My VANTAGE HD has ARRIVED!!!!! [Text View] - Page 4

Zax

07-05-06, 11:22 AM

(Ladies and ) Gentlemen,

As promised in the recent release schedule, version 1.1.4C firmware for Vantage HD is now available on the firmware updates page of our website; :)

http://www.calibreuk.com/firmware_update.php

There are a couple of additions to the previous release notes which are highlighted in BOLD, here are the notes in full;

Vantage-HD Firmware Version 1.1.4C

The following issues have been addressed & features added in this version which is a minor update from 1.1.4beta:

If Aspect Ratio is changed directly from IR handset using red button, that change is now automatically saved when that channel is left, to be recalled when the channel is re-selected.

User defined color temperature R,G,B gain values are now saved even if color temperature is changed to a pre-defined setting - the last saved user settings are now recalled when re-selecting user color temperature.

IR handset key-repeat has been re-instated. This was present on 1.1.2B but missing from 1.1.4beta.

There was a 1-pixel horizontal offset on the new 1365x768 NEC plasma mode. This has been corrected.

Serial remote control has been added. This provides the same functionality as the discrete IR codes. The serial control protocol and control codes is a separate document accessible via The Vantage Manual Page, http://www.calibreuk.com/Vantage_manual.htm

The aspect ratio conversion selection limitations have been relaxed to allow more user choice, even in scenarios where the chosen format appears not to be sensible to the firmware, based on the chosen output mode and detected input mode. Previously settings which the firmware considered undesirable in terms of the picture shape produced were automatically blocked.

Audio follows video channel restrictions removed - a chosen audio channel can now be allocated to multiple video channels.

1080p output timings have been modified for compatibility with some display devices. Those experiencing a small image shift when using 1080p output in projector mode should find this corrected now.

And last but not least!!

**Those moving from 1.1.4beta to 1.1.4C will not lose their current settings**

For those waiting for an update on the Optoma Projector issue, we have a whole day with Optoma UK tomorrow to resolve this. It seems it affects H77, H78 and H79 models and might require Optoma to issue new firmware. We will keep you updated on this.

Lastly, I hope to confirm part code and pricing for the SDI Expansion module before the end of the week. This will go to the Vantage distributors first.

Cheers,

Zax

Nedtsc

07-05-06, 01:04 PM

Problem with Scientific America SA 8300HD. Switching to 480i shows only every other line. Switching MPEG NR on and off everytime you switchc to SD channels seems to help.

sta

07-06-06, 02:37 AM

well, I have no audio through the HDMI. I still have to connect the optic/coaxial cable to hear something.

ALanJay

07-06-06, 01:35 PM

Hi,

You now have discrete codes for switching aspect ratio and other things this may be a silly question but how do you convert these hex codes to be used in a programmable remote control like a pronto?

28. Picture format: Normal 5ca330cf
29. Picture format: Full 5ca331ce
30. Picture format: Crop 5ca332cd
31. Picture format: Anamorphic 5ca333cc
32. Contrast Enhance: Normal 5ca350af
33. Contrast Enhance: Cinema 5ca351ae
34. Contrast Enhance: Video 5ca352ad
35. Contrast Enhance: Vivid 5ca353ac
36. Contrast Enhance: Dark Scene 5ca354ab
37. Contrast Enhance: Bright Scene 5ca355aa

I have installed the new 1.1.4c and things generaly seem to be OK I did have a brief time when the display screen seemed to have tears in it which seemed very odd but changing modes seems to have fixed it.

I am still waiting for the pattern generator so that one can configure the output from the Vantage to the screen - hopefully one will be able to move the image around the screen and change its shape at that output stage and equally move the input around the Vantage depending on the source.

tomy99

07-06-06, 07:21 PM

the fan noise is realy anoying :mad: and my question are

how long i have to wait for switch off manualy the power (i now in this days it's realy not profesional just a fast cheap solution no other way to stop the fan noise)

have somebody expierence with other quiter fan solution other a package for quit fan

thats would be great

i tried to sell my equipment but no change :-( the fan is for me a no go

tomy99

ALanJay

07-07-06, 06:51 AM

Got to actually use 1.1.4c last night. The tearing on the picture on the 1280x720 output setting came back and wouldn't go away, but switching to 1080 worked fine.

SD material also seemed to look better than previously.

Nedtsc

07-07-06, 07:50 AM

Nedtsc

07-07-06, 07:51 AM

Jason Yeo

07-07-06, 08:12 AM

There is 2 times I also encounter whole picture jagged . I believe it is handshake problem so I turn off and on the unit again, everythings works fine .

sta

07-07-06, 08:34 AM

but digital audio through HDMI is working?

tomy99

07-07-06, 09:14 AM

I did some adjustment on the way how the fan seat on the heatsink and it's now quiet.

thanks i did it severals times and became another fan from calibre but nothing changes a little bit better but this other fan sounds diffrent like high frequently

i tried to adjust each ways but no changes with this to fan's :-((

i need somthing else like a better quiter fan or another fan without high frequency sounds between

i wrote to calibre for one week but no answer although about the

question how long i have to wait after running this equipment to cut off the power

no answer from this company :-(((( :mad:

ALanJay

07-07-06, 10:06 AM

There is 2 times I also encounter whole picture jagged . I believe it is handshake problem so I turn off and on the unit again, everythings works fine .

Yes - it has now appeared on various different ouptu and input options. It is as though the picture is not syncing and there are strips out of sync (strips jumping from right to left and back).

It is intermitent and seems to appear when the input changes.

I wonder if something in the new code is causing this as it never happened on the previous version I was using 1.1.2 (I think).

ALan

PS I am using this with Sky HD STB over analogue HD component input.

Jason Yeo

07-07-06, 11:07 AM

but digital audio through HDMI is working?

Not sure because I am using digital coax in and out . The picture is lock jagged from the beginning . Only happens twice so I don't put it in mind.

Jason Yeo

07-07-06, 11:10 AM

Yes - it has now appeared on various different ouptu and input options. It is as though the picture is not syncing and there are strips out of sync (strips jumping from right to left and back).

It is intermitent and seems to appear when the input changes.

I wonder if something in the new code is causing this as it never happened on the previous version I was using 1.1.2 (I think).

ALan

PS I am using this with Sky HD STB over analogue HD component input.

I guess my encounter is different from what you have described. When I recycle the unit , everthings works fine .

ALanJay

07-07-06, 11:36 AM

I guess my encounter is different from what you have described. When I recycle the unit , everthings works fine .

Next time it happens to me I'll try cycling the power. I have had to change modes (ie between ouptut resolutions or difference between LCD/Projector/Plasma).

Nedtsc

07-07-06, 04:47 PM

thanks i did it severals times and became another fan from calibre but nothing changes a little bit better but this other fan sounds diffrent like high frequently

i tried to adjust each ways but no changes with this to fan's :-((

i need somthing else like a better quiter fan or another fan without high frequency sounds between

i wrote to calibre for one week but no answer although about the

question how long i have to wait after running this equipment to cut off the power

no answer from this company :-(((( :mad:

If you let the fan ran it is quiet but the vibration beween the heatsink is making the loud sound. Poor design I'll say. Here's what I did but do this at your own risk!!!!!! I ran the fan, laid it on top of the sink and find a spot that is quiet then screw it in. Again if you don't what you're doing don't do it.

tomy99

07-08-06, 10:40 AM

If you let the fan ran it is quiet but the vibration beween the heatsink is making the loud sound. Poor design I'll say. Here's what I did but do this at your own risk!!!!!! I ran the fan, laid it on top of the sink and find a spot that is quiet then screw it in. Again if you don't what you're doing don't do it.

thanks for your tip

do you also cut off the power after finisch watching or still running all the time

i thinking i will buy a bigger but a much silent fan and screw it in on top but im not realy sure

the alternativ so sell it

greetings

tomy99

Nedtsc

07-08-06, 11:11 AM

thanks for your tip

do you also cut off the power after finisch watching or still running all the time

i thinking i will buy a bigger but a much silent fan and screw it in on top but im not realy sure

the alternativ so sell it

greetings

tomy99
yes

tomy99

07-08-06, 08:28 PM

yes

how long do you wait before shut down the lovely power from this unit?

i guess 5 minutes schould be enough or mor 10 minutes ?

thanks for your expierence

tomy99

mgoldsmith

07-08-06, 10:03 PM

Nedtsc

07-09-06, 07:04 AM

how long do you wait before shut down the lovely power from this unit?

i guess 5 minutes schould be enough or mor 10 minutes ?

thanks for your expierence

tomy99

You mean after watching? I don't have any set time.

tomy99

07-09-06, 01:16 PM

You mean after watching? I don't have any set time.

yes after watching

Bill Gaw2

07-10-06, 09:59 AM

Got one yesterday for review. Had panic attack as got no picture running through optical DVI line to DVI card in Marquee 9500 LC. Turns out the unit doesn't supply electricity to the DVI cable. Solved by running a DVI cable from a Denon DVD player in parallel. No idea why this works, but it does.

Bill

Nedtsc

07-10-06, 02:06 PM

TomHuffman

07-10-06, 09:47 PM

OK, I had earlier reported some unhappiness with the Vantage HD. I could not get any HDMI inputs to work. I could not get the digital output to the Optoma H79 to work. I also had problems getting the aspect ratio correct when moving from HD to SD. Finally, I was unimpressed with the SD performance.

1. Optoma H79. The problem here is a setting on the Optoma. The "Source Lock" menu option must be in the "Off" position. I don't know why this is a problem with the Vantage HD and not other devices, but it is. Once I set this to "Off" it picked up the digital signal immediately.

2. HDMI inputs (Pioneer 59avi 480i and Toshiba HD DVD). This problem was solved automatically when I changed the setting on the Optoma. I have one remaining issue, a small one. The HDMI output of the Pioneer does not seem to work when using the analog output of the Vantage. Since I use the HDMI output, I don't really care, but it's odd. I know the unit transcodes, because my analog cable input looks great using the Vantage's HDMI output.

3. Poor SD performance. Getting this right required a lot of experimentation. Once all of the levels and gray scale were calibrated, it still didn't look right. I considerably improved the picture by turning on the MPEG Noise Reduction. You really need this engaged to get optimal performance from DVD. However, you need to be careful with it. Setting it too high removes excessive detail. I found that the setting at 2 offered a nice compromise between smoothness and detail. I also experimented with the other settings. I found Temporal Noise Reduction best at "Low" and the Enhancement setting of Detail at 60, but these had less dramatic effect than the MPEG noise reduction.

4. Scaling. I solved this problem for the component cable input when I shifted to the HDMI output. However, I continue to have a problem with DVDs. The Normal setting does not properly scale 4x3 material. It's about 6 inches too wide. I can fix this by adjusting the Picture Size setting to -60, but then 16x9 DVDs are 6 inches too narrow. I'll report back when I figure this one out.

Final Assessment
After making all of the adjustments described above (it took a while), film-based DVD looked great: 3-dimensional with good detail and film-like smoothness. However, this is the area where the difference between the Vantage and the VP30 was the smallest. The SIL504 is a great chip. Video-based DVD, however, looked substantially better than the VP30 sans ABT card. It revealed much better color saturation, a lower noise floor, and greater clarity. Very impressive.

HD DVD looked mind-numbingly good. Much better than with the VP30. There was more improvement here than with film-based DVD because of the Realta's HD deinterlacing. Looking at HD DVD through the Vantage and Optoma H79 on a 92" screen is I think the best image I've ever seen. Period. That includes the Sony Ruby and perhaps the SIM2 C3X, both without the Vantage HD of course.

However, I saw the most dramatic improvement with HD cable. Comcast 1080i is literally transformed with the Vantage HD in the loop. Color is richer and the image has much less noise with increased 3-dimensionality. I don't know why broadcast HD is improved to this degree.

All in all, highly recommended.

BTW, if anyone in the Washington DC area would like to compare the performance of this scaler with the Lumagen, VP30 w/ABT, Crystalio, or any of the other newer scalers I'd be eager to participate.

Bob Sorel

07-10-06, 10:43 PM

Hi Tom...Nice report! And I'm very happy to hear that you got your problems resolved!
The HDMI output of the Pioneer does not seem to work when using the analog output of the Vantage.
I'm not sure sure if I understand you correctly, but if you are trying to take the HDMI output of the Pioneer, feed it into the HDMI input of the VHD, and then output the signal via analog, it won't work and never will, as it violates the "laws" of HDCP. HDCP demands that the signal remains encrypted from source to display, so if the signal were to be transcoded within the Vantage, the nice folks who control the HDMI/HDCP rules would blacklist the device for exposing the encrypted signal.
Video-based DVD, however, looked substantially better than the VP30 sans ABT card. It revealed much better color saturation, a lower noise floor, and greater clarity. Very impressive.
No problems with artifacts like jaggies and moire patterns? In my testing, I used the Ultraviolet DVD, as it seems to present a real torture test for deinterlacers. I don't know if it is actually film or video, or possibly mixed, but the Vantage has a real hard time with it. The Toshiba HD-A1 does MUCH better with this particular title, and the Gennum does even better than the HD-A1.

Film deinterlacing is pretty simple and all three (HD-A1, HQV, and Gennum) do a superb job, though I would still give the nod to the Gennum chip in this area as well, second place to HQV (using the newest firmware...something was wrong on the earlier firmware), and the HD-A1 last. This is saying a lot, as the HD-A1 really is a very fine upconverting player. If you get a chance to check out Ultraviolet, please let me know what you find. Maybe I just don't have the VHD set up right, but like I said, I saw a lot of artifacts.
However, I saw the most dramatic improvement with HD cable.
Yes, I agree wholeheartedly! Broadcast HD never looked so good! And HD-DVD is just drop dead gorgeous!

My goal is to write up a complete report by the weekend on the C2 vs. VHD. I still have more to learn and more to check before posting my final assessment.

Thanks again for posting your experiences!

TomHuffman

07-10-06, 11:25 PM

I'm not sure sure if I understand you correctly, but if you are trying to take the HDMI output of the Pioneer, feed it into the HDMI input of the VHD, and then output the signal via analog, it won't work and never will, as it violates the "laws" of HDCP.That makes sense. I just hadn't thought this through.

Regarding SD Video performance, my only comparison was relative to the VP30's SIL504 chip. I haven't had a chance to compare it with the Toshiba, but I'll do so and report back. I also should be getting the HQV test disk in a couple of days and it will help with further tests.

kromkamp

07-10-06, 11:40 PM

Hi Bob,

No problems with artifacts like jaggies and moire patterns? In my testing, I used the Ultraviolet DVD, as it seems to present a real torture test for deinterlacers. I don't know if it is actually film or video, or possibly mixed, but the Vantage has a real hard time with it. The Toshiba HD-A1 does MUCH better with this particular title, and the Gennum does even better than the HD-A1.
Just wondering - do you have specific chapters/scenes that would be good to clearly demonstrate these artifacts?

