AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › Home Theater Computers › Official Ceton Echo Extender Info Thread
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Official Ceton Echo Extender Info Thread - Page 218  

post #6511 of 7721
3/10/13 at 9:17am
The last two firmwares strongly display the 29/59 frame rate problem for me. All my premium channels stutter. I went with an extender to avoid the 29/59 frame rate issue, but it appears I have been mislead. Setting to Native is the best case which is barely watchable. This plus the speed up and slow down on 1080p H.264 MP4.

Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #6512 of 7721
3/10/13 at 9:28am
If it got worse than before, it should be "fixable" with f/w it would seem but I wonder if the SoC is up to task? The GT 430 in my HTPC struggles with this but does a better job than intel HD2000 does.
post #6513 of 7721
3/10/13 at 9:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by xnappo View Post

I will just say that this is not my experience (re: number of files with such encoding), and that the current XBMC ARM boxes have no problem with these files.

xnappo

[EDIT] Just because it annoys me when people tell me something is not a problem and I am doing it wrong - every Android device in my house (and there are a lot) can play it just fine - including the 1st generation Galaxy Tab 10". I don't think it is unreasonable to expect a 2012 device to support all x264 encode settings.

I'm not saying it isn't a problem. I agree that it should support it. I just don't think it is likely that it will, at least not in the near future.

I'm also curious about the files that you're referring to... Are any of them using 16 ref-frames? Do your ARM boxes play those? And what is the source of the files that you're having trouble with?
post #6514 of 7721
3/10/13 at 11:18am
It appears to have gotten worse. However, I don't have older recordings from these channels to compare. HBO and others can also have really bad weeks or months on Comcast. The severity of the 29/59 frame rate issue in the content can change. Right now all premium channels have this issue. It could be a DRM / Playready issues with the Echo too.
post #6515 of 7721
3/10/13 at 5:17pm
Anyone having issues where it's freezing when you try to play recorded shows? I sometimes can get it to work by resetting but lately even that isn't working.
post #6516 of 7721
3/10/13 at 7:33pm
To any JP1 users out there, I just posted THIS upgrade for the Echo. I built it according to THESE pronto hex codes published by Ceton. It should work, but I don't have an Echo to test myself, so no guarantees.

Xnappo, if you see this post will you give it a try and let me know if it works? The pronto hex decodes as device 52.15, which struck me as a little odd, but that's what I used.
Edited by mdavej - 3/10/13 at 7:45pm
post #6517 of 7721
3/10/13 at 8:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej View Post

To any JP1 users out there, I just posted THIS upgrade for the Echo. I built it according to THESE pronto hex codes published by Ceton. It should work, but I don't have an Echo to test myself, so no guarantees.

Xnappo, if you see this post will you give it a try and let me know if it works? The pronto hex decodes as device 52.15, which struck me as a little odd, but that's what I used.
Just a few observations...

1. If Ceton is using RC6, they must be ignoring the toggle bit as they're only including 1 of 2 codes for each button (every other time you press the same button, the toggle bit switches between 0 and 1, which results in a different IR code being sent). In theory, there should be a pair of Pronto codes starting with 0000 for each command in order to properly cover the toggle bits. If the Echo is ignoring the toggle bit, this isn't overly important. If the Echo is paying attention to the toggle bit, then this would be important.

2. The carrier frequency, the second word in each code (0071, 0072, or 0073 in the codes they published), ought to be the same for all the buttons. Usually the IR receiver has some tolerance for deviation built in, but if they're publishing the codes, they really ought to clean them up and make them all consistent.
post #6518 of 7721
3/10/13 at 9:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shortcut3d View Post

It appears to have gotten worse. However, I don't have older recordings from these channels to compare. HBO and others can also have really bad weeks or months on Comcast. The severity of the 29/59 frame rate issue in the content can change. Right now all premium channels have this issue. It could be a DRM / Playready issues with the Echo too.

I've been seeing the same thing here all along on EncoreHD (I don't get any other movie channels). Xbox looks fine, but Echo looks bad (motion is unwatchable). Ceton just keeps telling me to try their newest firmware.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bellagiofan View Post

Anyone having issues where it's freezing when you try to play recorded shows? I sometimes can get it to work by resetting but lately even that isn't working.

I've had a few freezes, and one video dropout (audio still present) on this latest beta firmware. Didn't see these issues in prior firmware. Looks like a step backward in overall stability.

I'm increasingly concerned that each update is less and less of an improvement. If you keep closing the door halfway, you'll never actually close the door. Are we ever going to get there, to where we were led to believe this product would be? If this thing would just deliver the baseline of extender capability - simple playback of recorded and live tv without flaw - I would not be checking this forum so often and dogging Ceton. But they are the ones that promised an extender, plus some.
post #6519 of 7721
3/11/13 at 7:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej View Post

Xnappo, if you see this post will you give it a try and let me know if it works? The pronto hex decodes as device 52.15, which struck me as a little odd, but that's what I used.

