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6th March 2005, 00:07 | #1 | Link |
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Philips DVP642 / DVP630 - The three firmware files explained
Hi,
We were wondering for the last weeks why some guys canīt do a downgrade to the 0531 version and why the 1109 firmware has three files. Itīs because there are at least three different hardware configs of the DVPxx in the market. In the firmware screen you can see a code like this: Ver0531 642/78 01 M 4 The letter "M" is the hardware config. I counted three configs in the wild: "M", "S" and "E". The "M" uses only the file dvpxx.rom (tested - I have one unit) The "S" uses only the file dvpxxDV.rom (tested - I have one unit) The "E" requires the file dvpxxEW.rom , not present in the 0531 firmware (not tested, but seems obvious) So, you canīt downgrade because you do not have the file for your hardware. Maybe it was not Philips intent to block the downgrades. I think that some parts changed in the production line and so the firmware was changed acordingly. Philips puts the three files in the same ZIP to simplify the process to the users point of view. Each unit picks the right file based in information stored in the 512Bytes EEPROM (a little chip). When the firmware loading process begins, the player displays the name of the picked file for a moment in the top left of the screen. But what parts changed? What difference we can expect in the unit behaviour? I donīt know for sure, but we will need to take that letter in consideration for now on when trying to understand the DVP642 quirks. The full reasoning for this was published in the last week in my site, but in Brazilian Portuguese. My English is not enough to explain everything here, sorry. If you understand Portuguese: http://ryan.com.br/prod_dvp642.htm#27022005 []'s Jefferson Ryan http://ryan.com.br Last edited by Jefferson Ryan; 6th March 2005 at 02:32. |
7th March 2005, 00:05 | #3 | Link |
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Just to expand:
In Ver0531 642/78 01 M 4 "01" were allways present in all firmwares, DVP630 or DVP642. Never changed for me. "4" Is the default region of the player. Even if you apply the Region Hack and modify the player region, the firmware screen will show the factory default. Itīs stored in the EEPROM and itīs due this that every time you reflash your player you need to reapply the Region Hack. |
7th March 2005, 03:45 | #4 | Link |
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I compared two CPU boards of each "M" and "S" versions (four players in total) and found the following:
Board "S" 4Mbit RAM:Elpida EDS6416AHTA (S6416AHTA-6B-E) Servo Driver: AMTEK AM5868S Flash:MX26LV800BTC-55 Vibratto: ES6698F G254 and ESS ES6603S HC374 Board "M" 4Mbit RAM:SAMSUNG K4S64132H-75 (641632H-TC75) Servo Driver: AMTEK AM5868S Flash:MX26LV800BTC-55 Vibratto: ES6698F F164 (or F074) and ESS ES6603S HC374 As you can see, the only differences are in the RAM used and in that number in the main chip. I compared all the major chips in the boards. I donīt believe that a difference in a simple chip as a RAM could cause a firmware revision, so whatīs the difference between the G254 and the F074/F164 Vibratto II CPUs? Iīm also suspecting of a possible difference in the loaders, because there IS a difference in the noise in some units, but Iīm not sure. --Edit: I edited the Vibratto chips that I marked incorrectly, sorry! Last edited by Jefferson Ryan; 7th March 2005 at 06:58. |
7th March 2005, 07:00 | #5 | Link | |
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Quote:
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7th March 2005, 10:13 | #6 | Link | |
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Quote:
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7th March 2005, 10:33 | #7 | Link | |
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OK, I decided to try it... here's what I sent to them:
Quote:
Last edited by fewtch; 7th March 2005 at 10:38. |
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7th March 2005, 12:56 | #8 | Link |
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Thanks for posting such detailed information JR.
