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Gear / Technical Help => Recording Gear => Topic started by: fmaderjr on July 13, 2012, 10:04:33 AM

Title: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: fmaderjr on July 13, 2012, 10:04:33 AM
Be careful updating the Firmware. I've done it twice and both times the machine wouldn't turn on at first. Possibly the problem was that I think both times I used the 661 as the card reader to copy the files although the instructions say to use a separate card reader. The first time I eventually got it to turn on & update, but I forget what I did.

Today, trying to update to 2.03, after loading the firmware upgrade file onto the card using the 661 as the card reader, I disconnected the 661 from the computer and turned it off in order to turn it back on & start the upgrade process. The machine would not restart, no matter what I tried, even though the 661 had not even begun the upgrade process. Eventually I Googled and came up with this:

I've tried all the obvious stuff already and even found a suggestion on amazon - re: pull all power, remove battery, turn-on power switch and hold 5 sec. Plug the power cord and turn on switch.

Anyway, I inserted a new card with the firmware upgrade file loaded onto it using my computer's card reader per the update instructions and then went through the above process to try to turn on the 661. To my relief it immediately started up and updated perfectly!

Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: DigiGal on July 13, 2012, 11:52:28 AM
Attached are the update instructions from Marantz.  I've done several of the updates and never had a problem.  I don't remember for sure but I think I copied the [.bin] file to the root directory of the card with the card in the mac not in the 661.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: John Willett on July 14, 2012, 05:14:20 AM
Not Marantz - but every update I have done on my recorders I do the following:-Never had a problem.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: rodeen on November 15, 2014, 04:10:56 PM
Quick questions, what is the current firmware version for the PMD 661 and where can I find it?  I just picked one up and it has version A1.16.

TIA.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: larrysellers on November 15, 2014, 05:55:03 PM
Most current is v2.05. Download it here: http://denonpro.com/products/view/pmd661#.VGfZhWdNdug
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: rodeen on November 15, 2014, 06:42:01 PM
Thank you!
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: larrysellers on November 15, 2014, 06:48:22 PM
You're welcome. I was just doing the same thing the other day and it had a super old firmware just like yours.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: DigiGal on November 16, 2014, 06:24:02 PM
Okay, so what does Firmware Version 2.05 do specifically?  For instance I've listed the last two version update details below...

PMD661 Firmware Details Version 2.04
1.   Fixed bug where the unit sometimes would not power on.


PMD661 Firmware Details Version 2.03
1.   Expanded SD and SDHC card compatibility.
2.   Fixed unit locking up when using pitch control on 24 bit 96 kHz files.
3.   Resolved issue where setting EDL marks may corrupt the ‘Date Created’ in the file properties.
4.   Fixed formatting issue when the SD card is formatted in a different device.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: larrysellers on November 16, 2014, 08:01:55 PM
I can't find any release notes for it. The 2 pdf files (1 w/ update instructions and the other with the Marantz t&c statement) don't mention the firmware specifically.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: DigiGal on November 16, 2014, 08:31:13 PM
Thank, seems odd that they didn't list any release notes.

Unless you have some sort of issue without a list of what's changed it doesn't provide an incentive to update.

It may be worth sending an inquiry to their tech support for some idea what the update is supposed to do.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: rodeen on November 17, 2014, 02:11:17 PM
I just sent an inquiry to tech support requesting details on the A2.05 firmware.  I will report back with any details I receive.  I did update from A1.16 to A2.05 and it was fast and painless.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: DigiGal on November 17, 2014, 06:24:09 PM
I just sent an inquiry to tech support requesting details on the A2.05 firmware.  I will report back with any details I receive.  I did update from A1.16 to A2.05 and it was fast and painless.

Nice, I did this afternoon as well. They do have a different owner now which may be the cause of the omission.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: DigiGal on November 19, 2014, 12:05:11 AM
Still no response yet except the automated acknowledgment at 11:45a on the 17th, the day I sent the request. 

The automated response stated, "A Support Technician will reply to your inquiry within 24 to 72 hours (not including weekends or holidays).".
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: rodeen on November 20, 2014, 03:39:56 PM
I just received this back from tech support.  Not exactly what I was hoping for.

Quote
Hello,

The new firmware provides a more stable platform for end users.

Best Regards,

Audi Lynch
Technical Support & Return Authorizations Specialist

inMusic
AIR | Akai Professional | Alesis | ▲lto Professional | Denon DJ | Denon Professional | ION Audio | M-Audio | Marantz Professional | MixMeister | Numark | SONiVOX*
e. audilynch@inmusicbrands.com
p. (401) 658-3131
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: larrysellers on November 20, 2014, 03:41:46 PM
Well, I am glad they cleared that up.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: dallman on November 20, 2014, 05:41:34 PM
I just received this back from tech support.  Not exactly what I was hoping for.

Quote
Hello,

The new firmware provides a more stable platform for end users.

Best Regards,

Audi Lynch
Technical Support & Return Authorizations Specialist

inMusic
AIR | Akai Professional | Alesis | ▲lto Professional | Denon DJ | Denon Professional | ION Audio | M-Audio | Marantz Professional | MixMeister | Numark | SONiVOX*
e. audilynch@inmusicbrands.com
p. (401) 658-3131

Nice to know the firmware makes it less likely to tip over :spin: :spin:
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: DigiGal on November 21, 2014, 06:47:58 PM
Okay dokey then, with a response like that I'm not motivated to install it. At least you got a response, I'm still waiting to hear back. If they respond I'll share the info here.

Just ain't the same company anymore since D&M Holdings sold them. That is just unacceptable customer support when there are other manufacturers with exceptional support out there. Yeah it's a legacy product but it is effectively the same as their current MKII model.

Thanks for passing along their response though.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: bobsmith19 on April 02, 2015, 09:26:27 PM
Hi, so does anyone have any more information about 2.05?  I'm using 2.04 and having no issues so don't want to apply it if there's not a good reason.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: rodeen on April 02, 2015, 09:59:34 PM
I've been using 2.05 since November without any problems but never did get any kind of hint from Marantz what was in it.  I had really old firmware so this was a major update from me.  If I at 2.04 and having no issues I would probably stay with it.  That said it was a smooth and easy update. 
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: jazzgtrl4 on July 31, 2015, 02:15:54 PM
Hi where can i find the firmware update for the mkI ?  only could find 3.05 for the mkII it looks like. thanks
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: rodeen on July 31, 2015, 02:27:21 PM
Try here:  http://denonpro.com/products/view/pmd661#.Vbu9w_lVhBd
Title: Re: Marantz PMD-661 Firmware update disaster solved.
Post by: jazzgtrl4 on July 31, 2015, 03:01:36 PM
Try here:  http://denonpro.com/products/view/pmd661#.Vbu9w_lVhBd

got it thanks