My preliminary impression of I-O DATA AVEL LINKPLAYER2 [Text View] - Page 18

Andrewg@16paws

04-09-07, 02:41 PM

After scanning this thread, I picked up a linkplayer2 at the end of last month from CompUSA with a special instant rebate of $50 - net price $200 (+tax on $250). I think the current regular price is now $225.

I test drove it for a few days after updating the firmware. Yeah, it's a bit clunky and WizD needs some help. But I was in love with it. After a while though, the DVD whine started to annoy me - and the latest firmware doesn't seem to have the speed setting option, and the HD output was very soft. So I decided to replace the drive/loader and implement the component output filter mod at the same time as well as investigate the internals of the device.

The Lite-On has long since been discontinued, and being the impatient type, I went to Fry's for a replacement drive. I was unimpressed by the DVD-ROMs available on the shelves, so I decided to go with a DVD R/W drive. There is very little price difference these days between Read-Only and R/W (imagine being able to burn DVDs with the linkplayer2 - wouldn't that be cool?). I finally picked the Pioneer DVR-111D (comes in a box with some software and the kit is called DVR-710) - $50 minus a $15 rebate = $35. Right out of the box, the drive didn't work. After checking this and a couple of other forums, I upgraded to an 80 wire UDMA cable left over from retail disk drive. And I reflashed the DVR-111D firmware with RPC1 (no region code) since the wisdom is that the drive needs to have it's region code set before the linkplayer2 will use it. Success! This drive is way faster, especially the tray mechanism during load/unload - and it is absolutely silent when playing, even when seeking. To secure the drive, I used two aluminum L brackets that I had in my parts bin - they are each held down by a bolt through the bottom of the box (it's never going to get warranty service) and then a screw into a stock drive mounting hole. No hot melt glue here, and the original tray front snaps into place on the drive tray with a little bit of notching.

I also implemented the full filter mod (thanks Dylan if you're still reading this forum thread) which was a total win. I also replaced the current limit resistor on the blue power LED - stock is 2.7K Ohms, and I replaced it with 4.9K Ohms - now it's not blinding but next time I have the box open, I'm moving up to around 7K. There are a bunch of unimplemented LEDs on the front panel - one under each button; so I installed LEDs there. Unfortunately, they don't do anything interesting. The is also a connector for an LED to the left of the front panel connector on the mainboard, which also doesn't do anything. It may be active when the USB port is in use - or the unused smart card interface.

So anyway, the box is working great for me. The next projects I have in mind are: (A) The new drive cable has a connector for a slave drive, so I'd like to try adding a hard drive to the device and see if it recognizes it. - then it can be it's own server. (B) I'd like to see if I can get it to talk to my HDHomeRun tuner, which streams digital TV (HDTV and digital SDTV) over my network - imagine adding live TV to the list of box features. (C) Finally, I'd like to add the DVI output capability built onto the board and implemented for th JVC but not populated in the IO-DATA US version. I took a lot of detailed high resolution (8Mpix) photos during the teardown, which I'll post on my web site later when I have the resources. Does anybody have high resolution photos of the JVC main board? I would really appreciate it if someone could take some so I can identify the DVI additional components - in particular with enough detail to read the resistor values.

Thanks-

Andrew

jsevinsk

04-12-07, 05:08 PM

PS - Why do you want to replace the drive?

I don't today, but I might in the future. If my $50 DVD player breaks next year, I'll throw it out and buy a better one for $40. If my Linkplayer breaks some day, it's too expensive to buy a new one or pay to have it fixed. I'll be happy if I can fix it myself with a $20 DVD drive.

rezzy

04-13-07, 10:25 PM

My two month-old player will simply not recognize dual-layer (8.5GB) DVDs that I record hi-def TV shows to. It does play 4.7 GB discs, though. I'm not sure how old the stock ROM-drive is, but I wonder if there's an easy firmware fix, or will just replacing the drive with a newer one take care of this(?).

Andrewg@16paws

04-14-07, 12:31 AM

I have been experimenting with a Frankenstein of hardware & software with success. Here is the experimental setup:
(A) HDHomeRun on the network, with an external antenna
(B) HDHomreRun tuned to local PBS station, SD subchannel
(C) VLC running on a FreeBSD box
(D) WizD running on another FreeBSD box
(E) Linkplayer2 sitting on the net with the latest FW

I have set up VLC to restream the UDP data from the HDHomeRun thusly:
vlc udp://@:1234 --sout '#standard{access=http,mux=ts,mime=video/mpeg,dst=:8080/test.mpg}'

NOTE!!!! The "test.mpg" is KEY HERE! The hacky code in VLC pretty much ignores the "mime=video/mpeg" directive when its httpd code generates the "Content-type:" HTTP header! It relies on the suffix of the virtual URL you are generating.

Here is how you get the LP2 to stream it:
<TD><A vod="mpeg" HREF="http://10.0.0.19:8080/test.mpg">VLC Transcoder Test</A></TD>

Woohoo! If I enable CGI scripting in Wizd now, I'm sure I can gin up a channel changer soon.

