After having had my UMC for a month...

[snodog]

Mar 16, 2010 10:45:34 GMT -5 DYohn said:

"Stereo" should be stereo, ie 2-channel or 2.1 channel. Period. If users want an all-channel DSP option created from a 2-channel source, then that is something else. Actual surround music (such as SACD or DVD-A) would be properly handled by the UMC-1 using the 7-channel analog inputs, but creating it from a stereo source is a non-standard playback mode and should be something users have to select if they want it for some reason. Using the PLIIx mode is a way to achieve a similar effect.

Please leave the stereo mode as is, so I can get the full advantage of the UMC-1's EQ and bass management and listen to music via the front mains plus subwoofer only. If some sort of all-channel DSP mode is added for those who want it, fine. Thank you.

That is fine that is what YOU prefer but obviously alot of people would prefer to have the option of both. I used my circle surround on my Marantz not as much to get strong sound from surround speakers but to use my center as well and I dont mean for listening to regular redbook cds as I stated before it is more for poorly recorded mp3 s and tv programs and such and it balances it out much better than with only two speakers. Perhaps you just dont understand or have ever had the need for it but others do, Im not being sarcastic, just something I really like to have and if they dont include it I may just sell mine and look for something else. Nice after waiting two #ucking years and then find out just a month shy of it being released that it wont be included...

[DYohn]

Mar 16, 2010 16:30:24 GMT -5 @snodog said:

That is fine that is what YOU prefer but obviously alot of people would prefer to have the option of both. I used my circle surround on my Marantz not as much to get strong sound from surround speakers but to use my center as well and I dont mean for listening to regular redbook cds as I stated before it is more for poorly recorded mp3 s and tv programs and such and it balances it out much better than with only two speakers. Perhaps you just dont understand or have every had the need for it but others do.

No, I understand completely. But I say again: "stereo" should be stereo. 2-channels, plus the option for the sub. If users want a different mode like all-channel DSP, then fine that'd be great for those who want it, add it in by all means. But leave "stereo" alone.

[snodog]

fine 5.1, 6.1,7.1 or just all channel mode then

[testerdennis]

Dido on all channel mode.

[threxx]

I agree that stereo should be 2.0 or 2.1. But there should without question be a multichannel stereo mode as well. I don't understand why it would be a 'one or the other' type situation as Lonnie suggested on page 2... cheapie receivers from 15 years ago offered both. Why not the cutting edge UMC-1?

[threxx]

Also, in Lonnie's latest update to the official UMC-1 status thread, he says

"All EQs have been tested and confirmed in all modes (Direct is a deliberate bypass of the EQs)"

Is this what I saw some of you referring to earlier in the thread?

OK so to me this is saying that if I'm using direct pass through then there's no way for me to use my EQ settings. Is that right?

If so... I have my PS3 set to do the decoding of my Blu-ray and SACD discs then how am I supposed to adjust the EQ settings? Just because I don't want additional and unnecessary sound processing like PLIIX applied to my SACD or Blu-ray disc doesn't mean I don't want my EQ adjustments to be applied either.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding?

[DYohn]

Mar 16, 2010 17:45:06 GMT -5 threxx said:

Also, in Lonnie's latest update to the official UMC-1 status thread, he says

"All EQs have been tested and confirmed in all modes (Direct is a deliberate bypass of the EQs)"

Is this what I saw some of you referring to earlier in the thread?

OK so to me this is saying that if I'm using direct pass through then there's no way for me to use my EQ settings. Is that right?

If so... I have my PS3 set to do the decoding of my Blu-ray and SACD discs then how am I supposed to adjust the EQ settings? Just because I don't want additional and unnecessary sound processing like PLIIX applied to my SACD or Blu-ray disc doesn't mean I don't want my EQ adjustments to be applied either.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding?

That's right, no EQ using Direct mode in the UMC-1. The answer to your PS3 application is, if you plan to use your game box as a disc player then you are limited by that it will output. Since it is limited to only HDMI for multi channel playback, then you are limited to what the UMC-1 can do with it. Set the PS3 to bitstream (if it can be) and let the UMC-1 decode the Blu Ray discs. As far as SACD, it'll be multichannel PCM which must be either PLIIx or one of the DSP modes or Direct without DSP. The best way to send SACD to the UMC-1 is multi channel analog, which your PS3 cannot provide.

[snodog]

The direct mode sounds good but without bass management on your source player I dont know that someone would use it..

[diskman]

Hum, I asked to Lonnie if the point:
PLIIx re-instated upon stream changes has been corrected.
• DTS bug in Cirrus code corrected

Will adress the drop audio in back surround when we use PLIIx or DTS ES, Neo etc... to matrix 5.1 or 2.1 to 7.1

If someone else could give me this answer go ahead......

