DAC1 HDR REMOTE CONTROL
DAC1 HDR REMOTE CONTROL
Submitted by bestbyte on Thu, 2009-09-03 19:03Hi,
I recently purchased DAC1 HDR (At probably twice the price paid in USA).I did not have any problem with it until when I bought Plasma TV .I have run an optical cable from the TV to DAC1 HDR so as to take advantage of the digital PCM capability of my TV.The remote control response is highly erractic and unpredictable when the TV is switched on.With just a single press on the remote volume button the knob would rotate all the way to maximum.Like wise with a single press to decrease the volume the knob would turn all the way to minimum position.It nearly clipped my expensive speakers.Your authorised dealer is rather unhelpful in sorting out this problem.It looks like there is magnetic interference with the TV.I wonder If you can help me.
Many thanks
Remote problem
I'm sorry to hear of this problem. I will need some information, so if you would, please email me directly at Rory@benchmarkmedia.com. Thank you.
Lousy remote control
I also purchased a DAC1 HDR about two months ago. After a few hours of operation the unit cannot switch inputs using the remote control. I can manually switch the input using front panel knob. They replaced my DAC1 HDR after replacing my remote control. I have same problems as before and also have encountered volume going up to the roof when pressing the volume control only with one click. Talked to service support staff which are very friendly and they indicated that there could be interferences caused by other remote controls in the room affecting operation of receiver circuit of remote control on the DAC1 HDR.
After doing some limited test, it does seem that the HDR operation is affected by other remote controls in the room. I truly cannot understand how a manufacturer can put out a product on the market without properly testing its remote circuitry in a normal HT environment. Really disapointing.... Its unfortunate since the HDR sounds really great but its remote operation is really sub par and under engineered. The remote control does not operate normally with 2 different HDR units. Benchmark please get your act together!
Dasign
DAC1 HDR remote FIX
Hello! Thanks for contacting us. We will be happy to fix this for you.
IR emissions from plasma televisions have been found to interfere with the signal of many IR remote controls. Plasma TV's emit high levels of pulsed infrared light. There have been many cases of this with other manufacturers' remotes as well.
It only affects the first few DAC1 HDR's made. We have updated the remote control code which prevents this problem in all new HDR's by tightening the tolerances and implementing more validity checks. The new code is completely immune from these interferences, however, a nearby plasma television may reduce the sensitivity of the remote control.
Only the first 23 units sold have the original remote control code. If you are experiencing problems with the remote controls, we will be happy to update the remote code. We will also pay for the shipping both ways. Please contact us if you are experiencing any problems.
Thanks!
-Elias
Hi Elias, I got my DAC1 HDR
Hi Elias,
I got my DAC1 HDR yesterday. The good news is, it sounds fantastic! And the level matching with my power amp is perfect, using XLR cables made up as per your suggestion (i.e. pin 3 floating) and connected to my unbalanced inputs. With the default 20db attenuator, the volume knob needs to be between 11 O'clock and 1 O'clock for sensible volumes, i.e. perfect!
The bad news is
(a) I ordered a black unit and my supplier sent a silver one, and
(b) I have the same remote control problem as above. The remote works perfectly if my plasma TV is switched off, but with it on, it doesn't work properly. It doesn't respond to many key presses, and when it does respond sometimes the volume just carries on decreasing or increasing (alarmingly!). It's unusable.
I have contacted my supplier to get the unit swapped for a black one, but I am concerned it might have the same problem. From what I can tell, the serial number of my silver unit is 39. (H09060039-0). Can I be confident the replacement (when it arrives) will work acceptably?
I don't know how you have implemented the remote, but I have 6 or 7 other remotes in the same room and none of them exhibit any of these problems. Also I have a learning remote and it can't seem to learn the codes from the Benchmark remote, which seems odd. It's like the Benchmark remote is doing something completely different from all the other remotes.
Chippy, You must have
Chippy,
You must have received one of the older units (and I apologize for the dealer mistakenly sending the wrong color).
The issue with the Plasma has been addressed in all current units.
Regarding the 'learning' remote control, we've succesfully 'taught' the DAC1 HDR codes to several 'learning' remote controls. What 'learning' remote are you using?
Also, where did you buy your DAC1 HDR?
Thanks,
Elias
Hi Elias, Thanks (and no
Hi Elias,
Thanks (and no apology necessary - it's not your fault!) The dealer is DV247 in the UK and they had to order the unit in. I know they ordered me a black version - it even says so on their depatch note. Presumably the UK distributor just sent the wrong one. Hopefully when I get a black unit it will be a later version with the remote problem fixed. Fingers crossed. The learning remote I tried was the remote that came with my amp - it's branded as Tag McLaren; who makes it I am not sure.
