UMC-1 w/New Firmware not ready for Prime time

[bootman]

Apr 14, 2010 7:25:42 GMT -5 @markus said:

Apr 14, 2010 7:00:39 GMT -5 bootman said:

Are you planning to return yours?

Only if they can't fix it.

So you expect another firmware release within 30 days?

[sbavnut]

30 days is a good goal, but don't you think that Emotiva is better off first testing the firmware with people reporting the problems, fixing any issues, and then waiting a few days before releasing it to the public.

If they follow the above procedure, I am sure that we can have a solid firmware around mid-June.

In the meantime, unless Emotiva wants a bunch of B-stock UMC-1's in their hand, they will extend the "trial" period for every UMC-1 owner till mid-June...

[markus]

Apr 14, 2010 9:38:29 GMT -5 bootman said:

So you expect another firmware release within 30 days?

That or whatever they come up with that meets their promises.

[The UMC-1's] extensive and truly useful feature set, intuitive control interface, unparalleled sound quality, precision video processing, and advanced signal management will redefine your home theater experience."

Well, it already did redefine mine but probably not the way Emotiva expected.

[SticknStones]

Apr 13, 2010 19:01:12 GMT -5 jvenard said:

Ok, sorry to be the bad guy here, but this bucket of bits is not ready for human consumption.

DO NOT try to go into any DSP with Stadium.

I just blew 3 of my Tweeters in my beloved M1's, that will cost me about the price of the UMC 1 to replace.

DSP the unit immedeatly goes to Stadium mode the the volume levels are over the edge and caused major damage to my system.

I know that Lonnie and Dan are trying to keep this thing going, but I am very pissed off right now and would tell them to do more testing before you talk about sending this out.

Also, the Popcorn Hour C200 still does not have audio working via HDMI, only Coax or SPDIF

Did you call Emotiva on this and did they try the same test on their bench? Seems so unusual!

[johnnyg]

Apr 14, 2010 7:00:39 GMT -5 bootman said:

Is anyone here planning on returning the unit after this last firmware update now that I assume the 30 day return clock started ticking again.

I just called and got my RMA number. I've waited patiently since recieving my unit on January 12, but the latest firmware has made me lose confidence that a working UMC-1 is in the near future.

[tknice]

Yeah, I should be receiving the email to purchase any day because it's been about three weeks since I got the email about a "delay".

I'm really happy that Emotiva seems to be very proactive about fixing problems, but I just can't buy one with all of the problems people seem to be having.

I just hope they will honor the $699 price once the product has been stabilized.

Thanks for all of your hard work on this Emo!

-TK

[bort22]

I hate to say it, but hate more that it happened. I just took a massive blast of sound when switching to one of the neo modes. Sorry I can't remember which one it was. I had to run to the equipment rack and shut down asap. I'm just going to avoid all of them for now. Plenty of other strangeness too but I need to step away for a bit. Can we go back to the previous firmware?

Tom

[dwwjr56]

I know i am getting more issues than I started with! I am not very happy but I am sure that they will fix it eventually. I am really concerned about my speakers hissing, and not so much the fact that it loses front sound and only does surround. I haven't really tested this whole update throughly enough yet, so I will hold back any of my "real" feelings for later.

I really thought that this would be the "fix". I still do like the unit very much, and hope that they fix all the bugs. If my unit does lose audio when I fast fwd, or skip tracks in a CD, and it isn't fixed in the next firmware release, I no doubt will be returning my umc-1, and will be waiting for the next processor.

[oneliterpeter]

Wow... With the new firmware coming out I was wondering if maybe I had bailed on the UMC-1 too soon. I hope things get squared away but I'm also feeling better about my decision to go back to a receiver for processor duties.

[RayoVac]

Apr 14, 2010 12:31:09 GMT -5 oneliterpeter said:

Wow... With the new firmware coming out I was wondering if maybe I had bailed on the UMC-1 too soon. I hope things get squared away but I'm also feeling better about my decision to go back to a receiver for processor duties.

+1

For a time, I kind of regretting getting rid of my UMC-1 so early, and going to a Receiver. After these latest reports... I don't regret my decision at all.

[jmilton]

Apr 14, 2010 12:08:30 GMT -5 bort22 said:

I hate to say it, but hate more that it happened. I just took a massive blast of sound when switching to one of the neo modes. Sorry I can't remember which one it was. I had to run to the equipment rack and shut down asap. I'm just going to avoid all of them for now. Plenty of other strangeness too but I need to step away for a bit. Can we go back to the previous firmware?

Tom

...Vista?

[moovtune]

I'm hoping Emotiva will be re-evaluating the use of the Cirrus chips for the XMC-1. It seems many of these "glitches" are because of how that chip works. I'm glad I picked up another PrePro for the interm because even if the XMC came out in July it might be December before it would be ready enough for me to use. Of course, if they want to send me one to Beta test for them, earlier than that, I'd be glad to put it through its paces.