[huffer]

Mar 16, 2010 17:55:17 GMT -5 DYohn said:

Mar 16, 2010 17:45:06 GMT -5 threxx said:

Also, in Lonnie's latest update to the official UMC-1 status thread, he says

"All EQs have been tested and confirmed in all modes (Direct is a deliberate bypass of the EQs)"

Is this what I saw some of you referring to earlier in the thread?

OK so to me this is saying that if I'm using direct pass through then there's no way for me to use my EQ settings. Is that right?

If so... I have my PS3 set to do the decoding of my Blu-ray and SACD discs then how am I supposed to adjust the EQ settings? Just because I don't want additional and unnecessary sound processing like PLIIX applied to my SACD or Blu-ray disc doesn't mean I don't want my EQ adjustments to be applied either.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding?

That's right, no EQ using Direct mode in the UMC-1. The answer to your PS3 application is, if you plan to use your game box as a disc player then you are limited by that it will output. Since it is limited to only HDMI for multi channel playback, then you are limited to what the UMC-1 can do with it. Set the PS3 to bitstream (if it can be) and let the UMC-1 decode the Blu Ray discs. As far as SACD, it'll be multichannel PCM which must be either PLIIx or one of the DSP modes or Direct without DSP. The best way to send SACD to the UMC-1 is multi channel analog, which your PS3 cannot provide.

The problem with that is that the older PS3's cannot bitstream the lossless codecs. So for people that use older PS3's they essentially cannot use the UMC to it's fullest because "Direct" is the only way the UMC will handle PCM.
This is a huge issue, as I would think that there are quite a few people who use PS3's as Blu Ray players (myself included).
I would have to question the thinking on Emotiva's part if this stays the same.

[threxx]

Mar 16, 2010 17:55:17 GMT -5 DYohn said:

Mar 16, 2010 17:45:06 GMT -5 threxx said:

Also, in Lonnie's latest update to the official UMC-1 status thread, he says

"All EQs have been tested and confirmed in all modes (Direct is a deliberate bypass of the EQs)"

Is this what I saw some of you referring to earlier in the thread?

OK so to me this is saying that if I'm using direct pass through then there's no way for me to use my EQ settings. Is that right?

If so... I have my PS3 set to do the decoding of my Blu-ray and SACD discs then how am I supposed to adjust the EQ settings? Just because I don't want additional and unnecessary sound processing like PLIIX applied to my SACD or Blu-ray disc doesn't mean I don't want my EQ adjustments to be applied either.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding?

That's right, no EQ using Direct mode in the UMC-1. The answer to your PS3 application is, if you plan to use your game box as a disc player then you are limited by that it will output. Since it is limited to only HDMI for multi channel playback, then you are limited to what the UMC-1 can do with it. Set the PS3 to bitstream (if it can be) and let the UMC-1 decode the Blu Ray discs. As far as SACD, it'll be multichannel PCM which must be either PLIIx or one of the DSP modes or Direct without DSP. The best way to send SACD to the UMC-1 is multi channel analog, which your PS3 cannot provide.

So once again, it's not Emo's fault for designing a processor with limitations that don't really cater to extremely common scenarios and setups, it's (insert 3rd party manufacturer here)'s fault. In this case Sony?

This is a common theme these days.

The question really is... is it possible to enable the EQ for direct mode? Or if that's going to screw things up, add some sort of Direct + EQ mode.

I think with quite a few of these issues the line is getting blurred between "Not possible" and "We don't think it makes sense to include that feature".

As an aside... why is HDMI substandard for sending SACD aside from the fact that in direct mode the UMC won't allow any additional modifications to the sound?

[visiter555]

Mar 15, 2010 21:33:15 GMT -5 threxx said:

Has Emo even stated they're working on PLIIX? In the official status thread I don't think they've even specified what bugs will be fixed. They've said they'll update us soon on those bugs, but last I saw they still haven't. edit: I just checked... six days ago Dan said "Please allow me a day or two to get the bug list updated here for all to see. " I don't see an update though and I see them mentioning PLIIX not initializing as the default sometimes but nothing about PLIIX sound processing/quality.

I really don't know what PLIIX is supposed to sound like but I've found that pretty much all of the non direct pass through modes sound really bad compared to just passing the signal through. I assumed that just meant I was a purist... not that there was anything wrong with it. But listening to PLIIX I really couldn't understand who would want the system to sound like that.

Now that you mention it, a multichannel stereo mode is something I've been missing. I forgot about it.