Thanks,

Andy K.

Bob Sorel

07-11-06, 12:06 AM

Just wondering - do you have specific chapters/scenes that would be good to clearly demonstrate these artifacts?
Not really, Andy. Pretty much the entire disc presents a HQV torture test. Like I said, I don't know if it is film, video, mixed, or other (if there is such a thing), but I can see jaggies, moire type patterns, and just a general lack of smoothness throughout the presentation. Another thing to look at are the closeups of Ultraviolet's hair, especially where a few strands are separated from the rest.

I am using an Oppo 970H outputting 480i over HDMI into the Vantage and then output as 1080p to my Ruby. I was ready to blame the Oppo until I saw the same 480i connected to my Crystalio 2 using Gennum VXP...MUCH better.

ALanJay

07-11-06, 06:26 AM

I'd also love to know what the fully expanded hex codes are as well. My remote has learned all it can from the Vantage remote, and i'm now very keen to get the discrete aspect codes for use in my macros. Unfortunate the Nevo remote does not let you know what the hex values are for any of the learned IR codes, so there is no basis for simply replacing sections of the code with the above mentioned discrete values.

Matt.G

Still not solved this and I assme Matt you have not either. I'm sure there must be an easy set of rules to take these codes and turn them into something that learing remotes can work with.

DO we even know if the Vantage uses codes like RC5 or RC6 that might guide us on this?

Nedtsc

07-11-06, 07:53 AM

That makes sense. I just hadn't thought this through.

Regarding SD Video performance, my only comparison was relative to the VP30's SIL504 chip. I haven't had a chance to compare it with the Toshiba, but I'll do so and report back. I also should be getting the HQV test disk in a couple of days and it will help with further tests.

Tom,

Thanks to your experiment and write up. Very valuable indeed. I'm glad you're finally enjoying your vantage. I've a few questions if you don't mind.

Are you using an HDMI/HDMI with adapter or HDMI/DVI cable? Does it matter which sequence to power up for Optoma to lock? Since you turn of Source Lock, is it now consistent that it locks everytime ?

Ned

kromkamp

07-11-06, 10:34 AM

Not really, Andy. Pretty much the entire disc presents a HQV torture test. Like I said, I don't know if it is film, video, mixed, or other (if there is such a thing), but I can see jaggies, moire type patterns, and just a general lack of smoothness throughout the presentation. Another thing to look at are the closeups of Ultraviolet's hair, especially where a few strands are separated from the rest.

I am using an Oppo 970H outputting 480i over HDMI into the Vantage and then output as 1080p to my Ruby. I was ready to blame the Oppo until I saw the same 480i connected to my Crystalio 2 using Gennum VXP...MUCH better.
Thanks Bob, I'll definitely take a look.

Andy K.

Bill Gaw2

07-12-06, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Bill Gaw2
Got one yesterday for review. Had panic attack as got no picture running through optical DVI line to DVI card in Marquee 9500 LC. Turns out the unit doesn't supply electricity to the DVI cable. Solved by running a DVI cable from a Denon DVD player in parallel. No idea why this works, but it does.

Bill

You mean there was no source input originally?

I have a 45 ft. run of optical DVI cable going from a 2 way DVI switcher to a Mo9onjong DVI card on a Marquee 9500LC projector. The optical DVI cable requires a voltage for the laser optical transmitter and reciever. Running a HDMI to CVI cable from the Vantage to the optical DVI cable doesn't transmit any voltage to the DVI cable, but adding a second DVI cable to the switcher from a Denon 5900 DVD palyer with DVI output does supply the voltage. The Vantage has a DirectTV MPEG4 HDTV HDMI output receiver and a HDMI output Sony Vaio HTPC connected to it, and does not transmit a signal throught the Vantages HDMI output to the DVI cable and projector unless the Denon is connected. Thus, I guess there is no voltage through the HDMI in or outputs of the Vantage to run an optical cable. This should only be a problem with individuals using optical DVI cables. Guess I shoul get a 45 ft. run of HDMI cable to run to the projector.

Bill

ALanJay

07-13-06, 10:05 AM

I'd also love to know what the fully expanded hex codes are as well. My remote has learned all it can from the Vantage remote, and i'm now very keen to get the discrete aspect codes for use in my macros. Unfortunate the Nevo remote does not let you know what the hex values are for any of the learned IR codes, so there is no basis for simply replacing sections of the code with the above mentioned discrete values.

Matt.G

Just to say I have found lots of help
http://www.remotecentral.com/cgi-bin/mboard/rc-discrete/thread.cgi?3356
on doing this not yet cracked all of this but am working on it.

TomHuffman

07-13-06, 02:02 PM

re you using an HDMI/HDMI with adapter or HDMI/DVI cable? Does it matter which sequence to power up for Optoma to lock? Since you turn of Source Lock, is it now consistent that it locks everytime ?
HDMI/DVI cable
I haven't noticed any problems with sequencing, but I always turn the Optoma on last as a matter of habit. I leave the Vantage on all the time. Now that Source Lock is off, it works perfectly.

ALanJay

07-13-06, 02:25 PM

Hi,

After some playing I have created a CCF file will ALL the possible 255 codes that the NEC1 chip driven Vantage could use along with a list of the current codes and numbers that they relate to. I haven't tried then all and some could even do unexpected things which is nothing to do with me.

There is also a PDF showing which number code (on the right hand side) corresponds to the discrete codes in the vantage manual.

Nedtsc

07-13-06, 05:34 PM

HDMI/DVI cable
I haven't noticed any problems with sequencing, but I always turn the Optoma on last as a matter of habit. I leave the Vantage on all the time. Now that Source Lock is off, it works perfectly.

I will need your help to go over your setting cause mine is still not locking on to Optoma. There maybe some other features turned off or on in either the unit makes them connect.

TomHuffman

07-13-06, 10:26 PM

I will need your help to go over your settingThe Source Lock option only has 2 settings: On and Off. Otherwise, other than having the latest Vantage firmware, there is nothing special about my setup. Maybe you should try another cable.

Nedtsc

07-14-06, 06:36 AM

The Source Lock option only has 2 settings: On and Off. Otherwise, other than having the latest Vantage firmware, there is nothing special about my setup. Maybe you should try another cable.

I have used several cables. The signal won't locked on.

Nedtsc

07-14-06, 09:20 AM

Anybody having problem with turning on the Vantage? For the past 3 days when i go to turn HT system on, the VHD is locked. Just the red light is on and i have to pull the power cord out to reset.

Never had that problem before. :confused:

Did you happened to update firmware lately? Mine did and I've to re-flashed it.

sta

07-20-06, 03:51 AM

the new FW release (1.2) has been delayed to tomorrow (21st)

TorAtle

07-20-06, 05:31 PM

Where do you guys send your bugreports? I tried vantage-support at calibreuk.com but so far no replies. I guess they are busy with 1.2.

Nedtsc

07-20-06, 06:35 PM

Where do you guys send your bugreports? I tried vantage-support at calibreuk.com but so far no replies. I guess they are busy with 1.2.

give tham a call in the morning ask for Craig or Patrick

Ismo

07-21-06, 04:44 AM

:rolleyes: I know that there has been a minor problem between Vantage and Optoma H77/78/79 (Optoma don't find signal). Mine was solved just by the Optoma service. I took the projector AND Vantage HD to them asked them to solve the problem (as Optoma customer support advised). They checked the firmware (it was lates v.17, 2004) and change the motherboard, but it didn't help. Then they change an other board named connectorboard and voila. This connector board was something that didn't indicate problems att all, so it was (could be) discovered only by starting to change boards on PJ. After replacing it, there were no problems to hook up the signal from the processor. There where no need to start things in specific order or anything, just start the system with no signal lock on and PJ will found the signal within one cycle. Only thing I found out, was that I couldn't use my old Lindy DVI-DVI cable with adapter. It just didn't work and when it was replaced with HDMI - DVI cable, everything worked perfectly. I start to use VHD with older 1.1.2b firmware without no problems and upgraded it to new 1.1.4c and it works fine as well. Between these versions, I didn't find any differences in finding the signal.

I hope, that you who suffer from this same problem can find some help from these instructions.

Immu :)

alex_t

07-21-06, 07:14 AM

HD-SDI module information, here : http://www.calibreuk.com/HD-SDI.php

Regards
Alexandre

Zax

07-21-06, 12:25 PM

Hi Guys,

I know you are a patient lot, so I thought I would confirm that the latest Vantage-HD firmware release is on the website firmware update pages for you now;

http://www.calibreuk.com/firmware_update.php

Here are the notes to accompany this, the main new features being support for the HD-SDI expansion boards (due August, taking orders now, speak to your supplier!) and per-input custom aspect ratio controls, along with other "enhancements" and the odd bug fix or two. :)

Vantage-HD Firmware Version 1.2.0

The following issues have been addressed & features added in this version:

Support for HD-SDI input expansion modules.

Level select for component video input - choice of 0.7v or 1.0v video levels. Older firmware assumes 0.7v which can lead to peak white compression and picture quality issues with some DVD players.

"Auto" output frame rate mode made reliable.

HDMI audio reliability improved.

HDMI input switching made cleaner.

HDMI audio source mode shown in EDIDs user selectable for number of audio channels.

1360x768, 1366x768, 1400x1050 input modes supported.

IR disable function.

Fixed OSD fault whereby selected menu item was sometimes not highlighted.

Per input custom aspect ratio control.

Output image shift left/right up/down controls to allow slight adjustment of output modes.

Improved granularity of custom color adjustments (was 0-100, now 0-1023).

1400×1050 @ 60Hz output mode fixed.

Please let me have your feedback at the usual address vantage-support@calibreuk.com.

Cheers,

Zax
{It's hot here today! :eek: }

mgoldsmith

07-21-06, 01:35 PM

Anyone considering updating to the latest firmware V1.2.0 may want to hold off a few days.
I just installed it and have found a whole heap of problems in less than 5 minutes of use, whereas before i have successfully installed and run each other firmware... these are all brand new problems never before encountered in my setup.

Suffice to say that after going through and setting up several source devices.. ot before having major troubles with just trying to select 1280x720 rez output... my Vantage is now completely locked up with each reboot.

If you want to install the firmware. you may want to avoid the following as below is what just happened to me:-

By Selecting between LCD/Projector/PLASMA BEFORE i selected the output rez resulted in a complete LOSE of menus...... i was required to physically unplug the unit from the mains power to get menus back up again.... i had to change the display type BACK to LCD before i could change the output rez...otherwise it simply would not allow this due to the menus disappearing as soon as you selected the rez option/menu.

Selecting CROP caused my Vantage to freeze several times... and now each subsequent restart/reboot results in same frozen image on the screen with the previous menu still showing overlayed on the frozen image....

This and more happened within less than 5 minutes of use. All i literally got to test was to setup the output rez, 2 YUV inputs activated, and then I went through 4 of the 5 aspect ratio modes on 1 of the inputs....I also tried to use the NEW aspect ratio settings sub-menu for each of the available aspect modes, and all sorts of odd things happened to the menu and the image on screen.

I thought i better do this quick update before too many people start downloading the firmware as it could/will most likely happen to other users.

Matt.G

Bob Sorel

07-21-06, 01:55 PM

Matt, you might want to reload the firmware, as your problems sound suspiciously like a bad load.

I haven't loaded the new firmware yet because I saw this on the download page:
Please ensure you note your current settings prior to installing this update, as the unit will be reset on completion.
I thought that all new firmwares retained the previous settings and that we no longer had to start from scratch with every update.

alex_t

07-21-06, 02:17 PM

I have loaded the new firmware and it works correctly (according to basic tests for the moment).

I have chosen to install the full updater (first I have uninstall the old).

Alexandre

mgoldsmith

07-21-06, 02:25 PM

I've applied the firmware twice and it the Vantage loader says both were successful.

The odd thing is that even after the 2nd install of the same firmware, the menu system showed the exact same settings... so it didn't reset anything like a normal version update.

i did however manage to get into the menu after the 2nd firmware install and deactivate all of my inputs, which i then re-activated (as well as 2 hdmi ins). now i get a blue screen with some garbled info on it, so it looks like something is corrupted somewhere.

initally, WITHOUT going into the aspect settings, i was getting a perfectly normal image from my digital satellite.. it was only when i started to make adjustments to aspect settings, that everything really fell apart on me.

i think i'll try to rollback my firmware next to see if i can at least get my box working again.. then i might try and download the complete installer, as i only d/l the brec file.

Matt.G

alex_t

07-21-06, 04:12 PM

I confirm that a reset is made after the loaf of the new firmware (1.1.4B to 1.2.0).

Alexandre

Dave Harper

07-21-06, 09:32 PM

I confirm that a reset is made after the loaf of the new firmware (1.1.4B to 1.2.0).

Alexandre

Dang, you can get Firmware at the supermarket now in select bags of bread. I guess this Home Theater thing really is catching on;):p?!?!?!

mgoldsmith

07-21-06, 11:35 PM

There is definitely something going wrong with V1.2.0 firmware as i have now downgraded back to V1.1.4 and everything worked like a charm after i completely setup all input devices, etc. I then upgraded back to V1.2.0 and starting setting things up again.

I encountered the same "menu vanishing" problem with selecting between LCD/Plasma/Projector BEFORE selecting the display devices REZ.

So for most of my testing i left it in LCD mode before successfully changing to 1280x720.

What i noticed by leaving it in LCD mode is that ALL of the menus look completely different (and MUCH more streamline) and do not exhibit nearly half of the overlay problems i have experienced.

For starters the SIZE of all OSD's is considerably smaller, whereas with in PROJECTOR mode all of the means look like they were chunkily designed as if your display size is 640x480 (this had been the same for ALL firmwares)... This over sized OSD's results in some OSD's literally appearing BELOW the visible screen area. Also, in PROJECTOR mode, the menus look as though they are affixed to the incoming image, so for example if you were to RESIZE the incoming image, the menus also resize in accordance... this DOES NOT occur while in LCD or PLASMA mode... in LCD/PLASMA mode, menus stay the SAME size and DO NOT move in any noticable way.

So i switched over to PLASMA mode and it worked just as LCD did.

I fiddled with the new aspect ratio control (ARC)values.. and CROP is still screwed up.
The image vertically compresses itself to only fill the top half of the screen, and does not crop the image in any way...... AND i have discovered that while in CROP mode, if you apply a vertical resize using the ARC setting so that you go from 100 (default) to 98... the image locks up and you have to unplug the unit.

If i avoided the CROP section, then all was okay...

Also, with the ARC settings, when you change a value here, it effects ALL aspect modes for a given input/rez... i was initally under the impression this new aspect setting mode was to allow for a custom aspect INDEPENDENT of all other aspect modes (which would have been very handy).. and when you apply a VERTICAL resize using ARC the NORMAL mode is affected differently to the other modes, by auto-adjusting the horizontal value as well, so as to maintain 4x3 aspect ratio.

