Coming soon: MiniDSP Flex with HDMI input

[RickyC34]

If a trigger input exists, that would make things easier. But yeah, there are ways around it.
The Ayima or so is turned off by turning the volume dial... so unless the power socket is controlled, you can't turn it off or on without changing the volume.

If you only want to listen to music, I'd simply get a Wiim mini. Support for Tidal Connect is essential, and I don't think the ATV offers that?

The smart plug would turn it off and on, you would leave the amp on. If you're leaving the home for an extended amount of time mark the dial and turn it off. Like you said, there's always ways around if trying to save some cash. I own this little amp Fosi and it has tone control + a switch on the front if that any value to you. Currently only $56 bucks.
I don't own an ATV so I can't comment on that.

My FlexHT just arrived today! Sure ill be sharing some of my experiece one here.

 

[vicenzo_del_paris]

I received mine this week.
I had a regular Flex until now which had a very stable firmware.
The Flex HT and dedicated DC console have some annoying bugs that I hope will be fixed soon:
- DC console: keeps asking to update to previous DC console version and something UI stops being updated.
- [Edit : my bad - was my fault, wrong settings on TV side]Flex HT firmware: much slower awake time, random issues when automating source and preset selections using automation from Logitech harmony (same config worked like a charm with the Flex), CEC issues (flex HT automatically switches on/off from connected hdmi devices while these ones are configured to not control others, leading to automation issues when also using non hdmi sources.

There is also something I did not check on the online manual before buying it. For stereo toslink source, I thought I could do separate calibrations for mains and subs. While we can configure the routing for that and have dirac generating 4 sets of filters (2 mains and 2 subs), loading the filters onto the flex HT fails. Had to revert as I as doing with Flex stereo (sub and main blended in same calibration).

I bought the Flex HT as my media box is doing bitstream decoding (with only 1 output HDMI) to get rid of my AVR.
I forgot that my TV has only ARC and not eARC. Thus the TV gets the multichannel PCM from my media box but only transmit it to the Flex as 2 channel stereo (as eARC is required for multichannel).
I will test this week with a feintech VAX01202 to split the hdmi stream from the media box to both TV and Flex HT.

 

[ARNiTECT]

I recently bought a PROZOR LNKPW155uk (TPA3221) for about £70 to use with my surrounds, as it has a remote control. Not tried it yet.
I have a Feintech VAX01202 to convert eARC from TV to the HDMI-IN of my CXUHD ...and just bought a second one to split audio & video (if I need it).
My Flex HT arrived last week, but sadly not had a chance to play with it. I also noticed it wanted to revert to the previous firmware.

 

[RickyC34]

I received mine this week.
I had a regular Flex until now which had a very stable firmware.
The Flex HT and dedicated DC console have some annoying bugs that I hope will be fixed soon:
- DC console: keeps asking to update to previous DC console version and something UI stops being updated.
- Flex HT firmware: much slower awake time, random issues when automating source and preset selections using automation from Logitech harmony (same config worked like a charm with the Flex), CEC issues (flex HT automatically switches on/off from connected hdmi devices while these ones are configured to not control others, leading to automation issues when also using non hdmi sources.

There is also something I did not check on the online manual before buying it. For stereo toslink source, I thought I could do separate calibrations for mains and subs. While we can configure the routing for that and have dirac generating 4 sets of filters (2 mains and 2 subs), loading the filters onto the flex HT fails. Had to revert as I as doing with Flex stereo (sub and main blended in same calibration).

I bought the Flex HT as my media box is doing bitstream decoding (with only 1 output HDMI) to get rid of my AVR.
I forgot that my TV has only ARC and not eARC. Thus the TV gets the multichannel PCM from my media box but only transmit it to the Flex as 2 channel stereo (as eARC is required for multichannel).
I will test this week with a feintech VAX01202 to split the hdmi stream from the media box to both TV and Flex HT.

Are you on Mac or PC? I'm on a Mac and my FlexHT just arrived and had a chance to hook it up today. Like you, all was not smooth. Repeadily asking me to update, then post update my device would not show up. I had to repeat this a few times and it now seems to be stable but time will tell. I hope you have luck with feintech device.

 

[vicenzo_del_paris]

Are you on Mac or PC? I'm on a Mac and my FlexHT just arrived and had a chance to hook it up today. Like you, all was not smooth. Repeadily asking me to update, then post update my device would not show up. I had to repeat this a few times and it now seems to be stable but time will tell. I hope you have luck with feintech device.

To use the flex HT, it requires DC 1.1.15 and you shall not "upgrade" to the previous v1.1.14 as it is not aware of the flex HT.

 

[vicenzo_del_paris]

Arf, I should have read carefully the docs.
The Flex HT HDMI input only work with ARC (2ch) / eARC (multichannel).
.
If no ARC detected on the input, the HDMI input is not active.
That means using a simple device that extract the audio and sends it over HDMI will not work at all.
You can't even use an multichannel source source with HDMI out (with no ARC) to feed the flex HT.
I understand now why they propose at order time the HD fury Arcana.

Any knows a similar but cheaper device than the arcana?
If not I will have to order one.
Another 250 bucks

 

[vicenzo_del_paris]

I will return the feintech VAX01202 and get instead a feintech VAX04101A which is still 100€ less than the hd fury arcana.

Once again, RTFM

 

[vicenzo_del_paris]

I edited my post about firmware issues. Was my fault as while I deactivated power on/off of hdmi devices from the TV, there was a another option for ARC devices that remained on, interfering with Logitech harmony automation.

