3D Theatre - VIP Product Thread - Page 41

Hello Ronomy,

Yes, I can do 3D through a Home Theater PC without the VIP Theater, I use the VIP Theater for my game systems and sat which don't keep shifting inversion when in SBS 3D mode.

Did they also send firmware for your Displayer? If not, that bites. I expected that it would be the other way around: new firmware for the Displayer, and Theater owners would be the ones still waiting.

He is hoping to send me Displayer firmware this evening. And yes you are correct, Theater owners should be the ones waiting...Har!

It appears the installation package is not complete in any case. There is a SIUSBXP.dll needed in the same directory as the firmware update .exe and it was not included (nor is it in the driver install package). This isn't a matter of updating the C++ libraries. I use a VideoForge VideoEQ Pro, and it uses the same SIUSB drivers and .dll for external control and firmware updates via USB.

That was just as well as I received a call from Jonathan, they did further testing with the firmware upgrade and it caused a video glitch on the newest PS3 in their lab. He will send me the corrected firmware which I will repost after trying it on my Displayer. The required missing .dlls will also be packaged.

Keep in mind this will only provide 5.1 audio, 7.1 will not be possible in the current hardware form of the Displayer/Theater do to memory chip size. We will be able to do a hardware upgrade exchange when that becomes available for future enhancement. Those whose AVRs already switch HDMI 3D through their existing ports should still 7.1 capable. It's only those of us that have somewhat older AVRs that don't pass 3D that really need the firmware change for multichannel audio.

I am going to try to delete my post so others will not be wasting time with the earlier attachments.

Received the beta version 1.3 for the firmware upgrade for the Displayer this evening and successfully upgraded it from 1.0 to 1.3. Tomorrow morning I will recable my system and see if 5.1 audio and normal video remain intact. All required files were packaged and the instruction set needs to followed exactly to avoid possible firmware corruption. The steps are in numerical order.

If all goes well, I will get the OK from Jonathan to upload the files to the Displayer thread. I have the Theater files as well but need to confirm and make sure one of the other users isn't testing the Theater versions.

If not, will upload the Theater files to the Theater thread for your use.

Their website isn't ready for upgrades like this so I'm volunteering my efforts.

Does the new firmware fix any bugs?

Thank you very much for those efforts!

The only bug was the 2-channel audio limitation in version 1.0 but that is dependent on where the VIP product is placed in the signal stream. If you installed after the AVR and you are already decoding 7.1 audio then you don't need to do anything.

Next on my firmware upgrade wishlist:

- "Sensio"-style autodetect for SbS/TnB
- Support for individual L/R output to enable dual VIPs/projectors!

Auto detect works with Directv now! Cable doesn't for some reason.

Get Directv.

'cause twc/comcast are still using 1.3 boxes.

I am happy to report successful testing of firmware version 1.3.

Unfortunately the file size exceeds the 500k limit for uploading to this forum.
PM me which version (Displayer/Theater) you need and I will send them to you direct from my email account.

I also recommend you copy & paste the instructions from this thread to perform the upgrade.

A couple problems I encountered and they were on MY end, was a setting in the Sony BD player was preventing 5.1 to the AVR. In my case I discovered in the audio setting "BD audio Mix setting ON", don't know why that was enabled but after setting it to OFF all was fine. So if you run across a multichannel problem...check those settings!

Also, as mentioned in Jonathan's instructions below, you may notice facial discolorations, adjust Duty Cycle settings to clean those up. I initially had 1.5 bars and increase to 2.5 bars and got normal facial color on the Samsung DLP.

Another interesting thing is my display is reporting that I'm receiving 1080p/24/3D. In my Tron 3D the preview scenes like from Pirates of the Carribbean show up 720/60 but the main movie changes to 1080P/24. Let us know if you get the same results.

INSTRUCTIONS:
From Jonathan,

Gents,

One of you was successfully able to upgrade the firmware on the Displayer and get 5.1 Audio support. You may notice a discolouration in the image after having re-booted the system. This only means that you will need to adjust the duty cycle on the RF glasses to the new settings. You might have to increase the bar from 1 - 1.5 to 2.5 or so! I have included this in the instructions below.


HENCE, THE ABOVE IS GOOD TO GO! DO PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED BELOW ARE FORWARDED ALONG, WHEN YOU DO DISTRIBUTE IT AROUND.


Thanks for your cooperation and all the best.

