XMC-1 : Feature Suggestions

[klinemj]

I REALLY want back the UMC-1's flexibility to fully configure custom inputs. Specifically, with the XMC-1, when going to customize the setups for inputs, one cannot (on HDMI #1-8) change the video input from any of the setups - one can only change the audio source (i.e., to Coax, Toslink, or analog in). One could change either on the UMC-1, and this enabled huge and useful flexibility. For example, with the UMC-1 I can set "Aux 5" to use HDMI #1 for audio and video and choose specific other settings (like, EQ on or off, preferred mapping of input formats to desired output formats and the like) AND I could set "Aux 6" to ALSO use HDMI #1 for audio and video yet choose other specific settings like those mentioned.

Why is this helpful? Simple - with 1 button push, I can have the UMC-1 playing exactly the way I want it without having to scroll through settings if I wanted to toggle between EQ on and EQ off, for example.

With the XMC-1, one cannot duplicate a physical HDMI input selection on more than 1 customizable input - so this great functionality is lost from the UMC-1.

What would I pay for this feature? Well, I had been told this was going to built into the XMC-1 by someone at Emotiva, so I really wouldn't expect to pay extra for it.

lonnie - can this be modified with FW on the XMC-1 or are there hardware limitations?

Thanks,

Mark

[Mike Ronesia]

Aug 21, 2014 18:05:14 GMT -5 klinemj said:

I REALLY want back the UMC-1's flexibility to fully configure custom inputs. Specifically, with the XMC-1, when going to customize the setups for inputs, one cannot (on HDMI #1-8) change the video input from any of the setups - one can only change the audio source (i.e., to Coax, Toslink, or analog in). One could change either on the UMC-1, and this enabled huge and useful flexibility. For example, with the UMC-1 I can set "Aux 5" to use HDMI #1 for audio and video and choose specific other settings (like, EQ on or off, preferred mapping of input formats to desired output formats and the like) AND I could set "Aux 6" to ALSO use HDMI #1 for audio and video yet choose other specific settings like those mentioned.

Why is this helpful? Simple - with 1 button push, I can have the UMC-1 playing exactly the way I want it without having to scroll through settings if I wanted to toggle between EQ on and EQ off, for example.

With the XMC-1, one cannot duplicate a physical HDMI input selection on more than 1 customizable input - so this great functionality is lost from the UMC-1.

What would I pay for this feature? Well, I had been told this was going to built into the XMC-1 by someone at Emotiva, so I really wouldn't expect to pay extra for it.

lonnie - can this be modified with FW on the XMC-1 or are there hardware limitations?

Thanks,

Mark

I hope so. I use multiple settings for one input on my UMC-1 as well. Like you said, it makes it easy to apply the proper room correction with one click. Right now my room is eq'ed with two profiles for my Oppo, one with windows open and one with windows closed and they are vastly different. I just select BD-open or BD-closed on the harmony when watching a movie. The only difference between the two is which emo-Q profile is used.

[wizardofoz]

+1 for me too...I use it slightly differently with different audio options for the same HDMI input, maybe 7.1 or optionally a different audio source all together from the video stream so I can watch something I'm not interested in the audio from like a game thats playing while I wait for the next program while I listen to my media streamer or whatever.

while we can probably find a workaround, I'm guessing a lot of current UMC-1 owners will not be happy this option is not there.

[cwt]

Aug 21, 2014 18:05:14 GMT -5 klinemj said:

I REALLY want back the UMC-1's flexibility to fully configure custom inputs. Specifically, with the XMC-1, when going to customize the setups for inputs, one cannot (on HDMI #1-8) change the video input from any of the setups - one can only change the audio source (i.e., to Coax, Toslink, or analog in). One could change either on the UMC-1, and this enabled huge and useful flexibility. For example, with the UMC-1 I can set "Aux 5" to use HDMI #1 for audio and video and choose specific other settings (like, EQ on or off, preferred mapping of input formats to desired output formats and the like) AND I could set "Aux 6" to ALSO use HDMI #1 for audio and video yet choose other specific settings like those mentioned.

