Anthem D2/D2v/AVM50/AVM50v/ARC1 tweaking guide - Page 1219

Originally Posted by Texas steve

I would be intrested in anyone with a D2V who installed this on a non 3D version. The one problem I have had after 2.11 to G was always no HDMI output (it would not see the inputs) but FM worked fine. Went back to 2.11 and all good again.

So, anyone triy 2.14 with non 3d yet?

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

^ Yes, that's very strange given the way the hardware is configured and the way the firmware works. At the very least sockets 1-4 should react the same and sockets 5-8 should react the same.

I'd think it more likely that you are missing something when you change the Source Setup to account for the new socket. Or perhaps the cable you are using from the DirecTV box has a problem (bent pins or marginal mechanical fit).
--Bob

Originally Posted by Bob Pariseau

^ Did you actually try the other ports besides the original and #1?

The problem may be the DirecTV box "remembering" the old setup so it does not handshake fully. I.E., if you go back to the original port it may now work again.
--Bob

Originally Posted by shn750

I finally got my first ARC run completed on my D2. The actual ARC installation and setup was a breeze. Zero problems!

My first measurement took almost 3 hours. I'm using 9 mic positions and it kept informing me that the sub variance was over 10 points between the positions. This was what took forever to fix. It was pure trial and error. I was moving the sub around in an attempt to get the variance in db to come under 10 points between the mic positions. After a multitude of measurements, I finally decided to move my sub from the left to the right side of the room. This was a pain because I had to reroute my cables and tear apart all my cable management. I was desperate! My room is odd with angular walls and high ceilings so I really didn't know what to expect. I ran the measurements from scratch and it completed! Yes!

Next I ran the targets, calculated, and uploaded. After ARC is uploaded I had to go into the set up for Source setup and turn on Room EQ=Yes for all the sources. Is this correct? Otherwise, ARC isn't in affect for the D2 correct? I spent all week reading the stickies and FAQs but I want to confirm that what I did was correct.

So...I'm a complete newbie and can't make heads or tails from the results. I'm hoping the ARC experts help out with any recommendations on how it looks? For the sub, I just left it at its current position after moving it. At that point I was happy that the measurements completed and didn't want to mess with it.

So here are the graphs...Is it bad?!? Bear in mind I'm kind of limited on the LCR speakers as these are Signature W5 on walls. I can only rotate them left/right and up/down for the center.

Thanks everyone! This forum rocks.

Originally Posted by jayray

your results are excellent. Listen for a while and let us know how it sounds. You found a great spot for your sub
john

Originally Posted by bob pariseau

and yes, setting room eq = on for each and every source is the correct thing to do to enable your shiny new arc solution!

If you have any analog audio sources, you must also use analog-dsp for them in source setup, not analog-direct. That lets them use arc as well.
--bob

Originally Posted by shn750

I finally got my first ARC run completed on my D2. The actual ARC installation and setup was a breeze. Zero problems!

My first measurement took almost 3 hours. I'm using 9 mic positions and it kept informing me that the sub variance was over 10 points between the positions. This was what took forever to fix. It was pure trial and error. I was moving the sub around in an attempt to get the variance in db to come under 10 points between the mic positions. After a multitude of measurements, I finally decided to move my sub from the left to the right side of the room. This was a pain because I had to reroute my cables and tear apart all my cable management. I was desperate! My room is odd with angular walls and high ceilings so I really didn't know what to expect. I ran the measurements from scratch and it completed! Yes!

Next I ran the targets, calculated, and uploaded. After ARC is uploaded I had to go into the set up for Source setup and turn on Room EQ=Yes for all the sources. Is this correct? Otherwise, ARC isn't in affect for the D2 correct? I spent all week reading the stickies and FAQs but I want to confirm that what I did was correct.

So...I'm a complete newbie and can't make heads or tails from the results. I'm hoping the ARC experts help out with any recommendations on how it looks? For the sub, I just left it at its current position after moving it. At that point I was happy that the measurements completed and didn't want to mess with it.

So here are the graphs...Is it bad?!? Bear in mind I'm kind of limited on the LCR speakers as these are Signature W5 on walls. I can only rotate them left/right and up/down for the center.