Hi Dave - I am just using 'Windows Media Center v2' from here:

http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload.php?action=file&file_id=6185

Works fine. I just added the discrete off command to it.

Main difference between the two is the 'Protocol Parms' - yours has 'ProtocolParms=52 15', the WMC one has 'ProtocolParms=4 15'.

xnappo
Edited by xnappo - 3/11/13 at 7:40am
post #6520 of 7721
3/11/13 at 7:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by xnappo View Post

Hi Dave - I am just using 'Windows Media Center v2' from here:

http://www.hifi-remote.com/forums/dload.php?action=file&file_id=6185

Works fine. I just added the discrete off command to it.

Main difference between the two is the 'Protocol Parms' - yours has 'ProtocolParms=52 15', the WMC one has 'ProtocolParms=4 15'.

xnappo
Thanks. So does my version with 52.15 actually work on an Echo?
post #6521 of 7721
3/11/13 at 7:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Harper View Post

I have the same thing except mine also has that extremely annoying digital "chirp/pop" in the audio when it's resumed from FF/RW. I'm on the latest beta, anyone know a quick fix before I submit a ticket or return this? My 360 smokes the doors off this thing as far as PQ, speed, stability, etc.!

Thanks for any help!
Dave

I had this problem too. Your the first person I've seen online who also heard the *click* and *pop* sounds while *skipping*. It would also occasionally do it for me when moving in and out of WMC menus, and when coming out on FastForwad/Rewind, but mostly skipping forward/backward.

I think it has to do with what audio signal (type) the echo sends to your AVR, and may also have to do with how the AVR changes *listening modes* based on that Echo input signal.

I had an Onkyo TX-SR606, and this drove me nuts. I didn't open a ticket, because I knew I wanted to upgrade the AVR. I bought an onkyo TX-NR809 about 4 weeks ago, but hadn't had a chance to install it until this weekend. Haven't used the echo a WHOLE LOT since I got the new AVR in, but from what use I have had, i haven't heard the speakers *pop* once. Fingers crossed that the issue is resolved for myself... Will post back if I hear it at all tonight.
post #6522 of 7721
3/11/13 at 8:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej View Post

Thanks. So does my version with 52.15 actually work on an Echo?

Okay - I can take a hint biggrin.gif Got up off my butt and broke out the JP1 cable.

Yes - it works just as well as the other one - not sure what the technical difference is.

xnappo
Edited by xnappo - 3/11/13 at 8:29am
post #6523 of 7721
3/11/13 at 8:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by psuKinger View Post

I had this problem too. Your the first person I've seen online who also heard the *click* and *pop* sounds while *skipping*. It would also occasionally do it for me when moving in and out of WMC menus, and when coming out on FastForwad/Rewind, but mostly skipping forward/backward.

I think it has to do with what audio signal (type) the echo sends to your AVR, and may also have to do with how the AVR changes *listening modes* based on that Echo input signal.

I had an Onkyo TX-SR606, and this drove me nuts. I didn't open a ticket, because I knew I wanted to upgrade the AVR. I bought an onkyo TX-NR809 about 4 weeks ago, but hadn't had a chance to install it until this weekend. Haven't used the echo a WHOLE LOT since I got the new AVR in, but from what use I have had, i haven't heard the speakers *pop* once. Fingers crossed that the issue is resolved for myself... Will post back if I hear it at all tonight.

I'll hear a slight 'chirp' on occasion when I'm idling on some screens, but it's never associated with ff or rw. Overall my experience continues to improve, I think with the latest update it's on par with the xbox from an experience standpoint aside from some occasional very brief deinterlacing artifacts. No crashes in quite some time.
post #6524 of 7721
3/11/13 at 9:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by xnappo View Post

Okay - I can take a hint biggrin.gif Got up off my butt and broke out the JP1 cable.

Yes - it works just as well as the other one - not sure what the technical difference is.

xnappo
Thanks. Sorry for bugging you so much (not really) tongue.gif

I'm trying to figure out why some MCE type remotes work with Echo and others don't. If you look at that device byte in hex, Microsoft remotes are typically 04, as you discovered. Echo is 34 and Xbox Media is 74. So Echo seems to respond to all 3, yet not to some others.
post #6525 of 7721
3/11/13 at 9:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavej View Post

Thanks. Sorry for bugging you so much (not really) tongue.gif

I'm trying to figure out why some MCE type remotes work with Echo and others don't. If you look at that device byte in hex, Microsoft remotes are typically 04, as you discovered. Echo is 34 and Xbox Media is 74. So Echo seems to respond to all 3, yet not to some others.

