Preliminary XMC feature sets.

[ssjlaletas]

Mar 2, 2009 15:18:31 GMT -5 spursfan said:

I dont understand why the XMC should have wireless streaming capabilities?

It reminds me of the old saying "Jack of all trades, Master of none". I guess to each there own but if streaming is a requirement, there are most likely dedicated media streamers already available that fit the bill.

Why include it in the XMC when you can get one now that probably does it better (obviously no ones tried it, but in my experience it always bears out that a dedicated something is usually better than a multi-tasking something; if you follow)

Just my .02

Spursfan, no one said anything about the xmc-1 having wireless capabilities, although Lonnie noted that there might be a possibility of having network capability for using networked music etc.. Its not a definite, and yes there are many units out there that would far exceed what the XMC-1 could potentially do in streaming, if it were to happen anyway. Point is that it would nice, an added bonus, a cool little easter egg. Thats all nothing more, not a buying decision, or a necessity, if it were than an external unit should and would be in order.

My excitement mostly with this feature is it opens some doors. Sure streaming is great I might use it if its on there, but more importantly if the unit has a NIC than theres a chance that now the unit can be IP controlled, which is great of an automation system like AMX, or perhaps you can download firmware updates with the NIC, etc.. I think it would be a great addition to an already promising unit.

[angalths]

Mar 1, 2009 15:32:01 GMT -5 julien said:

Mar 1, 2009 14:52:35 GMT -5 angalths said:

I've got a few questions, and comments as well.

I'm in the LCD TV/projector camp so those 2 HDMI outs are a requirement for me. I'd like to make sure the output resolution can be set independently for each, one 720p and one 1080p? It's not relevant to me if they're both outputting at the same time.

If you don't need zone 2 for another room you could use it for this purpose.



I like this idea also (the more info the better) and would like to see it in the main display. My Onkyo can do this.

Mar 1, 2009 14:52:35 GMT -5 angalths said:

I wouldn't mind some clarification on what type of streaming you're looking into. I ripped all my CDs to FLAC a couple years ago and stream them using XBMC off an xbox. As you can imagine, I'd love to have a source that is better than an xbox. However, I'm pretty picky as to the methodology. I don't use Apple products, or anything that would cause vendor lock-in. I guess XBMC works for me since it uses a samba share, which doesn't require any additional software to be installed on the computer.

Dave

Would also like more info on what is being considered for streaming. I have all Apple Lossless and to decode it would likely require a licensing fee to Apple (unlike FLAC). Also would love to see (HD) video streaming. While this may seem a little exotic at this time it's likely to become more of a standard.

While I don't need zone 2 for anything else, I'd rather avoid any hokey-ness of flipping zones just to get a second display output. I really don't expect this to be an issue because it would be silly to have two HDMI outputs on zone 1 and have both of those stuck at the same resolution. However I will look into this before I buy just to verify.

I'm glad you agree on the debug/info screen. It would be very useful. I think the streaming thing will be the hardest. Everyone does things a bit differently in that area, so it'd be hard to satisfy even most people. HD video streaming would be very cool, but I'd imagine that's even more difficult. The problem with building codec dependent stuff into hardware is that new codecs come out faster than we would buy new hardware. Think of everything they'd have to support.. You've got the H .264 / VC-1 which we care about most right now, but should they also support Divx, Xvid, mpeg2 etc? Personally I'd be happy with just the H .264/VC-1 since that's what my XBMC can't handle.

[spursfan]

You make valid points and granted I might've assumed wireless...

Here's my point in a nutshell. If any streaming is included it would most likely not measure up to existing streaming products. If its not stellar and/or would increase either development time or product cost, why include it? Its not a value add.

There are plenty of tried and true methods to both update firmware and automate, so again why add it?

I know its going to be whats its going to be, guess I justed wanted Lonnie to know that some potential customers could care less about streaming and would actually prefer the XMC without streaming capabilities (again, if it either increased development time or cost).

Personally, I plan on purchasing the XMC once it available regardless of the peripheral options (if you will).

[ssjlaletas]

Spursfan you make valid points as well, and I cant really disagree with you, but at the same time I respectfully dont quite agree with either

I wouldnt want the streaming feature if it would end up stalling the launch date due to development time, I completely agree with you there. However if it doesnt take much time at all, why not especially if it doesnt cost much more either, again it would a great little easter egg. That is an easter egg that I would in no way never try to compare to some better media managment devices like audiorequest and other such simiiliar items, but again it would be a cool thing.

There are plenty of tried and true ways of updating firmware, I've nearly all of them. From convential RS-232 updates, using cd players (literally cd players) to update, thumb drives, etc. But by far the easiest and arguably fastest is through a network, this is getting a bit far off topic I know, and I am not saying that this will be a feature, in fact it probably will not be, all I am saying it opens up doors thats all. I am a little bit sensitive about this (if you couldnt tell because I am an integrations programmer, its my job to deal with stuff like this, integrating and programming products ranging from a/v gear to automating lighting, hvac control, etc... So updating firmware is a big deal, and being able to control gear through IP is HUGE. It allows so many different things to happen with that ability, alot of new high end gear are becoming IP based, its great to see. Again this is something I do not expect the XMC-1 I am just throwing stuff at Lonnie just to make him more busy ( lol), but it certainly would be nice, and open up doors. Is 232 control tried and true methods to automate (your words)? Absolutely, in fact its the standard, but in a couple years I think IP control will absolutely make that statement inaccurate, again this is completely off-topic but it happens.

