Anthem D2/D2v/AVM50/AVM50v/ARC1 tweaking guide - Page 516

Looking at ARC measurement it looks like that your center channel has lost its medium speaker. Center channel is usually setup for voice and should be cover between ~1khz and ~6khz and you have a big dip at 2khz.

Does anybody knows if the usb microphone use with the ARC system can be use for something else like a normal microphone. With application like the trueRTA or just to calibrate your pc speakers ?

Usable but not useful. The calibration file that makes the microphone provide flat/reliable information is encrypted for use by ARC. Use of the mic with any other system will be unpredictable unless you can calibrate it against a standard.

Yes, I noticed the huge hole in the Center channel too. Am trying to look determine if it's a cable, a damaged speaker, or an installation issue. I recently put the theater back in after a year-long remodel, and noticed even before ARC that something sounded wrong with the center.

I'm trying to figure out how to watch a Blu-Ray movie in 1080/24p resolution through the Anthem D2. Here's the setup:

Panny BD-50 > D2 > Marantz 15S1 1080p projector all via HDMI

I have to set the DB-50's 24p Output to "On", which outputs 24p sources in 24p as they are.

My question is with the D2's output resolution. If I have this set to "auto" will it automatically switch to 1920x1080p/24 when I have a 24p disk, or do I need to go into the setup menu and change it to this resolution every time I want to watch a 24p film source disk as opposed to say a disk containing an HD TV show like "Lost", which is video and probably should be in 1920x1080p/60? Perhaps there is a quick way to switch between resolution settings using a pre-programmed output formats for the same source?

Also, if anyone is familiar with using projectors with the D2, do I also need to go into the projector's menu and change the resolution on it to 1920x1080p/24?

Thanks for any help anyone can give me.

No the "Auto" setting in the D2 Video Output configuration is not for changing its output frame rate.

You have two choices for getting /24 out of the D2. Most folks are using one of the separate Video Output configurations. So they have one Video Output set for 1080p/60 and another for 1080p/24. Then they set up two Sources in the D2, both from the player, but using the different Video Output configurations. They select the /24 source when they know they are playing /24 content -- to keep things judder free.

The /60 source will work when they are playing /24 or /60 content although when playing /24 content it will include judder.

The advantage of doing things this way is that the HDMI handshake goes a bit faster.

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The alternative approach is to use the Frame Lock = Auto feature in Video Source Adjust / Output for that source. That will cause the frame rate of the Video Output to track that of the video currently coming in from that source. This is described in the manual.

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Please note that the Anthem does not yet properly extract the /24 content from film-based input which has been raised to /60 by the telecine process.

So, for example, if you play a standard DVD (480i/60 input) and tell the D2 to produce 1080p/24 output that WILL NOT WORK CORRECTLY at the moment, even if the DVD you are playing is film-based content. You will get an output video stream that stutters. You must use /60 output instead. Fixing this is "on the list" at Anthem but they haven't done it yet.
--Bob

To Write Protect a file in Windows, right-click on the file, select Properties from the pop-up menu that appears, click on the "Read Only" check box, and then click on Apply to make it so. Then click OK to dismiss the Properties box.

To Write Enable a file, do the same thing but clear the "Read Only" check box.
--Bob

Yes if you re-position or re-aim your speakers you should re-Measure with ARC, just as if you make any other change that might reasonably be expected to impact the audio from the speakers -- such as adding curtains.

For Write Protecting files in Windows, see my post just above.
--Bob

You can use it to record yourself singing I suppose.

As far as Windows is concerned it is just another USB microphone. It identifies itself to the USB system as an "ARC Microphone". As long as your audio input application is not picky about that ID, you can do anything you want to with it.

But Anthem also provides a special file which contains the carefully measured calibration details for that specific microphone. ARC uses that file to insure it is getting accurate readings from the microphone.

No other calibration tool will be able to use that file, so you will get the raw results from the microphone instead.
--Bob

Let me see what you are using for settings and we'll go from there.

You could have a faulty video board, but what you are seeing is more than likely just a bad video calibration setup. This stuff can be confusing, so let's just take it a step at a time.

The first thing I need is for you to report all those settings and status values I asked for. Don't assume I know any of the values, report all of it. We'll hone in on the important parts right away, but first I want to make sure you are not doing something silly like using the Zoom option in Scale Out.

Also, let me know what firmware version you have installed in the Anthem.
--Bob

I think your problem is the ambient room noise, although I agree it looks like your center speaker may have a faulty mid-range driver.

The 200Hz peaks could be street noise for example.

What are the specs on you sub? My guess would be that it is rated down to only 30Hz.

There may not be much you can do until the ambient noise problem is cured.

One possibility is to try a configuration without the Center speaker, and another without BOTH the Center speaker and the subwoofer just to satisfy yourself that ARC can produce useful results even given your ambient noise environment.

But I think ARC is getting confused as to the room modes due to the noise.
--Bob

I was wondering how many measurements people do on avereage? How far apart should the areas be?

Thanks

I do 5, separated by 30" each. The outer two positions are angled in toward the screen a bit.
--Bob

Bob:

Thanks again for your help, I loaded v1.33 with no problems at all. As you suggested this restored my on screen setup menus. My original settings are all restored. Didn't have time to run ARC so will try that over the weekend.

Bob

Could you clarify the last sentance? Isn't the microphone omnidirectional in it's vertical position?

Mike

I'm considering replacing a Denon 4308 in a bedroom setup with a D2.