Cheers
Chip
Well the black replacement
Well the black replacement arrived shortly before I went on holidays for a couple of weeks... so I have only had the last week or so to play with it extensively.
I am sorry to be so negative on open forum, but the remote control performance is truly dismal. With my plasma switched off, everything is perfect. But with the plasma on, the remote just doesn't work. It is "unfit for purpose". 80% of key presses aren't responded to at all and the whole thing is so unresponsive it's just unworkable. (Thank goodness the volume increasing dangerously and uncontrollably has been cured though.)
I am delighted with the sound of the DAC1 - really delighted. But the remote is so bad I can't believe it. I am now faced with having to run the DAC1 calibrated output through my remote controlled preamp. This works fine, but it doesn't sound quite as good, and it makes me wonder why I spent the extra $800 on the HDR instead of a standard DAC1.
Please do look at this and see if you can address it. I have perhaps 10 other devices with IR remotes and none of them have this problem. There is something fundamentally wrong with your IR implementation.
I'm sorry about that, but
I'm sorry about that, but certain Plasma screen-rates seem to be directly interfering with the remote control sensor. This has not affected most customers, but a small minority have a plasma that seems to have this issue.
Contact us if you have questions about returns and/or trade-ins.
Thanks,
Elias
Thanks for your frankness and
Thanks for your frankness and for the apology - not that it is your fault personally.
You raise an interesting point about the types of plasma causing this. I wonder if this is a PAL (50Hz) only issue? I will try some NTSC 60Hz content on my plasma and see if that is any better (not that this is a fix, but at least it may help diagnose the issue).
Regards refunds / trade-ins etc, I am happy to keep the HDR for now at least. You never know - I may one day change my plasma. However, if there is soon an HDR V2 that fixes this issue, I would hope you might offer me a trade in on favourable terms?
Kind Regards
Chip
When/if we develop a new
When/if we develop a new version of the remote control firmware, we will be able to offer the upgrade to all existing customers.
Keep in touch!
All the best,
Elias
LG Plasma TV Rogers Remote Response
I am a UK owner who has an LG 42PQ6000 Plasma TV, and it seems to me that beyond a certain level of RED component in the picture, my DAC1 HDR will either not respond, or sends the volume knob gringing into the endstops.
I got it from Thomann in Germany in August 2009, after waiting for it to come over from the States after I ordered.
My dilemma is: I feel miffed paying so much extra for the remote control facility, and then having it rendered useless. But, I adore the sound so I can't bear to be without it for the round trip again.
What am I to do, Dr. Elias?
I'd be happy to help you.
I'd be happy to help you. Please email me at your earliest convenience:
elias(at)benchmarkmedia(dot)com
Best,
Elias
I'd be happy to help you.
I'd be happy to help you. Please email me at your earliest convenience:
elias(at)benchmarkmedia(dot)com
Best,
Elias
Remote Control Problem
I just bought my DAC1 DHR last week in Singapore from Audiotrio. It was working fine and fully met my expectation and requirement and suddenly two nights ago the remote went crazy exactly like what had been described above. Alex Chan from Audiotrio was very apologetic and helpful. I did not know the cause then but managed to find out that my Panasonic Plasma TV was interfering with the DAC remote. This was after I brought the DAC to my bedroom to listen through my headphone. In the bedroom, everything worked fine. After much experimenting I found out that when the Plasma TV was on the remote went crazy. I should have checked the forum page first. That would have saved me a lot of anguish. My Dac serial number is H09060042-0. I am sure Alex from Audiotrio had already contacted Benchmark regarding this case. I would like to know when a fix for the remote control can be made. By the way I have a Logictech universal remote control which can download code of remote control by brand and model number through their website. Do you have one updated Dac1 code which is available to Logitech so that I can download to my universal remote first until I can have my Dac remote replaced? Like the other users above mentioned, I have so many remote controls at home and they had never experienced an interference problem with my plasma TV which I had for more than 5 years. For your information, I bought the Dac1 HDR primary for my Window Media Centre which I recently purchased. Its a PC based system and I have started to download my years of CD collection into my hard disks in lossless WAV file and I am playing my music through this hence I need a good DAC with USB connectivity and audioplhile type volume control not those with digital volume control. I am using my plasma TV as the video display and had to be switched on when I am playing my CDs. So I definitely need a solution for this remote control problem. Hope to hear some good news. Regards, KweeSong
I'd be happy to help you.
I'd be happy to help you. Please email me at your earliest convenience:
elias(at)benchmarkmedia(dot)com
Best,
Elias
DAC1 HDR USB dropout
Hi Benchmark
I have jsut bought a DAC1 HDR but i am experiencing frequent dropouts when playing via USB input from my PC. After a while, anything from 30 sec to 5-10 mins the sound comes back.
