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Anthem D2/D2v/AVM50/AVM50v/ARC1 tweaking guide - Page 525

post #15721 of 40764
8/24/08 at 6:06pm
I've got just two, significant open issues with the current software:

1) Anthem still needs to get the HDMI handshake sorted out. I know they are working on it, and that it is slated for V1.34, but it's taking a while. The test version they came out with back in June looked really promising with regard to my Comcast/Motorola HD-DVR, but it broke the PS3 and even my venerable Pioneer 59avi had issues with it.

2) I think Anthem really ought to finish the job of getting 480i/60 and 1080i/60 to 1080p/24 conversion working properly for film-based content. It's really the only significant item left that distinguishes the stand alone video processors from the D2.

Both of these are with respect to the current D2/AVM50 feature set.

There is also, of course, lots of room for future growth in the ARC software. Adding analysis tools to the automatic stuff for example. But that will come over time I'm sure.

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

Anyway, you folks who are still on V1.11 without ARC need to get off your duffs!


--Bob
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post #15722 of 40764
8/24/08 at 7:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau View Post

Audio-Only Blu-Ray Discs Starting to Appear!

I was just on Amazon and noticed that they have already started to carry audio-only Blu-Ray discs: DTS-HD MA 7.1 at 24 bits / 96KHz.

Do a search within "Blu-Ray" for "audio".

Apparently these are actually 5.1 high-bandwidth recordings that have been processed to add the rear channels. But that may not be true for all of them. In any event, they should work just peachy through a D2.

I've ordered a couple to give them a try but they are out of stock at the moment. Has anyone else here tried one of these through an ARC'd D2 yet?
--Bob

Yes. These are derived from original 5.1 Naxos recordings released on DVD-A and/or SACD. They are OK but I've decided to pass on the 7.1s (since I only have 5.1).
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post #15723 of 40764
8/25/08 at 4:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau View Post

We haven't had any other reports like that here. Have you checked in Setup / Source Setup to make sure your settings got restored correctly?

Similarly, check in the Oppo itself to make sure HDMI audio output is still enabled.

I presume you've checked to make sure your HDMI plugs are in the correct sockets and fully inserted, right? Does HDMI audio work from other sources?
--Bob

My settings restored ok. The proper hdmi input for video as well as Dig Hdmi for audio.

Hdmi audio from the Oppo was still enabled.

Video shows up so my hdmi cables must be fully inserted and not defective.

Hdmi audio works on both my other hdmi sources.

Any ideas?

John
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post #15724 of 40764
8/25/08 at 6:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau View Post

1) Anthem still needs to get the HDMI handshake sorted out.

but it broke the PS3

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

Anyway, you folks who are still on V1.11 without ARC need to get off your duffs!


--Bob

I'm still on 1.11 WITHOUT ARC.

Why would I want to break my HDMI handshake for my PS3
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post #15725 of 40764
8/25/08 at 7:25am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau View Post

I've got just two, significant open issues with the current software:

1) Anthem still needs to get the HDMI handshake sorted out. I know they are working on it, and that it is slated for V1.34, but it's taking a while. The test version they came out with back in June looked really promising with regard to my Comcast/Motorola HD-DVR, but it broke the PS3 and even my venerable Pioneer 59avi had issues with it.

2) I think Anthem really ought to finish the job of getting 480i/60 and 1080i/60 to 1080p/24 conversion working properly for film-based content. It's really the only significant item left that distinguishes the stand alone video processors from the D2.

Both of these are with respect to the current D2/AVM50 feature set.

There is also, of course, lots of room for future growth in the ARC software. Adding analysis tools to the automatic stuff for example. But that will come over time I'm sure.

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

Anyway, you folks who are still on V1.11 without ARC need to get off your duffs!


