Version 2013.116.1545

[Sammy2]

I installed this this morning.

I am still unable to bitstream AC-3 via HDMI through my Denon AVR 2312ci to my Samsung LN40-650A in any mode but 720p. I am seeing no improvements. The 1214 f/w has been the best hands down for me. Any help or comments would be appreciated.

[hub1]

Sammy2, 2 days ago my echo began to exhibit behavior where it wouldn't remember settings on reboot and freezing among other behaviors. What I did was recover it by turning it off and using the remote typing "recovery (73268379)", which installed the stable f/w. Then updated to the latest beta f/w, which fixed it. Might be worth a try.

[Sammy2]

Thanks hub1. I will try that over the weekend and see if it improves things. I wonder why/if somebody at ceton hasn't/will mentioned/confirm this.

[Sammy2]

I did the recover to no avail but after unplugging the HDMI cable from my AVR so I could go direct to my TV for some testing I plugged the echo back into the AVR. I have AC-3 bitstreaming working in native video mode now. It must have been one of those lame EDID things. The picture is fantastic and the audio is as well.

Now waiting for full mkv support of high/variable bit rate files with HD Audio!!!! Is this going to happen? I sure hope so.

[hub1]

^^ and don't forget video_ts folders......

[shortcut3d]

Variable frame rate flag is a real pain. Even when the source is constant and the encoding is set to variable the Echo stutters horribly. Ceton has to figure that out soon. Ticket has been open with samples files uploaded since the beta program started.

[Sammy2]

EDID issues have returned after powering down my system and powering it back up. Is there a suggested power up sequence with appropriate pauses to allow EDID to properly recognize each device?

Can ceton program the echo to remember EDID information similar to what the Gefen HDMI Detective does? That would solve a world of people's problems I think.

[richard1980]

Variable frame rate flag is a real pain. Even when the source is constant and the encoding is set to variable the Echo stutters horribly. Ceton has to figure that out soon. Ticket has been open with samples files uploaded since the beta program started.

I hope that's not a hardware limitation like the 29/59 stutter.

[carljanderson]

My Echo is usually on 24/7, and the TV off.

Few nights back, after an install of 2013.116, I turned the TV on and saw the green screen.

[Sammy2]

My Echo is usually on 24/7, and the TV off.

Few nights back, after an install of 2013.116, I turned the TV on and saw the green screen.

That's an EDID issue that ceton is struggling to solve but I am sure they will get it solved. I think that the TV needs to be on first and then the echo gets powered up but am not sure. The echo needs to remember the EDID of each device to solve this issue I believe.

[fiteclub]

My Echo is usually on 24/7, and the TV off.

Few nights back, after an install of 2013.116, I turned the TV on and saw the green screen.

That's an EDID issue that ceton is struggling to solve but I am sure they will get it solved. I think that the TV needs to be on first and then the echo gets powered up but am not sure. The echo needs to remember the EDID of each device to solve this issue I believe.

I have a similar issue which I have been attributing to HDCP handshake glitches. If I turn the TV off while watching an encrypted cable channel, and then turn the TV back on, I get a "Display Error" stating that the the connected display may not support HDCP. I can only clear this by rebooting the Echo. If I do the same experiment on a ClearQAM channel, the video resumes just fine. BTW, I am not on the omega fw but the latest beta. On the previous fw, the Echo would just reboot itself when I turned the TV off and back on while watching an encrypted channel.

[shortcut3d]

Variable frame rate flag is a real pain. Even when the source is constant and the encoding is set to variable the Echo stutters horribly. Ceton has to figure that out soon. Ticket has been open with samples files uploaded since the beta program started.

I hope that's not a hardware limitation like the 29/59 stutter.

The stutter is far worse than the 29/59 frame rate issue. The picture freezes runs for a few seconds, then freezes again.

[Sammy2]

Mine produces a fantastic picture. Could this be a network issue?

[shortcut3d]

Mine produces a fantastic picture. Could this be a network issue?

Live and recorded TV are fine. MP4 and MKV encoded with constant frame rate flag (same as source) are fine. The same content encoded with variable frame rate (same as source) stutter horribly. So it's not a network issue. The Echo is simply not handling the variable frame rate flag. The actual content does not even vary in frame rate. The problem is commonly used Handbrake profiles for HD content all have variable frame as the default, so many of us have large libraries with the variable frame flag set. Personally I have a couple hundred movies, that I have no intention or time to re-encode.

[Sammy2]

Oh. That is what you are talking about. I gave up testing mkv's for the most part but I do try one every new f/w release only to see no changes. I'm talking about TV playback when the EDID is working correctly which is about every other boot or something.

[Crash2009]

Here we go again. Didn't like that last one. Just received 1545 today.

[JAS]

Updated to this Beta and took a quick look (few minutes)

Quick observations:
- Still green screen on startup (need to toggle source)
- No 1080i still (still stuck in 720p)
- Color space gradient transistions appear better (dark areas, etc). Gradient transistions not as harsh with edges and color. Colors appear to be scatter blended better now. But, sometimes the picture appears grainy.
- Anti-aliasing appears to be off? Graphics such as weather and channel logos appear to be jagged. Or more so than with last beta which I really didn't notice instantly.
- Moving right to left graphic of characters in car commercial appear to 'shear' (motion jaggies). Didn't notice that before that I recall.

[Crash2009]

Updated to this Beta and took a quick look (few minutes)

You sure have a way with words. I would have to agree that I am seeing the same thing you are describing. You probably covered this one but I would like to add that I am watching NBCsports (VSHD #206). This channel has the scrollong ticker (right to left) at the bottom of the screen. The ticker is grainy and there is some chug in it.

Wow, the channel just froze, and the Echo rebooted itself.

Seems to be working better now, maybe the new firmware was just getting accustomed to it's new surroundings. I'll keep an eye on it.

EDIT: cold boot HTPC, Echo, and TV, seems to have straightened it out.

[Motz]

I merged these topics together.

[Crash2009]

I merged these topics together.

Watched the Redwings game last night through 116.1545. The sound and video were flawless. My firmware upgrade started out a little rough. Then, Echo rebooted itself and presented a bit of an improvement. Thats when I decided to cold boot all three (HTPC, Echo, and TV). After that, everything worked great. My router was going to be next on the hitlist, however, I felt it was not necesary this time.

Is there a firmware upgrade boot procedure/order that should be followed when upgrading?