XMS-888 - Mpeg4 - Firmware?

[Tau C Seti]

Firmware 1.2 is not upon us, not because the factory are not supporting the product, quite the opposite, they have been more supportive than any that I have seen before, but because we would like more specific issues addressed. We had two firmwares within the space of a few days and they have been very helpful. No offence is taken (by me anyway, some others that have put a lot of time into this may feel differently) but this is by no means beta software or BYO tech support, the original firmware was the base firmware as supplied by ESS, changes since have been based on the wants and needs of the consumer. The firmware supplied has no trouble with the standard run of the mill mpeg-4 movies that are sold on the streets of China, which is what they have used to test the players.

Last week I tested a new player which has just received Divx certification and it had exactly the same issues with audio as this one, trouble is the standards are so loosely defined and there are so many variables that it is not a straight forward process to get it sorted. Read through the forums over at divx.com every player has some sort of issue with files of some types.

If you feel the need to take it back and you end up with something else you need to weigh up the chance that you may not get a player that has the right level of support to get sorted correctly, I think we are still a while away from one that has it right straight out of the box. By the time we are at that stage I think you will see mpeg-4 support from the likes of Sony, Pioneer, Toshiba etc

These standards issues are addressed in the MPEG-4 AVC (or part 10) codec, also known as H.264, which was ratified 30th May. This is a full broadcast specification standard, including transport, and is fully scalable to HD 1080i specs. In its Current form, it claims broadcast quality streaming at sub 1mbps rates. Some gear will be available 1st quarter 2004 (Envivio, Minerva). Commercial players would probably make an appearance 2005.

[Tau C Seti]

I had reverted back to Divx 5.02 after problems with later codecs (up to 5.05). I have not tried 5.1 or 5.1.1 yet.

I have also just been made aware of the "REALmagic® MPEG-4 Video Codec"
Sigma Designs' REALmagic® MPEG-4 Video Codec enables the creation of high-quality ISO-compliant MPEG-4 video bitstreams. As a standard Video for Windows (VfW) codec, your favorite VfW applications, such as Adobe® Premiere® or Ulead® VideoStudio™, can now be used to create your own content using the latest compression technology. In addition to producing high-quality video, MPEG-4 compresses much better than MPEG-2, reducing your file sizes and enabling up to 2 hours of content to be stored on a standard CD.

Can anyone comment on the overall best codec to use, bearing encoding time, compression (ie mins per CD) and quality playbck issues?

[andw]

I've been using XVid codec, very good so far, much faster for me than DivX 5.1.
Can't honestly say I can tell quality difference.

[andw]

These dumps look interesting http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~wweb/XMS-888DivXRental.jpg &
http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~wweb/xms-888macro.jpg .
perhaps there are some more secret key presses hidden away.

[himem.sys]

this is the problem with divX atm. It may be an emerging "standard", but there need to be firmware upgrades to play new versions of the codec prolly? This may be supported by no-name manufacturers and up and coming startup home ent makers like liteon and iriver, but for the big manufacturers like sony, samsung, panasonic, jvc and lg i dont see them ever offering official firmware upgrades. However its good to see that philips still support their product by providing updates.

by the way does the XMS-888 have component output?

[jokiin]

These dumps look interesting http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~wweb/XMS-888DivXRental.jpg &
http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~wweb/xms-888macro.jpg .
perhaps there are some more secret key presses hidden away.

Interesting, perhaps not key presses, but maybe potential firmware possibilities.

[andw]

by the way does the XMS-888 have component output?
Yes. - it does - i'll post up some photos soon.

