[shmau]

I decided to download and load the 2.05 firmware tonight. When I attempt to load the firmware it goes through its entire routine, and in the end shows the firmware is still 2.0.

I'm truly stumped here. I did this three times. I am positive I downloaded 2.05, I saw all the correct messaging, it ? Do I need top do the factory restore before it will show I have 2.05 on the system? What's going on?

3 times? It should take quite a while for the upgrade to complete, about 45mins. How long did each attempt take?

 

[GeorgeA]

I decided to download and load the 2.05 firmware tonight. When I attempt to load the firmware it goes through its entire routine, and in the end shows the firmware is still 2.0.

I'm truly stumped here. I did this three times. I am positive I downloaded 2.05, I saw all the correct messaging, it ? Do I need top do the factory restore before it will show I have 2.05 on the system? What's going on?

According to the user manual, page no. 130:
…………………….
STEP 5. The firmware update is now complete. To confirm the firmware update was a success please check the revision numbers displayed in UPDATES/ABOUT accessed via the SETTINGS page. The firmware update PDF that is supplied with the firmware file will list the revisions numbers you should expect to see.

STEP 5. Once you are happy the firmware is up to date, a full restore must be run to properly initialize new menu and Preset features……………………..

As definitely you aren’t happy the firmware isn’t up to date after three attempts, maybe you should report this issue to James Smyth.

 

[denniswaugh]

My A16 is the 16 channel version.

In preparation of upgrading to DTS-X I performed a firmware update from Rev 1.98 Jul 24 2020 to Rev 2.05 Oct 20, 2021.

Upon the A16 automatically rebooting after the firmware installation of the update, the screen is stuck with a message Audio CPLD update required. see the attachment 1

The only way I can get the A16 to turn on is to boot into the firmware upgrade routine again.

I installed firmware Rev 2.00 June 08, 2021 and the installation completed. I performed the full factory reset as specified in the instructions.

The A16 boots up fine and I can go into the configuration screens and alter the settings etc, but the A16 fails to display anything on the monitor (Pioneer 6090).

I noticed that the APM version is v2.2.5 8901 Jul and not v 2.2.6 8909 Oct specified in the firmware notes. see attachment 2

I then tried firmware Rev 1.98 Jul 24 2020 again. Same problem as firmware Rev 2.00 June 08, 2021, no display output to the monitor and the APM version stuck at v2.2.5 8901 Jul. see attachment 3.

Tried Rev 1.75 Oct 15 2019, same as all the previous attempts. see attachment 4

I've tried full factory restore and restore factory setup but neither option works. The APM version remains at v2.2.5 8901 Jul.

I'm guessing here but I suspect the problem is with the APM not being erased during the update process and is not compatible with previous firmware revisions.

I decided to download and load the 2.05 firmware tonight. When I attempt to load the firmware it goes through its entire routine, and in the end shows the firmware is still 2.0.

I'm truly stumped here. I did this three times. I am positive I downloaded 2.05, I saw all the correct messaging, it ? Do I need top do the factory restore before it will show I have 2.05 on the system? What's going on?

I have again tried Rev 2.05 Oct 20, 2021 and the screen is stuck at “Audio CPLD update required”

I've emailed James yesterday and awaiting a reply.

 

[denniswaugh]

James has sent me a link to new firmware to try.
I won't be able to check this out until later but I'd like to express my thanks to James for the swift reply to my email.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

According to the user manual, page no. 130:
…………………….
STEP 5. The firmware update is now complete. To confirm the firmware update was a success please check the revision numbers displayed in UPDATES/ABOUT accessed via the SETTINGS page. The firmware update PDF that is supplied with the firmware file will list the revisions numbers you should expect to see.

STEP 5. Once you are happy the firmware is up to date, a full restore must be run to properly initialize new menu and Preset features……………………..

As definitely you aren’t happy the firmware isn’t up to date after three attempts, maybe you should report this issue to James Smyth.

Finally got it to load on the 4th attempt. What I did was take the updated firmware out of the "Firmware" subdirectory and placed it in the "Realiser" directory and it loaded just fine. Wasted an entire day. Can't recall I needed to do that previously. Does not appear to be anywhere in the instruction set telling you to do that either.

 

[Thomasphoenix98]

Finally got it to load on the 4th attempt. What I did was take the updated firmware out of the "Firmware" subdirectory and placed it in the "Realiser" directory and it loaded just fine. Wasted an entire day. Can't recall I needed to do that previously. Does not appear to be anywhere in the instruction set telling you to do that either.

In the current as well as the last couple of updates, the release notes ask us to drop the svs firmware file in the root of the realiser folder.
Good to know you got it sorted.

 

[esimms86]

Finally got it to load on the 4th attempt. What I did was take the updated firmware out of the "Firmware" subdirectory and placed it in the "Realiser" directory and it loaded just fine. Wasted an entire day. Can't recall I needed to do that previously. Does not appear to be anywhere in the instruction set telling you to do that either.

Deleted

 

[phoenixdogfan]

In the current as well as the last couple of updates, the release notes ask us to drop the svs firmware file in the root of the realiser folder.
Good to know you got it sorted.

Yeah, I know. But how many times do you re-read how to upload firmware when you've successfully done it half a dozen times?

 

[audiohobbit]

seven...

 

[infernix]

Actually, an easier way to carry out PRIR measurements is explained by @audiohobbit in his Post #7,567.

I've made this PRIR just now, but what atmos room config is this? I'm having a hard time finding the correct room for this L,R,SW,C,Ls,Lw,Lb,Lss,Rss,Rb,Rw,Rs setup or how to map it to an atmos speaker preset.

