LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Jan 15, 2011 13:34:24 GMT -5
My UMC-1 shipped in mid-December with 7.02.00.05. Is this the latest/greatest? Are there more updates planned? I don't believe Emotiva and "planning" should ever be used in the same sentence unless there is a "not" or "unable" prior to the word planning.  The last one (that you have) is a beta version. It (the beta) was supposed to be "...a few days to iron out the bugs..." and then a new f/w based on the beta (but updated) would be released. That was two plus months ago. They do try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try and try... Visiter, Your constant low blows on the subject of the UMC-1, as well as the Emotiva crew grow quite tiresome. The stealthy remarks are uncalled for and will no longer be tolerated. If you can't state your words in a more respectful manner then please don't respond at all. If you need a reminder on the rules of the Lounge, they can be found at the beginning of each forum section. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.  |
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Post by DeepThought on Jan 15, 2011 14:47:36 GMT -5
My UMC-1 shipped in mid-December with 7.02.00.05. Is this the latest/greatest? Are there more updates planned? The one you have is the latest "available" although it's not officially released. Updates should continue until everything that can be fixed is sorted. I would expect we will see a new release (be that by PM or public) around the end of the month or early Feb (2011) when Lonnie gets back from his travels. Fingers Xed for another great one!  Thanks for the info. I don't have any major complaints with "05". I know I've read comments of a 'hot rod' version of the F/w out there, wasn't sure if this was it or if there was something better on the horizon. And, IMHO, it would seem that "05" has been officially released. At least for new UMC-1's shipped in the past 30 days. It's what came on my UMC-1. Ordered & shipped the second week of December. I have never updated it nor asked to be a part of any beta testing process. |
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klinemj
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Post by klinemj on Jan 15, 2011 14:55:31 GMT -5
I agree Deepthought...whatever Emotiva has said about the 05 version, it looks like production to me right now. I made the plunge just before I heard that all new ones were shipping with 05, and I have been overall quite happy. I don't care if someone calls the 05 a "beta" or Moe, Larry, or Curly...it really works well. I have only had 1 problem...see thread on forwarding DVD's and losing audio. Still working on that, but it is really a rare problem!
Mark
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2011 13:30:36 GMT -5
FWIW: There have been any number of issues reported here that seem to come back to Win 7 in its 64 bit version. Many manufacturers have taken to supplying new computers for home use with the 64 bit version since it allows utilization of more than (nominally) 4 Gigs of RAM. Certainly, for some applications like editing video, games, etc., the extra RAM is very helpful. However, since its introduction with XP, the 64 bit versions have always manifested driver issues with all sorts of accessories. Things are a little better now as more manufacturers of peripherals see its increasing use, but, as we've seen repeatedly here, even something as basic as USB drives can have problems. Feh! I definitely agree with the 64bit issues on the Window's operating systems causing issues. Bill's updated USBExpress driver is the key in 64bit versions of Windows 7 working flawlessly in the UMC-1 software updates & betas, its been the key for me anyhow, zero problems on my installs. The updated driver works no better for me than the older one, ie. it doesn't work. |
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Post by Nemesis.ie on May 10, 2011 6:40:54 GMT -5
Hi Theresa, There must be something on your PC causing this - I wonder could you maybe try unplugging your boot drive and installing a fresh windows on another one, install the Emotiva software, update the USB driver run in safe mode and see if it then works? i.e. no anti-virus or anything will have been installed. Not that it is the case with your PC, but a lot of PCs (especially from Dell, HP etc.) come with a load of "funny" bloatware installed which can cause all sorts of issues (as you are probably aware) and a fresh load is really the only way to be sure some other thing that has been installed is not causing the issue. Drives are relatively cheap and it is no harm to have at least one extra for backups. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 8:55:00 GMT -5
Everything but the XPress USB driver works so I am very unlikely to reinstall the OS. I bought this PC as a custom one online with only the OS on it and later upgraded to the Pro version of 7. I haven't installed a lot of crap but do keep my drivers updated religiously. It was never able to install the Emo updates. I did update it to an SSD for my boot and have several terabytes of storage which is useful for all the CDs that I have copied to the HDs as lossless Flac files.
As for the constant criticism of Emo I don't believe it's justified given the price of the equipment. A pre-pro for $700 is unheard of. I have been tempted to get a Marantz pre-pro because of the continual problems I have installing firmware and the bad display element but then I decided that I couldn't afford it and that these problems are just annoyances that are justified by the price. I will get the XMC-1 and hopefully the delays they've had getting this product out will result in better firmware starting out. The UMC-1 is an excellent sounding product which is the most important thing to me.
