Philips DVP720SA/2 MT1389EE

[m99]

1695 NOK (around 200€) here, included "The return of the king".

[Sharro]

Does anybody have an idea of what's going on with this page

http://www.philips720sa.wz.cz/stahni.php
and
http://www.philips720sa.wz.cz/firmware.php

Firmwares show up almost weekly but I can't understand a thing of Czech.

All the best,

Sharro

[new_age]

Nothing important currenty.
V24 and V31 firmware can be downloaded.

[Alexander Maxim]

Originally posted by new_age
Nothing important currenty.
V24 and V31 firmware can be downloaded.
That's right. They have two versions of V31 (one with the font 7 replaced for central european languages, code 1250)

[Sharro]

So... We still need a firmware guru to have Outlined fonts shown on divx subtitles....

Damn...

:mad:

All the best,

Sharro

[lobster]

I had a little Czech at school :) The 3.15A version contains following:
- Complete Czech OSD
- 1250 code page support
- Enlarged subtitles for DivX
- Zoom icon removed

[Alexander Maxim]

Originally posted by lobster
I had a little Czech at school :) The 3.15A version contains following:
- Complete Czech OSD
- 1250 code page support
- Enlarged subtitles for DivX
- Zoom icon removed
You just convinced me to update my player...:D and that only for the removed zoom icon :D

[Sharro@Home]

I will only update if I get:

-Outlined divx subtitle font;
-AR flag in AVI

:devil:

All the best,

Sharro

[Sharro]

Alexander any news on it ?

Did you tried it ?

All the best,


Sharro

[Alexander Maxim]

Originally posted by Sharro
Alexander any news on it ?

Did you tried it ?

All the best,


Sharro
I'm at work right now. Tomorrow I'll have the results you want :D

[Zhnujm]

Has anybody else the problem that the playback is not smooth if you use subtitles ? It seems that sometimes a frame gets repeated in the moment the subtitle is shown, especially when a long subtitle is displayed.

:confused:

[lobster]

Originally posted by Alexander Maxim
You just convinced me to update my player...:D and that only for the removed zoom icon :D
The icon is not fully removed - just the white square. The number is still there.

[Alexander Maxim]

True. But it's much less disturbing than before. I tried "The last samurai" last night and it's watchable in 2x :D

[lobster]

I wonder if it's possible to remove the numbers (2x, 3x etc.) by deleting them in OSD using MTKReMaker.

[Sharro@Home]

Posted: 15 oktober 2004 @ 12:16 by Madpalace on gathering.tweakers.net forums]:
BAD NEWS

I will have to contact Signapore services on monday if v33 is still not available on the website. This stable and internally released version should have been available this week.

I contacted the Signapore architect today, but she told me that 720 improvements are currently not done. The latest internal beta v34 I once had, will be finalised soon because it had a major fix on line-out. The new problems seen and other old issues will not be solved for now. Maybe in a new version, but it is still unknown when that will be.

I also ordered a 720 player myself now, but the players are not available. It is also unknown when they will be...

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2004 6:22 am by Feysp on www.mpeg-playcenter.com forums
"feysp"]Hi,

I flashed my DVP720SA with the firmware from Yamaha s550.
My results:
Everything works fine, the only thing is that the multichannel led wil not work anymore. That's normal because the multichannel analog outputs are also not working anymore. So by by SACD option.
The good thing is that the sound for DVD, CD and DiVX are many many many times better because the sound options like CLASSIC, ... are gone in the player settings.
So real flat sound outputs (as they should be) and that is a good thing!

For those of you who will not use the SACD-option, this firmware is the real thing. I tested everithing:

--> DVD's : No more subtitle problems (flikkering is gone)
--> DiVX : Sub's are working fine, sometimes the lines are to short.
--> CD's : The sound is mutch, mutch better (also for dvd & DiVX)
--> audio-DVD : Yes i have a new option now !!!!
--> SACD : The analog outputs will not work anymore, but the SACD
from STING that i recieved with the DVP720sa works via the
coax output on my philips LX710 surround system
(on 7 channels) in real surround !!!?!!
--> remote controller is working just fine (it is the same)

I have only 1 SACD and it will be probably the only one.

How does it work to flash you're DVP720sa: (how i did it)

* First download the DVD-S550 Yamaha firmware.
* Then Rename te firmware to DVP720.BIN
* I replaced the MPEG backgrounds in the firmware with the one's from the
Philips firmware. (i used the MTK Remaker tool for it).
* At last i flashed my DVP720sa.

The only thing that i could not change is when you start the player, now YAMAHA is in the little display (for a second or two) in stead of PHILIPS.

When you want to return to the original Philips firmware, just rename the philips firmware to YDV550.BIN, burn it on a cd and flash you're player.


Sorry for my bad english, but i'm a dutch speaking guy.

Regards Pieter Feys

I cross my fingers....and light up a candle :)

Madpalace is somehow well connected at Philips... I would love to get my hands on the "Singapore services" email...


