UMC-200 volume at startup

[reet]

I've had the UMC-200 for a number of years and enjoy it thoroughly. About 6 months ago it quit on me, video started flickering then it refused to turn on. Some research led me to believe the power supply was at fault. Emotiva didn't respond to me email request for service, so I repaired it myself (I am an electronics tech by trade). The caps were toast in the +5V supply and were replaced. Since then it has operated flawlessly again.

I now have a new issue which is quite troublesome. Seldomly when I turn the unit on it cranks the volume to 59.5 which is higher than I even listen willingly 50 is about the max I ever crank it. As you can suspect it is quite a startle when I hit the play button, and I fear for the safety of my speakers. Is this a common issue with a solution, or am I SOL?

[Gary Cook]

Strange behaviour, I've gotten into the habit of giving the volume button on the UMC-200 remote a tap as its booting up, that way when the amps power up the volume is at zero. I don't have your particular problem but some members of my family have a habit of turning down the volume on the cable box and cranking the volume on the UMC-200. So when I turn it on to listen/watch something other than the cable box it can be VERY LOUD.

Cheers
Gary

[Loop 7]

My UMC-200 occasionally has a mind of it's own. When attenuating the volume down, the UMC-200 will respond but then immediately increase volume into the high 50's. So far, a power cycle resolves the issue until a few weeks later.

I still have two years remaining on warranty but I'm doubting Emotiva would repair it.

[KeithL]

Usually this sort of odd behavior can be traced to "rogue IR commands" coming from some other device in the room.

Even if the other junk doesn't cause the UMC-200 to do odd things randomly, it can cause odd things to happen after a legitimate command is received. You can test this by shading the IR receiver on the front of the UMC-200 - and see if it stops. (It's usually either a funky compact-fluorescent bulb, or the screen of a plasma or LED TV, or sunlight from a window, that does it. You can usually figure out what simply by observing what IR light sources are on when the problem occurs... or what time of day it happens.)

Jun 16, 2016 7:57:03 GMT -5 Loop 7 said:

My UMC-200 occasionally has a mind of it's own. When attenuating the volume down, the UMC-200 will respond but then immediately increase volume into the high 50's. So far, a power cycle resolves the issue until a few weeks later.

I still have two years remaining on warranty but I'm doubting Emotiva would repair it.

[Loop 7]

Jun 16, 2016 8:38:13 GMT -5 KeithL said:

Usually this sort of odd behavior can be traced to "rogue IR commands" coming from some other device in the room.

Even if the other junk doesn't cause the UMC-200 to do odd things randomly, it can cause odd things to happen after a legitimate command is received. You can test this by shading the IR receiver on the front of the UMC-200 - and see if it stops. (It's usually either a funky compact-fluorescent bulb, or the screen of a plasma or LED TV, or sunlight from a window, that does it. You can usually figure out what simply by observing what IR light sources are on when the problem occurs... or what time of day it happens.)

Jun 16, 2016 7:57:03 GMT -5 Loop 7 said:

My UMC-200 occasionally has a mind of it's own. When attenuating the volume down, the UMC-200 will respond but then immediately increase volume into the high 50's. So far, a power cycle resolves the issue until a few weeks later.

I still have two years remaining on warranty but I'm doubting Emotiva would repair it.

Okay, that's interesting.

Next time it happens, I'll begin investigating the above likely causes.

[reet]

Thanks everyone for your responses thus far. 

The only thing IR related that would occur during power up for me would be the power button to the TV. I'll run some test tonight and see if I can reproduce this by pressing the TV power via the remote control. It seems unlikely since this is a new behavoiur to me, but you never know. 

Jun 16, 2016 8:38:13 GMT -5 KeithL said:

Usually this sort of odd behavior can be traced to "rogue IR commands" coming from some other device in the room.

Even if the other junk doesn't cause the UMC-200 to do odd things randomly, it can cause odd things to happen after a legitimate command is received. You can test this by shading the IR receiver on the front of the UMC-200 - and see if it stops. (It's usually either a funky compact-fluorescent bulb, or the screen of a plasma or LED TV, or sunlight from a window, that does it. You can usually figure out what simply by observing what IR light sources are on when the problem occurs... or what time of day it happens.)

Jun 16, 2016 7:57:03 GMT -5 Loop 7 said:

My UMC-200 occasionally has a mind of it's own. When attenuating the volume down, the UMC-200 will respond but then immediately increase volume into the high 50's. So far, a power cycle resolves the issue until a few weeks later.

I still have two years remaining on warranty but I'm doubting Emotiva would repair it.

[reet]

Well I've been able to verify that IR commands are not the issue here. I've witnessed the unit reproducing the problem by simply putting it in stand-by and then back on, using nothing other than the UMC-200's own remote. No other commands given to other equipment. Volume when I pressed standby was 32, then only left it off for 5 seconds, when turned back on, volume raised to 60.

60 is not an acceptable volume, at this point I am just not going to turn the thing off again, unless there is some other solution.

[Gary Cook]

I had a couple of situations some years ago, hence obviously not a UMC-200, where infrared controlled devices were randomly changing their settings. In one case it was an old remote control (for another device no longer in use) stuck in the lounge that changed settings whenever someone sat in that position. In other case it was a panel emitting random infrared signals. One was caused by sunlight filtered through a skylight.

I isolate issues by covering the infrared sensor on the device with some blocking tape and using its front panel controls. If the problem stops, then there is obviously some rouge infrared signal causing it and it becomes a matter of locating it. For that purpose I use a tube (toilet roll inner for example) that limits the range that the infrared sensor can "see". A bit of directionality can help at least isolate the general location of the source.

If the problem still occurs (with the tape over the sensor) then the UMC -200 needs a visit to the technical geniuses at Emotiva.

Cheers
Gary

[reet]

This is not IR related, and appears to be getting more frequent as time goes on. Turned on with the button today, no remotes, blinds closed, etc. Same problem, volume at 60 at startup. I am assuming another bad capacitor in the unit causing it to loose its brains when turned off. However the only thing going is the volume, other settings appear unaffected.

Maybe I should try reloading the firmware? It's a PITA to do so I've been trying to leave that as a last resort.

Is there a equivalent new model being released by Emotiva soon? A Bas-X line prepro or something like that?

[reet]

Perfect!

So I had the .41 firmware on this thing since I bought it. I thought, I could upgrade to the .47 firmware, maybe it will help. So I loaded it in, firmware loaded 100%, then waiting, then fail. Not success. The unit is now stuck at the bootup screen, says "UMC-200 V1.52.02.47" and then does absolutely nothing. It's bricked.

[reet]

It won't reflash the programming again, starts at "read device ver" then fails.

[yves]

1. Pick up the phone
2. Call Emo
3. Wait for friendly voice
4. Ask for Damon Steele
5. Tell Big Dan that Damon Steele has saved your life

[reet]

Of course. I was just upset and venting. Emotiva is not open on the weekend.

I called and spoke with Damon, he gave me some special instruction to load the firmware a different way. Hopefully this does the trick. Unfortunately, it sounds like newer firmware won't fix my issue with the volume control.

[reet]

Just some follow up. Working with Emotiva, I was able to get the warranty transferred to my name, and the unit repaired in Canada. I should have it back in a few days!

HDMI board was replaced.