Anthem D2/D2v/AVM50/AVM50v/ARC1 tweaking guide - Page 490

Bob,
Great, sounds very easy. Hope I can try it.
John

Got More than One ARC Mic? *** WORRIES! *** (New Information!)

I previously reported that ARC would not let you accidentally use the wrong ARC mic if you happen to have more than one; that if you happen to accidentally plug in an ARC mic which is not matched by serial # with the ARC licensing and calibration files specific to the D2 currently attached on the serial cable that ARC would act as if NO microphone was connected. And thus ARC wouldn't let you make such a mistake.

***** THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT! *****

It turns out, the correct information is that ARC only checks to see if the attached microphone identifies itself over the USB cable as an "ARC-1" microphone -- *ANY* ARC-1 microphone. If so, the ARC application will blithely use that microphone in conjunction with the licensing and calibration files that match (by serial #) to the D2 currently connected on the serial cable EVEN IF YOU HAPPEN TO HAVE THE WRONG ARC MIC CONNECTED!

This is nasty because that means your measurements will use the INCORRECT mic calibration data -- i.e., the mic calibration data for the ARC mic you SHOULD have been using! You will get no warning that you are using the wrong mic.

Nick at Anthem tells me that they are in the process of adding mic serial # sticky labels to the ARC mics themselves (not just the box the mic comes in) as they package them up to reduce the chance a user with more than one ARC mic may make this mistake.

However the user still has to be careful to use *ONLY* the ARC mic that is matched with the specific D2 being measured so that the right mic calibration data is applied. You will still get no warning if you are careless and use the wrong ARC mic.

Folks with more than one current ARC mic would be well advised to apply their own sticky label of some sort to reduce the chance of accidentally using the wrong mic with any given D2.

I have edited my older post to state that it is incorrect, and to point people to this post for the correct info.
--Bob

Kal and Bob,

I was refering to the fact that (as Kal mentioned earlier) everything that is normally in the room during listening sessions should also be in the room during the measurements procedure. I suppose that this includes at least one body inside the room....So the question I am having is, to what extent does it matter for myself to be out of the room during ARC measurements? I presume minor high frequency effects (less absopbtions)?

I doubt your presence/absence will make a noticeable difference.
--Bob

I know how peoples and AVS get really quickly too excited. Just want to make sure that it was clear that there is no official announcement.

Tolstoi,
I have yet to find a more supportive thread at AVS and took no offense at your comment. I knew exactly what you meant but I was too excited
John

Bob,
Wondered if now with the ps3 2.4 firmware, do we still leave the ps3 on 5.1 with 7.1 titles with our anthems.
John
of course that depends on whether they fix it

So if the avm 50 gets this upgrade how is that different than a d2? it will have the 2 dsps and arc right? so what did i pay for when i bought the d2? no offense 50 owners please dont attack me just asking!

Unless you are positioned to block much direct radiation from a speaker to the mic.

24-bit/192-kHz Precision Upsampler for one. In addition when you factor in the cost of the upgrade, you are probably still better off with the D2.

Prior to ARC, what did the extra DSP board do in the D2?

John

Prior to ARC, the 2nd DSP in the D2 was unused. The second DSP in the D2 has ALWAYS been dedicated to ARC. ARC just took longer to get out than was anticipated.

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

The D2 does its internal digital audio processing at 192KHz. The AVM-50 does it at 96KHZ. The analog output section of the D2 is matched to its internal 192KHz processing. The power supply of the D2 is also better.
--Bob

More news on ARC for the AVM units from "a usually reliable source":

It will soon (a couple weeks) be possible to order a new AVM-40 or AVM-50 with ARC bundled. The bundle will include the ARC kit (as used with the D2) plus an additional DSP hardware upgrade in the AVM. The bundle pricing is not yet available, but the word I have is that it will attractively priced. It will ALSO still be possible to order a new AVM-40 or AVM-50 without ARC or the 2nd DSP if you prefer.

About 2 weeks or so after AVM-40 and AVM-50 bundles can be ordered, current AVM-40 and AVM-50 owners will be able to order ARC upgrade kits that bundle the normal ARC kit with an AVM DSP upgrade.

THE DSP UPGRADE WILL BE FIELD (DEALER) INSTALLABLE!