Seeing as my machine is completely frozen again, my next step is to downgrade firmwares again, and then try and install the FULL .EXE firmware for V1.2.0 as i only applied the .BREC file... so perhaps that file is corrupt... but i'm not convinced file or firmware corruption is the problem.

Matt.G

htguy1

07-22-06, 12:43 AM

Hi,

I have tried the 1.2.0 on my setup and have not had any of the problems reported above. It seems to work quite well for me.

mgoldsmith

07-22-06, 01:31 AM

I've downgraded successfully (and got it working) and then upgraded using the full EXE version with a NEW 1.2.0 brec file and get the same repeatable problems in every way.

Can someone with 1.2.0 installed please try the following steps:

While in NORMAL or FULL mode change the Vertical Resize from 100 to 98, using the Aspect Control Setting feature which is 2 options below this picture size setting (normal, full, crop, etc.)

Then using your REMOTE's red button scroll through ALL of the aspect modes.

In my setup, as soon as i reach CROP, the image freezes, flickers and locks the machine.
When Vertical Aspect resize set at 100, all is fine in changing between modes... but of course i still have the problem where CROP has, by defauly, vertically compressed the image to the top half of the screen, leaving the bottom half completely black.

One other odd occurance i have noticed, is with the FIRST time i scroll through the aspect modes as soon as it reaches VIRTUAL MODE. The image to the very right of the screen (about 1/8 of the area widthwise, is a mirror image of the information just to the left of it.
as an example, if this was suppose to be the image you see from one side of the screen to the other:

ACDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUV

This is what it looks like in VIRTUAL

ACDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVUTSRQ

QRSTUV repeats itself to the right of the screen, BUT in reverse order.

As soon as i then enter the menu system and change the aspect from in there.. virtual mode is back to normal, even when using the red button to change modes.

It's done it twice to me know.. and each time has been immediately AFTER i have installed the new firmware V1.2.0.

Given that i have been able to install the older firmware and have it work as it should, i don't see how this could be a corruption problem with updating to firmware V1.2.0.
These problems seem like genuine bugs to me.

BTW i have the OUTPUT rez set to 1280x720, and can reproduce these problems on either the component or DVI/HDMI input.. at first i though perhaps this was a problem relating to the new 0.7v and 1.0 settings for component.. but i only had DVI/HDMI connected for the last test and had not even activated the component input.

Very odd behaviour... but it is reproducable each and every time, with either 2 copies of the V1.2.0 firmware available.

Matt.G

Nedtsc

07-22-06, 06:25 AM

Mattt,

What is your display?

tomy99

07-22-06, 06:50 AM

i had install now the firmware only the file from original programm 1.14 and than hat load the version 1.2 brec

i had only problems like goldsmith exactly the same

problem with crop etc. and also say the menu is normal but i choose full mode after that again menu says is normal but is not normal

ps.
i had never such so problem bevor this version

quality is a mess in my opinion

my connection base is only s-vhs over a sd-dish and projector sony-hs50 over cambridge 15m cabel hdmi-hdmi

:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

mgoldsmith

07-22-06, 11:31 AM

Mattt,

What is your display?

I've tested this via 2 display devices. a samsung LCD TV hdmi to hdmi, and a sharp DLP projector hdmi to dvi.... both are set to accept 1280x720.

I've since found even more problems, but none are as bad as when you select Aspect Control Setting vertical height of 98 with CROP aspect selected... that seems to be the achillies heel of this firmware for me.

someone may also want to try the TEMPORAL NOISE reduction feature.
I just tested it out and while the slider OSD appears and you have changed the value to 0 or 1, while the OSD is on screen white outlines appeared all over the screen, where ever there was movement.... once the slider OSD disappears, so to does this while outlining.

Then there's the garbled menu system which appears when you change the Aspect Control Setting horizontal size to past approx 103.. the OSD completely garbles and spreads across the whole screen... if you manage to exit out of it, when you then attempt to go into the menu system it is completely unreadable... only by scrolling through each of the aspect modes at least once will a readable menu then appear.

I have taken a heap of photos of the screens so will upload them as soon as i can (battery is almost dead on camera though)

I rolled back to 1.1.4 and it's been working like a charm for the last 5 hours, and none of the problems i encountered with 1.2.0 show up, so it has to be a firmware issue of some proportion...

I've shot an email off to a contact at Calibre so hope to hear back from him after the weekend.

Matt.G

mgoldsmith

07-22-06, 12:07 PM

Here's 5 screen shots of various problems with descriptions for all.

http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php/photo/21671
http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php/photo/21672
http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php/photo/21673
http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php/photo/21674
http://gallery.avsforum.com/showphoto.php/photo/21675

Matt.G

TomHuffman

07-22-06, 01:47 PM

Matt:

Really nice work documenting these problems. I'm staying clear of 1.20 until Calibre responds and fixes this junk.

VespaMan

07-22-06, 05:30 PM

OK, been reading all the 28 pages, great information as usual!

However I have a question regarding the Vantage HD and input gamma. I have been reading the manual, but it is not really clear to me how this works..
Is it possible to adjust Gamma on a per input basis? i.e. can I have full gamma control on one input, and a totally different gamma setting on another?

Also, since I currently have a CRT (Marquee 9500) with Moonjong DVI inputboard, is it possible to select 1080i as output on the HDMI? I know this is really not ideal, but only while I am waiting for the perfect DVI input board to appear... ;-)

Thanks,
Micael

phil_999

07-23-06, 11:51 PM

I'm seeing the same problems as MattG on firmware 1.2 with an extra one:
I'm using an Oppo 970HD DVD player into the VantageHD. But with HDMI input, the Vantage always mute the analog RGBHV output to my VisionOne CRT projector, even without a disc in the player, at all resolutions 480i, 480p, 720p or 1080i. But with the NeuNeo 2085 DVD player HDMI, the VantageHD does not mute the analog output. I want to use the Oppo since the NeuNeo does not have 480i over HDMI. Those with digital projectors using HDMI output from the VantageHD don't have this problem.

Bill Gaw2

07-24-06, 11:13 AM

Vespaman. Also have the 9500. The Vantage at present lowest gamma change setting is 1.5 which washes out the picture. One of the updates down the road is supposed to allow different levels.
The Moonjong card doesn't accept 1080P but will scale 1080I to p using bob, so half of image lost. Sold mine and bought the Moome card which will accept 1080P but won't do internal scaling, just pass the original signal. Works perfectly with the Vantage and you can sell the Moonjong card fo what the Moome card costs. There is a big difference between what the Vantage and Moonjong card does for scaling. The Vantage will also pass 1080P when it arrives with BlueRay and HDDVD.

Bill

chris03053

07-24-06, 03:39 PM

To my fellow Vantage-HD users,

I have switched sides. I am a Crystalio II owner now. I couldn't afford to own both so the VHD had to go.

Don't get me wrong, I was always happy with the picture the VHD produced. I went with the VHD cause of the HQV. The things i didn't like were, the HDMI issues it has, I couldn't get my DVD players to work, all the beta software that i spend hours playing with and didn't get to enjoy any DVD movies, and the worse part is, i couldn't get the rack ears for it. I had the VHD sitting on a milk crate for 3 months.
Thanks ZAX, aka Craig, for the help in getting those....................................................... ..............NOT!

Now, the Crystallio II will probably have issues too, but when i connected my DVD players, Sony 400 Mega HDMI and my Esoteric UX-1 DVI/HDMI to it, i got a picture from both players!
And the CII has the rack ears in the box too! FINALLY i can get it off the floor.

So i want to thank the guys that helped me out on this thread. You know who you are. THANK YOU!

TomHuffman

07-24-06, 03:49 PM

Chris:

How would you compare the two solely based on image quality? I initially had some HDMI issues, but I cleared all of those up.

Dave Harper

07-24-06, 05:06 PM

......So i want to thank the guys that helped me out on this thread. You know who you are. THANK YOU!

You're Welcome;)!!!

Seriously though, please give us some feedback on the differences of these two units.

chris03053

07-24-06, 05:35 PM

Tom,
I haven't had time to do a full comparison. I'm waiting for VGA/BNC cable for my display. So right now i have the CII connected to my HDTV with DVI/HDMI doing 720p/1080i.

I can tell you that the Vantage had excellent image quality. DishHD is the only source i could get to work with DVI/HDMI and that was a awesome picture. So on DVDs i had only Comp. and that had a great picture too. To bad, i wanted to see the diffrence with HDMI.

Chris Chris:

How would you compare the two solely based on image quality? I initially had some HDMI issues, but I cleared all of those up.

Bob Sorel

07-24-06, 06:15 PM

I'm waiting for VGA/BNC cable for my display.
Yeah, but the good news is that a s-video/BNC and a component/BNC cable are included in the box - something I should have checked out long before today...:rolleyes:

Nedtsc

07-24-06, 06:16 PM

To my fellow Vantage-HD users,

I have switched sides. I am a Crystalio II owner now. I couldn't afford to own both so the VHD had to go.

Congrats! You've a fine machine......Please let us know how it compares to Vantage in PQ.

chris03053

07-24-06, 06:38 PM

Yeah, but the good news is that a s-video/BNC and a component/BNC cable are included in the box - something I should have checked out long before today...:rolleyes:(Being sarcastic) Can you believe they didn't have a VGA/BNC cable . :p

TorAtle

07-25-06, 10:05 PM

TorAtle

07-26-06, 05:22 PM

No-one with a computer hooked up to the VantageHD?

Bill Gaw2

07-28-06, 09:07 AM

Anybody still having trouble with the new software?

Bll

mgoldsmith

07-28-06, 09:36 AM

Could anyone with a 720p display try to display the attached picture? I'm getting two vertical dark bands approx 1/3 from each side of the screen. It looks like incorrect scaling (or scaling where none should be used).

I had to limit the picture to 800 pixels wide but if you open with mspaint and drag the window from side to side you'll see the bands.

I'm using a 9800GT card and the projector is a Kodak 333.

Thanks.

Edit: This problem only occurs when going through the VantageHD.

Looks fine thru my setup and the black dots look even from one end to the other. I'm using a GeForce FX5300 DVI out to my vantage.

I have also adjusted my vantage's DVI horizontal picture size by -1. When set at the default settings, even though incoming is 720p and outgoing in 720p..which should be pixel perfect in this case, i could still see that when "windows" text was displayed on the screen, it looked horrible
with a line of text containing partially bolded lettering, and other normal in size.
By making this -1 adjustment, the text is now evenly sized from one side of the screen to the other.

It is still not pixel for pixel, and thru the vantage now has 1 pixel missing on each side (i know this as i designed my background to be an aspect ratio test pattern within a fullscreen 1280x720 pixel area... when i bypass the Vantage, my PJ shows it as pixel perfect.

Matt.G

oliverlim

07-28-06, 12:05 PM

Anybody still having trouble with the new software?

Bll

Yes. 1.20 seems rather buggy. This is what I encountered so far.

1. Aspect Ratio sizing. Height adjusts width and width does not adjust anything.

2. MPEG noise reduction is always at 6 and disabled. I cannot tick the box as it skips over it.

3. There is no way to select the aspect ration like Wide, Anarmophic. It stays with normal after the selection.

I am going to try to downgrade. Also I am quite surprise by the total difference in contrast and brightness levels as well as colour tempreture via HDMI as compared to my DVDO VP30. I would have thought that HDMI would lessen these type of calibration differences?

Oliver

TorAtle

07-28-06, 10:01 PM

I have also adjusted my vantage's DVI horizontal picture size by -1. When set at the default settings, even though incoming is 720p and outgoing in 720p..which should be pixel perfect in this case, i could still see that when "windows" text was displayed on the screen, it looked horrible
with a line of text containing partially bolded lettering, and other normal in size.
By making this -1 adjustment, the text is now evenly sized from one side of the screen to the other.
Decreasing the width by 1 pixel solved the problem. The picture looks to be 2 pixels offset to the right, but at least I got rid of the scaling.

Thanks Matt!

TorAtle

08-02-06, 09:21 AM

Does aspect ratio control work in v1.2 on 720p and 1080i sources? I am currently using the image height control to stretch 2.35:1 movies...and it's a bit of a pain.

db13

08-02-06, 12:13 PM

Any feedback on how well this performs? This is a selling point to me because I'd like to watch two NFL games at one time. Also, are the PIP window sizes customizeable? If they are not, what are the sizes? I didn't seem to see that in the documentation. Thanks for any feedback.

jukkaforss

08-02-06, 02:07 PM

Anyone know firmware 1.2.1 release date?

latepmas

08-02-06, 03:36 PM

Calibre state August 2nd 2006

http://www.calibreuk.com/release_schedule.php

jukkaforss

08-02-06, 04:16 PM

Calibre state August 2nd 2006

I know that, but when it really will be released?

ALanJay

08-03-06, 03:39 AM

Well 1.2.0 was a couple of days late so...

I'm hoping for early next week :)

alex_t

08-03-06, 05:43 AM

Hello :)

I would like to use an OPPO 970H in HDMI 480i or HDMI 576i with my vantage HD.

What is your feedback for this configuration ? Positive or negative ?

Thank you

Regards
Alexandre

phil_999

08-03-06, 02:30 PM

alex_t

08-03-06, 02:43 PM

My experience with OPPO 970H in HDMI 480i to vantage HD:
- HDMI digital output is ok as Bob Sorel stated
- Analog RGBHV output is always shut down no matter what as soon as the Oppo is turned on (with or without disc). I have a Vidikron Vision One CRT projector and I can't use it in this configuration. I have to use component input into the VantageHD.

Thank you.

Have you compared OPPO in HDMI (480i or 576i) and OPPO in component (480 i or 576i) to vantage HD (with the same output) ? What is the best ?

Alexandre

phil_999

08-03-06, 03:54 PM

alex_t

08-03-06, 04:41 PM

I got no picture using Oppo HDMI input into the VantageHD so there's nothing to compare. I wish Calibre will fix the firmware so that the VantageHD will only shut down RGBHV analog output if the source is HDCP protected.

OPPO 970H is HDCP protected through its HDMI output. Consequently, RVBHV output is shut down by the vantage if oppo is used in HDMI.

Dave Harper

08-03-06, 04:49 PM

Yes, but I believe by the rules they should be allowed to pass 480i thru HDMI without restriction, no?

madshi

08-04-06, 02:36 AM

Yes, but I believe by the rules they should be allowed to pass 480i thru HDMI without restriction, no?
I think you're right, but I'm not aware of any DVD player who does that. All the (few) DVD players (e.g. Pioneer, Arcam) which can output 480i through HDMI are applying HDCP, AFAIK.

alex_t

08-04-06, 04:09 AM

I think you're right, but I'm not aware of any DVD player who does that. All the (few) DVD players (e.g. Pioneer, Arcam) which can output 480i through HDMI are applying HDCP, AFAIK.

