Current Halo software version and update issues

[smalone]

The not so distant future.......

The NEW C3 and C4 have arrived!!!! Awsome Pre/Pros with all the latest and greatest features and 100% future proof!!!!

Sure wish that firmware update for my C2 would have been released before these new units came out......

Oh well....

[Savannah]

what do you mean have arrived
where id you see the C3 and C4?

[bhuskins]

He's being facetious.

Brent Huskins
Media Design

[nicholtl]

Oooh, S.A.T. word right there!

[emillika]

If it weren't for my initial $4000-5000 investment this would be almost humerous.

[Chris CRt]

Well, when I spoke to Paul at CES, he did say February.

Guess we could start another countdown since there are only 10 days left.


10


:roll:

[smalone]

February.....

of 2000 and what???? :rofl:

[Swfalcon]

3 days :roll: , February is ending off...

[bhuskins]

I posted this on a new thread, but I'm sure several of you are subscribed to this thread only, so here it is:

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!

Brent Huskins

[Chris CRt]

Cool.

Here's to a solid update! :T

[nicholtl]

Excellent!!!

[jericho]

Is there some news on new power amplifiers going to arrive???

[Swfalcon]

I posted this on a new thread, but I'm sure several of you are subscribed to this thread only, so here it is:

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!

Brent Huskins

8O near one hour 8O

the memory has a very slow speed or the amount of memory is huge :E ?

The PC should be very stable ....

When I change options with the HaloControl Software, it takes a couple of minutes :roll: to record it to the C2

USB powa :T


"This software adds several features that have been noted before."

Brent, if you have time can you tell us which of theses features have been added ?

Thanks

[smalone]

Its here! Its here!

[Chris D]

Wow... now I'm actually going to have to update the sticky posts about Parasound FAQ, this post about software versions, etc. That's okay by me. :banana:

[Chetk]

:bluezoned: :jawdrop: I can't believe it!!!

[jprafter]

It's Done! After the slow upload of the G6_680 file, everything went very quickly and smoothly. 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!

[Chris D]

....aaaand we've now passed 10,000 views of this thread. 8O

Just to do some of my job and put in writing, the latest Parasound C1/C2 software version is now 6.80, released 28 Feb 05.

[JamesE]

jprafter,

How do you like the C1/C2 compared to your Sony ES9000? Sonicly, what are the differences?

[Kingdaddy]

I have posted a review that tells my experience of changing a TA-E9000ES to a Halo C2.

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=7651&highlight=kingdaddy

[Chetk]

OK, I uploaded the new software last night. The instructions say that they have never been able to get a Belkin cable to work, but it uploaded just fine once the connection was made. Took about 45 min. to do everything. Uploading my settings after updating the software was tough though. That Belkin cable must be at fault for poor connectivity. It's weird that it would communicate the 30 min. software update with no time-outs, but uploading my settings (which takes about 45 sec.) is so difficult to do.

I haven't played much with any of the new settings. Now we're ready for hardware upgrades. When's that gonna happen? I need to do a new count-down. :rofl:

[Chris D]

Yup, you hit the nail on the head!

[Brian]

I'll take a guess and say hardware upgrades by end of Sept.

[nicholtl]

Are we thinking hardware upgrades around the hundreds, or the thousands? =/

[Chris D]

Uh... around the hundreds of days away, or thousands?

Or are you talking about cost? Who knows...

[Chetk]

I think he means cost. I hope they're in the sub-$300 range.

[bhuskins]

Keep dreaming...HDMI, new dacs, or anything similar would be a major and substantial upgrade to the Halo platform. One that also has substantial costs in development. I don't think there is any company around charging that little for something so substantial. Expect it to be double if not triple that of $300. It would be like getting a whole new unit if these types of changes are made with the current platform. My guess is a 1/3 of the cost of a new unit...a C2 anyway. Anybody know what Anthem is suggesting their HDMI upgrade will cost if it ever gets released? I would figure both companies would charge similar amounts for HDMI by itself.