--Bob

Bob,
Your concerns are much more important than mine, but I'd like to be able to see if 'ARC is on' or 'ARC is off' somewhere on the information listed as you scroll through the other info available by pressing the 'select' button on the remote.
It would be nice to see if the ARC status along with what video in/out, audio in/out, etc. that you can access now onscreen or on the front panel display.
Maybe you could mention this to Anthem if you agree.
Tom
BTW, who reads this thread and doesn't have ARC yet? Do we need to start a fund for some of less fortunate of our brothers? I'll be happy to kick in a couple bucks. ARC is without a doubt the best audio tweek available, and at $400 its also a great bargain.
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post #15726 of 40764
8/25/08 at 8:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by drhankz View Post

I'm still on 1.11 WITHOUT ARC.

Why would I want to break my HDMI handshake for my PS3

HDMI handshake works fine for PS3 w/ Ver. 1.33. I believe Bob was refering to the test version of 1.34 that was available from Anthem's password protected site for a while ago. It has since been pulled from the website.
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post #15727 of 40764
8/25/08 at 8:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KCWolfPck View Post

HDMI handshake works fine for PS3 w/ Ver. 1.33. I believe Bob was refering to the test version of 1.34 that was available from Anthem's password protected site for a while ago. It has since been pulled from the website.

Thanks for the heads up.

Being a TESTER like Bob does allow for some BUMPS in the road
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post #15728 of 40764
8/25/08 at 8:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by drhankz View Post

I'm still on 1.11 WITHOUT ARC.

Why would I want to break my HDMI handshake for my PS3

Urh, what?

V1.33 has no HDMI handshake problem with the PS3.

And you don't use HDMI from your cable box.

As stated above, the test HDMI version (slated for V1.34) which fixes the cable box issues, has had problems with the PS3.
--Bob
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post #15729 of 40764
8/25/08 at 8:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr_fitz View Post

My settings restored ok. The proper hdmi input for video as well as Dig Hdmi for audio.

Hdmi audio from the Oppo was still enabled.

Video shows up so my hdmi cables must be fully inserted and not defective.

Hdmi audio works on both my other hdmi sources.

Any ideas?

John

No, sorry. This is an odd one. You'd best give Anthem tech support a call. I suspect they'll ask you to try a re-install of the firmware as a first step.
--Bob
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post #15730 of 40764
8/25/08 at 8:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tngiloy View Post

Bob,
Your concerns are much more important than mine, but I'd like to be able to see if 'ARC is on' or 'ARC is off' somewhere on the information listed as you scroll through the other info available by pressing the 'select' button on the remote.
It would be nice to see if the ARC status along with what video in/out, audio in/out, etc. that you can access now onscreen or on the front panel display.
Maybe you could mention this to Anthem if you agree.
Tom
BTW, who reads this thread and doesn't have ARC yet? Do we need to start a fund for some of less fortunate of our brothers? I'll be happy to kick in a couple bucks. ARC is without a doubt the best audio tweek available, and at $400 its also a great bargain.

I suspect they didn't think of adding it to the status info because there's nothing you can do via the remote that will change that on the fly, and it also isn't dependent on the type of content coming in from the source at the moment.

Once you've uploaded a set of ARC results, the activation of ARC at any given moment is entirely determined by how you've configured Setup / Source Setup for each source. If Room EQ = ON is set for the currently selected source, and if you are NOT using Analog Direct input, then ARC is active for that source.

But even if just for marketing purposes, it would indeed be nice if you could bring up an on-screen display that noted that ARC was active so you could lord it over your friends who have not upgraded yet.

By the way, Anthem reads this thread, even if they don't post here daily. So they will see your suggestion.
--Bob
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post #15731 of 40764
8/25/08 at 11:58am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau View Post

1) Anthem still needs to get the HDMI handshake sorted out. I know they are working on it, and that it is slated for V1.34, but it's taking a while. The test version they came out with back in June looked really promising with regard to my Comcast/Motorola HD-DVR, but it broke the PS3 and even my venerable Pioneer 59avi had issues with it.

Any word if the HDMI improvements in the 1.34 software addresses AppleTV not working with HDMI and the D2?
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post #15732 of 40764
8/25/08 at 12:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gblack View Post

Any word if the HDMI improvements in the 1.34 software addresses AppleTV not working with HDMI and the D2?