 

[jazzfan]

I've written James with my comments about those two "usability" issues that make the new HDMI pass-through feature operate in a less-than-ideal implementation, to my perspective. No answer yet.

I suppose in the meantime I'll just have to manually keep the setting disabled unless I genuinely want to make use of it. My three streaming sources plus Oppo player are the four HDMI inputs, and normally I would be using headphones to listen and the A16/DAC/amp would all be powered on so pass-through is not wanted. It's only more occasionally when I feel in the mood to just watch and listen more casually, through actual stereo loudspeakers managed by the AVR, that I would want to make use of the function. So at that time I will just enable the switch and use it, temporarily.

Hopefully they will tweak the behavior to address these two reasonable observations. Obviously the head-tracker circuitry has no reason to remain powered-on if headphones are not being used by a human. And there really should be an easy and convenient 2-step way to get the A16 from full powered-on all the way to full powered-off even with the HDMI pass-through function switch enabled:

(a) go into semi-standby, with HDMI pass-through active but all else powered down, via a single first push of the remote power button, and then

(b) go into full-standby, with everything powered down and HDMI pass-through inactive, via a single second push of the remote power button.

For Dolby Atmos playback, I have a simple setup. I use an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K as a single source for the Realiser. Then I use HDMI out from the Realiser into a splitter to connect an AVR w/projector and a TV. The "HDMI pass-through on standby" feature allows me to leave the Realiser in the chain so I'm able to watch my TV & AVR w/projector while the Realiser is powered off.

In my case, I don't use the Realiser daily, so many days, or even weeks, may pass while the Realiser is in "standby" mode. Because of this, I'm concerned there is a possibility of display burn-in with the "HDMI pass-through active" message always displayed while pass-through is active. Manually turning off the pass-through function when I think I won't need it is much too inconvenient for me.

So, in addition to the changes you've suggested, it would be useful if the pass-through active message would only appear for a few minutes then automatically turn off to avoid screen burn-in. Pressing any key could reactivate the message again, then pressing the power button could restore the Realiser to full operation.

 

[sander99]

I've made this PRIR just now, but what atmos room config is this? I'm having a hard time finding the correct room for this L,R,SW,C,Ls,Lw,Lb,Lss,Rss,Rb,Rw,Rs setup or how to map it to an atmos speaker preset.

First: you use the word room but actually you should have used the word listening mode. Each listening room can be set to some listening mode. The listening mode determines what set of speakers you need. If you want to create an atmos room you just choose one of the 32 Atmos rooms and in there set the desired listening mode, for example 9.1.6, and then choose the appropiate speakers from one or more PRIRs.
Back to your question: This is just a set of 12 ear level speakers that doesn't correspond to one specific listening mode but you can pick speakers from this set for different listening modes (in different listening rooms). To create a complete atmos room you still need ceiling speakers (they are not in this set of speakers). In the case of an 9.1.6 atmos room you can only use 10 of the 12 speakers you listed, together the 9.1 part of the room.
For now, if you didn't measure height speakers yet, you could already try your measured ear level speakers combined with bbc height speakers. Just to learn the proces and test how realistic the ear level speakers sound (in other words: listen if the PRIR measurement has been succesful).

[Edit: and you have to select the listening room in a preset and select that preset to be used.]

Note: I only have experience with the 16 channel version of the A16, I don't know what happens exactly in 24 channel mode.

 

[phoenixdogfan]

I've made this PRIR just now, but what atmos room config is this? I'm having a hard time finding the correct room for this L,R,SW,C,Ls,Lw,Lb,Lss,Rss,Rb,Rw,Rs setup or how to map it to an atmos speaker preset.

You have both a "Ls-Rs" and a "Lss-Rss", normally the "Ls-Rs" is only used in 5.1 layouts. In 7.1 and higher layouts the combination of Lss,Lb and Rss,Rb replaces those two speakers. The layout closest to what you have is a 9.1.0 which I think the Realiser offers. As someone mentioned, it's probably easy to grab some height speakers from one of the Smyth rooms if you don't want to make your own height speaker PRIRs (which I can attest from personal experience is not the easiest thing to do).

If you do that you could build a 9.1.6 listening room room for Atmos and PCM as well as a 7.1.4 for DTS-X.

 

[kh36267]

For Dolby Atmos playback, I have a simple setup. I use an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K as a single source for the Realiser. Then I use HDMI out from the Realiser into a splitter to connect an AVR w/projector and a TV. The "HDMI pass-through on standby" feature allows me to leave the Realiser in the chain so I'm able to watch my TV & AVR w/projector while the Realiser is powered off.

In my case, I don't use the Realiser daily, so many days, or even weeks, may pass while the Realiser is in "standby" mode. Because of this, I'm concerned there is a possibility of display burn-in with the "HDMI pass-through active" message always displayed while pass-through is active. Manually turning off the pass-through function when I think I won't need it is much too inconvenient for me.

So, in addition to the changes you've suggested, it would be useful if the pass-through active message would only appear for a few minutes then automatically turn off to avoid screen burn-in. Pressing any key could reactivate the message again, then pressing the power button could restore the Realiser to full operation.

I 100% agree that the message should not permanently display during pass-through. I would use the feature on a frequent basis for casual viewing........but don't want to chance any burn-in down the road.

 

[RedDawn999]

Similar to @jazzfan’s setup, I will also have to feed content into my A16 exclusively from a streaming device. To get the most out of the A16 from such a simple setup, any recommendations as to which streamer to use for movies and music? Would the more expensive options of Apple TV 4K (2021) or Nvidia Shield TV be a better option to Fire TV Stick 4K for example in terms of getting more out of the A16 (quality of sound and quantity of Atmos and other specialised content for A16)? Are there any other better options any of you can recommend? Thank you.