Remember you asking about that Mark ; curiously my pt7030 [purported early xmc1 ] does have - similarly to the umc1 configurable multiple hdmi/component/composite switching per input with the scrolling digital/analog audio options . dsp modes and cinema eq [ the parametric I assume] is also switchable per input
Hope it comes about ; very handy when oppo's have all their outputs active

[tesla]

Aug 21, 2014 18:05:14 GMT -5 klinemj said:

I REALLY want back the UMC-1's flexibility to fully configure custom inputs. ...

Yeah, baby!!! One of the hands-down best feature of my UMC-1 is its capability of pairing any of my available video source devices with any of my audio sources and assigning them to any one of its user-selectable inputs.

wizardofoz said:

+1 for me too...I use it slightly differently with different audio options for the same HDMI input, maybe 7.1 or optionally a different audio source all together from the video stream so I can watch something I'm not interested in the audio from like a game thats playing while I wait for the next program while I listen to my media streamer or whatever.

while we can probably find a workaround, I'm guessing a lot of current UMC-1 owners will not be happy this option is not there.

Your guess is very likely correct. I was certainly not happy to learn I'd be losing this ability. Ever since sports commentators began filling every nanosecond of air time with nonsensical and irrelevant prattle, mixed media viewing is the only way I can stand to watch sporting events any longer. One of my inputs is permanently configured to provide video from my cable converter and audio from my CD player. Love having this option.

Emo guys, please restore this functionality!

[millst]

+1

[petew]

Aug 22, 2014 16:47:35 GMT -5 tesla said:

I was certainly not happy to learn I'd be losing this ability. Ever since sports commentators began filling every nanosecond of air time with nonsensical and irrelevant prattle, mixed media viewing is the only way I can stand to watch sporting events any longer.

I disconnect the center speaker for most sporting events. Another good reason to have monoblocks I guess.

[stephen]

Aug 22, 2014 16:47:35 GMT -5 tesla said:

Aug 21, 2014 18:05:14 GMT -5 klinemj said:

I REALLY want back the UMC-1's flexibility to fully configure custom inputs. ...

Yeah, baby!!! One of the hands-down best feature of my UMC-1 is its capability of pairing any of my available video source devices with any of my audio sources and assigning them to any one of its user-selectable inputs.

wizardofoz said:

+1 for me too...I use it slightly differently with different audio options for the same HDMI input, maybe 7.1 or optionally a different audio source all together from the video stream so I can watch something I'm not interested in the audio from like a game thats playing while I wait for the next program while I listen to my media streamer or whatever.

while we can probably find a workaround, I'm guessing a lot of current UMC-1 owners will not be happy this option is not there.

Your guess is very likely correct. I was certainly not happy to learn I'd be losing this ability. Ever since sports commentators began filling every nanosecond of air time with nonsensical and irrelevant prattle, mixed media viewing is the only way I can stand to watch sporting events any longer. One of my inputs is permanently configured to provide video from my cable converter and audio from my CD player. Love having this option.

Emo guys, please restore this functionality!

Wow. Yeah I love this virtual input flexibility on my UMC-1!

[bluescale]

Jul 31, 2014 14:22:19 GMT -5 bootman said:

I like Pete's idea about REW and the XMC.

Jul 18, 2014 9:59:26 GMT -5 petes said:

Hi

Given that our friends over at HomeTheaterShack created the profile in REW for the UMC-200, I thought we might as well get our request in early to them to add XMC-1 as well. We already know that there are 11 bands per channel (inc. sub), which is nice. We also know from the manual that you can set gain at -64db to +6 in .5db increments and that frequency can be set from 20Hz to 20kHz. However, we don't know the steps in frequency, nor the range or steps in Q. Anyone care to comment on these so that we can get the request into John and the guys.