Andrew

JohnTheDoe

04-14-07, 11:33 AM

Andrew,

I tried similar thing in the past with myth LiveBuffer file. My problem was that the LP2 will keep requesting more data from the server when there was none available. The file is still being written and it has given all data available. Do you face similar issue when LP2 sort of pauses ?

I'll try your method by streaming a file as its being recorded.

Thanks
JD

JohnTheDoe

04-14-07, 12:46 PM

Andrew,

I tried your method by streaming a recording from my dvb card via streamdev plugin. The plugin allows vlc to tune to a channel on the dvb card and play the tv on the screen/monitor.

I added your --sout option to the vlc command line, so it tunes to a channel and at the same time stream out of port 8081. Then hacked up a simple page so the LP2 can stream file from port 8081.

Everything works fine for a while, but then there are some brief pauses. After the pause, the video sort of fast forward and catches up. This is all Standard Definition, not HD. Have you noticed these paused and fast fwds ? I'm running Oct 2005 firmware.

Thanks
JD

Andrewg@16paws

04-14-07, 06:44 PM

I tried similar thing in the past with myth LiveBuffer file. My problem was that the LP2 will keep requesting more data from the server when there was none available. The file is still being written and it has given all data available. Do you face similar issue when LP2 sort of pauses ?

I'll try your method by streaming a file as its being recorded.

I thought about that earlier, and I believe the problem is that when you point to a file, the HTTP protocol allows for an optional header on the response to a GET which gives the file size. A simple client like the LP2 will believe that number is chiseled in stone (more likely, it is used as the termination condition for a for{} loop with no breaks). I believe, though I haven't checked to be sure, when streaming an indeterminate data stream, a server like VLC will omit the file size header indicating that the size is unknown. In this case, the LP2 will continue to request until you <STOP> or the stream times out after a few seconds. At least that's how it's been working for me. So, my guess to fix your problem with a circular buffer file, you'd have to get the server to somehow omit the size header and know to loop back to the beginning once it hits the end.

Either the Linkplayer2 or VLC seems to buffer a about a second. The <PAUSE> button works because somebody is buffering somewhere - but with a high price: after play resumes, it stutters big time and then freezes occasionally. So I don't recommend it.

Andrewg@16paws

04-14-07, 07:25 PM

Everything works fine for a while, but then there are some brief pauses. After the pause, the video sort of fast forward and catches up. This is all Standard Definition, not HD. Have you noticed these paused and fast fwds ? I'm running Oct 2005 firmware.

Yes, I'm seeing that occasionally too. I have correlated these hiccups/stutters with messages like these from VLC:

libdvbpsi error (PSI decoder): TS discontinuity (received 2, expected 0) for PID 0
libdvbpsi error (PSI decoder): TS discontinuity (received 2, expected 0) for PID 48
libdvbpsi error (PSI decoder): TS discontinuity (received 4, expected 3) for PID 0
libdvbpsi error (PSI decoder): TS discontinuity (received 4, expected 3) for PID 48

I don't know what these mean, so I've posted to the SiliconDust forums about it - let's see what they say.

Interesting aside: there doesn't seem to be a limit of one client on the VLC httpd server - I've hung the LP2 and another VLC client off of it fine. The LP2 seems to be about 1/2 second ahead - i.e. less buffered.

Andrew

jsevinsk

04-15-07, 08:19 PM

What is considered to be the "best" firmware for the Linkplayer2? I just got one of these players and upgraded it to the latest firmware. But I noticed some of my DivX/XviD movies were choppy, so I downgraded one version. It seems to be much better, but some movies are still a tiny bit choppy.

Also, why does the "fit to screen" setting behave differently depending on what output mode is being used? When playing a 16:9 DivX movie on a 16:9 TV, the image does fit the screen exactly in 1080i mode. However, when in 480i or 480p mode, there are small black bars on the top and bottom.

JohnTheDoe

04-15-07, 11:49 PM

What is considered to be the "best" firmware for the Linkplayer2? I just got one of these players and upgraded it to the latest firmware. But I noticed some of my DivX/XviD movies were choppy, so I downgraded one version. It seems to be much better, but some movies are still a tiny bit choppy.

I'm running Oct 2005 f/w which is pretty good except for the %age is screwed up in divx. Itit doesnt have the pause/play ffwed bug.

Andrewg@16paws

04-17-07, 12:37 AM

I portscanned my LinkPlayer2 and found a few ports that it is listening to. The first of these is port 2020. I couldn't figure out what that port was listening for until I found this:

http://www.8dim.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2213&whichpage=2

3.1 Box CGI´s
To understand, how all Parts of MediaMax work together, you have to distinguish between the MediaDeck’s Firmware itself and the UI generated by the PHP enabled Webserver on the MediaServer.

For example:
The Server-Select Page appearing, when turning on the Box is implemented in Firmware.

The Pages to “ADD”, “REMOVE” and “EDIT” Servers are as well Part of the Firmware.
Pressing the “B” Button on your remote takes you to the “raw” Settings [OPTIONS, IP
CONFIG, WIFI SETUP] of the Box. This is a part of the Firmware too.