So far, no issue on the Flex HT firmware side

 

[RickyC34]

Arf, I should have read carefully the docs.
The Flex HT HDMI input only work with ARC (2ch) / eARC (multichannel).
.
If no ARC detected on the input, the HDMI input is not active.
That means using a simple device that extract the audio and sends it over HDMI will not work at all.
You can't even use an multichannel source source with HDMI out (with no ARC) to feed the flex HT.
I understand now why they propose at order time the HD fury Arcana.

Any knows a similar but cheaper device than the arcana?
If not I will have to order one.
Another 250 bucks

I haven't tried this yet but if your source is a Windows machine I think you can get 5.1 via USB if using something like the Netflix app. I have a 2.3 system with DLBC on a Mac mini so no Netflix app for me. I have the Flex routed this way in Dirac (DLBC) and just use it as a multichannel usb dac with volume control.
Everything seems stable after your advice not to download 1.1.14. It does ask me multiple times a day to do so though which is annoying.

 

[vicenzo_del_paris]

I haven't tried this yet but if your source is a Windows machine I think you can get 5.1 via USB if using something like the Netflix app. I have a 2.3 system with DLBC on a Mac mini so no Netflix app for me. I have the Flex routed this way in Dirac (DLBC) and just use it as a multichannel usb dac with volume control.
Everything seems stable after your advice not to download 1.1.14. It does ask me multiple times a day to do so though which is annoying.

My source is my media box (TV channels, streaming apps,...) provided by my internet provider.
Output connectivity is HDMI that can either provide bitstream (pass through mode) or multichannel PCM (local decoding including atmos).
So, I am stuck with HDMI.
And as the flex HDMI input requires eARC for multichannel PCM and my TV is only ARC, I need a device in between for eARC (such as the hd fury arcana or the feintech VAX04101A).

 

[ARNiTECT]

I will return the feintech VAX01202 and get instead a feintech VAX04101A which is still 100€ less than the hd fury arcana.

Once again, RTFM

I also did not catch this in the manual :/
The Feintech VAX04101 would take a nearly 2 weeks to get here (UK) and is about £170; so instead I have ordered an Ezcoo EZ-SP22H2EARCO, which seems to do the same thing for £100 and will arrive tomorrow. I also found a Nedis ACON3435AT as another option for about £70.

 

[vicenzo_del_paris]

I also did not catch this in the manual :/
The Feintech VAX04101 would take a nearly 2 weeks to get here (UK) and is about £170; so instead I have ordered an Ezcoo EZ-SP22H2EARCO, which seems to do the same thing for £100 and will arrive tomorrow. I also found a Nedis ACON3435AT as another option for about £70.

I ordered the fintech one (160€) and will get it on friday.
I did not see the ezcoo one (115€) prior ordering

 

[dweeeeb2]

@vicenzo_del_paris @ARNiTECT As for eARC v HDMI IN, have you contacted miniDSP to see if it can be added via firmware update?

 

[vicenzo_del_paris]

@vicenzo_del_paris @ARNiTECT As for eARC v HDMI IN, have you contacted miniDSP to see if it can be added via firmware update?

I don't understand the question!

 

[dweeeeb2]

Arf, I should have read carefully the docs.
The Flex HT HDMI input only work with ARC (2ch) / eARC (multichannel).
.
If no ARC detected on the input, the HDMI input is not active.
That means using a simple device that extract the audio and sends it over HDMI will not work at all.

I was referring to understanding why it couldn’t accept audio over standard hdmi, as opposed to eARC only. Could they just configure the port to accept standard hdmi as well?

 

[mikeyjfla]

Just learning about the product. My current setup is a 3.1 with a Marantz AVR. Is there a way to use this product with your existing AVR or is it more of a replacement and you connect it to a separate amp?

I know it is not available yet, but the WiSA support is what really interests me. When available, would I be able to use my existing speakers for LRC, sub and then use WiSA for rear speakers?

 

[staticV3]

My current setup is a 3.1 with a Marantz AVR. Is there a way to use this product with your existing AVR or is it more of a replacement and you connect it to a separate amp?

If your AVR has Multichannel Line input, then you could use the Flex HT as your DAC and DSP and the AVR as a Multichannel Amp.

The biggest "gotcha" of the Flex HT is that, unlike AVRs, it does not decode surround sound formats and does not support bitstream.

If you want to listen to multichannel content that was encoded in Dolby, DTS, Auro, etc, then you have to find an external device that can decode that to LPCM in order to use the Flex HT.

 

[mikeyjfla]

If your AVR has Multichannel Line input, then you could use the Flex HT as your DAC and DSP and the AVR as a Multichannel Amp.

The biggest "gotcha" of the Flex HT is that, unlike AVRs, it does not decode surround sound formats and does not support bitstream.

If you want to listen to multichannel content that was encoded in Dolby, DTS, Auto, etc, then you have to find an external device that can decode that to LPCM in order to use the Flex HT.

Thanks. So my option would be to hook up all HDMI to my Samsung TV or buy the HDFury Vroom and hook up both to it.

 

[vicenzo_del_paris]

I received the Feintech VAX04101 and now I get LPCM from my media box

 

[kadajawi]

I was referring to understanding why it couldn’t accept audio over standard hdmi, as opposed to eARC only. Could they just configure the port to accept standard hdmi as well?

Multichannel PCM has higher bandwidth requirements that are not met by ARC or non HDMI 2.1 cables etc. It might be possible to update HDMI 2.0 TVs to support eARC, if the manufacturer choses to, but yeah, not likely to happen.

I don't think it's in MiniDSPs hands. Of course it would be great if they supported bitstream formats, that would solve all our problems.

As for the HDFury devices... they could be rather interesting for owners of Samsung-TVs, as it gives them DV support. That's why I have one, otherwise I wouldn't need it.