XMS-888 - Mpeg4 - Firmware?

[andw]

I would really love it if long file name support was incorporated into the xms-888, like
http://www.neodigits.com/ebay/divxdvd/gallery301/big7.shtml
But from screen shots of ESS based units around the world, I'd be very surprised if it gets incorporated. (they all look very similar to our interface.)
It seems a little weird not to incorporate long file names on this type of player, it's just like having a DVD player whose display does not show the hours digit. ;)

[andw]

jok11n, are the manufacturers likely to ever put up a web site with firmware upgrades in the future?

[jokiin]

jok11n, are the manufacturers likely to ever put up a web site with firmware upgrades in the future?

They haven't indicated that they would.

[davidf]

One thing that interests me is what people are using for video compression and the setting they are using. I have noticed that even when using the same codec settings for video compression that the avi's behave differently depending on what software I used.

[andw]

They haven't indicated that they would.
Will they be providing through you guys some form of future updates for future codec support? (within reason of course)

[jokiin]

Will they be providing through you guys some form of future updates for future codec support? (within reason of course)

The firmwares are done by request, the situation at the moment is that most people want these extra features, codec support etc, once the major issues are sorted I wouldn't expect that the firmware would be updated unless there was some sort of major codec release or whatever that was compatible with the ESS chipset. The chipset itself will obviously have some sort of limitation as to what is achievable, once that is reached there wouldn't be too much else that could be done with it. As you have mentioned previously, there are new features and functions coming in players that will be available soon in the market, it will be time to start this process all over again (for me anyway)

[dastasha]

Ok, I have finally found an avi file that the player has a problem with. It plays ok on my computer, but no audio on the xms. So what are the specific file details that you guys would want to know. Audio format/video format/length/name/etc.?

Davidf, my remote works no matter where in the room I point it (even away from the player) and we have dark coloured brick walls. My guess is that you have a dud.

[andw]

datasha - Is the audio format AC3, or single channel (mono) by any chance.
I've had audio not play (on mp3's) if they were encoded as mono.
Someone above has had problems with AC3 encoded files.
davidf has had 3 remotes I think, mine works fine as well?!? (atmospheric disturbance above his house?)

[jokiin]

Ok, I have finally found an avi file that the player has a problem with. It plays ok on my computer, but no audio on the xms. So what are the specific file details that you guys would want to know. Audio format/video format/length/name/etc.?

Davidf, my remote works no matter where in the room I point it (even away from the player) and we have dark coloured brick walls. My guess is that you have a dud.


Audio format/video format/length/name/etc. The more info the better.

[andw]

I have a large number of .jpg files from my old Starcam camera (75%+)that either come up with the message "JPEG DATA CORRUPT" and don't display, or display random rubbish (large coloured blocks).
These files work fine on PC's, but not on the player.
They are all 640x480 .jpg files.
Anyone else had this problem?

[dastasha]

File name: The Matrix [DivX].avi
File size: 578MB
Media length: 136 min. 57.626 sec
Audio format: MPEG Layer-3, 128kBit/s, 48,000Hz, Stereo
Video format: DivX 3.11 video,640 x 304, 197026 Frames, 23.976 Frames/Sec, 72 KB/Sec.

This is the information I get when I right click the file under windows properties. No problems with any other files so far.

[andw]

One thing I just found out regarding using the 'REPEAT DISC' function to have the player automatically go down through the folders on the disc for .jpg (also works with .mpg) and .mp3 that I mentioned in a post a looong way up.
It has the same problem of the 'title' and 'menu' buttons not working on DVD's after you have played an .avi file.
Unless you first turn the player off / on (via the switch) after you have played an .avi file, the 'repeat' button (and other buttons) get locked out by the 'nasty hand'.
It seems that a lot of buttons get disabled after playing .avi files, power the xms off/on to overcome this. (Another fix for next firmware version I guess)

[jokiin]

File name: The Matrix [DivX].avi
File size: 578MB
Media length: 136 min. 57.626 sec
Audio format: MPEG Layer-3, 128kBit/s, 48,000Hz, Stereo
Video format: DivX 3.11 video,640 x 304, 197026 Frames, 23.976 Frames/Sec, 72 KB/Sec.

