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Sigmatek XM-400 Pro FAQ
This page show the frequently asked questions and responses about the Sigmatek XM-400.
If you don't find what you want here, then just join our forum!
Overviews
Where can you buy the Sigmatek XM-400?
Why choose the Sigmatek XM-400 Pro?
Technical questions - Firmware / Region Free / Support / Burning / Remote Control
How to upgrade firmware?
How to know the current version of the firmware?
How to change zone (region free)?
How to burn correctly my CD/DVD?
Which supports can I choose for the player?
Are DVD+R9 (DL = Double Layer) supported?
What is the code for the remote control "One For All Kameleon 6"?
Technical questions - File playing (DivX, MP3, JPEG, MPEG, etc...)
How to read MP3 files randomly?
How to read subtitles (SRT, SUB, SMI) with my AVI files?
Is it possible to play subtitles files with different finename of AVI?
How to read OGG Vorbis files (OGG)?
How to read OGM files?
How can I disable default subtitles when launching DVD?
How to set the delay of speakers from setup?
Known problems
My AVI file (generaly XviD) is read with some jerks, why?
My movie is desynchronized after a fast forward or a "Goto", why?
I can't see subtitles with my AVI files, why?
The sound is weird, too slow or with a different tonality, what can I do?
My player is connected using digital output but I can't hear sound from SACD, why?
Player does not decode DTS streams anymore?
The "SCART" entry in setup is disabled, how can I switch to RGB?
How to fix the auto-switch problem?
The facade seems to be damaged, is it normal?
Overviews
| Where can you buy the Sigmatek XM-400? |
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| Outside France, Sigmatek players can be main buyed in Europe from Pixmania (see on DivX-Compare if there is a link to) or Acomp for Czech people. |
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| Why choose the Sigmatek XM-400 Pro? |
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Sigmatek XM-400, one year old, is always so competitive!
Made in BBK factories, big Chinese company renowed for the quality of its products, the XM-400 always has serious advantages. Among those, we can quote:
- a rate of return close to 0, very few players have severe problems
- good quality of electronic components
- top digital / analog converters (Video: 108MHz / 12Bits - Audio: 192KHz / 24Bits)
- A compatibility in DivX pro + SACD + Audio DVD + HDCD
- and the last but not he least: many unofficials firmwares coming to fill some existing gaps
Event if the "fashion" could tend to make us choose Nero Digital or HD ready players, the real life shows us that Sigmatek XM-400 Pro always has a beautiful future in front of it. |
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Technical questions - Firmware / Region Free / Support / Burning / Remote Control
| How to know the current version of the firmware? |
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If you want to know the current version installed on the player you have to do the following operations:
• Switch on the player
• Open the drawer
• Push the "SETUP" key on remote control
• Enter the code 1379
All the internal version numbers are now displayed on TV (and the one corresponding to the version is the 4th one). |
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| How to change zone (region free)? |
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To change zone (from 0 to 6, 0 means multi-zone), please process as following:
• Switch on the player
• Open the drawer
• Push the "SETUP" key on remote control
• Enter the code 1379
• Change zone using the top and bottom arrow keys between 0 (multi-zone) and 6... and then quit the Setup!
Please note in some case, you have to set the zone associated to the DVD you want to read (the zone 0 is not efficient in some case).
By default, the player is set to zone 0. |
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| How to burn correctly my CD/DVD? |
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You have to check these options (all burning software should have these options):
• No multession
• Filename width: ISO Level 2 (35 characters) - XM-400 will display only 14 characters max
• Format: Mode 1
• Character set: ISO 9660
• Action: Finalize support
• Write speed: Do not select the maximum speed if you can (by precaution)
• Write method: Disk-At Once
• Option: "verify written data" (available when burning is launched)
The check allows to be sure to have no problems later.
Please note if you use "low quality" supports, you can have problem when reading.
In this case, you can try to use (info by sylv11) "RecordNow Max", a Nero competitor in the world of burning. You can test it if you have any problem.
You need to pay attention to the write speed.
More the speed is high, more you're going to have reading problem, write errors and the longevity will be reduced.