Also, since we now have working USB ports, it would be lovely if there was a way to upload all those data points from REW - long shot I know, but would save lots of clicking.

pete S

I've been waiting to see if anything would happen on this front when I realized I could just as easily email John Mulcahy as anyone else. I just sent him an email asking him if he'd be willing to add the XMC-1, and what information he needs to get it setup. It might be a duplicate effort, but I've yet to see anyone claim to have done it yet.

[bluescale]

I just got this response from John:

Hi Faraz,

XMC-1 support is already in progress, a build that supports it is with Emotiva for checking at the moment. Note that the XMC-1 uses a different definition of bandwidth to the UMC so Q settings are not equivalent between the two, XMC uses the same definition as REW's Generic setting.

Best regards,

John

This is very good news for me. Hopefully Emotiva turns this around quickly, and John's able to make the build public before too long. I've been using the generic setting like he suggests. Unfortunately, the Q setting on the XMC-1 is limited to 10.0, and REW often has significantly larger Q values for the generic EQ.

[edrummereasye]

Aug 21, 2014 18:05:14 GMT -5 klinemj said:

I REALLY want back the UMC-1's flexibility to fully configure custom inputs. Specifically, with the XMC-1, when going to customize the setups for inputs, one cannot (on HDMI #1-8) change the video input from any of the setups - one can only change the audio source (i.e., to Coax, Toslink, or analog in). One could change either on the UMC-1, and this enabled huge and useful flexibility. For example, with the UMC-1 I can set "Aux 5" to use HDMI #1 for audio and video and choose specific other settings (like, EQ on or off, preferred mapping of input formats to desired output formats and the like) AND I could set "Aux 6" to ALSO use HDMI #1 for audio and video yet choose other specific settings like those mentioned.

Why is this helpful? Simple - with 1 button push, I can have the UMC-1 playing exactly the way I want it without having to scroll through settings if I wanted to toggle between EQ on and EQ off, for example.,

Mark

+1,000,000 - I'm really disappointed as I also thought the XMC would work that way. There's a ton of uses for it...comparing different audio outputs/component chains, for one; also, for items like an Oppo or an HTPC; I have a few inputs for each, as the output type, settings, and the next component in the chain, differ for 2-ch. music vs. multi-channel music vs. movies vs. web-surfing...just makes sense to be as flexible as possible here, IMO.

I should add, though, that I've been able to work around it to some extent with the UMC-200, by putting all the inputs using the same video source consecutively, and cycling through so that the first input sets the video, then the other ones pick it up via "last used". Thinking that's only good for one component, though, and probably inconvenient for many. I tend to turn the system on and set the input manually, anyway...I'm short an HDMI input, plus the Oppo video goes direct to the TV, so a lot of times, it requires the TV remote, the TiVo remote, possiby the Oppo remote, plus hitting power on the UMC-200, the XSP-1, and maybe the DAC and HTPC to get running...so I have 2 or 3 less remotes on the coffee table that way, and cycling through the inputs isn't that much trouble.

[baldrick]

7xXLR is too few for my wishes so if posssible we need to reroute the RCA for these wanted features:

I would like to have a 2way active x-over for LCR as Onkyo have: www.intl.onkyo.com/promotion/digitalcrossover/technology03.html If the RCA/XLR can be rerouted this could be done useing 6xXLR for LCR and 4xRCA for surround.

As many others I would also like support for Atmos usenig RCA for the extra channels.

[ocezam]

Jul 22, 2014 17:07:41 GMT -5 ansat said:

I would love to see an add on processor (1RU) for channels 8,9,10,11. Have it connectable through the rj45 port in the back.
Price - 300 for the hardware

I agree. It never crossed my mind it was possible. I have heights and wides and wouldn't go back. In fact I really haven't been reading much about the XMC simply because 7.x doesn't interest me. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if this were available.

