Firmware Upgrade Audio Performance

[DaveIN]

I've cross posted this to the Yahoo group for more responce:
Do you feel the latest firmware ugrade has improved the volume, AGC,
and general digital audio performance on the 396?

Those with Mixed Mode 3600 baud systmes, do you hear the "machine-gunning" before or after the digital audio as much as before the firmware upgrade?

 

[Codeman]

I really like the smaller volume increments since it allows me to use a lower-impedence set of headphones safely. AGC hasn't made much difference for me, but most of the systems I listen to are strong, even from handheld radios at the far end of the county. It's all analog, too, so I can't really address the digital side of the update.

 

[wolter]

Hi Dave,

The lower volume settings are better, but not good IMHO. The upper settings (7+) distort the audio. In comparison, the audio of the Icom R2 is superb. It has MANY more increments, the lows are lower, and the speaker can handle high volume without distortion.

The 3600 systems in my area sound much worse. Machine-gunning has returned with the 1.11 firmware. The clarity of the digital audio has worsen; the P25 adjustments do not help, nor does disabling AGC.

I'm not impressed with this update, but I don't have much of a choice until Uniden addresses these problems.

 

[GTO_04]

I've cross posted this to the Yahoo group for more responce:
Do you feel the latest firmware ugrade has improved the volume, AGC,
and general digital audio performance on the 396?

Those with Mixed Mode 3600 baud systmes, do you hear the "machine-gunning" before or after the digital audio as much as before the firmware upgrade?

I listen to Mixed Moded 3600 baud system (Indiana SAFE-T). IMHO the upgrade is a major improvement! I now have a functioning AGC, digital audio performance is slightly improved (that part was OK before except for no AGC). And I have less machine gunning then before. Now I have the same amount of machine gunning as the Pro-96, so the machine gunning that's left may or may not be a scanner issue.

I am fine with the volume settings available with the 396 after the firmware upgrade.

GTO_04

 

[rmiles]

Although I was eagerly awaiting this firmware update, I must say the digital audio enhancements did not live up to my expectations. As a LONG time Uniden scanner purchaser, I would really like to see them invest more R&D into the digital AGC. The distortion at high volumes is unintelligible, and the low range needs to be spaced better. I really noticed no difference in high/low volume before and after this update. The AGC is still horrible compared to the Pro-96. Can't a company as large a Uniden, with all their resources come up with an AGC algorithm that work at least as well as GRE’s, with no fine tuning necessary?? PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE invest more R&D into the AGC audio. This is still the big selling point for me. My 296D largely sits unused for digital monitoring due to such poor audio quality. Actually, I think I had better audio quality on my 396T before applying the latest firmware update. I will certainly not purchase another Uniden digital radio until the AGC problem with the 396 is rectified. BTW: I mainly monitor a Motorola 3600 baud system and still have TONS of machine gunning.

 

[safetyobc]

The audio is definately suffering on the new update.

Proof is in the pudding! I have emailed numerous versions of the older V1.10.01 to people over the last couple of days. If everything was okay, so many wouldn't complain. Maybe it works good on certain systems? The audio is good on conventional but on my digital system it is definatley worse than before. Not Horrible but not good either. The 1.10.01 was better it just suffered from differing audio levels between dispatch and patrol.

I am still struggling with the new firmware myself, trying to get the audio right and I just can't no matter what settings I use. I am going go back to 1.10.01 tomorrow if I get time to do the firmware load.

If anyone needs the 1.10.01, just PM me with your email addy and I'll send it your way.

matt

 

[whooey]

What sounds different on the 1.10 than the latest firmware???

 

[safetyobc]

Audio distorts at higher levels above about 10 or so. Before audio all the way to 15 was loud and clear. Now doesn't seem to be as loud but that could be the distortion.

 

[wolter]

What sounds different on the 1.10 than the latest firmware???

http://www.radioreference.com/forums/showpost.php?p=272805&postcount=3

 

[hotdjdave]

Better? P25. AGC.

Audio distorts at higher levels above about 10 or so. Before audio all the way to 15 was loud and clear. Now doesn't seem to be as loud but that could be the distortion.

So does it sound "loud and clear" again when you revert it back to 1.10.01?

Mine still sounds loud, maybe a slight distortion at 14 -15. My bigger problem with the new update is now the P25 sounds crappy. I listen to LAPD. But it sounded lousy with both updates. It just is worse now. I have tried every possible P25 setting.

As for the AGC, I have to leave it "off" for LAPD. The problem is I want to leave it on for different systems and have different AGC settings for different sytems. Maybe this will be in the unlocked final firmware update of the AGC settings.

