XMS-888 - Mpeg4 - Firmware?

[andw]

p.s. jok11n, look at http://forums.eyo.com.au/showthread.php?t=23943 .
I asked regarding how the Lite-On handles resizing of AVI files, post # 6 answers that.
LemonRuski
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
got mine on www.sigmo.com.au plays all MPEG-4 files incl. xvid also allowes to stretch/resize the picture to your liking, incase you want to make the widescreen format movies more full screen.
Would really appreciate if you could push the factory for this if it's not in the current update.

[jokiin]

Ok, I have tried the supplied update and it installs no problem. However I don't see any improvement on the issues that I am aware of. If anyone still wants to try it i'm quite happy to send it out, perhaps there are things that I am not aware of that are ok (don't get your hopes up though) for those that are willing to wait I will have passed on the results to the factory and wait and see what happens from there. Personally I would wait, I expect that the firmware that they have provided is what they were already working on. We are not their only market there are others that sell this player and I would expect that their customers would be chasing the same fixes. The factory is quite responsive to requests so far so hopefully this can be sorted soon.

If anyone still wants to try it, it doesn't seem to have any negative impact just reply here and i'll send it out. I have the addresses in my pm box but I won't send it unless you confirm here that you still do want it (no hotmail addresses please) I don't want the bounce messages from the file size.

To anyone that does it's a simple matter of burning the file to disc in iso9660 format and closing the disc. Then just follow the instructions in the manual. I don't have the original firmware either. I'll see if I can get details of how to read the firmware version (I didn't see it anywhere) so at least we can see where it's at.

Please don't bug the guys at WDS about this, they only handle the distribution etc, they don't get involved in firmware fixes, I will follow this up and make sure everyone is kept up to date on what happens via the forum as any info becomes available

[jokiin]

I did see that info on the lite-on, these are the kinds of things that I would like to see this unit do. For the moment though I would like to see the basic issues addressed to at least get acceptable results. The osd during playback is annoying and the inability to play some file types at all needs to be addressed also.

[Gag_Reflex]

I've read on several different forums that most of the Mpeg 4 players are all based on the same motherboard. The main differences is the firmware.

Dumb question but.. Would it be possible to use another players firmware on the XMS player?. I know it's a hell of a risk, but.....

[jokiin]

The players can be based on the same chipset but not the same board. Don't be misled by the process to upgrade being identical, the process, filename etc is common to the chipset not the board. If you want to verify this I can swap you a dead one that has been flashed with the wrong firmware for your working one..... I don't think you will want that though.

It seems likely that it will get sorted out, there are reports that players based on the same chipset are available that have had the quirks sorted out, they have been out a bit longer though and have had more time to get the bugs sorted out. This player has been out less than two weeks and so far the manufacturer seems very willing to work on getting it sorted.

[andw]

For those of you with this player and still worried about Firmware update, jok11n is still liasing with the factory regarding our problems, so things are still happening.

[andw]

Current firmware that was sent over, may have fixed up the locking up when ejecting a disc whilst playing an AVI file, and problems I have had with lock up when stopping a MPG file. (early days yet though)
The OSD issue is still there unfortunatley, but it sounds like the factory is being responsive from what jok11n has said, so it looks promising.

[jokiin]

I'll keep everyone posted as to what's happening as I get any info, still talking to the factory at the moment and awaiting their response.

[strathfield]

Current firmware that was sent over, may have fixed up the locking up when ejecting a disc whilst playing an AVI file, and problems I have had with lock up when stopping a MPG file. (early days yet though)
The OSD issue is still there unfortunatley, but it sounds like the factory is being responsive from what jok11n has said, so it looks promising.


Be careful with the XMS stop button on the unit as it is a dual sided switch. If you hit the switch on the left, it activates that R/L function (which I assume is Release / Lock. This locks the whole unit and you have to switch off and on. If you press stop on the right hand side of the button, you should have no more problems. I was caught with this and a read of the manual cured this. Works perfectly off remote of course

[andw]

If you hit the switch on the left, it activates that R/L function (which I assume is Release / Lock.)

Nope, on mine it switches between Mono Right / Mono Left and Stereo (even on the unit's display, the little speaker icons change to indicate this, and on the screen it shows this)
My theory is that the R/L switch stands for Right / Left, but why on earth you would want that combined with the stop button, I have no idea.

