IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MODEL 975 OWNERS


As the first company to offer high-performance, value priced home theater and audio products exclusively via the Internet, Outlaw Audio has always held true to our slogan: "The Best Values in Home Theater are just a Mouse-Click Away".

 

That has never been more so than with our Model 975 A/V Surround Processor. Award winning and highly reviewed, the Model 975 has become a benchmark by which other high-performance processors are measured. More importantly, it remains the only full-featured surround processor in the market today, with an everyday list price below $599.

  

Since we introduced the Model 975, we have taken a number of steps to make the total product experience even better. For example, even though our Owner's Manuals have long been judged "best in class", we have taken the unprecedented step of revising the Model 975 manual to include additional information and updates. It now more fully addresses some of the questions that we have received from current and prospective owners, to make setup and operation even easier.

  

To further answer more detailed user questions, we have recently posted an informative FAQ for the Model 975. For those that have not downloaded the new manual, or viewed the FAQ, we encourage you to do so from the links on the right hand side of the Model 975 product page: http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/975.html  

 

Finally, as is the case with any software driven product, the Model 975 has had some of the minor issues that inevitably appear as the installed base of customers expands. In addition, there have been a few aspects of the product that we felt would benefit from some fine tuning.

 

To resolve those issues, and make other adjustments to improve overall operation, we have made some interim updates to the production software. These gradual changes have made a great product even better.

SOFTWARE UPDATE

To bring these benefits to every Model 975 owner, back to the first unit shipped, we are pleased to announce the availability  
of a software update for the Model 975 which will bring every unit in the field up to the same level of software as units we are currently shipping. Among the many improvements this update will bring to your Model 975 are the following:

 

  • Headphone gain has been increased and noise in the headphone circuit has been eliminated
  • The "Last Mode Used" is now retained by input source
  • LFE/Subwoofer management issues related to specific formats has been corrected
  • Center channel steering has been improved and issues corrected
  • An issue with inconsistent volume levels between surround modes has been corrected
  • Issues with incorrect front panel display icons have been corrected
  • Additional low level software fixes to improve overall product stability and performance
 

ABOUT THE UPDATE PROCESS

 

As we developed and thoroughly tested the new software, it was clear to us that updating the software alone was not enough. To make the update accessible for every owner regardless of technical skills, we had to deliver it in a way that could easily be installed from virtually any contemporary Windows-based computer (XP, Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8), and any Intel-based Mac running OS-X.

    

To accomplish that, we created an Updater program designed for use by consumers - not engineers. It has both step-by-step text instructions, and when needed, explanatory graphics, right on your computer screen as the update process proceeds. It clearly guides you through the installation steps with messages that help you, in the unlikely event something goes astray. (Of course, full instructions are also provided to download and print, but we really doubt you will need them.)

 

 

To make the process as simple and quick as possible, there is
only one, all-inclusive software file, and the entire process should take about fifteen minutes from start to finish.
 

Next, we recognized that the Model 975 has a serial port with a special configuration and that many current laptops do not have any serial port at all. To address this issue we are pleased to provide a special, custom designed, USB-to-serial adapter cable (the Model SA-975), to all Model 975 owners free of charge. We even include the software drivers in case your operating system version does not load them automatically.

 

Due to the special nature of the Model 975's hardware/software platform, you MUST use our Model SA-975 adapter cable, as the update cannot be loaded with a standard, off-the-shelf, USB-to-serial adapter, or "through pin" RS-232 cable. 
 

DO I NEED TO DO THIS?

Many units have already been updated with the new software. If you are running the current version, you do NOT need the cable or the Updater program. It is easy to check the software version. Turn the unit ON, and then press and hold the "INPUT" and "MUTE" buttons simultaneously. Release them when you see the DSP/Firmware version shown in the Model 975's front panel display. If the front panel display shows "VER 5.3", then you are already running the current software and will not need to proceed with this update.

If the display shows any other version number you will need to update your software. Here is what you need to do:

 

Send an email (please no calls) to us at: 

975softwareupdate@outlawaudio.com

Include your name, address, phone number, and the Serial Number of your Model 975.

Once we have your information and verify it, the adapter cable will be on its way to you along with the URL needed to access the page where the software download file is located. This update is available to all Model 975 owners of record, whether you purchased your unit as an A Stock, B stock, or on the secondary market.

 
 

We appreciate your support of the Outlaws over the past fifteen years. We wish you many more years of great home theater enjoyment with a Model 975 that will now be better than ever!

 

 

This Newsletter is Copyright � 2014 by Outlaw Audio, LLC, and may not be distributed, copied or posted without our prior written permission. You received it because you have previously been an Outlaw Audio customer, joined our mailing list directly, registered in our Outlaw Saloon chat area, or you have previously responded to an Outlaw Audio contest promotion. Outlaw Audio, the Outlaw Audio logo and "The Best Values in Home Theater Are Just a Mouse-Click Away" are trademarks or registered trademarks of Outlaw Audio, LLC. All rights reserved.