tb123
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Post by tb123 on Apr 16, 2010 22:08:53 GMT -5
You are kidding, arent you?
Never in my life have I needed to install an application or run a PC in safe mode to use it correctly.
To say that all of the basic PC users out there should have to start doing things like this is crazy.
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Post by monkumonku on Apr 16, 2010 23:18:14 GMT -5
Agreed, any system should be able to handle the USB processing. I'm more saying it could be some race condition, which might be affected by cpu speed. Main point was the problems might be tied to the hardware XP vs Win 7 runs on than just the OS. Safe Mode is actually slower than "regular" mode. What it provides is a stable environment from which to load timing-sensitive code during the update process. There are a significant number of background processes set to a higher priority than foreground programs in a Windows XP system that will be given preemptive priority of system resources even if they are not doing anything during the update. Many of these processes are not running during Safe Mode, and this is probably making a much more stable final code load on the UMC-1. As Vista and Windows 7 are completely different architectures (in many ways) from the now-dated XP architecture, they will better behave when a user-mode foreground process appears to be using or would benefit from using the majority of all system resources. Forgive me if this has been answered somewhere already, but is there a "safe mode" startup for Vista or Windows 7? Is it the same F8 key? So is it recommended to start from safe mode regardless of the operating system? |
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Post by aboroth00 on Apr 16, 2010 23:25:26 GMT -5
You are kidding, arent you? Never in my life have I needed to install an application or run a PC in safe mode to use it correctly. To say that all of the basic PC users out there should have to start doing things like this is crazy. If this is actually true then the UMC-1 is just unique. Or the "special child." If it really works this way and only this way, it's one major quirk. I don't really mind doing this as it's only a one time thing, but it is nevertheless very odd. Perhaps the update program is to be blamed. I will be updating my umc with a win xp in safe mode pending more information. keep the testing going guys! |
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Apr 17, 2010 0:13:32 GMT -5
So I took the afternoon off on Friday to update my UMC-1. Here's a quick synopsis: Downloaded the update and instructions from the Emotiva page. Running Vista Home Premium. Did a normal boot (not in safe mode). Turned off Antivirus. Quit all other programs such as email, Activesync, etc. Ran through the update steps meticulously. Result? Worked first time! Scary, eh?  Decided to see if it will be consistent during a second try. Went through the same steps again. No issues doing the upgrade. Remember, I'm Not using safe mode and I had left the HDMI cable plugged in. Reconfigured input settings. Ran EMO-Q. The distances were within 1 foot. Crossovers were good too except the FR was at 250 Hz! Re-ran EMO-Q. This time the distances were all off by 3 feet. But they were all off by about 3 feet!! Re-ran again, same result.. still off by 3 feet. Re-ran yet again, same result.. still off by 3 feet. Gave up on EMO-Q. Using the sound meter, calibrated speakers and spent the rest of the afternoon watching movies and listening to music. Don't really use sound modes but movies (DVD and BR) seemed to play fine. Don't use a DVR, Cable box in the theater so didn't experience the dropout issues reported by others. Overall, this update seems to be working fine for me! My uses are CD, SACD, Bluray, DVD and occasionally FM radio. Thus far, no dropouts, no wild volume swings, no blown speakers. Of course YMMV. Note: I do not work for Emotiva and I paid the same amount for my UMC-1 as everyone else... just saying! |
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Apr 17, 2010 1:04:14 GMT -5
Safe Mode is actually slower than "regular" mode. What it provides is a stable environment from which to load timing-sensitive code during the update process. There are a significant number of background processes set to a higher priority than foreground programs in a Windows XP system that will be given preemptive priority of system resources even if they are not doing anything during the update. Many of these processes are not running during Safe Mode, and this is probably making a much more stable final code load on the UMC-1. As Vista and Windows 7 are completely different architectures (in many ways) from the now-dated XP architecture, they will better behave when a user-mode foreground process appears to be using or would benefit from using the majority of all system resources. Forgive me if this has been answered somewhere already, but is there a "safe mode" startup for Vista or Windows 7? Is it the same F8 key? So is it recommended to start from safe mode regardless of the operating system? Yes, there's a safe mode in Vista too but you may not need it.. I didn't need to use safe mode. |
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Post by roadrunner on Apr 17, 2010 3:51:47 GMT -5
Forgive me if this has been answered somewhere already, but is there a "safe mode" startup for Vista or Windows 7? Is it the same F8 key? So is it recommended to start from safe mode regardless of the operating system? Yes, there's a safe mode in Vista too but you may not need it.. I didn't need to use safe mode. Hemster, You were diligent enough to disable things like the virus scanner and other background hogging applications before starting your installation. That was a very wise thing to do. Congratulations for you successful install. The biggest reason I recommended everyone use safe mode is so that they won't have to disable several memory hogging, resource stealing Windows applications. It is just simpler and safer to F8 during bootup than to bother turning off applications. The last time around many, many people reported having to make mulitple attempts to complete the transfer of the FW to the UMC-1. Using safe mode would have eliminate most, if not all, of the frustration of the installation failing before it could complete. Read the install instructions on most any software package and they will recommend that you disable all the virus scanners, firewalls, etc before starting the install. Why do they do that? Because experience has shown that the install is likely to fail if you don't and the publisher doesn't want to spend all their resources trying to fix the messed up installation. Yes, you may be able to perform the FW install without going to safe mode or by disabling the virus protection, firewalls and other such programs, but why gamble. Norton and McAfee even ask you to disable all those troublesome programs before you load their software programs. Do any of you think they may have good reason for warning you to take those precautions? Have you ever wondered why they ask you to send them a "core dump" when installing their package fails? This is not a unique recommendation just for the UMC-1... it is the norm for most software installation. Do your installation which ever way makes you comfortable -- roll the dice and pray for the best. ;D |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2010 5:34:58 GMT -5
