Audio Section
Video Section
Network & Tuner Functions
AirPlay/Bluetooth/USB Integration
Multiroom Audio/Video Playback
Remote, App, & Voice Control
Convenience Features

Audio Section

Discrete Amplification: The Denon AVR-S970H AV receiver features a powerful Class AB power amplifier section equipped with discrete high current power transistors. This discrete amplifier design delivers optimum realism and stunning dynamic range. By using high current, high power discrete power devices, the amplifier is able to easily drive high quality speakers. The AV receiver\’s seven channel Class AB amplifier is rated at 90-watts (into 8-ohm¦, at 20-20kHz, with 0.08% THD, driving 2 channels).

Amplifier Assignment: The AVR-S970H\’s seven discrete amplifier channels can be configured to accommodate your type of home theater setup.

• 7.1ch (Surround Back or Front Height): The AV receiver\’s amplifier channels can be configured for 7.1ch playback with Surround Back speakers or Front Height speakers, so you can enjoy Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD movie soundtracks. In this configuration there are no Zone 2 or Dolby Atmos speakers.
• 5.1.2ch (Dolby Atmos or DTS:X): This amplifier configuration provides 5.1.2ch playback using either top front, top middle, Dolby Atmos enabled front, or Dolby Atmos enabled surround speakers for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X movie soundtracks. In this configuration there are no Front Height, Surround Back, or Zone 2 speakers.
• 5.1ch + Zone 2: The AVR-S970H\’s amplifier channels can be configured for 5.1ch playback in the Main Zone for Dolby Digital & DTS 5.1ch movie soundtracks and 2ch playback in Zone 2. In this configuration there are no Front Height, Surround Back, or Dolby Atmos speakers.

32-Bit/192kHz DACs: For optimum fidelity and the widest dynamic range with lowest distortion, the AVR-S970H features advanced TI (Texas Instruments) 32-bit/192kHz digital-to-analog converters (DACs) on all channels. This ensures consistent high fidelity and precise channel matching across all channels for the ultimate listening experience.

Powerful DSP: The Denon AVR-S970H features two sets of powerful DSP (Digital Sound Processor) chips for the latest surround sound decoding and processing, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.  The AV receiver supports the following stereo & multichannel digital audio formats through its HDMI jacks and optical/coax digital inputs.

Immersive Surround Sound: The Denon AVR-S970H AV receiver goes beyond regular surround with the latest immersive surround sound formats from Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The AVR-S970H offers 7-channels of amplification with support for up to a 7.1 or 5.1.2 channel processing.

• Dolby Atmos: Dolby Atmos surround sound technology dispenses with channel-based coding in favor of more advanced object-based coding, giving the soundtrack designer the ability to precisely place sounds anywhere in the 3-dimensional space. Now you can enjoy this same award-winning technology at home with the AVR-S970H that lets you configure a Dolby Atmos speaker system for the ultimate home theater experience.
  • Dolby Surround: Dolby Surround offers an enhanced cinema experience to your 2ch or multichannel movie soundtracks using your existing 5.1ch, 7.1ch, or Dolby Atmos speaker setup. Dolby Surround enhances audio definition by improving the spatial dimension and overall audio definition of movie soundtracks. It does this by using four distinct surround zones that provide greater control over the exact placement of each detail in a movie sound track, so audio can be matched more accurately to the video on screen; this means more depth and greater realism for your movies. As a result, individual sounds are clearer and more distinct. It also improves the surround sound experience across the entire theater by widening the listening \”sweet spot\”.
  • Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization: Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization provides immersive audio without height-channel or overhead speakers, creating virtual height effects in a 5.1ch, 7.1ch or 2.1ch speaker arrangement. Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization applies carefully designed \”height-cue\” filters to the overhead audio components of your content\’s soundtrack before they are mixed into your loudspeakers to create the sensation of sound above you.
• DTS:X: The latest immersive surround sound system, DTS:X features object-based audio coding that lets the soundtrack designer place sonic elements anywhere in the 3D acoustic soundspace, and provides for overhead speakers to deliver a stunning surround sound experience. Along with DTS:X decoding, the AVR-S970H features DTS-HD Master Audio decoding and other DTS audio technologies.
  • DTS Neural:X: DTS Neural:X is an advanced spatial remapping technology from DTS, which provides a fully immersive output for all types of source content; this includes DTS bitstreams and non-encoded (PCM) data. DTS Neural:X delivers a thrilling sense of immersive sound to your speaker layout regardless of the original source format.
  • DTS Virtual:X: DTS Virtual:X bridges the gap between DTS:X and the reality of so many consumers\’ homes, allowing you to enjoy multi-dimensional sound regardless of room size, layout, or speaker configuration. DTS Virtual:X can be used with any content (from 2ch to 7.1.4ch soundtracks), while delivering virtual height & virtual surround processing based on psychoacoustics (not reflective surfaces).