I read the HDCP specification 1.1 and it seems that HDCP goal is to protect all audio-video digital content whatever its resolution (480 i/p or 720 i/p or ...).

Hereafter, some defintions found in HDCP1.1 specification :

HDCP Content -> HDCP Content consists of Audiovisual Content that is protected by the HDCP System. HDCP Content includes the Audiovisual Content in encrypted form as it is transferred from an HDCP Transmitter to an HDCP Receiver over and HCP-protected Interface, as well as any translations of the same content, or portions thereof. For avoidance of doubt, Audiovisual Content that is never encrypted by the HDCP System is not HDCP Content.

HDCP Device -> Any device that contains one or more HDCP-protected Interface Ports and is designed in adherence to HDCP is referred to as an HDCP Device.

HDCP Encryption -> HDCP Encryption is the encryption technology of HDCP when applied to the protection of HDCP Content in an HDCP System.

rdjam

08-06-06, 09:49 PM

rdjam

08-06-06, 11:03 PM

No-one with a computer hooked up to the VantageHD?
Yes, I do - what do you need to know?

alex_t

08-07-06, 02:40 AM

Nedtsc

08-07-06, 07:43 AM

Rdjam,

Where did you tap for the power supply on the second fan? Thanks.

alex_t

08-07-06, 02:22 PM

Hello.

From calibre web.

Vantage-HD Firmware Version 1.2.1 - Planned for August 11th 2006

The following new functionality and improvements are planned to be released:

* Custom output mode programmable via OSD.
* Preferred HDMI "native" video mode shown in EDIDs user selectable.
* Overheat protection - automatic shutdown if Realta chip overheats, e.g. due to chip cooler failure or lack of ventilation.
* Test pattern generator.

rdjam

08-08-06, 01:20 AM

OK - Here it is!

Caveat - this may, of course, nullify your warranty - especially if you damage the VHD while performing the upgrade. However, I'm sure that the folks at Calibre will recognize that the new fans make the unit much cooler than before - not to mention QUIETER :)

First of all - the fan that came with the Vantage is rated - at least on paper - as being fairly quiet, at 25 dBA. And if you hold it in your hand, which doesn't resonate, it does run very quiet. However, you will feel it vibrating (a LOT), as it is very out-of-balance. So when it is screwed into the heatsink, it vibrates the whole motherboard, creating the noise that - for some - is very bad.

The new fan is rated much quieter, but in addition, it is beautifully balanced, so it doesn't resonate at all.

Furthermore - I was very concerned that the new fan should exceed the specs of the old fan - in ALL of the following areas:

1) CFM - it needs to move more air
2) Static Pressure - since the fan is mounted directly against a very small heatsink, the Static Pressure measurement is probably more important than the CFM
3) RPM - I wanted a fan which spun at a lower speed to lower the noise
4) dBA - I wanted a quieter noise rating

I found one (yippee!) at a local Maplins store here in London.

The first drawback is that it was sold as a kit, pre-mounted to a heatsink that I would likely discard, since the VHD's own heatsink is screwed down to a clip mounted behind the mother board (and there was no way I was going to undertake removing the motherboard and all the associated work).

The second drawback is that this fan is equipped with those ultra-cool, lowrider-style, blue LEDs :) Not a big deal!

So... four installation notes:

1) I would not recommend that you try to replace the heatsink that is installed in the VHD, as it is mounted from behind the motherboard and you would be asking for something to go wrong.

2) Do NOT attempt to use any of the other 5 "power connectors" on the VHD motherboard - they are not what they appear to be. Instead, to run more than one fan (as I did, for the case extraction) use a splitter cable from the original power connector.

3) For this second fan, clip the third, yellow wire on the power supply wires. It is a data line which feeds timing info to the motherboard. I don't know if the VHD monitors this line or not, but if it does then it would read double the true fan speed if both yellows are intact. Leave the yellow line intact for the CPU fan.

4) If I were you, I would install the latest (1.21?) Vantage firmware update, since it now monitors the Realta temperature - nice to know it'll shut down if something is wrong with your new install.

OK, then...

The original fan in the VHD is a Titan TFD-4007M12S.

The replacement fan I found is an Akasa DFS401012M. It is avavilable online for anything from 15 to 20 pounds sterling - don't know what the el-cheapo pricing is.

As another 40mm (37 mm mounts) 12 volt fan, the Akasa is the same length and width as the Titan, but is almost double the thickness, which allows it to use fewer, bigger and deeper fan blades than the Titan - thus allowing it to be more efficient.

The Akasa therefore, only has 7 blades versus 11 on the Titan, and is better at moving the air because they are larger.

The specs are as follows:

. . . . . . . . . RPM . . . . . . CFM . . . . Static Press . . . Power . . . . . dBA
Titan . . . . 5500 . . . . . . 4.81 . . . . . 2.38 mm . . . . 1.08 W . . . . . 25
Akasa . . . 4800 . . . . . . 5.62 . . . . . 2.41 mm . . . . 0.8 W . . . . . 20

Note, some sites list the Akasa as being 5400 and 24.6 dBA - not sure why (it may be an older specification), but thought I should mention it - however, installing this has made a world of difference.

While I was at it, I installed a second fan in the ventilation grill at the back of the VHD's case, also. It was designed for the same size fan. I have turned the fan around to act as an exhaust, drawing the hot air out of the VHD. I didn't have nuts and bolts of the correct size, so I used a dab of epoxy to seat the fan for this location.

Here are some pics of the installation - click for a larger pic...

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/rdjam/VantageHD/thIMG_5267_Small.jpg (http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/rdjam/VantageHD/IMG_5267_Small.jpg) (Old and new together) http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/rdjam/VantageHD/thIMG_1719_small.jpg (http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/rdjam/VantageHD/IMG_1719_small.jpg) (Closeup of the new)
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/rdjam/VantageHD/thIMG_1724_small.jpg (http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/rdjam/VantageHD/IMG_1724_small.jpg) (As installed)

Hope this helps!

Cheers!

alex_t

08-08-06, 02:40 AM

Thank you very much rdjam !

Alexandre

ALanJay

08-08-06, 04:18 AM

rdjam,

Where did you get the items online ? (and I see what you mean about the blue LED) :)

I do agree the slight hum can be annoying.

By the way looking forward to v1.21 which they hope to release on
Friday

http://www.calibreuk.com/release_schedule.php

http://www.calibreuk.com/firmware_update.php

rdjam

08-08-06, 07:23 AM

No Probs! :)

I found them at a local Maplin electronics store here in London, but while I was doing a search on the web for the specifications, I saw a few different places that are selling them.

Also, there are versions available on the web in plain black without the blue lights - although I'm quite liking the lights, now, since they put a little light in the back of my wiring tray - quite useful really! :)

Yes, I'm looking forward to 1.2.1 also - 1.2.0 fixed my HD2K "warbling" problem for 60 hz, and 1.2.1 will also now fix it for 50 hz.

BTW - Thank you Calibre for excellent support! (and a great product!)

Cheers all

Nedtsc

08-08-06, 08:21 AM

tomy99

08-08-06, 11:41 AM

Well, I just upgraded the fan on my VHD over the weekend. Was upgrading the fams in my media cabinet and the HTPC, so I thought "what the hey" and did the VHD also.

I'll post the pictures and so forth tomorrow, but the new fan is quieter, lower RPM, higher airflow and higher static pressure also.

The original fan in the unit is rated at 25 dB, and when you hold it in your hand it is dead silent, BUT it is very unbalanced and vibrates, so that when it is mounted to the hard heat sink, it resonates the motherboard and the rating becomes irrelevant.

I also put a fan on the exhaust port also, which is already designed for it. So now two fans and the unit is dead quiet, even on a cold-start (when mine used to be noisy, until it warmed up).

I'll post the model numbers and specs for the original fan vs. the replacements.

I'm very happy with it...

----

is it possible to know which fan to you us it now. i had payed a new silentx fan with 14db and 12DV like the original fan titan from calibre with 12dc and 25db but i coudnt get i start (not running:-((() i tried to change the connection to 5v and 12dc but no changes. i have to manipulate maybe the connection. was for you no problem after the change ? no problems with the connection ?

do you have some picture how do you realized that i can do it for me the same

the problem is realy the headsink and would be great i didnt have to use directly at the heatsink

thanks

Bob Sorel

08-08-06, 12:39 PM

So when it is screwed into the heatsink, it vibrates the whole motherboard, creating the noise that - for some - is very bad.
If the only problem is the vibration against the heatsink, might it be easier and less intrusive to simply place some rubber grommets between the fan and heatsink? I haven't opened my Vantage yet, but as long as the screws (or bolts) holding the fan to the heatsink are long enough to add the rubber grommet and still be secured properly, that might quiet the unit down enough. Calibre also might be a bit more lenient with this type of mod should warranty work be necessary, as nothing would actually be changed electrically.
Instead, to run more than one fan (as I did, for the case extraction) use a splitter cable from the original power connector.
That means you are now running 1.6 watts for the two fans as opposed to 1.08 watts for the original fan. Did you check with Calibre to find out if the extra current load on the power supply would be ok? I'm willing to bet that it would be sufficient, but I would hate to add the second fan, fry the power supply, and then have Calibre tell me that it was my own fault.

I think your mods are probably very safe and a good idea...I'm just playing devil's advocate here.

kuebler

08-08-06, 01:04 PM

The replacement fan I found is an Akasa DFS401012M. It is avavilable online for anything from 15 to 20 pounds sterling - don't know what the el-cheapo pricing is.
El-cheapo is 5 Euro here (http://www.ldlc.ch/critiques/PB00028592-1/a-href-fiche-pb00028592-html-akasa-ak-210-ventilateur-de-chipset-avec-3-leds-bleues-a.html). They ship to everywere in Europe. Their price enabled me to order 3, one in reserve ;)

rdjam

08-08-06, 10:20 PM

----

is it possible to know which fan to you us it now. i had payed a new silentx fan with 14db and 12DV like the original fan titan from calibre with 12dc and 25db but i coudnt get i start (not running:-((() i tried to change the connection to 5v and 12dc but no changes. i have to manipulate maybe the connection. was for you no problem after the change ? no problems with the connection ?

do you have some picture how do you realized that i can do it for me the same

the problem is realy the headsink and would be great i didnt have to use directly at the heatsink

thanks
The heatsink is a bigger project to replace.

True, there are better heatsinks avaliable. The one supplied is very shallow and doesn't have a lot of surface area, so it is not very efficient.

But - one has to assume that Calibre did their math and calculated that they didn't need more than this. Therefore, if the new fan is pushing more air, then you are better off than the factory fan anyway, so why re-invent the wheel?

I'd love to put a better heatsink in, but I didn't feel the risk involved with removing the entire motherboard and re-installing the under-clip was worth the additional benefit. After all, it's not like I am going to be over-clocking the Realta or anything...

rdjam

08-08-06, 10:29 PM

If the only problem is the vibration against the heatsink, might it be easier and less intrusive to simply place some rubber grommets between the fan and heatsink? I haven't opened my Vantage yet, but as long as the screws (or bolts) holding the fan to the heatsink are long enough to add the rubber grommet and still be secured properly, that might quiet the unit down enough. Calibre also might be a bit more lenient with this type of mod should warranty work be necessary, as nothing would actually be changed electrically.

That means you are now running 1.6 watts for the two fans as opposed to 1.08 watts for the original fan. Did you check with Calibre to find out if the extra current load on the power supply would be ok? I'm willing to bet that it would be sufficient, but I would hate to add the second fan, fry the power supply, and then have Calibre tell me that it was my own fault.

I think your mods are probably very safe and a good idea...I'm just playing devil's advocate here.
Hi Bob - I know what you mean. But don't sweat it, rubber grommets are completely unecessary.

The Titan fan was really AWFUL - it was so out of balance that it created a LOT of vibration.

The new fan is dead silent - EVEN tho it is still screwed directly into the heatsink.

I do not recommend using rubber grommets against the (hot) heatsink.

Incidentally, the screws used on the Titan are not long enough for the new Akasa fan, which is much thicker. So by buying the heatsink/fan combo at Maplin, I actually also got a "free" new set of longer screws that they used, which were perfect for the VHD upgrade.

Regarding the power, sure - I didn't think that an extra half-watt of power would kill the system, so I was pretty cavalier about going ahead with two fans.

The good news is that, as your official guinea-pig, I can safely say that my VHD did not blow up :)

rdjam

08-08-06, 10:33 PM

El-cheapo is 5 Euro here (http://www.ldlc.ch/critiques/PB00028592-1/a-href-fiche-pb00028592-html-akasa-ak-210-ventilateur-de-chipset-avec-3-leds-bleues-a.html). They ship to everywere in Europe. Their price enabled me to order 3, one in reserve ;)
Well sourced Kuebler!

Don't forget to get some new (longer) screws to install this fan, as it is thicker than the factory Titan. Don't know the specs on the screws, since I just re-used the screws that came with the Akasa fan/heatsink combo...

Cheers!

p.s. I also bought a third fan, to use as an upgrade for my Pixel Magic HD Media Box, which now has a 750 Gig hard drive in it.

While the PMS HD MediaPlayer hardware design is very sexy, it is terrible for heat-dissipation and the HDD is getting too hot - so I'll be putting in forced-air evacuation on this Momma :)

BTW - I have developed serious reservations about this PMS HD MP Box. While the hardware layout and case design gave me an instant "chubby", the software is seriously deficient and buggy, and the Sigma chipset cannot handle a lot of HD streams, even some WMV 720p content, nor Apple Lossless, WMA Lossless or FLAC.

Basically all I can safely use it for is playback of DVD backups for the kids...

1080i output of 1080p sources is also "shite". Very dissappointing.... I hope for everyone's sake that this is not the setup PMS are using in their Crystallio II...

OT excursion off...

TorAtle

08-09-06, 04:53 AM

rdjam

08-09-06, 07:38 AM

What do you mean by "1080i output of 1080p sources is also shite"? What 1080p sources?

I like my PMS MB200. It's buggy but I haven't had that much problems watching .TS, DVDs and divx. I can switch between all relevant output modes easily. The biggest letdown is the remote which is awful.
Yes :) Sorry for the mini-rant.

I have the MB200, also, which has the audiophile quality low-jitter clock.

I have 1080p contant from various sources, including downloaded trailers etc. When it outputs them in 1080i, it does something wrong and on 1080p HD displays with 1080i inputs, when they deinterlace the signal, there is a terrible shimmering effect.

It's not the deinterlacing of the Displays which is at fault, since 1080i sources fed from the MB 200 are perfect.

Also, having bought the audiophile version, I have found that the MB200 won't play any lossless audio tracks at all. I can't even get .wav files to work.

The MediaBox frequently locks up, even when switching to other DVD folders. I've found it best to restart the box before playing a new movie.

It also won't play standard def Sky Plus ts streams.