Everything you see after you confirmed to connect to one of the Servers listed on the
Server-Select Page, is generated by the MediaServer.

To guarantee a constant “Workflow” there are settings pages in the UI, to change the most important Firmware options and some others, which just affect the UI generation. To establish a way of communication between the MediaDeck (Settingspages) and the Http-server running on the MediaServer, there is another little Http-server running on the MediaDeck at Port 2020. This server can be connected by any other client in the network to get and set some Boxparameter
like "screen saver time".

Here is a simple example:
http://BoxIP:2020/preferences_cgi.cgi?_scr_saver_time=20
Calling this link would set the Screensaver delay to 20 minutes.
The “_” is required for the box to accept that changes.
NOTE: _ => HEX code value 0x7F or 127 decimal.
3.1 Box CGI´s -Continued

You although can change more than one setting with one call:
http://BoxIP:2020/preferences_cgi.cgi?_scr_saver_time=20&_display_option=05&

This additionally would set the video output to “Component PAL”. For the other Video
Options, take a look below.

On the following Pages you get the complete Set of Options that can be changed with this mechanism.

3.1.1 Preferences CGI

Parameter Description Value Range
_scr_saver_time Time before screen saver kicks in 1 to 60
_display_option Video Setting
01 : S-Video NTSC
02 : Component NTSC
03 : Scart NTSC
04 : S-Video PAL
05 : Component PAL
06 : SCART PAL
07 : HDTV Component 480P
08 : HDTV Compoentn 720P
09 : HDTV Component 1080i
10 : VGA 1024 x 768
19: Component PAL Progressive
_videozoom_option Video Zoom
00 : Fit To Screen
01 : Full Screen
02 : Actual Size
03 : 4:3 Letterbox
04 : 4:3 Pan And Scan
05 : 16:9 Widescreen

_type_snd Typing Sound
include "_type_snd" in parameter will
turn ON typing sound and vice versa
_nav_snd Navigation Sound
include "_nav_snd" in parameter will
turn ON navigation sound and vice
versa
_alert_snd System Alert Sound
include "_alert_snd" in parameter
will turn ON system alert sound and
vice versa

Example call:
http://BoxIP:2020/preferences_cgi.cgi?_scr_saver_time=20&_display_option=05&_type_snd&_alert_snd

3.1.2 New Media LED
At the front of the Box you see the “New Media LED” blinking, if New Media was imported into the Database.

To get this LED working use the following example:
http://BoxIP:2020/LED_indicate.cgi?_StatusLED=ON
This call will turn the LED on to a constant shining.

Use “StatusLED=OFF” to turn it off again and with “StatusLED=BLINK” you turn it to
blinking.

3.1.4 File Size Update

This command only make sense together with the vod="pctv" and vod="pctvpl" attribute for urls.

http://BoxIP:2020/pctv_update.cgi?_filesize=42000

This call will tell the box browser that the size of the currently loaded file have increased to 42000 byte. You can call this cgi from time to time to keep the box streaming a currently growing file (used for timeshift playback).

3.1.5 Browser Refresh
You are able to refresh the Box-Browser by sending the following to the box:
http://BoxIP:2020/refresh_browser.cgi

3.1.6 Direct Access to Box Settings
To access the Box Firmware Settings direct from the Box UI, call the following from the Box Browser: file://syabas18.htm/

to go back to Server-Selection Page (Add Server, Edit Server, Delete Server)
file://syabas11.htm/

to get access to the MediaDeck firmware settings page (Options, IP-Config, WiFi-Setup)

I have only gotten the refresh_browser.cgi script to work. I have no idea about the "_" caveat, and I have tried every possible combintation of "_" and 0x7F that I can imagine with no luck. I suspect that the status LED referred to above is the two pins next to the USB & front panel connector. But I can't get that to toggle either. But note the vod="pctv" and vod="pctvpl" which might help out with a Myth-based MPEG buffer file.

The port scan returned 3 other ports that the LinkServer2 is listening to: 58878, 60260, and 64147. I have figured out the first one (58878) but no idea what the other two do, yet.

As a UPnP enabled device, the LinkPlayer2 likes to go out and blast UPnP packets all over the place. It took me a while to figure out what they were but I have now found 6 different packets that the box broadcasts unsolicited (I don't know if anyone is responding to them - my voodoo TCP dumping powers have grown weaker since I installed an unmanaged switch down stairs). Here are the 6 packet flavors:

NOTIFY * HTTP/1.1
LOCATION: http://127.0.0.1:58878/d
HOST: 239.255.255.250:1900
SERVER: uCOS-II/2.70,
UPnP/1.0,
Syabas/20-50-061026-04-IOD-234-000,
DLNADOC/1.00 INTEL_NMPR/2.1
NTS: ssdp:alive
USN: uuid:00-A0-B0-65-64-97::urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:AVTransport:1
CACHE-CONTROL: max-age=1800
NT: urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:AVTransport:1

