MC-1

[KeithL]

There is something I really need to point out here...

Both our RMC-1 and XMC-2, and the MC1, "just" switch video rather than process it.
(Although that does not totally rule out the possibility that the switches themselves, which are quite complex, may occasionally glitch.)

HOWEVER, because of how HDMI works, when you reboot ANY device in the signal chain, which includes the source, the processor, and the display, the entire HDMI signal chain is "restarted".
Therefore, just because rebooting the processor causes the problem to go away, that DOES NOT mean that the processor was causing the problem.
(Because, when you restart the processor, both the source device and the display also "reset their HDMI connections".)

Apr 27, 2023 7:14:12 GMT -5 cawgijoe said:

Apr 26, 2023 21:52:34 GMT -5 davidl said:

Thanks for confirming. AppleTV switches frequently between audio modes so it happens to me quite frequently. Even pausing and then resuming a show using Atmos often causes the problem so it's quite annoying. While I need to try and see if there is a pattern or correlation to the Atmos issue, I also see the video gets pixel-y sometimes when pausing/resuming. These problems are not hard to reproduce so I too hope Emotiva comes out with new firmware that fixes these issues. 

Emotiva folks, any comment? Thanks.

Occasionally I will lose audio completely when watching Directv if I pause the show for too long. I rarely pause, so I'm not sure on length of time, frequency, etc. Switching audio modes doesn't help. Powering up and down fixes the issue sometimes, if not, rear system reboot cures it.

I don't have Atmos yet. Plan to by end of next year in a new home.

[KeithL]

I don't disagree with you...

However, to be fair, ANY processor is going to introduce SOME latency...
And no processor I know of supports all of the more extreme frame rates and refresh rates...
(And remember that room correction by necessity introduces latency into the audio.)
Therefore, for gaming, it makes more sense to connect the game console directly to the TV, and use eARC.
(I think you'll find that this is what most gamers do these days.)

This enables the processor to handle the audio - which is what it's really good at...
And simplifies the video part of the process considerably...

A lot of folks in the industry are even predicting that eventually everything will be done this way and processors will only be used for audio.
And, as streaming apps on TVs themselves get more mature, reducing the need for separate "streaming boxes", this seems to be becoming more and more likely.
(When I added streaming to my cable service recently my cable company was actually surprised that "I asked for a box instead of just using the app on my TV".)

Dec 6, 2021 3:00:08 GMT -5 seyumi said:

Think we’ll finally see HDMI 2.1 on this product? Only reason why I haven’t bought a dedicated Emotiva processor yet. I do a lot of gaming so that’s a must for me. HDMI 2.1 has been offered on LG OLED’s since 2019 and we’re getting into 2022 now…

[sirphatsalot]

Any sense on when a new official firmware will be available? I've never been able to get rear height channels with DTS: X content. I am running 9.1.4 with front wides. I understand the front wides are not part of the DTS: X spec, so those not outputting anything is to be expected, but the rear 2 heights (with 4 total heights) should have sound. Dolby Atmos is fine with it.   

Apr 27, 2023 8:54:35 GMT -5 KeithL said:

I don't disagree with you...

However, to be fair, ANY processor is going to introduce SOME latency...
And no processor I know of supports all of the more extreme frame rates and refresh rates...
(And remember that room correction by necessity introduces latency into the audio.)
Therefore, for gaming, it makes more sense to connect the game console directly to the TV, and use eARC.
(I think you'll find that this is what most gamers do these days.)

This enables the processor to handle the audio - which is what it's really good at...
And simplifies the video part of the process considerably...

A lot of folks in the industry are even predicting that eventually everything will be done this way and processors will only be used for audio.
And, as streaming apps on TVs themselves get more mature, reducing the need for separate "streaming boxes", this seems to be becoming more and more likely.
(When I added streaming to my cable service recently my cable company was actually surprised that "I asked for a box instead of just using the app on my TV".)

Dec 6, 2021 3:00:08 GMT -5 seyumi said:

Think we’ll finally see HDMI 2.1 on this product? Only reason why I haven’t bought a dedicated Emotiva processor yet. I do a lot of gaming so that’s a must for me. HDMI 2.1 has been offered on LG OLED’s since 2019 and we’re getting into 2022 now…

[v8der]

Hello,

I contacted support via chat option on the Emotiva site.  They could not answer my question and was going to forward my chat to the engineers for an answer. I am hoping someone has an answer on this board.

