Current Halo software version and update issues

[Chris CRt]

Hello, Brent!

I just made my reservations for CES today! I'm going to guess that you are going again, right?

Cool news on the classic replacement. I'm interested to see what they have cookin' and what we can expect both hardware and software wise.

Any news on the DVD player yet? :rofl:

[nicholtl]

Brent, you're going to be in LA?? What's your schedule look like?

[bhuskins]

Long Beach and surrounding area until Thursday...The schedule is hit and miss...I've got to keep the wife happy.

Let me know if you're down in Long Beach.

Brent

[nicholtl]

Hey Brent, I'll try giving you a call tomorrow. See if you're available for lunch or dinner or something. Would be cool to finally meet the Man Behind the Curtain.

[Chris D]

Well, all, definitely post to the Club here when you see or hear anything definite of something new, whether it be the classic or Halo line, or something else.

[bhuskins]

I'll post pictures when I can...hopefully this weekend.

Classic has a new Prepro and 2 new 5 channel amps.

[bhuskins]

Pictures posted on the new gear in a new thread...

Also...December 15th is the target date for the DPLIIx software to be released...Please don't call Parasound to ask about it until after the 15th. This will let them hit their target. It will be posted on their website for all to download.

OK Chet…start the new countdown…

[nicholtl]

Once it's posted on their site, is it simply then a matter of downloading it onto a PC and then somehow transferring it into the C2 via RS232 port?

Dammit, I leave for Hawaii on the 15th. And without the C2. What timing.

[bhuskins]

awe...life is tuff!

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[cameronl]

i feel so sorry for you going to Hawaii.....

CaM

[Chetk]

Hmmmm...Hawaii or C1 update? Hawaii or C1 update? It's such a tough decision. 8)

14

[nicholtl]

hahaha yeah you guys are right. My actual home is in Hawaii, I only came to LA for college, so I guess it never seemed like a big deal.

[Chris D]

Actually, for most people, the question is, "which can I afford... a Hawaii vacation or a C1/C2? Hmmm.... Hawaii, or C1/C2?"

[Chetk]

13

I'm going to be in LA away from my computer next week. You guys are going to have to fill in in my absence.

[cameronl]

8 days

[cameronl]

0 Days and counting....

[Peter Nielsen]

0 Days and counting....

3 more hours and it will be 8 AM in California... :B

[Savannah]

So is today the day.
Twas the night before Xmas and all thru the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse
children were nestled all snug in their beds
while visions of parasound danced in their heads

[bhuskins]

I stated in another post that today's release has been slightly delayed because of all the features being added. A couple more weeks is all, but it will be well worth it.

Please don't call Parasound asking where the release is...it's eminently coming in the next few days.

[cameronl]

...while visions of parasound danced in their heads

nice

[Savannah]

Is it a couple of days or weeks? when the wife says its ok to upgrade you don't want to give them time to have second thoughts especially around the holidays

[nicholtl]

Just remember it's always easier to beg for forgiveness than to initially ask for permission. Now that it's in the house, she can throw all the tantrum she wants, but just put your foot down and tell her that the update is coming, the unit isn't going anywhere, and why aren't you smelling any turkey being cooked? =)

[bhuskins]

A couple of weeks...

This is software only though...it shouldn't keep you from getting Halo gear now and upgrade the software in a couple of weeks. It will be field upgradeable.

[Rags]

Ok I know there is going to be an official announcement soon but I cant hold it in any longer. The new software will feature amongst other things -

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)

There may be other things but these are the main upgrades. No hardware changes atm.

Enjoy!

[bhuskins]

I'm glad I didn't post this...but the list is right on...minus a couple of things.

[Rags]

I'm glad I didn't post this

Brent - Parasound themselves are telling anyone who bothers to ask. I called them regarding a technical issue and in the conversation mentioned future upgrades and out came the list. Its not confidential.

