Anthem D2/D2v/AVM50/AVM50v/ARC1 tweaking guide

[Bob Pariseau]

When you (or your dealer) get in touch with Anthem about scheduling the upgrade, they'll likely be able to tell you whether they can accept it right away for quick turnaround or whether you should wait to send it until your slot comes up in the queue. That way you can continue using what you have until your slot comes up.

Keep in mind that they don't want a bunch of units sitting around their place awaiting upgrades either.

This is not the first upgrade program Anthem has done, so they have some experience with the logistics on this. The one thing they can never control is what's going on in Customs that might cause delays one or both ways.

*jealousy of folks who live within 10 minutes of the Anthem factory*
--Bob

[gostan]

Originally Posted by jayray

Nick mentioned yesterday that Feb. is likely date for upgrade availability. Given I live 10 min. away from Anthem, I will try to get mine in as soon as they give the go ahead. I could live for a week without my HT
John

John, I knew that I recognized Mississauga, Ontario. You are one lucky D2 Dude!

[Bob Pariseau]

For folks interested in a sneak peak at the AVM 50v manual, I just heard from Nick that there *ISN'T* a separate AVM 50v manual yet.

Apparently all the word-smithing gets done in the D2v draft manual, and the AVM 50v manual is created from the latest D2v manual at the last minute by a set script of edits (unit name, artwork, packing list, specs page, and deleting the references to 192KHz upsampling).

--------------------------------------------------

I've also asked Nick for some help describing the differences between the D2v and the AVM 50v that go towards the price difference and how they impact the A/V quality.

Obviously the addition of ARC to the AVM 50 and the A/V upgrades in the AVM 50v have reduced the gap between the two lines. Nick tells me that despite this, the D2 still handily outsells the AVM 50, and they expect that is likely to continue with the new models. Folks paying this much for an A/V pre-pro want the best they can get, and are, apparently, willing to pay for that even if that costs disproportionately more than the improvements achieved.

The problem of course is that most folks will find it difficult to arrange an actual listening comparison, so they have to go by descriptions.

-----------------------------------------------

One surprise I got, is Nick is now telling me that *ALL* the units with video processors now share the same power supply.

And of course the AVM 50, and AVM 50v now come bundled with ARC so the DSP processing power, calibrated mic, and ARC software are also no longer cost differentiators.

So what still goes into the higher parts cost?

1) Better ADC -- important to folks with analog inputs
2) Better DAC -- this is a biggie for everyone as it is fundamental to analog output quality
3) Better op amps -- also a biggie for everyone
4) Differential circuit on the 6 channel input
5) More expensive passive components
6) Upsampling

Take something like "better DAC". The parts cost difference is not simply a function of the DAC chips. You also have more expensive components surrounding that chip -- in particular high-end capacitors.

Upsampling is the process of converting all digital (and processed analog) audio input to 192KHz/24bit before any of the DSP processing happens. The DACs then take that 192KHz/24bit stream and convert that directly to analog for output.

Upsampling flows through the entire signal path: Faster clocks and chips that are designed to work with those clocks for example, component and signal layout choices designed to expect the higher bandwidth signals, etc. It is not too far off base to consider "upsampling" as a surrogate for ALL of the processing differences between the AVM 50v and the D2v.

So what's with this upsampling stuff anyway? Why does it make a difference? To understand that you need to learn some basic facts about how digital processing of real-world, analog, audio-video signals actually happens.

Here's a post I wrote on that in this thread many moons ago:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...ng#post8079464

And here's a white paper Anthem put up on this subject from back in the Statement D1 era:

http://statement.anthemav.com/HTML/P...SamplingD1.pdf

Anthem uses Burr-Brown upsamplers in the D2 and D2v (expensive). Nick tells me the ADCs are 5x the cost of the regular ones. Dacs and op-amps are 3x the cost. And again this doesn't include the cost of the higher quality components that have to surround them.

Measured with lab equipment, the results are obviously superior, but as is the case with most audiophile stuff, the lab tests are not really relevant. What's relevant is what you can actually hear. And again, as with most audiophile equipment, what you can hear is a function of many things including the quality of the content you are playing, the quality of the equipment surrounding the Anthem pre-pro, and yes, even the degree to which you have trained your own critical listening faculties.

