XMS-888 - Mpeg4 - Firmware?

[fluffydog]

Has anybody tried version V 1.2 firmware yet?

I read somewhere it has been released.

[jokiin]

Has anybody tried version V 1.2 firmware yet?

I read somewhere it has been released.

read where?

[andw]

nowhere that I've seen.

[buts]

Guys,
Could you advise me something ... I had a little problem with my first XMS-888. It didn't wake up from the standby mode, only power off/on helped. So I decided to exchage it (not a big problem, just annoying). With a new unit I got another much more serious problem.

Some time ago I bought a spindle of cheap TDK gold in Betta Electricals. Every second disk failed during writing (SONY CRX-140E). In Nero Tools I found that a real manufacturer is CMC Magnetics, which is a bad company,as I read on some website. So I got a list of high-, good- quality CD's and started to choose. Finally I bought 100 spindle of Ricoh CD's which are claimed to be good. I didn't have a single problem with them, they are light green. My new XMS-888 can hardly read them :(. First, it has problems loading these disks, but after some time CD menu appears. Then it shows "playing index" and in 30% it continues and in 70% it gives disk error.
I mean that the same file opens in 30% and fails in 70%. As I understand it has some time limit to read a header and if it can't -> disk error. It is getting worse when the unit warms up. After 15 mins it won't read these Ricoh CD's at all. I need to switch the unit off and cool it down :(. It should be a laser problem, a low laser current or something.

So the question: is an adjusting of the laser current a hardware issue or
it can be adressed via firmware ? I had a couple of "white" disks, they didn't play on any XMS-888 in the shop, but I can live with that. Now I've got more than 60 disks not playing, they were fine on my first unit ... Do I need to exchange it again or the laser can be adjusted ? Strathfield ran out of stock at the moment, do they expect a new bunch of the players ?

[jokiin]

Guys,
Could you advise me something ... I had a little problem with my first XMS-888. It didn't wake up from the standby mode, only power off/on helped. So I decided to exchage it (not a big problem, just annoying). With a new unit I got another much more serious problem.

Some time ago I bought a spindle of cheap TDK gold in Betta Electricals. Every second disk failed during writing (SONY CRX-140E). In Nero Tools I found that a real manufacturer is CMC Magnetics, which is a bad company,as I read on some website. So I got a list of high-, good- quality CD's and started to choose. Finally I bought 100 spindle of Ricoh CD's which are claimed to be good. I didn't have a single problem with them, they are light green. My new XMS-888 can hardly read them :(. First, it has problems loading these disks, but after some time CD menu appears. Then it shows "playing index" and in 30% it continues and in 70% it gives disk error.
I mean that the same file opens in 30% and fails in 70%. As I understand it has some time limit to read a header and if it can't -> disk error. It is getting worse when the unit warms up. After 15 mins it won't read these Ricoh CD's at all. I need to switch the unit off and cool it down :(. It should be a laser problem, a low laser current or something.

So the question: is an adjusting of the laser current a hardware issue or
it can be adressed via firmware ? I had a couple of "white" disks, they didn't play on any XMS-888 in the shop, but I can live with that. Now I've got more than 60 disks not playing, they were fine on my first unit ... Do I need to exchange it again or the laser can be adjusted ? Strathfield ran out of stock at the moment, do they expect a new bunch of the players ?

Do you have access to another burner? I had the same model burner before and had the same issues before it finally died, changed to lite-on burners and never had a problem since.

[buts]

Do you have access to another burner? I had the same model burner before and had the same issues before it finally died, changed to lite-on burners and never had a problem since.

I never had problems with this burner with Ricoh disks on any CD-drive.
Could it be a problem of the low-end CD-drive in XMS ?
The most scary thing is that trying to read these disks CD-drive
makes loud clicks sometimes. Why did it work flawlessly on my first XMS-888 ?
The problem is that I have tooooo many such CD's ... It will take a week
to burn them again on another burner.

