One thing I have found irritating with the 990 (tell me if you don't agree) is the fact that I can't tell if I'm in stereo, bypass, or upsample by looking at the display. Since this is probably not correctable, it would be VERY nice to be able to push the stereo button or dolby/dts mode buttons and instead of switching to the next mode, stay in the current mode so I can read what mode i'm in.

I hope Scott or someone from outlaw is reading these requests and making note for the next update.

Ok, I give up....how do you guys discern what surround mode you're in without cycling through all the modes?

I cycle through the modes. I control the unit via one way RS232. I believe someone posted an example of 2 way serial control which provided the current surround mode on their touch panel. I'll probably head in this direction. Certainly not the best solution for the "masses".

Regards,
John

Hi John,
You lost me, what do you mean by 2 way serial control providing the current surround mode?

I expressed the desire to be able to just hit the mode button once to show the current mode to Scott. He said he would put the request in for the next update.

Fingers crossed.

Sorry,

I use a software package called MainLobby to control my HT using a LCD Touch Screen and a dedicated HTPC which also acts as a media server. Many devices I control are via a serial connection. Some devices will talk back to you and tell you their current configuration and status. You could then use this info to create a custom user interface on your touch screen.

See the picture in this thread. It shows an example of what the current status of the 990 would look like on your screen.

Serial Control

Having said all that, I second your suggestion, much simpler.

Regards,
John

Definitely agree on being able to tell what mode I'm currently using. To me, it's more valuable than displaying what input I'm currently using, although that, too, is useful information.

Just don't let it, or anything else, scroll by all the time.

If you hit the "SURR MODE" button on the front panel, it will show you the current mode. You then hit the up/down buttons on the front panel to scroll through the options. I'm sure implementing something like this with the remote would be possible.

I would also request the ability to trim channel levels for any output that is currently active. I'm specifically referring to the inability to change the subwoofer level when using "Upsample" mode. The sub is active, and the front panel indicates that, but if I hit "Test-Set-Set", the only channel levels I'm offered are L/R. The suggestion is to use the "2-ch sub offset" control that's buried in the OSD. Of course, I don't want to turn on my TV to be able to adjust the sub.

Just a couple of suggestions.

Otto

Outlaw, are you reading this? It appears I'm not the only one who would like to be able to hit stereo/dolby/dts mode on my remote and have it tell me what mode I'm in without it cycling to the next one.

You're not - I've also kicked this around with Scott, and I think they are looking for a way to accomplish this. If they can work out something with Etronics, I'm sure they will.

1:Data stream type (PCM, DD, DTS) and number of main/sub channels like I used to have on the 950.

2: Seperate options for 7.1 avoiding D/A conversions (perhaps large/small being definable for each line like the 970 has)

3: Means of seeing current surrond mode

4: Ability to retain prefered processing mode depending on signal type and input (like PCM is upsample on DVD, as well as Sat, DD is DD+PL2 on both as well, but allow other choices)

Oh, how about letting me select 7.1 from the panel instead of it being exclusively the remote? (I can't allways find the remote, and I am standing at the 990 when using the SACD machine anyway

Has anything come from the request to be able to see what surround mode you're in?

As far as I know, we probably won't hear anything official until they get the planned firmware update released.

Thanks Gonk.

Oh, one more feature please...
I use outboard digital xover. This unit (DEQX) can add a lot of delay to the stereo channels, as can other brands of digital xovers. I have a limit of distance that can be entered into the 990 manually (don't remember number, but it was in the mid 20s maybe)BUT, when using auto setup, the 990 added the needed distance to the mains (and hence delay to the other channels) but the auto setup only works with my big inefficent maggies when I hold the mike no further than 5 feet from the speakers. I can't use the mike from my seating position (errors) So my numbers for delay are wrong, causing phase errors. I know the 990 itself can handle higher delays, but the software won't allow for it being manually entered. Also, can we have a milisecond/feet/meters toggle please?