XMS-888 - Mpeg4 - Firmware?

[pepito]

I'd love a bonus of .srt subtitle support :)


Yep, subtitle support is something I'd definately like to see.

Anybody know if any other ESS based mpeg4 players support them?

[davidf]

I will be trying to get this, although I think it's pretty much an enthusiast type thing. The majority of people actually complain about subtitles and don't want them.

I think that chapter enhancements would have to go up the priority list before subtitles. If the manufacturer is serious they should look at the long term with mp4, that would included selecting at least one of the mp4 container formats. Once they have that format its a matter of refining it thru firmware upgrades eventually this would cover all the 'odds n sods' people would like to have.

Currently due to no chapter support I am breaking files up into sequential avi's that way the movie can play thru with just a tiny flick when the file changes or I can use the chapter keys to skip thru the movie. This works reasonably well for an 'interim' measure.

[andw]

Yep, subtitle support is something I'd definately like to see.

Anybody know if any other ESS based mpeg4 players support them?
Yamada DVX-6100, the Philips DVD-737, some others I have seen, but don't remember makes / models, all with support of at least .srt on .avi files...
Both lots of users are complaining that the subtitles are in a ghastly yellow colour, and they would like white with black borders.
The Yamada one in particular is an interesting one to look at Forum threads on, because all of the issues that we have, they also started with. (about 3 months ahead of us.)
these include
1. ) first version of firmware, OSD stuck on the screen, and not able to be turned off. (fixed in the next version released)
2. ) low audio bit rate problem (fixed now I believe)
3. ) zooming of .avi files
4. ) subtitle support. (now fixed)
the list seems to go on in a similar fashion.
This is what makes me believe that it is the base firmware that ESS provides that is the issue here.
makes for interesting reading anyway... http://www.digitalathome.com/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.php?fid=1

[jokiin]

Yamada DVX-6100, the Philips DVD-737, some others I have seen, but don't remember makes / models, all with support of at least .srt on .avi files...
Both lots of users are complaining that the subtitles are in a ghastly yellow colour, and they would like white with black borders.
The Yamada one in particular is an interesting one to look at Forum threads on, because all of the issues that we have, they also started with. (about 3 months ahead of us.)
these include
1. ) first version of firmware, OSD stuck on the screen, and not able to be turned off. (fixed in the next version released)
2. ) low audio bit rate problem (fixed now I believe)
3. ) zooming of .avi files
4. ) subtitle support. (now fixed)
the list seems to go on in a similar fashion.
This is what makes me believe that it is the base firmware that ESS provides that is the issue here.
makes for interesting reading anyway... http://www.digitalathome.com/cgi-bin/forumdisplay.php?fid=1

If those issues are sorted and the player is based on the same chipset then logically the same issues should be able to be sorted for the 888, hopefully soon.

[andw]

If those issues are sorted and the player is based on the same chipset then logically the same issues should be able to be sorted for the 888, hopefully soon.
Yes, I would imagine so, which is why I was wondering earlier if ESS was rewriting some of the code themselves.
It would seem to make more sense for ESS to upgrade the base firmware that all the manufacturers were starting from, than for them each to have to do it individually.
BTW, a review of the Philips is here http://vcdrookie.com/eng/

[bwg]

Yes, I would imagine so, which is why I was wondering earlier if ESS was rewriting some of the code themselves.
It would seem to make more sense for ESS to upgrade the base firmware that all the manufacturers were starting from, than for them each to have to do it individually.
BTW, a review of the Philips is here http://vcdrookie.com/eng/

Interesting review on the Philips player. Notice what it said about the zoom function? -
"This player has an automatic zoom feature so that the video will be automatically stretched all across the TV screen. As you probably remember, that was the major problem for Yamada DVX 6000/6100. (Comment from VxWorks: This had been fixed for Yamada since September, 2003).
If you still feel that the auto zoom is not doing its job properly, you can use manual zoom, by using the Zoom button on the remote control."

Isn't this the same chip as in the 888? If so, I wonder if that auto zoom feature will be implemented in the firmware (any hints Jok11n?).