The D2 and D2v are in the "near exotic" class of equipment in my estimation -- and Anthem expects you to pay for that. Such equipment exhibits diminishing returns -- you can pay a lot more for only a little improvement.

As comparison, I would say that folks who added ARC to their original AVM 50 (an incredible bargain of an upgrade) probably got more net return in audio quality than if they had gone from the AVM 50 without ARC to a D2 without ARC.

Right now, I would say the AVM 50v (which comes bundled with ARC) is a real bargain. Nick suggests the same -- saying that if the price gap were to close it would likely be a result more of raising the AVM 50v pricing than of lowering the D2v pricing.

All of this stuff is incredibly hard to sort out. What's really needed is to find a way to compare the two units in actual use. But unfortunately that is not possible for most people due to the dealers simply not keeping demo units in stock.

Anyway, I hope this ramble helps people focus their thinking a bit.

--------------------------------------------------

ETA: Another note from Nick on this is that one of the most impressive things about the D2 (and now the D2v) is that Anthem's listener tests show that the digital audio signal path in the Statement is "transparent".

That is, in a carefully controlled A/B test with high quality content and surrounding equipment, and with speakers set to Large, ARC not in use, etc., so that the digital side has no work to do other than transporting the audio, listeners essentially can not detect whether analog audio input is being digitized by the ADC, upsampled, and then converted back to analog for output by the DAC, as opposed to "Analog Direct" pass through. This transparency of the ADC -> DAC chain in the D2 is crucial because it means that people can, in fact, allow the D2 (or D2v) to digitize their analog sources -- thus enabling value-added processing such as ARC -- without automatically paying a penalty simply for going in and out of the digital stuff.
--Bob

[flavorguy]

As someone with a AVM 50V2 on pre-order, I appreciate describing the difference between it and the D2.

As much as I would love to have the D2, I can sleep a bit better a night with the extra 2K in the checking account...

[Bob Pariseau]

Originally Posted by flavorguy

As someone with a AVM 50V2 on pre-order, I appreciate describing the difference between it and the D2.

As much as I would love to have the D2, I can sleep a bit better a night with the extra 2K in the checking account...

I take it your dealer actually quoted you a price on the AVM 50v? I didn't think dealers had the AVM 50v pricing from Anthem yet. (I.e., we're all kind of guessing it really will be $2k less than the pricing of the D2v, which the dealers DO have on their latest Anthem price sheet.)
--Bob

[facke02]

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

I take it your dealer actually quoted you a price on the AVM 50v? I didn't think dealers had the AVM 50v pricing from Anthem yet. (I.e., we're all kind of guessing it really will be $2k less than the pricing of the D2v, which the dealers DO have on their latest Anthem price sheet.)
--Bob

Bob,

I was at my dealer on Saturday he was talking $2K difference in the AVM50v too. Not sure how true that is...

Also, thanks for the info on the AVM50v... It's at the top of my list, with all the problems and delays with the other pre/pros.

[ninja12]

Ever since I have had ARC, my room gain has always been zero. So, I force it between 2.5 and 3.5. Is that really a bad thing to do since ARC did not automatic create a room gain? I have seen the results of many people's measurements. Some of them look better than mine and some of them do not; but, all of them have room gain. I'm puzzled by that. I guess I will send my ARC File to Anthem Tech Support to see if they can see what's really causing ARC to not generate any room gain for me.

[gblack]

Interesting article on Engadget about Anthem partnering with JVC to provide an HTIB which would presumably contain an AVM or statement pre pro and a JVC projector rebranded under Anthem's brand.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/13...igh-end-htibs/

[Roger Dressler]

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

Upsampling flows through the entire signal path: Faster clocks and chips that are designed to work with those clocks for example, component and signal layout choices designed to expect the higher bandwidth signals, etc. It is not too far off base to consider "upsampling" as a surrogate for ALL of the processing differences between the AVM 50v and the D2v.

Are you saying faster clocks and chips in the D2v vs other products on the market, or in comparison with the AVM50v? Since the AVM50v handles 192kHz audio, I'd expect it to cost the same as the D2v wrt clocks, chips, component and signal layout choices. The D2v may well use 192 kHz all the time as a result of the upsampler, but I would assume the AVM50v has to work equally well when 192 kHz is active.