[HoochieMamma]

if its doing some sort of clicking noise then I think theres something wrong with it cos mine is silent

[andw]

mine's quite too, sounds like the one you had was better.
(maybe they gave you one that someone else took back 'coz of disc errors :-) )

[HoochieMamma]

^wouldnt be suprised ;)

[Spank]

I never had problems with this burner with Ricoh disks on any CD-drive.
Could it be a problem of the low-end CD-drive in XMS ?
The most scary thing is that trying to read these disks CD-drive
makes loud clicks sometimes. Why did it work flawlessly on my first XMS-888 ?
The problem is that I have tooooo many such CD's ... It will take a week
to burn them again on another burner.
Hi Buts,
I had to replace my first XMS-888 as it hardly read any of my discs, one thing that I did notice (but didn't think to report it in this forum) was that the drive made a loud clicking noise ever now and then while going through the index phase.
It may pay you to take back this unit and get another, as once I exchanged my first unit I have had no problems since.

[mirkin]

Do you have access to another burner? I had the same model burner before and had the same issues before it finally died, changed to lite-on burners and never had a problem since.

Funny you guys should mention it .. I Have a Sony CRX 160 at work.. The pile of crap is now demoted to the role of coaster maker. It now doesn't always burn disc's (various errors) and when they do burn their not very reliable when read.. Last time I purchase an over priced sony. Maybe i'll give it to someone I don't like very much and laugh as it eats their blanks before they decide to trash it... heheheh.

By the way I also know someone else with a sony crx160 and they have the same problems.

[himem.sys]

i thought the sony burners were oem lite on's? (which are good)

[andw]

1.2......
where are youuuuuu......

[jokiin]

1.2......
where are youuuuuu......

Coming....... but not until early Feb. At the moment the delay is with ESS, hopefully though this version be a lot better from what I understand which should justify the time they need to get it right.

[andw]

Ok, random mp3's through all folders - from Yamada UK site, who got it from a Dutch site, who got it from.....
http://www.digitalathome.com/cgi-bin/viewthread.php?tid=48&page=2#pid3878
Kojak -
Random play MP3's of total disc contents
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
When you switch off the Smart Navi (Setup-Preferences) you can random play MP3's in different folders on a disc.

I found this information scrolling through a dutch Yamada DVX-6000 forum-thread (dated november 2003), but I can't remember I've seen this info on this site. I have not yet tried this at home and excuse me if this is incorrect or 'old' news...

EDIT 19/1: I have tried now and it works fine!

I've tried it on the XMS-888, and it works on ours as well. (press shuffle until it says 'Random')
Bit of a pain having to go through the setup menu to do it, but at least it works... amazing what little things keep cropping up.

[fluffydog]

read where?


hmm, can't find it now (which is annoying) but I definately did read it somewhere.

my apologies if I went off half c**ked.

will report back if I find where I saw it (assuming I'm not going crazy :) )

[jokiin]

hmm, can't find it now (which is annoying) but I definately did read it somewhere.

my apologies if I went off half c**ked.

will report back if I find where I saw it (assuming I'm not going crazy :) )

I can assure that it is not available yet, it's a few weeks away at the moment.

No apology neccessary, but if you read it somewhere then it is not a reliable source. Stick to getting your info here or if this thread gets a bit hard to follow then check the site that andw has put together www.xms-888.tk for a good summary.

[andw]

Ok, random mp3's through all folders ...
This works with .jpg pictures (and possibly other suppported files) as well.
(heh quoting myself :) )
p.s. the www.xms-888.tk now shows up on Google and Yahoo.
(This has done wonders for the hit counter :cool: )

[andw]

Coming....... but not until early Feb. At the moment the delay is with ESS, hopefully though this version be a lot better from what I understand which should justify the time they need to get it right.
Hi jok11n, any hints at all? Have you heard if ESS are doing some of the work as well, as there are a lot of ESS based divX players out there, with similar issues (some with issues already solved (subtitles, audio codecs etc)), it sounds as if a lot of the problems are with the 'base' firmware that ESS gives the manufacturers to start with (it could be a lot more refined before they get it).
From what I've seen, on the Sigma players, Sigma do a lot of the work on their firmware themselves, and don't leave it up to the manufacturer. (although they are still working on some problems, like divX3 for example).

[jokiin]

I don't have the specifics, I may have some more info next week when I am back at work.