I have tried various player applications and sound formats, checked USB cables, and my computer has been connected to 2 other USB DAC's that I have, and all was fine via them. So by that I can pretty much rule out that my computer is the culprit.
info: PC: Win7 64-bit, fresh install.
Amplifier: Krell S-300i connected via XLR cables. ("standard" XLR pin-layout, not modified)
Any thoughts?
Hello Troelsjorg, What
Hello Troelsjorg,
What other USB DAC's did you try?
We are discussing Windows 7 issues in another thread. If you want to join us, its here:
http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/discuss/forum/dac1-pre-dac1-hdr/dac1-hdr-power-question
All the best,
Elias
USB dropout
Hi
I tried with a FUBAR III and 1tech (danish highend dac www.1tech.dk )
regards Troels
I couldn't find any
I couldn't find any information about the USB input of the 1tech.
With the FUBAR III, the difference may have something to do with the bandwidth required for the FUBAR III, which is significantly less then the DAC1 USB because the maximum resolution is much lower (48-kHz, 16-bit) then it is for the DAC1 USB (96 kHz, 24-bit).
Here are a few things that I can recommend to limit audio interruptions on Windows 7 computers. Try these things, and tell me if they make any differences:
- Adjust the 'Power' settings to "High Performance" (the setting where the computer does not moderate the power usage)
- Turn off all system sounds
- Disengage any non-essential background activity
- If you're using iTunes, change the sample rate in QuickTime to 96 kHz
Check this page for further updates: http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/wiki/index.php/Windows_7_Audio_Playback_-_Setup_Guide
Thanks,
Elias
Remote Control Problem
I have received the new DAC1 HDR with the remote control fix and had run it for a couple of weeks. I am glad to report that the problem has been fixed. Thank you. Now I can enjoy my music with my plasma TV turned on.
Great!
Glad to hear it!
All the best,
-Elias
I loved to buy a DAC1 HDR but
I loved to buy a DAC1 HDR but I also own a Panasonic Plasma. It seems you guys have fixed something in the firmware? So how can I make sure that the one I get when I order one (from a reseller in Germany - Thomann) has the fix?
Also do you have separate discrete codes for the input channels for a remote so I can program my Harmony to direct select an input?
Thanks,
Edwin
Thanks for your quick answer.
Thanks for your quick answer. I have ordered the DAC1 HDR as Thomann told me they just had a fresh shipment from you guys and it should be a the new type.
Could you post me the discrete codes (RC5?) for the input channels as I can not find them in the online manual and the default template in Harmony One does only have input- and input+ ?
Thanks,
Edwin
I just got my HDR today and
I just got my HDR today and thought the remote was broken. It would only work from literally 1 inch or less in front of the sensor. It turns out that my Samsung LCD TV had it's source selected to a PS3 which was turned off, thus no signal going to the TV. After being really bummed out for about 20 minutes, I switched the TV source selector to the cable box. The remote now worked fine. I've since tried to recreate the issue but it doesn't seem to be happening again. Very strange. Lesson here is it's probably interference if the remote is not working.
Jim
HDR Remote Control Codes for Pronto TSU9600
With many thanks to Jasonvp and mschlack, here are discrete codes for the TSU9600. There seem to be alternates for some of them, but these work:
Power on
0000 006D 0000 0012 0063 0063 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 070E
Power off (this has to be sent twice)
0000 006C 0008 0012 001A 006E 002C 006E 002C 006E 002C 006E 002C 002C 002C 002C 002C 006E 002C 0893 0062 0063 002C 002C 002C 006E 002C 002C 002C 006E 002C 002C 002C 006E 002C 006E 002C 002C 002C 006E 002C 006E 002C 006E 002C 006E 002C 006E 002C 002C 002C 002C 002C 006E 002C 0893
Input 1
0000 006D 0000 0012 0063 0063 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 070E
Input 2
0000 006D 0000 0012 0063 0063 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 070E
Input 3
0000 006D 0000 0012 0063 0063 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 070E
Input 4
0000 006D 0000 0012 0063 0063 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 070E
USB input
0000 006D 0000 0012 0063 0063 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 070E
Analog input
0000 006D 0000 0012 0063 0063 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 070E
Soft mute
0000 006D 0000 0012 0063 0063 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 070E
Dim vol
0000 006D 0000 0012 0063 0063 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 070E
Vol+
0000 006D 0000 0012 0063 0063 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 002D 002E 070E
Vol-
0000 006D 0000 0012 0063 0063 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 070E
Input+
0000 006D 0000 0012 0063 0063 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 002D 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 006A 002E 070E
Input-
0000 006C 0000 0012 0062 0063 002C 002C 002C 006E 002C 002C 002C 006E 002C 002C 002C 006E 002C 006E 002C 002C 002C 006E 002C 006E 002C 006E 002C 006E 002C 002C 002C 002C 002C 006E 002C 002C 002C 0893