[Big Tex]

Originally Posted by Roger Dressler

Sorry if this is something you already covered. I found info on your speakers, but have you mentioned the room setup? Might you have an accurate diagram of the room/speakers/seating/mic locations? I'd like to have a look at it.

Thanks for offering to help Roger. I'll take some measurement and pictures tomorrow and post them. This is killing me.

Thanks for offering to assist! Several people have emailed me and offered to help. Thanks to everyone!

[Bob Pariseau]

Originally Posted by ninja12

Ever since I have had ARC, my room gain has always been zero. So, I force it between 2.5 and 3.5. Is that really a bad thing to do since ARC did not automatic create a room gain? I have seen the results of many people's measurements. Some of them look better than mine and some of them do not; but, all of them have room gain. I'm puzzled by that. I guess I will send my ARC File to Anthem Tech Support to see if they can see what's really causing ARC to not generate any room gain for me.

Typically this happens because ARC can not detect the natural Room Gain of your room -- usually because there is a significant dip in the LF/RF response near the crossovers. Since a negative Room Gain makes no sense, ARC uses 0 instead.

Room Gain is a "room response". The difference is that listeners generally react well to retaining the natural Room Gain of their listening room, so it is a DESIREABLE room response. The whole idea is that ARC will try to detect your room's natural Room Gain and retain it, even as ARC is working diligently to eliminate all the UNdesirable room response characteristics of your room.

Lack of Room Gain can make the audio sound a little dead, as in an anechoic chamber. Since it is unlikely you are actually listening in an anechoic chamber, if ARC is using a 0 Room Gain, or a very low Room Gain, it certainly wouldn't hurt to push that up. On the charts, Room Gain shows up as the hump in the target curves near the crossover frequencies.

A lot of folks here are getting Room Gain's in the 3 to 4 dB range. If ARC is finding 0 for your room, then I suggest you try forcing that up a ways and see if you like it better -- 2 to 2.5 dB might be a good place to start. Note that if you have ARC generate separate Movie and Music configurations, then you can force a different Room Gain for each. Some folks think a lower Room Gain is better for Music.

Getting a good match for Room Gain means the audio from your system will sound as natural in your room as other things you hear in the room such as voices from people in the room.
--Bob

[Bob Pariseau]

Originally Posted by Roger Dressler

Are you saying faster clocks and chips in the D2v vs other products on the market, or in comparison with the AVM50v? Since the AVM50v handles 192kHz audio, I'd expect it to cost the same as the D2v wrt clocks, chips, component and signal layout choices. The D2v may well use 192 kHz all the time as a result of the upsampler, but I would assume the AVM50v has to work equally well when 192 kHz is active.

My understanding is that the internals of the AVM 50v run at a lower clock rate than what is used in the D2v.
--Bob

[Bob Pariseau]

Originally Posted by gblack

Interesting article on Engadget about Anthem partnering with JVC to provide an HTIB which would presumably contain an AVM or statement pre pro and a JVC projector rebranded under Anthem's brand.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/01/13...igh-end-htibs/

This should be fun! I'm wondering though if there might be stigma attached to buying a prepackaged bundle like this. Folks might feel they have to turn up their collars or otherwise conceal their faces when leaving the store.
--Bob

[jayray]

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

Typically this happens because ARC can not detect the natural Room Gain of your room -- usually because there is a significant dip in the LF/RF response near the crossovers. Since a negative Room Gain makes no sense, ARC uses 0 instead.

Room Gain is a "room response". The difference is that listeners generally react well to retaining the natural Room Gain of their listening room, so it is a DESIREABLE room response. The whole idea is that ARC will try to detect your room's natural Room Gain and retain it, even as ARC is working diligently to eliminate all the UNdesirable room response characteristics of your room.

Lack of Room Gain can make the audio sound a little dead, as in an anechoic chamber. Since it is unlikely you are actually listening in an anechoic chamber, if ARC is using a 0 Room Gain, or a very low Room Gain, it certainly wouldn't hurt to push that up. On the charts, Room Gain shows up as the hump in the target curves near the crossover frequencies.