I've just added a link to your thread from my own Std-Def: ESS chip-set based - Player Information thread. Cheers
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8th March 2005, 19:07 | #9 | Link |
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Today, someone at the Philips_DVP642 Yahoo Group answered my message about this topic (that I posted there):
I discovered the difference between the xx and the xxDV versions at least. I flashed the xxDV version to my xx player (by renaming the file) and the firmware acted properly EXCEPT for the loader. The loader code is different between the two, apparently. Now no discs are readable (and the loader makes strange attempts at seeking). So basically I killed my unit, but hopefully this will at least enhance the understanding of this player. As I suspected, the difference seems to be in the loader! If this is true, the player is not really dead. Itīs possible to fix this by swapping loaders with a model "S" model and reflashing. []īs Jefferson Ryan http://ryan.com.br Philips DVP642 Brazilian Portuguese Review at http://ryan.com.br/prod_dvp642.htm Last edited by Jefferson Ryan; 9th March 2005 at 13:36. |
8th March 2005, 21:13 | #10 | Link | ||||
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Quote:
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P.S. I received this irritating response from ESS today (you were right): Quote:
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8th March 2005, 23:52 | #11 | Link | |||
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Quote:
I risked my own players several times doing tests for my Brazilian review of the DVP642 and trying to discover the role of the three files. I'm not rich and here in Brazil a DVP642 costs at least US$100, if bought in the black market. In the "official" market, costs US$170 BUT... I'm very curious and the pleasure to obtain this kind of info worths the risk Nevertheless, I would never rename the firmware files, because I was almost sure that would kill the player. As I said, I'm not rich Quote:
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Excuse me for my bad English. []īs Jefferson Ryan http://ryan.com.br Philips DVP642 Brazilian Portuguese Review at http://ryan.com.br/prod_dvp642.htm |
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9th March 2005, 14:14 | #12 | Link | |
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Quote:
Latest FW for DVP642: 1109 (2004) Latest FW for DVP630: 0112 (2005) Both contain the same .ROM filenames... I don't plan on renaming anything... Only burning a DVP630 Upgrade disc and trying it in my DVP642. Is it obvious that I will screw things up trying this? |
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9th March 2005, 14:23 | #13 | Link | |
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Quote:
[]īs Jefferson Ryan http://ryan.com.br Philips DVP642 Brazilian Portuguese Review at http://ryan.com.br/prod_dvp642.htm |
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14th March 2005, 17:13 | #14 | Link |
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Does any body know if ESS-6698 supports JTAG ?
I got a "dormant" DVP-642. I found this player is very prone to fail during firmware update especially during writing phase. Last error message I got during flashing was "FAILED". I am very sure Philips did not design the flashing procedure robust enough. Actually this was the second time I failed flashing this model. I have never failed doing it for other player like KISS and Samsung. If somebody can pointing me please to DVP-642 schematic or ESS-6698 datasheet, I like to revive this player. I am very familiar with JTAG and been using it with plenty devices particularly sat receiver like sammy, fortecstar and other receivers. The flash rom MX26LV800BTC-55 is common to be found in sat receiver. I am very sure I got it in my jKeys.def file. TIA, Bxwrapper |
15th March 2005, 13:07 | #15 | Link | |
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Quote:
So, I guess that Vibratto II has no support to JTAG, unfortunately. Vibratto II Product Brief: http://www.esstech.com/products/AVpl...efs/pb6698.pdf []īs Jefferson Ryan http://ryan.com.br Philips DVP642 Brazilian Portuguese Review at http://ryan.com.br/prod_dvp642.htm |
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16th March 2005, 02:56 | #16 | Link |
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Thanks Jeff,
It is pity that ESS makes full chipset datasheet not public. Then I wonder how would Philips service center re-loaded the firmware to flash ROM. I do not believe they un-solder and solder it again since it requires too much work. I have yet to see an "in-situ" clamping socket for the flash ROM. I guess, there must be some service points on the PCB for re-writing the ROM. But the question is then which point and what interface are required. Hope in the future, this information will be unsurfaced and become public knowledge. |
16th March 2005, 17:59 | #17 | Link |
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According to that pdf, it says AAC is supported but for some reason, none of movies with AAC work on the DVP642. Is there a specific fimrware that I need to enable ACC playback? Also, if so,is it only AAC-LC or does it playback HE-AAC as well?
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16th March 2005, 18:19 | #18 | Link | |
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Quote:
Thankfully Philips had the presence of mind to include .MP4 container support (with MP3 audio) so they should be able to offer AAC audio too.... unless there's a licensing issue preventing them from doing so! And... full/correct decoding of AAC-HE audio is not included in this chip-sets design... You will be able to play AAC-HE but sadly not the SBR element. Cheers
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16th March 2005, 18:30 | #19 | Link |
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Yeah, I sent them an email not too long ago and they responded that they had no plans to include any AAC decoding for this player but would considerate it for future players.
Just found that pdf to be contradiciting that Philips said that AAC would not work on that chipset. Just wish I could find one of the Nero players somewhere here in the states. |
16th March 2005, 18:51 | #20 | Link |
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Hi acidsex,
Well it's clear the chip-set does support AAC decoding... which is nice! Maybe you (and others) could ask Philips to confirm why they have no plans to include AAC decoding in their current ESS Vibratto II chip-set player line-up? In any event, the more "official" confirmations we get, the better! Cheers
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