No idea, sorry. It seems to be focussed on issues related to excessive retries happening when the input video resolution changes, but that's a big enough change in its own right that it could affect other aspects of the handshake as well.
--Bob
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post #15733 of 40764
8/25/08 at 12:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gblack View Post

Any word if the HDMI improvements in the 1.34 software addresses AppleTV not working with HDMI and the D2?

I think AppleTV HDMI is BROKEN on Apple's End.
I have not been able to get AppleTV to work via
HDMI to anything - even running direct.

AppleTV to Apple does not even work.
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post #15734 of 40764
8/25/08 at 2:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bob pariseau View Post

i've got just two, significant open issues with the current software:

1) anthem still needs to get the hdmi handshake sorted out. I know they are working on it, and that it is slated for v1.34, but it's taking a while. The test version they came out with back in june looked really promising with regard to my comcast/motorola hd-dvr, but it broke the ps3 and even my venerable pioneer 59avi had issues with it.

2) i think anthem really ought to finish the job of getting 480i/60 and 1080i/60 to 1080p/24 conversion working properly for film-based content. it's really the only significant item left that distinguishes the stand alone video processors from the d2.

Both of these are with respect to the current d2/avm50 feature set.

There is also, of course, lots of room for future growth in the arc software. Adding analysis tools to the automatic stuff for example. But that will come over time i'm sure.

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

anyway, you folks who are still on v1.11 without arc need to get off your duffs!


--bob

+1

-Don
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post #15735 of 40764
8/25/08 at 4:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau View Post

I've got just two, significant open issues with the current software:

1) Anthem still needs to get the HDMI handshake sorted out. I know they are working on it, and that it is slated for V1.34, but it's taking a while. The test version they came out with back in June looked really promising with regard to my Comcast/Motorola HD-DVR, but it broke the PS3 and even my venerable Pioneer 59avi had issues with it.

2) I think Anthem really ought to finish the job of getting 480i/60 and 1080i/60 to 1080p/24 conversion working properly for film-based content. It's really the only significant item left that distinguishes the stand alone video processors from the D2.

Both of these are with respect to the current D2/AVM50 feature set.

There is also, of course, lots of room for future growth in the ARC software. Adding analysis tools to the automatic stuff for example. But that will come over time I'm sure.

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

Anyway, you folks who are still on V1.11 without ARC need to get off your duffs!


--Bob

Okay Bob, I just got off my duff and ordered ARC today and will be upgrading (with your guidance ) to 1.3.3 shortly.

It feels nice to stretch those legs!

Can anyone please let me know what the computer requirements are in order to effectively run the ARC software?

Mark
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post #15736 of 40764
8/25/08 at 4:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by drdisc View Post

Okay Bob, I just got off my duff and ordered ARC today

IS THIS Pressure on me to ORDER ARC

Quote:
Originally Posted by drdisc View Post

Can anyone please let me know what the computer requirements are in order to effectively run the ARC software?

Dr. Bob uses a MAC as does Dr. Hank

So don't listen to us
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post #15737 of 40764
8/25/08 at 4:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by drdisc View Post

Can anyone please let me know what the computer requirements are in order to effectively run the ARC software?

Mark

Apple Mac OSX 10.5.4 (Leopard) with BootCamp and Windows XP or Windows Vista installed under BootCamp.

Or a Windows PC with Windows XP or Windows Vista.

Please note, Windows 2000 or older will NOT work for the ARC Measurement process as the audio software framework ARC uses to capture audio from the USB mic only exists in Windows XP or later.

You need a serial connection to the Anthem and a USB connection for the ARC mic. If your computer does not have a "real" serial connection you can use a PC-Card serial adapter (for a computer with a PC-Card slot) or a USB to Serial adapter (for a computer with a second USB port). Folks here have reported having the best luck with either a PC-card adapter (any brand) or the Keyspan brand USA-19HS USB to Serial adapter. In either case, be sure to download and install the latest driver for your adapter specific to your operating system from the manufacturer's web site (e.g., Keyspan), as the one that comes in the package on the peg is likely already out of date.

