Smyth Research Realiser A16

[Sanctuary]

I haven't updated beyond 2.11 yet, and don't think I will unless some major/necessary improvements come along, but I am now having a weird issue of my own, which doesn't really make any sense. I ended up getting eARC working just fine with my C9 a little over a week ago, and while it's really annoying having to turn it on > turn it off > turn it back on to get the A16 to recognize that it's streaming Atmos, that method always worked for everything. Until last night.

On Wednesday, after watching a film with a friend, I ended up removing the microSD card that I had sitting in there (with the power off) since I got my unit. As far as I know, the A16 doesn't actually use that for normal operation, and its only use is for transferring storage back and forth between it and the A16.

Last night, we tried to watch another film, and the A16 simply refused to interface with eARC no matter what I tried, and the only thing different over the previous night was the removal of the microSD card. I no longer even have it in my possession anyway as it had to be used for something else.

 

[Thomasphoenix98]

Arc and eArc are dodgy hdmi cec tech. If it works it’s good, it can stop working for no good reason.

 

[VerloK]

In the thread you have already talked about ground loop, I have the same problem.
For me, the coax output is the problem.
Probably a loose contact -_-.
When wiggling the cable you notice it very hard.

 

[GeorgeA]

I wish you a wonderful New Year 2023 and hope it’ll bring Realiser A16 units to those who have been waiting for them for so long.
...............................................

From December 29, 2022 to January 2, 2023, Timisoara residents and tourists will enjoy the Festival of Lights, an extraordinary light show, artistic projections, fireworks and laser games. The event marks the transition to 2023 when Timisoara becomes one of the European Capitals of Culture.

Shine your light – Light up your city!

 

[Flash676]

PS. I actually had the headphone stand version... But had the Smyths swap the internals to a 2U.

What was the cost associated with getting the headphone stand version swapped to a 2U?

I have the headphone stand version and regret not getting the 2U.

 

[Sanctuary]

Arc and eArc are dodgy hdmi cec tech. If it works it’s good, it can stop working for no good reason.

Tonight it decided to randomly start working again, and I still have no idea what the problem was. For streaming at least, I always had the A16 set to 24ch mode, and it worked with everything. When my friend came over the first night, I selected dual user, and it worked just fine for watching a UHD. Then the second night, after having removed the microSD card (and that's it), it no longer worked. I ended up just unplugging the HDMI cable I had been using as my eARC cable and plugged it back into the audio only out of the Oppo so we would have sound, since I already knew that worked at least.

Tonight, I decided to switch it back to 24ch mode just to see, hoping that wasn't actually the problem since one of the main reasons I wanted eARC to work for streaming in the first place was company. Also removed the HDMI cable from the Oppo, and plugged it back into the TV. After switching...it worked. Then I went ahead and switched back to dual user mode, and it still worked.

You might be thinking it was just an issue with how the HDMI cable was seated, but I very much doubt that was the cause, since it was the first thing I thought of when it stopped working, and I already unplugged/plugged it back in from both ends to no positive result. Even so, that still made no sense, since the cable had not been shifted in any way prior to it ceasing to work.

 

[Litlgi74]

What was the cost associated with getting the headphone stand version swapped to a 2U?

I have the headphone stand version and regret not getting the 2U.

I wish I could say for sure... But I really don't remember. I think it was around $200. But don't quote me.

 

[Litlgi74]

Happy New Year!

I had a pretty cool Realiser moment with my wife last night...

My wife tends to do a bunch of things while watching TV... and can be distracted easily... Last night was no different. This time she was eating a bowl of soup and crackers...

Anyway... She put on her headphones (HD800S) and while she was still getting situated... I started the film. Within the first 30 seconds of the film she said her headphones weren't working. So I immediately checked the Realiser, cables, and the volume of the headphone amp.. all was well.

