Information, Instructions, and Discussion on Feb 2005 Major Halo Software Upgrade

[Chris D]

28 Feb 2005

Parasound has released a long-awaited massive update for the Parasound Halo C1 and C2 controllers. I'll dedicate this thread to information and discussion about this update.

NOTE: This is the first official software update that Parasound has released for mass distribution and officially acknowledged on the Parasound website. Previously, all updates were much smaller tweaks that you had to get from the company directly. You're going to want this update! Read on!


Q: What is the software update?

A: Parasound calls this the "PLIIx-Lipsync Software Upgrade" for Halo controllers.


Q: What all is included in this software update?

A: This comes directly from the Halo download page:

Dolby Pro Logic IIx Movie*
Dolby Pro Logic IIx Music*
THX Games Mode*
Party Mode for 7.1 Channel*
Lip Sync Adjustment
Bass Management Improvements
Bass and Treble Controls, Higher Resolution
Bass and Treble Controls, Choice of Frequencies

* Only available in a 7.1 channel system that includes back speakers
Halo PLIIx-Lipsync Software Upgrade with Discrete IR Codes for Second Zone
Includes the above features plus new codes for the remote control handset:

Discrete IR Codes for Second Zone*

* New codes affect only the operation of the second zone. Your remote control will continue to operate the second zone as it did before the new software upgrade was installed into the C 1 or C 2. Please don’t modify your remote control’s programming unless you are dissatisfied with its control of the second zone, and you strongly prefer the revised operation described in the Manual Supplement.

Q: How do I get the update for my Halo controller?

A: Three ways to have your Halo C1/C2 updated:

1. You can download and install the update yourself from Parasound's website
2. If you're American or Canadian you can ask Parasound for a CD-R with the update and then install it yourself
3. You can ask your Parasound dealer/installer/servicer to install it for you.


Q: I'm about to wet myself, I can't wait another second for the file. How do I download it NOW?

A: Go to Parasound's main website http://www.parasound.com and once you click on the opening Halo picture (which rotates every time you enter the site with different Halo equipment) you'll go right to the main page where you can choose between Classic or Halo equipment. On the right side below the Halo logo is the link to take you directly to the Halo download page. Read, then save the appropriate file to your computer. If you really can't spare another instant, THIS LINK will take you directly to the download page.

Note that although there are separate download pages for the C1 and C2, they appear identical with what looks to be identical files for download. Initially, I'm not seeing any difference in the actual update files posted on the C1 download page and C2 download page. (on that note, I'm not seeing a difference in the Manual Supplements, either!)


Q: I started downloading last week, and the file's still coming through my dial-up connection. Just how big IS this update file?

A: In the words of Dr. Emmitt Brown in Back To the Future, 1.21 Gigawatts! (just kidding) There are actually two versions available. The first file is 4.15 MB if you only update your C1 or C2. The second file is a whopping 11.2 MB if you wish to update your C1/C2 AND add discrete IR codes to the second zone of your Halo MX-700 remote control. Cool, huh?


Q: Okay, once I've got the file, how do I install the update?

A: Follow the instructions on the Halo download page. You'll need a PC with Windows 95 or higher, (sorry, Mac users, you're out of luck!) a serial cable or USB-to-serial adapter that fits Parasound's criteria listed on the download page, an file unzip program, and the MX-700 remote adapter included with the Halo C1/C2 if you're updating the remote as well. If you don't have a computer, the equipment, or don't want the responsibility of installing it yourself and screwing up your mega-$$$ equipment, you can also have your Parasound dealer/installer/servicer install the update for you.


Q: Once I've got the update installed, how do I use it?

A: RTFM! Parasound has also released "Manual Supplements" for the C1 Controller and C2 Controller


Q: Chris, you're such a neat guy. Does everyone tell you that?

A: Why yes, yes they do.


DOWNLOAD QUICK LINKS:

Click here for the C1 download page

Click here for the C2 download page

Click here for the C1 Controller Manual Supplement

Click here for the C2 Controller Manual Supplement

.

[Peter Nielsen]

WOW! The new software lets me set the Subwoofer crossover to 25Hz!!! Wonderful!!!! :T :T

Peter

[jprafter]

:roll: Who's going to be 1st?

