New Elk Firmware

[Monk]

Gotta love new firmware! Just saw this on Elk's site - Looks like mainly some fixes, none of which apply to me... Probably will pass on this upgrade unless there is something that is not listed in the release notes.

Anyone care to comment on their experience?

 

[Sacedog]

Just so you don't have to go to their website:

Feb 23, 2009 - M1 new application firmware (4.5.14 and 5.1.14)
This new Firmware requires Bootware 3.3.2

* * ElkRP Software 1.6.16 or later is required for this new firmware * *

Changes effective with this new firmware:
1. Added new ASCII command “EE†which provides an indication when entry/exit time starts and expires.
2. Resolved an issue with autostay (auto interior off) not operating when a force arm zone is programmed.
3. Resolved an issue that could cause a chime tone if the star key was pressed while a zone was violated.
4. Added additional 250ms of time between the 2-way listen mics being turned off and the audio am being turned on.
5. Resolved an issue with lighting and the Universal Devices ISY26/99 expanded time variable.
6. Added new ASCII commands “CA†and “CD†for future control of specific brands whole house audio using rules.
7. Resolved an issue with Duress activation when triggered from a touchscreen or the ASCII command strings.
8. Increased the talk back volume during a 2-way listen session.
9. Enhanced the ASCII comand “ZS†with the addition of wireless transmitter lost supervisory and low battery.
10. Added capability to communicate ASCII commands to an HAI Omnistat 2 thermostat.
11. Increased the time delay before start of missing expander module annunciation.
12. Resolved an issue with rules trigger based on an X10 signal (command) coming from an external source or the M1.
13. Resolved a problem with the display of hex data on keypad menu 8 - 6. Fixed Data Bus Type 3 and 5 not correctly
displaying missing modules.

 

[Spanky]

You guys beat me to the announcement! :hesaid:

 

[Lagerhead]

Looks like mainly some fixes, none of which apply to me... Probably will pass on this upgrade unless there is something that is not listed in the release notes.

Nothing to get excited about. A Clara Peller moment.

 

[briankelly63]

There have been hundreds of suggestions and we've waiting a long time for an update... this is a bit underwhelming.. could there be something else coming?

 

[icellama21]

Wow, very underwhelming. This "update" had been discussed for a very long time and many features were discussed(primarily nuvo/russound control and a configurable elkrms). All I can hope is that this is just the first release of many in the near future. Otherwise one needs to wonder exactly how many people are at elk working on the M1, and whether this is intentional or economically driven.

 

[Scrambled]

I was kinda looking for more RCS thermastat support



Steve

 

[wuench]

9. Enhanced the ASCII comand “ZS†with the addition of wireless transmitter lost supervisory and low battery.

Excellent! Thanks Spanky.

 

[Spanky]

The new audio equipment commands are in this M1 update for Russound, Nuvo, and Proficient. ELKRP and M1XEP has to catch up to use the commands. They will be in an upcoming ELKRP and M1XEP software update.

The ELKRMS configurator software will be shown at EHX.

 

[Kevin L]

The new audio equipment commands are in this M1 update for Russound, Nuvo, and Proficient. ELKRP and M1XEP has to catch up to use the commands. They will be in an upcoming ELKRP and M1XEP software update.

The ELKRMS configurator software will be shown at EHX.

Hi, Spanky.

This is the first I've seen Proficient listed as being supported. Is this the M4 and the M6?

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[BryanE]

Spanky,

Thanks for the update and the ISY fix. Nice to see a new firmware release and let the dev team know their efforts are appreciated.

 

[Spanky]

There is a recent addition to the update software that did not make it on the change list:

You can now power the M1 from a 16 to 18 VDC power supply into the AC terminals. Either polarity on the +/- is OK. Previous software versions showed AC failure when powering the system with DC. At least 16 volts DC is required for the switching power supply to work. This was added because some areas of the world have outlawed AC transformers because of their inefficiency.

The M1EZ8 can not use DC power input and keep the clock accurate because it references the AC power line frequency.

 

[comet48]

There is a recent addition to the update software that did not make it on the change list:

You can now power the M1 from a 16 to 18 VDC power supply into the AC terminals. Either polarity on the +/- is OK. Previous software versions showed AC failure when powering the system with DC. At least 16 volts DC is required for the switching power supply to work. This was added because some areas of the world have outlawed AC transformers because of their inefficiency.

The M1EZ8 can not use DC power input and keep the clock accurate because it references the AC power line frequency.

Wow! So much time for so little functionality. Looks like most of the requested improvements didn't make it!!! Not sure it's even worth the risk of installing.

 

[briankelly63]

Was hoping for improved backlight & chime control through rules on keypads....

 

[comet48]

How about improvements to the rules, like an "else" command. Or improvements to UPB's so they are actually usefull, like the ability to determine the actual status, and confirmation of receipt of the actual command. Or support for thermostats from rules, where the thermostat is not actually attached (virtual thermostats), or support for more than 20 custom settings.
Elk provides great - perhaps the best - support for existing products. However, when it comes to any forward looking features, it's like a black hole. I like the CQC model a lot better - customers get to have a lot of input and see what's coming. This really is disappointing.