TOPIC:

I am having intermittent issues with my DDRC-88A that can only be rectified by a power cycle.

Firstly when using the Utility I am getting the occasional failure to connect. It has the error message failed to connect, or timed out, please check usb etc. Switching the unit on and off makes the connection work again.

Secondly when sending IR commands to change the filter the lights sometimes stop changing. I believe that it is actually changing the filter but the lights don't change, as after switching it on and off the correct light is now showing.

I have updated to the most current Firmware for info.

Thirdly a suggestion for the software. When loading a project it is not obvious that it has worked as all the buttons on the left hand side of the screen are greyed out as is the proceed button. I actually thought my projects weren't loading until it was pointed out to me that they are and just use the filter/export etc button to go to where you want. Could something maybe be done to make the buttons normal once a project is loaded?

Lastly is there any way a power on/off IR command could be implemented. It seems crazy to leave something on all the time no matter how little electricity it is using.

Thinking out loud it may be a good idea to create a suggestions thread?

markymiles wrote:

I am having intermittent issues with my DDRC-88A that can only be rectified by a power cycle.
Firstly when using the Utility I am getting the occasional failure to connect. It has the error message failed to connect, or timed out, please check usb etc. Switching the unit on and off makes the connection work again.

Which is the length of your USB cable?

Secondly when sending IR commands to change the filter the lights sometimes stop changing. I believe that it is actually changing the filter but the lights don't change, as after switching it on and off the correct light is now showing.

It might have no relevance with your problem, but those lights normaly glitter in a way that leaves me a bit fussy. I have an OpenDRC unit whose lights glitter the same way, prompting at me the idea that something in the appliance is not fully right.

Lastly is there any way a power on/off IR command could be implemented. It seems crazy to leave something on all the time no matter how little electricity it is using.

Agreed also, in my opinion that would be the perfect fit in the same kind of minimalistic concept.

Only a short cable which it came with.

Yeah the lights on mine flicker a little too. Agree it could indicate an issue in itself.

Hopefully Devteam have some ideas or I will have to open a support ticket (again, 2nd unit)

Loving the sound a little disappointed with hardware quality so far.

markymiles wrote:

I am having intermittent issues with my DDRC-88A that can only be rectified by a power cycle.

Firstly when using the Utility I am getting the occasional failure to connect. It has the error message failed to connect, or timed out, please check usb etc. Switching the unit on and off makes the connection work again.

I have seen this issue as well. In my system it's a Windows issue. When you plug in the USB cable, Windows assigns a COM port to the device. Usually I can connect and the plugin will see the device. But if I unplug the cable or close the plugin software, the port hangs and Windows doesn't release it. It will eventually release it but it takes time. If I try to reconnect immediately I will get the same unable to connect error message. There may be a setting in Windows to free up the port faster but I haven't found it yet. The fix for me is to either power cycle the MiniDSP or to close and reopen the plugin software.

markymiles wrote:

Secondly when sending IR commands to change the filter the lights sometimes stop changing. I believe that it is actually changing the filter but the lights don't change, as after switching it on and off the correct light is now showing.

There have been some reports of people using their remote as a volume control and getting irregular volume changes. For them, it turned out to be the remote. It was sending commands too quickly and was confusing the IR receiver. Have you tried another remote? Maybe you're trying to switch between filters too quickly or the remote is sending too many commands.

markymiles wrote:

Lastly is there any way a power on/off IR command could be implemented. It seems crazy to leave something on all the time no matter how little electricity it is using.

This would be a nice feature. Maybe it's something you can DIY. I have an OpenDRC which is identical to the DDRC in hardware. I converted mine to work with car audio and to turn on and off remotely with the car's head unit. To do this I installed a 12volt relay that switches the power to the OpenDRC. Whenever 12v is applied, the relay turns on and powers on the unit. You can buy 12 volt relays that will work with a wireless remote. Just tie the relay into the power section.

encrypted.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=s...+with+remote+control

Hi Mark,

These symptoms are odd as we've never seen/heard of this before.. I wonder if it's related to the PC somehow..
Maybe we'd need to get logs to see what's going on here. Any firewal/antivirus software running at the background?

For the IR commands, we just took few units out of the batch and once again can't reproduce these. i.e. all presets toggling fine.
Do note that you can't toggle presets with the remote if you're connected. You'd want to make sure that you are not using either Dirac or DDRC-88A utility along with the remote because you're fighting for control of the unit.

DevTeam