Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Dolby DSS200/220 software version 4.8.4.10 released

This is topic Dolby DSS200/220 software version 4.8.4.10 released in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 03-19-2015, 12:25 PM:

Just seen that this has just appeared on the Dolby customer portal.

Looking at the list of updates and fixes, it doesn't look that much more extensive than the ones that typically appeared in a 4.8.2.XX update, but the numbering implies that this is a more major revision.

Among the updates listed are the fixing of a few minor but annoying cat745 issues, and reducing the "Checking content and licenses" delay after pressing the play button, all of which would be useful but not essential.

Has anyone installed this yet? Any gremlins to report? As I have a "clean install" 4.8.4.23 ISO to roll back to if I need to, I'm thinking about putting this in on Sunday, but as with all software/firmware updates to mission critical machines, am a little bit scared of breaking something.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-19-2015, 02:03 PM:

Dolby 4.8.4.10 is the only good version of 4.8 I've used. So YES...definitely update to 4.8.4.10!

If you have a CAT862 system then you get "instant start". It doesn't just reduced the checking licenses time at show start, it effectively eliminates it. You still get the checking licenses when the show is selected...but once you pay your dues once, you don't have to keep repaying them! This includes if you want to jump to somewhere else in the play list.

If you have a Cinedigm TMS system, it will save you crashed shows were the TCC "floods" the CAT862 demanding audit logs and thus filling up a 2-year storage a bit quickly with each request.

If you have a DSL200, it fixes a log export problem where earlier 4.8 versions it might not give you all of the logs.

In the about 3 months of beta testing this one, I don't think we've had ANY issues on 4.8.4. The same could not be said of earlier 4.8 versions.

As for Dolby's numbering scheme...they seem to require a relocation change for a full version change. Content and Build used to be under one heading in version 3.x. Typically, but not always, the next place has some "feature" change and the rest are refinements. There are a bazillion cases in point where those rules don't apply but you'd have to ask Dolby as to the numbering scheme.

If it were up to me...the DCI compliant version would have necessitated a full version change...you'd know immediately if you were on version 5, that it was DCI compliant...it is sort of a "big deal." When they dropped the DSS100/DSP100, that should have been a version change. That is...version 6 will NOT run on a DSS100...rather than having to keep track of that 4.8 doesn't but 4.7.3.3 does. But I don't get to make such rules. The big "feature" of 4.8 was the "intermission" show.

I think another thing that has them increment the second place is for software update licenses. If you qualify for 4.8...you qualify for all 4.8.x.x but not necessarily for 4.9...etc. So they are going to tick it up 1 each year or so.

I wonder if the Doremi stuff will have to endure this.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-19-2015, 09:56 PM:

4.8.4.10 also resolves an issue of filling up the cat862 logs to the point of death. That's pretty damn important if you ask me. Note after upgrading you'll have to sit through the whole "downloading 512 logs" for a dozen or so shows, but it's no big deal. Just let it do it's thing over the course of a few days.

We have had this running on a LOT of screens for awhile now. It's a good version to upgrade to.

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 03-19-2015, 11:02 PM:

Many thanks. This is for a cat745 system, but I still think I'll take the plunge when I'm next there on Sunday and put the update in. Our only cat862 house is stuck on 4.3.5.13 and can't be updated because of series 1/Cinelink issues.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-20-2015, 06:24 AM:

Really? Cinelink TLS won't work on it? Must be a VERY old series 1 projector. Thus far, all of my series 1s have been able to to to TLS though I suspect some DP100s/DP90s and Christie CP2000-S would have an issue.

Updating to 4.8.4.10 should NOT trigger an Enigma log download (hasn't any of ours). And one can initiate the Enigma download via the CLI with Administrator privileges. One thing 4.8.4 does bring to the table (though I haven't had to test it) is the ability to tell the Enigma to give up the logs even if it IS FULL. A problem one can get into with Enigmas is if they fill up, they turn the tail light red so the server will disconnect and therefore won't connect to download the logs...it is a catch-22. To the best of my knowledge, 4.8.4 will still connect to download the logs. (Though I don't see it in the release notes).