Thanks everyone! This forum rocks.
Steve

Originally Posted by studlygoorite

Have you heard anything yet Stu? I have read all the specs on the Statement M1 but can't find any talk about them and am interested in getting a few.

Originally Posted by tngiloy

Like Jayray said, you finally found a good spot for you sub.
If you open ARC in the 'manual' mode you will see an option at the top labeled 'help'.
In 'help' is a 'quick measure' option that allows you to test one speaker at a time. This can be very helpful, especially when positioning a subwoofer.

Also make sure that you took the time to set your 'noise level'/'test level' and sub to @75db in the 'speaker leve calibrationl' section of the D2 setup menu.

If the speaker levels that ARC uploaded are off by more than a few db from each other (especially if you have matched speakers like you do) then the error message you were getting may have been due to the fact that you didn't set you 'noise level' and sub to 75db before running ARC.
The levels that ARC uploaded to your 'speaker level' ( think thats what the D2 setup menu calls it) or 'level calibration' (D2v) should have the sub within a few db of the other speakers.
If ARC needed to +/- the sub more than a few db from the other speakers then you may want to get out your trusty RS spl and set the 'noise level' and sub level to 75db the next time you run ARC. And I bet you'll run it again if your looking on the 'tweaking thread'.

Depending on the size of your room you may not need to run 9 mic positions. If you have a large HT with multiple levels 9 is a good idea. If you have a small/med HT, 5 mic positions may be enough. More is certainly better, but don't do more than you need.

Yes, you need to make sure that 'room eq' is on for the sources you want ARC to work in. Arc will not work in sources set to 'analog'. If you have a source, (like cd or 2ch balanced or 6ch) you will need to set it to 'analog DSP' in order to use ARC for that source.

Bottom line is your graphs look good.
How does it sound?
Sit back and enjoy it for a while before you re-tweak.
There's plenty of time to make minor adjustments.

Tom

Originally Posted by shn750

Thanks tngiloy, Jayray, Bob and everyone that has helped. Your pointers are extremely helpful and I'll probably run ARC again tomorrow just for kicks It's actually fun tweaking around. I'll leave the sub where it's at for now, but I think I'm going to be more consistient with mic positioning on my next run. My HT room is medium size so maybe I'll try less mic positions.

For now, I'm watching movies and listen to music to see how the results are. So far, I'm pretty impressed. I had no idea that my previous sub position might have been less than ideal. Now the bass isn't as boomy and definitely an improvement to my ears. Before, on certaiin content, I can hear where the bass is coming from. Now it blends in the room better. I want to keep an ear on this to see if its really better. I want to make sure it's not the placebo effect so early in the game.

Thanks again.
Steve

Originally Posted by Texas steve

Ok loaded 2.14 on D2V w/o 3d boards. All works good EXCEPT one strange thing. In all HDMI inputs my Driect TV will NOT work except HDMI1 (get picture but no sound) . Every other HDMI device (oppo 83 etc) works in all other HDMI inputs but not the Direct TV. strange!

Originally Posted by dmusoke

Steve:

As other have said:
1. Make sure you test level is set to give an SPL of 75dB in the anthem setup menu. Your graphs show the reference SPL is 65dB.

2. In the Targets menu, Advanced Settings option, set the subwoofer HPF to Flat, instead of Auto. It'll extend and flatten out your subwoofer frequency response in the lower registers.

Happy Listening ....
David

Originally Posted by shn750

dmusoke,

Thanks for the advice. I did use a SPL to measure the test tone on the LF speaker and sub. I set those to 75db. When the SPL registered 75db, to my ears it did sounded a little low. Maybe I need to change the batteries since it was sitting in storage for several years

So my question is:
1. Once I reset my test tone for the LF and sub, Will I need to re-run ARC?
2. In the target menu>Advanced settings. When I change the sub from auto to Flat, will I need to re-run ARC? Or do I just recalculate and then upload?

Best Regards,
Steve

Originally Posted by shn750

dmusoke,

Thanks for the advice. I did use a SPL to measure the test tone on the LF speaker and sub. I set those to 75db. When the SPL registered 75db, to my ears it did sounded a little low. Maybe I need to change the batteries since it was sitting in storage for several years

So my question is:
1. Once I reset my test tone for the LF and sub, Will I need to re-run ARC?
2. In the target menu>Advanced settings. When I change the sub from auto to Flat, will I need to re-run ARC? Or do I just recalculate and then upload?