I like the fact that the stereo mode at least plays the sub... but I'd like the option to include my surrounds and center into the stereo mix as well. Heck I had a 15 year old Pioneer receiver that did that.

Speaking of receivers, it's interesting that several responders in this thread have replaced the UMC-1 with receivers and ended up happier because of it. In my mind I just can't justify a receiver purchase when I've already paid for a dedicate amp and the receiver's internal amp is just going to sit there unused.

I see Lonnie posted "a list" a week late and seemingy missing a lot.

Are those other items that have been discussed really not an issue or as has been suggested elsewhere is it becoming a "standard" answer as in "...it is XXX's fault beacuse they are non-standard".

Makes me wonder...a lot.

[flamingeye]

Mar 16, 2010 17:55:17 GMT -5 DYohn said:

Mar 16, 2010 17:45:06 GMT -5 threxx said:

Also, in Lonnie's latest update to the official UMC-1 status thread, he says

"All EQs have been tested and confirmed in all modes (Direct is a deliberate bypass of the EQs)"

Is this what I saw some of you referring to earlier in the thread?

OK so to me this is saying that if I'm using direct pass through then there's no way for me to use my EQ settings. Is that right?

If so... I have my PS3 set to do the decoding of my Blu-ray and SACD discs then how am I supposed to adjust the EQ settings? Just because I don't want additional and unnecessary sound processing like PLIIX applied to my SACD or Blu-ray disc doesn't mean I don't want my EQ adjustments to be applied either.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding?

That's right, no EQ using Direct mode in the UMC-1. The answer to your PS3 application is, if you plan to use your game box as a disc player then you are limited by that it will output. Since it is limited to only HDMI for multi channel playback, then you are limited to what the UMC-1 can do with it. Set the PS3 to bitstream (if it can be) and let the UMC-1 decode the Blu Ray discs. As far as SACD, it'll be multichannel PCM which must be either PLIIx or one of the DSP modes or Direct without DSP. The best way to send SACD to the UMC-1 is multi channel analog, which your PS3 cannot provide.

Dyohn !! I always thought that hdmi was the best way to go for multichannel sacd because you can use the pre/pro`s bass management so why would you use the 7.1 analog input on UMC instead of hdmi doesn`t the UMC just do MPCM for sacd or am I missing something or misunderstanding your comment

[Lonnie]

Mar 16, 2010 19:32:50 GMT -5 visiter555 said:

Mar 15, 2010 21:33:15 GMT -5 threxx said:

Has Emo even stated they're working on PLIIX? In the official status thread I don't think they've even specified what bugs will be fixed. They've said they'll update us soon on those bugs, but last I saw they still haven't. edit: I just checked... six days ago Dan said "Please allow me a day or two to get the bug list updated here for all to see. " I don't see an update though and I see them mentioning PLIIX not initializing as the default sometimes but nothing about PLIIX sound processing/quality.

I really don't know what PLIIX is supposed to sound like but I've found that pretty much all of the non direct pass through modes sound really bad compared to just passing the signal through. I assumed that just meant I was a purist... not that there was anything wrong with it. But listening to PLIIX I really couldn't understand who would want the system to sound like that.

Now that you mention it, a multichannel stereo mode is something I've been missing. I forgot about it.

I like the fact that the stereo mode at least plays the sub... but I'd like the option to include my surrounds and center into the stereo mix as well. Heck I had a 15 year old Pioneer receiver that did that.

Speaking of receivers, it's interesting that several responders in this thread have replaced the UMC-1 with receivers and ended up happier because of it. In my mind I just can't justify a receiver purchase when I've already paid for a dedicate amp and the receiver's internal amp is just going to sit there unused.

I see Lonnie posted "a list" a week late and seemingy missing a lot.

Are those other items that have been discussed really not an issue or as has been suggested elsewhere is it becoming a "standard" answer as in "...it is XXX's fault beacuse they are non-standard".

Makes me wonder...a lot.

Missing what and what gear did I blame anything on? Yes I said we took care of some issues that were not faults in the UMC and that is true, but I don't remember blaming anything on anyone else.

[ntrain42]

Lonnie: WHat about the random "lockups"? My UMC-1 will out of the blue, "lock up" where none of the remote buttons or buttons on the front of the unit will not function, including the power button. The only way to get the unit to work is to cut the power to the unit via the switch in the back and then turn it back on(via the switch out back). Is this issue going to be fixed or do I have a defective unit potentially?

