i wanted to download the firmware release notes for 2.12 today and only got linked to a website. the same goes for the firmware reference guide. please give us back the pdf files. often times one does not have internet available or I just want to load up the pdf from my disk without traveling to a webpage…please.
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I agree. Having to move forward and backward through every page is SUPER ANNOYING. Definitely a huge step backwards in usefulness.
I wonder when that change was made? It wasn’t too long ago that I downloaded all of these things off the A&H website!
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Think I downloaded it a few days ago. 
2.12 was released today.
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First of all, thanks for the feedback.
There’s a few reasons why we’re shifting from PDF documents to html content on our Help Centre. Html is generally more responsive on mobile devices which is how a large percentage of users access our documentation. It is more easily translated and we are in the process of adding translations to 6 pilot languages for our user documents, starting with Getting Started Guides. It also encourages users to always consult the latest version rather than a local copy, should we make changes in between releases. Lastly it can feed into AI models to offer better search results / self help tips when users approach our Help Centre, again this is something we are trialling at the moment.
We are working on improving the navigation between sections for firmware reference guides and we are evaluating options to selectively generate PDF files from the Help Centre. Most browsers have a ‘print to PDF’ function but I appreciate this is section by section and not what you’re asking. Rest assured we’ll do what we can to improve usability.
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I like the idea of an HTML based user guide.
Even if A&H wants to create a version that loads small sections of the manual at a time, there needs to be an option to load everything at once. Basically recreating the functionality of the the old PDFs. Obviously depending on a persons internet connection, this may be slow to load, but IMHO it will be much easier to move around in once it is loaded. I’d rather have to wait a few seconds for that to load once than to have to continually navigate back and forth between sections.
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I have to say that this is a regression for me at least. I like having the PDF locally on my phone. Especially in cases where my device is connected to a control network exclusively. I don’t check the manual often, but when I do its nice to know I have it with me.
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Please keep the PDF versions of both. You can translate and host, but there needs to be downloadable versions.
If you need an example of why the HTML-only version of release notes with only the current release information is bad, go look at Netgear’s releases for the M4250 and M4350 series switches.
They keep critical notes on each page, but fixes and issues are per-release and their help center only promotes the current releases. It doesn’t help that they aren’t consecutive on release numbers. If you see an issue and you need to know if it’s fixed, good luck. I now keep a word doc with all their release notes because of this.
As for the firmware reference guide, I download the PDF’s and scan front to back on major releases. That won’t happen online. Pretty much all hardware I have has a downloadable PDF, even if it has an online version.
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Regardless of whether HTML works better on mobile, I always download PDF manuals to my phone because sometimes I work in areas with crappy cell service and unreliable wifi, and I really doubt I’m unique in that way. We need offline documentation.
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Agreed. PDF files are essential. If not only for convenience, but for speed of finding things. So much easier to scroll through a PDF rapidly to find what you need than relying on spotty networks to load.
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I agree, I did not realise this had happened. I do not use DLive only CQ through Avantis plus AHM, so have not had the displeasure of no PDF yet! My documents file has a sub file with every A&H PDF firmware reference and every MIDI reference file. Just perfect when logged into a clients audio network that has no internet access!
PDF is mandatory, HTML optional.
Please. 
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downloadable pdfs are a must. period
Both options have advantages and disadvantages, and so I am also in favor of keeping the PDF – but of course not just for dLive, but for all series.
We need a snapshot of a specific point in time too and not only a constantly changing document where I’m looking in vain for something today that I read just yesterday.
While I appreciate the thought for making it more responsive, i’m definitely in favour of having a PDF available to download.
It also encourages users to always consult the latest version rather than a local copy, should we make changes in between releases.
As much as it is nice to in theory to have the most up to date copy, if you’re operating in an installation venue, where a specific version is being used for a period of time, live updates on the only set of readily accessible documentation are not helpful. This is precisely where versioned downloadable releases are essential.
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Just wanted to look something up. There is no way of searching this manual? That’s crazy, this is the biggest value of a pdf manual. Please give us back a pdf manual.
Also you can make notes in pdfs.
I usually have internet access, but the lack of search capability is a big drawback.
I vote for the return of PDF also.
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Google?
The online help changed in the last days a lot. I think they still try to find a way to build a better experience.
Steinberg introduced a similar system. And now a PDF is generated from the online content, from time to time.
To search this online manual? How?