I had my MC1 setup for 7.2.4 and it was working great. I recently purchased 2-more Atmos speakers. I setup the MC1 to 7.2.6 and when I chose the 7.2.6 option, a screen popped up...

"NOTE: The LBS/RBS channels sound will output by LRH/RRH channels" So, this takes out my rear LBS and RBS surrounds, essentially making it 5.2.6

I manually did a test tone in 7.2.6 and all speakers respond except for LBS and RBS

I switched it back to 7.2.4 and all speakers work (including LBS and RBS) except LMH and RMH which is normal.

Anyone have this problem? Is there something I am missing in the setup? 

MCU Version - V4.02.0228
DSP Version - 20220513 5153
OSD Version - 20220212155557

Thanks for the help

[gimza]

Jun 1, 2023 12:44:32 GMT -5 v8der said:

Hello,

I contacted support via chat option on the Emotiva site.  They could not answer my question and was going to forward my chat to the engineers for an answer. I am hoping someone has an answer on this board.

I had my MC1 setup for 7.2.4 and it was working great. I recently purchased 2-more Atmos speakers. I setup the MC1 to 7.2.6 and when I chose the 7.2.6 option, a screen popped up...

"NOTE: The LBS/RBS channels sound will output by LRH/RRH channels" So, this takes out my rear LBS and RBS surrounds, essentially making it 5.2.6

I manually did a test tone in 7.2.6 and all speakers respond except for LBS and RBS

I switched it back to 7.2.4 and all speakers work (including LBS and RBS) except LMH and RMH which is normal.

Anyone have this problem? Is there something I am missing in the setup? 

MCU Version - V4.02.0228
DSP Version - 20220513 5153
OSD Version - 20220212155557

Thanks for the help

Planning to move from 5.0.2 to 5.0.6… Will it work?
I think there was something about MC1 not able to use 6 Atmos channels with Wide Fronts enabled-need to stay with 4 Atmos at this point.

[leewilli]

Great questions to start this thread. Any takers? You bet!
Just got my MC1 today to replace my X3700H I was using as a pre-pro with a BasX A5 for my bed layer and largely had no issues with other than the usual HDMI CEC/eARC issues everyone can experience across all platforms.

Expectations - Lots because of the never-ending debate about separates sounding better than AVRs. Is it snake oil?
Reaction - In a word...WOW!! No tweaking, no EMO-Q, just connected my bed layer with 2 subs to test a few scenes and was blown away. The sound is richer, more fulfilling, and everything just sounds distinct levels better. Thus far, I am beyond pleased with my purchase. Cudos Emotiva! Makes me wonder how many more degrees of better there are with the flagship RMC-1.

Any issues on Day 1? I haven't run EMO-Q but I've heard the pops I've seen that brought up various places online but mostly linked to EMO-Q. I'm gonna run a few days to see if the pops continue prior to running EMO-Q. Will monitor as I make changes and report back.

Oddities: Using my same DuneHD, HDMI cables, speaker wire, etc., I immediately noticed when playing the race scene from RPO it seemed a 1/4 of beat slower. Everything I've played from the DuneHD so far feels a smidge slower. I'll try the ZIDOO, Firestick, and other sources over the coming days, but has anyone experienced this? Could it finally be playing at the correct speed and Denon was impacting it? Or could the MC1 be slowing it?

Thoughts anyone?

Next steps.  Add the new A7 and move some connections so I can reconnect Atmos speakers, run EMO-Q a few days later, gather comparison REW measurements with it as is and with EMO-Q calibrated settings.

[leewilli]

Aug 4, 2023 19:59:54 GMT -5 leewilli said:

Great questions to start this thread. Any takers? You bet!
Just got my MC1 today to replace my X3700H I was using as a pre-pro with a BasX A5 for my bed layer and largely had no issues with other than the usual HDMI CEC/eARC issues everyone can experience across all platforms.

Expectations - Lots because of the never-ending debate about separates sounding better than AVRs. Is it snake oil?
Reaction - In a word...WOW!! No tweaking, no EMO-Q, just connected my bed layer with 2 subs to test a few scenes and was blown away. The sound is richer, more fulfilling, and everything just sounds distinct levels better. Thus far, I am beyond pleased with my purchase. Cudos Emotiva! Makes me wonder how many more degrees of better there are with the flagship RMC-1.