I also recommend a wireless mouse as it makes it easy for you to initiate ARC Measurement while standing away from the computer (which is likely sitting between the Anthem and the various ARC mic locations).

And although the mic stand that comes bundled with the ARC kit is adequate, I recommend replacing it with an inexpensive boom mic stand, as for example the one cited in this post, which makes it easier to set up mic positions over the back of a chair (the mic clip from the Anthem included stand screws onto the end of the boom for this stand):

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...7#post13934257

--Bob
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post #15738 of 40764
8/25/08 at 5:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau View Post

Apple Mac OSX 10.5.4 (Leopard) with BootCamp and Windows XP or Windows Vista installed under BootCamp.

Or a Windows PC with Windows XP or Windows Vista.

Please note, Windows 2000 or older will NOT work for the ARC Measurement process as the audio software framework ARC uses to capture audio from the USB mic only exists in Windows XP or later.

You need a serial connection to the Anthem and a USB connection for the ARC mic. If your computer does not have a "real" serial connection you can use a PC-Card serial adapter (for a computer with a PC-Card slot) or a USB to Serial adapter (for a computer with a second USB port). Folks here have reported having the best luck with either a PC-card adapter (any brand) or the Keyspan brand USA-19HS USB to Serial adapter. In either case, be sure to download and install the latest driver for your adapter specific to your operating system from the manufacturer's web site (e.g., Keyspan), as the one that comes in the package on the peg is likely already out of date.

I also recommend a wireless mouse as it makes it easy for you to initiate ARC Measurement will standing away from the computer (which is likely sitting between the Anthem and the various ARC mic locations).

And although the mic stand that comes bundled with the ARC kit is adequate, I recommend replacing it with an inexpensive boom mic stand, as for example the one cited in this post, which makes it easier to set up mic positions over the back of a chair (the mic clip from the Anthem included stand screws onto the end of the boom for this stand):

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...7#post13934257

--Bob

Thank you, Bob! Your response is detailed and thorough and I shall obey!!

And no, drhankz, I am not pressuring you upgrade firmware and get the ARC-1. We all know you have already made that decision even though you haven't publicly admitted it yet!

By the way, the rep that I ordered the ARC-1 from wrote this when I placed my order: "The room correction/equalization works miracles. Worth 6 times the cost, no sh*t!"

Mark
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post #15739 of 40764
8/25/08 at 6:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by drdisc View Post

I shall obey!!

Ah! Good.

I've always said, you can never have too many minions...


--Bob
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post #15740 of 40764
8/25/08 at 7:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by drdisc View Post

And no, drhankz, I am not pressuring you upgrade firmware and get the ARC-1. We all know you have already made that decision even though you haven't publicly admitted it yet!


Ok Dr. Disc - Thanks for no Pressure.

I can't deal well with PRESSURE
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post #15741 of 40764
8/26/08 at 9:32am
For anyone considering ordering the ARC-1 the current order wait time is "approximately 2 weeks" as confirmed by my dealer with Anthem minutes ago . . . .

So, I still get to sit on my duff for 2 more weeks, Mr. Bob!

Mark
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post #15742 of 40764
8/26/08 at 10:00am
ARC vs. LFE Bypass: Preliminary Answers!

Nick from Anthem is back from vacation and I've got some preliminary answers on the question raised a week back regarding the interaction of ARC's chosen subwoofer crossover value and the Setup / Speaker Configuration / LFE Bypass setting.

The word so far is that the LFE Bypass setting is ignored during ARC Measurement, and also during normal listening from Room EQ = ON sources after ARC data is Uploaded into the Anthem.

ARC is handling LFE in a more sophisticated fashion that still has the effect of bypassing or partially bypassing a low subwoofer crossover setting.

The LFE Bypass setting still has effect for Room EQ = OFF sources.

