Can someone e-mail me the v1.10c software update or tell me where i can download it and how to install it it would be greatly appriciated

I've had my 9000 for about 3 weeks now and must say that I love it!. It's not perfect, though, and I have a few small gripes.
Ok, I won't go into any depth about the remote, but about a week after I opened a case w/ Sony, they called me and told me a fix/replacement is available from my local Sony service center. cool.

Next, the audio lag. At first I didn't notice it too much, then I watched The Last Emperor and I saw it. My first guess was that it was just a bad audio dub on the disc, but I couldn't find any other complaints about it. Then I started reading the HTF and found others w/ my problem. Ok, to make a long story short, I applied the fix as posted by Kim and all is well! The install went very smoothly. Most impressive!

My only remaining gripe is about having to adjust the decoding method every time I change sources. I've noticed some odd behaviour when switching between 2-channel, normal surround & "auto format decode". eg. When using my VCR as the source, it *sometimes* displays "Pro logic" depending upon the order I switch between auto/2channel/normal. It may display pro-logic @ other times, but it only uses the center/surrounds when I select "normal surround".

I really love it, though, for reasons already mentioned.

I applied the fix and no more lip synch delay. The front man at Sony tech support denied the issue - but I insisted on speaking to a techie who turned out to be in the know and supportive. The fix comes out of Boston service center.
I did notice that some other things were happening during the fix - the program had a status bar that said "updating display". Does anyone know what this fix does besides fix the lip synch issue? Thanks in advance.

Trance, The reason is for future audio formats that have higher sampling rates than the 9000es currently supports. For example, CD's sample at 44khz/16bit resolution. So, if you have a cd player with not just a 2 channel analog output, but a digital output as well (such as your dvd player), you could feed this into your digital input on your 9000es no problem. WHY? because your 9000es has digital to Analog converters (DAC's) that can handle up to 96k/24bit digital sampling rates and convert them into an analog signal and feed it to your amp. The problem is this, forth coming audio formats such as Super Audio CD, will have sampling rates up to 192k/24bit. Unless you replace your DAC's in your 9000es you will not be able to accept a digital feed into your 9000es and decode it. Since, just about no pre-amp has DAC's today than can decode these very high sampling rates, the first super audio cd players out will have a analog 6channel out, hence, you will need an ananlog 6 channel input on your 9000es to use one of these first generation super audio cd/dvd players. Or, what if you want to buy a new processor to decode this new format, and feed it through your 9000es? What is needed on the Sony is a 6 channel analog input, and furthermore a digital input that can handle the forth coming high sampling and data transfer rates such as the IEEE1394 fire wire connect stanadard. Their has not been a standard set yet as to what type of connection will be used.

First, let me state that the TA-E9000ES, as a pre-pro, is a 5+. The remote is a unique unit, compared to other makes, in that it is a receiver, as well as a transmitter. What truly is at issue is the manner in which Sony handles customer service, and iltimately, its customers!
I received one of the first 9000's, serial number 8D-800338, in December. In January, I phoned Sony Customer Service with the remote battery and memory problem, and was confronted with ignorance and indifference. The Sony rep did not have a clue as to what was already a documented, well established problem, and instructed me to send it to the Atlanta Sony repair facility, which I did on Feb.1, 1999. On/around the 3rd week of February, tired of waiting for Sony to repair my unit, I phoned, to be told that the unit had a manufacturing defect, and that Sony would replace it on/about 3/12/99 with the new unit that was already being shipped with current 9000's, as well as with the STR-DA50ES's. In frustation at the long wait, and the constant misinformation, I requested that Sony ship my remote back to me, which they did, unrepaired! March 12 came and went, and Sony still would not state when the fix/repair would be applied. The customer rep's act mostly ignorant and mis-informed, and on multiple occasions have expressed indignation and frustation with me in my attempts to get accurate info concerning a very expensive piece of equipment that I have purchased. I own 14 pieces of Sony equipment, but I am treated as if I am a competitor attempting to steal trade secrets!

I downloaded and applied memory upgrade 1.04A to get rid of the sync problem, and it worked perfectly. When I discussed this with Sony, I was informed that what I probably did was to invalidate my warranty. One tech stated that the remote problem was not yet being fixed, another stated to wait two weeks, and I was just told by Sony that they are replacing the chips in the remote for the STR-DA50ES (RM-TP501), not for the RM-TP501E used with the 9000. Someone else on this site stated that he has already received a call from Sony instructing him that the repair for the 9000 remote is in progress! Does anyone out there know the truth? You certainly cannot get accurate assistance or facts from Sony! They treat all of customers as non-entities, like the mushroom principle (keep us in the dark and feed us compost?).

Is the new, replaced remote different in looks from the old? Has anything other than the chips inside been changed? Is the old bad remote being replaced or fixed? Will a fixed remote be functionally out of date with the current ones currently supplied? Sony knew full well that they were shipping manufacturily defective units with the first 9000's. For at least six months prior, they had been shipping basically the same remote for the 50ES! Even still, Sony acts so ignorant as to have one believe that they had just discovered the problem!

If someone has a 9000 without having already run the upgraded software, would you please turn your 9000's +/- knob counterclockwise to scroll the display to the end, and let me know what version number their software is? Also, I would appreciate someone with a new remote explaining if there are any physical or operating differences in it compared to the old RM-TP501E. Also, what is the part number of the new remote!

For rating, I give the 9000 pre-pro a 5+ for sound. I have very sensitive speakers (Klipshhorns) being driven by an Aragon 4004. My center speaker is an M & K, and my surrounds are Advents. I can get very loud reproduction with the volume control at around the 10 o'clock setting, so I do not experience any "hissing or hum" whatsoever. I have, however, been very careful with my wiring, and would suggest anyone with a hum that has already checked for groundloops, to pull each interconnect separately, and replace them one by one. I once found a top-of-line interconnect that did not have the outer shield connected to anything (no ground)!

