Just did latest software upgrade

[Chris D]

Well, I finally got around to doing the latest 6.86 Halo upgrade last night. Overall, the DPLIIx 6.80 upgrade had been working really well, but I was getting the occasional "main sound out of rear surround channels" phenomenon. Maybe once every few weeks. While it was really straightforward to do a hard reboot of the C1/C2, now I can take my video display off the back wall, and turn around to watch it on the front wall again. It's been a while since I got the mysterious "Halo Gremlin" that we talked about in another thread.

All seems to be the same now. 6.86 was only supposed to address the rear-surround phenomenon, so I wasn't expecting anything else different.

Just like when I did my 6.80 upgrade, I initially had problems with the USB to serial cable from my laptop. I thought I had resolved the issue, but apparently not. So, I again hooked up my desktop and got the upgrade on the first try with the 6.86.

[netarc]

...but I was getting the occasional "main sound out of rear surround channels" phenomenon. Maybe once every few weeks.

Finally! I am *so* glad to read this, because for the longest time it seemed like I was the _only_ one to come across this issue! I've not experienced the problem since upgrading to the C1, but it's good to know they isolated and resolved the problem with the 6.86 upgrade!

[Chris D]

Hey, netarc, yeah, we've had a few of our members say that this popped up every now and then with 6.80. Now that I've used my system for a while with 6.86, I can say that it does indeed seem to work the same as 6.80, but no rear-surround occasional fluke.

[psychdoc]

This thread reminded me of another reason why I chose, and still love, the 7100--- no software goblins.

[Chris D]

True, doc, the original software release of any A/V processor will probably be the most thorough and rigorously tested version it ever has. Parasound goes WAY beyond other companies in thoroughly testing their software releases before giving them out to the public. If you look at other companies, they'll release a new version every other month. Unfortunately, because of the frequency, the company doesn't have time to test out the release, so half of each upgrade, or maybe the whole purpose of every other upgrade, is just to correct the previous version. Yes, you get a new version more often, but you get lots more bugs.

Don't worry--the 7100 will be getting its software upgrades too. I think the one thing you WON'T have to worry about is lots of bugs in the software. Maybe an odd one here or there that will be corrected, but you'll still have a great piece of equipment.

[J.H.]

May I ask a stupid question because I own a 7100. What are software upgrades,why do you need them and how do you install them? I thought software updates were only for new soiund formats like a new Dolby Digital sound format? tHier arent any new DD versions coming anytime soon untill HD-DVD/Blu Ray. J.H.

[goldear]

JH,

Software upgrades can be for anything from fixing a "bug" to adding new features...just like PLIIx was added to the Halo processors. They are generally done with the manufacturer provided software, which is downloaded from a PC and transferred via an RS232 cable/input located on the back of the processor.

[Chris D]

Exaclty what Chris said, J.H. I would not be surprised if Parasound releases a new software release for the C1, C2, AND 7100 shortly, when the Zhd is released, to specify how it controls through the RS-232. Either Universal Remote or Parasound will probably update the remote control codes, too, for inclusion in the MX-700.

When a formal software release comes out, you can anticipate reading all the information, discussion, and instructions here for it.

[J.H.]

Ok is it a big pain to have siftware updates? Can a computer dummy like me do it myself? Also does it cost money for these software updates? Thanks again J.H.

[Chris D]

They're free to download, and the whole process is free as long as you own a computer and proper serial cable. I'e found that the key is having a good quality serial cable. If you try to do the update with a cheap cable, it will stop partway through it every time you try. If you have a good cable, it's an easy process, that only requires waiting for 30 minutes while the data is transferred.

Yeah, the computer-challenged can do it without much hassle at all. For those that honestly have BIG problems with computers (i.e. can't use a standard click-and-open Windows interface) you'd be taking a chance doing it yourself, as everything is erased when you start the process, and if you don't properly finish it and turn off the processor before you're done, the unit must be sent to Parasound to be reloaded.

If you're concerned about taking the chance, you can ask a Parasound service center or the San Fran headquarters to do it fo you.

[J.H.]

Thanks I think I'd have someone do it for me. Can you hurt the processor? What downloads would the 7100 need? It has all the sound formats now? or is it just for HDMI? Thanks J.H.

[slayer]

Like the others have said above, it's not always new formats and upgrades. Sometimes it's just fixes for bugs that they have discovered in the previous software.

As an example, I sell and program Pronto touchscreen remotes. I was having a problem with a couple of my clients remotes freezing up on them now and then. We would have to reset them every time it did it. Well, Philips came out with a new firmware update(or software update) and one of the fixes on this new update was to solve the problem of occasional locking up of the remotes. I installed it into those clients remotes and have never had a call back about it again. They saw that there was a problem with the current software, so they came out with a new one that fixed the known problems.
So what I'm saying is that sometimes this is all they are. Other times it could be a new sound format like when they added PLIIx.
And you can be sure that the 7100 will be having them as well. Theta, Krell, Meridian...... they all do it.
I hope that explaned it for you.

[J.H.]

Thanks you explained it perfectly thank you. J.H.

[eduardw]

This thread reminded me of another reason why I chose, and still love, the 7100--- no software goblins.

My 7100 had a software problem, i got the unit with firmware version 0.61 After I shipped it to finland(to get it fixed) it came back with version 0.77 and no more problems. Still happy with the pre.

Eduard

[psychdoc]

I was referring more to the problems that the C2 owners have discussed on other threads. They are not major problems but just unusual little problems that occur then disappear on their own, not a unit with the wrong entire software.

By the way, how do you know what version of software is on the 7100? I'd love to check mine if I can.

[eduardw]

this is done by pressing and holding the power button(to turn it on). The first screen will show "Version 0.xx