XMS-888 - Mpeg4 - Firmware?

[davidf]

No problems with the upgrade it is doing as per other peoples comments.

One major drama that is concerning me is the equaliser button. It tends to send a high pitched overdriven signal thru my speakers if it isn't 100% happy with the avi file.(speakers setup thru analog 5.1 out)

I think that it would be good that all buttons that don't have a function or behave irratically with avi files were disabled when an AVI file is selected even the same for other file types (mp3 etc).

At least a disabled button won't do anything to the machine or associated hardware.

The zoom is not a major thing at the moment but yes it would be good if 1.5X was the default rather than 2X.

A big thanks to the manufacturer who has broken the trend of sell and forget policy of the majority in the IT industry.

[andw]

Something else I have noticed (on the old firmware as well).
If you select a file on the file list and press "OSD", it tells you info about the file.
This does not seem to be totally accurate at the moment.
I have had an .mp3 file encoded at 64k reported as 62k.
A .mp3 encoded at 128k mono reported as 224k single channel (and not play - although the timer counts over, and the equalizer visualization dances along happily, as though it's playing.
The sample movie (.wmv) that comes with Windows Media Maker 2 says that the image size is something like 57000 x 47000 (don't have the exact figures but something like that), and doesn't play.
As mentioned earlier, any .wma files only show up as 1 minute in length. (and only play for that amount of time)

[dastasha]

When I press the equaliser button it comes onto the scrren but I cant adjust it. Press it again and I have a spectrum analyser display which works, press it again and the equaliser turn off. I cant see why there couldn't be a firmware solution for this.
When I press the zoom button it goes to 2x only, but I can adjust the position of the screen using the arrow buttons.

There is obviously stiil some development to be done with the firmware but it is good form from the company to have had our concerns attended to so promptly - especially at this time of year. :rolleyes:

[MidKnight]

Counter bug fixed is a blessing, now one more wish for the counter......

that its in the OFF state by default.......

that why you dont have to use the OSD button everytime you start a movie

[TheCleric]

Just flashed my player, works a treat. Thanks jok11n and andw.

Just one thing, has anyone successfully managed to play 800mb or 900mb discs? I tried one last nite and couldnt manage to get it to work.

[andw]

Played 97min(870MB) SVCD discs ok.
Unsure about data discs this size at the moment, but don't think it would make any difference.
Also, the player plays MiniDVD format (DVD files in DVD format on cd.) (can't get much on them but.)

[andw]

Has anybody tried different formats of DVD discs as yet (DVD-R +R RW's etc).
I don't have a DVD burner, but would like to get one someday soon, and would be interested to know what formats are working / not working.

[davidf]

This is what works for me so far

DVD-r, DVD+R, DVD+RW, i don't use DVD-RW

working to date
files with .divx or .avi extensions
DivX with ac3
files compressed with drdivx and XMpeg

Currently I am using divx 5.1.1 pro and xvid 1(beta2) for video compression i'm not compressing audio but I did 1 copy of Terminator 3 with MP3 160k audio, and 2000k Video sampling. This worked very well, good sound, sharp video and only 1.5 gbyte.

semi working
resolutions that are multiples of 16 work fine, non standard resolution is hit and miss but invariable the sound track doesn't play

files multiplexed with avimux have problems, xvid with ac3 is a bit hit and miss

I was considering using a standard input file and then creating a variety of combinations to test the capabilities of the player but don't know where to start, for my own personal use I was only interested in getting 5-6 hrs of high quality video with AC3 audio onto a dvdr.

If anyone wants certain configurations tested I could do this for them.

I could also set up a simple web page where we could keep a list everyones results with combinations of video/audio software used etc. If this might be helpful.

[Nev240]

Tested all dvd formats now and all work no probs doesnt seem to mind 800M data disks either so far all formats of divx with diffrent kbs every thing works.

For that prob with the equilizer if i name the .avi's as .mpg or .divx they seem to have better audio quality wierd i know but try an avi that screechs and rename see what happens....

[Xicarius]

i got one of these a week or so ago..just got the new firmware, will try it.....i had a problem with a couple of divx files not playing properly, so ill update, try again and report back!

[RareWare]

Hi There guys,

I was thinking about picking one of these up for multiregion play and the divx support but alas i wasnt sure whether it only reads iso9660 formats for the divx/mpeg stuff ? ie i have a dvd burner and want to be able to use all 4.3 gb of the disc. Is that possible or is it confined to 2gb filesize limit ?


Thanks kindly.

[rimmeroz]

Hi There guys,

I was thinking about picking one of these up for multiregion play and the divx support but alas i wasnt sure whether it only reads iso9660 formats for the divx/mpeg stuff ? ie i have a dvd burner and want to be able to use all 4.3 gb of the disc. Is that possible or is it confined to 2gb filesize limit ?


Thanks kindly.

