RSP 1069: Known issues, "Fixes", and Official stance from Rotel.

[Eddie]

more features at the cost of sound quality. You also need to look at whih features you really need. i.e. be sure that the reciever does in fact have a better video processor then the one in your TV or DVD player. Does auto room calibration really improve sound quality?

Trust me, I'm not running to change what I have but it would have been nice if the 1069 had the features in the new 1570

[kiwi2000]

handshake

To update,

still waiting for a reply from rotel on the handshake issue mentioned previous. As stated actually spoke to a rotel tech and relayed the issues to him and forwarded the email, still nada.

Just hooked up a panasonic blu ray routed via HDMI through the 1069 to my display.

Doesnt work. But the player does work connected directly to the display.

Does anyone remember if the gray scale issues that were the reason for the bypass mod, were these issues present via component?

Is the component unaffected? If so I might be able to work around my white elephant 1069.

[hifiguymi]

What display do you have? I've had a couple of issues with the color not being correct (like the screen being reddish/pink) but I've always gotten a picture. Have you been able to try a different BD player? With the same RSP-1069 and display I've have some BD player models work well and others not.

What firmware do you have for both the main and scaler?

Eric

[kiwi2000]

hifiguymi wrote

What display do you have? I've had a couple of issues with the color not being correct (like the screen being reddish/pink) but I've always gotten a picture. Have you been able to try a different BD player? With the same RSP-1069 and display I've have some BD player models work well and others not.

What firmware do you have for both the main and scaler?

Eric

When first connected the player displayed a connection error code. Several attempts later I did get the pinkish reddish picture you have described. Now, three days later I get a proper picture,sometimes.

It almost seems as if the connection has to "learn". I hope the improvements continue.

Main 1.1.6 071122
v 1.4.4
a1.1

[hifiguymi]

kiwi2000,

I have newer firmware. I just sent you a PM.

Eric

[JRachwalski]

There is no issue on the comp outputs.
My DVD player (Oppo) HDMI -> Rotel - Component -> projector.

How long is the HDMI cable from the Rotel -> Display?

[Nolan B]

Does anyone know if the 1069 transcodes component or composite to HDMI? I want to get a Wii for the wife and its really the only way I can hook it up. I can test it myself with one of my components, but I thought I would ask here first.

[Claw]

Not meaning to take your thread off topic Vancouver, but does the RSX 1058 experience similar issues and bugs to the RSP 1069?

Are there any reasons why I should not get a 1058?

[Kevin D]

Does anyone know if the 1069 transcodes component or composite to HDMI? I want to get a Wii for the wife and its really the only way I can hook it up. I can test it myself with one of my components, but I thought I would ask here first.

My Wii ran fine both composite and component. The scalar chopped a tiny bit off the top, but I only noticed with the high-score in Super Mario Brothers..

If you leave HDMI bypass on, the other video inputs get converted to HDMI, but not scaled.

Kevin D.

[Nolan B]

My Wii ran fine both composite and component. The scalar chopped a tiny bit off the top, but I only noticed with the high-score in Super Mario Brothers..

If you leave HDMI bypass on, the other video inputs get converted to HDMI, but not scaled.

Kevin D.

perfect...exactly the info I needed. Did you notice any difference between component and composite? Does the Wii handle one better then the other?

[Kevin D]

Didn't run it much over composite, but it seemed to be better at 480p (max it can do). I would imagine it's native output is progressive, so the composite just adds a conversion.

Kevin D.

[Johan Hendrix]

Rotel RSX-1058 issues fixed

I did buy a RSX-1058 in september.

Following issues: no 1080p/24 transmission to my projector (working properly with 1080p/50 and1080p/60), and no sound through HDMI if the projector had HDMI input selected.

Since I wanted to limit the number of cables, I insisted everything to go through HDMI from the DVD player to the Rotel, and I also have only an HDMI cable between Rotel and projector.
Since my Pana BD-35 does PCM conversion of the HD audio formats, I also need sound through HDMI there.