[urwi]

Values of 10 and higher indicate you're overcorrecting issues that are only valid for a single point in space but not for a larger area.

Aug 23, 2014 3:41:49 GMT -5 bluescale said:

Unfortunately, the Q setting on the XMC-1 is limited to 10.0, and REW often has significantly larger Q values for the generic EQ.

[bluescale]

Aug 24, 2014 2:40:57 GMT -5 urwi said:

Values of 10 and higher indicate you're overcorrecting issues that are only valid for a single point in space but not for a larger area.

I'm learning that. Plus, if you set your targets correctly, REW rarely spits out a Q value that high. JRiver has a very powerful PEQ, and in retrospect, I shudder at the damage I unintentionally did to my audio signal by using it so indiscriminately. Less is certainly more with equalization.

[zeppa]

Aug 23, 2014 8:14:59 GMT -5 ocezam said:

Jul 22, 2014 17:07:41 GMT -5 ansat said:

I would love to see an add on processor (1RU) for channels 8,9,10,11. Have it connectable through the rj45 port in the back.
Price - 300 for the hardware

I agree. It never crossed my mind it was possible. I have heights and wides and wouldn't go back. In fact I really haven't been reading much about the XMC simply because 7.x doesn't interest me. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if this were available.

It's either that, or rerouting both Zone1 and Zone2 RCAs to do this.
I'd been using my Yamaha DSP-A1's height speakers for the last 15 years...  Now that I've just replaced it for a UMC-1 I'm already missing that feature.
I just think Emotiva is going to make a big mistake if they cannot find a way to implement this on the XMC-1 right now, Dolby Atmos or no Dolby Atmos... 

[foggy1956]

Power on, standby and lowest power options all available without having to go into the menu tree.

[wizardofoz]

OSD timeout option for say 2/5/10/15 seconds. Its pretty hard to catch the Tuner scan results before they chuff off.

I would like to see a SLEEP mode. If its running linux there is a clock in there - at least while its running the time should be ticking by. maybe a wakeup too in say 1hr incr up to 12/24hrs

Maybe a dim display, volume knob and all buttons separately.

silk screening on the back inputs and outputs so you can read them when looking over the top (upside down) like some other brands do as now the cables cover up the names printed below and up the wrong way.

[AudioHTIT]

Aug 25, 2014 12:15:08 GMT -5 zeppa said:

Aug 23, 2014 8:14:59 GMT -5 ocezam said:

I agree. It never crossed my mind it was possible. I have heights and wides and wouldn't go back. In fact I really haven't been reading much about the XMC simply because 7.x doesn't interest me. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if this were available.

It's either that, or rerouting both Zone1 and Zone2 RCAs to do this.
I'd been using my Yamaha DSP-A1's height speakers for the last 15 years...  Now that I've just replaced it for a UMC-1 I'm already missing that feature.
I just think Emotiva is going to make a big mistake if they cannot find a way to implement this on the XMC-1 right now, Dolby Atmos or no Dolby Atmos... 

I think Zone 1 is just another name for the main Zone so no separate channels there. The options I see are PLIIz (or eventually Atmos) using the 7 existing channels - 5.x+heights (or 5.2.2), or (if possible) using Zone 2 for two more channels added to the Main Zone - 7.x+heights, or 7.2.2, 5.2.4. Tony's idea (ansat) is the most intriguing because you're not rebuilding the XMC-1, your building an add-on box for those who want to expand, and you're using the network for the additional channels. Though I still think PLIIz and Neo:6 should be added for flexibility.

[bluescale]

Aug 25, 2014 13:29:35 GMT -5 foggy1956 said:

Power on, standby and lowest power options all available without having to go into the menu tree.

It would be great if hitting the standby button twice would put it into the lowest power option. That way, during the day when I might turn it on and off a few times, I can hit it once and have it go to standby. When I'm heading to bed for the night, I can hit it a second time, and the thing shuts down completely.