Introducing Astral v8.10 with groundbreaking AstralComm feature along with many updates and performance improvements.
With the release of firmware version 8.10, firmware revision numbers will now be aligned across all Astral Wireless products.
The 8.10 firmware brings significant RF performance improvements, including enhanced RF sensitivity and improved RF demodulation for better multipath and multi-antenna handling, read more below.
To ensure optimal performance and compatibility, please update all Astral Wireless devices to the latest firmware at your earliest convenience.
To download firmware 8.10 please click this link to the product download page.
AstralComm: enables seamless control of DiGiCo console macros directly from Astral Wireless — including the Astral TX bodypack (via A20-TX Switch), Astral HH (via optional Control Rings), and both the Astral ARX32 and Astral ARX16 receivers. This powerful integration works over a network connection between the receiver and the DiGiCo console, offering intuitive, real-time macro triggering from performers or technicians on stage. Requires DiGiCo V20 console firmware.
Expanded Output Control in Web Apps:
- Astral ARX32 Web App > Audio tab now includes Outputs 1–64.
- Astral ARX16 Web App > Audio tab now includes Outputs 1–32.
Selective RX AutoAssign:
- Users can now choose which RX Channels should be AutoAssigned for greater configuration flexibility.
New Features for Astral Transmitters
- Astral TX – Added the ‘GPIO’ option for the Astral TX switch. This can be used to trigger GPIO’s from the Astral Opto.
- Astral HH – Added PTT (Press-to-talk) option for control ring buttons.
Updates & Improvements in Firmware 8.10
RF Performance Enhancements:
- RF sensitivity improved by 3 to 5 dB (varies by antenna mode and proximity).
- Improved RF demodulation significantly boosts multipath and multi-antenna performance.
UI/UX Improvements:
- Added an ‘Are You Sure’ confirmation popup when Network > Restart Network’ or ‘Clear Dante Settings’ are selected [Astral ARX32 only].
- Added an ‘Are You Sure’ confirmation popup for Group TX format commands from the Astral ARX32 OLED GUI.
- TX List Search icon changed to a more noticeable blue design.
RSSI Meter Range Updates:
- Astral ARX16 & Astral ARX8: Adjusted to –100 to –65 dBm for consistency.
- (ARX32 already adjusted in v2.00.)
Network Menu Updates:
- RF Mirror Mode layout adjusted to include the new “Mirror DiGiCo Console List” control.
Frequency Table Additions & Revisions:
- Added: Poland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan
- Revised: United Kingdom
NexLink Update:
- Replaced NexLink Tuning Mode [Automatic, Manual] setting with an On/Off Toggle switch labelled: “Manually set Frequency, Modulation, and Privacy on Transmitters”.
- When set to On, Frequency, Modulation, and Privacy must be changed manually on the transmitters and on the Astral receiver.
- When the Toggle is set to On, NexLinked transmitters that are powered on display orange NexLink RSSI level bars instead of green.
Fixed in Firmware 8.10
- Fixed an issue where sometimes the Astral Opto would fail to initialize on boot up [Astral ARX32 only].
- The sync reference warning no longer occurs on boot up when synced to Dante or during a firmware update.
- Fixed an issue where, in the fully zoomed out Scan View, the OLEDs would flash about every 10 seconds [Astral ARX32 only].
- RF signal with very low Q now has its audio muted.
- The Astral Mini option for “Power on when removed from power station” has been added to the Astral ARX32’s 1RX View and TX List.
- Fixed an issue where the Astral ARX16 clock drifts from the Dante clock when ‘Sync to external’ is enabled in Dante Controller.
- False ‘Format Failed’ messages no longer occur when formatting a transmitter.
- Fixed an issue where some micro-SD cards would not complete formatting successfully in the Astral HH.
- Fixed an issue where Astral Mini’s timecode would drift.
- Fixed an issue where TC LED may inadvertently start flashing after being powered down for several hours.
- Fixed an issue where RF and audio are not disabled upon connection to a PC. They should be disabled.
- Fixed an issue where Astral HH audio is not always re-enabled after powering off then on whilst connected to a USB power supply.
- Fixed an issue where the Astral HH mic head is not detected when its battery is depleted and powering from a USB power supply.
Various other system improvements.
Astral Outpost v8.10
- Update to ensure compatibility with Astral devices v8.10
- General improvements and fixes.
Astral Remote v8.10
- Added support for setting Astral HH PTT (Press to Talk) function.
- Changed Button/switch ‘Macro’ to ‘GPIO’
Astral Wireless Manuals
- PDF and online manuals have been updated to reflect the changes listed above.
- These can be found on the product download pages.
NEW! Astral Wireless Tech Notes
- There are also some additional technical note guides to help with specific topics, which can be found on the product download pages. If there are any particular topics you would like more details on, please get in touch with [email protected].