So I said to her... Are you sure the headphones aren't working? She turned to me and said, I don't think so, I only hear the sound coming from the speakers. She saw my grin from ear to ear... Removed her right ear cup from her head... And said, What's so funny? Oh!

Like most women my wife could care less about tech... But that small incident made my day.

PS... I think my PRIR works better for my wife than it does for me. We have never used the Realiser in dual user mode. We both use the same 24 channel signal coming from User A. I just split the toslink output of user A and send it to two separate Fiio K7 DAC/Amps that drive two pairs of HD800S.

 

[sander99]

We have never used the Realiser in dual user mode. We both use the same 24 channel signal coming from User A. I just split the toslink output of user A and send it to two separate Fiio K7 DAC/Amps that drive two pairs of HD800S.

But don't you use headtracking then? Or if one of you has the active headtracker, the other must feel half drunk hearing the speakers moving around everytime the person with the headtracker turns the head.

Which reminds me of something I wanted to ask about your PRIRs: how many lookangles have you measured, and which ones?

 

[Litlgi74]

But don't you use headtracking then? Or if one of you has the active headtracker, the other must feel half drunk hearing the speakers moving around everytime the person with the headtracker turns the head.

No headtracking... We usually both sit in the dark. And you are right... With a single headtracker.. my wife's vertigo would have her vomiting in no time.

Both my wife and sons have yet to complain about the off center sound vs the TV position... As they sit around 30° off center... I've been waiting for it .. but it has yet to be mentioned.

Which reminds me of something I wanted to ask about your PRIRs: how many lookangles have you measured, and which ones?

Three... At 30°.

 

[GeorgeA]

..........................

Anyway... She put on her headphones (HD800S) and while she was still getting situated... I started the film. Within the first 30 seconds of the film she said her headphones weren't working. So I immediately checked the Realiser, cables, and the volume of the headphone amp.. all was well.

So I said to her... Are you sure the headphones aren't working? She turned to me and said, I don't think so, I only hear the sound coming from the speakers. She saw my grin from ear to ear... Removed her right ear cup from her head... And said, What's so funny? Oh!

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Beyond the amusement of the moment, a warning should be highlighted. It happened to me a few times too, when I was carried away by the pleasure of the music I was listening to, I turned up the volume without realizing that the louder sound was actually in my headphones and was not coming from the speakers.

 

[Litlgi74]

Is anyone successfully listening to Atmos content from a Panasonic UB820 UHD player?

Your settings with the player and Realiser would be greatly appreciated.

A fellow a16 owner is really struggling to get his setup to work.

 

[GeorgeA]

Is anyone successfully listening to Atmos content from a Panasonic UB820 UHD player?

Your settings with the player and Realiser would be greatly appreciated.

A fellow a16 owner is really struggling to get his setup to work.

If no Panasonic UB820 UHD player owner comes up with an answer, maybe the post at the link below will be helpful.
https://www.avforums.com/threads/panasonic-dp-ub820-can-only-get-dolby-truehd.2377358/post-30135325

 

[Litlgi74]

If no Panasonic UB820 UHD player owner comes up with an answer, maybe the post at the link below will be helpful.
https://www.avforums.com/threads/panasonic-dp-ub820-can-only-get-dolby-truehd.2377358/post-30135325

We've tried the suggestions there... Bitstream mode with secondary audio off... Still not working.



He says that once he upgraded the firmware on the Realiser to 2.12... Atmos stopped working with a UHD player.

Atmos is working with the A16 when connected via eARC to the television.

 

[VandyMan]

He says that once he upgraded the firmware on the Realiser to 2.12... Atmos stopped working with a UHD player.

So, if he connects the player to the TV and uses eARC he gets Atmos, but if he connects the player directly to the A-16 he does not? You have probably already tried this, but I suggest turning everything fully off. Then turn on the A-16 and let it finish booting. Then turn on the display. And finally turn on the player. Make sure no other devices are plugged into the A-16 HDMI input ports. If it is an HDMI handshake issue, those steps *might* help.