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Topic: Dolby CP650 Firmware upgrade causes switching silence

Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!

Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 07-03-2008 06:32 AM

Dolby is pretty good at stating what the reason is for the release of their firmware though it is not all inclusive.

quote:
"CP650 firmware v2363.bin Button 05 and Button 10 is now User-Assignable when Cat 773 is not installed (CP650DC model)"

Okay that is what Dolby says about 2.3.6.3. So, I ask...do you have a CP650DC? (DCinema only version...omits the Dolby Digital film board...Cat 773). Since your glitch happens, among other times, on the transition from Dolby Digital to Dolby SR...we'll presume you have a CP650D or CP650...so you have a Cat 773. Thus, this firmware is to add functionality to a different processor than yours. It is entirely possible that this firmware was not tested thoroughly with processors other than the DC model and less likely it was tested with processors that have the Cat 794 (older Surround EX/AES input) board. And if they weren't looking for it, they might not have found the problem you had.

Steve

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 07-03-2008 07:32 AM

quote: Steve Guttag
The reasons for a new firmware in something like a Dolby processor may be to merely make it compatible with a new board that will show up in new production. By and large, they don't do anything for the sound (some have...but just to fix glitches).

All the better reason to keep units upgraded. I have units up tp 500 miles away that may need a simple board replacement which the customer may be able to do himself and save himself a very expensive service call. If the unit already has the latest but safest version of software in it that new version of the board will work just fine, otherwise it mnay not.

quote: Steve Guttag
In the case of the CP500...it took Dolby a LONG time to come out with 1.65 and 1.65x.

Yes, the memory dumping version... it only dumped the memory under very certain circumstances. As Lonnie told me the story the guy that wrote those bad versions purposely wrote in a bug because he knew he was going to be let go from his job or something to that extent. It took Dolby quite a long time to figure out what he had done to the code. If his story is true it goes without saying that you don't give a software guy notice... you let him go that instant!

The oddest firmware issue was a QSC DCM-10 that I installed last Saturday. Right out of the box and powered up it did not function correctly. After hooking up my laptop I connected to the unit only to find that it was automatically asking for the latest version of the firmware which was located on the CD-ROM included with the unit. It woldn't let me in to configure anything until the firmware was loaded. Perhaps they didn't have time to load it in at the factory... it was a fast order overnight shipped unit. After depressing a tiny button on the rear panel and powering the unit up it took in the latest DCM-10 firmware automatically then functioned normally.

Mark

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 07-03-2008 07:42 AM

I've got a CP500 with v1.50 on it that I didn't even realize until last year when Steve went on one of his hatred bits for that version. Since it had been running for many years, I have decided just to let it keep running...just to see how long it will go. So far, not one glitch. [Cool]

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Scott Norwood
Film God

Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 07-03-2008 07:51 AM

As an IT guy, I'm with Steve on this. Don't upgrade something that works unless the upgrade provides new features that you need or fixes a bug that is generally known to be serious.

Also, don't upgrade everything at once (unless you want everything to fail at once) and choose the timing for upgrades carefully. In the case of cinema equipment, don't do an upgrade on Friday morning before an important opening.

Most firmware updates (in general, not just for cinema equipment) fix edge-case issues that most people will not encounter.

For a new installation of anything (not just cinema equipment), however, I would go with the latest firmware that is not known to be buggy.

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Louis Bornwasser
Film God

Posts: 4441
From: prospect ky usa
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 07-03-2008 10:37 AM

Scott: you said it all! Louis

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Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!

Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 07-03-2008 05:12 PM

Yep, Scott and I are in agreement...right down the line.

QSC, on their DCM-10/30 line of monitors FORCES the latest firmware on you. That is, if you have your software up to date...when the software connects to the unit, it will demand a firmware update...which is part of the operating software (you will always have it with you if you have the software to begin with).

Please note, the DCM-10/30 need to be updated to the latest firmware (just came out in July!) or you might damage your speakers...the unit could be putting out nasty sounds on boot up, or some such nonsense. So, if you have a DCM-10 or DCM-30, go to the www.qscuadio.com site and down load the latest DCM Manager software for those units (not the one for the DCM-1 through DCM-3). You will then need to update all of your units...fear not, it will not change your settings (which you should have saved anyway...right?!).

Steve

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