Pricing will be right around $800. I.e., $400 for the ARC kit as sold to D2 customers plus $400 for the DSP upgrade.

I believe this info to be accurate, but the dates may still slip a bit.
--Bob

Anthems upgrade pricing is amazing!

I love my d2 with arc

Yes. The Anthems can not accept more than 5.1 channel HDMI LPCM input.

Let the PS3 merge any rear channel info from 7.1 tracks into the side channels to make 5.1 output.

If you have a 7.1 speaker setup, you have the option of turning on a surround audio mode in the Anthem, such as PLIIx, to have the Anthem extract rear content from the side channels of the 5.1 input and send it to your rear speakers.

Note that whether you have a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker setup, you can still select 7.1 tracks off the Blu-Ray disc and the PS3 and Anthem will "do the right thing" with the PS3 set to send 5.1 to the Anthem. No content is lost.
--Bob

The ARC is a really nice component and Anthem have to spread the usage of it as much as possible.

Nothing!!!! It was there just to support the ARC.

Yes and also amortize the development costs with more sales.

Just amazing and fast. The ARC is available on the D2 since only a few months, not even 6 months.

An AVM-50 with ARC is a really sweet combo, and one heck of a bargain.

I have no regrets whatsoever getting my D2, and would still recommend it to those who can afford it, and of course it now ships bundled with ARC. But for folks who need to watch the budget a bit more closely, the AVM-50 with ARC has got to be one hot product.

(I continue to think that getting an AVM-50 over an AVM-40 is a smart move.)
--Bob

I see how they differ, I wasnt trying to me mean or a dickhead, just asking. Thanks for the answers.

yes and get more funding for additional features.

And while we are being snarky, let's also note that ARC is an important branding feature for Anthem and should be available on as many of their models as possible.

Bob,

I'm guessing that this would also be available for an AVM 20-HD? I have really enjoyed the difference on my D2 and would welcome the improvement on the AVM 20-HD.

Buddy

Hey Kal, have you done your review on the Anthem yet?

So far only the AVM-40 and AVM-50 have been mentioned in what I've seen. This would, of course, include an AVM-30 that's been upgrade to an AVM-50. We'll just have to wait for more details from Anthem.
--Bob

I'm having an issue with a digital audio input on my D2 that's in the theater.

We have Extron matrix switcher that feeds the rest of the house component HD and digital audio audio (coax). I've finally gotten around to adding a feed from the whole house system to the theater system. The component video works fine, but the D2 is not picking up the digital audio stream if processed through the Extron matrix switcher. If I bypass the switcher, it picks it up fine...but that won't be a long term fix.

Here is the odd thing...I drug an old HK receiver to the theater and it picks up the audio stream processed by the matrix switch just fine! Works exactly as it should. In fact, if I connect the "digital out" from the receiver to the D2, it will finally pick it up the audio.

Any thoughts?? It seems the anthem doesn't like the digital signal when sent through a matrix switch.

Since I had the AVM 20 upgraded to the AVM 20-HD, I thought it was equivalent to an AVM 50. I'm hoping this is the case. I'm also glad to hear that this sounds like a field upgrade. I really don't want to send my AVM 20-HD across the border again!

Buddy

Bob,
As you might remember I had a problem getting the ARC-1 to finished uploading to my D2 after calibration. I was getting an error message stating the sub needed to be lowered to -21 or -17.
After posting several people here tried to offer suggestions but none helped. That was during a weekend so I tried everything until I was able to contact Anthem on Monday morn.
After several calls and speaking with Peiro the tech team finally came up with a new variation on the ARC-1 program for me to download from their password site. A quick download later, another go through the calibration and WHAM - it worked.
It seems they were contacted by someone else who also was going through the same problem but with a different sub so this problem helped us both.
After watching 4 Dirty Harry movies from the new box set , and checking out tried and true clips from various fav films I can say the difference is amazing.
It took almost a week and half but Anthem did come through. Thankfully.
I want to also thank you, and those here to reached out with suggestions to try to sort this out. The concern is much appreciated.
With thanks,
Scott

Seems like Anthem is closing the GAP on the AVM-50 and the D2, seems like one of two things will happen.

1. The D2 will get an upgrade also, to keep it special or

2. The D2 will go out of production soon, as maybe a new product is on the way.