Audyssey Suite with Dual Presets: The AVR-S970H features the Audyssey suite of
powerful DSP features – including MultEQ speaker/room calibration, Dynamic
Volume, and Dynamic EQ. You can even perform Audyssey measurements for two different speaker settings, including 2.0 for music listening and 5.1.2 for movie surround.

• MultEQ: Via the supplied measuring microphone, Audyssey
  MultEQ measures all the speakers in your home theater during setup,
  including the subwoofer, and then generates multiple high precision DSP room
  acoustic correction filters, which together provide smoothest and most
  natural tonal balance, regardless of the brand or model of the various
  speakers. Up to six listening positions can be measured, configured, and
  recorded. MultEQ compensates for both time and frequency characteristics of
  the listening area based on "Audyssey Setup" measurement results. Selection
  is done from three types of compensation curves – Reference (default and
  recommended, L/R Bypass, Flat, and Off). You can also choose to manually configure your speaker setup.
• Dynamic Volume: Audyssey Dynamic Volume features
  advanced psycho-acoustic processing to deliver clear dialog and wide range
  sound at reduced volume levels so that you can enjoy theater-level clarity
  at whatever listening level you choose.
• Dynamic EQ: Audyssey Dynamic EQ also features advanced
  DSP processing to deliver full range wide-band response, even at reduced
  volume levels. Dynamic EQ Reference Level Offset provides three offsets from
  the film level reference (5 dB, 10 dB, and 15 dB) that can be selected when
  the mix level of the content is not within the standard.

Listening Modes: The Denon AVR-S970H features a variety of
Listening modes to choose from, so you can enjoy your movie or music soundtrack
the want you to hear it.

• Auto Detection: In Auto Mode, the Listening Mode
  switches automatically to the corresponding type of audio input signal
  (Dolby Digital, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, DTS-HD, or
  multichannel PCM) that is detected. If the input signal is analog or PCM
  (2-channel), stereo playback is used.
• Denon Original Sound: Denon\’s Original Listening Modes,
  combined with Dolby Digital/DTS processing, produce more realistic, powerful
  sound effects for your movie and music sound tracks based on the type of
  content and your home theater setup. Choose between Rock Arena, Jazz Club,
  Matrix, Video Game, Mono Movie, Multichannel Stereo, or Virtual (surround
  from only front speakers or headphones).
• Stereo Playback: Sound is output from the front left
  and right speakers, as well as the powered subwoofer. If multichannel
  signals are input, they are mixed down to 2-channel audio. The tone settings
  can be adjusted.
• Direct Modes: The Denon AV receiver offers two Direct Listening Modes which bypass the receiver\’s tone & DSP processing for higher sound quality performance. Direct Mode provides playback of 2ch or Multichannel audio in its original form, without any surround or tone processing. Pure Direct Mode goes a step further by turning off the receiver\’s display and analog video circuitry to minimize the possibility of any noise being added to the audio signal.

Audio Enhancements: The Denon AVR-S970H receiver provides
various audio enhancements to deliver a high-quality listening experience every
time.