Brent Huskins

[Chetk]

Right, but would it be HDMI pass-through? Input HDMI AND output HDMI? There's only room for one card. Why would I need to switch HDMI inputs if there's only one? I'm missing the point.

Perhaps you mean HDMI input to component out?

Maybe I'm just not understanding. Will HDMI provide higher bit-rates for audio or something?

My HDTV doesn't have a DVI/HDMI input. How can HDMI improve things for me? What devices, currently (not talking about HD-DVD or Blu-Ray) support HDMI output?

[Chris D]

I currently have HDMI on a DVD player and satellite receiver, and DVI on my computer. Add to that a DVD recorder/Tivo that many people have for the basic devices commonly using the two. Even with out the great digital benefit of passing digital video, HDMI adds the capability of passing pure digital audio.

So envision this, Batman... you hook up your Halo DVD player to your C1 with ***ONE*** HDMI cable. This passes all digital video (high-def or not) without signal loss. It also passes PCM audio, Dolby Digital, DTS, DTS ES, DVD-A, SACD, and Windows Media High-Def straight to the C1 for processing without D/A, A/D converters or any signal loss. Pure unadulterated high-def, and only one wire! Configuring multiple items like this with HDMI switching in the C1 acts as an audio/video switcher and source controller at all times, and only one cable in per device, one master cable out to the video display.

[Chetk]

Sounds great! Sign me up...but wait...If the C1 only has room for one expansion card, wouldn't that be just enough for one input and one output (if they are on the same card). Why would anyone need to switch between 1 HDMI source?

[jprafter]

Chris,

Did you see this article...

http://news.designtechnica.com/talkback45.html

Are you sure they are 5.1 now?

[bhuskins]

I think that article should be dated January 10th, 2004 not 2005...It's outdated information. 5.1 HDMI is here now.

Brent Huskins

[Chris D]

I agree. For example, looking on Denon's website at DVD players, they clearly state that multi-channel audio can now be passed via HDMI.

Looking specifically at that article, the author refers to 2005 as the "future", and that the Denon DVD-5910 will be released "next year" when it's already out.

The problem with HDMI is that the specs keep changing, from HDMI 1.0 to 1.1 to 1.2. For any manufacturer to include HDMI right now, (i.e. Parasound) you're going to have to use the current standard which is HIGHLY in flux even more than usual, I think.

[bhuskins]

6.86 is now the current version...for those interested or that are having quirky behavior after 6.8 was installed

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HT Guide Sponsor

[Peter Nielsen]

6.86 is now the current version...for those interested or that are having quirky behavior after 6.8 was installed

I just re-downloaded the upgrade ZIP from http://www.parasound.com/halonew/C1downloads.php . I noticed that the Installation Instructions.PDF and G6_686.HEX have been updated on 7/28/2005.

However, the PDF only mentions v6.80... Is the PDF wrong, or do we need to get v6.86 from somewhere else?

Peter

[bhuskins]

I assume the PDF needs to be updated...the v6.86 file you downloaded is the correct one.

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HT Guide Sponsor

[starford]

That's all well and good, but what was fixed? I'm hoping the "stereo out the back speakers" problem was fixed.

Has anyone else noticed how slow Parasound has been to update their software? Look at Anthem; they produce patches regularly, as did Lexicon. This is my #1 gripe with the C1/2 series.

[bhuskins]

That's all well and good, but what was fixed? I'm hoping the "stereo out the back speakers" problem was fixed.

Any anyone else noticed how slow Parasound has been to update their software? Look at Anthem; they produce patches regularly, as did Lexicon. This is my #1 gripe with the C1/2 series.

The latest software solves any known issues that were in 6.8...if you didn't report a problem to Parasound it probably didn't get fixed. If you did report it, then it probably did get fixed. There is nothing new in it that wasn't already in 6.8. By the way, this is the 2nd software update in the last 4 months.