[nicholtl]

1st for what?

And Chris, I don't know if anyone's told you before...but...you're such a neat guy.

[jprafter]

1st to do the update. After I posted the above message I saw people who had already done the update posted in another thread. ops:

[Chris D]

..

[bhuskins]

I was definitely first...

Brent Huskins

[Peter Nielsen]

I was definitely first...

Brent Huskins

Brent, is there a way to do a "factory reset" on the C1/C2? I'd like to restore all my settings to the defaults before applying the upgrade.

Thanks,
Peter

[nicholtl]

I think there's a "restore default" setting on the HaloSetup program. You could just click on that, then upload those default settings back into your C1/C2. I might be wrong though.

[Chris D]

Okay, my update is all done--only took me 44 hours. ops: Okay, well that includes me having problems, going to work, waiting until business hours to call Parasound, etc. It actually ended up taking me about an hour total once everything worked.

The updater kept aborting the upload and making me start over. I'm not sure what the problem was, exactly, but I think that in part it may have had to do with the USB to Serial adapter. This is important to emphasize to others that want to do the update with such an adapter cable, that they adhere to the standards set in Parasound's update page. My laptop doesn't have a serial port, so I originally used this IO Gear cable here:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?j=1&id=1051384690192&skuId=5310772&type=product

I've used this cable before without problems, including the Halo Control and MX Editor programs. It lists the transmission rate as "over 115 kbps" so who knows if it really handled the 230 kpbs required. I think I would NOT recommend this cable for the Halo update.

My update kept aborting quickly after starting the data upload, saying that the checksum didn't match. I went out and bought the Radio Shack adapter cable specifically mentioned by Parasound, but didn't have any more luck with that. Finally, while working with Parasound, we tried a last ditch effort and dragged my desktop upstairs to try the update. Sure enough, worked first try. The funny thing is, both the laptop and desktop are high-end Dell computers running the exact same configuration of software, and the desktop even has significantly slower processor than the laptop. :wtf: Who knows. Parasound's tech support said that they only time they've run into a problem like this was when they used a sub-standard Belkin USB-serial adapter. Here's the Radio Shack cable Parasound specifically mentions as having good success with:



I know I can claim the dubious honor of being the first person to have update problems and have to call Parasound's tech support. Whoopie.

Items to emphasize to people wanting to try the update:

1. If you're going to use a USB to serial adapter, make sure that it meets the criteria listed on the Parasound update webpage.

2. If your updater aborts or hangs up for any reason, do NOT turn off power to your C1/C2. The EPROM is erased, and there is nothing to boot up the processor with when you reapply power. The front button should be frozen, so it shouldn't even work, but don't touch the rear power switch or pull the AC plug. Call Parasound's tech support before you do anything else--they provide great service!
.
.

[ralniv]

Grrr. I keep getting the following message from Titan Updater:

Programming MCU
Erasing...
Erased... Sending data...
HEX file error.
Checksum does not match.
Check the file and try sending again.
DO NOT switch off the appliance power!

I get a few percent into the upload then I receive this message. The RS232 to USB cable I am using is rated to 1mbps and it fits my Halo C2 just fine. Anyone else seeing this?

[Chris D]

Yup, ralniv, that's exactly what I was getting, word for word. Are you using a laptop? Can you try a desktop instead? Whatever you do, leave power on to your C2. Let's see if we can help you, and then if you need to, call Parasound's tech support tomorrow.

[ralniv]

Edit

Chris -- Thanks for the heads up on your experiences with the firmware update. The upload to my C2 was successful on the first attempt with my company laptop.

[Chris D]

You know, I like the new discrete code update to the MX-700 remote control. Before, I made several macros to control various zone functions so I wouldn't have to hit the zone button and then scroll through menus real quick to engage other functions. This is one welcome update for me personally.

[bhuskins]

Chris,

Any of the adapters that say "PDA" adapters have typically been problematic for my company. Not just with Parasound, but Lutron, AMX and all the other companies I deal with that have 232 ports. We exclusively use the Keyspan adapters and have zero problems. Best Buy sells the PDA ones and I would avoid those for sure...this comes from past experience. Lutron recommends the Keyspan and that's why we made that decision a couple years ago. It solved a lot of problems.