• CINEMA EQ (Cinema Equalizer): The Cinema EQ function
  gently decreases the level of the extreme high frequencies, compensating for
  overly-bright sounding motion picture soundtracks. Select this function if
  the sound from the front speakers is too bright. This function only works in
  the Dolby Digital & DTS modes.
• Compressed Audio Restorer: Compressed audio formats
  such as MP3, WMA (Windows Media Audio), and MPEG-4 AAC reduce the amount of
  data by eliminating signal components that are hard for the human ear to
  hear. The Restorer function generates the signals eliminated upon
  compression, restoring the sound to conditions near those of the original
  sound before compression. It also corrects the sense of volume of the bass
  to obtain richer sound with compressed audio signals.
• Dynamic Range Compression (DRC): Motion picture
  soundtracks have tremendous dynamic range (the contrast between very soft
  and very loud sounds). For listening late at night, or whenever the maximum
  sound level is lower than usual, Compressing the dynamic range allows you to
  hear all of the sounds in the soundtrack with reduced dynamic range. DRC
  works when playing program sources recorded in Dolby Digital or DTS.
• Room Size: The receiver\’s audio output can be set to
  simulate the acoustics of a Small, Medium Small, Medium (default), Medium
  Large, or Large room environment. This setting is not an indication of the
  actual size of your listening area.
• Center Spread: Center Spread expands the center channel signal to left and right front speakers to create a wider frontal audio image for the listener. It is optimized and designed for playback of stereo music content when using the Dolby Surround mode.
• LFE + Main: The LFE + Main setting boosts the bass sound by feeding the low-frequency signal to both the loudspeakers and the powered subwoofer, regardless of audio format or listening mode.

eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel): This feature of the AV receiver\’s main HDMI monitor output allows audio to be sent from your compatible TV to the receiver through the same HDMI cable already being used to send audio and video to your TV. This eliminates the need for extra cables connected to your television. eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) will support uncomprerssed audio formats like Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, & DTS HD Master Audio – where as the previous ARC (Audio Return Channel) was limited to only Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, DTS HD, and PCM.

Volume & Level Settings: The AVR-S970H offers the following
volume & level settings.

• Volume Settings: You can choose to display an Absolute
  volume scale (0-98) or Relative volume scale (-79.5 to 18dB). You can also
  set a maximum volume level of 0 (80), -10 (70), or -20 (60) dB to limit the
  receiver\’s total volume output. In addition, you can define the volume
  setting that is active when the power is turned on; select "Mute", -79 to
  +18dB (1-98), or Last. Volume settings can be adjusted independently for the Main Zone and Zone 2.
• Mute Level: You can set the amount of attenuation for
  the audio muting circuit; -40dB or -20dB below current volume, or full mute
  (sound turned off entirely).
• Channel, Center, & Subwoofer Level: The volume
  level (-12 to +12dB) of each channel can be changed while listening to audio
  for each input source. You can also adjust the center
  channel volume level (-12 to +12dB) independently from the channel level to clarify the dialog for all sources.
  In addition, you can adjust the subwoofer channel volume level (-12 to +12dB)
  independently from the channel level to
  emphasize low frequencies for all input sources.
• Source Level: This function adjusts the playback level
  of the currently selected input source\’s audio input. Use this feature if
  there are differences in the input volume levels between different sources.

  You can correct the playback level of the audio input from -12 to +12dB.

Audio Outputs: The Denon AVR-S970H AV receiver features
binding-post speaker terminals, dual sub outputs, and a front-panel headphone
jack.

• Color-Coded Speaker Terminals: The receiver has
  binding-post terminals for all speaker connections. The binding-post
  terminals can accept bare wire, pin connectors, and banana plugs
  (single/dual). The receiver will accept speaker impedances of 4 to 16-ohm.
  The AV receiver comes with color-coded labels to easily identify which
  channel a speaker cable should be connected to. Since the speaker cables
  have labels in the same colors as the connectors on the AVR-S970H\’s rear
  panel, there\’s no longer any confusion about which terminals they should be
  connected to.
• Dual Sub Outputs: For compatibility with dual subwoofer
  home theater systems, the AVR-S970H features two non-discrete subwoofer
  outputs. With dual subwoofers, which can be placed in different parts of the
  room, you\’ll benefit from response averaging, which helps provide smoother
  and more detailed deep bass, compared to a conventional single subwoofer
  speaker system. The same signal is output from each sub output.
• Headphone Jack: When headphones are plugged into the
  full-size 1/4" jack on the front panel, all the speakers are automatically
  muted.

Phono Input: The Denon AVR-S970H is outfitted with a Phono
input (MM), so you can connect your turntable and listen to your vinyl records
with high-quality sound.

