UMC-1 wish list

[DYohn]

I thought I'd start a thread for users to suggest things they'd like to see in updated UMC-1 software.

This is not the place to post all your wish list ideas for things the UMC-1 is not designed to do such as multiple HDMI outputs or multiple video adjustment memory registers. Those sorts of upgrades are for the numerous wish-list threads for the next generation processor or the XMC-1. This thread is for ideas that could make what it DOES more usable.

So here's my first one. Direct access or assignable input selections instead of just input up and down.

I understand why the up and down choice was likely made since all the inputs except the tuner are customizable and can be made inactive. On the one hand it seems more logical than to have 14 input buttons, most of which might be made inactive. But not having individual input function is difficult when programming a macro-based remote like the Harmony series.

In my system I am only using two HDMI inputs, one for the DVR and one for the BRD player. When I power on the unit by selecting "Watch DVR" all is well. Then if I switch to the activity I called "Watch Blu Ray" it switches to the second input, and all is well. However, when the disc is done and I press the "Watch DVR" activity, the UMC-1 switches forward to the next input rather than back to the first one, and I have to manually scroll to the correct input. This is an inconvenience and not any sort of product defect, but one that seems it might be reasonably easy to modify through software?

I could create activities that would do the switching in the macro, I suppose, such as "Go from DVR to BRD" and "Go from BRD to DVR" but it would be so much more user friendly if the inputs were direct access, especially if I want to switch to other inputs such as the CD input.

Thank you!

[akbungle]

I believe Lonnie stated several weeks ago that discrete input codes were indeed coming .

[littlesaint]

I guess before I can wish for UMC features, I need to wish for the opportunity to purchase a UMC-1.

[harblar]

I've got 3 ideas. Not sure if any of them would be possible, but they're about the only three things I miss off my old Onkyo recvr.

1.) Preset volume point for when the recvr turns on. Going back to the previous volume point is ok, but I'd rather have it default to a certain setting so I don't scare the bejubus out of myself if I forget to turn the volume down when I shut it down after watching a loud movie.

2.) An option to display the volume level in reference volume. -xx db I've been using this for years with my old setup and really got use to it and where the sweet spots were for certain inputs.

3.) Partial muting. My old recvr had a menu option where you could set the mute to complete stop all sound or just reduce the current volume level by a preset amount. Made it nice for when the phone rang and you didn't want to or couldn't pause the program. Ya, I could just turn the volume down manually, but this is a request thread and this is something I would like to see.

[darien87]

I will second your wish for direct input access, but as has been noted, I believe this is already coming. What bothers me the most about scrolling through inputs is that when scrolling, the UMC-1 seems to hang on the Tuner input for a second longer than the others. I tend to have the UMC up pretty loud as I have most likely just finished watching a Blu-ray or playing a video game, so when it lands on the Tuner and waits a second before switching to the first input, I get blasted with a half second of radio.

Other things I would like and I'm not sure if they're being worked on or even possible are:

1. Input specific video settings
2. Input specific Dolby volume settings.
3. Direct access to Dolby volume. It's kind of hard to find where they have it now.

[jahays32]

In the pop up and front panel display menu I would like to see:

Which EQ setting I am using
Dolby Volume On or Off
Resolution UMC-1 is sending out 1080p/24

And also a volume Limiter setting.

[darien87]

Feb 3, 2010 14:47:47 GMT -5 jahays32 said:

In the pop up and front panel display menu I would like to see:

Which EQ setting I am using
Dolby Volume On or Off
Resolution UMC-1 is sending out 1080p/24

You're the man! I didn't even think of those. Hell yeah, I want those too!!!

[pmd918]

Ditch the global video output resolution in favor of per input resolution setting.

[DYohn]

Feb 3, 2010 14:52:22 GMT -5 pmd918 said:

Ditch the global video output resolution in favor of per input resolution setting.

Yes, like I said in my first post, this is impossible in the unit as it is currently designed and might be something for a future model with more onboard memory.

[DYohn]

Feb 3, 2010 14:46:22 GMT -5 darien87 said:

I will second your wish for direct input access, but as has been noted, I believe this is already coming. What bothers me the most about scrolling through inputs is that when scrolling, the UMC-1 seems to hang on the Tuner input for a second longer than the others. I tend to have the UMC up pretty loud as I have most likely just finished watching a Blu-ray or playing a video game, so when it lands on the Tuner and waits a second before switching to the first input, I get blasted with a half second of radio.

Other things I would like and I'm not sure if they're being worked on or even possible are:

1. Input specific video settings
2. Input specific Dolby volume settings.
3. Direct access to Dolby volume. It's kind of hard to find where they have it now.

I like the direct access to Dolby Volume. I believe your other two are hardware limited as I mentioned above.

As far as your tuner blasting you, you can do several things about this. Tune the device to an unused frequency rather than to a station when you are not listening to it, and also adjust the trim on the input levels so they are not so radically different.

[darien87]

Feb 3, 2010 14:56:49 GMT -5 DYohn said:

Feb 3, 2010 14:46:22 GMT -5 darien87 said:

I like the direct access to Dolby Volume. I believe your other two are hardware limited as I mentioned above.

As far as your tuner blasting you, you can do several things about this. Tune the device to an unused frequency rather than to a station when you are not listening to it, and also adjust the trim on the input levels so they are not so radically different.

