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mhalsan
Joined: 09 Nov 2007
Posts: 146
Location: Astoria, Oregon
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:44 am Post subject: Firmware upgrade for Electrohome Marquees |
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Apparently there is a firmware upgrade available from VDC. It is a replacement chip, IC # U35 on the CLM.
There are supposed to be improved geometry controls, and other improvements.
This isn't talked about much. Has anyone out there done this upgrade? The cost of the new chip isn't particularly high.
Thanks, Mark
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Electrogal
Joined: 20 Mar 2006
Posts: 31
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:55 am Post subject: |
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you know if someone had a spare chip and an eeprom programmer, the code could be downloaded and burned onto new chips 
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nuttall_chris
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 832
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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I did the upgrade on my 9500Ultra to V8.0 from VDC. Not much gained over the V4.4 I had before. In terms of geometry they added "left keystone". G2 and Drive settings can also now be set differently for each memory and they have added a "sub bias" control.
Other than that everything else "appears" the same but there may be more going on in the background.
If you have ACON, it won't work anymore as the V8.0 required a new "Ultra ACON"
Chris.
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mhalsan
Joined: 09 Nov 2007
Posts: 146
Location: Astoria, Oregon
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:13 pm Post subject: |
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That answers my question- you just saved me an unnecessary headache.
VDC technician confirmed that version 8.0 is not of much value for HT users.
Thanks, Mark
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nuttall_chris
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 832
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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| mhalsan wrote: | That answers my question- you just saved me an unnecessary headache.
VDC technician confirmed that version 8.0 is not of much value for HT users.
Thanks, Mark |
Were you able to get any other details of the updates from the older versions?
Chris.
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mhalsan
Joined: 09 Nov 2007
Posts: 146
Location: Astoria, Oregon
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| Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:26 am Post subject: |
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Well...............I really didn't ask. I currently have version 4.4 and everything seems to work fine. I read about an upgrade on another site, and of course my first impression was-WOW! An UPGRADE! It must be amazing! I must have it!
This is not the case. One of VDC's technicians, in response to my inquiry, stated emphatically NOT to upgrade to V8.0. In addition to removing support for Electrohome ACON, contrast gain is affected, which has apparently caused noticeable problems. After hearing this, I'll leave my firmware alone until there's a specific, useful benefit to changing it.
VDC has excellent customer service and tech support staff who have answered every question I've asked.
thanks, Mark
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Nashou66
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 16171
Location: West Seneca NY
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mhalsan
Joined: 09 Nov 2007
Posts: 146
Location: Astoria, Oregon
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| Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 12:57 am Post subject: |
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I can answer the second question- yes, the upgrade chip is readily available from VDC. They will be happy to talk prices and shipping.
Regarding stacking/blending, I'd rather defer to those here who have experience with that.
In fact, you might want to start a new topic- it'll probably get more views than this one.
Thanks, Mark
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voodoo7869
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 193
Location: Chicago, IL USA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:55 am Post subject: |
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i have an eprom programer and can read the chip. I would need the new chip as a loaner to get the program off of and then write the chips for people.
I would only ask that someone with the next lower version that my clm can handle (the one that still allows use of regular acon) loans me that chip for my own upgrade. I do not want 8.0 for myself. just the one below it.
I could do them with a fast turnaround.
_________________
Marquee 8000 modded, Marquee 9500lc with LUGs, Frankenyokes, and Moome. My avatar is not just a black box. CRT Is KING!!!!
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Nashou66
Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 16171
Location: West Seneca NY
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voodoo7869
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 193
Location: Chicago, IL USA
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:11 am Post subject: |
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clm has the chip on it it is u35 I believe that only certain boards can use certain versions we need to verify this first and as for the chip I would have to take a look at several chips to make sure if they are the same.
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Marquee 8000 modded, Marquee 9500lc with LUGs, Frankenyokes, and Moome. My avatar is not just a black box. CRT Is KING!!!!
