Nuvo Music Port MPS4

[AceCannon]

I had a fascinating, 53min phone call yesterday with Rick, a Nuvo engineer. He had me do a tracert to Pandora.com, things were fine.

I also downloaded a small exe file, loaded it on a USB drive, plugged it into the front port to update the BIOS. The MPS4 restarted, the problem persisted.

He remoted-in to the MPS4, said he "was on the server's 'desktop'" while we were talking. He mentioned that the MPS4 is essentially a Windows XP box running Autonomic software.

He could not get it to download and re-install factory defaults.

He then wanted to reinstall the firmware, but mentioned that there is a new yet-to-be-released firmware and loaded it instead. This did not fix the problem.

However, I am happy to say there are several new features and improvements associated with this update (he politely asked me not to elaborate publicly). They await approval from Apple for their iOS app update because the server is jacked up by the existing app version if it is run on top of the new firmware.

I now await an Autonomic engineer who will apparently also remote-in to the the MPS4. If he can't find a fix, I think I will get a new MPS4 via Automated Outlet.

Also interesting is his position on DIY'ers (and I presume Nuvo's position), He said as long as the equipment was purchased from a dealer he is fine with it. He did say that they did not like people getting stuff and selling way below retail on Ebay to "just anyone" who then will call tech support and want every detail of getting a Nuvo system installed and running. However, he did say he got calls from integrators ("pros") all the time who didnt know squat about networking - and it was a real PITA.

 

[Neurorad]

Sorry to read of your plight. You may want to consider an MPS4E, with unlimited capacity. Martin can fill you in on the price difference.

I've had similar positive experiences with Nuvo TS. Good company.

 

[washere]

However, I am happy to say there are several new features and improvements associated with this update (he politely asked me not to elaborate publicly). They await approval from Apple for their iOS app update because the server is jacked up by the existing app version if it is run on top of the new firmware.

I wonder if this is what he was talking about? I REALLY HOPE SO!

http://www.autonomic-controls.com/mail/20120207_airplay/

 

[jautor]

I wonder if this is what he was talking about? I REALLY HOPE SO!

http://www.autonomic...120207_airplay/

I'd like to hope so, too, but as NuVo's new products are NOT Autonomic-based, it wouldn't seem likely that they'd be getting a bunch of Autonomic's newest stuff for "old" products. But one can hope! Spotify, AirPlay and other newer stuff would make me seriously consider upgrading to the MPS4/e.

I really hope they've got a new source planned to bring all the features of the new wireless system's streamer to the GC. I first thought of this as a replacement for the MPS4/e. But thinking about it more, there's nothing wrong (or out of date) with the MPS4 hardware. Would be simplest for them to use that hardware, and just do a full FW replacement to Linux + (whatever partner(s) they're using for the streamer application). I'd buy that immediately! (or pay for an upgrade)

Jeff

 

[washere]

What products are not Autonomic based? I have an MPS4e, and it is very much Autonomic.

Wayne

 

[jautor]

What products are not Autonomic based? I have an MPS4e, and it is very much Autonomic.

Wayne

The new wireless system P100/P200/P3100, not yet shipping, with the built-in 'music server' functions is NOT based on the Autonomic (Mirage) software. But yes, sorry, didn't mean to imply the MPS4e wasn't...

(link to a new article from CE Pro today - but the Autonomic information I got from NuVo at CEDIA and is not mentioned here...)

http://www.cepro.com/article/nuvo_readies_wireless_multiroom_audio_system_android_controller/

Jeff

 

[AceCannon]

Spotify, AirPlay and other newer stuff would make me seriously consider upgrading to the MPS4/e.

The current firmware for my MPS4 (not the new upgrade) already supports Spotify. That came out with the previous upgrade.

 

[washere]

The new wireless system P100/P200/P3100, not yet shipping, with the built-in 'music server' functions is NOT based on the Autonomic (Mirage) software. But yes, sorry, didn't mean to imply the MPS4e wasn't...