Good idea. I think I'll give that a shot.


Dig the Hekkyl and Jekkly avater by the way.

[ICBM99]

Everything suggested sounds good to me. I don't have my UMC yet, but I like the preset volume idea. I have that on my HK and love it.

I guess I can't really comment on anything else, because I haven't actually used one yet.

[robfive]

Feb 3, 2010 14:54:42 GMT -5 DYohn said:

Feb 3, 2010 14:52:22 GMT -5 pmd918 said:

Ditch the global video output resolution in favor of per input resolution setting.

Yes, like I said in my first post, this is impossible in the unit as it is currently designed and might be something for a future model with more onboard memory.

I think Lonnie mentioned that independent video setting were possible. Maybe resolution is a different animal.

Dec 29, 2009 20:21:15 GMT -5 lonnie said:

Dec 29, 2009 17:57:42 GMT -5 amt said:

Per input video settings is a very nice feature which is missing. It's very valuable to have selections for contrast, brightness, color-saturation, sharpness, edge enhancement, de-interlacing mode, block-NR, random-NR, mosquito-NR modes, as well as gamma and greyscale controls. These have been showing up on AVRs and pre/pros for the last couple of years. I am pretty sure EMO has stated this is not a feature for the UMC-1 (per input adjustable). This is a really nice feature, as you might want to crank up the noise reduction options on a satellite feed, but leave them off for your blu-ray input. Some also have the capability to detect 480i film source and convert to 1080p/24. These are very nice features which are missing from the UMC-1.

Those would be interesting features to open up to the public (because they are all currently in there, just done automatically),but I wonder about one thing. We have a Quantum Data video test system, but I wonder how many individuals have one to properly set all these? As it is now the Vixen system automatically and dynamically sets and adjust this for you.

Personally, I would like to see vertical stretch settings for use in constant height projector/screen systems. I have heard this is a feature of the Torino chipset that just has to be turned on. Maybe this is beyond the scope of this thread's intent but to me it seems like just one more option in the video settings menu.

[DYohn]

Feb 3, 2010 17:03:26 GMT -5 robfive said:

I think Lonnie mentioned that independent video setting were possible. Maybe resolution is a different animal.

Those would be interesting features to open up to the public (because they are all currently in there, just done automatically),but I wonder about one thing. We have a Quantum Data video test system, but I wonder how many individuals have one to properly set all these? As it is now the Vixen system automatically and dynamically sets and adjust this for you.

Personally, I would like to see vertical stretch settings for use in constant height projector/screen systems. I have heard this is a feature of the Torino chipset that just has to be turned on. Maybe this is beyond the scope of this thread's intent but to me it seems like just one more option in the video settings menu.

Interesting, thank you.

[markd]

Feb 3, 2010 17:03:26 GMT -5 robfive said:

Personally, I would like to see vertical stretch settings for use in constant height projector/screen systems. I have heard this is a feature of the Torino chipset that just has to be turned on. Maybe this is beyond the scope of this thread's intent but to me it seems like just one more option in the video settings menu.

I agree. I'll go a step further- I'd like to see custom scaling outputs available- allow the user to set a horizontal and vertical scale factor that will be applied. Need to be able to switch it on and off. This covers both projector stretch setups, and lets those of us whose TVs disallow scaling on HDMI inputs to compensate.
Maybe two or three entries, along with discrete codes to select which one (or none) is active.

[weigle2]

Feb 3, 2010 14:45:56 GMT -5 harblar said:

I've got 3 ideas. Not sure if any of them would be possible, but they're about the only three things I miss off my old Onkyo recvr.

1.) Preset volume point for when the recvr turns on. Going back to the previous volume point is ok, but I'd rather have it default to a certain setting so I don't scare the bejesus out of myself if I forget to turn the volume down when I shut it down after watching a loud movie.

2.) An option to display the volume level in reference volume. -xx db I've been using this for years with my old setup and really got use to it and where the sweet spots were for certain inputs.

3.) Partial muting. My old recvr had a menu option where you could set the mute to complete stop all sound or just reduce the current volume level by a preset amount. Made it nice for when the phone rang and you didn't want to or couldn't pause the program. Ya, I could just turn the volume down manually, but this is a request thread and this is something I would like to see.

I second all the above as well. In fact, my "old" Emotiva DMR-1 allows for setting a default volume level for when the unit powers up. Hard to believe this 'new' technology doesn't come with something this basic.

Weigle2

PS If it's on the XMC-1, then I'll be happy. I hope I live long enough to see it. ;D

[jimsfield]

I find the color scheme used in the OSD confusing. I would like to see a four color arrangement. One for the option that has been selected, one for the options that have not been selected, and two for the option that remote is on, one for selected and one for not selected. Maybe I just don't under the three color scheme.

[2infinity]

I gotta question for you UMC-1 owners. Does it have any type of sleep timer?

My wife constantly falls asleep to movies/tv when using my current setup and my Marantz pre has a sleep timer, so it works out pretty well. I just would hate to have my amps turned on all night for no real reason. I didn't see a discrete button on the remote so I was just wondering. Most AVR have this too so i just figured I would ask.

Chris

[hemster]

Chris, I have not found such a timer on the UMC-1. However I am enjoying my music too much to fall asleep!

[2infinity]

Thanks for the reply Hemster! Sure I can find some sort of work around. Not like a sleep function is as important here as on the tv.