[ICBM99]

I'm seriously thinking about RMAing my UMC and finding something else. I really don't want to, but there really shouldn't be any reason for the bugs after 3 firmware revisions.

I love Emotiva, their amps, speakers and now subs (subject to reviews) are freaking awesome, but when it comes to pre/pros they might not have enough R&D involved.

I'm looking at the Pioneer VSX-1120-k, I'd rather have a dedicated pre/pro, but the Pioneer fits the "bill" ($), with some added features I might actually use. Of course its not due out until June, so I may have to go back to my H/K for a bit.

[oldnickt]

So I did the V6 update and it went routinely.

However, when I switch to an HDMI input all speakers except the Sub are muted (maybe -50dB). Once I pick a new input level (just change it by 1dB) then the sound is good.

Reflashing the #@$*# now to see if that fixes it.

If not then Emo can either issue a fix in a few days (like this week) or I may end up returning the unit or reflashing with the prior firmware and giving them 2 weeks max.

I have built many products and this one has great promise but needs MUCH better testing.

I did anticipate that with a rewrite (rather than bug fix release) that new issues would be introduced.

However, Emo had to expect that and needs to communicate DAILY on status of defects/fixes to keep their customer base for digital products.

[macer18]

Apr 14, 2010 14:02:05 GMT -5 @oldnickt said:

So I did the V6 update and it went routinely.

However, when I switch to an HDMI input all speakers except the Sub are muted (maybe -50dB). Once I pick a new input level (just change it by 1dB) then the sound is good.

Reflashing the #@$*# now to see if that fixes it.

If not then Emo can either issue a fix in a few days (like this week) or I may end up returning the unit or reflashing with the prior firmware and giving them 2 weeks max.

I have built many products and this one has great promise but needs MUCH better testing.

I did anticipate that with a rewrite (rather than bug fix release) that new issues would be introduced.

However, Emo had to expect that and needs to communicate DAILY on status of defects/fixes to keep their customer base for digital products.

I write software for a living...and I knew that when I saw "Rewrite" that we were in for some fun. With complex code...you always tend to break something whenever you fix something, and it takes a while. That being said, I agree, in this instance, I would hope for pretty frequent communication on the status of things. I have not yet applied the v6 firmware at this point due to the flurry of activity I was seeing last night. Hopefully get some clarification on things later today.

[oldnickt]

Apr 14, 2010 14:02:05 GMT -5 @oldnickt said:

So I did the V6 update and it went routinely.

However, when I switch to an HDMI input all speakers except the Sub are muted (maybe -50dB). Once I pick a new input level (just change it by 1dB) then the sound is good.

Reflashing the #@$*# now to see if that fixes it.

If not then Emo can either issue a fix in a few days (like this week) or I may end up returning the unit or reflashing with the prior firmware and giving them 2 weeks max.

I have built many products and this one has great promise but needs MUCH better testing.

I did anticipate that with a rewrite (rather than bug fix release) that new issues would be introduced.

However, Emo had to expect that and needs to communicate DAILY on status of defects/fixes to keep their customer base for digital products.


So the reflash went just like the first one, except that the audio seems to be working.

Pretty flakey...

Enough excitement for today - will mess with the emoQ and equalization tomorrow...

[oldnickt]

On rewriting code and bug fixes.

My best groups introduced about 1 new bug (or failed to fully fix a bug) for every 10 attempted.

For new code I will expect the rate to be much higher than when just fixing bugs.

So I am now anticipating 2 more releases - a fairly urgent one to fix the really bad new issues and a second one a few weeks later to round it out.

Oh well.....

[macer18]

Apr 14, 2010 14:41:11 GMT -5 @oldnickt said:

On rewriting code and bug fixes.

My best groups introduced about 1 new bug (or failed to fully fix a bug) for every 10 attempted.

For new code I will expect the rate to be much higher than when just fixing bugs.

So I am now anticipating 2 more releases - a fairly urgent one to fix the really bad new issues and a second one a few weeks later to round it out.

Oh well.....

I will confirm the same approx metrics with how we deal with stuff..

[oldnickt]

SO NOW I HAVE GOT OVER HAVING TO FLASH THE SYSTEM TWICE (MAYBE A CHECKSUM HANDSHAKE TO CONFIRM THE FLASH TOOK?)

I AM MUCH HAPPIER - THE SYSTEM SOUNDS GOOD - TOMORROW I WILL TRY EMOQ ONCE THEN USE TrueRTA AND A SWEEP DISK and try to get the equalization the way I want it.

[Nodscene]

I just got my email saying they have a UMC with my name on it and will be available in a week. While I am a bit concerned about all the issues so far, I'm still going to be purchasing it (I also live in Canada which makes RMA's a pain). The main reason I'm still getting it....they have been dedicated in ironing out the bugs and I firmly believe more fixes will be on their way. Sure it won't ever be perfect but I don't believe they are the only ones having issues. I have an Oppo 83 that had an issue with mkv files that just got sorted out recently and how long has that been on the market?

Just my humble thoughts. They seem to be moving in the right direction at least and are making progress.