A lot of folks here are getting Room Gain's in the 3 to 4 dB range. If ARC is finding 0 for your room, then I suggest you try forcing that up a ways and see if you like it better -- 2 to 2.5 dB might be a good place to start. Note that if you have ARC generate separate Movie and Music configurations, then you can force a different Room Gain for each. Some folks think a lower Room Gain is better for Music.

Getting a good match for Room Gain means the audio from your system will sound as natural in your room as other things you hear in the room such as voices from people in the room.
--Bob

Bob,
Why would ARC give a 3.9 for movies and 0 for music. If it found the room gain for movies, what prevented it from doing the same for music. Recently I have been getting this result. I have moved music to 2.5. It sounds great but I am curious as to why this happens in the same room.
John

[Bob Pariseau]

Originally Posted by jayray

Bob,
Why would ARC give a 3.9 for movies and 0 for music. If it found the room gain for movies, what prevented it from doing the same for music. Recently I have been getting this result. I have moved music to 2.5. It sounds great but I am curious as to why this happens in the same room.
John

Apparently it is using data from the surrounds you include in the Movie configuration but not in the Music configuration.

Or it is a bug in the "test" V1.2.14 stuff. Check your Measured curves for differences between those speakers near the crossover frequencies to see if there really is that much difference. Really the only way to find out whether this is a valid result based on your Measurements is to email the results file to Nick at Anthem.
--Bob

[jayray]

Bob,
I checked the charts and there is no difference in the curve near the crossover points. As we have agreed on before, listening is the true test and it does sound great with a 2.5 forced gain.
John

[Bob Pariseau]

Originally Posted by jayray

Bob,
I checked the charts and there is no difference in the curve near the crossover points. As we have agreed on before, listening is the true test and it does sound great with a 2.5 forced gain.
John

Well my Room Gain with V1.2.14 (Measured using V1.2.13) is about 0.8dB below what V1.2.5 used -- And Music is below Movie although still above 2dB.

And to my eye the Measured curves near the crossover are the same with the V1.2.5 and the V1.2.13 Measurements. So either something has changed in the way they detect Room Gain or there is a bug in the "test" stuff -- Nick has my files.

Nevertheless, I'm using ARC's detected Room Gain values unchanged in V1.2.14 and it sounds awesome, so something right seems to be going on.
--Bob

[ricardofeitoza]

Dear friends

I know that most of people will tell me to go audition these options but i really would appreciate to have your opnion on this.

I m upgrading from a Denon 3808 CI to the D2.

My speakers are all Paradigm Studio series V.4

Front: Studio 100
Center: CC-690
Surrounds: ADP-590

1 Option:Bryston

Get the 9B SST 140Wx5 for the surrounds/Center and the 4B SST 2x300W for the Studios 100.

2 Option:Anthem

Get the A5 225Wx5 for the Surrounds/Center and the A2 for the Studios 100

Questions:

1- What s a better match for the D2 and the Studios?

2- Can the Studio 100 handle the power of the 4B SST because the specs say 210W for the maximum input power and 15-350 for suitable amplifier power range?

3- Can the Surrounds ADP-590 handle the power of the A5 because the specs say 130W for the maximum input power and 15-180 for suitable amplifier power range?


Thanks in advance for all the help

Rick

[jayray]

Originally Posted by ricardofeitoza

Dear friends

I know that most of people will tell me to go audition these options but i really would appreciate to have your opnion on this.

I m upgrading from a Denon 3808 CI to the D2.

My speakers are all Paradigm Studio series V.4

Front: Studio 100
Center: CC-690
Surrounds: ADP-590

1 Option:Bryston

Get the 9B SST 140Wx5 for the surrounds/Center and the 4B SST 2x300W for the Studios 100.

2 Option:Anthem

Get the A5 225Wx5 for the Surrounds/Center and the A2 for the Studios 100

Questions:

1- What s a better match for the D2 and the Studios?

2- Can the Studio 100 handle the power of the 4B SST because the specs say 210W for the maximum input power and 15-350 for suitable amplifier power range?

3- Can the Surrounds ADP-590 handle the power of the A5 because the specs say 130W for the maximum input power and 15-180 for suitable amplifier power range?