What updates would you like to see? They've added all of the latest modes that are available...you might want more bass management flexibility or room correction software, but these items are more opinionated and Parasound may not have the same thoughts as you. If you want different flexibility, you should look at another product. The sound quality might suffer, but you'll get the features you want.

When you produce quality software you don't need a lot of updates. My #1 complaint about Anthem is how bad some of their software updates have been over the past couple of years...just read the threads over at AVS. From a dealer's perspective that's the last thing I want is a bunch of customers with bum software. I would much rather see an update 2 to 3 times a year to keep up with current formats, etc. than seeing them every few weeks to just fix the problems that were created with the previous release.

By the way, have you compared the Audio quality of the C1/2 to AVM30? There is no comparison.

When it comes to the next 6 months of the Halo line, I would expect to see solutions for HDMI, DVD players and possibly a new model or two (not replacements, but additional units that fill certain gaps.) Speaking of HDMI, I'm glad Parasound waited. Most early adopters are going to be screwed when version 1.2 of HDMI starts rolling out, unless they bought a unit that the manufacturer will support/update.

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HT Guide Sponsor
huskins@charter.net

[Peter Nielsen]

What updates would you like to see?

Brent,

I'd like to be able to specify explicit crossover frequencies to speaker groups, instead of just setting the group to SMALL and controlling the frequency with a "global" control like it works now.

Instead of just setting my center, surrounds, and rears to SMALL, I would like to be able to set them to center=80Hz, surround=35Hz, rear=80Hz.

One nice way to implement this would be to have the speaker type selector let you choose LARGE, SMALL (like they do now) and in addition you would have a full list of frequencies to choose from. So, instead of SMALL, you could pick a specific frequency. The LARGE and SMALL options would work exactly like they do now. If you pick SMALL, it works like now; the global crossover setting decides. So, in my case setting center=SMALL, surround=35Hz, rear=SMALL and crossover=80Hz would work the same as if I did center=80Hz, surround=35Hz, rear=80Hz.

Logistically, implementing this feature should be pretty simple since it does not "break" current functionality. It only adds more options to existing selectors. Should be pretty easy to document...

Any chance that you can lobby for adding this feature?

That's really the only feature I'm missing badly in the C2.

Thanks,
Peter

[starford]

By the way, this is the 2nd software update in the last 4 months.

Yes, because the first update in over a year was damaged and required repair. So, this is actually one update (in two parts) since the release of the device.

When you produce quality software you don't need a lot of updates.

I agree, though Parasound does not qualify for this description. I'd be interested to see if any regular on this board thought the release version of software on their C1/2 was 'quality'. Functional, yes. 'Quality'? I think no. I ran into several odd behaviors on the C1 during the first day of installation.

By the way, have you compared the Audio quality of the C1/2 to AVM30? There is no comparison.

No, because they aren't in the same category. The AVM30 is $2999 and the C2 is $4000 and my C1 was $6000. A better comparison would be the Anthem D1, at $5000. This device is a significant leap beyond where the Halo is, technically, but this thread isn't about A/B comparisons.

What updates would you like to see?

Well, perhaps this is the crux. Why complain about slow updates without a wish list? Gladly, this readership has assembled just such a thing on this board, and I'm sure you (Brent) and others have alerted Parasound of it's existence. I see this as an excellent way of communicating needs and wants in a community forum without pounding on Flextronics (sorry, Parasound) directly.

I'm not a HT processor designer, so I can't tell them how to do their jobs. As a consumer, I wish the component inputs had been better integrated with the system. As it stands now, the component inputs might as well be a seperate module, a la Bryston (no display on the front panel screen; they pass video when the system is off- is this a feature?). I also wish I had a way to hub & switch HDMI, but that's a 'now' thing, and I wouldn't have wished for it when I bought the C1 at first. I really wish it upconverted video.

I wish the Zone controls were easer to use. Lexicon got this right in a big way. I wish the IR inputs actually did what they were supposed to do with respect to Zone 2 (this may have been fixed; I just haven't tried it).