Any issues on Day 1? I haven't run EMO-Q but I've heard the pops I've seen that brought up various places online but mostly linked to EMO-Q. I'm gonna run a few days to see if the pops continue prior to running EMO-Q. Will monitor as I make changes and report back.

Oddities: Using my same DuneHD, HDMI cables, speaker wire, etc., I immediately noticed when playing the race scene from RPO it seemed a 1/4 of beat slower. Everything I've played from the DuneHD so far feels a smidge slower. I'll try the ZIDOO, Firestick, and other sources over the coming days, but has anyone experienced this? Could it finally be playing at the correct speed and Denon was impacting it? Or could the MC1 be slowing it?

Thoughts anyone?

Next steps.  Add the new A7 and move some connections so I can reconnect Atmos speakers, run EMO-Q a few days later, gather comparison REW measurements with it as is and with EMO-Q calibrated settings.

Update:  Been mainly using HDMI based sources (DuneHD, Zidoo, PC, XBOX, Firestick, and Blu-ray player) and Plex TV app.  Decided to try Max and Netflix from TV today and the pops were constant!  Every time I started a program, FFd or REWd, or paused and played a program I get at least 2 or 3 loud pops.  I use the Plex TV app and no pops, switch back to the TV's Max and Netflix apps, pops all day long.  Max, Prime Video, and 'Flix all work fine from the Firestick.

Gonna do some more testing to try to narrow it down a bit more before I contact Support, but at least it's avoidable by not using TV apps (except Plex) for now.  Not a huge deal since I mainly stream my local library via Plex, DuneHD, or Zidoo.  Gonna switch the sound modes and eARC default sound modes to root this out I hope.  Since my last update, I have run EMO-Q but it is not applied to the eARC input.

[emotimmo]

Seems there is a new firmware that support is providing, but I don't see it up on the site publically. I'd try reaching out to them to see if this resolves your issues.

[leewilli]

Aug 11, 2023 22:50:00 GMT -5 emotimmo said:

Seems there is a new firmware that support is providing, but I don't see it up on the site publically. I'd try reaching out to them to see if this resolves your issues.

Thanks emotimmo.  Will do!

[davidl]

Hi Leewilli.

Did you find our if Emotive has new firmware for the MC-1?

Thanks!

[leewilli]

Aug 20, 2023 21:04:59 GMT -5 davidl said:

Hi Leewilli.

Did you find our if Emotive has new firmware for the MC-1?

Thanks!

I sent message that same day and have not seen a reply yet. I planned to call this week if I get no response via the web form again.

emotiva.com/pages/service-repair-inquiry

[leewilli]

Just sent another inquiry.

[emotimmo]

I'm surprised there hasn't been a release, especially with the MR1 and MR1L. Both seem to ride on the same platform, and I think those users have the same issues.

[leewilli]

Aug 21, 2023 22:41:15 GMT -5 emotimmo said:

I'm surprised there hasn't been a release, especially with the MR1 and MR1L. Both seem to ride on the same platform, and I think those users have the same issues.

I am engaged with the very helpful Chandler from Support.  I was able to confirm the pops from the TV sourced streaming apps anytime audio starts and on input switches, primarily to ARC/eARC.  I haven't noticed any popping switching between other inputs.

Will keep the thread "posted".  

I must say though, while testing I was smiling like a kid inside at the upgraded audio quality.  I really appreciate how Emotiva has carved out this entry point for a more premium audio experience.

 

[leewilli]

Worked with Emotiva today and tried some settings to try to pinpoint where the issue could be. 

Giving you the TLDR version:  When I reduce my TV from eARC to ARC and set the output mode to plain PCM, there are no pops or squeaks from any of the TV sourced streaming apps.  If I set it to eARC and still using PCM, there may be a random pop or squeak but it's very infrequent.  For stability, I'm just leaving it as ARC/PCM.  Using this combo the MC1 Audio modes still work as expected so I just leave it on Pure for the family to meet their needs but if I want to be lazy and use the TV apps I just switch the MC1 Audio Mode to Neural X and it sounds great.  All serious movie sessions will still be via my dedicated local streamers connected directly to the MC1 Input ports for full lossless audio.

All in all I'm still getting the same net result with superior audio compared to the Denon...and that's all that matters.