Burn away to your hearts content..........It will play all my "backup" dvd's (both dvd-r and dvd-rw) and I also put 5x750meg avi files on my crap laser dvd-r and the xmx888 played them all. Obviously one at a time tho :dD
.What a ripper of a dvd player this has become.
My kids can now get their xbox back for xmas :D

[Xicarius]

ok, i tried my avi that has no sound......it plays a couple of bars as it starts but thats it- so sound after that.
AVI File Details
========================================
Name.........: The Matrix.avi
Filesize.....: 578 MB (or 592,364 KB or 606,580,736 bytes)
Runtime......: 02:16:58 (197,026 fr)
Video Codec..: DivX 3 Fast-Motion
Video Bitrate: 459 kb/s
Audio Codec..: 0x0055(MP3) ID'd as MPEG-1 Layer 3
Audio Bitrate: 128 kb/s (64/ch, stereo) CBR
Frame Size...: 640x304 (2.11:1) [=40:19]


also, the one that screws up....still doing it.
AVI File Details
========================================
Name.........: The Rock.avi
Filesize.....: 690 MB (or 707,178 KB or 724,150,272 bytes)
Runtime......: 02:10:16 (195,409 fr)
Video Codec..: DivX 3 Fast-Motion
Video Bitrate: 610 kb/s
Audio Codec..: 0x0055(MP3) ID'd as MPEG-1 Layer 3
Audio Bitrate: 128 kb/s (64/ch, stereo) CBR
Frame Size...: 640x304 (2.11:1) [=40:19]

[andw]

AVI File Details
=================
Filesize .......... 794MB
Runtime ......... 01:30:02
Video Codec ... XVid
Video Bitrate .. 1100 kb/s
Audio Codec ... MP3
Audio Bitrate .. 128 kb/s 44KHz x 2
Frame Size ..... 576x432
Recorded on 870MB CDR at 24x Disc at once (Nero 5.5 with overburn on)
Picture is absolutely brilliant. No problems at all.

[Nev240]

Impressive isnt it really.. well except for Xicarius, did you try renaming the file from avi to divx?? matrix.divx give it a whirl but apart from that i have some divx3 but they have played great..

Jokiin is the manufacturer cosmic digital technology?

I have a friend with an imported mpeg4 player but with the cosmic badging and different paneling.
He is having similar problems as we were to begin with. Wondering if perhaps this upgrade may be used on his player. Only difference is he has full karaoke features and different splash screen.

[jokiin]

Never heard of cosmic digital technology, there are other players around that are based on the same chipset but the firmwares are different, using this firmware on any other unit is likely to kill the player, don't be fooled by the firmware having the bank30.rom filename, that is common to this chipset, not the player. Perhaps you should get your friend to contact the supplier of his player to see if they can advise where he can get firmware from.

[GeeJay]

Just needed to congratulate you guys...I've been following this thread from the start as I too have just bought the 888. I haven't even installed it yet as can't get into the video/TV cabinet :rolling: I will now though....
Could anyone imagine any other (fill in any well known company name) company getting a firmware fixed in about a week and a half...brilliant.

Thanks guys from all the lurkers who have been watching.... :dD

[Xicarius]

Impressive isnt it really.. well except for Xicarius, did you try renaming the file from avi to divx?? matrix.divx give it a whirl but apart from that i have some divx3 but they have played great..

Jokiin is the manufacturer cosmic digital technology?

I have a friend with an imported mpeg4 player but with the cosmic badging and different paneling.
He is having similar problems as we were to begin with. Wondering if perhaps this upgrade may be used on his player. Only difference is he has full karaoke features and different splash screen.

ill try it and let you know.

[malcez]

jok11n

I have successfully upgraded with new firmware 1.1 thanx very much.

For me now the most urgent thing for firmware 1.2 is:

========> MORE AUDIO CODEC SUPPORT <==============

I had no problem with a whole host of different video streams.

Audio streams seem to be limited to 44100Hz, 128kbps or above, MPEGIII.

What I need for a bulk of my movies is 24000 Hz, 56kbps, MPEGIII. I do not have the time to reconvert them all, in addition that would make them "hiss" as well.

The whole point of DivX is that you can preview the film before the DVD is commercially released on #tmd-moviez and other pre-release sites which have a badge of honour of 15fps video and 24000Hz, 56kbps audio. Once the DVD is released you may as well buy the DVD and forget divx entirely.

Once again thanx for getting rid of that annoying timer. But I would agree that in firmware 1.2, it needs to be DEFAULTED to "OFF".

cheers

PS are we to expect firmware 1.2 as hastily as firmware 1.1? lol

[jokiin]

The next firmware will take a little longer, not because it can't be done fast, but because I would like more specific fixes. I think the things that were done in 1.1 more the most annoying and had to be given priority. The next update will be focused toward compatability fixes, if anyone can help with samples of files that are causing issues it would be appreciated.