I wish they had used better DACs, or even dual differential DACs, but again this is hindsight, and I'm no hardware engineer. Lastly, I wish there were discreet IR codes to toggle the front panel display on/off.

[Hirogen]

Just to be sure about this newer FW release (I used 680 on my C2) I sent an e-mail to Parasound and this is the answer I got:

"The only difference between the 2 versions of SW is a reset feature on the 6.86 version. The latest version addresses intermittent error messages after upgrading the C1 to 6.80 SW. I would not recommend updating the SW w/the C2. There are no sonic improvements or features w/the 6.86 SW".

What a relief to know I don't need to perform the FW-upgrade again!

[bhuskins]

Brent,

I'd like to be able to specify explicit crossover frequencies to speaker groups, instead of just setting the group to SMALL and controlling the frequency with a "global" control like it works now.

Instead of just setting my center, surrounds, and rears to SMALL, I would like to be able to set them to center=80Hz, surround=35Hz, rear=80Hz.

One nice way to implement this would be to have the speaker type selector let you choose LARGE, SMALL (like they do now) and in addition you would have a full list of frequencies to choose from. So, instead of SMALL, you could pick a specific frequency. The LARGE and SMALL options would work exactly like they do now. If you pick SMALL, it works like now; the global crossover setting decides. So, in my case setting center=SMALL, surround=35Hz, rear=SMALL and crossover=80Hz would work the same as if I did center=80Hz, surround=35Hz, rear=80Hz.

Logistically, implementing this feature should be pretty simple since it does not "break" current functionality. It only adds more options to existing selectors. Should be pretty easy to document...

Any chance that you can lobby for adding this feature?

That's really the only feature I'm missing badly in the C2.

Thanks,
Peter

I would like to see a more flexible bass management scheme just like what you've suggested Peter. We're definitely on the same page. I think the issue is whether or not it will impact the overall sound in a negative way due to the additional processing. That's why I was commenting about Anthem earlier. They try to do too much of a good thing and their sound suffers. The over processed sound is even noticeable in the D1. Until you directly compare the C1/C2 to a D1 or AVM30 you wouldn't notice the difference. But directly compared it's very easy to distinguish. I believe that Parasound is committed to offering new and useful features, but just not at the expense of the overall sound. Maybe more horsepower is needed under the hood to accomplish this at a level that Parasound would be sonically satisfied. Add a couple more Motorola chips and who knows...

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HT Guide Sponsor

[bhuskins]

No, because they aren't in the same category. The AVM30 is $2999 and the C2 is $4000 and my C1 was $6000. A better comparison would be the Anthem D1, at $5000. This device is a significant leap beyond where the Halo is, technically, but this thread isn't about A/B comparisons.

See previous post...I'll add that technically it may be ahead, but it is not sonically, which is the real reason anybody buys a Pre/Pro in this price range anyway.

I see this as an excellent way of communicating needs and wants in a community forum without pounding on Flextronics (sorry, Parasound) directly..

Actually it's Vinci Labs, but pounding on them would get you no where anyway as they have no direct influence on the future of Halo. Parasound (being Vinci Labs largest customer) dictates their own future and Vinci is merely an engineering partner that help make that a reality for Parasound's Pre/Pro products.

As a consumer, I wish the component inputs had been better integrated with the system. As it stands now, the component inputs might as well be a seperate module, a la Bryston (no display on the front panel screen; they pass video when the system is off- is this a feature?).

I would prefer the component inputs to be displayed whether it's 480i, 480p, 720p or 1080i as well (on the built in display.) I would like the display to be 16x9 as well...maybe on a C1u?

I also wish I had a way to hub & switch HDMI, but that's a 'now' thing, and I wouldn't have wished for it when I bought the C1 at first.

Be careful what you wish for

I really wish it upconverted video.

I wouldn't mind that because it's one of those features even the cheap receivers are starting to have, BUT I would want it to be completely defeatable in case a scaler is going to be used and/or utilize top notch upconversion with multiple output resolutions. Then they would have something special.