NOTIFY * HTTP/1.1
LOCATION: http://10.0.1.8:58878/d
HOST: 239.255.255.250:1900
SERVER: uCOS-II/2.70,
UPnP/1.0,
Syabas/20-50-061026-04-IOD-234-000,
DLNADOC/1.00.INTEL_NMPR/2.1
NTS: ssdp:alive
USN: uuid:00-A0-B0-65-64-97::urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaRenderer:1
CACHE-CONTROL: max-age=1800
NT: urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:MediaRenderer:1

NOTIFY * HTTP/1.1
LOCATION: http://10.0.1.8:58878/d
HOST: 239.255.255.250:1900
SERVER: uCOS-II/2.70,
UPnP/1.0,]
Syabas/20-50-061026-04-IOD-234-000,
DLNADOC/1.00.INTEL_NMPR/2.1
NTS: ssdp:alive
USN: uuid:00-A0-B0-65-64-97::urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:RenderingControl:1
CACHE-CONTROL: max-age=1800
NT: urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:RenderingControl:1

NOTIFY * HTTP/1.1
LOCATION: http://10.0.1.8:58878/d
HOST: 239.255.255.250:1900
SERVER: uCOS-II/2.70,
UPnP/1.0,
Syabas/20-50-061026-04-IOD-234-000,
DLNADOC/1.00 INTEL_NMPR/2.1
NTS: ssdp:alive
USN: uuid:00-A0-B0-65-64-97
CACHE-CONTROL: max-age=1800
NT: uuid:00-A0-B0-65-64-97

NOTIFY * HTTP/1.1
LOCATION: http://10.0.1.8:58878/d
HOST: 239.255.255.250:1900
SERVER: uCOS-II/2.70,
UPnP/1.0,
Syabas/20-50-061026-04-IOD-234-000,
DLNADOC/1.00 INTEL_NMPR/2.1
NTS: ssdp:alive
USN: uuid:00-A0-B0-65-64-97::upnp:rootdevice
CACHE-CONTROL: max-age=1800
NT: upnp:rootdevice

NOTIFY * HTTP/1.1
LOCATION: http://10.0.1.8:58878/d
HOST: 239.255.255.250:1900
SERVER: uCOS-II/2.70,
UPnP/1.0,
Syabas/20-50-061026-04-IOD-234-000,
DLNADOC/1.00.INTEL_NMPR/2.1
NTS: ssdp:alive
USN: uuid:00-A0-B0-65-64-97::urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:ConnectionManager:1
CACHE-CONTROL: max-age=1800
NT: urn:schemas-upnp-org:service:ConnectionManager:1

So port 58788 is the rendezvous point for UPnP. If you point your browser at the URL http://{LP2 IP}:58788/d you will get a page of XML schema describing the device's UPnP, which I find strange and unusual. Note that the AVTransport announcement broadcasts the wrong address: 127.0.0.1 which is the localhost or loopback address - I think this is a bug.

From the XML schema, there are further URLs identified that can be used to drill down into the advertised capabilities of the box. Page after page. I'd be impressed if I wasn't so tired. I know nothing about UPnP, and http://www.upnp.org/ isn't terribly helpful for a non-cogniscenti.

OK, I lied, I just checked out http://{LP2 IP}:64147 - it returns an XML schema for Rhapsody. What this is good for, I don't know.

Finally, I used the URL "http://fw" in WizD by accident, which seems to be hardcoded into a hosts table in the LInkPlayer2/Syabas middleware as IP address 216.38.100.56. The host is there and alive, but the index.html that it returns is not very interesting. I wonder if this is/was/might be a firmware update site. Anybody know?

Hey BlueCop, are you still on this project?

Andrew

Andrewg@16paws

04-17-07, 12:32 PM

OK, I retried the same thing today, and after a power cycle, everything is different. First, the only UPnP broadcast sent by the box is this:

NOTIFY.*.HTTP/1.1
HOST: 239.255.255.250:1900
ETHERNET: 00.a0.b0.65.64.97
CACHE-CONTROL: max-age=1800
LOCATION: http://10.0.1.8:2020/myiBoxUPnP/description.xml
NT: urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:SyabasSTB:1
NTS: ssdp:alive
SERVER: UCosII,
UPnP/1.0,
Syabas.myiBox.UPnP-stack,.v1.0
USN: uuid:myiBoxUPnP::urn:schemas-upnp-org:device:SyabasSTB:1

However, the URL in the LOCATION returns a successful 0 length response. And the three ports I identified previously have moved. Now they are 50450, 56632, and 61901. If I try to connect to port 50450, it fails with an error "412 Precondition Failed". The other two return Rhapsody XML schema, one including WMDRM, which I assume is some sort of crapola Windoze DRM. Apparently, anyhing other than port 2020 is reassigned/randomized on each power-up. And even 2020 could move because it is advertised in the broadcast packet.

What I can conclude is that something is different this morning; something yesterday had triggered the LP2 to go into a wider advertising mode - a "precondition". Here I was already to throw a SOAP browser onto the LP2 XML pages and I find myself back to step -1.

Sigh.