If you haven't downloaded all logs...it is worth doing it to purge the Enigma...after you do that, you'll have to deal with up to 16 shows downloading approximately 512 logs each. If you set up a set of shows with a 5 second blank clip and space them 5 minutes apart, you can clear it all out in 1:20. Updating Enigma to 1.8.24 cannot be over emphasized. Without that update, sooner or later, you will likely be hosed.

We tested 4.8.4.10 on the gamut of Dolby types. It is on CAT862 and CAT745 systems. DSS200, DSS220 and DSL200s. So far, it is a winner-winner.

Posted by Alan Gouger (Member # 543) on 03-20-2015, 10:43 AM:

Does cinema 3D work with the combo Dss200/CAT745. I heard alternative 3D was on the road map but with the purchase of Doremi
wonder if that feature will still be added.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-20-2015, 12:18 PM:

Yes, 3D for DCP is fine on the CAT745. No, they aren't planning to add 3D or 4K to the HDMI ports anymore.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-20-2015, 08:57 PM:

Going from 4.7 or earlier to 4.8.4.10 does trigger enigma log downloads. Keep in mind it's also actively deleting any logs older than 1 year from the cat862 so it can't fill up.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-21-2015, 10:51 AM:

How sure are you of that (Enigma log extraction). Thus far, I don't think I've see it trigger once.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 03-21-2015, 11:47 AM:

Very sure. Its not a big deal though.

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 03-22-2015, 07:10 PM:

quote: Steve Guttag
Really? Cinelink TLS won't work on it? Must be a VERY old series 1 projector. Thus far, all of my series 1s have been able to to to TLS though I suspect some DP100s/DP90s and Christie CP2000-S would have an issue.

When I changed the mode to TLS when investigating this a while ago (if I remember correctly, at your suggestion in another thread), the result was no picture. I then went back to Cinelink I and it was fine. The projector is an NC2500.

Anyway, 4.8.4.10 installed at our other theater and updated the cat745, and it all went without any errors or hassles. Just tried pausing and restarting an encrypted DCP, and there was no "checking content and licenses" - everything was instantaneous. So that all seems to have worked.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-23-2015, 05:47 AM:

If Cinelink TLS isn't working on your series 1...there are things to check...which version of TI board do you have? Also, try manually updating the CAT862 with the Dolby software update program and check the box "reinstall all components." This will put it back to factory fresh. Note, this will WIPE your Dolby 3D settings, if you have them so be sure to save the 3D coefficients first. Do NOT save the entire CAT862 settings because it will have the corruption in it (I've seen that before).

Note, I updated about a dozen systems this weekend and NONE went through the 512 log download per show (for 16 shows). They all behaved normally.

Posted by Mike Renlund (Member # 4675) on 03-23-2015, 09:35 AM:

Leo, you should also look into the Series 1 TI Certificate Recovery Procedure. Some Series 1 Interface boards need that procedure done to allow TLS communication. The software and instructions are on NEC's Partner Website.

Mike Renlund
Dolby Laboratories

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 03-23-2015, 04:59 PM:

quote: Leo Enticknap
Just tried pausing and restarting an encrypted DCP, and there was no "checking content and licenses" - everything was instantaneous. So that all seems to have worked.

Finally! Woo hoo!

quote: Steve Guttag
be sure to save the 3D coefficients first. Do NOT save the entire CAT862 settings because it will have the corruption in it (I've seen that before).

How do you save the settings? Every time I've tried I ended up with an error - can't remember which one right now (oh, I believe it was an 'invalid input' because all the tables are empty). Can I just save the coefficients at the end? Will those keep into consideration the light balance as well?

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 03-23-2015, 10:32 PM:

quote: Steve Guttag
If Cinelink TLS isn't working on your series 1...there are things to check...which version of TI board do you have?