All the best,

Sharro

[lobster]

Very interesting! And what about the zoom icon?

[Zhnujm]

It disappears after a few secondes.

[Sharro@Home]

Yap.

Read in

Posted by MAD Palace on 12 oktober 2004 @ 15:16
[...]

What is there for me to say. Some high important people make the plans on what will be included in what players. It is up to the buyers to accept it or not. That is one of the reasons why I didn't buy the player: I didn't like the subtitling with DivX. Now with v34 I have seen subtitling that works for me, and I now ordered it.

Philips also develops Yamaha 550 software indeed (with re-used software from 720). The functionality in those players is not planned or defined by Philips however, it is of course defined by Yamaha leadership.

I cannot request any features from the software people because they keep on sticking to their plan. I can also not request the way they solve problems. If I tell them that people are unhappy with subtitling on v24 software, they are allowed to add a grey bar in the back, although some would rather have an outlined font.

PS: MadPalace confirmed that he prefers Outlined still Philips will try first to get ALL subs displayed.

[lobster]

So it seems like it is possible to use Yamaha firmware in Philips but not vice versa? If used Philips firmware in Yamaha the player goes right to stand by after switching it on, is that so?

[Zhnujm]

Originally posted by lobster
If used Philips firmware in Yamaha the player goes right to stand by after switching it on, is that so?

It was so for me. But i only tried it with the V24 firmware, not with the V31.
If you need a result with the V31 then i can check this.

[new_age]

Originally posted by Zhnujm
It was so for me. But i only tried it with the V24 firmware, not with the V31.
If you need a result with the V31 then i can check this.

If you replace the VFD Button table still goes to standby the yamaha?

[lobster]

I'm much more interested in using Yamaha firmware in Philips. I stick with stereo but the player goes to surround mode each time (it can't remember the chosen mode). I'm curious if the sound quality is really gonna improve. I'll post full Czech translation of the info about using Yamaha firmware in Philips to a Czech forum (http://philips720sa.wz.cz). We'll see if there are more brave man :). Maybe I'll be brave myself :D .

[lobster]

Looks like it's not possible to download Yamaha firmware upgrade from http://www.yamaha-service.de/ any more :angry:. Fortunately, I downloaded it when it was possible.

[Zhnujm]

I just tried the V31 with my Yamaha (and i also tried replacing VFD and Button tables) and its still the same.
If you switch it off and try to start it again it just shows PHILIPS - DISC - LOAD - STANDBY in the display and goes off.
Funny thing, especially as everything if working perfectly - until you switch it off.

[new_age]

Originally posted by Zhnujm
I just tried the V31 with my Yamaha (and i also tried replacing VFD and Button tables) and its still the same.
If you switch it off and try to start it again it just shows PHILIPS - DISC - LOAD - STANDBY in the display and goes off.
Funny thing, especially as everything if working perfectly - until you switch it off.

I guess some kind of protection from Philips preventing using philips firmwares in yamaha...

[Alexander Maxim]

What puzzles me is why Philips does a better firmware for Yamaha than for themselves? :rolleyes:

[Sharro]

Originally posted by Alexander Maxim
What puzzles me is why Philips does a better firmware for Yamaha than for themselves? :rolleyes:

Put me in on that puzzle....

Let's hope this week brings us better news...

All the best,


Sharro

[new_age]

You can download V33 firmware from various sites now. Hungarian dudes (I'm proud ;)) did it again. :)

[Sharro]

Posted by MAD Palace in forum gathering.tweakers.net on 18OCT04 @ 14:22
[...]


I just heard that the factory for 720 production is in Hungary. Probably they did not extract the software from hardware but just broadcasted their version :-) If this is true, then the v33 is the official release.

If you want the updates/changes you can read back to all my previous reports on v32, v33 an v34.

For the lazy and courageous who want to try it:

http://members.netmadeira.com/carlos.santos/teste/dvp720_v33.zip

EDIT: Where is previous OUTLINED FONT 7 ? END EDIT

All the best,

Sharro

[Alexander Maxim]

Originally posted by new_age
You can download V33 firmware from various sites now. Hungarian dudes (I'm proud ;)) did it again. :)
Allright! :D

[Zhnujm]

Originally posted by Sharro
EDIT: Where is previous OUTLINED FONT 7 ? END EDIT


Well, theres no need for an outline if you use an ugly black square around the subtitles :D, but still better than no outline at all.
And now it supports AR settings.

I still have the problem that the video is not smooth when subtitles are enabled...

[Sharro]

Originally posted by Zhnujm

...when subtitles are enabled...

.SRT subs ?

Have you tried any other format ?

All the best,

Sharro

[Zhnujm]

Already tried ssa and ssi, all the same.
But it seems im the only one who has this problem, i heard nobody else complaining about that.
Its visible with all Mediatek players that i tried (elta 8883,Xoro 400pro, Yamaha 550). I already captured the signal and theres definitly a duplicated frame at these positions :(

[lobster]

I've just tested the V33 version. The stereo mode still can't be stored so I'm gonna try the Yamaha firmware. Let's see if the sound quality is really better!