(link to a new article from CE Pro today - but the Autonomic information I got from NuVo at CEDIA and is not mentioned here...)

http://www.cepro.com...oid_controller/

Jeff

Huh,
I didn't know they were going it alone. I really hope I don't get left behind with the MPS4 (as I did with my Music Port.) That will really piss me off as a Nuvo user and reseller. I like your idea of using the same hardware, but would they really do something like writing a brand new version? Who knows. I guess we will find out. But in general, this isn't something that most companies do. But, most companies doen't have a very good physical platform (like the MPS) that really doesn't need updating...


Wayne

 

[washere]

On an unrelated note, has anyone ever used a Global Cache serial control with a MPS4/e? It is supposed to work, but when I do it, the connection is really iffy (in terms of dropping packets, etc.) It is hard wired, so that isn't the problem. I called both GC and Nuvo, and both claim to no thing about connecting to eachother at all. But there is a press release from both companies saying they work together. In reality, they kinda seem like they don't

 

[AceCannon]

Huh,
I didn't know they were going it alone. I really hope I don't get left behind with the MPS4 (as I did with my Music Port.) That will really piss me off as a Nuvo user and reseller. I like your idea of using the same hardware, but would they really do something like writing a brand new version? Who knows. I guess we will find out. But in general, this isn't something that most companies do. But, most companies doen't have a very good physical platform (like the MPS) that really doesn't need updating...


Wayne

See post #136 above. It appears to me Autonomic's relationship with Nuvo is alive and well. Cool new features about to be released. I've seen it with my own eyes on my MPS4..

 

[jautor]

I didn't know they were going it alone.

Not "alone", but with a new (unnamed as of yet) software partner.

I really hope I don't get left behind with the MPS4 (as I did with my Music Port.) That will really piss me off as a Nuvo user and reseller.

I got enough support for my MP via Autonomic (to get TuneIn and Pandora), that I'm fine with it being "end of life", although I would like the crash bug fixed (I reboot the PC automatically every 2 days and that effectively solves it).

I like your idea of using the same hardware, but would they really do something like writing a brand new version? Who knows. I guess we will find out. But in general, this isn't something that most companies do. But, most companies doen't have a very good physical platform (like the MPS) that really doesn't need updating...

I don't think they'd have to do "a brand new version". I assume the new software/firmware is a Linux-based embedded setup. Depending on where everything came from, it could be a piece of cake to get it working on the MPS4 hardware. It's a PC, after all... It could be non-trivial, too, if the new system isn't x86-based (also a possibility) , but still nowhere close to "from scratch". The biggest piece of new work would be getting the NuVoNet interface code and the menu/UI setups for the existing keypads.

IMO, NuVo will have a real issue with their dealers / product line if their "flagship" product doesn't have all the cool feature support of the other (new) system. Looking at the three-zone product, I do see it has 3 source line-out jacks. If they had a NuVoNet connection on that box (perhaps a USB dongle????), that would essentially function as an MPS4/e replacement - using the streamer and source outputs, just not the amps.

Jeff

 

[jautor]

See post #136 above. It appears to me Autonomic's relationship with Nuvo is alive and well. Cool new features about to be released. I've seen it with my own eyes on my MPS4..

That would be great! Perhaps the 'tone' of their relationship has improved in the last 6 months or so. Getting new features is certainly a good indication of that...

Jeff

 

[washere]

FYI, Nuvo released the updated iOS app today along with a software update for the MPS4. It adds Last.fm and Rhapsody. No air play Bummer since I don't want to pay for either of those. Anyone know if this release does anything else?

 

[jautor]

Cool new features about to be released. I've seen it with my own eyes on my MPS4..

So Ace, is Last.fm and Rhapsody the stuff you saw, or is there still "more to come"?

 

[AceCannon]

Also new is the ability to add specific radio stations by call letter and have them appear higher-up in the menu hierarchy. This is under the "content" section of the new firmware along with Spotify, Pandora, etc.

So Ace, is Last.fm and Rhapsody the stuff you saw, or is there still "more to come"?