Also, it said: "There is also an interesting thing regarding sound and video synchronization, in some files (which could be played back on PC without any problem) there is synchronization loss. But, if you press on twice System menu on remote control, then the synchronization will be restored.
"
Has anyone tried this on the 888? I have an mvcd file which has major sync issues when you use << >> seek buttons. I might give this a try when I get home.

[andw]

I noticed that someone in here (not sure who, sorry!) was having problems with mp3 audio encoded @ 56 kb/s, but I'm not sure what the frequency was...could there be a problem with lower frequencies? (<44100Hz), or maybe a problem somewhere between 64 and 56 kb/s bitrate.

Sorry bwg for the delay on this, just went through the fun task of reloading my main computer from scratch. (still loading things)
Just got around to checking...
Mine is 56kb/s 22khz, there were some others that posted, not sure about frequency of their files.
The search function on EYO needs to be able to search through a thread as well. (maybe it does, and I can't find it). When a thread is this long, you have to manually do it.
We'll have to start a XMS-888 f1.2 thread when it's officially released.

[himem.sys]

From the Australian Investor http://www.australianinvestor.com.au ...

(SRA) Strathfield happy with sales
29-Jan

Strathfield Group Limited today updated trading patterns for the seven months to the end of January 2004.

In making the announcement Strathfield’s Managing Director, Mr. John Winstanley, said, “On a comparative store basis our results for the seven months are very pleasing, with sales improving throughout the period. January, in particular, was buoyant for the group with comparative store sales 19 per cent up on last year.”

Mr. Winstanley attributed the progress of the last seven months to controlled buying, continuing reduction of ‘old’ stock and a well-planned promotional period over Christmas and the traditional January sales period.

Mr. Winstanley continued saying, “At the beginning of this financial year our stock levels were low and the stores required ‘fresh’ stock and new models. The re-capitalisation of the business, which was finalized at the end of October 2003, together with new product strategies achieved our goal to put more ‘fresh’ stock into the stores, providing an almost immediate improvement in sales and margin patterns.”

Strathfield expects the trend of the first seven months to continue to the end of the financial year, providing a significant improvement on its results for FY03. Half year financial results will be released to the market on the 27 February.

----------

lol i wonder if this has anything to do with the XMS-888 :PI

[andw]

Interesting review on the Philips player....
Also, it said: "There is also an interesting thing regarding sound and video synchronization, in some files (which could be played back on PC without any problem) there is synchronization loss. But, if you press on twice System menu on remote control, then the synchronization will be restored.
"
Has anyone tried this on the 888? I have an mvcd file which has major sync issues when you use << >> seek buttons. I might give this a try when I get home.
I've found on ours, that if you use the < button to skip back 10 secs(approx) and then > to skip forward 10 secs(approx), the audio synchs in again.
I've noticed it happens on pausing as well, but I think it might only be on Variable Bit Rate MP3 encoded files.

[andw]

From the Australian Investor http://www.australianinvestor.com.au ...

(SRA) Strathfield happy with sales...
----------

lol i wonder if this has anything to do with the XMS-888 :PI
Not sure that they could have sold enough 888's to account for that.
I think they have a lot of new stuff in their stores now.

[andw]

Interesting review on the Philips player. Notice what it said about the zoom function? -
...
Isn't this the same chip as in the 888? If so, I wonder if that auto zoom feature will be implemented in the firmware (any hints Jok11n?).
...

I believe that it's the same chipset as the Yamada, which I believe is the same at the core (edit: as ours), but does not have built in support to directly drive the DVD drive that ours does.
(hence the major reluctance to try using one of their firmwares - you would probably lose your DVD drive, and from there, there is no going back. (unless you were really really good with surface mount soldering / desoldering, external flash rom programming etc)).

[himem.sys]

I dont mean to be direct, but this sounds like a cop-out! :mad:

Every software engineer knows that there are many revisions and testing phases of code before it even comes close to be finalised. jok11n, it sounds like you are putting your marketing priorities before those of product quality and customer satisfaction. I am guessing you are another store manager?