My dealer (www.iear.nl) (No reply form Rotel service centre after e-mailing and talking to people on the phone twice) arranged that I could go to the guy that does Rotel service in the Netherlands (www.hanexservice.nl) . I went there personaly with my RSX-1058 (to avoid to be without sound for two weeks by sending it there) and got the hardware update and latest software.
Hardware update is not an additional board, it's changes (removal and addition of components) to the existing board (saw it with my own eyes).
Software updates are dependent on serial number (hardware version) and on wether or not the hardware update is installed. I agreed with the guy not to post software numbers here (and thus I don't have them). The fact that the required software version is dependent on the history of the hardware is probably the reason that Rotel has no software updates available on their website.

After testing everything at home, I can gladly state that both issues are fixed.

Conclusion: Rotel support sucks :x , my dealer and hanex service did their job very well :T ;x( .

[Ken49r]

Conclusion: Rotel support sucks :x , my dealer and hanex service did their job very well :T ;x( .

I received responses to my emails from Rotel support within 24 hours on the two occasions I emailed them. They sent me the software update I needed and said if i had further questions to contact them again and so I did.
Is it possible the emails from Rotel went to your spam filter?

Good to see the end result your 1058 is working properly though.

[Claw]

Thanks Johan.

[kiwi2000]

Ken49r wrote
I received responses to my emails from Rotel support within 24 hours on the two occasions I emailed them. They sent me the software update I needed and said if I had further questions to contact them again and so I did.
Is it possible the emails from Rotel went to your spam filter?

If you read post #217 waay back in this thread I was also awaiting reply from rotel in August on some issues with the 1069. Never did get an answer to any of my questions but someone actually did pick up at rotel tech support November this year after many phone messages left. I asked if they had been recieving email and phone messages, he responded why yes they had.

I then asked why rotel would not respond to these questions from an owner of the product that should be entitled to warranty support. He stated "there was no need to reply to my concerns because after reading through they concluded that they were all operational problems"! He went on to state that he and rotel had never encountered any of these issues that werer reported
(the one man acting alone, isolated incident theory).

I am glad that Johan Hendrix posted as to why these updates were not available on the site.

I did get an update from another 1069 owner. Some of the problems I was having are now resolved. The largest being the blu ray player would not work routed through the 1069. Does now though after the update.

Must agree with Johan in the conclusion he has now reached I gave them every opportunity and more than enough time to reply, four months borders on the ridiculous, as it turns out it would have been never : Rotel support sucks ,

[Johan Hendrix]

I received responses to my emails from Rotel support within 24 hours on the two occasions I emailed them. They sent me the software update I needed and said if i had further questions to contact them again and so I did.
Is it possible the emails from Rotel went to your spam filter?

Good to see the end result your 1058 is working properly though.

I had contact with Rotel Europe (living in Belgium). Maybe that's the difference. I check my spam list before emptying that folder, and found nothing.
Meanwhile: new issues. See claws topic about sound on HDMI for his RSX-1058.

[Johan Hendrix]

I had contact with Rotel Europe (living in Belgium). Maybe that's the difference. I check my spam list before emptying that folder, and found nothing.
Meanwhile: new issues. See claws topic about sound on HDMI for his RSX-1058.

My RSX 1058 was sent in again for the hum problem I had after the upgrade (see the other topic about "no sound through HDMI on RSX 1058") in January. I was notified that the piece was received, but since then: no comments anymore, and no reciever.
I did order it in August, received and paid it in September, and since then it has been 4 months in my home without functioning properly, and it was two months away.
Again: ROTEL support SUCKS.

[TommyV]

I am trying to setup my new 1069 and have a couple questions regarding HDMI Audio. How do you boost the LFE for multichannel digital audio from a Blu-ray player? Does the "Multichannel Input" in the subwoofer setup screen do that? I know that is where you do it for the analog multi input but what about the digital LPCM? The manual is no help because according to it the 1069 does not even handle HDMI Audio.