I wish the Zone controls were easer to use. Lexicon got this right in a big way. I wish the IR inputs actually did what they were supposed to do with respect to Zone 2 (this may have been fixed; I just haven't tried it).

Did you update your remote with the new discrete, single button Zone 2 commands? It adds a whole new page to the remote for easy and direct control. The IR inputs on the back can be very picky. I always stay with RS232 control whenever possible because the control set is much more specific and discrete. I would like to see Pre/Pro's including Halo to incorporate IP controllability. It would make integration a snap with AMX and Crestron. It's already pretty good with RS232, but IP has a lot of advantages.

I wish they had used better DACs, or even dual differential DACs, but again this is hindsight, and I'm no hardware engineer.

Most reviews of the C1 have been most impressed with the performance of their DACS. It's not all about the chip as much as how the chips are implemented. Would I like them to use the latest and greatest Wolfsom or Burr Brown DACs and implement them as well as their current DACs, you betcha!

Lastly, I wish there were discreet IR codes to toggle the front panel display on/off.

Me too.

BTW - thanks for sharing! Good comments like yours gives Parasound the feedback they need from real users and not just dealers like me.

Brent Huskins
Media Design
HT Guide Sponsor

[misterdoggy]

I wish that the C1 had the software design of the Rotel 1098. It was thought out better. The sound out of the C1 is superior.

Assigning different sources to different speaker settings was easier, individual rather than only the global settings

Also the LCD provided is unreadable except from directly in front and 6 feet away. I just kind of look at the "pattern" to see whether its stereo or dobly surrround movie or music.

I probably will switch to something like Krell, or Theta, or Lexicon. I like to see little lights telling me what mode I'm in, what speakers are on, and other little indicators that make you feel you are in the right place. Whether or not Ebass is on, THX, or the many possibilities.

It comes up shortly on the lcd with all the info, but its unreadable. I'd rather have little lights. They make you feel more "reassured".

[Chris D]

Well, there's a new release of the MXEditor Live Update as of 27 Dec 05, and this one seems to be a bit more significant than the others. However, as I've experienced with Live Update before, I've found a bit of a discrepancy.

I had a problem with the "MXEditor v2" before, doing a Live Update, so my desktop is running the original Parasound MXEditor program. When I ran the Live Update yesterday, it downloaded a major update that improved the Live Update functions, the MXEditor program, and the IR database. The version now lists at 1.12.255.

On my laptop, though, I just did a new Windows XP OS install, so I had to do a new installation of MXEditor. I downloaded the latest Parasound MXEditor program straight from the Parasound website. It's still listed as "v2", although it now contains commands preset for the new Parasound Halo D3 DVD player. After doing a Live Update yesterday, it downloaded and installed an update, but did NOT do the major upgrade to the Live Update function like my other program did, and it's now listed as 1.11.184.

FWIW, if you click on the "Update History" link under the Help menu, it takes you to Universal Remote's website and tells you the history of what has been updated. However, the two program versions take you to two different webpages. My desktop, running the OLD version of Parasound MXEditor, takes me to http://universalremote.com/htm/updatehistory/index.php which lists 1.12.255 as the 27 Dec 05 update. It also says that the 13 Dec 05 update added a "software algorithm change for Live Update".

Conversely, my laptop, running the NEW version of Parasound MXEditor, straight from Parasound's website, takes me to http://www.urcmx.com/mxeditor/update/updatehistory.html which last lists an update on 20 Dec ***2004*** with version 1.12.224. Incidentally, is doesn't specifically list 1.11.184, but it appears it would have been an update sometime Aug-Nov 2003.

I know that the Parasound MXEditor program doesn't exactly line up with the standard MXEditor, but something screwy is going on. The "new" version seems to not be properly updating. i.e. after running the latest Live Update, the "old" version of MXEditor contains codes for the new XBox 360, but the "new" version doesn't. The "new" version straight from Parasound's website has the D3 Halo DVD player pre-loaded, though, where the "old" version doesn't, of course. Neither version actually has the D3 contained in the IR database.