This is the information I get when I right click the file under windows properties. No problems with any other files so far.

Do any of the other files you have use the same video and audio settings, divx 3.11 in particular, and the frame size?

[jokiin]

One thing I just found out regarding using the 'REPEAT DISC' function to have the player automatically go down through the folders on the disc for .jpg (also works with .mpg) and .mp3 that I mentioned in a post a looong way up.
It has the same problem of the 'title' and 'menu' buttons not working on DVD's after you have played an .avi file.
Unless you first turn the player off / on (via the switch) after you have played an .avi file, the 'repeat' button (and other buttons) get locked out by the 'nasty hand'.
It seems that a lot of buttons get disabled after playing .avi files, power the xms off/on to overcome this. (Another fix for next firmware version I guess)
It would seem that it needs the settings properties refreshed when the file type is changed rather than at restart. Would need to be at change of file type though, rather than eject and reload as it's possible to have multiple file formats on one disc

[andw]

....This is the information I get when I right click the file under windows properties. No problems with any other files so far.
If you press the 'EQ' button on the remote, until the 'spectrum analyser' comes up, does it 'show' the audio as playing?
I've had the problem with no audio on mp3, and yet the spectrum analyser shows playing audio. I think some others have mentioned this with other file formats, like .avi.

[davidf]

Ok discovered something new don't know if its a one off or not. I had trouble with 1 or 2 xvid files while testing. I redid one of the files using the exact same parameters with 1 exception I changed the fourcc parameter to divx and suddenly the XMS was happy. I then reset the files header back to fourcc=xvid and the file didnt work again. so as a divx file it works as an xvid it doesn't. Another thing I noticed is that when cropping vertically the xms gets a bit finicky. Maybe something to do with ratio ?

I will keep playing with this (at least xvid comes with a utility to set the avi header). Maybe half the problem is in the headers of some of these AVI's

[dastasha]

If you press the 'EQ' button on the remote, until the 'spectrum analyser' comes up, does it 'show' the audio as playing?
I've had the problem with no audio on mp3, and yet the spectrum analyser shows playing audio. I think some others have mentioned this with other file formats, like .avi.

I tried the 'EQ' button as you said, and the spectrum analyser display does not show any audio. However, somewhere else in this thread someone said how the audio started then dissappeared. This is what happened with this file for me(about 1/2 a second of audio, then none).

Jok11n, I will go through my other files I have that work, and post the details here.(The DivX 3.11 bit doesn't show up under windows properties, I got that from file details in my divx player).

[dastasha]

Do any of the other files you have use the same video and audio settings, divx 3.11 in particular, and the frame size?

None of the other files I have used have the exact same video and audio settings as the file details I posted previously. I dont have trouble with any of these files either.

However here is a file I do have problems getting to work, it will normally go after a few attempts:

Kill.Bill.Divx.avi
Divx 5.x Video
mp3@96kbps average
668MB
F.R. 29.97
304x128
Duration 1.55.18
44100 hz
stereo

Not divx 3.11 either but when it does work, it has no problems.
The other divx 3.11 files I have which work no problems:

xMEN.avi
Divx 3.11 video
mp3@160kbps average
541MB
F.R. 23.98
640x304
Duration:1.44.17
44100Hz
stereo

and:

Shreik if you know what I did last Friday the 13th.avi
Divx 3.11 video
mp3@128kbps
679MB
F.R. 23.98
640x360
Duration:1.25.53
44100hz
stereo

Hope this helps :)

[blakey]

Yeah its weird how you need to give it a few goes before it works :confused:

The other dvd-r's (princo) I burnt, were stuffed up..I burnt a few more which worked on my computer fine, but wouldn't play, although you could scroll through the files on the DVD.. another :confused:

[himem.sys]

yep Australian law (like other Western countries) does not allow ppl to make backup copies of movies and music, even for personal use. Bacause the original work is written and it would be like plagarism.
Another irony of the law is that it allows u to make a backup copy of software (in this country u can anyway), but isn't this originally in some form of a "written" language?
It should be legal to backup your legally bought cds and dvds for personal use (eg. if yr original broke). Industry now wants to sue the makers of dvdXcopy for allowing u to do this. They are becoming bigger than the law as RIAA has shown with the mp3 debate.