quote: Status page from DCC
Normal operating mode

Release 14.0 (48) [Selected Release]
Cinema-boards: Release 14.0 (48) [Selected Release]
Formatter-Subsystem: Release 14.0 (48) [Selected Release]
---------------------------------------------------------
Interface Board Type = Series-1S (Type 3)
ARM Boot App 4.00 (53)
ARM Main App 14.00 (255)
Intf FPGA [1] 5.48 (258)
Intf A/D PIC 0.00 (5)
---------------------------------------------------------
Processor Board Type = Series-1
DSP Boot App 2.02 (20)
DSP Diag App 2.01 (12)
DSP Main App 4.01 (179)
Proc FPGA [1] 1.00 (26)
---------------------------------------------------------
Fmt-Intf Board Type = EFIB
EFIB Boot App 3.08 (82)
EFIB Main App 3.08 (82)
EFIB FPGA 3.10 (148)
EFIB Seq [DC2K] 4.08 (59)
---------------------------------------------------------
Formatter Type = DDP1000
RED ModFmtr Boot App 1.10 (26) 1.10 (26)
RED ModFmtr Config 1.00 (17) 1.00 (17)
RED ModFmtr Main App 1.22 (132) 1.22 (132)
GREEN ModFmtr Boot App 1.10 (26) 1.10 (26)
GREEN ModFmtr Config 1.00 (17) 1.00 (17)
GREEN ModFmtr Main App 1.22 (132) 1.22 (132)
BLUE ModFmtr Boot App 1.10 (26) 1.10 (26)
BLUE ModFmtr Config 1.00 (17) 1.00 (17)
BLUE ModFmtr Main App 1.22 (132) 1.22 (132)
---------------------------------------------------------
DMD Type = DC2K
RED ModFmtr Sequences 4.08 (59) 4.08 (59)
GREEN ModFmtr Sequences 4.08 (59) 4.08 (59)
BLUE ModFmtr Sequences 4.08 (59) 4.08 (59)

quote: Steve Guttag
Also, try manually updating the CAT862 with the Dolby software update program and check the box "reinstall all components." This will put it back to factory fresh. Note, this will WIPE your Dolby 3D settings, if you have them so be sure to save the 3D coefficients first. Do NOT save the entire CAT862 settings because it will have the corruption in it (I've seen that before).

Thanks. The problem with that is that I don't have the 4.3.5.13 cat862-only update file to install using the Dolby software update program, and I can't see it on the Dolby customer portal. I don't want to try putting in a substantially newer version, in case new software in the cat862 won't work with the older software in the server itself, thereby bricking the thing.

As things stand, when I put the link encryption into TLS mode, the server reboots and gives me "Error connecting showstore to projector" (or equivalent wording). If I set the encryption back to DH and reboot, it works again. So either the cat862, or the TI board, or both, don't like TLS link encryption.

quote: Mike Renlund
Leo, you should also look into the Series 1 TI Certificate Recovery Procedure. Some Series 1 Interface boards need that procedure done to allow TLS communication. The software and instructions are on NEC's Partner Website.

Thanks. Got a show starting soon, and so will do this when I get a moment. I would like to be able to update the software in that server, if only to address the increasing number of subtitle problems we're having with SMPTE DCPs, the consensus of opinion about which seems to be that if we weren't using a several years old version of the DSS200 software, we wouldn't be having.

Posted by Jason Raftery (Member # 6291) on 03-23-2015, 11:01 PM:

quote:
Interface Board Type = Series-1S (Type 3)

I think that's your problem. AFAIK, Type 3 boards don't support TLS and are not DCI-compliant.

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 03-23-2015, 11:52 PM:

You're correct, latest software address a number of issues with subtitles.
As it's been suggested, try the certificate recovery. You're on version 14 on your TI boats, I'd advise you to go to 15 anyway even though this shouldn't prevent TLS from working. Do you give enough time to the system to reconnect after you switch modes? I've also found that sometimes you may need to boot up projector and server with the network disconnected and then plug it up when fully booted.
The utility you're looking for is on the portal, it's called mediablock setup. You do not need to upgrade the 862 when sending the full software, just send the same version.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-24-2015, 06:21 AM:

Type 3 should handle TLS. Performing the Certificate recovery procedure is a safe bet to do regardless since it can't hurt and it'll ensure that isn't the problem. You don't need a type 5 (Gore) to activate TLS. However, a type 3 is NOT HDCP compliant so forget BluRays on that projector. As such, it may be desirable to get a Type 4 (HDCP compliant) or Type 5 (HDCP and Gore).