[kiwi2000]

You are referring to HDMI input. You should be able to adjust this in the subwoofer menu on the 1069. If you have balanced the audio settings with a sound meter it should be acceptable for all your sources. You can tweak it a bit in the subwoofer menu to be a bit stronger in say dolby digital in that same menu.

The multi channel input is for analog,if you are using analog connection from the player you could try the player settings.

[TommyV]

You are referring to HDMI input. You should be able to adjust this in the subwoofer menu on the 1069. If you have balanced the audio settings with a sound meter it should be acceptable for all your sources. You can tweak it a bit in the subwoofer menu to be a bit stronger in say dolby digital in that same menu.

The multi channel input is for analog,if you are using analog connection from the player you could try the player settings.

Yes I am referring to the HDMI input as I first stated. Where in the subwoofer menu can you boost the level for digital multichannel LPCM via HDMI?

[Kevin D]

I was pretty sure the analog multi-input sub level controlled the MPCM sub level over HDMI when I had the 1069. On my 1570 it appears to be the PLII sub level that controls it (perhaps because you can apply PLIIx to MPCM signals now).

So it should be one of those two. Easiest way is to turn all of them down to off and then increase each one all the way up to 10 one at a time. You should be able to notice which one gives your bass back.

Kevin D.

[TommyV]

Great suggestion Kevin, I will give it a shot. I have everything else done on my new setup, I just need to dial in the subwoofer.

I suppose the test tones from my Avia calibration DVD should suffice even thought they are only DD, I can have my Blu-ray player decode it and send as MPCM.

[lotones]

I was pretty sure the analog multi-input sub level controlled the MPCM sub level over HDMI when I had the 1069. On my 1570 it appears to be the PLII sub level that controls it (perhaps because you can apply PLIIx to MPCM signals now).

That's good to know, thanks.

[Nolan B]

I was pretty sure the analog multi-input sub level controlled the MPCM sub level over HDMI when I had the 1069. On my 1570 it appears to be the PLII sub level that controls it (perhaps because you can apply PLIIx to MPCM signals now).

So it should be one of those two. Easiest way is to turn all of them down to off and then increase each one all the way up to 10 one at a time. You should be able to notice which one gives your bass back.

Kevin D.

think you are right. Ill try and check tomorrow.

[TommyV]

I did some testing and the "Multi Input" on the sub setup menu does affect the digital MPCM signals. I confirmed this with my SPL using test tones from Avia DVD. First I had my Blu-ray send the signal as DD via HDMI and set the level on the back of my sub. Then I set my Blu-ray player to decode and send as MPCM via HDMI and the sub level dropped. When I raised the level of the Multi Input, my meter rose accordingly.

[Nolan B]

I did some testing and the "Multi Input" on the sub setup menu does affect the digital MPCM signals. I confirmed this with my SPL using test tones from Avia DVD. First I had my Blu-ray send the signal as DD via HDMI and set the level on the back of my sub. Then I set my Blu-ray player to decode and send as MPCM via HDMI and the sub level dropped. When I raised the level of the Multi Input, my meter rose accordingly.

good to know...thanks for checking. :T

[1oldguy]

Well it looks like Rotell is off my list.Support is major.....It would seem they just don't care.

[lvhung]

Rotel 1069 is so exellent for HT
but sound quality is under standard

[1oldguy]

Wondering if there is a general consensus as to the best bang for the buck in the 2 to 5k for a pre processor?

[kmcheng]

Rotel 1069 is so exellent for HT
but sound quality is under standard

I am not sure I understand. How can a unit that is "exellent for HT" has "under standard" sound quality? :huh:

Wondering if there is a general consensus as to the best bang for the buck in the 2 to 5k for a pre processor?

I personally think the 1069 is pretty good value these days after the introduction of the 15 series, provided you can get a good discount from the dealer. [Disclaimer: I have a 1069.]

