HTGuide Forum - The Announcement All You Guys Have Been Waiting For

bhuskins

02-25-2005, 10:59 PM

It's OFFICIAL!!!

The new DPLIIx software for the Halo C1/C2 will be release and posted to their website by the end of business on Monday the 28th of February. This software adds several features that have been noted before. I'm sure you guys can't wait.

The update takes about an hour and you'll want to follow the instructions very specifically. Make sure and don't touch your PC while the update is in progress. It is a memory intensive process for the PC and you shouldn't be surfing the web while updating. Trust me on this!

Congratulations to Parasound for a job well done. Good things are worth the wait!

Scarp

02-26-2005, 10:20 AM

Wow... more than a year later then first promised.

Ow, your firmware chip is fried and must be replaced in case the firmware update doesn't succeed and you happen to turn off your pc or C1/C2 thinking that it'll be okay.

Chris D

02-27-2005, 05:29 AM

(loud trumpeting fanfare) Could it be? Dare I give the celebratory banana? :banana: Yes, I dare!

Scarp! Hey, long time no see!

jprafter

02-28-2005, 12:02 PM

Any details about the additional features?

Omen

02-28-2005, 12:05 PM

Ditto on the info about additional features. I want to determine if the new features are worth it for me to go out and buy a 50 ft serial cable (I don't need DPLIIx).

bhuskins

02-28-2005, 12:28 PM

I'm sure the entire list will be posted on their site today. If it's not for some reason, I'll make sure that Parasound has no issues with me posting the list here and will do so.

BTW - in another thread someone else posted the correct list a couple weeks ago.

If someone wants to find it and post it here I'll confirm it.

Brent Huskins

Brian

02-28-2005, 01:17 PM

This is what was posted awhile back in the other updates thread.

1. Dolby Pro Logic IIX
2. Better bass management (cut off frequency adj in 5Hz increments from 20-200Hz) but will not allow different settings for different sources
3. Party mode will now include the back channels
4. Lipsync correction
5. Six independant bass and treble turnover points
6. DSP 96Khz sampling for bass and treble adjustment (not sure what this means)

I haven't spoken to Parasound so I don't know that it still matches what is in the release. Brent??????

bhuskins

02-28-2005, 01:22 PM

All these are included and a couple more...

Brent Huskins

Swfalcon

02-28-2005, 01:42 PM

4. Lipsync correction

What's that?

Omen

02-28-2005, 02:01 PM

How about:

Setting the initial volume level per input.
The ability to set my fronts to "large" for stereo signals, and to "small" for DD and DTS.
The ability to assign a specific surround mode per source.
Discrete IR codes for each of the surround modes (so I can use my Pronto to auto set the surround mode).

My old B&K Ref 20 from a few years ago had most of these convenience features. But it's the sound that matters most of all.

Brian

02-28-2005, 02:22 PM

Lip sync delay allows you to adjust the audio to match the video. Sometimes when using an outboard video processor, a delay is introduced to the audio. Having a lip sync feature lets you sync them back up.

Omen,
If you set your speakers to small in the setup menu, but then choose stereo96 for 2 channel, the bass mgmt is bypassed and your speakers will run as large.

Swfalcon

02-28-2005, 02:31 PM

Omen

02-28-2005, 04:26 PM

Omen,
If you set your speakers to small in the setup menu, but then choose stereo96 for 2 channel, the bass mgmt is bypassed and your speakers will run as large.

Brian,

If only I could :)

Stereo96 is not available as an option to me, since I use the digital output of my CD changer (via a Monarchy DIP) into the C2 (the DACs in the C2 are orders of magnitude better than my CD changer).

nicholtl

02-28-2005, 04:35 PM

Brian, that's odd. When I run Stereo96 with my turntable, the subwoofer is very much active?

Kingdaddy

02-28-2005, 07:08 PM

5. Six independant bass and treble turnover points

Whats a Turnover Point, did someone just make up a new term.

emillika

02-28-2005, 08:45 PM

It's there now.. slow as crap download too.....

smalone

02-28-2005, 08:45 PM

And it is posted....

nicholtl

02-28-2005, 09:33 PM

I've downloaded the software, but does anybody know how you implement the new system program into the C1/C2?

john4618

02-28-2005, 10:32 PM

I've downloaded the software, but does anybody know how you implement the new system program into the C1/C2?

Unzip the HaloPLIIx-LipsyncSoftwareUpgrade.zip file in a new folder and then print file PLIIX-Lipsync Installation Instructions.pdf for complete instructions.

I just completed the entire process and it worked perfect. :D

goldear

02-28-2005, 10:40 PM

I realize everyone's probably playing with their new toys...but I'd like some details and feedback on how it's all working. Any glitches; do the new notch filters make a substantial difference and what are the cutoff points? When you guys get a chance, put your thoughts down...both positive and negative. Thanks

Brian

03-01-2005, 01:03 AM

No problems with the download.
I'll have to play with the filters later after taking soom room measurements.