Andrew

jsevinsk

04-18-07, 12:54 AM

Andrewg@16paws

04-19-07, 01:55 AM

I tired some experiments with a 120GB laptop hard drive today. First I put a FAT32 partion on it, and put it on the end of the DVDROM IDE cable as a slave. It was ignored by the LP2. So I unplugged the DVDROM, set the HD as the master, and tried again: it was ignored, and the DVDROM disappeared off the server list. Well, that sucks. It may be that the IDE-1 port is shared with the flash memory, used for booting. From the sketchy info that Sigma releases, there should be a second IDE port, IDE-2.

So I stuck it on a USB to IDE adapter, and plugged it into the front USB port. It instantly recognized it, and read the drive label, adding an icon for the FAT32 partition, but nothing for an ext2 partition on the drive. I repartitioned the drive with two FAT32 partitions, and both came up, each with its own server icon. So it's safe to assume that the latest firmware doesn't support ext2. Now I'm trying to reformat it as an NTFS drive, so we'll see.

Update on the UPnP advertisement packets: it seems that the single broadcast packet is sent out for some period of time, then it seems to automagically transition to the more useful varied packet. I have no idea what that time period is, or why it is there, or how to force the transition.

Interesting note: I was reviewing the the chips in the box, and I discovered that IOData used a Via "Vectro" VT6212L four port PCI host controller for the USB interface. That means there should be 3 more USB ports that can be added. For example, add one to the back for an external HD with it's own power (I have no idea how close IOData is running the power supply to its ratings out of the box). And add another for a streaming ATSC tuner. And maybe, if you're a real HW hacker, add a third USB port to a PCMCIA/CF/SD etc reader built into the front.

Also, there are a bunch of "mystery" connectors that could add some interesting features. J5 is a 60 pin connector that I would guess is one or more BT.656 parallel digital video input(s), which you might get from a video decoder like a Philips SAA7112. This would be an analog SD input from an NTSC tuner or an external input. Or it may even be a demultiplexed 24 bit bus, like you would get out of a DVI receiver. Or J5 could be an expansion header with the IDE-2 interface.

I believe that J8 is for a mini-PCI socket, which is used for the 802.11g card on the JVC. Cool.

The Sigma Design EM8620L supports three PCI devices. As implemented in the LinkPlayer2, they are the VT6212 USB host interface, the Mini-PCI slot for WiFi, and the Realtek RTL8100BL. The last one is a plain vanilla ethernet interface, along with the small 93C46 serial EEPROM used to store its configuration.

Other mystery connectors: J4, J22, J20, and three similar 3-pin connectors J9, J7 & J21. I suspect that either J4 (10 pins) or J22 (12 pins) is a JTAG port, just because I haven't seen anything else suitable, and I doubt anybody builds anything without a JTAG port these days.

Andrew

PS. Thanks for the how-to on the universal firmware loader. I was thinking about something along those lines but with all the firmware on a single USB flash key. It would be a good use for a low-capacity device, like 128MB because that's enough for 32 full firmware versions.

Tom Roper

04-22-07, 02:08 AM

Here's an index.htm file that allows you to easily upgrade to whatever firmware you want. Just put this index.htm file on a USB flash drive and stick it in. You don't have to put any of the firmware on the drive -- it will go and get it.

<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
Click to upgrade
<ul>
<li> <a href="firmware.bin" update>Local firmware</a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/20-50-061026-04-IOD-234-000.bin" update> Nov 13 2006 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/13-14-060414-04-IOD-234-000.bin" update> May 08 2006 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/12-45-060125-03-IOD-234-000.bin" update> Jan 27 2006 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/11-36-051215-02-IOD-234-000.bin" update> Dec 27 2005 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/10-88-051027-02-IOD-234-000.bin" update> Oct 31 2005 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/08-83-050802-02-IOD-234-000.bin" update> Aug 05 2005 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/07-74-050622-02-IOD-234-000.bin" update> Jun 24 2005 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/06-35-050430-02-IOD-234-000.bin" update> Jun 03 2005 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/06-20-050406-02-IOD-234-000.bin" update> Apr 16 2005 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/05-47-050302-02-IOD-234-000.bin" update> Mar 04 2005 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/04-91-050127-01-IOD-234-000.bin" update> Feb 04 2005 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/04-33-041227-01-IOD-234-000.bin" update> Dec 29 2004 </a>
</ul>
</body>
</html>

This was a great idea but unfortunately, once you've gone past the April 16th firmware, you can't go back to it. We've had other workarounds to go back to previous firmwares before, none quite as simple as the one above. Other server apps were used, one method you just pressed the URL button on the remote and keyed in the download address. So the problem is not with the method above which works beautifully, but that I-O Data put in a lock.

Nearly two years ago, I stopped at the June 24th 2005 firmware because it stopped recognizing my replacement Liteon SOHD167T loader. I was able to roll back one firmware to the June 3rd 2005 version, but I'd like to go back one more to April 16, 2005.