The problem is there are not a lot of pure processors out there that can handle the lossless audio codecs. Surprisingly, the Rotel 1069 is actually the cheapest I could find that is available now. Another option would be to get a receiver from Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo or the likes. For the non-audiophiles who do not do critical listening of 2-channels, and I would think that is more than 95% of the home-theatre market, such mainstream products would satisfy the customers' needs very well.

If you are into 2-channels, then you can just get a pre-amp + amp or get an integrated amp for your front two speakers. The pre-amp or integrated would need to have theater by-pass. You can find a lot more choices of such pre-amps or integrated amps.

[TommyV]

Yea I got mine for a healthy discount. As far as sound quality 2ch or HT it is excellent. I had an RSX-1057 for years and loved the sound so much. I upgraded to a 1069/1075 and it is even better. First thing I tested was 2ch listening and I could heard much more clarity and detail.

Seems like Rotel support is pretty good for the most part. I know there are a couple unhappy people on this thread but the a tons of reports on how great their support is.

It was a rocky road in the begging for the 1069/1058 but the product I received works perfectly so far. I have tried to test every possible thing I could think of and see other people complaining about. I have had no lockups from switching HDMI sources and anything like that. Just wonderful sound and a great price.

[1oldguy]

I am not sure I understand. How can a unit that is "exellent for HT" has "under standard" sound quality? :huh:



I personally think the 1069 is pretty good value these days after the introduction of the 15 series, provided you can get a good discount from the dealer. [Disclaimer: I have a 1069.]

The problem is there are not a lot of pure processors out there that can handle the lossless audio codecs. Surprisingly, the Rotel 1069 is actually the cheapest I could find that is available now. Another option would be to get a receiver from Denon, Yamaha, Onkyo or the likes. For the non-audiophiles who do not do critical listening of 2-channels, and I would think that is more than 95% of the home-theatre market, such mainstream products would satisfy the customers' needs very well.

If you are into 2-channels, then you can just get a pre-amp + amp or get an integrated amp for your front two speakers. The pre-amp or integrated would need to have theater by-pass. You can find a lot more choices of such pre-amps or integrated amps.

I will be doing a full 5.1 when all is said and done.But I can be fairly critical when it comes to 2 channel audio.

[kmcheng]

I will be doing a full 5.1 when all is said and done.But I can be fairly critical when it comes to 2 channel audio.

In that case you can just go with a cheaper processor/receiver + a quality pre-amp. That way you can skip the processor when listening to 2-channel audio.

A third option is to wait for Emotiva to release the UMC-1. However, delivery of that unit has been postponed by at least six months already.

[kiwi2000]

Wondering if there is a general consensus as to the best bang for the buck in the 2 to 5k for a pre processor?

Marantz AV8003, Anthem AV 40 or 50

[biekrx]

COnsidering buying a 1069

First I'd like to offer a HUGE thanks to everyone who has posted their problems and solutions to the issues with the 1069. I have read through the entire thread and I am still considering buying a used 1069. I am planning a 5.0 system with heavy emphasis on 2 channel performance. (I have a pair of Vandersteen 2W subs, so I don't need the sub channel) I also plan to buy a new 1080p screen and the new Oppo BluRay player (when available), so I am not too worried about not having the scaler. I have a few questions:

1) Does anyone know what the latest firmware revisions are for this unit?

2) I have not seen any firmware upgrades for the 1069 on Rotel's website. How do you get updates? (Rotel customer service?) Since I will likely be buying used and online, I doubt my local dealer will be too interested in helping me out, and I wouldn't feel right asking if he had no stake in the deal.

3) Does anyone know (approximately) at what serial number Rotel started shipping the units with the scaler bypass "factory installed"? I want to try to make sure I get one that has it installed.

4) Has anyone heard anything about the HDMI upgrade on the RSP-1098? It does not have audio support, so I am inclined to avoid it (especially at $350).

Thanks in advance for the comments!

-Robert

[Kevin D]

1) Does anyone know what the latest firmware revisions are for this unit

Main 1.2.1
Scaler 1.48

2) I have not seen any firmware upgrades for the 1069 on Rotel's website. How do you get updates? (Rotel customer service?) Since I will likely be buying used and online, I doubt my local dealer will be too interested in helping me out, and I wouldn't feel right asking if he had no stake in the deal.