[Lonnie]

Mar 16, 2010 18:25:08 GMT -5 threxx said:

Mar 16, 2010 17:55:17 GMT -5 DYohn said:

That's right, no EQ using Direct mode in the UMC-1. The answer to your PS3 application is, if you plan to use your game box as a disc player then you are limited by that it will output. Since it is limited to only HDMI for multi channel playback, then you are limited to what the UMC-1 can do with it. Set the PS3 to bitstream (if it can be) and let the UMC-1 decode the Blu Ray discs. As far as SACD, it'll be multichannel PCM which must be either PLIIx or one of the DSP modes or Direct without DSP. The best way to send SACD to the UMC-1 is multi channel analog, which your PS3 cannot provide.

So once again, it's not Emo's fault for designing a processor with limitations that don't really cater to extremely common scenarios and setups, it's (insert 3rd party manufacturer here)'s fault. In this case Sony?

This is a common theme these days.

The question really is... is it possible to enable the EQ for direct mode? Or if that's going to screw things up, add some sort of Direct + EQ mode.

I think with quite a few of these issues the line is getting blurred between "Not possible" and "We don't think it makes sense to include that feature".

As an aside... why is HDMI substandard for sending SACD aside from the fact that in direct mode the UMC won't allow any additional modifications to the sound?

My, my feel the anger.

Direct has always been a "Direct" path with no post processing which EQs are. If you want to play SACDs, MCPCM or anything else and use the EQs then run it in its native mode or any of the other supported modes for the given input type. Direct was always there to give you the purest path if you want to use it.

[Lonnie]

Mar 16, 2010 17:45:06 GMT -5 threxx said:

Also, in Lonnie's latest update to the official UMC-1 status thread, he says

"All EQs have been tested and confirmed in all modes (Direct is a deliberate bypass of the EQs)"

Is this what I saw some of you referring to earlier in the thread?

OK so to me this is saying that if I'm using direct pass through then there's no way for me to use my EQ settings. Is that right?

If so... I have my PS3 set to do the decoding of my Blu-ray and SACD discs then how am I supposed to adjust the EQ settings? Just because I don't want additional and unnecessary sound processing like PLIIX applied to my SACD or Blu-ray disc doesn't mean I don't want my EQ adjustments to be applied either.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding?

If you want to use the EQs then just run it in its native format.

[Lonnie]

Mar 16, 2010 20:19:37 GMT -5 ntrain42 said:

Lonnie: WHat about the random "lockups"? My UMC-1 will out of the blue, "lock up" where none of the remote buttons or buttons on the front of the unit will not function, including the power button. The only way to get the unit to work is to cut the power to the unit via the switch in the back and then turn it back on(via the switch out back). Is this issue going to be fixed or do I have a defective unit potentially?

Taken care of.

[ntrain42]

Mar 16, 2010 18:25:08 GMT -5 threxx said:

Mar 16, 2010 17:55:17 GMT -5 DYohn said:

That's right, no EQ using Direct mode in the UMC-1. The answer to your PS3 application is, if you plan to use your game box as a disc player then you are limited by that it will output. Since it is limited to only HDMI for multi channel playback, then you are limited to what the UMC-1 can do with it. Set the PS3 to bitstream (if it can be) and let the UMC-1 decode the Blu Ray discs. As far as SACD, it'll be multichannel PCM which must be either PLIIx or one of the DSP modes or Direct without DSP. The best way to send SACD to the UMC-1 is multi channel analog, which your PS3 cannot provide.

So once again, it's not Emo's fault for designing a processor with limitations that don't really cater to extremely common scenarios and setups, it's (insert 3rd party manufacturer here)'s fault. In this case Sony?

This is a common theme these days.

The question really is... is it possible to enable the EQ for direct mode? Or if that's going to screw things up, add some sort of Direct + EQ mode.

I think with quite a few of these issues the line is getting blurred between "Not possible" and "We don't think it makes sense to include that feature".

As an aside... why is HDMI substandard for sending SACD aside from the fact that in direct mode the UMC won't allow any additional modifications to the sound?

Most times "pure" or "direct" mode on ANY processor bypasses any EQ or display function. Its not just this way for the Emotiva processor, its this way for many other brands as well.

[ntrain42]

Mar 16, 2010 20:24:22 GMT -5 Lonnie said:

Mar 16, 2010 20:19:37 GMT -5 ntrain42 said:

Lonnie: WHat about the random "lockups"? My UMC-1 will out of the blue, "lock up" where none of the remote buttons or buttons on the front of the unit will not function, including the power button. The only way to get the unit to work is to cut the power to the unit via the switch in the back and then turn it back on(via the switch out back). Is this issue going to be fixed or do I have a defective unit potentially?

Taken care of.

OK, thats great to hear, glad its not a defective hardware issue then. Can't wait for this firmware. I actually love the unit, just needs the last few bugs ironed out. Can't wait.