[andw]

Ok, here are some photos, http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~wweb/xms888/
Sorry about the quality of some of them, the lighting wasn't very good for photos in the room tonight. (maybe I'll get some screen shots as well later).
Also, there is a shot of where the two wires that connect up the 6 red LED's under the tray are connected.
p.s. if you go back too far, you'll end up with one of my kids attempts at a web site. :p
edit : ok, I've made a VERY basic index page for it

[andw]

I asked the UK guys about some of the things their player supports...
http://www.digitalathome.com/cgi-bin/viewthread.php?tid=474&page=1#pid3064

[andw]

Ok, I've fixed up the 'web site' - still very basic :rolleyes: , but some clearer pictures, plus the title page pictures are fixed up, also added a link to the firmware update site (ftp://ftp.jokiin.com )
If you want to see the pictures, go to
http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~wweb/xms888/

[jokiin]

For those of you that have enquired about getting one of these players and have not been able to, deliveries have commenced today. Most stores will have received their stock by the weekend.

[himem.sys]

Yes. - it does - i'll post up some photos soon.

sorry to bother u again :P but does it also have progressive scan? Wot other features does it have that have not been mentioned in this thread (eg, 5.1?, jpegs?)

cheers

[andw]

Yes, it does progressive scan, optical digital out, coax digital out, rca 5.1 out, downmixed stereo out. does .jpg, .mpg .mp3 .avi, etc etc.
Look at the photos, there is a shot of the rear connectors on it.

[himem.sys]

I posted this on the other forum but since XMS is so popular here u might not read it elsewhere :PI

Anyway do ppl recommend the XMS-888 over the liteON LVD-2002 http://www.liteonit.com/DC/english/lvd_2002.htm
selling for $326 at www.cworld.com.au
Was wondering if the liteON was multi-region cos of wot it says on its troubleshooting part of its website :S
http://www.liteonit.com/DC/english/customer.htm

"How can i have a multiregional player?
Sorry it's illegal to make a DVD player all-zone based on MACROVASION clause and LiteON will do her best to protect client's interest accordingly. Every authorized DVD player has 5 chances to change its region code, once at a time, which can be done by your dealer, only at your request."
TOP"

Is the LiteON worth the extra money?

Also interesting to note that the XMS-888 does not appear on Strathfields online shop - http://www.strathfield.com/category.asp?CatID=4

[malcez]

It is NOT illegal to have a region-free DVD player in Australia.

While Prof Allan Fels was still in charge of the ACCC, he made a declaration that companies marketing region-locked DVD players were deemed "anti-competitive".

The XMS-888 comes region-locked out of the box, but is easily unlocked (see previous threads).

As to Macrovision copy-protection, this is a different issue. It prevents copying to VHS or through-view to TV via a VHS by way of a serial electromagnetic pulse every few seconds making the image quality poor or in some cases unwatchable.

The firmware of the XMS-888 has the words "Macrovision Off" embedded in the code which has been found by a member here. Noone yet knows the remote control keys to turn off the macrovision. It could be argued that it is legal to turn macrovision off for those people who require a VHS to play their images on their TV.

Hope this helps.

[andw]

It's also quite possible that there are no remote control codes for turning off Macrovision. It could just be in there with no links whatsoever.
Also, I've been updating the 'website' with some more info, from this thread.
(i.e. multiregion, working disc formats, links to here etc)
http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~wweb/xms888/index.htm

[himem.sys]

Few ppl concerned about quality would bother to copy DVD to VHS since VHS is SUCH poor quality. I mean Betamax should have won over VHS since it was better and smaller but the MPAA must have had a say in it :mad:

How about it u make a "legitamite" backup of yr DVD (it should be legal if u have bought your copy and make a sopy of it for personal reasons) using dvdXcopy or something - this should be able to play even with macrovision yes?

[malcez]

If you want to back up your DVD's without macrovision - use DVDdecrypter :)

[malcez]

Hey Andw!

Great website! http://home.swiftdsl.com.au/~wweb/xms888/index.htm

And well done!

One in the bag for the "BYO guys". BYO technical support lol. I think strathfields/BCS should give you a 5% cut on all sales from this point forth. :P

[andw]

thanks, it could do with some prettying up, but it's school holidays, and it's hard to get the kids away from the computers long enough to do much.