A good average is between x8 and x16. This is applicable to all supports.
And try to use and burn "quickly" (quickly means to burn them without waiting 1 year after buying them) your supports, the quality degrades in time of non-use. Thanks at Wolf83 for those remarks. |
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| Which supports can I choose for the player? |
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The list below is only the negative result of all users feedback about the use of CD or DVD burned.
If you have any problem and if the support seems to be compatible, then try to burn it at lower speed.
A too high burning speed is often the reason of bad result (thanks to Wolf83 and Ricou for the notice).
Plus, try to avoid using very low priced supports, they are not built to have a long life.
Because the list of good supports is very long, you'll find here only the bad ones:
CDRW not validated
VERBATIM - 24x "Ultra Speed"
- 24x - Nero - Plextor 482448
If you want to had feedback on support or consult the wide list of users feedback, then jump to this part of our forum. |
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| Are DVD+R9 (DL = Double Layer) supported? |
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Yes, it seems to, it will be necessary to test more, but a test has been made with a copy of the DVD #1 of "The Return of the King" (long version). Copied on DVD+R DL Verbatim Datalife Plus (Mitsubishi Kagaku Media) 2.4x, burned at 4x with Nero 6.6.0.3. Tracks have been ripped with DVDShrink without compression, keeping all items (menus, etc.) ... 7,45 Gb burned.
Result: no problem, the DVD is well recognized and played up to the end. |
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| What is the code for the remote control "One For All Kameleon 6"? |
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The code for this remote control is the 1224. As this code is note stored in memory, you have to download it calling the One For All Customer Support Service at 0800 907 357 (in France) or their web site here.
Thanks to fredo1004 for the feedback! |
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Technical questions - File playing (DivX, MP3, JPEG, MPEG, etc...)
| How to read MP3 files randomly? |
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It is not possible, this functionnality probably won't be implemented...
But if you have a support with a lot of MP3 files in several folders, you can press the "ANGLE" key and all files will be listed in the Root folder.
Then you can press "PLAY" to read sequentially all files. |
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| How to read subtitles (SRT, SUB, SMI) with my AVI files? |
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The subtitle filenames in format SRT, SUB (text), SUB/IDX (picture), SMI (multilingual), to be recognized, must have the same name as its associated AVI file.
Example: "mymovie.avi" and "mymovie.srt"
Using available unofficial firmwares, you can enable the use of multiple subtitles file, naming them as follow:
Example: "mymovie.avi" and "mymovie.fr.srt" and "mymovie.en.srt"
Moreover, you can use the SMI files, their structure allows the use of multiple language in the same file.
To switch from one language to the next one, press the "SUBTITLE" key on remote control.
Important: How to manage several files in same directory with SRT files
Thanks to TypleK, he spent time to test deeply the different cases, now we know what we can and can't do with several files using official firmwares!
1. 1 AVI with 1 SRT file
- they have to have the same filename
- they can have more than 20 characters in their names
2. More than 1 AVI with more than 1 SRT files
- they have to have the same filename
- their filenames DO NOT have to be longer than 20 characters (without the file extension), beyond this, the subtitle file will not be recognized anymore
- if the filename of an AVI is less long than 21 characters, and some other files are longer, then only the first one can display the subtitles
- to workaround the filename renaming, you can just create several sub-directories on your CD/DVD and put each pair of files (AVI+SRT) in each directory
This has been tested with SRT files, but it's probably the same behavior with SUB or SMI files.
Thank again to TypleK!
Important notice: this last problem is fixed with the firmware 2A-1207 cHiEsA 0.9! |
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| Is it possible to play subtitles files with different finename of AVI? |
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| Yes it's possible using the last firmware from ExSport. You just have to activate a new entry in the preference menu, then all subtitles will be scanned to be played, switching from one to next one, using "subtitle" key on remote control. |
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| How to read OGG Vorbis files (OGG)? |
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Since the firmware v.0.8 from cHiEsA (based on 2A-1207 or more), OGG Vorbis files can be read directly from file browser without the need to rename it as AVI.