Thanks in advance for all the help

Rick

Rick,
I have new studio 100s and a CC-690. My surrounds are PSB dipoles. Fronts run off of A2 and the rest off of A5. Not a problem so far and volume has reached high levels at times. The paradigm surrounds can handle more power than my PSBs so I believe you will be fine. I saw how Paradigm tests speakers and it reduced my concerns immediately. I can't speak for the Bryston as I have no experience with them. I am using the AVM50, but that should be irrelevant for the power concerns to speakers.
John

[~Ohdee~]

Originally Posted by ricardofeitoza

Dear friends

I know that most of people will tell me to go audition these options but i really would appreciate to have your opnion on this.

I m upgrading from a Denon 3808 CI to the D2.

My speakers are all Paradigm Studio series V.4

Front: Studio 100
Center: CC-690
Surrounds: ADP-590

1 Option:Bryston

Get the 9B SST 140Wx5 for the surrounds/Center and the 4B SST 2x300W for the Studios 100.

2 Option:Anthem

Get the A5 225Wx5 for the Surrounds/Center and the A2 for the Studios 100

Questions:

1- What s a better match for the D2 and the Studios?

2- Can the Studio 100 handle the power of the 4B SST because the specs say 210W for the maximum input power and 15-350 for suitable amplifier power range?

3- Can the Surrounds ADP-590 handle the power of the A5 because the specs say 130W for the maximum input power and 15-180 for suitable amplifier power range?


Thanks in advance for all the help

Rick

Rick, I'm running a D2, Paradigm Studio 100v3, CC570, ADP 590v4, Servo 15v2 and a Bryston 9bST. Oh and when I got D2 I just happened to use it to replace the 3808ci!

The Paradigm V3 and V4 speakers are very close. My 9bST is 120 by five where the 9bSST is 140. I don't think you'll have any problems at all with the 9bSST. I've pushed my 9b as far as it will go and haven't damaged my speakers at all. I'm getting a 4bSST as soon as I go to 7.1. (need the D2v upgrade first) Again I don't think blowing the 100v3's will be an issue. I’ll likely blow my ears first.

Now I caught crap for saying this in another thread but Rick, prepare to be wowed. The difference between what you will see and hear with the D2 compared to what you have with the 3808ic is night and day. THAT'S RIGHT I SAID NIGHT AND DAY, WHAT ARE YA GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? That bold stuff wasn't directed towards you Rick. It was meant to rattle the chains of the night and day haters here at AVS. There's a noticeable difference Rick. I was surprised by how noticeable it was. The last time I remember seeing such a noticeable difference in my theater was when I replaced a SD TV with a plasma.

Anyway, it's a real treat and you'll be blown away. In my opinion you'll love the D2 when paired with a Bryston (or two ). I know the 4bSSt is a beast so you may want to be careful taking it up to reference levels but it'll be fantastic. Put it this way, I recently watched The Dark Knight with my 120 x 5 9bST at nine above reference... (beacuse reference levels would be crazy) The soundstage was perfect (in my opinion, compared to what it was) and my ears rung like I was at a rock concert for two hours after. It'll be crazy loud and crazy accurate sounding.

3:10 to Yuma... when the train pulls into (forget the name of the town, it starts with a C) it sounds like a freaking train in pulling into your theater. A big f-ing train!

[CycloneMike]

Originally Posted by ~Ohdee~

I’ll likely blow my ears first.

Blowing speakers is normally due to using underpowered amplifiers that you overdrive into distortion, which damages the speakers.

You are safer having amplifiers that can provide power ratings above the speakers power ratings.

As was said above, with the speakers and equipment you are contemplating using you will most likely damage your ears before you damage the speakers.

You might also want to consider Emotiva, which is an AVSForum advertiser. I have personally not heard them and don't know how they mate with a D2 and Paradigm, but they have received very positive reviews.

[video_bit_bucket]

I have a P5 (325 watt x 5) pushing Studio 100 V3, there is no such thing as too much power, you might not be able to use all the power you have, but that is not too much strictly speaking. Just not cost effective. :-) Pushing an amp too hard and sending a distorted signal to the speaker is the typical cause of speaker damage. Based on what I have read about the amps you mention both would do fine. I listened to a A5 before I bought the P5. The difference was probably more that I wanted the P5 so that I would not have to upgrade if I got some Maggies than any real difference in sound quality. Have never heard the Bryston.