Oh well - very cute tho! :)

tomy99

08-09-06, 09:26 AM

hello everybody

is there somebody that allways switch off the power manualy and how long do you wait after using the machine for switching off

i'm looking for do it automaticly after using maybe 5min later to switch off the unit over a powerstripe.

second

does it somebody a external powerconnection that would automaticly switch the power off after ex. 5 min or 10 whitout powerstripe exl. a little electronic unit between the power that over ir-code to switch-off ? i think there is nothing likly on the market and i have to made it for my own

alex_t

08-09-06, 09:54 AM

hello everybody

is there somebody that allways switch off the power manualy and how long do you wait after using the machine for switching off

[...]

Yes, I do.

I switch off the power manualy just after vantage is in stand-by (red led). I think there is no problem to do that.

The fan is used to cool the Realta HQV chipset then without power there is no risk of overheat.

Regards
Alexandre

rdjam

08-09-06, 09:57 AM

I'd give the Vantage a couple of minutes after going into standby just to make sure the chip is cooled properly before disconnecting power.

Never good to put the horses away hot and wet :)

alex_t

08-09-06, 11:22 AM

I'd give the Vantage a couple of minutes after going into standby just to make sure the chip is cooled properly before disconnecting power.

Never good to put the horses away hot and wet :)

I think it is not necessary.

For example, fan of CPU in a PC or GPU for graphic card are turns off when user powers off the PC.

In stand-by the vhd continues to power the Realta and it is why fan works again.

It is my point of view.

jukkaforss

08-09-06, 11:43 AM

I'd give the Vantage a couple of minutes after going into standby just to make sure the chip is cooled properly before disconnecting power.

Never good to put the horses away hot and wet :)

Hi rdjam,

did you notice next; when Vantage is in standby mode and you disconnect fan, the heatsink is little warm.
So even in standby mode Realta is generating heat.

I noticed this when I was changing replace fan that Calibre send to me.

Nedtsc

08-09-06, 05:29 PM

The closest spec that I can find in the US is this. (http://www.cyberguys.com/templates/searchdetail.asp?productID=6710&ta=prod_info)

rdjam

08-09-06, 08:10 PM

Hi rdjam,

did you notice next; when Vantage is in standby mode and you disconnect fan, the heatsink is little warm.
So even in standby mode Realta is generating heat.
Yes, I've known this.

I've also known that the fan continues to run even when the unit is in standby which is what has led me to assume (to be on the safe side) that it likes to continue cooling a bit after it is shutdown.

It's probably not a biggie - but then again... :)

Zax

08-11-06, 12:15 PM

Sorry guys but the new release due today has been delayed by a couple more days as it goes through testing. :(

We hope to have this completed in time to release on Tuesday next. :)

Thanks for your patience, we're eager not to release buggy code! (Unlike version 1.2.0 I hear some of you say!!)

Cheers,

Zax.

lorelevitt

08-11-06, 01:24 PM

Hi Zax,

When the new firmware is released next week, will you be posting a new listing again of future firmware releases-- so that we can see what we have to look forward too in Sept/Oct/Nov??

Thanks.

Lore

alex_t

08-11-06, 02:35 PM

Slug1000

08-15-06, 02:23 PM

Hi all
It’s taken some time, but after reading all 30 pages and other various threads, I have finally ordered my Vantage HD and can't wait to see my picture quality improvement. :D

I see a few people have hooked up their Xbox 360's into the Vantage, this is something I intend to do. Can anyone tell me if there is much improvement?

Thanks

Mark Petersen

08-15-06, 03:16 PM

The heatsink is a bigger project to replace.

True, there are better heatsinks avaliable. The one supplied is very shallow and doesn't have a lot of surface area, so it is not very efficient.

But - one has to assume that Calibre did their math and calculated that they didn't need more than this. Therefore, if the new fan is pushing more air, then you are better off than the factory fan anyway, so why re-invent the wheel?

I'd love to put a better heatsink in, but I didn't feel the risk involved with removing the entire motherboard and re-installing the under-clip was worth the additional benefit. After all, it's not like I am going to be over-clocking the Realta or anything...

Interesting reading. I've been looking into doing something similar for an Algolith Dragonfly. The stock fan on the Dragonfly is much worse than the one in the Vantage. It's a tiny 5V 7500 rpm job that moves about 6cfm and it's really noisy. I looked into replacing the entire heatsink and fan combo with this:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835119079

This new fan is much quieter and the heatsink is more efficient so the fan can be slowed down even further. With one of the included leg extensions installed, it fits the heatsink pins perfectly. The only problem however is that the Realta monitors the fan speed so it will likely shutdown if the speed is reduced well below the 7500 rpm baseline of the stock fan. Can anyone recommend a circuit to take out the fan speed?

mark haflich

08-15-06, 08:29 PM

Mark Petersen

08-15-06, 09:06 PM

A circuit to fool the Realta chip into thinking that the new higher efficiency fan is spinning higher than 7500 RPM? I weonder what kind of signal the speed sensor on the fan sends to the chip, Analog or digital. For analog just measure the voltage and disconnect the sensor sending the voltage equivalent o an excess RMP of 7500 to the chip,

My guess is that the fan sense line isn't a steadystate voltage but rather a pulse for each revolution of the fan. The pulse amplitude is likely the DC voltage rating of the fan (0-5v in this case). So I'm guessing that a TTL level clock circuit that outputs 125 hz will work, but this is just a guess.

mark haflich

08-15-06, 09:23 PM

I guess its digital. Need to scope the fan output signal to see what's up..

Michael Grant

08-16-06, 12:31 AM

Perhaps the fan speed threshold is programmable? That is, perhaps the Vantage folks might be willing to provide a firmware upgrade that allows the minimum fan speed to be reduced by the user.

Mark Petersen

08-16-06, 01:26 AM

Perhaps the fan speed threshold is programmable? That is, perhaps the Vantage folks might be willing to provide a firmware upgrade that allows the minimum fan speed to be reduced by the user.

Yup, this is exactly the reason that I haven't proceeded any further mod'ing the Dragonfly. The simplest approach is for Algolith to modify the SW to enable a lower rpm fan. They have promised a new field replaceable fan but they've given no timeframe for it or for any of the other bugs that currently plague the DF. :(

Abbas

08-16-06, 01:58 AM

Hi all

I see a few people have hooked up their Xbox 360's into the Vantage, this is something I intend to do. Can anyone tell me if there is much improvement?

Thanks

I have mine hooked up and it looks really good. The only possible complaint that I have is that it may create a small amount of lag during online play because it has to process the video signal.

Abbas

mark haflich

08-16-06, 07:14 AM

I would be amazed if they do that. If I owned Calibree and I gave the CODE to a handy dandy fan changer and that handy dandy fan changer leaked the CODE on the internet and other dandy but not fan changers lowered their fan speed perhaps causing the VERY VERY VERY VERY EXPENSIVE Realta chip to fail and then those dandies made warranty claims. Not a chance of getting the code.

rdjam

08-16-06, 08:53 AM

I'm glad that the Vantage doesn't have a problem with the lower fan speed on my mod.

But if you are having a problem with the Dragonfly, how about installing 2 of the fans and connecting the RPM sense on both to the same connector. That's pretty much give you double the RPM being reported?

ALanJay

08-16-06, 10:54 AM

Michael Grant

08-16-06, 01:29 PM

I wasn't saying they'd release the code---just provide a way to modify the fan speed. Coupled with a high-temp shutdown check, I don't see it causing any harm.

Of course, an even better solution would be to implement a robust fan speed control loop, so that putting a higher CFM fan in place automatically results in a lower steady-state RPM.

TomHuffman

08-17-06, 05:01 PM

Calibre must be having a hell of time with their latest firmware update. They've missed a couple of announced release dates now. Of course, I want them to get it right. I would also, however, like them to be more realistic about release schedules.

Nedtsc

08-17-06, 05:07 PM

I though the delay has something to do with tea drinkers and cow or milk or something like that. :D

oliverlim

08-18-06, 02:10 AM

I was thinking if we can have a wish list and a bug fix list so that Calibre knows the priority of the items to implement and fix.

Let me start by showing my list.

Wish List :-

1. Primary colors coordinate adjustments for RGB. Many projectors/Plasma primary coordinates are just not right. So this feature would really be good.

2. Profiles for different settings like NR levels etc for the same input.
Multiple profiles to save settings like one for high NR for noisy DVDs, one with Low NR for good quality DVDs etc should be implemented. Then a remote code
to access it directly would be useful. I feel this is a must have feature. I am surprised that this feature is not available. It is also useful to toggle between different resolution for the HDMI and Analog output if required.

3. YC delay adjustment. Should allow for Yc an Yb adjustment individually. This is a must have feature as many HDMI dvd players like the Pio DV79 needs both
adjustments to get YC delay corrected.

4. Parimetric IRE level adjustment so that all IRE can be adjusted to D65k :p This is difficult to implement but Lumagen did manage to get it and I have
been spoilt with perfect D65k from 20IRE to 100IRE!

Bug Fixes :

1. The Auto frame rate setting still seems buggy. It usually seems to stay at the last setting and does not auto detect unless you select auto again. At the moment, my HD Cable set top box is PAL and i mainly watch NTSC DVD. So when switching between HDMI 1 and 2, it almost always gets it wrong and result is judder. This setting also does not seem to be saved for each input and is a global setting. Just like the Aspect. So DVDs are suppose to be on the anamorphic but I prefer my Cable input to be on normal or wide as there are some 4:3 programs.

2. Faster switching between inputs would be nice. At the moment, its just a little too slow. Not really a bug. But again, the global memory for items like Frame rate does make it worse.

Oliver

Zax

08-18-06, 09:47 AM

Calibre must be having a hell of time with their latest firmware update.

You're so right Tom! Yes, we've missed a couple of dates with this last release, it is proving to be quite intensive work.

Current thinking is mid next week before we will be happy to release.

I will try to keep you updated.

Zax

Bill Gaw2

08-18-06, 09:51 AM

Wish List 2:

Gamma correction in 0.1 intervals between 1.0 and 1.5 for CRT projectors.
Higher voltage on HDMI output to run fiber optic cables.

TomHuffman

08-18-06, 11:58 AM

I agree with oliverlim that the calibration features he mentions

1. y/c delay adjustment
2. Gains AND biases for white balance adjustment.
3. RGB saturation and hue adjustment

would be great features and, I think, would make this processor the best available at any price. I wonder if Calibre could implement this at the current price point? If it required substantial reengineering then they probably couldn't.

As for bug fixes, I just have 2.

1. Tighten up the SD film deinterlacing performance. HD and SD video looks great, but SD film is not as strong as some other solutions I've seen.

2. I am absolutely bewildered that no one else here has reported the following bug. When you set the aspect ratio to Normal and then display a 4x3 SD signal, say a SD cable channel, the image is not exactly 4x3. It is a little too wide. I've found that you have to adjust the Image Width to about -65 to get the aspect ratio correct. I've now tested this on 2 different 16x9 displays and 2 processors. The result is the same.

ALanJay

08-18-06, 12:27 PM

2. I am absolutely bewildered that no one else here has reported the following bug. When you set the aspect ratio to Normal and then display a 4x3 SD signal, say a SD cable channel, the image is not exactly 4x3. It is a little too wide. I've found that you have to adjust the Image Width to about -65 to get the aspect ratio correct. I've now tested this on 2 different 16x9 displays and 2 processors. The result is the same.

I thought I did :) - maybe I mentioned it direct to Calibre.

I have also seen this problem but on one screen it was so awful that I couldn't watch 4x3 shows though the vantage on the other it is acceptable but not perfect.

I have been hoping that the additional contols for display output in 1.2.1 along with the test paterns might answer the problem as to what needs to be modified to make it "correct".

I would have thought that the 4x3 setting should be an absolute mathametical known quantity within the 19x0 image :)

TorAtle

08-18-06, 01:46 PM

1. Tighten up the SD film deinterlacing performance. HD and SD video looks great, but SD film is not as strong as some other solutions I've seen.
Film de-interlacing is about detecting a cadence and merging the odd and even lines. I think the 2:2 cadence detection could be better for PAL stuff, but I'm not sure if NTSC material is any problem. The VantageHD should be equally good for SD film as the others.

I am still on 1.1.4C, but I'd like the aspect ratio button to work for 720p and 1080i please!

TomHuffman

08-18-06, 03:27 PM

The VantageHD should be equally good for SD film as the others.I know that this is hopelessly vague and purely subjective, but what I'm seeing with 480i film sources is an image that is just not quite as stable and coherent as what I see with Gennum deinterlacing and DCDi deinterlacing. All of the other modes look exemplary to me.

TorAtle

08-18-06, 08:39 PM

If you're talking about the edge smoothing filters, then I'm with you. The VantageHD seems to maximize detail where DCDi looks more smooth. This makes, at least to my eyes, the DCDi look more stable as you say, but it is also more soft. I haven't seen Gennum VXP.

TomHuffman

08-18-06, 11:21 PM

I wish I could be more specific about this. All I can say is that with SD film sources I find myself consistently preferring the 480p output of the Panasonic S97 when using the Vantage HD. When using the Gennum-based Optoma HD3000 I find myself consistently preferring 480i output.

These are not huge differences. In fact they are subtle, and all 3 deinterlacing modes pass the tests on the HQV disc.

oliverlim

08-19-06, 08:50 AM

Thought I keep this infront and hope Zax will see this. I also found another bug which I added to the bugs list.

I was thinking if we can have a wish list and a bug fix list so that Calibre knows the priority of the items to implement and fix.

Let me start by showing my list.

Wish List :-

1. Primary colors coordinate adjustments for RGB. Many projectors/Plasma primary coordinates are just not right. So this feature would really be good. (Also requested by TomHuffman)

2. Profiles for different settings like NR levels etc for the same input.
Multiple profiles to save settings like one for high NR for noisy DVDs, one with Low NR for good quality DVDs etc should be implemented. Then a remote code
to access it directly would be useful. I feel this is a must have feature. I am surprised that this feature is not available. It is also useful to toggle between different resolution for the HDMI and Analog output if required.

3. YC delay adjustment. Should allow for Yc an Yb adjustment individually. This is a must have feature as many HDMI dvd players like the Pio DV79 needs both
adjustments to get YC delay corrected. (Also requested by TomHuffman)

4. Parimetric IRE level adjustment so that all IRE can be adjusted to D65k :p This is difficult to implement but Lumagen did manage to get it and I have
been spoilt with perfect D65k from 20IRE to 100IRE!