Best Regards,
Steve

Originally Posted by tngiloy

Just to be clear, the LF and sub should be set to '0' in the 'level calibration' section of the D2 setup menu--and stay set to '0'. In fact I find it easier to set all the speaker and sub levels to '0' initially.
The adjustment is made in the 'noise level' line (5b). The 'noise level' uses the LF to send tones, but make sure not to change the level in the 'front-L' line(5c).
The adjustment is similar for the sub. The 'movie sub' and 'music sub' (5j-k) are set to, and stay set to, '0'. The adjustment for the sub level is done by raising or lowering the gain/volume by using the adjustment on the sub itself.

ARC will make volume level adjustments for all the speakers relative to each other for the primary listening spot, which is ARC mic position #1. After your ARC upload, the values for all the speaker levels will probably change from the '0' setting. The setting for the 'noise level' will not change, but stay at the setting you made to get it to 75db.

To answer your other questions:
1- Yes
2- No. The adjustments to the settings in ARC (flat, max eq, room gain, etc) can be played with to see how the graphs look with different values you choose before you upload to your D2.
Just go into the 'targets' window for your ARC file, make the changes, click on 'OK', the click on 'Calculate'. The new graphs will show the ARC solution for those values.
To get back to the original ARC values: go back into the 'targets' window and click on 'auto detect'.
No changes are made to the ARC solution in your D2 until you upload it.

Trust ARC to choose the correct values. There are very few of the setting that should be changed IMHO.
Setting your sub to flat is one of those changes, as long as your sub has internal protection. Most subs do, but if you have a question please check before changing it to flat.
Raising room gain is another, if ARC sets it low. I think yours is at or near the max, so you can leave it alone.
Raising the ' max freq' is another, but the default 5000 setting is usually the best choice.

But the nice thing about ARC is that you can make adjustments and look at them. If they look good, you can upload and listen. If they sound good you can keep them. If not you can easily revert back to different or original settings.
ARC is a great program.

Tom

Originally Posted by tngiloy

Just to be clear, the LF and sub should be set to '0' in the 'level calibration' section of the D2 setup menu--and stay set to '0'. In fact I find it easier to set all the speaker and sub levels to '0' initially.
The adjustment is made in the 'noise level' line (5b). The 'noise level' uses the LF to send tones, but make sure not to change the level in the 'front-L' line(5c).
The adjustment is similar for the sub. The 'movie sub' and 'music sub' (5j-k) are set to, and stay set to, '0'. The adjustment for the sub level is done by raising or lowering the gain/volume by using the adjustment on the sub itself.

ARC will make volume level adjustments for all the speakers relative to each other for the primary listening spot, which is ARC mic position #1. After your ARC upload, the values for all the speaker levels will probably change from the '0' setting. The setting for the 'noise level' will not change, but stay at the setting you made to get it to 75db.

To answer your other questions:
1- Yes
2- No. The adjustments to the settings in ARC (flat, max eq, room gain, etc) can be played with to see how the graphs look with different values you choose before you upload to your D2.
Just go into the 'targets' window for your ARC file, make the changes, click on 'OK', the click on 'Calculate'. The new graphs will show the ARC solution for those values.
To get back to the original ARC values: go back into the 'targets' window and click on 'auto detect'.
No changes are made to the ARC solution in your D2 until you upload it.

Trust ARC to choose the correct values. There are very few of the setting that should be changed IMHO.
Setting your sub to flat is one of those changes, as long as your sub has internal protection. Most subs do, but if you have a question please check before changing it to flat.
Raising room gain is another, if ARC sets it low. I think yours is at or near the max, so you can leave it alone.
Raising the ' max freq' is another, but the default 5000 setting is usually the best choice.

But the nice thing about ARC is that you can make adjustments and look at them. If they look good, you can upload and listen. If they sound good you can keep them. If not you can easily revert back to different or original settings.
ARC is a great program.

Tom

Originally Posted by shn750

I re-ran ARC today and verified that the all the speakers and sub levels were set to zero. I used the SPL and set the noise level (line 5b) to 75db. I also used the sub's internal controls to set the volume to 75db at the 1st mic position. By the way, this was the same process that I did on the first ARC run.