I listened to some Denon units before getting my D1, my money is on you liking the change.

Originally Posted by ricardofeitoza

Dear friends

I know that most of people will tell me to go audition these options but i really would appreciate to have your opnion on this.

I m upgrading from a Denon 3808 CI to the D2.

My speakers are all Paradigm Studio series V.4

Front: Studio 100
Center: CC-690
Surrounds: ADP-590

1 Option:Bryston

Get the 9B SST 140Wx5 for the surrounds/Center and the 4B SST 2x300W for the Studios 100.

2 Option:Anthem

Get the A5 225Wx5 for the Surrounds/Center and the A2 for the Studios 100

Questions:

1- What s a better match for the D2 and the Studios?

2- Can the Studio 100 handle the power of the 4B SST because the specs say 210W for the maximum input power and 15-350 for suitable amplifier power range?

3- Can the Surrounds ADP-590 handle the power of the A5 because the specs say 130W for the maximum input power and 15-180 for suitable amplifier power range?


Thanks in advance for all the help

Rick

[dlynch34]

Originally Posted by CycloneMike

Blowing speakers is normally due to using underpowered amplifiers that you overdrive into distortion, which damages the speakers.

You are safer having amplifiers that can provide power ratings above the speakers power ratings.

As was said above, with the speakers and equipment you are contemplating using you will most likely damage your ears before you damage the speakers.

You might also want to consider Emotiva, which is an AVSForum advertiser. I have personally not heard them and don't know how they mate with a D2 and Paradigm, but they have received very positive reviews.

I have the mps-2 paired with my D2 and I couldnt be happier. Sound is natural and my speakers just sing with it.

[bravo36]

Greetings! New poster on this forum, but avid follower of Anthem AVM 50.

Not sure if this is news to you guys or not, but I just spoke with *_* in Anthem Tech Support, and he indicated that the new software was completed only yesterday. He said that manufacturing of the new units had begun with that completion, and new units should be available within 2-3 weeks.

He also indicated that introductory pricing for the new 50v would be the same as the price for the old 50 for a short time FWIW.

[Bob Pariseau]

Thanks for the info! And welcome to the Cool Kids Thread.


--Bob

[Bob Pariseau]

"Test" ARC V1.2.16 Now Up on the Password Protected Download Page

"Test" ARC version V1.2.16 has now appeared on Anthem's password protected download page. I've no idea what's changed in this one as the release notes don't give any info beyond V1.2.14. (NOTE: V1.2.15 was never offered for download.)

For quick reference, here are the change notes, such as they are, for changes newer than what's in the current "official" ARC version v1.2.5:

Changes:

v1.2.14:

1. Works with D2v.


v1.2.12:

1. Change to how sub crossover frequency is selected to address cases where the sub is a lot closer to the listener than the center channel, causing dialog to be heard from the sub if its crossover was set high enough.

2. More settings available for configurations not using a subwoofer. Note that while the front channels will be set to Large in the setup menu, ARC will still create a low frequency contour on the room correction target based on response at those frequencies. This cutoff frequency, displayed in the Targets panel, is separate from the bass manager's crossover.

3. The Targets panel also has options for setting the processor's bass manager to run channels at full range. These are best left unchecked, especially for surround channels since surround speakers are usually smaller.

4. Selecting Rears for measurement is not allowed if Surrounds are unselected. (In a 5.1 system use Surround channels, not Rears.)

5. Improved measurement at very low frequencies. Since this relates to frequencies below the lowest note on a bass guitar, it may not make a difference depending on existing in-room response.

6. Improved measurement at very high frequencies.

If you have a file measured with a v1.2 ARC release, no remeasurement is necessary to obtain the above. To convert the file format just open the file with the latest version of ARC, calculate, and upload.