Using the method above, it copies the firmware 100% but then the LinkPlayer2 rejects it for invalid signature. :(

I assume you can roll back to any of the firmwares after June 3, 2005 which would be great if you lost your HD upscaling of SD.

irgaac

05-30-07, 07:18 PM

And so it ends, not with a bang but with a whimper.

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MoparHemi

06-01-07, 06:15 PM

I fixed my remote sensor reception problems. It is a really easy fix. You don't even need to open the cover. 1. Remove front face plate. You can get this off with a small flat head screw driver, pry off from the ends go slow be careful not to break it where the cdrom drive is. 2. Cut out plactic where IR sensor is located on LP unit. I used a exacta knife with a sharp blade. You will know what to cut out it is a square partially cut out already. 3. Remove black paint on inside of face plate with Goof off. 4. Replace face plate. You will have remote operation like all your other componets. Can't believe I lived with it like this for over a year.

MH

dotheDVDeed

06-05-07, 06:51 PM

So am I supposed to interpret Iodata's new usa name "Kaga electronics" (or is it "TAXAN") as an indication they are no longer network digital media player manufacturers?

Any sign they are working on a next generation player with the latest Sigma chip that's compatible with H264 files? (Funny how Divx HD and WMV-HD never caught on)

Should I be looking elsewhere?

TIM

chakotay2

06-08-07, 06:52 PM

My dvd drive has gone bad, it skips video and locks up when playing DVD's... I have tried same disks on OTHER JVC SRDVD-100U player and works fine. Cleaned unit multiple times and no luck...

This is a JVC SRDVD 100U so I would assume it is the same as a IODATA linkplayer but is it??

It's been a while since instructions on this have been posted. So...

What type of DVD drive should I buy?

How much tech experience does one need? I don't wanna ruin the unit. I have basic computer building experience and can put together a computer and components with ease but am not comfortable in soldering and changing resistors, etc...

It's under warranty but feel that they put junk drives in them so I would rather spend a few bucks and get a good one. Just worried about ruining it and then having no warranty option.

Any help appreciated.

chakotay2

06-08-07, 06:53 PM

philipms

06-12-07, 03:17 PM

This has been said before, but I thought I should post it again after having success..
LINKPLAYER 2 REGION FREE HACK:

The IODATA will play PAL DVDs that are region free and it plays PAL great from the network fine but it is a region 1 player following all US licenses for DVD.

PAL output can be resized to any of the standard sizes 480i,480p,720p,1080i or to PAL size of 576i.

*****
To Play Region 2 PAL DVDs on your Region 1 Linkplayer you must apply this hack:

Remote region-free hack for the AVLP2/DVDA.
You must press these buttons **quickly**, with no delay, or it will not work
- Press [setup]
- Press [SLOW]backwards slow on your remote control.
- Press [4]
- Press [6]
- Press [4]
- Press [6]
- Press [0] (Region Free)

Finally, you must apply the region free hack each time you power cycle the LinkPlayer 2

rlsnyder

07-05-07, 11:45 AM

And so it ends, not with a bang but with a whimper.
Apparently so! A month later, there appears to be nothing further on the IOData Forum site.

Does anyone know whether the forum (and the SRDVD-100U) are, in fact, dead?

Indeed, my SRDVD-100U no longer responds to my remote. Otherwise, it seems to operate as before. I don't know if it's a problem with the remote or with the infrared receiver on the SRDVD-100U. I continue to control the SRDVD-100U using the buttons on the front panel, but, without the remote, I am stuck in a single output mode (I believe).

I would like to try a different remote, but don't know where to find one. If it is a question of sending the SRDVD-100U in for repair, I don't know where to send it. Anyone have any suggestions?

Russ Snyder

bigrig

07-05-07, 12:43 PM

Russ -

Trying a universal remote would be my suggestion. One-for-All with JP1 connectors are pretty cheap. Although I'm not sure if the code would be built in, you might have to mess with upgrading it. That's the JVC unit, right? You could try a JVC DVD player code, but if I recall that didn't work with my Avel Linkplayer.

Matt

rlsnyder

07-05-07, 01:48 PM

I would like to try a different remote, but don't know where to find one. If it is a question of sending the SRDVD-100U in for repair, I don't know where to send it. Anyone have any suggestions?

I suppose it's too early to draw any conclusions, but it looks like JVC, IOData, and Kaga Electronics are no help here.

JVC (Pro Division) apparently has no parts for and does not service the JVC SRDVD-100U. At least I am able to talk with someone there.

IOData winds me up leaving a message for someone to call back. If past experience with IOData is any indication, that probably leads nowhere.

I addressed an email enquiry to Kaga Electronics yesterday. As of today there is no response.

My purchase was over a year ago, so B&H apparently can't do anything either. In particular, they do not carry the remote as a separate item. (They still carry the SRDVD-100U!)

Russ

chakotay2

07-05-07, 02:05 PM

I suppose it's too early to draw any conclusions, but it looks like JVC, IOData, and Kaga Electronics are no help here.

JVC (Pro Division) apparently has no parts for and does not service the JVC SRDVD-100U. At least I am able to talk with someone there.

