Denon zone 2 not working after 4K Genie installed

I'm sorry to hear that you're having trouble using Dolby Digital audio from the Genie 4K receiver on your Denon audio device. Let's meet on DM, so we can gather more details on your case and assist you with it. Juan, DIRECTV Community Specialist

I think you did the right thing, I also have a Denon, and had earlier models also.

I like the convenience of using the Zone2... over the years I graduated from a splitter (no zone 2) to a zone 2, but having to turn off Dolby and mess with audio, to my current denon x3800, which finally supports the audio over the HDMI when zone 2 is the same output as the main output, BUT the sound goes back to simple stereo with a center channel, the zone 2 still "steals" some of the main amps for the main listening room.

Seems crazy, but has been a limitation in my last 3 receivers.

Before the upgrade to the 4K Genie, my zone 2 worked great, for every source and the only connection was from a single HDMI cable. 

Now I would need to get a DAC for every component I want to run through zone 2.  The only other one I may get would be for my Blu-Ray player so I could play an old school cd every now and then, but streaming is just too easy for that now. 

If I leave it on Dolby Digital and turn on zone 2, I only get a fast ticking sound, so right now my options are leave it on Dolby Digital only when using the main zone.  If I want to use zone 2, then I have to switch the DirecTV audio to standard audio which would give me that audio for the main zone and zone 2. 

My previous question was if I use an HDMI splitter in place of the DAC, will that let me leave the DirecTV audio in Dolby Digital and my zone 2 will still work?  Even if it only plays stereo inside in the main zone and zone 2, but I don't have to take that extra step in switching the DirecTV from Dolby Digital to Standard Audio every time? 

Yes, I think that would work, I usually leave the Dolby off, to make the zone 2 work easily, but it seems that it's only the audio being the issue.. Try it, I think DACs are cheap.

Greg

As stated in my original question above, I already have a DAC connected for my zone 2.  My question is, would an HDMI splitter work better than a DAC and would zone 2 work with me leaving the DirecTV audio in Dolby Digital instead of Standard Audio?

"better" is a funny word. In my mind it's a decision between having dolby on and more electronics complexity or dolby off most of the time (and turned on when needed and knocking off zone 2).

I live without dolby most of the time, I use zone 2 almost every day.

Greg