRP of $1599.