And stereo96 does play the sub. I just double checked. I had felt the wrong sub last time I was messin with it ( I have 2 ). One plays when using analog stereo96 and the other doesn't (2nd is run off the programmable channel)

Swfalcon

03-01-2005, 02:26 AM

Unzip the HaloPLIIx-LipsyncSoftwareUpgrade.zip file in a new folder and then print file PLIIX-Lipsync Installation Instructions.pdf for complete instructions.

I just completed the entire process and it worked perfect. :D

How many minutes does it take ?

bhuskins

03-01-2005, 03:19 AM

An hour...

Where's Chet? He needs to have a Zero posted for the countdown...

The whole process will take about and hour.

I suggest we convert this thread into a "trouble with your update" thread.

If anyone has problems please post for all of us to here. Likely someone can help.

Brent Huskins

Chris D

03-01-2005, 04:02 AM

Heheheee... trouble? TROUBLE? Trouble you say? Okay, I'll be the first--everything worked fine, up to the point where I'm pressing the "Program MCU" button. I got the "Titan is Alive" message, then erasing... erased...sending data. It gets between .2% and 4.5% and then says "checksum doesn't match", so I hit the program MCU button again. Same thing. My C1 says "updating software please wait..." and I'm not allowed to turn it off or it will zap the whole mess. So, I've tried making sure all my other computer programs are closed, which they are. Adjusted the serial cable... not really any change.

Running:
New Dell Inspiron 3.2GHz P4 laptop
WinXP
512 MB RAM
USB to Serial Cable

I've used the same setup many many times to run the MXEditor and Halo control software, so I don't think it's the computer or cabling.

Hmmmm.... I'm going to try re-downloading the file to make sure the HEX file isn't corrupted.

nicholtl

03-01-2005, 04:05 AM

It went smoothly. Just follow the step-by-step instructions verbatim, and you'll be straight. I had a scare at one point, when I was "cycling" my power button on the back of the C2 and I had a sudden power out. Had to flip the fuse box to get everything up and running again. I guess the sudden power-up of the A51 and A21 drew about 2000 watts (that's what it read on my P1000 before that too shut off) before everything just went cold. Anyways, just be careful when you cycle the power. It's probably a good idea to go into your C1/C2 and turn off the remote triggers first, so you don't have the same scary incident.

Nice to finally have DPLIIx!!!

I must say, however, I tried altering the treble turnover points "on the fly" as I was listening to a CD, and I couldn't tell a difference between the 6Khz, 8Khz, and 10Khz settings. Unless of course, I actually changed the dB settings.

Version 6.80 is finally here!

bhuskins

03-01-2005, 04:13 AM

Chris,

You might want to slow down the baud rate of your adapter if it has a setting to do so. It won't hurt to try it.

Previous success with Halo Control and the MX Editor is not indicative to success with the new Update procedure. That's why they warn you about different USB to DB9 adapters. I use the Keyspan and it works fine.

It would probably be useful for everyone using a USB to DB9 adapter to post what model they used with success or failure for that matter.

Chris, the main thing is to not cycle power on your Processor while it is in a state of having no firmware loaded.

What adapter are you using?

Brent Huskins

Chris D

03-01-2005, 04:37 AM

Well, just tried the slower baud rate. Nothin' doin'.

I'm suspicious that it may be the adapter too. I can't tell which model it is, but if I remember right, it may be this IOGear unit from Best Buy:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1051384690192&skuId=5310772&type=product

If so, that may explain things, as it's listed as "Supports data transfer rate of over 115 KBps".

I'll swing by Radio Shack tomorrow and pick up the adapter they recommend there. I think everything should still work with me leaving the Halo on and connected overnight.

jhell

03-01-2005, 05:36 AM

Just wanted to let you know:

I had no problems downloading and installing the update using my noname USB_to_Serial-Adapter. Everything worked just as described.

Okay, I don´t habe a 7.1.-Setup and don´t need LipSync-Delay, but it´s something new, so I just nedded it.... 8)

CU, Jan

jhell

03-01-2005, 05:45 AM

PS: german distibutor domino-design still announces the update for the end of january 2005.... :Z

http://www.domino-design.de/html/parasound.html

Brian

03-01-2005, 09:46 AM

I didn't want to risk using my usb to db9 adapter as it only states it is for up to 115k. So I downloaded the software to my pc, then unplugged it, and hooked it back up next to my equipment.

Chris, the only thing I did different is I never turned my C1 on from the front. I left it in standby (off) and simply cycled the main rear power button. Maybe give that a try.

bhuskins

03-01-2005, 10:39 AM

DON'T TOGGLE THE POWER ON THE BACK OF YOUR UNIT IF YOUR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE UPDATE AND GET STUCK and pray you don't have a power outage. That will definitely hose the process. I would try a desktop PC with direct DB9 which will work perfectly or get the shack one and start where you left off so to speak.

