Crown DCiDA Dante Connection Status in Audio Architect
Table of Contents
Applicability
Note:
If Dante Controller shows the manufacturer name as "Crown", the instructions below do not apply.
See the end of this document for examples.
This guide describes a problem with Crown amplifier Dante connectivity status in Audio Architect due to a firmware mismatch, and how to correct it.
The files below are delivered with Audio Architect v2.25.1, and v2.45.2 through v2.55.2:
- Crown DCi DA main firmware file: DCIG1031.bnd
- Crown Brooklyn II firmware file for DCI4x1250DA and DCI8x600DA: DCIDA-41250-8600-Dante.dnt
- Crown Brooklyn II firmware file for DCI4x600DA, DCI4x300DA and DCI8x300DA: DCIDA-4600-4300-8300-Dante.dnt
- Dante Firmware Update Manager v3.10.6.2 was used to transfer the *.dnt files to the amplifiers.
Dante connectivity status in Audio Architect
The Dante Advanced Settings control panel in Audio Architect shows the network connectivity of the Primary and Secondary Dante connections:
When connected, status is blue. When disconnected, status is dark.
Updates to status take about 10 seconds, for example if the network cable is unplugged.
Audio Architect install includes both the main DCi DA firmware and the Crown Brooklyn II firmware for Dante
When you connect Audio Architect to a Crown DCi DA for the first time, Audio Architect will prompt you to update the firmware in the amp. After this, you must also update the Brooklyn II firmware in the amp.
If you do not, the Dante connection status will only update when the amp reboots.
Dante Firmware Update Manager
Currently you should update the Brooklyn II card firmware using Audinate's software, Dante Firmware Update Manager. As of April 21, 2020 the firmware updater built into Dante Controller v4.2.3.1 is not working as expected for all versions of the DCi DA amplifiers.
- Power on the amplifier.
- Make sure Override Device Matching is checked, then press Next.
- Open Dante Firmware Update Manager, select the network interface for the primary Dante, press Netxt.
- Choose Update Dante Firmware.
- Browse to the Firmware Updates folder of your current version of Audio Architect.
- For example C:\Program Files\Harman Pro\Audio Architect 2.25\Firmware Updates\
- Select the correct file for your amplifier, then press Open.
- Make sure Override Device Matching is checked, then press Next.
- A warning will appear, press Yes.
- Select the correct amplifier, and press Start to begin the transfer.
- After the transfer completes, reboot the amplifier. After amplifier reboots, the Audio Architect Primary and Secondary connected status should stay in sync with that shown in Dante Controller's device view:
Root Cause
The problem was due to changes in the capabilities portion of the Dante firmware that coincide with changes in the DCi G-1031 main amplifier firmware. When you update the Hi Qnet firmware, you must update to the Dante firmware with Crown as the Manufacturer.
This update does not change the Dante version on 2019 amplifiers. That remains 4.0.7.8. However, you will see changes in the Manufacturer Information shown in Dante Controller.
The screenshots below are from the Device View/Status tab in Dante Controller v4.2.3.1.
Recent DCi4x600DA, DCI4x300DA or DCi8x300DA before and after:
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Recent DCi4x1250DA or DCI8x600DA before and after:
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