I'm not aware of any official WMC remotes which don't work with Echo - do you have an example of one? There's at least one non-official remote we are aware of that doesn't work, but it is not using the standard WMC IR protocol and that is why (it comes with its own IR receiver)
post #6526 of 7721
3/11/13 at 10:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by erickotz View Post

I'm not aware of any official WMC remotes which don't work with Echo - do you have an example of one? There's at least one non-official remote we are aware of that doesn't work, but it is not using the standard WMC IR protocol and that is why (it comes with its own IR receiver)
The one in question is Inteset. It works with xbox but apparently not with Echo. I understand Ortek and the like won't work because they use a completely different protocol.

Can you shed any light on how that device byte is handled by Echo, i.e., does it care what the value is, or is there a certain range of values it accepts besides the 3 I've posted so far?
post #6527 of 7721
3/11/13 at 11:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shortcut3d View Post

Please add your experience to the bug tracker and open a ticket.

http://tracker.cetoncorp.com/issues/572
Quote:
Originally Posted by shortcut3d View Post

Please add your experience to the bug tracker and open a ticket.

http://tracker.cetoncorp.com/issues/572
Quote:
Originally Posted by shortcut3d View Post

Please add your experience to the bug tracker and open a ticket.

http://tracker.cetoncorp.com/issues/572
Quote:
Originally Posted by shortcut3d View Post

Please add your experience to the bug tracker and open a ticket.

http://tracker.cetoncorp.com/issues/572

I think he wants you to open a ticket... tongue.gif
post #6528 of 7721
3/11/13 at 11:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by psuKinger View Post

I had this problem too. Your the first person I've seen online who also heard the *click* and *pop* sounds while *skipping*. It would also occasionally do it for me when moving in and out of WMC menus, and when coming out on FastForwad/Rewind, but mostly skipping forward/backward.

I think it has to do with what audio signal (type) the echo sends to your AVR, and may also have to do with how the AVR changes *listening modes* based on that Echo input signal.

I had an Onkyo TX-SR606, and this drove me nuts. I didn't open a ticket, because I knew I wanted to upgrade the AVR. I bought an onkyo TX-NR809 about 4 weeks ago, but hadn't had a chance to install it until this weekend. Haven't used the echo a WHOLE LOT since I got the new AVR in, but from what use I have had, i haven't heard the speakers *pop* once. Fingers crossed that the issue is resolved for myself... Will post back if I hear it at all tonight.

I wasn't using an avr. Echo straight to TV's HDMI input. I was mistaken too in that it only does it on the one echo I have so I swapped it with the one in the bedroom and all is fine, but the chirping followed the unit to the bedroom so I believe a return is in order.

Someone talk me out of returning this whole rig (2 hdhr primes and 2 echos) and going with the new TiVo minis with a Premiere 4!!! I don't know about you guys but the echo is well below the quality of the 360 slim picture wise. I have both and do side by side comparisons. And no I don't want to go back to using 360s except in the kids playroom for obvious reasons. Any hint at ALL when android may come and if this will even improve picture quality on this half baked thing? Maybe this'll end up being a jack of all trades, master of none?!?!?!
post #6529 of 7721
3/11/13 at 11:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by th3Pil0t View Post




I think he wants you to open a ticket... tongue.gif

Obviously I had a browser problem. Tried to clean it up, but I think the admin got to it.

Either way, yes a ticket is the best way to track bugs for Ceton.
post #6530 of 7721
3/11/13 at 2:17pm
Thanks to @xnappo, @Dave Harper, and @Sammy2 for the disussion of what "combing" is vs. "ghosting."

Now I understand that combing refers to the effect where the image looks like it's split up into little stripes, as if someone had run a comb over it (as on sand).

Man, there are a lot of ways for an image to get messed up! Sometimes it amazes me that our equipment works as well as it does, as often as it does...

Much appreciated!
post #6531 of 7721
3/11/13 at 3:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Harper View Post

I wasn't using an avr. Echo straight to TV's HDMI input. I was mistaken too in that it only does it on the one echo I have so I swapped it with the one in the bedroom and all is fine, but the chirping followed the unit to the bedroom so I believe a return is in order.

Someone talk me out of returning this whole rig (2 hdhr primes and 2 echos) and going with the new TiVo minis with a Premiere 4!!! I don't know about you guys but the echo is well below the quality of the 360 slim picture wise. I have both and do side by side comparisons. And no I don't want to go back to using 360s except in the kids playroom for obvious reasons. Any hint at ALL when android may come and if this will even improve picture quality on this half baked thing? Maybe this'll end up being a jack of all trades, master of none?!?!?!