Video Section

HDMI 2.1: Featuring six HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs, the AVR-S970H incorporates an advanced video section that features some of the latest HDMI 2.1 specifications; including support for 8K/60Hz and 4K/120 Hz video pass-through (up to 40Gbps), HDCP 2.3 compatibility, BT.2020 Wide Color Gamut, and 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling. Use a premium High Speed 18Gbps HDMI cable for the best 4K/HDR performance. Use an Ultra High Speed 48Gbps HDMI cable to enjoy 8K video. Make sure to set the receiver\’s \”4K/8K Signal Format\” to \”8K Enhanced\” in the menu to enjoy 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz video.

• 4K/120 Hz + 8K/60Hz Pass-Through: All of the AVR-S970H\’s HDMI inputs and monitor outputs support up to 4K (3840×2160 pixels) video @ 60 frames per second. Three HDMI inputs (HDMI 4-5-6) and the two HDMI outputs (Main & Monitor 2) also support 8K (7680 x 4320) video @ 60 frames per second, as well as 4K video @ 120 frames per second (both up to 40Gbps). In addition, the receiver will pass 1080p/i, 720p, and 480p/i video signals via HDMI.
• HDCP 2.3 Compliant: All of the AV receiver\’s HDMI inputs and outputs support HDCP 2.3, which fully complies with the latest copyright protection standard for 4K/HDR video transmission.
• 4:4:4 Color Subsampling: The HDMI inputs and monitor outputs support RGB, YCbCr 4:4:4, YCbCr 4:2:2, and YCbCr 4:2:0 color subsampling (pixel depth and frame rate will vary). With 4:4:4 color subsampling, luminance (brightness) and chroma (color) are sampled at the same rate; resulting in an RGB color palette as big as the video sampling rate for a video image with more colors, plus greater color accuracy and detail.
• Wide Color Gamut (BT.2020): The BT.2020 color standard delivers a much wider color gamut and represents about 75% of the total visual color spectrum, while the current Rec. 709 color standard selected as the color space for HDTVs and early generation 4K Ultra HDTVs covers only 35% of the total visual color spectrum.

Dynamic HDR: HDR provides enhanced picture quality by simultaneously enabling greater detail for both the dark and bright parts of an image. HDR reproduces a greater dynamic range of luminosity or brightness levels, creating greater contrast. This increased contrast reveals the subtle nuances of the image, from detailed blacks and shadows to the brightest whites and colors, plus greater depth. Dynamic HDR enables a noticeable progression in overall video image quality from SDR to static HDR, and now static HDR to dynamic HDR. Dynamic HDR support ensures every moment of a video is displayed at its ideal values for depth, detail, brightness, contrast, and wider color gamuts on a scene-by-scene or even a frame-by-frame basis. Dynamic HDR enhanced content is available for movies, videos, TV shows, video and PC games and VR.

• HDR10: HDR10 is an open standard and currently the most popular HDR format on the market. It uses static metadata at the start of a movie to tell the receiver and your TV that the video content is encoded using HDR.
• HDR10+: HDR10+ is a new open standard that leverages dynamic metadata to produce enhanced contrast and colors on an expanded range of televisions. HDR10+ incorporates dynamic metadata that allows the adjustment of brightness levels on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis. By applying individualized tone mapping to each scene, HDR10+ delivers an incredible viewing experience. The picture quality offers an enhanced visual experience with more detailed expressions, brighter shadow areas and more accurate color renderings that stay true to the creator\’s original intent.
• Hybrid-Log Gamma: HLG (Hybrid-Log Gamma) is primarily designed for live video feed and over-the-air broadcasts. It uses no pre-encoded metadata and is backwards compatible with SDR. HLG\’s native compatibility allows much of today\’s existing SDR infrastructure to be re-used for HDR in the future.
• Dolby Vision: Unlike HDR 10 which contains static metadata and HLG which uses no metadata, Dolby Vision uses dynamic metadata technology which sets individual color and brightness levels for each and every scene. Dolby works directly with filmmakers at major Hollywood studios to create superior HDR video masters of blockbuster movies.

4K/8K HDMI Video Upscaling: The Denon AV receiver offers HDMI video upscaling (up to 4K or 8K Ultra HD) thanks to its NatureVue video processor by Analog Devices. This sophisticated video processor provides upscaling of 1080p high definition HDMI connected sources to 4K or 8K Ultra HD; as well as 4K Video sources to 8K picture quality. The AV receiver only upscales HDMI input sources through the receiver\’s main HDMI output (not the second HDMI output).