5. Gains AND biases for white balance adjustment. (By TomHuffman)

6. Gamma correction in 0.1 intervals between 1.0 and 1.5 for CRT projectors. (by Bill Gaw2)

7. Higher voltage on HDMI output to run fiber optic cables. (By Bill Gaw2)

Bug Fixes :

1. The Auto frame rate setting still seems buggy. It usually seems to stay at the last setting and does not auto detect unless you select auto again. At the moment, my HD Cable set top box is PAL and i mainly watch NTSC DVD. So when switching between HDMI 1 and 2, it almost always gets it wrong and result is judder. This setting also does not seem to be saved for each input and is a global setting. Just like the Aspect. So DVDs are suppose to be on the anamorphic but I prefer my Cable input to be on normal or wide as there are some 4:3 programs.

2. Faster switching between inputs would be nice. At the moment, its just a little too slow. Not really a bug. But again, the global memory for items like Frame rate does make it worse.

3. I am absolutely bewildered that no one else here has reported the following bug. When you set the aspect ratio to Normal and then display a 4x3 SD signal, say a SD cable channel, the image is not exactly 4x3. It is a little too wide. I've found that you have to adjust the Image Width to about -65 to get the aspect ratio correct. I've now tested this on 2 different 16x9 displays and 2 processors. The result is the same. (By TomHuffman)

4. I have a HD Cable Box which outputs 1080i/50 for HD channels and 576i/50 for SD channels. But no matter what, the Vantage sees it as a 1080i/50p output and disables the Mosquito Noise option as it thinks it is a HD signal. I had the VP30 and Lumagen and it did not have this problem. I also checked the info button on my HD CableBox and it is defintely outputing a 576i/50 signal. Even when it stays on a SD channel and I switch to another Vantage input and back to the Cable Box again, it still detects it as a 1080i/50 signal.

5. Better SD deinterlacing as indicated by a few people. Especially SD PAL cadence which is really poor compared to DCDi and VP30. I get constant combing on the News channel on the ticker and one many of the video scenes. The Edge smoothing could also be much better on sports as compared to a DCDi and ABT102 that I have tried in my setup. (By TorAtle & Myself)

Oliver

TorAtle

08-19-06, 09:28 AM

Here's one I've sent to Vantage-support but got no feedback on:

BUG MPEG noise reduction:
DVD player, HDMI, 480i/576i – assigned input 1
Sat decoder, s-video, PAL – assigned input 2

Switching from 2 to 1 to 2 when DVD is playing a NTSC disc disables MPEG noise reduction in menu. Does not happen when input 1 is PAL.

dheiskel

08-19-06, 03:22 PM

I am considering a Vantage-HD but I have a few questions.

Does the pip input stay the same, no matter what source input is selected. The manual indicates that a pip source and current input can't be within the same group. What happens if the current input is in the same group and the pip source.

How fast does the pip input pop up, swap with other input, go away?

Is the optional dual hdmi input card available? If not is there any word on its availablility.

Is anyone using the Vantage-HD to pass hdmi audio to a receiver and then to a display. Have there been any problems? Does HD DVD's discrete pcm (over hdmi) get properly passed?

The RS232 protocol is very minimal, basically equivalent to a a Wired IR. Has calibre indicated whether they will enhance the protocol to include some status back, add commands for access to the new test patterns, selection of pip input, position. Is there a specific person at calibre to make feature requrests to?

kartono

08-20-06, 07:39 AM

ZAX,

1.The auto frame rate mode fails to work correctly when switching from NTSC signal to Pal signal or vice versa.
It happens especially after we put the VHD in stand by mode or after power down the unit.

2.If we select the aspect ratio control to normal mode, the picture is too wide.It doesn't represent 4:3 ratio.

3.The IR remote key repeat doesn't function. It won't accelerate when we keep pressing the button on the remote. ( Firmware 1.2 & 1.1.4C )

Kartono

MARK GONZALEZ

08-21-06, 02:01 AM

Does anyone know how this scaler compares to the Teranex Mini from 480i-1080P and 1080i-1080p in terms of picture quality.

oliverlim

08-22-06, 11:10 AM

Does every user of the Vantage use the sound inputs and outputs on the Vantage to get the delay correct? I hate to run extra and unnecessary cables and my processors has a per input adjustable delay. So I was thinking of using this to set the delay instead.

I understand the Vantage uses about 6-7 frames of memory for buffer? It also depends on what video filters you are using like TNR or MNR etc that determines the delay? If so, would Calibre be so kind as to give a break down of what the delay is in ms e.g.

Scaling - 5ms
Film and Video deinterlacing - 110ms
TNR - 15ms
MNR - 10ms

This would help alot. At the moment I am guessing that with scaling & film deinterlacing it is somewhere in the region of 100-120ms delay already?

Oliver

Nedtsc

08-22-06, 12:13 PM

lorelevitt

08-24-06, 10:18 AM

Zax,

Can we get an updated potential release date for the new firmware?
Looks like things have really slowed down.

Lore

ALanJay

08-24-06, 12:12 PM

You're so right Tom! Yes, we've missed a couple of dates with this last release, it is proving to be quite intensive work.

Current thinking is mid next week before we will be happy to release.

I will try to keep you updated.

Zax

Hi,

Hope things are going well - I wonder what is proving so much more taxing than you thought :) ?

Looking at what is scheduled for this release:

- Custom output mode programmable via OSD.

Sounds like it might be complicated because there are so many variables - maybe a beta for people who need it might be helpful and provide feedback about potential issues?

- Preferred HDMI "native" video mode shown in EDIDs user selectable.

No idea how complicated this is but I assume all down the the HDMI interaction which could be more complicated than we think.

- Overheat protection - automatic shutdown if Realta chip overheats, e.g. due to chip cooler failure or lack of ventilation.

Sounds useful and if there is a temp measure facility then is it that complicated.

- Test pattern generator.

Sounds useful to me but should it be casing a hold up?

I do hope this is going well and that the release is not too far away - or maybe you might consider a beta offering as you did earlier in the year.

By the way what comes next - what are the plans :)

ALanJay

08-24-06, 12:27 PM

Hi the "red" button now lets you move between screen modes but what does it actually do to the output?

I noticed on one of the screeens I have been testing on (not my main screen) which is a native 1024x768 42" pannel that if you use the native mode and switch screen modes there is no 4x3 mode at all.

As this is on the INPUT side of the equation I started wondering what it is doing to the input?

My assumption is that the goal of this kind of manipulation is as follows:

1) The SD interlaced input (576i/480i) is a 4x3 image this need to be scaled to a 4x3 central portion of the 16x9 final output image of the display screen. I would call this mode - input 4x3.

2) The SD interlaced input (576i/480i) is a 16x9 anamorphically squeezed image this need to be anamorpically uncompressed into the 16x9 final output resolution. I would call this anamorphic.

3) The SD interlaced input (576i/480i) is a 16x9 letterbox in a 4x3 image which needs to be scaled to the full width of the 16x9 output setting loosing the top and bottom of the picture (quite useful to be able to shift this mode up and down) - this mode is now seen much less frequently. I would call this 16x9 letterbox.

4) One additional SD option is for stations that insist on broadcasting 4x3 SD but use a 14x9 letterbox compromise format and that needs a zoom as well.

The reality is that for HD inputs this is not a useful function as all HD inputs should be 16x9 in format. There may be an occasion when you might want to zoom in but I'm not sure why though a manual way to provide that kind of zoom might be considered useful. Similary thhe way to manually shift up or down.

But the question is does the Vantage actually do this. On this particluar screen with an output resolution of 1024x768 (displaying on rectangular pixels to create a 16x9 image) none of the modes provides takes the 4x3 image and displays it as 4x3 (I get full screen or a sort of squashed 2:1 ratio with black bars top and bottom.

Anyone else seen this kind of effect?

TorAtle

08-24-06, 01:44 PM

With 720p input the red button does nothing to the picture, but seems to cycle through the various aspect radio modes if you go into the menu and look. It's a bug, and we have reported it to Calibre.

The reality is that for HD inputs this is not a useful function as all HD inputs should be 16x9 in formatNot quite.
1) Media players like Pixel Magic MB200 can scale SD to 720p or 1080i and output it. Ok, you can also output SD via component cables and let the Vantage scale and de-interlace, but if you're lazy and watch a mix of SD and HD then sometimes it's ok to use the 720p output. So we need all the various aspect ratios in this mode too.
2) People who use anamorphic adaptors need to vertically stretch the picture.

TorAtle

08-24-06, 09:17 PM

In case anyone is interested - I've asked Logitech to add the IR-codes for the Vantage to their database.

Edit: For the Harmony 880/890/895 remotes.

ALanJay

08-25-06, 03:38 AM

Not quite.
1) Media players like Pixel Magic MB200 can scale SD to 720p or 1080i and output it. Ok, you can also output SD via component cables and let the Vantage scale and de-interlace, but if you're lazy and watch a mix of SD and HD then sometimes it's ok to use the 720p output. So we need all the various aspect ratios in this mode too.

Interesting - I wonder if you have a super scalar like the vantange shouldn't you be sending it the original interlaces SD output rather than getting something else to scale it first?

2) People who use anamorphic adaptors need to vertically stretch the picture.

That is true and is a completly different mode which I have not included in my list.

But I certainly think there is something not quite right.

TorAtle

08-25-06, 05:05 AM

Interesting - I wonder if you have a super scalar like the vantange shouldn't you be sending it the original interlaces SD output rather than getting something else to scale it first?
Absolutely. Now that I have the Logitech Harmony 895 remote, I've made 3 activities:
MB200 SD
MB200 720p
MB200 1080i

An activity set the input on the Vantage and the output mode on the mediabox. Fixed!

Steve Richards

08-25-06, 11:17 AM

Looks like the web site now has the 1.21 firmware available.

http://www.calibreuk.com/downloads/vantage-hd/setup_1-2-1.exe
or
http://www.calibreuk.com/downloads/vantage-hd/Vantage-HD_1-2-1.zip

jukkaforss

08-25-06, 12:37 PM

I installed new FW 1.2.1 and find some problems:

ICP correction and MPEG Noise Reduction setting are not saved and they return to default after shutdown.
Same is for Black level settings, it is not saved and will be back to default after reboot.

I haven't tried if other settings picture settings are saved.

In crop mode whole menu doesn't fit in the display.

Here is something for start.

gmr

08-25-06, 01:43 PM

What happened to overheat protection and test patterns?

TomHuffman

08-25-06, 02:52 PM

That's a real shame. The test patterns was the enhancement I was primarily interested in.

ALanJay

08-26-06, 04:53 AM

That's a real shame. The test patterns was the enhancement I was primarily interested in.

Indeed something that should have been very useful.

I wonder what has delayed it :(

http://www.calibreuk.com/firmware_update.php

The following issues have been addressed & features added in this version:

Added “custom output mode”, programmable via OSD.
Added customization of HDMI "native" video modes in EDID, so native modes offered to HDMI sources can be selected.
Added 2048x1080p HDMI input mode & output mode.
Detail enhancement feature improved for interlaced sources.
Fixed vertical positioning error when using VGA auto-fit.
Fixed oversized OSD issue when no input is active & the selected display type is projector.
Fixed OSD corruption when using the “Aspect ratio adjust” feature.
Output height range increased, especially in high resolution output modes.
Improved Support for HD-SDI input expansion module.
HDMI audio reliability improved.
Fixed vertical offset when in crop mode.
Output height adjustment (in Output Menu -> Output picture configuration -> Picture size) range increased.
Menu locking resolved.
Improved channel change performance.
Virtual Wide™ changed to Flex Wide.
1080p output timings improved.
768p input mode performance improved.
MPEG filter now defaults to off.
Current aspect ratio now correctly reported.
When no input is defined, the OSD is on all the time (at the input configuration page).

Known Issues
The following issues are known in this version:

Component input signals can appear in the wrong position. This can be correct by altering the Input window shift (found in Picture Controls -> Picture settings); this affects only interlaced signals & occurs infrequently.
Transparent menu does not work; consequently the “Transparent menu” tick box is not available.

Haw

08-26-06, 09:09 AM

What happened to overheat protection and test patterns?

ZAX got overheated himself and needed to shut down for a good rest this weekend.

It is a Public Holiday in the UK this weekend and, according to Calibre UK, no mail will be responded to until Tuesday.

Bob Sorel

08-26-06, 09:56 AM

I saw this on the Calibre site:
Please ensure you note your current settings prior to installing this update, as the unit will be reset on completion.
What happened to the "update will remember your settings" change that was made a couple of revisions back? I will only perform an update once that feature has been reinstated. Setting things up from scratch is a real pain... :mad:

lorelevitt

08-26-06, 11:28 AM

I saw this on the Calibre site:

What happened to the "update will remember your settings" change that was made a couple of revisions back? I will only perform an update once that feature has been reinstated. Setting things up from scratch is a real pain... :mad:

Bob -- I certainly agree with you. Fortunately I didn't trust them and wrote down my settings first. It still took awhile to restore everything! :mad:

On another unpleasant note-- my XBOX360 will no longer operate at 1920x1080i component input after the 1.2.1 update. I don't have any problems with my SA8300HD, HDDVD, DVD player, or GAMECUBE. I'm running the same settings as before.

HOWEVER, the Vantage will will only sync at 480p and 720p with the XBOX360 now. When I attempt to connect it at 1080i, I get a band of noise about 1/8 or so of the tv screen's height running along the bottom of the screen. If I attempt to expand the image I see that an equivalent portion of the top part of the scene has been cut off.

There were no problems with the 1.4 firmware which I had been running previously. Anyone guess at what is happening? :( :(

And on another note today-- the Vantage LOCKS UP frequently when I attempt to change sources (channels) if the HDMI source is changed BEFORE I change the channel it seems. I have no choice but to reach around an pull the power cord and replug it. This also never happended with the 1.4 firmware.

Thanks.

ALanJay

08-28-06, 03:04 AM

Known Issues
The following issues are known in this version:

Component input signals can appear in the wrong position. This can be correct by altering the Input window shift (found in Picture Controls -> Picture settings); this affects only interlaced signals & occurs infrequently.

Having loaded 1.2.1 I have found that when using an analogue input (from a Sky HD STB - set to auto output mode) then when switching from a HD 1080i50 channel to an SD 576i50 channel that the Vantage HD reports the new settings correctly BUT fails to show any picture.

The Vantage has not crashed as you can load the menus etc but no picture is displayed - just a blue screen. Switching off the vantage and back on again picks up the signal correctly. Switching from a SD channel to an HD one doesn't seem to be a problem.

TorAtle

08-28-06, 08:48 AM

2048x1080 input & output. Is Vantage the first consumer product to offer this?

Added customization of HDMI "native" video modes in EDID, so native modes offered to HDMI sources can be selectedWhat's that in plain english?

ALanJay

08-28-06, 09:18 AM

Added customization of HDMI "native" video modes in EDID, so native modes offered to HDMI sources can be selected
What's that in plain english?