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macgyver655
Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 8508
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Nashou66 wrote: | Would the new softwear be ablt to be written on older chips? And what is the name of chip ?
Athanasios |
It would depend if it's a one time write chip or not. Some chips also have security locks that wont allow them to be written to again without the security code or knowing how to unlock the security. Some even have internal fuses that are blown after being written to and cannot be written to, ever again. Anyone have the number on the chip?
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mhalsan
Joined: 09 Nov 2007
Posts: 146
Location: Astoria, Oregon
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 8:31 pm Post subject: |
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What would be really swell is a list of the history of firmware versions, and what each version changed.
Anyone know of such a list?
Mark
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voodoo7869
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 193
Location: Chicago, IL USA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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that would be great hopefully someone knows. that would be really nice.
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Marquee 8000 modded, Marquee 9500lc with LUGs, Frankenyokes, and Moome. My avatar is not just a black box. CRT Is KING!!!!
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voodoo7869
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 193
Location: Chicago, IL USA
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 10:22 pm Post subject: |
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the chip part number is a am27c4096-120jc it is a one time program 40pin plcc package that is still available. and i can program it I could source the chips as long as someone can provide firmware chips so i can read themand organise them by ehome part number. I will copy the programs and give them back. I can then make copiesfor whomever.
For refference my clm is pn# 50-2036-03p u35 ver 3.4
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Marquee 8000 modded, Marquee 9500lc with LUGs, Frankenyokes, and Moome. My avatar is not just a black box. CRT Is KING!!!!
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Tim in Phoenix
Joined: 21 Oct 2006
Posts: 4409
Location: Phoenix
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:00 pm Post subject: |
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| mhalsan wrote: | What would be really swell is a list of the history of firmware versions, and what each version changed.
Anyone know of such a list?
Mark |
Hello
Electrohome issued a series of bulletins on firmware changes; the more important ones were the addition of a tube hours clock for 8000/9000 beginning with v2.0, and H Linearity was added for 8500/9500 starting with v3.3
The first Ultras were v4.2c but changing earlier boards to v4.2c does not add any capabilities if the chassis is not an Ultra.
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macgyver655
Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 8508
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| Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 11:53 pm Post subject: |
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| voodoo7869 wrote: | the chip part number is a am27c4096-120jc it is a one time program 40pin plcc package that is still available. and i can program it I could source the chips as long as someone can provide firmware chips so i can read themand organise them by ehome part number. I will copy the programs and give them back. I can then make copiesfor whomever.
For refference my clm is pn# 50-2036-03p u35 ver 3.4 |
Actually the PLCC style chip in 44 pin. Just so you can double check your programmers adapter so that it is 44 pin. Also you may want to check to make sure your programmer is capable of 12 volt programming. Most are limited to 5-6 volt, without an adapter. The AM27C4096 requires 12v to Vpp for programming. Just some hints from my own errors. 
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voodoo7869
Joined: 19 Oct 2007
Posts: 193
Location: Chicago, IL USA
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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yes I can program 44 pin plcc and yes i can do 12v programming. so it should be fine just need software for the pjs and I will begin sourcing a few chips to give it a shot.
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Marquee 8000 modded, Marquee 9500lc with LUGs, Frankenyokes, and Moome. My avatar is not just a black box. CRT Is KING!!!!
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Joust
Joined: 05 May 2006
Posts: 2429
Location: Almonte, Ontario, Canada
TV/Projector: Marquee 8501LC
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:26 pm Post subject: |
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I'd like to have the new Geometry controls but don't want to give up my old Acon.
we should appeal to VDC to make a legacy upgrade version.
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nuttall_chris
Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 832
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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| Joust wrote: | I'd like to have the new Geometry controls but don't want to give up my old Acon.
we should appeal to VDC to make a legacy upgrade version. |
You would also need to upgrade to the "Ultra" version of the focus, vertical and convergence boards to take advantage of the extra geometry features.
Chris.
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