I am providing you with the following zip files:

1- 3DDisplayer_upgrade_VER13_BETA

2- 3DTheatre_upgrade_VER13_BETA

3- VIP DRIVER



Please note that the Displayer upgrade is for 3D-Displayer and Theatre is for 3D-Theatre. The same Driver (3rd attachment) will function for both upgrades.



Do please remove any/all previous VIP firmware upgrade files from your computer to avoid confusion. THIS IS A BETA VERSION and your support in confirming its proper functionality is appreciated before making it public.



CAUTION:

1- Do not unplug the converter while you are in the process of upgrading your firmware.

2- Do not install Displayer firmware on 3D-Theatre or vice versa. The results may corrupt the whole firmware.



In order to install the new firmware to upgrade your converter to support 5.1 AUDIO format, please follow the said steps:

1- Extract VIP DRIVER and save contents to a VIP DRIVER FOLDER on your computer

2- Extract 3D Theatre or 3D Displayer and save contents to a 3D THEATRE or 3D DISPLAYER FOLDER on your computer

3- Install VIP DRIVER file by executing USBXpressInstaler

4- Connect your converter box to the computer via a USB cable

5- Make sure the POWER light goes on

6- Go to 3D THEATRE or 3D DISPLAYER folder and execute the VIP_Theatre_unreleased _V13_BETA_.exe or VIP_Displayer_unreleased_V13_BETA_.exe

7- You will then be asked to confirm update. Hit OK

8- Update shall commence and at the end you will receive a message that the update was successfully loaded.

9- Your new version should be 1.3

You are now ready to remove the converter and plug it to your setup to test 5.1 AUDIO support.

Do please make sure you turn your player off and restart the whole system.

Do please go to your player audio menu and reset it to HDMI - AUTOMATIC and you should see the following:



AUDIO OUTPUT FORMATS:



1- Dolby Digital 5.1 ch

2- DTS 5.1 ch

3- AAC

4- Stereo 2 ch 44.1 KHz

5- Stereo 2 ch 88.2 KHz

6- Stereo 2 ch 176.4 KHz

7- Sterio 2 ch 48 KHz


You may notice a discolouration in the image. If you do, please readjust the duty cycle on your glasses to get the correct colouration. As a hint, if you were running it around 1 - 1.5 bars, you may have to now increase it to 2.5 bars.


If you are successful (as we have been) in upgrading and testing with the said results, you may post it for others to access and upgrade. Do please make sure that the entire email with instructions and cautions is listed to avoid undesired outcomes. Any questions, please email me.


All the best and cheers!

Was able to have adequate file space at: www.curtpalme.com

So you can do direct downloads of the VIP Theater/Displayer firmware update if desired.

They are located at this link:

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=52

Just a quick question.

Can the VIP 3D Theater be used with the Sharp LC-70LE732U?

Thanks.

A quick glance through the specs it appears that it would work. 120hz capable which is a plus for image quality. Use with RF glasses for best image optimization. Some of the menu items like "motion enhancement" may need to tweaked in case of any issues. This is just a best guess.

If you have any difficult issues as long as a best attempt to make it work, VIP will be reasonably liberal with you as a return if it can't be solved.

I did not find the VIP Theater firmware update download link at the Curt Palme site. Does anyone know where I can get it?

Hello I have installed my VIP-Theater into my Home theater, a little break down of my Home Theater Fist

I run a CIH (Constant Image Height) environment.

The HT consits of:

- HTPC windows 7-64bit Ultimate
- EVGA Nvidia 430 HDMI 1.4a video
- 4gigs ram
- HDAV 1.3 Deluxe sound card -- running 7.1 analog
- VIP-Theater 3D + RF Emitter
- VP50 Video Scaler running 1.09 firmware
- Sonly VPL 50 1080p projector + ISCO III lens
- Screen 144" (12 feet wide) 235:1 aspect ratio screen


Software player: TMT5 set to use Blu-Ray 3D always -- environment set to 3D Vision.

How I am using the VIP-Theater unit:

HTPC output 1080p/24hz (set to 3DHD) -> input VIP-Theater 3D
VIPTheater 3D output to my VP50 scaler.

Just FYI -- OSD shows VP50 input is 720p/60 --> i then scale to 1080p/60

The output is pure 3D !! works great -- however i have some ghosting issues...but i think this is polarity -- or possible delay changes i need on the glasses -- more on this later.