If you ask nicely support should be able to email you everything you need.

3) Does anyone know (approximately) at what serial number Rotel started shipping the units with the scaler bypass "factory installed"? I want to try to make sure I get one that has it installed.

No idea, but it was pretty early on. If they never had a firmware update and have the 'bypass' option in the menu, they have it.

4) Has anyone heard anything about the HDMI upgrade on the RSP-1098? It does not have audio support, so I am inclined to avoid it (especially at $350).
-Robert

The 1098 board just switches HDMI video, so no OSD over it, no audio from it, etc..

Kevin D.

[pixeljedi]

Hi Kevin,

How long did you have to wait before you heard back from Rotel regarding the firmware update?

Thanks,
Thor

[biekrx]

Thanks for the reply, Kevin. Is the update cable usually also available from customer service if I don't manage to get one with the processor? Is the cable a "standard" type that can be found elsewhere or made easily?

[Kevin D]

Hi Kevin,

How long did you have to wait before you heard back from Rotel regarding the firmware update?

Thanks,
Thor

Depends on how busy they are. They handle a lot more stuff then just support, so sometimes it takes a bit.

If anyone has any issues getting a response, PM me and I'll see what I can do.

Kevin D.

[Kevin D]

Thanks for the reply, Kevin. Is the update cable usually also available from customer service if I don't manage to get one with the processor? Is the cable a "standard" type that can be found elsewhere or made easily?

It's not a standard cable, but the pinout is available on Rotel's website. The cable is available from Rotel, for only like $8 I think.

Kevin D.

[biekrx]

Awesome. Thanks again for the information.

[kiwi2000]

Epilogue.

I recently recieved a read reciept for email sent to rotel tech support requesting assitance with my unit that has been detailed throughout this site. The email was sent to rotel tech[B]October 2008![/B]

Can't wait for the prompt response to arrive, maybe 2010? Sarcasm.

Thankfully I moved on a long time ago. Good riddance.

[TommyV]

Scaling 480i in bypass mose?

I just discovered that my 1069 scales 408i video whether bypass mode is set to Yes or No. It leaves all other resolutions alone with the bypass enabled. I thought I had followed all the quirks but if it is a known issue, I must have missed it.

This is my first experience using the scaler and obviously the video issues first reported that brought on the bypass mode solution are still there. It completely changes the black level and even the colors look way off. I thought maybe through updates (I am 1.47) the scaler may have been fixed but it does not seem the case at all.

I like to set my DirecTV HD DVR to "Native" mode so SD channels are output as 480i. This is the problem. For now I just went in and disabled 480i in the DVR but I may go back to SPDIF audio and hook the box directly to the TV.

So is this the same on everyone's 1069? Why does it do this?

[hifiguymi]

That is how it works. What it's doing is de-interlacing, not scaling. They are different things but that doesn't solve the black level issue. Kevin my have more knowledge of this but I think it has to do with the DCDi chip that Rotel uses in the RSP-1069. It works best in RGB, not YCrCb. The DirecTV receivers don't have a way to switch between the two so I'd turn off the 480i resolution and let it do the de-interlacing. If you do that, then the Rotel will leave it alone and the black levels should be intact.

Eric

[TommyV]

Well the way I set it at first it would deinterlace/scale it. The setting was 1080p and I noticed when I flipped to a SD station it was showing 1080p which first caught my attention. I do not watch a whole lot of SD but when I do I like using the Cinema stretch mode on my Pioneer. That is only available on 480i/480p. So it will scale and deinterlace because I went through all the different resolutions and whatever it was set at in the HDMI setup screen is what would be output for 480i input.

I am having the DirecTV box do the deinterlace now but I am betting the Pioneer is better and I will not lose any audio quality so I may switch it back to SPDIF audio/HDMI Video combo. It is not that big of a deal because SD looks pretty crappy no matter what.