Brent Huskins

[Omen]

Will this DB9 extension cable work to connect my PC to the C2?

Hi,

Does anyone know if this ConnectXpres 50ft DB9 M/F Extension Cable would work to connect my desktop PC and my C2? I have a male DB9 COM1 connector on my PC.

I need a 50ft (or longer) cable, since I can't move my PC nor the C2 close enough together to use a normal 6ft cable.

Thanks for the info.

[bhuskins]

I use a 25 foot with no problem. 50 foot is within the specs for 232.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[Omen]

Thanks Brent.

[Chris D]

*edited due to Parasound's download webpage update*

Brent, actually now Parasound's download webpage indicates that the Keyspan serial adapter cable has had problems and is not recommended. It's also referenced in the discussion article linked from Parasound's webpage, listed HERE You say that you haven't had any problems with the Keyspan, huh?

I didn't notice the Keyspan or IOGear models listed on Parasound's download webpage before, so they may have updated it since the original posting. Perhaps because of me?

[bhuskins]

Here's the model all of my guys use: http://www.keyspan.com/products/usb/USA19HS/
This is not the model in that report. They are using a USA-19QW and I use a USA19HS. The HS stands for high speed I would assume and the QW stands for quirky.

I've had ZERO problems with multiple vendors RS232 interfaces including Parasound. You're safe to do what they recommend of course. I'm just talking from my experience.

Brent Huskins

[Chris D]

I'm fairly more certain now that my troubles with the DPLIIx upgrade were due to the USB to Serial cables. The first cable I used was the IOGear model listed above, which would make progress with the data download, but then abort. Then I bought the Radio Shack model also listed above, which didn't really work at all. On a hunch today, I exchanged the Radio Shack cable for a new one of the same model. Although I'm not going to do the update all over again now, it seems to be working like a champ. I think I just got a defective Radio Shack cable, and everything's okay now.

Whew! What a drama!

[Brian]

I found another USB to serial adapter that doesn't work:

http://pfranc.com/usb/usb.mhtml

Luckily, there was a Radio Shack close to the guys house I was at, so I ran out and picked up the RS one and it picked up and downloaded fine where the other adapter had caused the software to freeze up.

[Chetk]

May I ask why it's so picky? Who cares who manufactures the cable? When I hook up a cable to my PC, generally speaking, they always work. Why, then, is the Parasound equipment so incompatible with these cables? :roll:

[bhuskins]

This is not specific to Parasound, rather typical of all USB/RS232 adapters. Some are designed for special purposes such as PDA's which makes them bad for doing other things. I've dealt with this for most of the other RS232 devices out there as well. Lutron, AMX, and all the other A/V guys included.

Brent Huskins

[Chetk]

Got it.

I guess I was under the impression that a DB9 cable was a DB9 cable and a USB to DB9 cable was a USB to DB9 cable.

You're right though, Brent. The older the standard (DB9), the more likelyhood of incompatibilities.

[Kingdaddy]

I just made my own cable with 2 9-pin D-Sub connectors and 3 wires. Worked great, update complete. Now if I could just get Main Lobby to talk to the C2 then I could have full RS232 control and have variables sent back to my computer.

[bhuskins]

9 pin to 9 pin won't be an issue...it's the USB to 9 pin that causes the problem.

Brent Huskins

[Kingdaddy]

Brent:

Have you been involved in setting up the C1/C2 for serial control? I have a beta plugin for the C2 that allow my Lobby suite to do 2-way control but I'm having trouble connecting. I can connect with the halo software or through hyperterminal but not from Mail Lobby. If you have Main Lobby, or anyone else for that matter I can E-Mail the plugin to anyone who is interested.

[bhuskins]

I do serial control of the C1/C2 quite often, but with AMX...they have a module as well that works great. I assume charmed quark was a bust?