As for saving Dolby 3D settings. Go to the Coefficient page and save from there. It will be a text file (human readable). You can load those coefficients back in using the load button from the Coefficients page too right from the text file. You can only save a d3d file at the conclusion of a set up since only then is everything loaded (all of the parameters you went through on the wizard). I do make a point of saving at the conclusion but it isn't the end of the world if you don't. I just save most everything I can in the hopes of never needing it.

To speed things up once...I saved a CAT862 file after I set up the Real-D ghost busting parameters. I then loaded it some years later on a pair of servers that were being switched from Dolby 3D to Real-D to save time. Everything looked good. Some time later (a week or two)...on the same day...both CAT862s crashed (caused a disconnection). Clearly something from the original CAT862, probably of an earlier software version didn't agree with these two. As such, I'm content to just load the text files (which I have Real-D versions...I also have D3D versions of the Real-D parameters. MUCH safer.

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 03-24-2015, 11:36 AM:

Many thanks. Yes, we've come up across the HDCP issue, and are currently working around it by using an Intelix scaler that strips out HDCP between the BD player and the projector's DVI input.

Will try certificate recovery and then 862 software reinstall. Totally coincidentally, I had a cat862 glitch during last night's show: a power glitch (overhead light in the booth flickered), immediately followed by the picture freezing and "error connecting to cat862". It took about 20-30 seconds to reconnect, check content and licenses (even though the DCP was unencrypted!) and restart the DCP. Rebooted during intermission and it froze on the "establishing handshake" part of the bootup. A second reboot (this time actually disconnecting the power, not just entering the reboot command into the Linux shell) got it running again, but I am wondering if that could have corrupted some data in the 862.

quote: Marco Giustini
Do you give enough time to the system to reconnect after you switch modes?

In DH mode, Show Manager usually says "Disconnected" for about 30 seconds, then "connecting..." and then "Please select a show". When booting in TLS mode it instantly said "Error connecting showstore to projector" when the boot-up into Show Manager was complete, and did nothing for 60-90 seconds until I gave up and put it back to DH. I understood this to mean that the 862 was trying to establish a TLS-encrypted connection to the TI board, but that the board is either not responding at all or rejecting it.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-24-2015, 12:33 PM:

When changing modes...you should always reboot both the projector and the server. And for the server, ALWAYS do a hard power cycle. A soft reboot via CLI does not power cycle the CAT862 since it has no power cord (other than what connects to the power supply) so a proper power cycle is the only way to really flush it.

You'll know things are going to be good if you turn your projector on and see Cinelink snow until the server finishes booting up...it would then turn black.

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 03-24-2015, 04:24 PM:

Thanks Steve,

I once had the MediaBlock setup crashing on me just when I hit the "save" button after a calibration!

So you're only saving the coefficients under the advanced tab and then reload those from the same page. I was concerned that that would not take into account the light balancing. Thanks.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 03-24-2015, 04:25 PM:

Light balancing is in there.

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 04-01-2015, 10:42 AM:

Problem cracked - now have our NC2500S running on TLS and version 4.9.1.10 on the DSS200 feeding it.

The problem was the certificate recovery: once I'd done that, the projector and server worked together with TLS link encryption and I could then update the server software, which I did, straight from 4.3.5.13 to 4.9.1.10 in one go. I tested it with an unencrypted SMPTE subtitled DCP that previously wouldn't play with subtitles, and it worked!

Very many thanks, especially to Steve and Marco, for the pointers.

For the reference of anyone Googling this problem who finds this page, the problem is also discussed on this thread.

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 04-01-2015, 12:25 PM:

Anytime Leo, glad it worked.

4.9? Have Dolby released another version??

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 04-01-2015, 02:16 PM:

No...it was a typo. 4.9 is in the works though.

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 04-01-2015, 03:59 PM:

and what will it bring to the world?

Posted by Magnus Eriksson (Member # 6085) on 04-01-2015, 05:50 PM:

Perfection [Big Grin]

/M.E.

Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 04-01-2015, 05:55 PM:

Yes, it was a typo/fried brain - sorry.

Posted by Marco Giustini (Member # 4544) on 04-01-2015, 11:58 PM:

Magnus: LOL! [Smile]

Posted by Carsten Kurz (Member # 5396) on 04-02-2015, 04:00 AM:

Perfection can only be in 4.99.9.999.99999. Then they'll screw it again in 5.0

- Carsten