UMC-1 Latest Firmware Impressions

[tknice]

Can we have some reviews/impressions of some of you folks with the latest firmware so we can turn the corner on some of this negativity?

[ratmice]

When it comes out we can comment. The negativity of which you speak is actually discussion of problems with the unit. By definition, that is a negative comment. The negativity will dissappear with the bugs.

[moe]

I wasn't aware the latest firmware is out? Since there is a new FW in process I consider it the latest,although still not released?

[threxx]

emotiva.com/umc1updates.shtm

2-8-10 was the last firmware update. What update are you talking about?

There's another one coming out 'any day' now... they say they're still testing it right now.

With each update they've said it addresses '99% of confirmed issues' but I guess what they consider confirmed is not really all that clear.

I seriously doubt everything will be 100% after this third update, but I guess if we keep making progress that's what counts.

[tknice]

Mar 19, 2010 9:38:58 GMT -5 ratmice said:

The negativity will dissappear with the bugs.

Hence my comment about turning the corner on some of the negativity.

Sorry guys, I though the latest firmware had been loaded and shipped on a few UMCs already. Guess it's gonna be a few more days then.

[RSavage]

Mar 19, 2010 10:16:46 GMT -5 threxx said:

I seriously doubt everything will be 100% after this third update

Unless I've slipped into another dimension, there has only been one FW update so far....with another due shortly.

As far as 'everything being 100%'....have you noticed how many ideas we have about how things SHOULD be? The UMC (or any other modern pre/pro) will never be all things for all people. In addition, the mercurial state of HDMI will assure legacy gear incompatibilities.

We've grown to expect/demand all the whistles and bells. There is a cost to be paid for this complexity.

R

[sbavnut]

Correct - all new shipments are on hold pending the release of the "almost there" firmware.

We are all eagerly waiting for users to load this new firmware and post their reports. I am hoping that the most important issues will be solved by March 31 - unless the new firmware introduces other bugs.

[threxx]

Mar 19, 2010 10:31:00 GMT -5 RSavage said:

Mar 19, 2010 10:16:46 GMT -5 threxx said:

I seriously doubt everything will be 100% after this third update

Unless I've slipped into another dimension, there has only been one FW update so far....with another due shortly.

As far as 'everything being 100%'....have you noticed how many ideas we have about how things SHOULD be? The UMC (or any other modern pre/pro) will never be all things for all people. In addition, the mercurial state of HDMI will assure legacy gear incompatibilities.

We've grown to expect/demand all the whistles and bells. There is a cost to be paid for this complexity.

R

You're correct I was thinking of the fact that it's the third firmware version, but accidentally said third firmware update.

There are some things that are flat out broken (lock ups, audio/video drops, inconsistent setting retention, EQ not actually changing anything).

And then there are some things that we aren't sure if they're broken or really by design. Like the split second audio drops on the front end of resuming sound ('no audio' on OSD). At first the Emo staff got very defensive when this issue was brought up and said that all processors in the future would do this due to new standards for mid-stream audio format changes. But as time went on I think they realized that the sound missing on the front end was a more significant chunk than they thought. They were thinking a few thousands or hundredths of a second... we were trying to tell them it was more like 1/4 - 1/2 a second. I have not heard any update from them about that issue so right now I don't know if it's considered 'confirmed' by them. Which is what I meant in my original post.

Then we have simple expectations. People expect that if their 15 year old $300 pioneer receiver could offer them both stereo and multichannel stereo, that their brand new $700 pre/pro would have both options as well.

And then lastly we have more demanding expectations. People are hoping that Emo will include a mode that allows EQ to be applied to PCM. But interestingly enough this could go into the 'bug' category, because Lonnie got defensive about this issue when it was first brought up and kept telling everyone to use 'native' mode. Later he realized there was no native mode available in this circumstance and since then there has been silence from that side of the fence.

So I'd say there are a lot of categories to place these 'issues' in but most of them are pretty legit for one reason or another.

[rskarvan]

I think we should think of buying the UMC-1 like we do computer hardware. The hardware seems to be robust. Pretty good specs. Nicely done really. Yes, it is a good box.

Now, the problem is with Microsoft Windows. First, we had Windows ME edition. Now, we have moved on to XP SP-0. Yes, there are still bugs, but it is a whole lot better than WIN ME. We have been promised WIN XP SP-2. But, we are nervous that it will end up being more like Windows Vista ini. Hopefully, Windows 7 will be coming soon enough. But, the hardware is robust. And, that is really what the pre-order is all about.

[jgeiger]

Mar 19, 2010 13:42:41 GMT -5 rskarvan said:

And, that is really what beta testing is all about.

Fixed that for you. Pre ordering has nothing to do with getting buggy equipment.

[fistofsouth]

Mar 19, 2010 13:42:41 GMT -5 rskarvan said:

I think we should think of buying the UMC-1 like we do computer hardware. The hardware seems to be robust. Pretty good specs. Nicely done really. Yes, it is a good box.

Now, the problem is with Microsoft Windows. First, we had Windows ME edition. Now, we have moved on to XP SP-0. Yes, there are still bugs, but it is a whole lot better than WIN ME. We have been promised WIN XP SP-2. But, we are nervous that it will end up being more like Windows Vista ini. Hopefully, Windows 7 will be coming soon enough. But, the hardware is robust. And, that is really what the pre-order is all about.

I agree with jgeiger that it is beta testers and not those that pre-order that should be subject to buggy performance. Some teething? Sure A few minor HDMI issues? You bet, but losing settings, room correction that does not work and subs that are set to run hot should not be a part of an initial release.

