Posted by: Scott
Component Video White Flash: Problem Solved - 12/22/05 09:57 PM
For those who have expressed concern about an intermittent "white flash" when viewing component signals on a Model 1070 or Model 970, we are pleased to be able to provide a progress report at this time.
As soon as we received reports of this issue, we gathered additional information from those experiencing the problem and then assembled an action team both here and in Asia to isolate and identify the root cause of the problem. It took a few days for us to consistently reproduce the problem, due in large part to the many variables involved with different brands and types of video displays. Once that was done, we expanded the action team to include engineers from Texas Instruments, as they are the supplier for the key components in the video conversion circuitry. After two days of on-site consultation with R&D team in Taiwan the cause was found in a few software bugs. The software has since been modified, and both TI and our engineers have conducted approval tests. As a final step, the Outlaws have done their own validation testing.
We are pleased to tell you that the new software completely eliminates the "white flash" problem without disrupting any other part of the units’ operation. The updated software is now available for download. Simply click on this link to access the instructions and download.
As a bit of background, it is worth noting that today’s high performance preamplifier/processors and A/V receivers are, in many ways, small computers. While that enables them to deliver great performance and advanced features, it sometimes means that software glitches may occasionally pop up. While we have a rigorous production testing process and an extensive beta test program, differences in each user’s system components sometimes has the unfortunate by-product of masking an issue until after the product has shipped.
Fortunately, both of our current processors and our surround sound receiver are equipped with the ability to upgrade the internal software in the field for issues such as this. While bugs are unfortunate, this makes it easy to correct the software without returning the unit for service.
Outlaw considers the ability to upgrade a product’s software via RS-232 or USB connection as an absolute necessity. Whether you choose to purchase our products or those of any other company, we strongly believe that the ability to easily upgrade the on-board software should be a "mandatory" feature.
In closing, we would like to express our gratitude to Doug917 for his thoughtful and thorough evaluation and analysis. He discovered something that the Outlaws, our beta testers, and hundreds of other customers all missed. The reports from everyone who observed and reported the problem, along with the hard work of engineers on two continents were critical to our being able to quickly solve this issue.
We offer our thanks to everyone for their patience in giving us the time to address this glitch. With your help we are pleased to report a successful outcome to the problem.
As soon as we received reports of this issue, we gathered additional information from those experiencing the problem and then assembled an action team both here and in Asia to isolate and identify the root cause of the problem. It took a few days for us to consistently reproduce the problem, due in large part to the many variables involved with different brands and types of video displays. Once that was done, we expanded the action team to include engineers from Texas Instruments, as they are the supplier for the key components in the video conversion circuitry. After two days of on-site consultation with R&D team in Taiwan the cause was found in a few software bugs. The software has since been modified, and both TI and our engineers have conducted approval tests. As a final step, the Outlaws have done their own validation testing.
We are pleased to tell you that the new software completely eliminates the "white flash" problem without disrupting any other part of the units’ operation. The updated software is now available for download. Simply click on this link to access the instructions and download.
As a bit of background, it is worth noting that today’s high performance preamplifier/processors and A/V receivers are, in many ways, small computers. While that enables them to deliver great performance and advanced features, it sometimes means that software glitches may occasionally pop up. While we have a rigorous production testing process and an extensive beta test program, differences in each user’s system components sometimes has the unfortunate by-product of masking an issue until after the product has shipped.
Fortunately, both of our current processors and our surround sound receiver are equipped with the ability to upgrade the internal software in the field for issues such as this. While bugs are unfortunate, this makes it easy to correct the software without returning the unit for service.
Outlaw considers the ability to upgrade a product’s software via RS-232 or USB connection as an absolute necessity. Whether you choose to purchase our products or those of any other company, we strongly believe that the ability to easily upgrade the on-board software should be a "mandatory" feature.
In closing, we would like to express our gratitude to Doug917 for his thoughtful and thorough evaluation and analysis. He discovered something that the Outlaws, our beta testers, and hundreds of other customers all missed. The reports from everyone who observed and reported the problem, along with the hard work of engineers on two continents were critical to our being able to quickly solve this issue.
We offer our thanks to everyone for their patience in giving us the time to address this glitch. With your help we are pleased to report a successful outcome to the problem.
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