This setup is used a lot by my Wife, and she'll not be happy if I make her learn how to use a different remote control. Her alarm clock would still be flashing 12:00 if I didn't set it up

So my question: will the remote control that controls a Hughes HR10-250 DirecTV Tivo unit control the volume on a D2? (It has no "learning" capability, hence the question.)

A link to a picture: http://www.weaknees.com/images/tivo_...ivo_remote.jpg

If "yes" I'm a buyer and if "no" I'll first have to attempt to create harmony with a Harmony.

The mic LOCATIONS are angled in. The mic itself is still pointed straight up.

The mic is pointed straight up in all 5 positions (and set at seated ear height). My positions are:

#4...........................#5
.....\\......................./
...... #2 -- #1 -- #3

Position #1 is on the center axis of the screen at the primary listening distance. Positions #2 and #3 are on a straight line with #1, set at right angles to that center axis line. They are spaced 30" either side of #1.

Positions #4 and #5 are 30" from #2 and #3 respectively, but positioned closer to the screen. The line from #2 to #4 makes about a 30 to 45 degree angle with the straight line through #2, #1, and #3. Position #5 is set symmetrically on the other side.

(Positions #2, #1, and #3 are along a sofa, and positions #4 and #5 are outside the arms of that sofa and nearer the front edge of the sofa -- i.e., closer to the screen.)
--Bob

Cool! Glad it worked for you. Have fun with your new ARC!
--Bob

I'd be very surprised if the Anthem codes are included in the set of codes pre-programmed into your DirecTivo's remote. Anthem is not on the radar of consumer electronics companies.

But I suppose it could happen, so I'll have to let a DirecTivo owner respond.

In any event, a lot of folks using the Anthem with the DirecTivo (or other set top boxes) find the Logitech Harmony remotes work well to keep things down to just one relatively simple remote.
--Bob

I'm sure I could look in the manual, but I'm at work! I know the Anthem remote is programmable. If I can get the discrete codes online for my Lutron Grafik Eye lighting system can I directly punch the code into the Anthem remote to make it control the lighting? I'm just waiting to see what new remotes are coming out - looks like URC just announced the MX-450, I'm trying to figure out how that's different from the MX-810. In the meantime, the Anthem remote works fine - in addition to the other 10 remotes!

bob: re your mic placements. considering that some of us have two rows of seating, what would be the proper placements , allowing for an eight inch rear platform?
i have disconnected arc from my system, as i continually get front speaker measurements starting at 75 db, going up to 85 db, all w/i the first 100hz. this washes the base out! i reloaded the original professionally derived levels, x-overs etc, and the sound is much fuller.
i have been doing other things, and not gotten into the arc thing , but will, probably post olympics.
i have yet to figure out how to send my charts to the forum, but that is my problem with windows, i suppose.
walt

Thank you very much Bob for your guidance. John.

I too have 2 rows of seats. The idea with ARC is to average all 5 or more positions. Just take a reading from all seats 1 foot from the back of the chair at ear height or a few inches higher.

I think that's a perfectly reasonable way to do it.

It's not really clear how sensitive ARC is to mic placement (given that you stay within the spacing guidelines and alternate either side of center). Since you are, in essence, sampling the room I like the idea of taking some samples outside the left and right end seats and also a little forward so that, essentially, you are capturing the entire seating area with the layout of mics -- including if people sit up or lean forward in the seats.
--Bob

We'll take a look at your charts when you get a handle on how to post them, but keep in mind that if ARC is showing variation like that in your Measured curves, then that really does reflect what is going on (presuming you are taking the Measurements correctly). ARC will work to smooth that out for you.

If you've gotten used to listening to audio containing significant room response issues, then the ARC results may sound different, but they bass certainly shouldn't sound washed out.
--Bob

The Anthem remote can "learn" commands -- basically copying them into memory using the IR from another remote. But there's no way to enter a numeric code sequence representing a command. See Section 5 of the Manual.

Generally speaking you will likely be happier using a REAL programmable remote like the URC or Harmony products.
--Bob

Slightly off subject I have been offered a very good deal on a new AVM40 with arc I don't need video conversion; so my question is will the avm40 pass through 1080p/24 without problems.I could not find any thing on Anthems web site.
Any input would be appreciated.
Bigsac.

Well, my Oppo 980 arrived this morning. A bit of confusion until I realized that 720 was the only resolution that would allow transmission of 5 channels PCM from an SACD (not 1080).

So I am comparing MC SACD from an Esoteric DV-50 Analog Direct to the D2 vs. Oppo 980 DSD/PCM conversion to 88.2/24 to the D2 with ARC enabled. And my family is out of town until tomorrow afternoon. I think audiophiles live for these weekends

Really? I wonder why. Either 720p or 1080i/p *SHOULD* work.

HDMI audio is embedded inside the video signal and is limited to a fraction of the video bandwidth. As it turns out, HDMI 480i and 480p don't allow enough audio bandwidth for the high-bandwidth multi-channel LPCM from an SACD to fit. But anything 720p or higher should work.
--Bob

The AVM-40 is spec'ed up to 1080p/60 for HDMI video in/out so it certainly should be able to handle 1080p/24. And there are no warnings about 1080p/24 in the updated manual. But we've had very few posters in this thread who are using the AVM-40 so I can't be sure.

If you send an email to Anthem tech support during business hours (address in the first post of this thread), you will likely get a quick response.
--Bob