I ask everyone to recosider their purchase. "Would you have purchased this product if the storeperson had disclosed the inherent bugs within this product?" If you answer no, then I propose that you return the XMS888 and wait for a real player (from another retailer) that has no bugs. I cant say that I have ever purchased any other product that had any firmware bugs in it. Would you use a microwave that only half cooked your food?

So, lets wait for the firmwares. When they stop flowing, I will be the first to recosider ownership of this product. Lets not say any more about these unpleasantries for now...

To be fair the makers of the XMS arnt like giant consumer elec co's that can invest heavily in R&D. So u can't 100% really - u get what u pay for.

I only got the XMS cos theres no other player that is as cheap and does the same thing. Also with DVD players i believe that price isnt an issue since the internals are pretty much the same and its not like i'm running a HD tv. There are some products where u need to buy the best (eg. digital cameras) because their parts need to be high quality or u want the extra features and other products which really dont matter cos they'll prolly break in 5 yrs or so :P (eg dvd players).

Even bigger co's which offer fw upgrades like iRiver dont realease firmwares every week or so. I agree with jok11n that your demands are a bit unreasonable since ppl in a co cant be expected to devote their time to the same project since they have other projects to also concentrate on.

[jokiin]

I believe that it's the same chipset as the Yamada, which I believe is the same at the core (edit: as ours), but does not have built in support to directly drive the DVD drive that ours does.
(hence the major reluctance to try using one of their firmwares - you would probably lose your DVD drive, and from there, there is no going back. (unless you were really really good with surface mount soldering / desoldering, external flash rom programming etc)).

You are correct, you do lose the DVD drive if you use their firmware (I have the dead player to prove it)

[bwg]

I've found on ours, that if you use the < button to skip back 10 secs(approx) and then > to skip forward 10 secs(approx), the audio synchs in again.
I've noticed it happens on pausing as well, but I think it might only be on Variable Bit Rate MP3 encoded files.

mmm...could be the VBR. I've only noticed that it gets out of sync when I tried ffd through the file to get back to the point I'd finished at during a previous viewing...I tried the << then >>, but it was still out of sync. However, normal playback presented no problems.

My commiserations on the re-install of your pc - I know the feeling! I did mine last week! :(

[andw]

mmm...could be the VBR. I've only noticed that it gets out of sync when I tried ffd through the file to get back to the point I'd finished at during a previous viewing...I tried the << then >>, but it was still out of sync. However, normal playback presented no problems.

My commiserations on the re-install of your pc - I know the feeling! I did mine last week! :(
If you need to get somewhere fast, use the 'goto' button, you can type in the exact hour, minute, second.
If you are using VCD or SVCD, you have to turn off Playback Control (PBC) first, or the 'goto' button doesn't work. (If you turn off PBC, goto works, but you lose the chapter buttons. Allways something)

[bwg]

The search function on EYO needs to be able to search through a thread as well. (maybe it does, and I can't find it). When a thread is this long, you have to manually do it.
Try the "search this thread" drop-down on the top of the page :)
We'll have to start a XMS-888 f1.2 thread when it's officially released.
Agreed! This thread is getting out of hand! :D

[andw]

Try the "search this thread" drop-down on the top of the page :)

Agreed! This thread is getting out of hand! :D
hehe, looking to far up, and hitting Search, instead of the lower 'search this thread'.
BTW - Yamada review at http://vcdrookie.com/eng/index.php?option=tools&task=viewarticle&artid=9&Itemid=57

[andw]

p.s. subtitle support for the latest firmware on the Philips DVD-737 is listed here http://divxstation.com/softwareId.asp?sId=290

[dnserror]

Has anyone tried to switch a dual audio encoded AVI?
I have track 1 encoded with MP3 and track 2 as AC3 Dolby digital for when I get surround.
There are a couple of windows players that can do this but can the XMS-888 do it?

Thanks

[buts]

Has anyone tried to switch a dual audio encoded AVI?
I have track 1 encoded with MP3 and track 2 as AC3 Dolby digital for when I get surround.
There are a couple of windows players that can do this but can the XMS-888 do it?

Thanks

If MP3 encoded correctly (>128kbs) then both tracks will work.
See earlier posts in this thread.