I can only respond to your Windows analogy by saying that unless you have specific applications that require Windows OS you should really change your OS. Mas OSX has run reliably for me for over a decade now and if you don't like Apple or you don't want to shell out 5 Benjamins for a new Mac or a couple for a used box you could always go with Red Had Yellow Dog or any of the innumerable Linux implementations that are out there. Most would probably work with your existing hardware and then memory leaks, system crashes, CTDs and all the rest will be a thing of the past for you.

I work IT and am thus forced to play with a few Windows boxes at work, but at home they are very minor part of my network and I NEVER allow them onto the Web simply because of all the security issues they have. Now if you are into PC games hardcore or have some esoteric application you need to run (I have PCs at home just to run a very specific Genealogy Application that I like) then I understand, but there is no reason to subject yourself to unstable performance and security issues if you are just going to use s computer like 90% of computer users do there a many options to Windows.

Back on topic: I really do hope they get everything square with the UMC-1. I was on the original pre-order list, then had to get off of the list for financial reasons and now i am back on and waiting for my number to come up. Still if there are big issues remaining when my number comes up I may just increase my budget (albeit significantly) and look elsewhere.

[jtmjnow]

I hope it will be easy for the layperson when they do release the new firmware; something I can just plug and pray. I go on overload if it becomes too complicated and do not wish to send it in for EMO to do it for me. KISS

jtmj

[rk1981]

I wouldn't be surprised if there was a delay in the release of the next firmare update, as it will either have people singing the UMC-1's praises or running for the exits. I agree that the sound quality using the direct inputs is exceptional and that part of the problem is my outdated Blu-ray player. Still, the bottom line is that the first update simply made the unit usable, but certainly not as advertised. The potential is there, but it's going to take a significant improvement in function out of the next release to entice me to stick with it.

[ammosenior]

Mar 20, 2010 2:27:32 GMT -5 jtmjnow said:

I hope it will be easy for the layperson when they do release the new firmware; something I can just plug and pray. I go on overload if it becomes too complicated and do not wish to send it in for EMO to do it for me. KISS

jtmj

While it is very time comsuming on the initial setup because everything has to be setup on each input, I wouldn't say it was complicated. Just not plug and play.

[cipher]

Mar 19, 2010 17:01:05 GMT -5 fistofsouth said:

Mar 19, 2010 13:42:41 GMT -5 rskarvan said:

I can only respond to your Windows analogy by saying that unless you have specific applications that require Windows OS you should really change your OS. Mas OSX has run reliably for me for over a decade now and if you don't like Apple or you don't want to shell out 5 Benjamins for a new Mac or a couple for a used box you could always go with Red Had Yellow Dog or any of the innumerable Linux implementations that are out there. Most would probably work with your existing hardware and then memory leaks, system crashes, CTDs and all the rest will be a thing of the past for you.

I work IT and am thus forced to play with a few Windows boxes at work, but at home they are very minor part of my network and I NEVER allow them onto the Web simply because of all the security issues they have. Now if you are into PC games hardcore or have some esoteric application you need to run (I have PCs at home just to run a very specific Genealogy Application that I like) then I understand, but there is no reason to subject yourself to unstable performance and security issues if you are just going to use s computer like 90% of computer users do there a many options to Windows.

Not to take this thread offline, but your comments are truly outdated. Yes, there may have been a time years ago when the Mac platform was considered to be more secure/stable, but this is no longer true, especially as the installed base of Mac users has grown and has given hackers a "worthwhile" target.

As for system crashes, I think the last time my Windows system crashed was over 5 years ago when I was running XP and this was related to bad audio drivers.

I, and most knowledgeable professionals, would match the latest OS's from both vendors without feeling they were sacrificing security or stability. We're at the point where user experience preferences and application compatability are usually the deciding factor when choosing between platforms...unless of course you're a Justin Long fan!

And for those who still think that OSX doesn't have bugs: www.dailytech.com/Charlie+Miller+to+Unveil+20+Zeroday+OS+X+Exploits+at+CanSecWest/article17934.htm

[rskarvan]

So... regarding PC hardware... should I give Linux a try on my spare computer? Or, is it now worth the effort? It is a P4 3.0 GHz hyper-threading processor with 2G Ram presently running XP SP-3.
Thanks.

(Never expected this thread to go here)

[wizardofoz]

Hardware for UMC is MiC (made in china)
Software is MiI (made in India) if I read correctly somewhere here
Pulling all this together is no mean feat.

UMC1 is just an A/V computer... There will be bugs, hangs and other
odd stuff even after many updates. It's life

[LCSeminole]

Mar 20, 2010 2:27:32 GMT -5 jtmjnow said:

something I can just plug and pray.

jtmj

Plug and Pray!!! A man of the cloth are you jtmj?!!! ;D Your typo has made me LMAO! ;D

[jdskycaster]

Mar 20, 2010 12:33:09 GMT -5 rskarvan said:

So... regarding PC hardware... should I give Linux a try on my spare computer? Or, is it now worth the effort? It is a P4 3.0 GHz hyper-threading processor with 2G Ram presently running XP SP-3.
Thanks.

(Never expected this thread to go here)

Upgrade it to Win 7.

[venaka]

Mar 20, 2010 13:57:15 GMT -5 LCSeminole said:

Mar 20, 2010 2:27:32 GMT -5 jtmjnow said:

something I can just plug and pray.

jtmj

Plug and Pray!!! A man of the cloth are you jtmj?!!! ;D Your typo has made me LMAO! ;D

not a typo dude, that's old techy terminology...