[Chris D]

Just remember it's always easier to beg for forgiveness than to initially ask for permission. Now that it's in the house, she can throw all the tantrum she wants, but just put your foot down and tell her that the update is coming, the unit isn't going anywhere, and why aren't you smelling any turkey being cooked? =)

Whaaapssssshhhh! (sound of bullwhip cracking) Wow, you go, boy!

[smalone]

DVD-A Bass management???

5. Six independant bass and treble turnover points
6. DSP 96Khz sampling for bass and treble adjustment (not sure what this means)

Could this be for that?

[Q-Man]

Would this upgrade include?
1) Bass management for the 7.1 inputs for SACD's and DVD-Audio?
2) Independent crossovers frequencies for every channel?
3) Any notch filters?
4) When you say six independent bass and treble turnover points. Do you mean you can adjust the bass and treble separately for each channel?

[Chris CRt]

How about that THX Game mode that we keep hearing about?

I'm sure that has to be in there somewhere.

[nicholtl]

What is THX Game Mode?

[nicholtl]

Whaaapssssshhhh! (sound of bullwhip cracking) Wow, you go, boy!

Haha, I can only say that because I'm not married, and so no wifey is over my shoulder watching what I type. For the rest of you hitched guys...I feel for ya.

[Q-Man]

I had to call Parasound and find out what the update was all about. It isn't going to have bass management for the 7.1 analog inputs. It also isn't going to have a couple othe features that I was hoping that it would. I have been waiting to see it parasound was going to catch up to Anthem in features.

The person that I was speaking to was very nice and also knowledgeable on processors. He ended up telling me that I better buy the Anthem AVM 30.

[Savannah]

so Parasound is now acting lLike the Santa on Miracle on 34th St sending you down the street to the competition? I received an email from them last week that the upgrades would be posted on their site this week

oh well

[bhuskins]

THX game mode...absolutely yes

[bhuskins]

I had to call Parasound and find out what the update was all about. It isn't going to have bass management for the 7.1 analog inputs. It also isn't going to have a couple othe features that I was hoping that it would. I have been waiting to see it parasound was going to catch up to Anthem in features.

The person that I was speaking to was very nice and also knowledgeable on processors. He ended up telling me that I better buy the Anthem AVM 30.

Q-Man...I'll ask you a question.

Have you ever heard bass management from a prepro on 5.1/7.1 analog inputs that sounded good? Anthem sure doesn't and nor does anybody else in my opinion on bass managed analog inputs. It's nothing more than a band-aid and that's why Parasound is ignoring it. If you are that concerned for the niche medium like DVD-A and SACD, you should wait on HDMI from Parasound or Anthem. Then you will be able to realize the true glory of the format. Otherwise, I feel you are paying too much attention to the specs on paper and not taking the time to listen to the results. This is likely the reason the guys at Parasound suggested going down the street. Parasound is not a company concerned with keeping up with every little specification; rather they are concerned with pure sonic capabilities regardless of specs.

[SpOoNmAn]

Q-Man...I'll ask you a question.

Have you ever heard bass management from a prepro on 5.1/7.1 analog inputs that sounded good? Anthem sure doesn't and nor does anybody else in my opinion on bass managed analog inputs. It's nothing more than a band-aid and that's why Parasound is ignoring it. If you are that concerned for the niche medium like DVD-A and SACD, you should wait on HDMI from Parasound or Anthem. Then you will be able to realize the true glory of the format. Otherwise, I feel you are paying too much attention to the specs on paper and not taking the time to listen to the results. This is likely the reason the guys at Parasound suggested going down the street. Parasound is not a company concerned with keeping up with every little specification; rather they are concerned with pure sonic capabilities regardless of specs.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

I couldnt have said it better Brent :T

[goldear]

Q-Man:

"The person that I was speaking to was very nice and also knowledgeable on processors. He ended up telling me that I better buy the Anthem AVM 30."

I can't even imagine why someone from Parasound would suggest you go with the Anthem AVM30 when Parasound has some of these very features in their new Classic-line SSP. If the 7100 is as competent sounding a piece as the Halo, I would look there, first...and then, probably fire the person who told you this.