IOData winds me up leaving a message for someone to call back. If past experience with IOData is any indication, that probably leads nowhere.

I addressed an email enquiry to Kaga Electronics yesterday. As of today there is no response.

My purchase was over a year ago, so B&H apparently can't do anything either. In particular, they do not carry the remote as a separate item. (They still carry the SRDVD-100U!)

Russ
They already have your money so why do anything to help you...

As far as IODATA... "stick a fork in their a** and turn them over... they're done".

This player has so much potential but without support and further development I won't ever buy their product again. I am really surprised that JVC would have partnered with such a fly by night company.

bigrig

07-05-07, 02:47 PM

rlsnyder

07-05-07, 06:27 PM

I am really surprised that JVC would have partnered with such a fly by night company.

I don't think this speaks very well of JVC, either. If you put your name on something, you should be prepared to deal with complaints. JVC is certainly aware that IOData is not performing its support function. JVC should not be looking the other way, pretending that it's not their problem.

Russ

rlsnyder

07-06-07, 09:16 AM

Russ -

If you have a digital camera, you might be able to check if your remote is sending out a signal. Most digicams are sensitive to IR, so you could aim the remote at the camera and use the LCD screen to see if there's any flashing from the IR LED.

Matt

Matt,

My HDR-FX1 camcorder does not seem to respond in any way to the IOData remote.

It does respond appropriately to the Sony remote that came with the camcorder, and the LCD screen display does reflect the commands entered on this remote. However, I do not see a flashing LED anywhere on the camcorder.

The lack of response to the IOData remote is consistent with the hypothesis that the remote is not working. But could there be some other explanation? Do all these remotes use the same IR frequencies, for example?

I am reluctant to try a universal remote for fear of inadvertently changing some setting on the SRDVD-100U that I cannot undo. As limited as my current use of the SRDVD-100U is, it is appropriately configured for playing HDV DVDRs to my HDTV and that is mostly what I do with the unit. Above all, I don't want to lose this capability.

Surely another IOData remote must be available somewhere.

Russ

rlsnyder

07-12-07, 07:37 PM

Surely another IOData remote must be available somewhere.

In fact, I stumbled across a site that carries the remote, the IGSShop. Seems to have some association with IOData, Kaga, and Taxan.

I am not sure that the SRDVD-100U is dead. Clearly there has been some sort of shakeup. But that is not necessarily bad news. The new guys are probably still scrambling to get their bearings. Meanwhile B&H continues to carry the unit. If and when they discontinue it, I'll consider it dead.

Russ

Gojira69

07-13-07, 10:19 PM

rlsnyder

07-20-07, 05:26 PM

In fact, I stumbled across a site that carries the remote, the IGSShop. Seems to have some association with IOData, Kaga, and Taxan.

I have received the replacement remote from IGSShop and am now able to communicate with my SRDVD-100U.

Russ

vurbano

08-13-07, 04:51 PM

Any reason IOdata would send me a certified letter???? I wasnt home when it was attempted to be delivered.

bigrig

08-13-07, 07:32 PM

Any reason IOdata would send me a certified letter????
You tell us! ;)

vurbano

08-15-07, 08:23 PM

You tell us! ;)recall on power supply for their UHDL apparently it melts and starts fires. BTW if anyone wants a D4 to component adapter they are giving them away here. For some reason this is hard to find for me, just stumbled upon it:
http://www.iodata.com/usa/news/culture.php?ts=20&tsc=23&newsID=51

subq

09-14-07, 01:09 AM

I have an old linkplayer2 that was upgraded to the latest firmware...apparently their latest firmware kills playback of avi/divx/etc over the network, the guy I talked to at iodata(well not iodata anymore) said it won't play those types of files without DRM now and the choppy playback was put in on purpose. He also stated that it would have to be sent back to them in order for them to roll it back.

This is a long thread but there are some posts that say once you go past a certain update you can't go back. Has anyone discovered a way to go back to the October release that is mentioned several times? I only used it for network playback and it isn't much use to me unless I can fix that.

mattdb

09-14-07, 10:19 AM

subq

09-14-07, 10:33 AM

well there are plenty of links to the firmware files in this thread, just need to find out if it can actually be taken back, if it is running the very latest they have

TPeterson

09-14-07, 12:21 PM

I think that you need to download the firmware and run a special xml script. Check the posts in this thread by Blue Cop for the procedure, IIRC.

irgaac

09-15-07, 02:24 PM

You need to use October 2005 firmware

http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/10-88-051027-02-IOD-234-000.bin

It will fix the avi problem and is one of the few you can use to roll back from the current version

subq

09-15-07, 02:55 PM

yep, I already rolled it back after posting, figured I would just give it a shot...it worked fine and I am watching AVIs and DIVX files without a problem now

quite ridiculous they would intensionally cripple that ability...I have licensed divx codec that I capture video to and I was extremely unhappy io-data did what they did

to top it off they wanted me to send the unit back for something that took me all of 5 minutes to do

thanks to all who did the ground work on flashing the firmware

roman.mskr

09-20-07, 06:11 AM

I have implemented a latest firmware versions:
(
07-74-050622-02-IOD-234-000.bin,
08-83-050802-02-IOD-234-000.bin,
10-88-051027-02-IOD-234-000.bin,
11-36-051215-02-IOD-234-000.bin,
12-45-060125-03-IOD-234-000.bin,
13-14-060414-04-IOD-234-000.bin,
20-50-061026-04-IOD-234-000.bin
).
Now, "slow-4-6-4-6-x" combination (even through setup button) is not working. How to fix it? Is there a new combination? Is there any ways to change region code?
Thanks.