Brent Huskins

[Kingdaddy]

Yea, CQC was a bit of overkill and was intended to be the engine for a automation system, I'm already knee deep into the Lobby suite so I don’t want to change now. I finally got a reply from the author over at Cenimar so hopefully I will have the issues resolved soon. I'll post any information I have as soon as I have it, others may be interested in 2-way control on the cheep, this should do all that Creston will for a fraction of the price.

[jprafter]

I'm very interested. I have MainLobby as well.

[Kingdaddy]

Sent you the plugin, let me know if you have any luck, I'm still trying.

[jprafter]

:T Thanks! Got it today, Installed and started creating a scene based on the receiver Cinemar already had defined.

It works great! I've only tried one way commands so far. Have Volume, Mute, Standby, Music Modes, Movie Modes, and Source Selection working.

I'm super excited. I haven't been able to control the volume from upstairs since I got rid of the TA-E9000ES.

I had one problem due to the pdf directions. They showed the server command as follows:

MLServeCmd.MLHaloC2~<<cmd>>

I should have remebered that it should be in the form:

MLServeCmd.MLHaloC2|<<cmd>>

That did the trick. Plus the Music Modes messed me up a bit because of the naming, MUSIC1 ---> Natural, etc.

I'll try the bidirectional commands next.

Thanks again, John.

[Brian]

Can you guys post info or links to what you are using? I'm curious.

[Kingdaddy]

I'll start a new thread with all the info and some working command examples so as not to move this thread any more of topic.

[Chris D]

As for the cable, I really think the crux of the issue is making sure it can pass the proper bandwith of data during the update. You're re-flashing the EPROM with a LOT of new info.

[bhuskins]

And really you are flashing the EPROM with a completely new file, both existing data and the new stuff...

Brent Huskins

[jprafter]

Does anyone have a copy of the updated C1/C2 RS232 Codes for the new release? I don't remeber seeing this pdf in the download. I believe there would have to be some new commands and return codes for the new fuctionality, specifically Dolby Prologic IIx and others.

If not, does anyone have contacts at Parasound so we can get it?

Also posted under KingDaddy's thread.

Regards,

John

[jprafter]

ops: Looks like they updated the website. I just checked, and looks like a new version is out there. Thanks anyway.

[bhuskins]

the rs232 codes have not been updated yet...

Brent Huskins

[Chris D]

You can contact Parasound anytime and ask questions as well as pass requests. Check out the "Parasound contact info" sticky thread at the top of the Club page for pertinent info.

[jprafter]

Well they changed the document, because it now contains code examples and Crestron hex codes. This is not the same document I downloaded on 12/28. They don't use version numbers on the document so it's hard to keep track. However, you are right, no new information regarding PLIIx. In working with the Main Lobby C2 Plugin, I've found out the following:

The codes sent to the C2 to set the PLII and PLIIx modes are actually the same. However, they react differently if you have the rear speakers set on or not. If using 5.1 the codes sent to set on PL music or movies will set modes PLII Music and PLII Movie, if using 7.1 the same codes will set modes PLIIX Music and PLIIX Movie.

So since the document does not supply the return codes for modes ("output data" as stated in the document), they may not actually have to update it. There must be new codes returned for the PLIIX modes because I worked with the plugin developer today, and he was able to define two new variables to be passed back to main lobby.

Hope this is clear, if not private msg me.

[bhuskins]

You're right in that the same code does both functions depending on an actual 5.1 or 7.1 setup. I don't think they will actually have to add anything. You can also use a terminal program to monitor what the C1/C2 is spitting out when code are executed to decipher the new modes.

Brent Huskins

[jprafter]

Yes. I worked with the Main Lobby Server plugin developer over the weekend. After I tested I sent my results to him. He was able to generate two new return variables. These variables represented the two new mode status, PLIIx Music and PLIIx Movie. So they must be avaible return codes from the C2, or he wouldn't have been able to develop these variables.

It sure would be nice to have a complete list of all output return codes from the C2.

[Brian]

Can you guys try something.

Take a look at the tone control settings. If you make a change say at 80hz, then change the bass setting to the next setting of 110hz, on my C1, the change at 80hz seems to also apply at the other settings.
The supplement to the instructions made it seem like they would all be independent filters.