This is an option in the HDMI configuration that defines if modes are accepted by the screen (in this case the vantage) the options seem to be:

NTSC 540i (option n/a 4x3 16x9 4x3 or 16x9)
NTSC 540p (option n/a 4x3 16x9 4x3 or 16x9)
PAL 576i (option n/a 4x3 16x9 4x3 or 16x9)
PAL 576p (option n/a 4x3 16x9 4x3 or 16x9)
720p / 1080i / 1080p - n/a 50Hz 60Hz Both

The use of this is that if a STB for example insists on sending 576p output internally converting from 576i by using the HDMI setings to say the screen only accepts 576i then the STB should send that.

That at least is how I understand the theory.

ALanJay

08-28-06, 09:20 AM

Having loaded 1.2.1 I have found that when using an analogue input (from a Sky HD STB - set to auto output mode) then when switching from a HD 1080i50 channel to an SD 576i50 channel that the Vantage HD reports the new settings correctly BUT fails to show any picture.

Did a factory reset and this is still a problem but disciovered that reselecting the INPUT from the remote resets the vantage suficently to sync onto the signal and display an image.

tryingtimes

08-28-06, 10:29 AM

"Added customization of HDMI "native" video modes in EDID, so native modes offered to HDMI sources can be selected"

What's that in plain english?
I don't have a Vantage, but this link may help.
http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364462

TorAtle

08-28-06, 04:48 PM

Ok, I think I've got how the EDID stuff works. You can disable certain modes to force it to use one of the others.

Can anyone else toggle between the different aspect ratios with HD? Still no change here, and I am getting very annoyed with this! How difficult can it be to fix??? Some of us use anamorphic adapters and need the stretch function!!!

Another thing, input switching is now incredible slow. It takes from 10 to 15 seconds.

Steve Richards

08-29-06, 09:32 AM

Ok,
Can anyone else toggle between the different aspect ratios with HD? Still no change here, and I am getting very annoyed with this! How difficult can it be to fix??? Some of us use anamorphic adapters and need the stretch function!!!

Another thing, input switching is now incredible slow. It takes from 10 to 15 seconds.

The aspect ratios only change (for me) when the input is 480i but the red button does change them. I don't know if this is working as designed or a bug.

My 1080i feed from an HDTivo is unstable. The picture will "glitch" every few seconds. The 480i/480p/720p feed out of the Tivo work fine. The connection from the Tivo is component.

I agree the switching is rather slow, I can't say if this is radicaly different from past firmwares because I don't switch all that often.

I have had multiple instances of the menu refusing to appear. A power off and power on restores it but this never happened with the previous (my last FW was 1.1.2)

I don't see where the audio delay works for me at all. I'm not sure if I've missed something here or not . When I adjust the delay I do hear the sound being interrupted so I know that it is properly fed though the unit, but I don't notice any difference in lip sync. Although I don't see lip sync issues yet.

Was MPEG noise reduction always unselectable for progressive inputs ?

My HDMI video feed from my Denon 3910 was excellent, however I could not get audio from the HDMI feed, but I didn't try real hard to diagnose in my limited time.

I was able to update the firmware running Windows XP in a VMware virtual machine running on a Linux host. (yea)

I'm feeding a JVC DLA-HX1 projector at 1400x788 @59.? HZ

TorAtle

08-29-06, 10:04 AM

MPEG noise reduction is only available for SD.

There is also something fishy about the sharpness and detail enhancements. It's not possible to turn off. Can anyone please confirm this? I get edge enhancement artifacts on SD sources.

ALanJay

08-29-06, 01:51 PM

The My 1080i feed from an HDTivo is unstable. The picture will "glitch" every few seconds. The 480i/480p/720p feed out of the Tivo work fine. The connection from the Tivo is component.

Hi,

I think this is something I saw when I upgraded from 1.1.2 to 1.1.4C the solution turned out to do a "Factory Reset" and then the problem went away.

It appears that sometimes when you do an upgrade not all the settings are reset to the factory defualt and as Calibre seem to be changing the ranges of some settings this can end up with things not being at all right.

Anyway I was sceptical that it would work but in fact it solved the problem with my SKy HD box at 1080i50 so I don't know this is the same issue but it dows sound very similar.

Jason Yeo

08-30-06, 06:28 AM

ALanJay

08-30-06, 07:03 AM

Having loaded 1.2.1 I have found that when using an analogue input (from a Sky HD STB - set to auto output mode) then when switching from a HD 1080i50 channel to an SD 576i50 channel that the Vantage HD reports the new settings correctly BUT fails to show any picture.

Heard back from Calibre that they have reproduced this and it is in the bug fix queue they also confirmed that selecting the input again (ie if this is on channel 1) pushing 1 again will get a picture back.

They also mentioned that they are off to Cedia in a couple of weeks so they might be quiet while they prepare :)

sta

08-30-06, 09:00 AM

new FW 1.2.1

I found some problems with my DVD player with the EDID configurability.

even if from the table all the resolutions of my Marantz are allowed, I can select only, from the player setup menu 1080i, nothing else.

further. I keep on experiencing micro stuttering with SD and HD resolutions and both with analog and digital inputs.

even forcing the refresh rate or the film mode pull down.

any of you noticed the same?

Steve Richards

08-30-06, 10:05 AM

Hi,

I think this is something I saw when I upgraded from 1.1.2 to 1.1.4C the solution turned out to do a "Factory Reset" and then the problem went away.

It appears that sometimes when you do an upgrade not all the settings are reset to the factory defualt and as Calibre seem to be changing the ranges of some settings this can end up with things not being at all right.

Anyway I was sceptical that it would work but in fact it solved the problem with my SKy HD box at 1080i50 so I don't know this is the same issue but it dows sound very similar.

A "Factory Reset" did resolve the issue I was having with 1080i and for whatever reason I can get the HDMI audio to now work and the audio delay is now working.

These were the major issues I seemed to be having with the update.

I did get frequent crashes when I was setting up the initial video parameters.

I crash about 80% of the time when selecting "timeout" settings for OSD timeouts.

I haven't had the menu not appear issue since the factory reset either.

TorAtle

08-30-06, 07:40 PM

In case anyone is interested - I've asked Logitech to add the IR-codes for the Vantage to their database.

Edit: For the Harmony 880/890/895 remotes.
The IR-codes are now added to their database and works perfectly. Most valuable (for me) is direct access to the various aspect ratios. Now if only Calibre could actually get this working for HD sources!!!

Nedtsc

08-31-06, 07:07 AM

The IR-codes are now added to their database and works perfectly. Most valuable (for me) is direct access to the various aspect ratios. Now if only Calibre could actually get this working for HD sources!!!

I wish Nevo would do the same thing as the hex code provided by Calibre doesn't work.

TorAtle

08-31-06, 08:54 AM

Nedtsc

08-31-06, 09:56 AM

The hex codes work, maybe you need to convert them to Nevo-lingo?

Just heard from Calibre. There will be a new firmware fix released in a couple of days to correct the 7.5 IRE bug (plus some other stuff).

Nevo takes hex code but the Vanttage version is truncated. Switching input source is particularly painly.

oliverlim

09-02-06, 06:19 AM

Is anyone using the 1.2.1 firmware?

For some reason I am facing this few issues even after a factory reset. Just wanted to check if anyone else is seeing this?

1. Poor Diagonal smoothing. I am seeing alot of jagged edges for some reason. Dont really remember it being so bad before. Take for example the superbit Spiderman 2. During the credit intro, many of the credits have simmering edges. MJ's picture in the intro has jagged edges all over her hair. Just in chap 1 where he is delivery the pizza look at the right side where there is a building and the horizontal lines is full of jagged lines as well. I am almost sure this firmware has broken this feature.

2. Other then the fact that it is confirmed that this firmware does not memorise the IRE level, it also does not remember the aspect ratio (normal, anamorphic etc etc), CSS, CUE, ICP and Temporal Noise Reduction, Mosquito Noise Reduction. It always reset to the same state after I switch the unit off and on. Calibre says that they cannot reproduce the problem. On my unit, after switching the unit on, CSS and CUE is switched on, ICP is off. TNR is at 7, and MNR is switched off every single time. I have to reset it to my settings each and everytime.

I hope I am not the only with these issues. If not I guess I would have to go back to 1.14c.

Oliver

Nedtsc

09-02-06, 07:10 AM

ALanJay

09-02-06, 10:00 AM

I wish Nevo would do the same thing as the hex code provided by Calibre doesn't work.

Hi,

Earlier in this thread I posted a set of IR codes for the Vantage HD which take the Hex codes provided and turns them into IR codes that things like a Pronto can understand. You might want to look at that post #793 http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7998541&&#post7998541 it might help.

Alan

Bob Sorel

09-02-06, 02:20 PM

1. Poor Diagonal smoothing. I am seeing alot of jagged edges for some reason. Dont really remember it being so bad before. Take for example the superbit Spiderman 2. During the credit intro, many of the credits have simmering edges. MJ's picture in the intro has jagged edges all over her hair. Just in chap 1 where he is delivery the pizza look at the right side where there is a building and the horizontal lines is full of jagged lines as well. I am almost sure this firmware has broken this feature.
What resolution are you outputting from your DVD player and over what type of connection? I noticed quite some time back that SD deinterlacing of 480i over HDMI was not the best, and that was several firmware revisions back.

oliverlim

09-03-06, 12:59 AM

What resolution are you outputting from your DVD player and over what type of connection? I noticed quite some time back that SD deinterlacing of 480i over HDMI was not the best, and that was several firmware revisions back.

480i over HDMI. The thing is that this problems were not there at 1.14c. Seems like Nedtsc also faced the same problems and have gone back to 1.14c. The SD deinterlacing issue you faced must have been similar. I think some of the firmware version probably broke some code and caused this poor deinterlacing issues faced by some of us. Will wait till Monday to see if the come out with anything. If not, its back to 1.14c. Not good as that makes it 2 new firmware thats both not usuable.

Oliver

lorelevitt

09-04-06, 10:48 AM

I am having a continuing nightmarish time of lockups when going from one to HDMI source to another. It requires me to unplug the VHD and replug it in to get it to respond. :(

Previously I had been running the 1.1.4beta software with NO problems. But since it was beta, I decided to upgrade to 1.2.1 since I thought that went through longer Quality Control.

Anyway its gotten so frequent that I'm considering flashing the unit back to either 1.1.4beta or 1.1.4c firmware.

Anyone find problems with going backwards from 1.2.1?

TorAtle

09-04-06, 11:03 AM

Review here:
http://enjoythemusic.com/magazine/viewpoint/0906/aachapter83.htm

lorelevitt

09-04-06, 03:50 PM

Review here:
http://enjoythemusic.com/magazine/viewpoint/0906/aachapter83.htm

This review reads as if it was written by Calibre's marketing department. It makes no real comment on the real world problems most of us have been having with the firmware. Wonder if he got a free unit?

rdjam

09-05-06, 04:36 AM

This review reads as if it was written by Calibre's marketing department. It makes no real comment on the real world problems most of us have been having with the firmware. Wonder if he got a free unit?
Interesting - I think he added several references to problems he had seen.

I found the review pretty good.

The only problem I have had with mine was when the HD2K timing got bungled in 1.1.4. Other than that the unit is phenomenal.

Another note, from 1.2.0 I started doing 1080 frame rate conversion from 1080i50 SkyHD to 1080p60 because of the HD2K timing at 50 hz not being restored yet. This used to be jerky in the original first firmware, but it is now incredibly smooth. So much so that I leave the HD2K on 60 hz almost all the time now.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that this 50hz HD2K issue is, of course, now fixed in 1.2.1

When I look at the threads for competitive units and see the amounts of problems their users are having just getting the basic "features" to work, I consider myself very lucky with this Vantage HD.

I think we have made a good choice here.

oliverlim

09-05-06, 06:08 AM

Interesting - I think he added several references to problems he had seen.

I found the review pretty good.

The only problem I have had with mine was when the HD2K timing got bungled in 1.1.4. Other than that the unit is phenomenal.

Another note, from 1.2.0 I started doing 1080 frame rate conversion from 1080i50 SkyHD to 1080p60 because of the HD2K timing at 50 hz not being restored yet. This used to be jerky in the original first firmware, but it is now incredibly smooth. So much so that I leave the HD2K on 60 hz almost all the time now.

When I look at the threads for competitive units and see the amounts of problems their users are having just getting the basic "features" to work, I consider myself very lucky with this Vantage HD.

I think we have made a good choice here.

I think to be fair to Calibre, the 1.14C is relatively bug free. Just one bug for me whihc is the auto frame rate which does not work for me. Its just that the firmware after that leaves some room for improvement. I hope that calibre does not take this wrongly and decide not to release any more new features to save them problems. I just wish they are a little faster with releasing bug fixes and the features that they already planned on introducing.

Also has anyone heard on when the 2 port HDMI modules are going to be released?

Oliver

rdjam

09-05-06, 06:24 AM

Also has anyone heard on when the 2 port HDMI modules are going to be released?

Oliver
Yes, I want this very much also. That'll give me 4 HDMI inputs with auto audio delay. Any word Calibre?

Bill Gaw2

09-05-06, 10:51 AM

This review reads as if it was written by Calibre's marketing department. It makes no real comment on the real world problems most of us have been having with the firmware. Wonder if he got a free unit?
Hi,

I have read your review of the Vantage HD and I must say it reads like the marketing dept. at
Calibre UK wrote it.

I have had one of the first units made and have had nothing but problems on/off with the unit
locking up and having to be repowered when using HDMI. It doesn't make sense to build a unit
that claims it will work with HDMI and then disclaim its use. My equipment is brand new and
adheres to the HDMI 1.1 specifications. Every time Calibre releases a firmware update its two
steps forward and one step back.

I believe that I have been really testing alpha firmware since I bought it in the early spring. I have
over $ 30K worth of home electronics and have NEVER had problems like I have had with the
Vantage unit. It may look great on paper but in real life, day-to-day use-- its nothing but a major
headache.

I suggested you take a look at the http://www.avsforum.com under the video processors section
and the thread labled "my vantage HD has arrived" to understand the extent of problems with
the REALTA chip and the vantage HD.

Lore Levitt

Thank you for your comments. AS you can see, I am a Special Member of the AVS Forum and, as such, have been following the Video Processor Section for several years.
While Caliber has sold many of the units, there seems to be a small number on the forum who continue to have problems. As you know, they tend to be the Vocal Majority as others don't need to vent their frustrations. I understand the venting as there have also been components in my past that have driven me up the wall.
I have noted and did mention in my column that there have been problems with the software updates since 1.14, but that seems to me to be a recurring theme with all of the high end processors since the introduction of the HDMI 1.1 standard. It has also been a problem with many of the DVD players using HDCP encoding, as it also is with the various cards for CRT pojectors. Luckily, none of the updates have added any functionality need in my system, so I've stuck with the 1.14 and have noted no problems other than those discussed in my column.
The column was not written by Calibre, and they had no say in how it was written. While I did receive the standard industry deduction off the puchase price, nothing was discussed between me and Calibre until I had completed the article, and had still not submitted it to them for review. Also, unless a product is an advance on other equipment out there and working to my high standards, I will not spend my own money on it. At its price, the fact that it is the first one out there using the new Silicon Optics Realta chip, and the fact that the other units using the same chip down the road have announced prices significantly higher, it is a true advance on the competition. I have had processors here from Faroudja, IEV, Crystallio, DVDO and Key Digital, and at least in my system, this one beat the crap out of the others.