I'm getting more details now but it looks like some intriguing stuff is going on.

However the primary result is that you can't screw up your ARC stuff by turning on LFE Bypass (perhaps by accident), nor do you need to worry about whether you *OUGHT* to turn it on because ARC chose a low crossover value for your subwoofer.
--Bob
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post #15743 of 40764
8/26/08 at 10:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by drdisc View Post

For anyone considering ordering the ARC-1 the current order wait time is "approximately 2 weeks" as confirmed by my dealer with Anthem minutes ago . . . .

So, I still get to sit on my duff for 2 more weeks, Mr. Bob!

Mark


This is a lot better lead time than it was.
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post #15744 of 40764
8/26/08 at 10:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by drdisc View Post

For anyone considering ordering the ARC-1 the current order wait time is "approximately 2 weeks" as confirmed by my dealer with Anthem minutes ago . . . .

So, I still get to sit on my duff for 2 more weeks, Mr. Bob!

Mark

I ordered on Monday the 18th and I was told two weeks too. I've since been given a glimmer of hope that I'll have it prior to the holiday weekend. We'll see....
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post #15745 of 40764
8/26/08 at 10:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by drdisc View Post

For anyone considering ordering the ARC-1 the current order wait time is "approximately 2 weeks" as confirmed by my dealer with Anthem minutes ago . . . .

So, I still get to sit on my duff for 2 more weeks, Mr. Bob!

Mark

I could be WRONG - but maybe the wait time in Canada
is different than the U.S.

I typed too fast - I see someone in the US agrees with
your two week estimate.

I'll order mine tomorrow and let you know.
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post #15746 of 40764
8/26/08 at 10:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by drhankz View Post

I'll order mine tomorrow and let you know.

Egads!

You will all long remember precisely where you were and exactly what you were doing when you heard this news!


--Bob
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post #15747 of 40764
8/26/08 at 10:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau View Post

Egads!

You will all long remember precisely where you were and exactly what you were doing when you heard this news!


--Bob

It is EARTH Shaking - Isn't It

Look at the guy above shaking
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post #15748 of 40764
8/26/08 at 11:36am
walt here. olympics are finished, and the sun has finally reappeared. - - - so, therefore, it is re measurement time!
bob, i've been looking for your post that gave the guidelines for a remea-a-mt. lost somewhere in your 3000+record.
could you post just the basics?(or the post #)
thx. \\walt
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post #15749 of 40764
8/26/08 at 11:38am
I also got confirmation from Nick that even with ARC the bass steering only goes in one direction. If you have a subwoofer configured, LFE is not steered to the mains.

Nick tells me they are experimenting with even more flexibility in the way LFE is handled automatically by ARC -- as separate from how bass steering happens from the main speakers. I don't know when this might show up in a new ARC version.

Nick advises that users should probably NOT lower the subwoofer crossover manually in ARC below about 60 Hz, even if you have main speakers that go quite deep into the bass. Let ARC maintain the crossover overlap (low mains crossover and higher sub crossover) if that's what the automated Targeting selects.
--Bob
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post #15750 of 40764
8/26/08 at 11:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by yacht422 View Post

walt here. olympics are finished, and the sun has finally reappeared. - - - so, therefore, it is re measurement time!
bob, i've been looking for your post that gave the guidelines for a remea-a-mt. lost somewhere in your 3000+record.
could you post just the basics?(or the post #)
thx. \\walt

I'm not sure which guidelines you are looking for. Mic positioning suggestions? Setting the Noise Level? Something else? Let me know and I'll track down the link for you.

Also scan through the list of ARC links collected in the first post of this thread. All of my tutorial posts since ARC V1.2.2 are in that list. The list is a little long, but most of the referenced posts are quite short so it is quick to scan. The posts are in chronological order -- newest posts at the end of that list.
--Bob
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AVS › AVS Forum › Audio › Receivers, Amps, and Processors › Anthem D2/D2v/AVM50/AVM50v/ARC1 tweaking guide