Dual HDMI Outputs: The two HDMI outputs are parallel, so the same HDMI input audio/video signal is output through both and can be used simultaneously. Video is output at the resolution supported by both TVs. Both HDMI outputs can support up to 4K/120Hz or 8K/60Hz video. The second HDMI output does not offer HDMI upscaling.

Optimized Gaming: Showcased in the AVR-S970H are new HDMI features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) – which reduce or eliminate lag and frame tearing to offer a smoother, lag-free gaming experience.

• Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): Support for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) allows the TV to adapt to certain Game console\’s frame rate. This helps to reduce or eliminate lag, stutter and frame tearing for more fluid and better detailed gameplay.
• Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM): The receiver will enter ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) when it detects a gaming signal from a compatible device (such as a Xbox One) and allows for a smooth, lag-free gaming experience. During ALLM, the receiver disables the i/p scaler and Auto Lip Sync function.
• Quick Frame Transport (QFT): Quick Frame Transport (QFT) transmits each frame at a higher rate to decrease \”display latency\”, which is the amount of time between a frame being ready for transmission in the GPU and that frame being completely displayed. Enjoy reduced latency for smoother, tear-free entertainment experience.

Other HDMI Features: The Denon AVR-S970H AV receiver\’s HDMI connectivity also offers 3D video pass-through and auto LipSync function.

• 3D Ready: The AVR-S970H AV receiver supports 3D video pass-through (720p/1080p only) from connected 3D-compatible Blu-ray, games and broadcast devices to 3D-compatible HDTVs (all 3D components must be connected via HDMI). Special eyewear will be required for viewing 3D content.
• LipSync: This function adjusts the delay between audio and video output. You can do this manually or have the receiver set the LipSync function automatically. When connected to a TV via HDMI the receiver automatically adjusts audio output timing, if the TV supports an automatic LipSync function. You can also manually delay the sound output up to 500ms to synchronize it with the video image.

HDMI Standby Pass-Through: When the AV receiver is in
"Standby" mode and the HDMI Standby Pass-Through function is enabled, both
audio/video streams from the receivers HDMI input will be output to your
television, via the AV receiver\’s HDMI monitor output. Once the receiver is
turned "On", only video will pass through the monitor output to your TV and the
audio is directed to the receiver\’s speaker outputs.

• HDMI Input: Selects the HDMI Input for which the HDMI
  Standby Pass-Through function is enabled.
• Last: The HDMI Standby-Through function is activated on
  the input source selected at the time of setting the AV receiver to the
  "Standby" mode.
• Off: The HDMI Standby Pass-Through function is
  disabled.

Video Select Function: This receiver can display video from
a different source on your connected TV during audio playback from CD (analog input only), Tuner, HEOS,
or Phono.

Network & Tuner
Functions

Wired or Wireless Network Connection: The Denon
AVR-S970H offers a wired or wireless network connection. Either network
connection gives the receiver access to HEOS music apps (like Pandora, Amazon,and Tidal),
TuneIn Internet Radio, Spotify Connect, your music library on your Apple iOS or Android device,
as well as music content on your Windows PC or DLNA music server.

• Ethernet Jack: The Denon AVR-S970H receiver is fitted
  with a RJ-45 Ethernet (LAN) port to make a wired connection from the
  receiver to your home network.
• Built-in WiFi: The receiver also offers built-in WiFi (IEEE 802.11ac;
  2.4/5GHz) for a wireless network connection; WPS, WEP, WPA-PSK (TKIP), WPA-PSK
  (AES), WPA2-PSK (AES) security protection is supported. Wireless network
  setup can be done via WPS button, Access Point Scan, Manual Setting, PIN Code,
  or even through your Apple iOS device (7.0+).

TuneIn Internet Radio: The Denon AVR-S970H includes access
to more than 100,000 free internet radio streams from all corners of the globe
via the built-in TuneIn online music
service. Simply select TuneIn from the receiver\’s on-screen menu using the
included remote and browse among the 100,000 stations neatly organized into
popular categories and select a station that appeals to you.