[gimza]

Aug 11, 2023 18:43:49 GMT -5 leewilli said:

Aug 4, 2023 19:59:54 GMT -5 leewilli said:

Great questions to start this thread. Any takers? You bet!
Just got my MC1 today to replace my X3700H I was using as a pre-pro with a BasX A5 for my bed layer and largely had no issues with other than the usual HDMI CEC/eARC issues everyone can experience across all platforms.

Expectations - Lots because of the never-ending debate about separates sounding better than AVRs. Is it snake oil?
Reaction - In a word...WOW!! No tweaking, no EMO-Q, just connected my bed layer with 2 subs to test a few scenes and was blown away. The sound is richer, more fulfilling, and everything just sounds distinct levels better. Thus far, I am beyond pleased with my purchase. Cudos Emotiva! Makes me wonder how many more degrees of better there are with the flagship RMC-1.

Any issues on Day 1? I haven't run EMO-Q but I've heard the pops I've seen that brought up various places online but mostly linked to EMO-Q. I'm gonna run a few days to see if the pops continue prior to running EMO-Q. Will monitor as I make changes and report back.

Oddities: Using my same DuneHD, HDMI cables, speaker wire, etc., I immediately noticed when playing the race scene from RPO it seemed a 1/4 of beat slower. Everything I've played from the DuneHD so far feels a smidge slower. I'll try the ZIDOO, Firestick, and other sources over the coming days, but has anyone experienced this? Could it finally be playing at the correct speed and Denon was impacting it? Or could the MC1 be slowing it?

Thoughts anyone?

Next steps.  Add the new A7 and move some connections so I can reconnect Atmos speakers, run EMO-Q a few days later, gather comparison REW measurements with it as is and with EMO-Q calibrated settings.

Update:  Been mainly using HDMI based sources (DuneHD, Zidoo, PC, XBOX, Firestick, and Blu-ray player) and Plex TV app.  Decided to try Max and Netflix from TV today and the pops were constant!  Every time I started a program, FFd or REWd, or paused and played a program I get at least 2 or 3 loud pops.  I use the Plex TV app and no pops, switch back to the TV's Max and Netflix apps, pops all day long.  Max, Prime Video, and 'Flix all work fine from the Firestick.

Gonna do some more testing to try to narrow it down a bit more before I contact Support, but at least it's avoidable by not using TV apps (except Plex) for now.  Not a huge deal since I mainly stream my local library via Plex, DuneHD, or Zidoo.  Gonna switch the sound modes and eARC default sound modes to root this out I hope.  Since my last update, I have run EMO-Q but it is not applied to the eARC input.

Sometime ago I gave up using TV apps and bought Firestick4k and Firestick Max- Netflix/Disney absolutely no problems with MC1. Works flawless. The same with Oppo blueray player and Panasonic uhd player. Maybe there is some problem with TV and itsARC? What TV model you got?

[leewilli]

Aug 26, 2023 12:03:56 GMT -5 gimza said:

Aug 11, 2023 18:43:49 GMT -5 leewilli said:

Sometime ago I gave up using TV apps and bought Firestick4k and Firestick Max- Netflix/Disney absolutely no problems with MC1. Works flawless. The same with Oppo blueray player and Panasonic uhd player. Maybe there is some problem with TV and itsARC? What TV model you got?

I've suspected the TV for a while, but hard to pinpoint when ARC is pretty crappy across many manufacturers.  With this Hisense U8G, I experienced different oddities with the Denon connected which led me to believe it was largely the Denon since they stopped once it was removed from the equation.  I certainly never experienced any squeaks and pops with it, this is all new. 

With the Denon/Hisense, most common issue was no audio until i fiddled with the TV audio settings or just flat out rebooted it.  You know, typical HDMI ARC tomfoolery. Thankfully I have not had that at all with the MC1.

Only issue with MC1/Hisense has been the squeak/popping mostly when playing TV streamers.

I'm with you on not using TV apps (for various reasons), but they are convenient for my family.  Typical IT mantra:  Keep It Simple Stupid.  Switching inputs or even using my one-button programmable macro remote to do everything is a chore to everyone but me.  

Like you, I have zero issues with my streamers or UHD player connected to the input ports.

[latenitetech]

Hi!  New to Emotiva and this forum.  I'm hoping this is an OK place to post this query.  If not, please help me find the right thread or area.