As you know, the first unis did have some problems and they actually shut down production for severl months to straighten this out. It could be you have one of the early units that need updating at the factory. Maybe you should give them or your dealer a call and see if this is possible.
This reply will also be presented in the Letters section of www.enjoythemusic.com for further comment by the readers.

Bill

TomHuffman

09-05-06, 11:30 AM

I agree that at least in terms of image quality, especially HD, this unit beats everything I've seen.

I'm still using 1.14. The only feature I'm looking forward to is the test patterns, which was supposed to be in the latest firmware release, but didn't make it.

rdjam

09-05-06, 11:39 AM

I agree that at least in terms of image quality, especially HD, this unit beats everything I've seen.
Ditto!

Bob Sorel

09-05-06, 06:27 PM

lorelevitt

09-05-06, 06:45 PM

Hi,

I have read your review of the Vantage HD and I must say it reads like the marketing dept. at
Calibre UK wrote it.

I have had one of the first units made and have had nothing but problems on/off with the unit
locking up and having to be repowered when using HDMI. It doesn't make sense to build a unit
that claims it will work with HDMI and then disclaim its use. My equipment is brand new and
adheres to the HDMI 1.1 specifications. Every time Calibre releases a firmware update its two
steps forward and one step back.

I believe that I have been really testing alpha firmware since I bought it in the early spring. I have
over $ 30K worth of home electronics and have NEVER had problems like I have had with the
Vantage unit. It may look great on paper but in real life, day-to-day use-- its nothing but a major
headache.

I suggested you take a look at the http://www.avsforum.com under the video processors section
and the thread labled "my vantage HD has arrived" to understand the extent of problems with
the REALTA chip and the vantage HD.

Lore Levitt

Thank you for your comments. AS you can see, I am a Special Member of the AVS Forum and, as such, have been following the Video Processor Section for several years.
While Caliber has sold many of the units, there seems to be a small number on the forum who continue to have problems. As you know, they tend to be the Vocal Majority as others don't need to vent their frustrations. I understand the venting as there have also been components in my past that have driven me up the wall.
I have noted and did mention in my column that there have been problems with the software updates since 1.14, but that seems to me to be a recurring theme with all of the high end processors since the introduction of the HDMI 1.1 standard. It has also been a problem with many of the DVD players using HDCP encoding, as it also is with the various cards for CRT pojectors. Luckily, none of the updates have added any functionality need in my system, so I've stuck with the 1.14 and have noted no problems other than those discussed in my column.
The column was not written by Calibre, and they had no say in how it was written. While I did receive the standard industry deduction off the puchase price, nothing was discussed between me and Calibre until I had completed the article, and had still not submitted it to them for review. Also, unless a product is an advance on other equipment out there and working to my high standards, I will not spend my own money on it. At its price, the fact that it is the first one out there using the new Silicon Optics Realta chip, and the fact that the other units using the same chip down the road have announced prices significantly higher, it is a true advance on the competition. I have had processors here from Faroudja, IEV, Crystallio, DVDO and Key Digital, and at least in my system, this one beat the crap out of the others.

As you know, the first unis did have some problems and they actually shut down production for severl months to straighten this out. It could be you have one of the early units that need updating at the factory. Maybe you should give them or your dealer a call and see if this is possible.
This reply will also be presented in the Letters section of www.enjoythemusic.com for further comment by the readers.

Bill

NOTE: Since Bill chose to release a PM I emailed him before checking with me, I guess I'll go ahead and post the PM I sent him back earlier today.

Bill,

I appreciate your taking the time to respond. I'm a senior computer scientist who is also a computer network specialist. I've built numerous home computers and I've done formal beta testing for Microsoft for over a decade. I only say this to indicated that I'm not a novice around hardware/software.

Since Calibre doesn't release sales figures, its impossible to know how many units they've sold and how many have "bugs" in the firmware or hardware. I won't accept Tim's comments from Calibre on face value without seeing hard numbers.

I had NO problems with the Vantage at the 1.14 firmware either. Problems only started when I went from 1.1.4 to the latest 1.2.1.

The bottom line question is who has to assume the responsibility everytime things break during these firmware upgrades? I know in large software development projects changes are followed by extensive regression testing to insure that new changes don't damage old functions. I am somewhat suspect about the size of the software staff that Calibre actually has both developing new firmware and fully testing it. It wouldn't surprise me to find out that less than 4 people actually work on the firmware.

My unit came from a new lot in April so I doubt its one of the early units. It just seems from everything I've read that ALL the Realta-based systems are really beta hardware/firmware. The firmware must be extremely complex to program-- and that could be the case if its doing the system OS as well. But with all the Realta-based systems released -- the NEC Theatersync, the Algolith Dragonfly, and the Calibre Vantage HD-- everyone is having fits with the programming-- and no one has said ANYTHING publicly about what the problems are.

While I enjoy beta testing Windows VISTA and other MS products, I don't enjoy beta testing equipment in my home theater system. The products were released too early and Tenarex is not providing sufficient support to the developers on firmware programming.

I'm going to switch over the DVDO VP50 box when its released at the end of September and put my Vantage up for sale at a little over half price. I'm hoping for a more stable existence. With the upcoming release of a Toshiba HD-DVD box putting out 1080p directly, I can feed that into my HP 6580N tv (which accepts 1080p over HDMI) directly without the need for deinterlacing. I think the VP50 will suffice for deinterlacing HD from my Tivo S3 boxes and my Pioneer DVD player.

I wish you better luck with your Vantage than I've had with mine. I just wont accept the fact that I can't constantly upgrade to the latest firmware without new difficulties arising.

Lore

Nedtsc

09-05-06, 06:52 PM

Bob Sorel

09-05-06, 07:00 PM

Thanks, Ned! I ordered four...:)

sta

09-06-06, 04:04 AM

the distribution of the HD SDI kits, seams to be posticipatep of at least 15 days... :( for HW incompatibility.....

rdjam

09-06-06, 04:36 AM

But SD deinterlacing of 480i DVD has been less than stellar in my experience...:(

Ok, so now I can get back to the real reason I am here...:)

rdjam, I can't find the fans you mentioned to be purchased in the USA. Do you know if there are any US distributed equivalents? Though the fan was silent for the longest time, it has now grown so loud as to be overbearing, so if I don't do anything else, I would like to at least replace the fan and add the second one just like you did.
I don't know.

I'll give it a hunt later today - just have to run out for a bit. I'm pretty sure I can find something - She's purring like a kitten now (but quieter) :)

EDIT: Oops, never mind, I read on and see that you found something. Have fun, it's a pretty easy upgrade. Just remember to get a power splitter for the drive power and run both from the original power plug on the board - the other sockets are not what they appear.

TorAtle

09-06-06, 04:45 AM

I'm going to switch over the DVDO VP50 box when its released at the end of September You really are fond of being a beta tester, aren't you...

rdjam

09-06-06, 04:45 AM

The bottom line question is who has to assume the responsibility everytime things break during these firmware upgrades? I know in large software development projects changes are followed by extensive regression testing to insure that new changes don't damage old functions.
Hi Lore,

I'm sorry that the Vantage is not for you. I do think you are being a bit harsh, as I personally think Calibre have worked very hard on this unit for us since it was released. I note also that other HQV units that launched over 6 months later have had just as many issues and less functionality.

Quite often changes to software can inadvertantly affect existing functionality. I've seen it many, many times in the software world (I helped write an Oracle-based Central Res system in 1994, which we have re-written several times.

Unfortunately, this is a niche product, so there aren't thousands of people testing pre-releases for us.

I am very happy overall with this box an Calibre's efforts to meet our requests. Good luck with your new choice though.

Nedtsc

09-06-06, 06:36 AM

rdjam,
Do you have the HDDVD plugged in the Vantage? How do you like the overall PQ?

lorelevitt

09-06-06, 09:20 AM

You really are fond of being a beta tester, aren't you...
Hi TorAtle,

I know even with the last DVDO model, the VP30, there were problems, but I think the VP50 will be a fairly polished product compared the HQV products---we'll see.

sta

09-06-06, 11:22 AM

Hi TorAtle,

I know even with the last DVDO model, the VP30, there were problems, but I think the VP50 will be a fairly polished product compared the HQV products---we'll see.

I won't be so sure, by the way good luck for the new choice ;)

rdjam

09-07-06, 12:46 AM

rdjam,
Do you have the HDDVD plugged in the Vantage? How do you like the overall PQ?
Loving it. Fantastic.

I have my DVHS, SKY HD, HD DVD, HTPC, everything, plugged into it. It does an amazing job on HD sources.

sta

09-07-06, 12:19 PM

1.2.1B is available for downloading. some bugs fixed, nothing else

Zax

09-07-06, 12:35 PM

Version 1.2.1b now on the website for all those who have been waiting patiently for it.

Vantage-HD Firmware Version 1.2.1B

The following issues have been addressed & features added in this version:

• Fixed no video output from component inputs for RGB & RGBs signal formats. Also fixed red/blue swapped for RGB on component inputs

• Fixed aspect ratio resets to “normal” when selecting an HDMI input & the frame rate is set to “auto”.

• Changed the default native modes in the HDMI EDIDs: the native modes are now 480i, 576i, 720p, 1080i & 1080p (formerly only 480i & 576i were defined as native modes by default).

• Restored custom color temperature range to full 10-bits (0-1023).

• Changed the wording of Infra-red remote control options.

• Fixed IRE levels returns to default setting on input change – it is now applied as selected.

• Fixed loss of filter settings after standby.

• Transparent menu functionality restored.

Known Issues

The following issues are known in this version:

• Component input signals can appear in the wrong position. This can be correct by altering the Input window shift (found in Picture Controls -> Picture settings); the settings should read approximately 278 for the horizontal position & 42 (for progressive inputs) or 22 (for interlaced inputs) for the vertical position. This occurs infrequently & once corrected should not cause any further problems.

See you at CEDIA, please do come to booth #738 if only to berate/punish or even chastise us, it would be good to see you! ;)

Off for some tea now,

Cheers,

Zax

cobracalde

09-07-06, 01:07 PM

Zax! What about future firmware release? :)

jukkaforss

09-07-06, 02:05 PM

I updated my calibre to 1.2.1B version and it is better. All my previous problems are fixed, including no picture in Component input using RGB mode.

But there is major new defect, in Component input, calibre will disable CCS correction and CUE correction settings and after that picture is really bad.

Factory reset doesn't fix it.

I downgraded back to 1.1.4c, it is best one yet.

Nedtsc

09-07-06, 03:52 PM

I updated my calibre to 1.2.1B version and it is better. All my previous problems are fixed, including no picture in Component RGB mode.

But there is major new defect, in Component mode, calibre will disable CCS correction and CUE correction settings and after that picture is really bad.

Factory reset doesn't fix it.

I downgraded back to 1.1.4c, it is best one yet.

Are you referring to component input? Have you tried power cycling?

Nedtsc

09-07-06, 03:53 PM

Zax,

What happened to the much anticipated color test generator pattern?

jukkaforss

09-07-06, 04:02 PM

Are you referring to component input? Have you tried power cycling?

Yes I am talking of component input and power cycling is not helping.
When I first enable component input, every this is fine, but after couple of input switches, it will disable CCS and CUE.
Only way to re-enable those settings is delete current one and recreate it and again CCS and CUE will be disabled.

Hopefully next release 1.2.1c fix all 1.2 series problems and it is as good as 1.1.4c.

jukkaforss

09-07-06, 04:04 PM

Zax,

What happened to the much anticipated color test generator pattern?

I think this is only bug fix release and those color test generator patterns will be in next major release.

Nedtsc

09-07-06, 05:14 PM

I think this is only bug fix release and those color test generator patterns will be in next major release.

According to their website it should have been released with 1.2.0.

Nedtsc

09-07-06, 05:15 PM

Yes I am talking of component input and power cycling is not helping.
When I first enable component input, every this is fine, but after couple of input switches, it will disable CCS and CUE.
Only way to re-enable those settings is delete current one and recreate it and again CCS and CUE will be disabled.

Hopefully next release 1.2.1c fix all 1.2 series problems and it is as good as 1.1.4c.

That is bad. I would try one last effort by reflashing the firmware before reverting to 1.1.4c.

lorelevitt

09-07-06, 09:35 PM

I've got a strange problem since upgrading my firmware to 1.2.1b today. The unit no longer responds to IR commands for selecting the channel/input. I have to bring up the full menu on screen scroll to the channel I want and select it there.

Anybody else see the loss of the direct channel select with 1.2.1b?

Lore

Nedtsc

09-08-06, 04:22 AM

Zax

09-08-06, 05:17 AM

lorelevitt

09-08-06, 06:12 AM

Are you referring to discrete code?

yes

lorelevitt

09-08-06, 06:13 AM

Can I ask that users upgrading Vantage-HD to the latest firmware do a factory reset of their box, with no HDMI inputs connected, as the first action after upgrading.

Lore, Jukka, I can't replicate the issues you are seeing, please use the Vantage support email address to confirm the exact input signal type, format & resolution for me.

This latest firmware was delayed whilst it underwent very extensive testing - to eliminate just the sort of issues that you guys have reported - by both expert and novice testers.

See you at CEDIA,

Zax

Hi-- I did do a factory reset with the HDMI inputs disconnected after the firmware upgrade. BTW-- I'm seeing on some sources a "squished" Vantage menu on the screen but the image on the tv behind it is fine. I guess I'm going to revert the firmware to 1.1.4c and see if the discrete codes for channel selection return.

raneil

09-08-06, 06:22 AM

Calibre has removed the new update from their website.

Zax

09-08-06, 06:39 AM

Why was the 1.2.1b update pulled?

Guys, I pulled the 1.2.1b update at 11:00 UK time today.

No point trying to b******t you guys, it seems we put the wrong version up in our haste to get things sorted before we all disappear to CEDIA.

The only issue is in respect of the Remote Control input channel selection - all other functionality is correct and all the fixes in the release notes are correct.

Correct version will appear shortly, my apologies for this monumental ****-up.

If you already have 1.2.1b then you will find that channel selection via the remote is disabled, all other functions are fine. You will need to upgrade to the correct version to restore this functionality.

Jukka, I still can't replicate your issue of the CCS and CUE filters disabling with component input either after input channel change or after standby or after power up/down. We didn't make any changes to this and none of the builds do this by design.

Cheers,

Zax

TorAtle

09-08-06, 06:57 AM

Ho-hum :rolleyes:

jukkaforss

09-08-06, 09:05 AM