VIOT - Hack

[Nike]

I just picked up a Phatbox (Kenwood 910) and I am looking for the VIOT Plug-in

Can anyone tell me if the install procudure for VIOT on non-kenwood units posted elsewhere is safe to use on Kenwood 910.  If so, is there anything different I should be doing? or where I could find VIOT for Kenwood boxes.

Regards

[A543]

I'm guessing that this is a used Keg, as the 910 models either came with VIOT or came with the means to get VIOT and install it. If you bought it used, you should get in touch with the seller to see if they can give you the info you need. AFAIK VIOT is mated to the box it is first installed on, so the plugin would be useless to the original owner now.

[judb]

VIOT is not something that the hack enables as you need the plugin files from phatnoise and the key to enable it.

if its not installed on the box already you can buy it for 75 bucks IIRC...

[Nike]

Well yes this unit is used.  I purchased it through Ebay.  I contacted the seller and he does not have the registration code for VIOT.  I was hoping I could have installed using the information found here: http://wiki.phathack.com/VIOT.  In any case, I was reading up on HD upgrades and intend to do this soon, but while reading, I noticed that it was stated that plugins and updates should be installed prior to the HD upgrade.  Does this mean that after the firmware upgrade, the PhatBox is rendered useless to future updates and if I won't be able to install VIOT after a HD upgrade?  

[snoggle]

I also have an Excelon Keg and I don't have VIOT. I have been doing research about why I may not have VIOT, and I have concluded that not all Excelon kegs were shipped with VIOT.

I looked at the Kenwood Excelon catalogs for 2003 and 2004, and the 2003 catalog doesn't mention that VIOT is included whit the keg, but the 2004 catalog specifically says VIOT is included.

Sadly, the Excelon keg has been dropped for 2005.

I also went to the local Kenwood dealer and talked to the manager, who runs two Excelon kegs in his cars and doesn't have VIOT, and was not aware that it was anything but a chargeable option.

So I think that Excelon kegs shipped in 2003 had no VIOT, and the 2004 shipments did.

I really want VIOT, and I would like to get it for no charge. Perhaps Kenwood support will provide activation codes for our Excelon kegs. I haven't pressed them for a code, I just called and asked why I didn't have VIOT. They told me to press the SCAN button.

I really want to know how VIOT is installed, and how the DMS hack may affect it, but I haven't found the information on phathack.com, and the answers to my other posts about VIOT are incomplete.

[Paul]

We try to keep things very legal on this website.  If your Keg did not ship with VIOT, and you did not purchase a VIOT license, you are not entitled to it.

Sorry - thems the breaks.  I would encourage you to purchase it from Phatnoise - it's well worth it.

[Pir8Man]

I emailed Harmann requesing VIOT.  they said that along with the phatbox product line, the software upgrades were no longer available.
Is there any other way for use KEG users to get VIOT?  Legal issues should be void, now that harmann wont even sell the product anymore.

NM:  I see that the hack tools 2.7 and up support install of VIOT.

[sbingner]

VIOT is mostly the ATT natural voices which you don't get... it just enables the SSA engine that was already there

[madj42]

I purchased VIOT from PN when I got my keg.  I can say though recently when I screwed my keg up I installed the copy from the wiki and it is pretty much the same thing except it's missing some options.  All I'll say is you can find ATT Natural Voices on the web if you really want it.  Sorry if just mentioning that is not legal (would assume it isn't if there is no links present).

[VorTechS]

There's functions missing?

And if you really are hunting down voices on the 'web', then I would try hunting down Loquendo voices, much better IMO.

[sbingner]

There is nothing on the PhatBox that is not enabled that is enabled by VIOT with the SSA enable plugin.

[Pir8Man]

I guess I am set then... I got a copy of ATT Natural voices.   and Just ordered Loquendo Engine.
as long as the search by artist/genre/etc. works i'll be very happy.