Great job from Chiesa!
For official firmware, just rename the extension to ".AVI". |
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Since the firmware v.0.8 from cHiEsA (based on 2A-1207 or more), OGM files can be read directly from file browser without the need to rename it as AVI.
Great job again from Chiesa, many thanks!
This works too with OGM containing 2 audio streams (BIOGM).
You'll be able to read OGM embedding DivX and XviD video streams and MP3 audio streams.
If you want to keep official firmware, just rename the file extension to "AVI.". |
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| How can I disable default subtitles when launching DVD? |
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You just have to go to the Setup in the last tab on right. You have to open the tray for this menu be accessible.
Just select "disable" in the menu "subtitle" and it will work as expected. |
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| How to set the delay of speakers from setup? |
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If you want to take advantage of your 5.1 sound sytem (with Surround, Dolby Digital or DTS sound), you can set the delay of your speakers from the Sigmatek XM-400 setup (analogic connexion) or from your amplifier (digital connexion).
A user (Cyril) took the time to explain and scan a schema from an old DVD player documentation (DVD Toshiba SD 500). The goal is to understand how work the delay expressed in length (cm).
In theory, one positioning of ideal listening should correspond to an equal distance of every loudspeaker. In the practice it turns out often impossible and it's why it's possible to adjust the delay (and here the distances in cm) from setup.
We imagine here that the 2 front speakers are well positioned at equal distance and their common circle is used as base for the rest of the calculation.
To calculate the values to set, you have to use these simple formulas:
Distance A (Central channel to ideal circle): Df - Dc
Distance B (Surround speakers to ideal circle): Df - Ds
For the subwoofer, you can apply the same rule if it's too far from the front speakers.
To update the channels delays, just go to "Setup", then menu "Speaker Setup Page \ Channel Delay".
With the left and right arrow keys, you increase or minimize the delay and with the high and low arrow keys you switch from one speaker to the next one. To quit, just press the "Select" key.
Thanks again to Cyril for feed-back. |
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Known problems
| My AVI file (generaly XviD) is read with some jerks, why? |
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This happens when the "GMC" (Global Motion Compensation) option is used on XviD 1.x.
You can workaround the problem reencoding the video part in DivX5 or in XviD but without the "GMC" option.
If you want to know if the "GMC" option is enabled, please use the GSPOT software from here.
Please note this is a not a problem specific to the Sigmatek XM-400 player but to all players based on Mediatek MT1389 chipset.
Please note too if the option "Packed bitstream" has been activated, then with first firmwares, the movie could jerk. With the last version 1207 this option is now well supported without removing the option. |
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| My movie is desynchronized after a fast forward or a "Goto", why? |
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This problem does not happen frequently, but if you have this problem, you could solve it cutting the AVI using VirtualDubMod.
You have to open the movie with VDM, and remove the last few seconds of the movie, keeping the first part.
Here you'll find a guide (french) to know how to cut AVI.
Thanks to hez3kiel for the feedback on this problem.
Another simple reason to these jerks is the presence of a MP3 CBR 64Kbps as the main audio stream. If you got this in your AVI, then the movie and sound will be desynchronized after a "Goto" or "Fast Forward".
You can try to reencode the audio stream in 96Kbps or more if your MP3 codec allow this. You should use VirtualDubMod to succeed this operation. You can find it on the download page. |
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| I can't see subtitles with my AVI files, why? |
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This can happen depending of the number of files you burn on support and their filenames.
To know more about these limitations, please read this FAQ entry. |
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| The sound is weird, too slow or with a different tonality, what can I do? |
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Important note: this problem seems to be fixed (according to user feedback) on players sold since March 2005.
This problem has been introduced with the firmware 1120, but depends too of the version of your hardware.
If you have a recent player (since March 2005): no problem
If you have an older player and a firmware at least equal to 1120 or greater, then you'll have a sound distorsion when lauching AVI, MP3 files or DVD.
To fix it, just press the key "b" one time then the key "#" another time.