 

[wjf]

My bigger problem with the new update is now the P25 sounds crappy. I listen to LAPD. But it sounded lousy with both updates. It just is worse now. I have tried every possible P25 setting.

As for the AGC, I have to leave it "off" for LAPD. The problem is I want to leave it on for different systems and have different AGC settings for different sytems. Maybe this will be in the unlocked final firmware update of the AGC settings.

Ditto with MPSCS.

 

[John_M]

I think you guys are doing a little nit-picking. Look at the list of improvements in this update, is there one that doesn't live up to what it is supposed to do? The AGC default settings of 0 have been arrived through multiple tests in different environments. This is quoted from Uniden in the update instructions. Try putting the settings at 0 and see if the AGC works. I can clearly hear a difference. The P25 audio no longer blasts me out and the AGC kicks in. Keep in mind that if you revert to v1.10 you will lose all the improvements made in v1.11. Also keep in mind that the AGC improvements in v1.11 are unofficial and are subject to more tweaking in the firmware. I haven't had a chance to see if the volume
distorts at high volumes so I can't comment on that.

 

[gregmoss]

I'm not too impressed with the current firmware update V1.11.03. Also reading through the threads on this forum, i can see others are having similar problems or issues. Hopefully uniden will address any problems or issues with the V1.11.03 Not too much of a complainer or a uniden basher! I love uniden scanners, and their support. But the older V1.10.01 firmware seems too be louder and clearer than the V1.11.03 with my 396. Now when i turn my volume up too 15 it's loud and clear without distortion, it might raddle the speaker abit but no distortion. I can also deal with some of the different bps 9600 p-25 systems being noticeably louder than others, even with the AGC on.

 

[bigred04]

thanls for the file

sounds so mutch better

 

[wolter]

I think you guys are doing a little nit-picking. Look at the list of improvements in this update, is there one that doesn't live up to what it is supposed to do?...I haven't had a chance to see if the volume distorts at high volumes so I can't comment on that.

You cannot say that people "are doing a little nit-picking" if you "haven't had a chance to see if the volume distorts" and if you haven't tested it on systems that are set up similiar to the ones in their area.

I seriously doubt that so many people would report something if it weren't true for them. The new "improvements" have caused things that they aren't supposed to do: audio distortion and increased machine-gunning.

 

[DaveIN]

Looks like a mixed bag.

Some of you went back to V1.10.01 firmware. Some are comfortable with the new AGC and P25 audio settings.

Safetyobc looks like he was not easily able to change the Startup-HOLD digital settings or it was too complicated to use so he opted for the older firmware version. If your happy with that then I'd go with the V1.10.01 firmware.

Many are reporting distortion above level 10 volume. Looks to be a trade-off for more volume steps.

Some report that the "machine-gunning" on 3600 baud mixed mode is much worse and some the same as with the PRO-96.

Is that it in a nutshell?

Next question would be, how many of you feel that it is equal in P25 digital audio to the PRO-96?

 

[safetyobc]

I could change the settings just fine. I just never was able to get a setting combination that was as good as the 1.10.01 firmware audio on my digital system.

 

[DaveIN]

That's the key, being able to adjust your settings to get the best audio possible is not easy for all.

Example:
P25 Res Time: -6
P25 Ref Gain: +3
Ana Res Time: -4
Ana Ref Gain: -3
Ana Gn Range: 3

 

[GTO_04]

Looks like a mixed bag.

Some of you went back to V1.10.01 firmware. Some are comfortable with the new AGC and P25 audio settings.

Safetyobc looks like he was not easily able to change the Startup-HOLD digital settings or it was too complicated to use so he opted for the older firmware version. If your happy with that then I'd go with the V1.10.01 firmware.

Many are reporting distortion above level 10 volume. Looks to be a trade-off for more volume steps.

Some report that the "machine-gunning" on 3600 baud mixed mode is much worse and some the same as with the PRO-96.

Is that it in a nutshell?

Next question would be, how many of you feel that it is equal in P25 digital audio to the PRO-96?

IMHO digital audio on the 396 is now equal to that of the Pro-96. Sure, if I turn the audio way up, it's going to be distorted. That happens with both radios, nothing new there.

And like I said previously machine gunning is much reduced on the 396 after the latest update. Before I would get machine gunning (and no voice at all) on some TGs in search mode. That no longer happens.

GTO_04

GTO_04

 

[DaveIN]

IMHO digital audio on the 396 is now equal to that of the Pro-96. Sure, if I turn the audio way up, it's going to be distorted. That happens with both radios, nothing new there.

And like I said previously machine gunning is much reduced on the 396 after the latest update. Before I would get machine gunning (and no voice at all) on some TGs in search mode. That no longer happens.

GTO_04

GTO_04

This is on the Indiana SAFE-T correct?