My firm supports a museum theater exhibit.  It's primarily a couple of HD films projected on a large screen with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound.  We spice it up with multiple special effects (theatrical lighting, rain, fog, wind, earthquake) all run from a "show controller."  The video goes directly from the player via HDMI to the projector, but the audio (Coax S/PDIF) is currently routed to a 2004-vintage Harman-Kardon AVR430 receiver for decoding before it's sent on to a bank of QSC power amplifiers.  That receiver has an easy life since it's internal power amps are not used.  The show controller sends RS232 to the receiver to toggle the on/off state and mute function at the start/end of each show which runs hourly 5 days/week all year round (since 2004).  The receiver itself is powered 7x24 so its processor is always alive and ready to react to incoming RS232 commands.

The choice of using a consumer-grade receiver was made as it was all that the original designers could find at the time to decode the 5.1 stream to discrete line-level inputs to feed the power amps.  It's been quite reliable for many years, but lately it's become problematic.  It appears the receiver's processor crashes and locks up requiring a hard power-cycle to recover.  And sometimes when it crashes it sprays ear-splitting pink noise through the speakers, not exactly a pleasant surprise to subject museum visitors to.

So we're looking for a suitable replacement for this apparently tired receiver and came across the BasX MC1 product.  In many ways it's way overkill as our needs are quite basic.  Simple functions of 5.1 Dolby Digital decoding to line-level outputs and RS232 control over on/off and mute.  But most importantly, it has to be rock-solid reliable.  As in plug it in, power it up, configure once, and it will run for 20 years without crashing, locking up or otherwise requiring human intervention.  Does this device match that profile?  Again, we won't be using the HDMI capabilities, so the problems I've read about regarding that aspect shouldn't apply to our use case.

Finally, the theater is equipped for 7.1 sound, but because the movies are encoded 5.1 we've paralleled the rear channels to the side ones.  If this product can do a synthesized 7.1 from the 5.1 input that would be a bonus.

I'm looking for real-world experience here, not just marketing hype.  We already have a good/working system, it's just not as reliable as desired.  If the BasX MC1 suffers from periodic unexpected crashes in normal, simple day-to-day operation we'll want to look elsewhere.

Thanks for any input you can provide!

Mark

[leewilli]

Aug 28, 2023 14:19:44 GMT -5 latenitetech said:

...

I'm looking for real-world experience here, not just marketing hype.  We already have a good/working system, it's just not as reliable as desired.  If the BasX MC1 suffers from periodic unexpected crashes in normal, simple day-to-day operation we'll want to look elsewhere.

Thanks for any input you can provide!

Mark

Support was helpful to me when I asked before purchase if the MC1 supported 3D video.  Even knowing it did not, I worked around it so I still get to watch my 3D movies via my projector while still sending all audio to the MC1.  Bottom line, I suggest contacting Support to ask about the RS-232 capabilities.

I can say after almost a month I have experienced no crashes.  I'm only sending PCM to my unit via eARC, but the DTS Neural X and Dolby Upmix has been working great.  Worst case, you can always return with their no haggle return policy.  Just make sure you keep EVERYTHING (including the boxes) to make your return as seamless as possible.

[octavarium]

Aug 29, 2023 6:50:15 GMT -5 leewilli said:

Aug 28, 2023 14:19:44 GMT -5 latenitetech said:

...

I'm looking for real-world experience here, not just marketing hype.  We already have a good/working system, it's just not as reliable as desired.  If the BasX MC1 suffers from periodic unexpected crashes in normal, simple day-to-day operation we'll want to look elsewhere.

Thanks for any input you can provide!

Mark

Support was helpful to me when I asked before purchase if the MC1 supported 3D video.  Even knowing it did not, I worked around it so I still get to watch my 3D movies via my projector while still sending all audio to the MC1.  Bottom line, I suggest contacting Support to ask about the RS-232 capabilities.

I can say after almost a month I have experienced no crashes.  I'm only sending PCM to my unit via eARC, but the DTS Neural X and Dolby Upmix has been working great.  Worst case, you can always return with their no haggle return policy.  Just make sure you keep EVERYTHING (including the boxes) to make your return as seamless as possible.

I'm confused as to why you say the MC1 does not support 3D video. I've used mine many times to watch 3D content. Would you please elaborate on your findings or what you were told that the MC1 could not do with 3D? I am very curious.

Thanks!