Regardless of what ever extras there will be I am definitely planning on purchasing the peice, I decided long ago before there was barely any info on it and it was merely just a name. In any case I am pretty excited, and yes I would love to see an onboard nic card on there, for streaming music, sure why not; for IP control, hell yes; firmware updates, awesome.

Sorry for the small rant, all was said for the most part calmly, and tried to do in a fashion not to stir anyone up whatsoever.

[angalths]

There was one more thing I was thinking about over dinner tonight, and wouldn't be surprised if they were already going to do this... How about putting one of those generous 8 HDMI inputs on front?

[bigred7078]

Mar 2, 2009 20:28:00 GMT -5 angalths said:

There was one more thing I was thinking about over dinner tonight, and wouldn't be surprised if they were already going to do this... How about putting one of those generous 8 HDMI inputs on front?

and mess up the clean lines

[OldDevilDog]

I guess I'm a little surprised that their aren't more of the members interested in the ability to use internet radio as a function. Or at least I don't seem to remember seeing it mentioned much on this forum.

[darkvisions]

Me personally, I only listen to FM radio in the morning on the way to work...about a 10 minute drive. Other than that it is CD's for me. I have no interest in radio in any form whatsoever....I have AM/FM on my AVM-30 but have never even switched to it....

[bigred7078]

Honestly i think Emo should leave off all streaming features. There are to many other devices on the market that will do this and many people already own them. Yes of course many want an all in one box unit, but the cost would be driven up to much to put it on the same level as those separate units IMO. Denon has this ability, Yamaha has this ability, and honestly they just dont do a "great" job, and i can bet the majority of people dont even use them.

It can see them adding internet radio connectivity though, but if they did that they might as well just add wireless streaming to it...lol

But another reason not to use all that streaming junk is the amount of bugs it will most likely have as a result ans just piss everyone off....

[akbungle]

Mar 3, 2009 12:14:07 GMT -5 bigred7078 said:

But another reason not to use all that streaming junk is the amount of bugs it will most likely have as a result ans just piss everyone off....

Although I would like some sort of streaming, especially like the Rhapsody Lonnie mentioned, I gotta say Red you are spot on here.

[julien]

I would like to see audio and even video streaming (hell throw in the kitchen sink too). However I agree that the delays and likely bug this would cause will be enormous and almost unbearable (and we are already many months behind). This is better to left to the companies that have teams of programers and multi million R&R departments to do. I'm sure Emotive is maxing out as it is (look at the UMC-1) to develop the "standards" of a contemporary preamp. However I still would like to see a couple of things added.

1) HD Radio (should be just a $2 chip and a small amount of code)

2) DSD decoding (not sure what the Sony/Phillips licensing deal is but it shouldn't be much money)

3) Ethernet IP address input (this could allow future development of audio streaming and PC interface setup and preamp controls. Also would be better than USB for firmware updates)

4) Multi-line (4x16) display

5) Front panel door (heavy duty spring loaded) to hide secondary controls with HDMI input

6) A firm 3rd quarter delivery date ;D

[ssjlaletas]

Almost exactly my views too Julien, thank you.

[akbungle]

+2

That sounds really good Julien.

[impala454]

I would also like to see HD Radio if possible.

[MukAudio]

No desire on my part to see streaming or networking.

SlimDevices/Logitech has the Squeezebox or if you want to spend the bucks, the Transporter. This is not a core competency that a pre/pro should have in my opinion.

Mark.

[jasonf]

I agree on the streaming really. The XMC-1 should be the best AUDIO device possible. The streaming/networking technologies change too fast.

Now what would be awesome... is if there was an external Emotiva box that matched everything else for all this network connectivity fun.

[drewface]

Mar 3, 2009 18:15:12 GMT -5 impala454 said:

I would also like to see HD Radio if possible.

same... it seems a lot of channels are broadcasting in HD these days (at least in the baltimore/dc area) and not many HD capable receivers are coming out. i've been kind of confused by that, and would love to see it implemented in the xmc

[rdaneel]

I agree with Mark and Jason - make the XMC the best PRE/PRO it can be, and leave the streaming, etc. to other devices. I, for one, don't want mine to act as a source, it has plenty of inputs for other devices that probably would do the streaming better anyway. Unless you're going to license a whole interface like Slimserver/iTunes, the implementation would probably pale in comparison anyway. If you're serious about streaming music, get a Squeezebox or other network player.

Much more damaging to the brand, IMHO, is additional delay caused by adding these features! The XMC specs are cutting edge already - but they'll be that much less so in 6 months, 9 months, etc.

[carbonsummit]

Feb 28, 2009 3:48:01 GMT -5 ssjlaletas said:

Yea Mark I think this will change alot of peoples mind, the specs are just too irresistable. For me I knew the XMC-1 would be the one I want, actually through a varity of things, before the main specs were in so I never gave the UMC-1 a thought at least not in my main system. It could end up being a possibility in my bedroom perhaps, well see.

I say start with the UMC-1 and when the XMC-1 is released I'll give your UMC-1 a good home at a discounted price!!!

[carbonsummit]

I'd like to see XM/Surius ready added as a feature on the UMC-1 and XMC-1.

The SQ sucks on XM but I like having it for background noise when I'm doing stuff but not actually "listening" if that makes sense.