OK now the audio is doing some electronic stuttering when coming out of many various actions like FF Rwd starting a show etc and the only way to get it back in sync is to pause then play. Sometimes it takes a few tries. Definitely something wrong with this one. I'm opening a ticket and returning and/or exchanging this unit. My living room unit also froze up last night on my daughter and I got pink, blue, grey, etc video blocks all over with no picture and a VERY loud electronic buzz until power was recycled and rebooted. I'll keep an eye on that one too!

P.S. -You're welcome JorgeA! smile.gif
post #6532 of 7721
3/11/13 at 4:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Harper View Post

OK now the audio is doing some electronic stuttering when coming out of many various actions like FF Rwd starting a show etc and the only way to get it back in sync is to pause then play. Sometimes it takes a few tries.
I have that problem once in a while too but it hasn't happened recently. Most of the time it starts when I first tune a channel, but sometimes it begins after it plays for a while. It only seems to happen on premium channels. I posted an audio recording here.
post #6533 of 7721
3/11/13 at 8:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dabretty View Post

I've been seeing the same thing here all along on EncoreHD (I don't get any other movie channels). Xbox looks fine, but Echo looks bad (motion is unwatchable). Ceton just keeps telling me to try their newest firmware.
I've had a few freezes, and one video dropout (audio still present) on this latest beta firmware. Didn't see these issues in prior firmware. Looks like a step backward in overall stability.

I'm increasingly concerned that each update is less and less of an improvement. If you keep closing the door halfway, you'll never actually close the door. Are we ever going to get there, to where we were led to believe this product would be? If this thing would just deliver the baseline of extender capability - simple playback of recorded and live tv without flaw - I would not be checking this forum so often and dogging Ceton. But they are the ones that promised an extender, plus some.

Ceton support responded that there are no issues in my two Echo diagnostics I sent today. They also asserted the Echo is immune to the 29/59 frame rate issue. Ceton cited a Microsoft kb article http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2658140

I'm thinking the issue is with HDCP given other posts and my experience with Sony XBR where the copy protected recordings will lose audio requiring an Echo restart.
post #6534 of 7721
3/11/13 at 8:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken.F View Post

I have that problem once in a while too but it hasn't happened recently. Most of the time it starts when I first tune a channel, but sometimes it begins after it plays for a while. It only seems to happen on premium channels. I posted an audio recording here.

Yep that's how mine sounds but with some added metallic chirps and burps thrown in for good measure biggrin.gif
post #6535 of 7721
3/12/13 at 9:20am
Deleted.
Edited by th3Pil0t - 3/12/13 at 10:30am
post #6536 of 7721
3/14/13 at 8:56am
Wow...it's quiet...too quiet...

Time for a F/W update...
post #6537 of 7721
3/14/13 at 9:01am
Motz (James) posted on TGB that their would be a new blog (State of the Echo #4?) coming soon. I think that maybe it is the android announcement which might be a pretty big upgrade to more than f/w which probably is what is taking so long.
Edited by Sammy2 - 3/14/13 at 9:20am
post #6538 of 7721
3/14/13 at 9:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Motz (James) posted on TGB that their would be a new blog (State of the Echo #4?) coming soon. I think that maybe it is the android announcement which might be a pretty big upgrade to more than f/w which probably is what is taking so long.

Sweet...I guess it's hard to gauge how long 'soon' is though...

Edit: By the tone of his post, I would predict tomorrow or next week some time. Maybe they decided that a monthly 'State of the Echo' release was a good idea...
Edited by th3Pil0t - 3/14/13 at 10:46am
post #6539 of 7721
3/14/13 at 11:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by th3Pil0t View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Motz (James) posted on TGB that their would be a new blog (State of the Echo #4?) coming soon. I think that maybe it is the android announcement which might be a pretty big upgrade to more than f/w which probably is what is taking so long.

Sweet...I guess it's hard to gauge how long 'soon' is though...

Edit: By the tone of his post, I would predict tomorrow or next week some time. Maybe they decided that a monthly 'State of the Echo' release was a good idea...

If the past is any barometer or the future, it will be a while..
post #6540 of 7721
3/14/13 at 12:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

If the past is any barometer or the future, it will be a while..

It might not even be about the Echo. Who knows. I have the feeling we are months away from getting anything we can test, which is fine. I'm actually thinking about "cutting the cord" soon and all that I'll watch from there forward is Netflix, Hulu, and movies. I'll probably ebay all my older extenders and my two Ceton infinitv's, but I might keep the Echo just in case it eventually adds Hulu and Netflix.
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Home Theater Computers
This thread is locked  

Gear mentioned in this thread:

AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › Home Theater Computers › Official Ceton Echo Extender Info Thread