For any newbies: "Test" software is unfinished software. Anthem tech support sometimes makes "test" software available to folks dealing with specific problems, or to allow pre-release testing by a wider audience. The password to the site comes from Anthem tech support. "Test" software may contain unpleasant surprises, so you should only use it if directed to do so by Anthem tech support or if you are avidly interested in testing new, and possibly incorrect, software, and understand and accept the risks of doing that.
--Bob

[davidhoenig]

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

David,
I called Harmony support and had them whip me up a set of those 3 key source selectors as additional "input" definitions. Since that brought the list of input selectors to more than 8 I can't go into the input definition page of their configuration stuff myself anymore without losing some, but no matter as its set up correctly now and there's nothing I need to do in that page.

In the activities and the device page, I just reference any of the definitions they've set for me just like referencing the normal inputs (such as the original "DVD" which cycles through the overlayed stuff). I.e., there is now a named "DVD1" (etc.) which results in the correct 3 key code being sent.

This was done by level two support and should be available to them for your use in their database of Harmony 880 stuff for the D2 (which should apply just fine to the One). When you call Harmony support, just let the level one person know that you need some special input selection definitions added (which the level one guys can't do) and ask them to put you in the queue to level two support. Tell level two you need some additional input selection definitions added that each transmit a set of 3 key commands. And let them know that they've already done this for an 880 user for his D2 setup so they can look in the database for "DVD1", "DVD2" etc., and perhaps save themselves some time.

One problem I had was that the first try they did resulted in an "input selection delay" after each transmitted key press, which meant the D2 timed out before it saw all 3 key presses. It is easy to see this happening if you watch the on screen display while trying it. I also had a problem on an Activity change where a power off command for a source device was being transmitted after the first of the input selector keys (as if the input selection was already completed) -- which meant there was a power change delay that happened before the 2nd and 3rd keys -- and again the D2 timed out before seeing them. Again this was easy to see happening on screen (while also keeping an eye on the power down and power up of the sources).

But Harmony level two support is great and they just kept at it until they got it right.

I suggest you have them enter definitions now for ALL of those direct access input selectors for you, even if you only intend to use a few of them at the moment.
--Bob

Bob -

Just wanted to let you know I was finally able to get my Harmony One working. Logitech customer support wasn't really reading my emails thoroughly and it wasn't until I *demanded* they stop wasting both our time and just copy the settings on your account that I got things worked out.

For anyone out there with a Harmony and a D2, just ask them to replicate the device settings from Bob's account and Logitech will do it. You might get some initial pushback, but they will eventually follow your instructions.

Thanks again Bob!
Dave

[muad'dib]

Originally Posted by davidhoenig

Bob -

Just wanted to let you know I was finally able to get my Harmony One working. Logitech customer support wasn't really reading my emails thoroughly and it wasn't until I *demanded* they stop wasting both our time and just copy the settings on your account that I got things worked out.

For anyone out there with a Harmony and a D2, just ask them to replicate the device settings from Bob's account and Logitech will do it. You might get some initial pushback, but they will eventually follow your instructions.

Thanks again Bob!
Dave

Just tried this version, and ran into an error while uploading my settings to my D1

It get's all the way thru, then, just at end when it verifies everything, I get an error message..

Tried several time with no luck..

Going back to xx.14 version for now...

Fun anyway...

[Bob Pariseau]

Dave,
I'm glad you got your Harmony One working! I didn't even know you could deal with them by email.

For anyone else with Harmony issues, I recommend you find a time when you can set aside a couple hours and CALL them. There will be a short discussion with level one (who can't really handle most D2 related issues), then they'll put you in the phone queue with level two -- which may take a few minutes, and then you'll be on the phone with a human who really can help you.

I've dealt with their level two people many times over the years and they have been great. There's actually another level of people beyond them who can program completely custom database changes, but you don't get on the phone with them. Once you are in phone contact with level two they will stay on with you as long as necessary -- even while you update the remote and test it. Or if they have to get the programmers to whip up something special for you they will call you back when it is ready to try.

Supposedly all the fixes they gen up for customers using specific devices will find their way into the database entries for those devices, but I don't know how long that takes. And to get the latest database entry you have to delete the device from your configuration and enter it afresh -- which can be a nuisance if you've got custom stuff you have set up. But level two can pull over the key codes from the latest database entry for you one at a time so you don't have to do that.
--Bob

[Krops]

To take advantage of the new ARC release, do I need to remeasure? I have measurement data from 1.2.5. The release notes indicate no but wanted to double-check. Thanks.