The Keyspan USB/DB9 works great as well.

Brent Huskins

Peter Nielsen

03-01-2005, 10:44 AM

DON'T TOGGLE THE POWER ON THE BACK OF YOUR UNIT IF YOUR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE UPDATE AND GET STUCK and pray you don't have a power outage.

Better yet, if you own a PC with an UPS (Uninterruptible power supply), simply hook up the C2 power to the UPS while doing the update. That way a power outage won't ruin your day... :T

Peter

bhuskins

03-01-2005, 10:52 AM

I bet Chris would have a hard time doing that now...ouch!

Brent Huskins

smalone

03-01-2005, 02:46 PM

The update froze twice on my PC but the third time it went all the way thru.

jprafter

03-01-2005, 03:36 PM

It's Done! After the slow upload of the G6_680 file, everything went very quickly and smoothly. No freezes or problems. Longest upgrade I ever performed. My Sony TA-E9000ES would upgrade in just a few minutes. I can definitely see the merits of using a UPS. Very Happy here! :D

john4618

03-01-2005, 03:45 PM

I think I found a glitch!

Last night I spent the evening playing/tweaking with my C2 settings and once I had everything where I wanted, I started Halo Setup and I downloaded and saved my settings to file myconfig.sfg. My Subwoofer freq was set to “80Hz-THX”, both in the C2 –and- in my myconfig.sfg file.

I continued tweaking but decided I wanted to go back to the settings in my myconfig.sfg file so I selected Upload All Settings to my C2. When the uploading was complete, I turned my C2 off and then on so that the new settings would take effect.

I then got into C2 Main menu -> Speaker Setup -> Size Setup and the Subwoofer freq was set at 160 Hz and not 80Hz-THX ?

I continued playing with the Subwoofer freq setting testing many different settings except 160 Hz, and every time I would Upload All Settings to my C2 the Subwoofer freq. would end up being at 160 Hz ?

Brent, any ideas ?

Chris D

03-01-2005, 03:52 PM

I had noticed similar things happening before the upgrade with the THX panorama-type settings as I would upload to the C1. I never really took the time to troubleshoot.

nicholtl

03-01-2005, 04:11 PM

John, the same thing happened to me. The subwoofer was set to 160Hz as wel, even though it should've been 100Hzl. There was also another thing or two that wasn't what I originally had it at, I forget what exactly, but glitch or no glitch, it's not that hard to switch it back to what it should be. It's only one or two things, after all.

smalone

03-01-2005, 08:18 PM

Same here and I also lost my video settings like the component video source setup and the names of the video and audio inputs. I had to re-set them all.

nicholtl

03-01-2005, 08:48 PM

and the names of the video and audio inputs. I had to re-set them all.

Whoa, that never happened to me. That's pretty bad.

Chris D

03-01-2005, 10:32 PM

Well, crap... the update is still aborting for me. Today I went and bought the Radio Shack USB to Serial cable specifically listed on the Parasound update page. No change, so I don't think it's the cable. The Titan Updater still says that it's erasing the MCU, then sending data, and a few seconds later it says the checksum is invalid and aborts.

I tried calling Parasound, but I think they've gone home for the day. Looks like I'll leave the C1 on for another night and try again tomorrow. Everything I read and hear says that cycling power on the controller during an update (either the front OR the back) fries the processor. One of our guys, I think Scarp, cycled power during an update and had to return the C1 to Parasound to be fixed.

I really want to try cycling the front power button on the C1, but won't, at least until I talk to the experts.

Peter Nielsen

03-02-2005, 09:12 AM

Is there a way to force the C1/C2 to reset everything into factory settings? That might help...

For instance, has anybody dared to see what happens if you keep the front power button pressed and power up the unit with the rear switch and keep the front power button pressed for about 10 seconds... That's a very common way to implement "factory reset". I have no idea if this will work on the C1/C2 though...

Personally, I'd really like to do a factory reset before applying the upgrade...

Peter

bhuskins

03-02-2005, 09:22 AM

If you don't restore your Halo Control file, you will have basically performed a factory reset.

Brent Huskins

Chetk

03-02-2005, 11:04 AM

An hour...

Where's Chet? He needs to have a Zero posted for the countdown...

Brent Huskins

I'm here. I'm here. I was just looking in the original thread this whole time. There's not much action over there now.

Plus, for the life of me, no matter how much I try, I can't get this forum to e-mail me when there are new posts. Usually, I don't have a problem doing this on other forums.

Brent, the funny thing about this release is: I haven't even had a chance to download it and install it yet. LOL I've been in the middle of building my HTPC. Man, does that thing rock!!!