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Post by Nemesis.ie on May 10, 2011 8:59:57 GMT -5
Everything but the XPress USB driver works so I am very unlikely to reinstall the OS. I bought this PC as a custom one online with only the OS on it and later upgraded to the Pro version of 7. I haven't installed a lot of crap but do keep my drivers updated religiously. It was never able to install the Emo updates. I did update it to an SSD for my boot and have several terabytes of storage which is useful for all the CDs that I have copied to the HDs as lossless Flac files. This is my point, I am NOT suggesting you reinstall. It's not that time consuming to install the OS again on another drive. You don't even need to "activate" it or enter a key, use it in "30 day trial" mode, just download what you will need to e.g. a USB drive before hand and leave the machine disconnected from the internet (and your current drives) and set everything up fresh on another drive. It should only take about 30 or 40 mins and you can keep that drive for future updates (assuming it actually works) - just set the clock to the date you install it before booting it. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 9:21:41 GMT -5
I'm thinking of trying it with the USBXpress driver installed in Windows XP Virtual Mode. Your idea to install Windows on another drive temporarily is a good idea, I might try that. Would XP work? I really can't get by for two weeks while Emo has it, I rely on it to fill my days and evenings, even though in the early morning I use my pc with the Essence Stx headphone card (I get up between 3am and 5am).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2011 9:28:14 GMT -5
I don't think that the extremely poor updating procedure should be given a pass simply because the UMC-1 costs $700. Emo set the price and presumably it is one that allows them to make a profit on the units and continue to stay in business. If not, that is their problem, not ours.
I bought the UMC-1 with the presumption that the unit and its firmware was ready for public distribution. And why did I think this? Because Emo said it was. This is, clearly, not the case. To their credit, Emotive have kindly allowed me to send the unit back to them for updating of the firmware (I *cannot* get the loader program to work on either of my Win 7 64-bit boxes). But that is a time-consuming, hassle-laden, expensive process.
One has to wonder, how long will they continue to do this gratis? I do know that the latest firmware I have, 7.04, is fairly stable and does not exhibit the show-stopper problems of the previous firmware. However, it is not bug-free and I will probably want to update the firmware to a later version sometime in the next few months. I guess I'll find out then if Emo is willing to take my unit back on their nickel...
-RW-
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Post by Nemesis.ie on May 10, 2011 10:05:21 GMT -5
I'm thinking of trying it with the USBXpress driver installed in Windows XP Virtual Mode. Your idea to install Windows on another drive temporarily is a good idea, I might try that. Would XP work? I really can't get by for two weeks while Emo has it, I rely on it to fill my days and evenings, even though in the early morning I use my pc with the Essence Stx headphone card (I get up between 3am and 5am). Sure - The virtual XP is worth a shot - I did a few successful updates running BootCamp on a Mac (although it is not the same kind of virtualisation, it's running natively on equivalent hardware). I think the main thing will be if the VM (XP) is able to talk correctly to the USB driver via the host (Win 7). Installing a native XP on a spare drive would likely be even better. |
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Post by Tony G on May 19, 2011 5:54:16 GMT -5
I don't think that the extremely poor updating procedure should be given a pass simply because the UMC-1 costs $700. Emo set the price and presumably it is one that allows them to make a profit on the units and continue to stay in business. If not, that is their problem, not ours. I bought the UMC-1 with the presumption that the unit and its firmware was ready for public distribution. And why did I think this? Because Emo said it was. This is, clearly, not the case. To their credit, Emotive have kindly allowed me to send the unit back to them for updating of the firmware (I *cannot* get the loader program to work on either of my Win 7 64-bit boxes). But that is a time-consuming, hassle-laden, expensive process. One has to wonder, how long will they continue to do this gratis? I do know that the latest firmware I have, 7.04, is fairly stable and does not exhibit the show-stopper problems of the previous firmware. However, it is not bug-free and I will probably want to update the firmware to a later version sometime in the next few months. I guess I'll find out then if Emo is willing to take my unit back on their nickel... -RW- Completely agree 100%... I have done this update no less than 10 times and I seem to have more problems than before... Sound pops left and right, switching from 720 to 1080i takes 25-30 seconds.... Center channel drop outs constantly! I've called service and they are so calm about this whole thing and sort of treat it like it's a problem on my end with the update... Thats baloney! It shouldn't be this difficult to have a processor do as advertised! Ready to throw it out! |
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choirbass
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Post by choirbass on May 28, 2011 19:34:26 GMT -5
Spending $700 really shouldn't be a huge issue for anyone, the alternative again is to spend thousands, if it's really worth spending that much more over occasionally a few minutes of just reflashing, etc. This can be very expensive hobby... and having problems and all (as everything fun does, too), that's just what it is. A hobby.