Once completed, the targets and calculations looked pretty similar to the first ARC run. The graphs are still showing at volume level of around 65-67db. Is this correct? Should I just trust ARC with this volume level despite having set the noise level to 75db before running ARC?

Thanks
Steve

Originally Posted by dmusoke


Steve:

Unfortunately, some have reported that 10dB error bug between what the ARC graph plots show and what the SPL meter displays. To my knowledge, Anthem has no idea what the cause is, let alone a solution to fix it.

The 75dB reference level corresponds to a volume setting of -10dB on the D2 processor. In the end, trust your ears. If it sounds low, just increase the volume level or re-do ARC with an 85dB reference level.

BTW, what was your reference level offset in line 5b, the one needed to get the 75dB output level?

Originally Posted by spiderv6

V2.14 successfully installed on a non-3D D2V.

Only problem was my Dune Prime had no audio but after a power cycle that was solved.

Originally Posted by shn750

I finally got my first ARC run completed on my D2. The actual ARC installation and setup was a breeze. Zero problems!

My first measurement took almost 3 hours. I'm using 9 mic positions and it kept informing me that the sub variance was over 10 points between the positions. This was what took forever to fix. It was pure trial and error. I was moving the sub around in an attempt to get the variance in db to come under 10 points between the mic positions. After a multitude of measurements, I finally decided to move my sub from the left to the right side of the room. This was a pain because I had to reroute my cables and tear apart all my cable management. I was desperate! My room is odd with angular walls and high ceilings so I really didn't know what to expect. I ran the measurements from scratch and it completed! Yes!

Next I ran the targets, calculated, and uploaded. After ARC is uploaded I had to go into the set up for Source setup and turn on Room EQ=Yes for all the sources. Is this correct? Otherwise, ARC isn't in affect for the D2 correct? I spent all week reading the stickies and FAQs but I want to confirm that what I did was correct.

So...I'm a complete newbie and can't make heads or tails from the results. I'm hoping the ARC experts help out with any recommendations on how it looks? For the sub, I just left it at its current position after moving it. At that point I was happy that the measurements completed and didn't want to mess with it.

So here are the graphs...Is it bad?!? Bear in mind I'm kind of limited on the LCR speakers as these are Signature W5 on walls. I can only rotate them left/right and up/down for the center.

Thanks everyone! This forum rocks.
Steve

Originally Posted by dmusoke

Steve:

As other have said:
1. Make sure you test level is set to give an SPL of 75dB in the anthem setup menu. Your graphs show the reference SPL is 65dB.

2. In the Targets menu, Advanced Settings option, set the subwoofer HPF to Flat, instead of Auto. It'll extend and flatten out your subwoofer frequency response in the lower registers.

Happy Listening ....
David

Originally Posted by dmusoke

Steve:

BTW, what was your reference level offset in line 5b, the one needed to get the 75dB output level?

Originally Posted by shn750

To get my SPL to register 75db, the noise level in line 5b was set to -0.5dB. I reset all the speaker levels to 0dB. After ARC uploaded the changes, the speaker levels now showed:

Front-L: +1.0
Center: +0.5
Front-R: +1.0
Surr-R: +1.0
Sur-L: -1.0
Movie Sub: -3.0
Music Sub: -3.0

Originally Posted by shn750

to get my spl to register 75db, the noise level in line 5b was set to -0.5db. I reset all the speaker levels to 0db. After arc uploaded the changes, the speaker levels now showed:

Front-l: +1.0
center: +0.5
front-r: +1.0
surr-r: +1.0
sur-l: -1.0
movie sub: -3.0
music sub: -3.0

Originally Posted by ninja12

all of your levels look good. If it sounds as good as your charts and levels look, then you should be in very good shape.

Enjoy and good job!!!

Originally Posted by dmusoke

+1 !

Originally Posted by ninja12

All of your levels look good. If it sounds as good as your charts and levels look, then you should be in very good shape.

Enjoy and Good Job!!!

Originally Posted by shn750

So all you guys are saying that I shouldn't worry that the ARC graphs are all showing around 65dB as long as I did set my noise level and subs to 75dB? Is this correct? If so, I'm just going to sit back and let my ears do the judging for a week before I tweak any further.

Thanks for all the help guys. I really appreciate all your time in reading my questions.

Steve