UMC-1, plays 2 channel only

[sathishs]

Hi Folks,
I am a newbie here. Got a new UMC-1, connected to a 5 channel amp with a 5 speaker setup.
When I run the EMO EQ setup, it plays test tones on all the 5 speakers.
However all audio plays as 2.1 channel on the Front and center speakers only.
The EMO calibration reports values for all 5 speakers.
When I go in to adjust the speaker levels when audio is playing, only the front channels are adjustable the others are grayed out ?
Appreciate any pointers to help fix this.

I tried a Sony BluRay and a Toshiba HD-DVD player with blu ray, DVD and audio CD, the result is the same. I am trying to get the sound on all 5 speakers I have hooked up.

Appreciate any help.

Also - on the OSD menu GUI, one of the screen elements is "Apply". What is the button on remote or UMC-1 that corresponds to the "Apply" option ?

- Sathish.

[bborzell]

Seems odd that you can get test tones but not source material. Have you tried any of the matrix modes to see if a signal gets sent to the other speakers? Is it possible that your source players are somehow set to 2.1 only?

[sathishs]

I tried the other sound modes - PLIIx and Neo:6... no luck. Still plays as 2 channel.
When I press "Info" on remote it shows - 48Khz, 2 channel

Previously I had the same HDMI cable fron my blu-ray player feeding a Pioneer SC05 receiver and It was playing audio on all 5 channels. The receiver was detecting the audio format correctly too, DD,DTS, DTS HD...etc,..,

I haven't changed anything on my Blu-ray player, it is a Sony BDP 350.

I even tried to reverse polarity on my speaker cable and the EMO-EQ detected it !! but for some reason does not feed my Rear speakers.

One thing I haven't tried yet is upgrading to the latest firmware revision levels....

Any suggestions welcome.

thanks.
Sathish

[mysterymachine]

Hmmm if info only says 2 channel that means something isn't communicating right between your player and the UMC.

Things to try:

1. I have that same sony player in my bedroom (well the 550 which is the 350 with analog outs). Check these settings:

Under "setup -> audio settings -> " check the following on the sony.

- Audio Output Priority: Make sure its set to HDMI

- Audio (HDMI): Make sure you have the right setting here. My two choices are auto and 2 channel PCM but you might have more to choose from (mine only shows 2 channel PCM I think becuase its connected to my TV and thats what the TV is). If you only have 2ch PCM and auto as the choices as well choose auto. If bitstream is a choice pick that.

- BD Audio - set to "Direct" not to mix.

- Dolby Digital - set to dolby digital NOT downmix PCM

- DTS - set to DTS

- 48/96 PCM - set to 48/96 PCM not downmix

2. On the UMC turn off the setting for HDMI audio out (I forget where that is and I am not at my UMC right now). Also make sure that under the speaker setting you have more than just the mains setup and your input is assigned to hdmi for ausio not digital or something (I'm sure you already checked those things on the umc but a double check never hurt). Also another user was reporting similar thing and 6 beta v2 fixed it so try that if you haven't already.


I hope one of those fixes it for you!

[mysterymachine]

Oh and the enter button is the apply I believe

[sathishs]

thanks for the replies folks, much appreciated.
"mysterymachine", I checked the settings on the Sony 350 and UMC again, they were set correct.

Then I decided to upgrade the firmware to the 4/13 released software.
When I try to flash the first file DSP1Flash_1.3.4 , I get these download errors.
I retried about 10 times, gets to 10 or 15% and then dies with a "download error".

Now I strongly feel I might have a faulty unit .... will have to call support on Monday to return.

I am disappointed that my first foray into separates is such a let down....

thanks
-Sathish

[zductive]

If the input setup in the advanced settings was dd2.0, it would report this way. But, you say that you tried different modes. Sure sounds like a downmix.

[moe]

This is very likely a setup issue in the UMC or player.I suggest reading the manual very carefully to be sure all settings are correct, good luck.

[sathishs]

Zductive - you said "If the input setup in the advanced settings was dd2.0, it would report this way. But, you say that you tried different modes. Sure sounds like a downmix. "

Could you please tell me the exact menu options that you are referring to ?

Tried a few things -
1) Successfully flashed to the latest beta2 firmware. Thanks to emonatics.com, the key to success was to have computer operate in safe mode and reboot computer to tide over any hiccups.

2) connected an ipod to the CD player inputs using a Y cable.

Still no joy, only in 2.1 channels....

-thanks...

[zductive]

I was thinking of the advanced playback menu under settings.

Under that window, you tell the UMC-1 how you want it to play each of the input formats.
If you had told it that you wanted DD to be played as DD2.0 it would probably downmix the channels for you. It seems that would need to be something that you would purposely choose.

Please go into advanced playback and check your settings. Something might be wrong there.
Otherwise, I would expect the problem to be with the source. It could send the signal over as a downmixed signal.

If you don't have it running Monday, I am sure that you will give emo a call.