TOPIC:

Hi all

This was inevitable... but I did the update to version 1.15 (dirac version 1.0 - all went fine) and...:
1) "Added volume control, source selection and preset selection functions for Volumio" ==> how do I see this this? I am on Volumio 1.052, and i can't find this added feature.
2) I cannot managed to turn off the device by holding the mute button for 3 seconds. Or maybe I should ask: how do i observe that the device is off? - *edit: answered myself underneath*
3) I don't like that the display is off. I know some wanted this feature, but the light does not bother me, and now I cannot know what source is selected unless I switch source (which is weird from a usability standpoint), or change volume. Is there a way to disable the automatic turn off of the screen? or to roll out to previous firmware?

thanks
Nicolas

I can answer myself to "how to turn the device off" ==> it does not work with the remote control! One must use the push button on the device - this was not clear from the announcement, where it simply says "press and hold".
Nicolas

dishio wrote:

1) "Added volume control, source selection and preset selection functions for Volumio" ==> how do I see this this? I am on volumio 1.052, and i can't find this added feature.

The source selection and preset selection options appeared for me after I restarted Volumio. You get extra options appear on the Home screen labelled Inputs and Presets like this:

Double post in error. Please delete.

Well spotted Ultrasonic! The volume control on small screen, e.g. smartphone, is pretty tricky.

I just tried using the Inputs option for the first time and found it is missing the LAN option I wanted to switch to. Probably the most important to be able to select within Volumio I'd have thought?

That said I think I'd realistically be sticking with using the remote control anyway so it's not a big loss for me.

Again, well spotted @Ultrasonic. The more I look at it, the more the feature that turn the screen automatically off is wrong
=> there is no longer an indication of whether the device is on or off - that is such a basic feature of any device. the lack of it is a no-go for me.
=> there is no visible indication of what the current volume is, and this has already caused me bad surprises, which could be potentially harmful.
=> there is no visible indication of the selected source. And the only way to know is to... switch source? Bummer. That is not smart.

Overall i appreciate that miniDSP listens to users, but here i do think that the auto-off screen after 30s is pretty much a "always off screen",, because one cannot active the screen without changing a setting, and that goes in the wrong direction in terms of usability. I honestly regret the upgrade to the new firmware - it is a step-back.

dishio wrote:

Again, well spotted @Ultrasonic. The more I look at it, the more the feature that turn the screen automatically off is wrong
=> there is no longer an indication of whether the device is on or off - that is such a basic feature of any device. the lack of it is a no-go for me.
=> there is no visible indication of what the current volume is, and this has already caused me bad surprises, which could be potentially harmful.
=> there is no visible indication of the selected source. And the only way to know is to... switch source? Bummer. That is not smart.

Overall i appreciate that miniDSP listens to users, but here i do think that the auto-off screen after 30s is pretty much a "always off screen",, because one cannot active the screen without changing a setting, and that goes in the wrong direction in terms of usability. I honestly regret the upgrade to the new firmware - it is a step-back.

Is changing the volume by 0.5 dB really such a big deal to wake the screen up? Personally I only look at the screen when I know I want to change something, at which point doing so will turn the screen back on anyway.

I'm very happy with the screen now switching itself off. Although when the idea was discussed in another thread I had thought the idea was for it to be an option rather than it being on forced on people like you who dislike it. It may have been difficult to implement a way for users to select this though.

Thank you for the volume control . Great job. As already mentioned previously, the LAN input is missing which is unfortunately and hopefully can be added. The auto off feature... would be better to be optional. I have a studio in our living room which I would prefer to have on. I have the SHD in my main system and would prefer it to be off. But as already mentioned, not that big of a deal bumping volume one click , or selecting mute to activate the display. I am still hoping for:
Variable Loudness control and/or tone controls

Ultrasonic wrote:

Is changing the volume by 0.5 dB really such a big deal to wake the screen up?

Yes and no. Changing volume displays the volume... then one need to wait another 3 seconds to see the complete screen, figure out the source, if dirac is on, which preset is used... What the feature brings in comfort in certain environment has a high cost in terms of overall simplicity of the usability.

I'm very happy with the screen now switching itself off. Although when the idea was discussed in another thread I had thought the idea was for it to be an option rather than it being on forced on people like you who dislike it. It may have been difficult to implement a way for users to select this though.

I do understand that this feature is cool for some situations (dark room...), but I also put myself in the shoes of a new buyer. Within our discussion we understand that the screen being off is a feature - I doubt this would be the case for first time users because most products (in particular hifi) do show a sign a life when they are in use, and clearly state when they are not. First time users could not understand why the screen is off, and simply be disappointed by this design choice

So, to your point, the option to have it on or auto-off is a must - and I do hope it gets implemented in some ways.

dishio wrote:

Yes and no. Changing volume displays the volume... then one need to wait another 3 seconds to see the complete screen, figure out the source, if dirac is on, which preset is used... What the feature brings in comfort in certain environment has a high cost in terms of overall simplicity of the usability.

I'd add that it also saves electricity and is likely going to allow the (OLED) screen to work well for longer. I agree though that the main benefit is to avoid distraction in a darkened room but since this is a pretty common scenario for listening to music or watching movies I hope you appreciate this is something many users will really appreciate.

dishio wrote:

...most products (in particular hifi) do show a sign a life when they are in use, and clearly state when they are not.

For what it's worth there is still an orange power light on the back, and if you look in the vent on the left hand side you'll see other lights. I understand this isn't immediately obvious but just making it clear it's not like someone couldn't tell if it's on at all or not.

I do understand your main criticism though, which is why I thought I'd let you know that when others were pushing for this it was all discussed as an option.

Yes and no. Changing volume displays the volume... then one need to wait another 3 seconds to see the complete screen, figure out the source, if dirac is on, which preset is used... What the feature brings in comfort in certain environment has a high cost in terms of overall simplicity of the usability.

If you just push the button the display lights up in complete screen mode.

I'm very happy with display turning off. Now I don't feel the need any more to power down the whole unit each night.
To make this optional would be even better.

Devteam can chime in and correct me but I'm pretty sure that if "optional" was possible, I'm sure they would have incorporated it already. As I recall when they were surveying us for this firmware upgrade, many suggested "optional".

In any case, devteam should chime in on this - this is a major change to the basic way the unit behaves. I happen to like it and I just press the button to see the current status without changing anything, but I can understand why others might not.

I think we all feel (positively or negatively) that this new feature is a strong change to how one uses or experiences the device. As a first time buyer, I would wonder why all pictures of the product show a device with a screen that is off 99% in reality - that would have been an issue for me.

As others are saying, I would also like to hear the position of the devteam. Personally, I would simply be super happy if there was a way to install the previous firmware.

To be fair the new behaviour is exactly what the release notes for the new firmware say will happen, so if someone knew they didn't want this they could choose not to install the update. I appreciate many won't read all the details though, or might not realise they don't want the new behaviour till they've tried it.

What is needed though is info. on if it's possible to reinstall an older firmware version to reverse the change for those who regret it. (I'm sure many if us have copies of older firmware versions but I wouldn't want to risk trying to install one myself in case it caused a more serious problem.)