[Q-Man]

You guys are killing me, I don't know what the heck to do. I want this pre pro to sonicly be the best sounding one that I can afford. You guys keep saying Parasound. I've been bouncing back and forth for a few months now. Yes, I listened to the Anthem, but only in a dealer showroom with BMW speakers. It didn't sound as good as my home system, but I blame that mostly on the BMW speakers. There isn't a Parasound dealer near me that has a showromm.

I almost broke down and ordered a C2 when they had a special price of $2,400.00 for one. So I read the Anthem and C2 manuals again and decided on the Anthem. Now both are coming out with updates at the same time, so I figured that I would at least wait and see what the C2 would now have to offer. The C2 is still behind the Anthem in features, and the Anthem is known to put out new updates every two to three months, where this is the first one for the C2.

I'm now thinking that I could use my Outlaw ICBM bass manager between my DVD players 5.1 analog outputs and the C2's inputs for bass management for SACD's and DVD-Audio. I like to crossover all my full range speakers to the sub at around 35 to 40Hz. It won't give me bass, treble, time delay, and DSP sound field options like the Anthem, but maybe it will be enought. Then again, maybe not. I'm sure all of you read the Sound & Vision magizine reveiw where they recomended the AVM30 over the C1.

Again, another maybe. If Parasound offers the C2 for $2,400.00 again maybe I'll try it at that price. I'll know in a couple of days if it's a keeper or not once I get it in my room. If I don't like it I can probably get about $2,200.00 of my money back on ebay.

[nicholtl]

1) I would actually feel less comfortable with a company that puts out updates every 2-3 months.

2) Do you mean B&W speakers? I've never heard of BMW speakers, unless you mean the stock ones in the cars.

3) If you don't think the C1/C2 sounds quite a bit better than the AVM30, you should just get the AVM30 because your ears can't tell the difference, but your pocketbook sure will. Why you didn't jump on the $2400 price offering is beyond me.

4) Nobody trusts Sound and Vision.

[Q-Man]

Sorry, I did mean B&W speakers. That's kind of funny.

Even if I get the C2, I'll never know if it sounds better then the AVM30 or not unless I don't like it and sell it and get the AVM30. The same goes if I buy the AVM30. If I don't like it I'm not going to keep it. I'm trying to save a lot of buying and selling and losing money, because I am fussy. I have no way to compare them before buying. If I did this would be easy. I just know what I expect it to sound like from trying some other gear in my room.

I see B stock C2's for sale from $2,400.00 to $2,700.00 every now and then. Then I too could go ebay or Audiogon to buy this, but I would rather not.

I'm glad to see so many people standing behind the Halo C1 & C2, but then I don't think any of you ever listened to the AVM 30 and had a chance to compare them.

[SpOoNmAn]

how big can the differences be. If youre not happy with any of the above mentioned products, either from Parasound or Anthem, you need a new hobby, dont mean to offend.

[nicholtl]

Q-Man, are you the same Q-Man from the Klipsch forums?

[Q-Man]

[QUOTE=SpOoNmAn]how big can the differences be.

That's what I think, but there are a few people who are telling me about this difference and I might be making too much of it.

[Q-Man]

Q-Man, are you the same Q-Man from the Klipsch forums?

Yes I am. I'm the one who loves bass horns, but wasn't happy with the sound of the top end of the Klipschorns. I spent two years trying different midrange drivers and horn combinations, tweeters, and networks untill I made a speaker that to my ears has no equal. It was actually a fun project and had it's just rewards. I enjoy building horns. Then it took me a while to find the amps that I felt mated well with my speakers. They turned out to be McIntosh. The speakers and amps were a cost no object kind of thing, because they will last my lifetime. I feel different about AV/processors because they are now nothing but computers, and computers are obsolete the day after you buy them. So I don't want to spend a lot of money on someting that I will be changing out every 2 or 3 years.

I'm now designing a new room for a dedicated home theater. My current room has grown small after filling it with 10 fully loaded horn speakers.