I'll probably do the upgrade tonight and let everyone know how it goes.

Rags

03-02-2005, 02:38 PM

Stupid question time - does the software update improve the overall sound quality with existing surround formats or is it just additional features ?

bhuskins

03-02-2005, 03:00 PM

Funny you ask that...

When I was beta testing the software on my C1 a while back I noticed an overall sound improvement that wasn't imagined, it definitely improved it and it was noticeable instantly. I've got $50K worth of other gear associated to this C1 in my house, so needless to say all is top notch in the system. The system hadn't been changed in a couple months which is fairly long for me, but I've got my AMX system tweaked just right so I haven’t wanted to change anything. I watched a movie twice in row before and after the firmware update and noticed several nuances that had me excited. This was before messing around with the new features like the notch filters.

I posed the question to Richard at CES as to whether my mind is playing tricks on me or what and he said that on an established processor that has been in service for a while it could easy help the overall performance. Not because the root code has changed (maybe it has, I'm not sure), but because of the cleansing affect of the clean firmware. My C1 has been in service 1 1/2 years. A good analogy would be similar to a PC that has a fresh install of Windows and nothing else. Once you add office and norton and several other apps it will start to show performance lags compared to when it was fresh out of the box.

Now before you guys get the idea that your going to reflash your memory once a week to get the best out of your system, I would say that's likely not a good idea. I also don't know if reflashing with the same firmware would have the same affect as starting with an older firmware.

Anyway, that's my perception...

Brent Huskins

Peter Nielsen

03-02-2005, 03:26 PM

Brent,

In the new firmware, Parasound probably has optimized/improved algorithms and setup parameters for the ADC/DAC and other sound processing components. It is very likely that this could result in audible improvements.

Reflashing in itself obviously has nothing to do with it. It's the new software that helps to improve things. Parasound probably has learned more about their hardware and now we get to reap the benefits of their R&D. :T

Often when a new chip is released by the chip manufacturer, not even the manufacturer knows about all the possible ways to exploit the chip. Often third party manufacturers or developers discover exciting new ways to use the chip or boost its performance...

Peter

bhuskins

03-02-2005, 03:32 PM

But per Richard (owner of Parasound) the actual reflashing could affect it as well regardless of the other variables.

Brent Huskins

Peter Nielsen

03-02-2005, 03:37 PM

I don't see why reflashing would help... The software should stay unmodified in the flash memory. If it changes, then reflashing will of course help to restore it. But why on earth would it change?

I can imagine that reflashing will also erase some memory banks used for settings, etc. However, even this should not affect performance in any way.

Anyway, I need to install that new software ASAP. Considering the time elapsed since the previous software revision, I'm sure Parasound has made some exciting changes to the DSP :)

Peter

smalone

03-02-2005, 06:40 PM

I will add that the DPLIIx music mode is fantastic! I am a two channel guy when it comes to regular CD listening but since the update has the new DPLIIx I decided to give it a try and was very impressed on my 7.1 system (Totem model-1's signatures all around and QSC EX amps.).

smalone

03-02-2005, 06:54 PM

"If you don't restore your Halo Control file, you will have basically performed a factory reset."

I restored my Halo control file that I saved before the upgrade and some of the settings were restored but not all of them... I thought it was strange.

"The Titan Updater still says that it's erasing the MCU, then sending data, and a few seconds later it says the checksum is invalid and aborts."

Chris, have you tried re-downloading the update file? Perhaps yours became corrupt during the download?

Chris D

03-03-2005, 02:39 AM

Okay, I got it figured out. I talked with Tony at Parasound's customer service, and we did some troubleshooting. I have the dubious honor of being the first person to have troubles with the update and call Parasound. We couldn't figure out the problem, and were about to call it in and have me ship the C1 to Parasound, but I dragged my desktop PC upstairs and tried it. No problem...update on the first try. All done now!

Chris D

03-03-2005, 02:43 AM

Peter- I also suggest that before you change any settings on the C1/C2, you download the default configuration to your computer and save it as the default. Then if you ever want, you can just upload the default and start over!

Also, pressing and holding the front power button as you turn on the unit will display the current software version. (very useful)

Brent - maybe it's just me or a subconsious desire, but I think there's an improvement in audio clarity with the new update!

bhuskins

03-03-2005, 07:08 AM

The "cleansing" occurs in the buffers supposedly.

Brent Huskins

Bugsy

03-03-2005, 02:22 PM

So Chris...was it just a case of "pilot error"?

Chris D

03-03-2005, 02:54 PM

Heheheeeee... no, unfortunately. Otherwise ya'll could just give me a smack on the head and make things better. Since neither Parasound's tech support nor myself can pinpoint where the problem was exactly, and everything indicated that the Radio Shack cable and my laptop should have worked for the update, we still don't know exactly what the problem was. All I know is that it worked fine from my desktop, and update complete.