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Post by iamflynn on Jun 20, 2011 17:58:28 GMT -5
Here is my experience on the update. I have a IBM A31 Laptop that has nothing on it save XP and all the MS updates. No AV, no nothing. It's what I use to update all of my Serial devices. I updated the USBxpress drivers to 3.2 drivers from the link in this page. My box constantly went into hamburger time (Metalocalyse reference) www.youtube.com/watch?v=msGvEtmR970I booted into Safe Mode and I made it about 60% through step 2 of the DSP flash before the updater died. Then it went into a DSP update loop when I powered the box back on. I then tried a few more times and got all three files to update. The difference was I bumped the AVR updater to above normal priority. Once I got it completed I had zero sound. No tuner, nothing except EmoQ:( Tried another full update and it died a few more times. Queue'd up the profanity and decided to drink. In a moment of genius I stole the cable from my wife's printer and decided to try again. It went flawless and everything returned to working order. Update Tips. 1. Be drunk. It will reduce the frustration 2. Boot into safemode 3. Have two or more USB cables ready to try. The tell for me was the unit power cycled three times before the upgrade with the "bad" cable and with the "good" cable it would only cycle once and start the write process. Anyhow, with the new firmware all is happy and joyful. But also I am out of Gin so I'll be going to the store later. Mike |
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majorloser
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Post by majorloser on Jun 20, 2011 19:32:49 GMT -5
I got my update final competed to 7.4.07 I figured I'd wait it out till you guys played with it awhile ;D I also decided to bite the bullet and find out why I could get my Win7 laptop, instead of my older Vista laptop, to work with my UMC-1. It ended up that it didn't want to accept the USB driver for the UMC-1 because it wasn't signed (I hate Microsoft). But now that I got it working right it was a super easy process this time. All I can say is... EMOTIVA GOT IT RIGHT THIS TIMEWhat a big difference. No issues with center channel drops or changes in audio processing when switching channels on the Dish receiver. I would also say the surround processing in general is working better. Much more dynamic soundstage. Unless Lonnie comes out with some "super duper" upgrade to the firmware, I see no reason for me to do this again. It figures, though. Now that the whole firmware loading process is working right for me, I probably won't need to do it again.  NOTE TO ALL: Make sure for adhere to iamflynn's "Rule #1" shown above. It'll make the whole process much easier in the future. |
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jamrock
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Post by jamrock on Jun 20, 2011 20:17:15 GMT -5
"EMOTIVA GOT IT RIGHT THIS TIME"
What a big difference. No issues with center channel drops or changes in audio processing when switching channels on the Dish receiver. I would also say the surround processing in general is working better. Much more dynamic soundstage"
That is the language I was waiting for. It is time for me to upgrade now. Thanx majorloser ;D
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majorloser
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Post by majorloser on Jun 26, 2011 17:17:47 GMT -5
I guess I spoke too soon. I'm starting to have the center channel drops again. This time it happens when I skip through recordings on my Dish DVR. For some reason the UMC-1 doesn't see the right audio programming and has to be manually switch back to Dolby Digital. It can be quite annoying when skipping through commercials with recorded shows.
What really makes it annoying is that I now have dead batteries in the monster metal remote and I have to wait till Monday to pick up replacements from a specialty battery supplier since they are an uncommon size.
Why couldn't they just use AAA batteries???
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LCSeminole
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Post by LCSeminole on Jun 26, 2011 19:41:36 GMT -5
I guess I spoke too soon. I'm starting to have the center channel drops again. This time it happens when I skip through recordings on my Dish DVR. For some reason the UMC-1 doesn't see the right audio programming and has to be manually switch back to Dolby Digital. It can be quite annoying when skipping through commercials with recorded shows. What really makes it annoying is that I now have dead batteries in the monster metal remote and I have to wait till Monday to pick up replacements from a specialty battery supplier since they are an uncommon size. Why couldn't they just use AAA batteries??? I got mine from Walgreens and I also noticed Walmart carries these batteries as well. |
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majorloser
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Post by majorloser on Jun 27, 2011 19:18:34 GMT -5
Well, it's not the batteries. New batteries and no work. There's 3.1 volts going to the input terminals on the circuit board and the is DC voltage on the IR-LED on the remote when you press any botton. So I'm pretty sure the remote is still functioning. Just for S&G's I tried the old plastic remote. No work. The only thing I can think of is to try and reload the firmware again. Just can't understand why the pre/pro would have lost it's brain. Just seems strang that I start seeing the drops in the Dolby processing at the same time the remote functions dies. I thought I had this thing licked and everything was fixed.    |
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majorloser
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Post by majorloser on Jun 27, 2011 19:20:00 GMT -5
Is there any cross reference to a lithium battery for the remote? I'm almost willing to change the battery box out for a AAA unit.
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Post by 2infinity on Jun 27, 2011 20:18:26 GMT -5
Major
This happened to me and mark had me do a hard power off cycle on the back and all was well
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