[davidf]

The update has had some minimal effects on the players behaviour

1. stop or eject doesnt lock up the player when playing mpeg files
2. files with a .divx extension can be fast forwarded (doesn't reset anymore)

I think using the .divx extension in preference to the .avi extension might be a good idea because I think the player using the extension rather than the file header.

Warning: don't try using the .mpg extension if you have an Mpeg4 file with an AC3 audio track. ( i nearly destroyed my speakers and my eardrums from the resulting screech that came from the system).

So a few features have been affected but a lot more needs to happen. I just hope this is soon.

[jokiin]

The r/l buttons on the remotes are generally related to karaoke functions where the button is used to switch the channels as they have the backing track on one channel and the vocal channel on another. I haven't looked into this, but I would suspect that this is a carry over from the fact that the board has support for it even though it's not offered.

[ironkiller]

As a DVD player minus the mpeg4 component is it worth $188 Or would I be better off buying a non mpeg4 player for around the same price?

[Pythonisman]

As a DVD player minus the mpeg4 component is it worth $188 Or would I be better off buying a non mpeg4 player for around the same price?

personally i think if you don't want divX ability, buy a panasonic / JVC / Pioneer or something. that was my plan. but, it does an ok job (probably as good as the $100 ones) at playing dvds -- I didn't see any problems with that. Personally I think that it's a fine DVD player, with the added ability to play some divx's :) which is good for my parents! :)

[andw]

If you don't want MPEG-4, I agree, you would be better off getting a cheaper DVD player.
As a DVD player, it's good, although a bit wider in physical size than I would have liked, but it's only the ability to play MPEG-4, divx, mpeg 1 & 2 files that makes it worth the higher price as far as I am concerned.
(does have surround sound output as individual connections, + digital composite and optical tho, some of the really cheap ones don't have this.)

[strathfield]

Nope, on mine it switches between Mono Right / Mono Left and Stereo (even on the unit's display, the little speaker icons change to indicate this, and on the screen it shows this)
My theory is that the R/L switch stands for Right / Left, but why on earth you would want that combined with the stop button, I have no idea.

I had a play last night on mine. If you are using SVCD, then what you said is correct. If playing a DVD, then the switch takes on the function of Audio 1, Audio 2, Audio 1 vocal, Audio 2 vocal. When I hit the switch on DIVX, it locked up and nothing changed on the display. I will try it again tonight to see if it consistently locks up.

Thanks for the reply.

[andw]

I had a play last night on mine. If you are using SVCD, then what you said is correct. If playing a DVD, then the switch takes on the function of Audio 1, Audio 2, Audio 1 vocal, Audio 2 vocal. When I hit the switch on DIVX, it locked up and nothing changed on the display. I will try it again tonight to see if it consistently locks up.

Thanks for the reply.

Hi strathfield, I noticed that last night on DVD as well. I don't think it locked up whilst playing avi files, but it wouldn't surprise me. I'll have to try it later.

p.s. unless your last name is strathfield, It might be worth putting a disclaimer on the bottom of your posts if you don't work for them. Wouldn't want anyone to think you were the official voice of Strathfield if your not. Could be a little confusing to people. :) (no I don't work for them)

[Pythonisman]

I haven't actually seen my unit lock up at all.

I started off being careful not to hit eject when playing things, etc, but I tried it during a DVD, DivX and an MPG and it worked fine, just ejected and went to splash screen.

Also, I can ff fine in DivX, i read where ppl were having troubles with this, but I haven't noticed it. quite weird, actually! :)

other than the timer, I'm pretty happy with it. The timer can be gotten rid of but then it stuffs up the timer. for what it cost it's a good deal, though :)

the only thing which is a bit weird is the build quality is a bit substandard. I don't know how long the buttons on the front of it will work for, as they seem pretty dodgy. ah well, i'll just have a cry and realise i'll probably be buying them a better one next xmas ;)

[andw]

i'll just have a cry and realise i'll probably be buying them a better one next xmas ;)
Next Christmas, expect to see networked units that play files straight from your PC. (like the modded xbox's).
(probably be MPEG-5 or something by then ;) )

[jokiin]

For those that are interested the factory have called a meeting today about the firmware issues and are treating it as a priority. I will provide more feedback as I get it.