[Sharro]

Originally posted by Zhnujm
...i heard nobody else complaining about that.

I've posted on http://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_messages/898534/32 (using your post) to see if anybody complains.

I will do the firmw. upgd. tomorrow.

All the best,

Sharro

[lobster]

I quickly tested the Yamaha firmare in Philips. Seems to me that the output volume is a little bit louder which is good cause it almost levels with TV loudness and when you switch the player off the TV doesn't go blasting.
Now I have two free buttons on the remote. Would be nice to use them for volume control or goto function :).
The best of what I discovered? The power button on the front doesn't work any more which is great cause my little boy can't switch it on now and tear off the tray after a couple of tests and I don't have to unplug the player every time :D But the open/close button still works.

[Alexander Maxim]

Hello guys,
The V33 displays correctly the .sub (frame-based MicroDVD) subtitles now. Thought you should know.

[nexx]

Hey guys,

I am going to be encoding some movies for a friend who is getting a the Philips player in a few weeks, and I'm just checking to see its XviD compatability.

The movies will be PAL 25fps at 576x240 and 700-1000 bitrates

This is what I have from searching:

Packed bitstream: Not supported
GMC: Not Supported
QPEL: Supported
Trellis: Unsure
Bframes: 2 is safe

That sounds right?

Any help appreciated.

[Leak]

Originally posted by nexx
Trellis: Unsure

Trellis isn't of any concern for the decoder as it's just an optimization algorithm in the encoding process that might yield a different quantization, but it's all the same to the decoder whether it's on or off.

np: David Holmes - Zero Tolerance (Bow Down To The Exit Sign)

[Sharro]

Just to confirm that HVS-Best matrix, trellis with resolutions of 720 or 704 x XXX, QPEL, 2B-frames, Chroma-Optimizer with average Kbps up to 2.000 are my usual "cocktail" for the Xvid encodes that always played flawlessly on my DVP720SA (just updated firmware to V33) audio is usually dual AC3.

Never use Packet-bitstream neither GMC.

All the best,

Sharro

[mezzanine]

Before encoding in XviD get the latest build 1.1 unstable and enable VBV(AS@L5 - 2pass more settings), as for b-frames disable packed bitstream and closed GOV. The player works fine with 2 b-frames and VHQ for b-frames (tested it today with 720x576 and AC3). If you want more compression you can also enable qpel , adaptive quantization and trellis without any playback problems. Player accepts maximum 720 horizontal and 576 vertical resolutions.

I just upgraded the firmware to V33, everything is working ok but i haven't tested divx subtitles yet.

The subtitle problem with DVD's seems to be fixed (the white horizontal bars). Well to my eyes the picture quality is greatly improved, looks more solid and block-free. Is that possible or am i going crazy ?

[Sharro]

Originally posted by mezzanine
... i haven't tested divx subtitles yet.

...

I have tested .SUB (frame based) and .SRT (time code based) and they were both working fine, they are much more readable but I still hope that ... one day ... Philips will go for a outlined font.

Regarding picture quality it did looked better to my eyes (less blocks in dark areas).

All the best,

Sharro

[Sharro]

Originally posted by Zhnujm
Already tried ssa and ssi, all the same.
But it seems im the only one who has this problem, i heard nobody else complaining about that.
Its visible with all Mediatek players that i tried (elta 8883,Xoro 400pro, Yamaha 550). I already captured the signal and theres definitly a duplicated frame at these positions :(

Could you confirm if this problem with subtitles is with single line subtitles or 2 line subtitles cause I think I spoted something with the last.

Looks like the second line of subtitles is not rendered at the same time of the first line so the frame is repeated for the second line of subtitles.

Please confirm.

All the best,

Sharro

[Alexander Maxim]

Originally posted by Zhnujm
...I still have the problem that the video is not smooth when subtitles are enabled...
I noticed that too last night, but on a single movie

[mezzanine]

I noticed it too, but i think it's only for the first couple of minutes.

[Sharro]

Alexander Maxim and Mezzanine could you two confirm if single or double line subtitles is somehow related ?

All the best,

Sharro

[Alexander Maxim]

Originally posted by Sharro
Alexander Maxim and Mezzanine could you two confirm if single or double line subtitles is somehow related ?

All the best,

Sharro
I don't think it has anything to do with that(as I remember from last night :rolleyes: ), but I'll check this evening.

[Alexander Maxim]

Checked, and the answer is "no".
But it doesn't happen with all my movies, and it's not that disturbing.

[Alexander Maxim]

As from this week, the DVP720SA is sold in Romania with the incredible price of 260 euros!!! Why the poor have to pay more? I always wondered that :mad:

[mezzanine]

Mail order it from germany.