You can too downgrade your firmware to the original 0A-0802 firmware which does not have this problem. |
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| My player is connected using digital output but I can't hear sound from SACD, why? |
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The SACD multi-channel audio stream format is not transmitted thru digital output.
You have to connect the 6 RCA outputs on back to your 5.1 amplifier or an amplified speakers kit.
In the speakers setup, set the "downmix" option to "5.1".
And when you want to hear SACD, then switch your amplifier to "6CH IN" to make it works! And enjoy SACD sound ;)
If your amplifier is not 5.1, but simply stereo, then you can connect the 2 outputs "Mixed Stéréo" (red and white RCA plugs) to your amplifier on a stereo input.
In this case you will have to also modify the setup as follows: Setup/General configuration/SACD Priority/2 Channel.
Note that if that still does not work, you can use the other mode: "CD Mode" which will force the player to read CDA layer instead of the SACD one (as if it were a traditional CD).
Please pay attention: you can modify this option (SACD Priority) only while having opened the drawer of the player. |
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| Player does not decode DTS streams anymore? |
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Note: this problem is now fixed the firmware XM400-2A-1207. You can download it here.
With the firmware XM400-1A-1120, the player does not decode anymore DTS streams.
You could decode them with a compatible amplifier, but if you don't have one, you should keep the original firmware. |
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| The "SCART" entry in setup is disabled, how can I switch to RGB? |
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This entry is disabled when the "Progressive Scan" is enabled. You have to switch to interlaced image to enabled it.
Just push the "IS" button from remote control to switch to interlaced scan, then the entry wil be enabled.
Thanks to Fredo1004 for test and information. |
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| How to fix the auto-switch problem? |
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Note: This problem is theorically definitively fixed for players sold since the beginning of 2005 March.
This problem corresponds to the fact that the player in position on or off keeps always an identical tension on the #8 terminal of the SCART (approximately 9V).
Theorically it would be needed, when it is set in stand-by mode, that the voltage falls arround 2V, it is not currently the case.
The result is that, the player takes the hand on the channels when you switch on the TV, or it does not take again the hand if you are watching TV and then you turn it on.
Solution 1: use your remote control
It is the simplest solution, if your TV is already turned on, you use the remote control to switch to the AV mode which corresponds to the player.
And when you switch off the player, you press one channel key to leave AV mode.
Solution 2: modify wildly the SCART cable
Cutting the #8 and #16 terminal on cable, the automatic switching won't be done anymore (at all).
You'll obtain the reverse effet: always obliged to use remote control to switch the video entry, but the player even in stand-by mode won't auto-switch to its A/V entry when you switch-on TV.
If you want to see a SCART schema, jump here.
Solution 3: modify finely the SCART cable
This solution had already been proposed for the Sigmatek X-300 which had same problem in certain cases.
You can read the X-300 FAQ (in French) and apply the same updates.
I thank once again Pierre for his explanations.
Solution 4: modify resistor on motherboard !!
ATTENTION, first of all, DON'T DO THAT IF:
- you don't want to lose you garantee!
- you don't know what we are talking about!
- you don't have the correct hardware to do that!
The solution is simple if you have already done this kind of job and if you are equipped with an adequate welding set, because the concerned points of weldings are very fine:
- Open player by undoing 5 screws rear, 4 laterals
- Dismount the motherboard presents on the right by undoing the 4 screws (guilty resistance is below)
- Turn over the motherboard and:
=> unsolder the R235 resistor
=> resolder same resistor in R234 leaving empty the R235
- Mount the motherboard and rescrew all, then normally that should function!
Be careful when you unscrew the motherboard, do not pull the attached cables, in particular the one which leaves towards the DVD reader (very fragile).
The back of the motherboard with the 2 small R235 and R234 placesHere the modification is not done
Be careful, you make these modifications at your own risks.
If you don't know what you are doing, please do nothing ! The weldings are very small and requires an adapted hardware.
I did not do the update myself, but Sigmatek did it and it worked.
Good luck! |
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| The facade seems to be damaged, is it normal? |
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| You just have to keep off the plastic protection from the facade and it will be nice ;) |
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