Topic: PCM-D50 problems

[anhisr]

M-Audio's fix is in 

[SClassical]

Wow why so fast??!! Cannot believe they even beat Grace and Sony!

[anhisr]

Remember that Grace's fix is a physical fix not a firmware fix and they don't have a MT II  in house to check on.  Their fix is just around the corner though. If it wasn't for Grace getting hold of M-Audio, I don't think we would see such a fast fix from M-Audio.

[SClassical]

Got a reply from Sony:

Hi Simon,

PCM-D50 automatically selects 16bit mode when the 24 bit status flag is
not set in the SPDIF stream.  We have confirmed 24bit record operation
when the bit is set correctly.  That being said I suspect the source has
the bit set incorrectly.  I've heard more than one report and referred
back to the source manufacturer to confirm if the bit is set or not.

       Please don't hesitate to call or contact as necessary, thanks
for choosing Sony.
       Regards
       Matt
       POSC (Product Operation Support Center)
       800-883-6817

Seems as if Sony still feel it's not their problem. He didn't say anything about the frequency issue.

[anhisr]

Here is hoping that Grace's fix, fixes the problem.

[SClassical]

Just feel sorry for the non-V3 users who wants to use this with their prof AD...

Got an email back from Sony after telling them to read this forum..


Hi Simon,
 
I read the thread and still suspect the issue is with the source.  When D50 does not detect the flags a default selection is made.  Once again we tested 24 bit operation and didn't have any issues when the signal was correct.  Re: DVD, if D50 is recoding 96k/24bit, I can only conclude the flags are set that way despite your report they are not true.
 
I have forwarded your report, I'll keep you posted of any updates but this is currently how the unit functions.
 
Regards
 
Matt

So the final word from Sony Product Support Center is "this is currently how the unit functions" period.

[anhisr]

Nice.  I think Sony take the lead in, I don't care what you think, customer service.   

Yes, the "problem" is with the source.  If M Audio can fix it why can't Sony?  You should let them know that.

[proaudio1]

Reality Check,

If manufacturers are working to make these products more idiot proof, that's great news!

In the past, making a digital transfers of high resolution audio was completely rocket science.

It's great that these products now know what sample rates and word lengths are required!



 

[Jppiano]

What Sony has done is not made the unit idiot-proof, but rather proferssional proof. I have been recording at hi-res for more than 10 years, and dont need such silliness. I am still really annoyed by all this....

Joe P.

[WiFiJeff]

What Sony has done is not made the unit idiot-proof, but rather proferssional proof. I have been recording at hi-res for more than 10 years, and dont need such silliness. I am still really annoyed by all this....

Joe P.

Sony (and M-Audio, originally, probably others to come) is designing its product around newer standards.  I'm sure that outboard A/Ds designed in 2008 will all conform to this standard, it will be a selling point to replace all your old expensive A/D with newer expensive A/D.  When you're ready to unload all your old stuff cheap, give me a ring :-)

Jeff

[anhisr]

Grace is making a new chip to pop in and problem solved.  No new unit needed.  Sorry V3 not for sale. 

[WiFiJeff]

Grace is making a new chip to pop in and problem solved.  No new unit needed.  Sorry V3 not for sale. 

I have a V3.  I was bidding for Joe's incredibly overpriced voodoo A/D so the jitter on my Bruckner symphony recordings doesn't upset the dogs.

Jeff (friend of the ASPCA)

[mbgrace]

Hi All,
I thought I would chime in here and provide a little background based on what we've learned about the issues you are experiencing.  First of all, technically speaking, the V3 is the source of the "problem" with the MTII and the Sony D50.  The original V3 firmware does not indicate high sample rate information properly.  Also, in consumer mode, bit depth is not indicated.   There are a couple of reasons for this.  First, at the time we developed the V3 the IEC-90958 standard (the official spdif specification) did not include implementation of bit depth indication and there was no consumer recording equipment that supported high sample rates.  Second, the AES-3 specification allows for bit depth and high sample rate indication but it is not a requirement.  With this we implemented sample rate indication for 44.1kHz and 48kHz to satisfy consumer DAT and CDR recorders but assumed that if you were recording at higher sample rates your equipment (hard disk recorder or DAW) would require you to set the record sample rate and bit depth manually.  There was also an issue with memory space in the V3 processor not allowing room for these extended registers.  We have now updated the original V3 firmware so that it will indicate high sample rate information in both professional (AES-3) mode and consumer (IEC-958-3).   It will also indicate 24 bit data at all times in both professional and consumer mode.  Jamie, our firmware wizard, was able to streamline the code enough to include these.  This new firmware is being beta tested presently on the MTII and will be shortly on the Sony D50.  The V3 firmware lives on a socketed IC chip that can be easily replaced in the field.  When the testing is complete we will ship new chips to anyone who wants the new firmware free of charge.  I'll post a link to an online order form on our web site when it is ready.  In the mean time I apologize the the inconvenience that this has caused.

With the large quantity of older equipment out there and the fact that these standards change often, it seems like a bad idea to design a piece of equipment that relies only on embedded digital stream data and does not allow for manual override of record settings.  I applaud M-Audio's rapid response to this issue with their new firmware.

Michael

[SClassical]

To update everyone, yesterday I received the new chip (beta version) from Jamie from Grace Design to test it with the D50. Changing the chip was really easy. When you get it you have to make sure you plug it in correctly (orientation wise). The old chip is a bit stiff to take out so you might need to have a sharp thin knife handy to loosen it first. 

I recorded a few tracks via the optical cable and I am happy to tell everyone that the test were successful at 44.1kHz, 48kHz and 96 kHz (all 24 bits - you cannot do 16 bit). Now I feel happier with my V3 and D50.

I guess all D50 and V3 users are all set 

Thanks to Michael and Jamie for the fast fix!!!

[auroboros]

has anyone tried running a deneke ad-20 into a d50?