I rate the remote, until fixed, a 3, and I rate Sony customer service an absolute zero, one of the worst customer service departments that I have ever had the displeasure to deal with. Overall, considering Sony's customer service, the overall rate cannot be better than a 3!

After posting my comments and questions concerning the 9000ES on the forum on March 27, I received a phone call from Erick, a Sony Product Specialist, on Monday, March 29th. Erick (or Eric, I'm not sure!) was extremely helpful and forthright about Sony's situation and position concerning the remote and supposed sync problems with the 9000. He requested that I pass along the following information, in an attempt to end the rumors and non-facts that have been passed back and forth on the various audio forums.
The chips for the remote fix are indeed on the way to the sony repair centers, and should be received this week, or at the latest the middle of next week. These chips help extend the battery life while also improving the display. Additional code has also been added to the remote to improve its communication with the 9000 and to hopefully allow it to function with more peripherals, and possibly more accurately. Everyone that has a case file opened with Sony will be notified as to when to return the remote. Furthermore, software version 1.04a is indeed the latest software upgrade, and for this go around it was apparently intended to be applied at the repair center or service center level. This was because Sony did not feel that it had had adaquate time to properly prepare themselves on how to instruct non-technical 9000 users in the proper and safe technique of computer usage in applying a software upgrade. Using an incorrect interconnect cable (a null-modem RS-232C female-to-female cable is required) could have caused chip failure, or worse, damage to the computer. Another concern for the software upgrade coming off of the internet is for the possibility of corrupt files. One site compressed (zipped) the file before making it available, and although both sources had good files, Sony could not sanction the use of "non-official" software. A word of caution is in order. If you download software for the 9000, then know your source, and make certain that you have checked for viruses before applying it. The program came out of Sony's New Jersey office and is good! Although Eric couldn't state it catagorically, he did feel that once Sony worked the bugs out of offering upgrades on the internet, that they would make available future upgrades on the Sony website!

A last word! The software upgrade is an improvement in not just the perceived sync problem, but it also loaded improved DSP algorithms. Supposed improvements are in better surround sound, and more defined base. Once the software is available from Sony (for you out there not comfortable with doing your own upgrade from 3rd party suppliers of the software), you should probably have your unit upgraded. It is an overall improvement in the operation of the 9000!

With Eric's assistance, I now move my rating up to a full 5 stars!

The TA-E9000ES is clearly among the best performing and also best value pre/pro available in the market. However, what bother me is its lack of 6-channel input mandatory for the forthcoming audio formats. Should it has an 6-channel input, I will no doubt rate it 5 stars and purchase one to replace my beloved DSP-A1. Hope to see Sony to include that in coming production run or in revised model.

I would like to know why 6 channel input is so immportant. If the Sony can read DTS and AC3 through an optic cable then why wouldnt it be able to read the new audio format through the same optic cable? I dont think you need all those inputs anyway? All you need is a CD player that has an optic output for all 6 channels.Correct me if im wrong

After a two week trial I bought the TA-E9000ES.First let me say that this unit has more features than any other pre/pro I have ever seen.My favorites are the adjustable crossover(40-200Hz),inputs and outputs for three VCRS,and the headphone jack.The 40Hz setting lets me use my sub for two channel music without being able to locate it by ear.I will not comment on the remote as we all know a fix is in the works.Same thing for the lipsnych problem(see other reviews below).I hear no hiss at any reasonable volume level.This unit is very quiet it does not click ,pop,thump etc.The video section is excellent.It does not degrade the picture in any way.The display is bright and easy to read.Now the important part.How does it sound?In a word:EXCELLENT.My opinions are based on use with Thiel CS-7 fronts and a Velodyne ULD-18 sub.The sound with analog inputs is very clean and natural with good bass.With digital inputs it is even better.I could hear no difference between the D/A converters in the Sony and the ones in my Krell CD player.Going to surround sound it is nothing short of amazing!I have not heard better surround sound from another pre/pro AT ANY PRICE!Anyone looking to spend big bucks on a pre/pro check this unit out first.You will be glad you did!Equipment used for this review: Front left and right speakers:Thiel CS-7 Center speaker:Thiel SCS-2 Surround speakers:Bang and Olufsen Red Line 60 Subwoofer:Velodyne ULD-18 Amp for CS-7S:Krell KSA200S Amp for SCS-2:Carver TFM-15CB(bridged to mono) Amp for Red Line 60s:Adcom GFA-535II CD player:Krell KAV-300CD DVD/LD player:Pioneer Elite DVL-91 AM/FM tuner:Pioneer Elite F-91 Panasonic and JVC S-VHS VCRS Video Display:Dwin HDP-500 Data Grade front projector Dwin LD-5 Line Doubler Sharp 100 inch 4:3 front projection screen Cables:Transparent.MIT,and Monster Headphone:Sennheiser HD-540 Reference Philips Pronto remote control Panamax 500DBS line conditioner 600 LPS 2000 CDS 1500 LDS 110 DVDS Sony INT-W200 WEB TV Cannon BJC-4400 printer

Ok, everyone, I am more than happy to send upgrade to everyone. It just make take some time. I have gotten about 150 emails in the first day. I am caught up right now but might get behind this weekend. Remember to use Winzip to view the files in the mim. then extract them to a floppy. If you get a corrupt copy just email me again and I will try again. I want everyone to enjoy this unit. By the way, DTS is absoulty cool with this unit, just got the Apollo 13 DTS today and it rules!!!