I need the ability to expand to 235:1 so my ISCO III lens works properly for instance playing Reident Evil 3D -- this is a 235:1 movie -- I needed the ability for my VP50 to still do what it does for normal blu-ray ie: provide me with 235:1 aspect ratio that my ISCO III lens then works with -- and the results are WORKS PERFECTLY with this arrangement -- so I not only can scale to 1080p but i can also use my 235:1 aspect ratio and etc..

Now my only draw back is ghosting. flicker is nearly non-existent on my VPL50 as i display to my screen. There is some, but it is minor, not that much different then using my Panasonic VT25 - 3D plasma shows with its glasses.

However i have ghosting. Now this could be polarity, or delay or cycle ??

I am going to try switching polarity first, and then get into delay changes with the glasses?

BTW -- has anyone have experience with the Bit-Caldron BCS500 USB utility program? i have a copy and i am wondering would i have to run a second USB cable from the emitter itself to alter and use the program / util?

Right now i have a single cable going from the VIP-Theater 3D unit to my HTPC to provide power, works fine, and the emitter is connected of course via the sync cable, but i do not run a second USB cable.

I have not tested this yet, just obtained the program, but could the program pass through the VIP-Theater and affect the emitter? or more likly i need a second usb cable?

Also does the emitter have to be placed in to adjustment mode with the emitter joystick? or the USB software need not concern with this it can still alter the emitter without placing the emitter in the mode?

So far the setup is really intersting, i am not sure yet about the ghosting issue, if anyone has issues with ghosting and what they did i would like to hear some tweaks?

So far CIH and the Theater and my VP50 all live nicely together, and i can get 1080p/60 and still see 3D so it looks very promising.

thank you for litening
Charles

Sounds like a great setup! Nice to hear someone has a CIH arrangement and that it's working ok.

You will need to run a separate usb to the tranceiver to use the control utility, I don't believe the VIP will pass it through to the software. The good news is, once the unit is set up it's usually good-to-go, so you probably won't need to mess with it again. IIRC, the software takes control of the unit, so I don't think you'll need to manually enter fine-tune mode.

The polarity won't have any effect on ghosting; it just switches left & right. Use the duty cycle & delay settings.

How about for Panasonic PT-AE4000U? Any thoughts? Thank you.

Never mind. I found the answer on your post #283. Thank you SgtVideo.

Delay has the greatest effect for ghosting but it can have some interaction with duty cycle. So if you change duty cycle after setting delay first you might have to touch up delay again.

I usually make the adjustment with the main movie screen where it asks to play move, special features and other stuff. I like using the text characters to tune out any ghosting, after that everything else looks fine.


To enter adjustment mode:

Hold jstick to left until the 2nd LED lights, release, after that moving jstick up/down increases/decreases "delay. Jstick adjusted L/R increases/decreases "duty cycle".

When your satisfied with those settings, do not move jstick anymore and it will return to normal mode after a 2minute timeout.

So, again, start with delay then duty cycle. Notice that duty cycle affects brightness levels, so find the compromise that results in the best visual effect.

As far as polarity, if it is wrong you will lose 3D depth. A quick test for comparison if you suspect that, is take off the glasses and view through them upside down, in effect swapping lenses between eyes. If depth is noticably improved then do a polarity change.

I'm looking at them right now with that link, they are near the top around the "stickys". 4th and 5th thread down from top.

http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=52

I found the Driver and the VIP Displayer update in this entry "Sticky: VIP Displayer Firmware Update v1.3", but not the VIP Theater?

Well it was there when I replied to you earlier and now has since disappeared. I sent a msg. to Kal at Curt Palme to found out why it's gone.

In the meantime just PM with the email address you want the attachment sent to. In your subject line state that you want the VIP Theater firmware update.

Hope this helps.

Ooops - my mistake. I saw two threads with the same subject so I figured you had mistakenly posted it twice and nuked one. Put it back up if you don't mind and I'll make it a sticky. Sorry about that!

Kal

Ha...will do!

Thanks for the help guys.

As i'm about to order the 3D-Theater/RF, I cannot find any comments on using this with an CRT projector...

My setup with an Marquee 8500 Ultra, upgraded with HDMI (Moome add-on), HD-144 lenses and the special P43 green tube for stereoscopic 3D.

Source path: HDTV via fiberoptic cable network, Tvix M6500 > Onkyo TX-NR905 (Revo HQV).

Can this combo work out with the VIP?