Note: I do not work for Emotiva and I paid the same amount for my UMC-1 as everyone else... just saying! Yeah, but in the interest of full disclosure did you reveal your salary and benefits received as a Lounge moderator? Now that I'm no longer a moderator and the keep your mouth shut clause has expired I can divulge this type of information. I even had to turn in my keys to the EmoBus. |
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ratmice
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Post by ratmice on Apr 17, 2010 8:22:00 GMT -5
Well I did the safe install thing. Outwardly, it went as smoothly as all the other updates I have performed. As I am typing this I just had a dropout, in the absence of a stream change, in DD mode. I had one super volume incident earlier this morning. So I would say it made no difference to the UMC-1 operation. I'm glad there are identified issues witht he PLIIx, let's see how fast we get an update. What is disappointing is that the obvious audio lock problems are not mentioned - EVER. The blasting volume thing, which can potentially damage other equipment, gets no mention either. And I don't mean the surrounds being a bit louder than they should be, I mean the volume being 5 times louder all of a sudden.
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Post by markus on Apr 17, 2010 9:16:43 GMT -5
I'm just guessing but might the firmware corruption be related to USB ports that don't provide enough current? I know that MacBook Pros don't provide enough power for certain external bus powered hard drives.
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Post by monkumonku on Apr 17, 2010 10:30:33 GMT -5
Note: I do not work for Emotiva and I paid the same amount for my UMC-1 as everyone else... just saying! Yeah, but in the interest of full disclosure did you reveal your salary and benefits received as a Lounge moderator? Now that I'm no longer a moderator and the keep your mouth shut clause has expired I can divulge this type of information. I even had to turn in my keys to the EmoBus. Did you have to turn in the copy of the V6 FW upgrade that actually works? ;D |
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ratmice
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Post by ratmice on Apr 17, 2010 10:49:16 GMT -5
I'm just guessing but might the firmware corruption be related to USB ports that don't provide enough current? I know that MacBook Pros don't provide enough power for certain external bus powered hard drives. Well, it's not powering anything during the update, and I've never had an issue with anything not running off the USB bus in my MacBookPro. However, just to be safe, I used the left-hand, full-powered connector. |
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Post by dkjohn on Apr 17, 2010 10:50:46 GMT -5
Ok guys did a 3rd install and no drop outs on the movie UP hopefully the third time was the charm used the safe mode method.
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Post by markus on Apr 17, 2010 11:10:13 GMT -5
Did my 7th firmware install. Last 2 times with a Dell Laptop running XP SP3 in safe mode (+ network). First impression: still some quirks but nowhere near as bad as before.
Looks like corrupted firmware updates are causing major problems. How to test for a successful firmware installation?
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RSavage
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Post by RSavage on Apr 17, 2010 11:18:00 GMT -5
How to test for a successful firmware installation? That's the $64K question. (please excuse the dated reference) R |
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hemster
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Post by hemster on Apr 17, 2010 18:03:53 GMT -5
Folks, although in my setup, for my use I haven't experienced them, I do believe from the posters here that there are real software issues with the update, there are some artifacts that are created by corrupted firmware updates. This is something that Emotiva will need to be mindful of for the future updates.
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ratmice
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Post by ratmice on Apr 18, 2010 7:21:02 GMT -5
Well, after a solid day with the safe mode install, I think I'm convinced it's an mild improvement. No more blasting volume since first thing yesterday morning (YAY). Still having the dropouts when FF the DVR (even more than before), still wonky DD and PLIIx soundscapes, also some audio drops NOT related to switching audio streams (ie. 5.1 to 2.0 unrelated). I am also noticing some increased volume regarding the Neo:6 processing, as well.It possible that the center width and/or dimension may impact the volume blasts, as I now have them turned to 0. I'll wait for a fix before I risk trying default PLIIx again.
I think it's obvious that there needs to be a more robust update procedure, or at least some way to verify that an uncorrupted update took place. Can't really expect everyone to try 50 different computers and just keep doing it 'til everything works :-)
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Post by dkjohn on Apr 18, 2010 7:36:08 GMT -5
Is there anyway to turn DPIIx on so that it automatically turns on.
Or defaults to the incoming stream be it DD or DTS MA or what ever.
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ratmice
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Post by ratmice on Apr 18, 2010 7:42:43 GMT -5
Is there anyway to turn DPIIx on so that it automatically turns on. Or defaults to the incoming stream be it DD or DTS MA or what ever. Yes. You can set the default processing for each kind of audio stream, per input, in the advanced playback menu. |
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