Fred334

09-20-07, 09:53 AM

I have never had to change my regional code. I would be interested in learning the process. This is a great thread some good links to updates.

Gojira69

09-24-07, 01:21 AM

Are people still happy with their LinkPlayer2? Is there something else out there now that does the job better?

Gojira69

09-24-07, 01:24 AM

mrbo

09-24-07, 03:12 AM

I'm still happy with mine. It plays all the network content I throw at it , including the all-important transport streams recorded with MythTV, and is a decent DVD player as well. I'm using the JVC firmware mentioned earlier in this thread, and it's upconverting the DVD's to 720p.

jsevinsk

09-24-07, 09:08 AM

I have a DVD movie that is anamorphically enhanced. I used DVD Shrink to rip it to my hard drive. During playback using the LP2 however, I cannot get it to play back widescreen. I've set the player to use "square pixels", "fit to screen", "actual size" none of the options plays back the file properly. When I launch the file on my PC, howver, it plays back just fine with a nice widescreen image in the proper OAR.

Any ideas?

I've had similar problems with DivX files that have aspect ratios of wider than 16:9. None of the zoom modes play these correctly. The picture is either too short or too tall. I have the same problems with my Buffalo LinkTheater. But, these files play just fine on the PC or on my TViX media player.

One workaround for this is that when I rip the DVD and convert it to DivX, I have to tell the DivX converter not to crop the top/bottom black bars. Then they play OK on the Linkplayer2/LinkTheater if they are stretched to fill the screen.

jsevinsk

09-24-07, 09:11 AM

I was just thinking, the IOData LinkPlayer2 and the Buffalo LinkTheater have a nearly identical user interface, so obviously their firmware came from the same source. Has anyone tried putting one firmware on the other player?

chakotay2

09-24-07, 08:22 PM

Are people still happy with their LinkPlayer2? Is there something else out there now that does the job better?

Yes, I am still happy with it. However I would not buy one again knowing that there is no support or development for it now.

As for something better, I am not sure. I would probably buy and build a home theater PC if I had to do it again.

Gojira69

09-30-07, 12:51 AM

Don't ask me why, but I fell in love with the Avel Link Advanced Server version 2.2.99, I had to re-image my PC and now I cannot locate the software. I've tried the other versions but 2.2.99 has the features I appreciate. Can anyone help me out?

Bob Burns
San Francisco

Any help? Someone left me a PM to help out but I didn't get notified of the PM for months and the trail grew cold.

I really, really, really want Avel Link Advanced Server version 2.2.99 but can't find a download! Please help!

Gojira69

09-30-07, 01:02 AM

I'd jump ship to another player if there was one that would play ISOs made from DVDs which maintained the functionality of the DVD menus!!!

BIGgame

10-02-07, 10:03 PM

Hello All,

I am Game living in Tokyo, Japan. I have been wanting to purchase a lan based dvd player for about three years now and was just lazy in doing so until this past Saturday. A few weeks back I found this generic player that didn't have lan capabilities, but instead it had a slot for a normal desktop sized hard drive. Being that it was cheap I thought maybe I would just get it and test it out. Well... When I went to the store to purchase it I found there was non in stock. Shocked and with money burning in my pockets I decided to check the used section of the store. (In Japan you find gems in the used section :)) When I get over to the used section what did I see, but a Avel Linkplayer AVLP2/DVDG-2 for 17,000yen (about $200.00). So I tried to phone a mate of mine right away to see if he could google it and see if I could set it to region free. He didn't answer the phone... :( Still with that burning pocket I decided what the hell and got it.

After arriving home the first thing I did was google the player and came across this thread. Well, after reading through some of the pages I found out that I could in fact make it region free. I was in heaven. I set the player to region free and then went in for firmware upgrades. That's where I went wrong. I was able to use the region free hack up until the very last firmware upgrade which is labeled November 13th... Should have known not to go there... Well, I ended up not being able to make it region free anymore. I was a little down to say the least. However, after a few hours of reading many of the posts I read one post from gane that said he had also upgraded to the latest firmware and ended up with divx playback problems. Then he wrote back stating that he had resolved the problem and was back into the Japanese firmware after reverting back to the Oct. 31 2005 English firmware using a usb stick. I was happy again. :) Until... :confused: I used jsevinsk's index.htm file reverted my player back to Oct. 31 2005 English firmware. The problem was after having the English firmware installed I could not upgrade to the Japanese firmware by just using the player to retrieve the updates. I was stomped and down again...

Well, after three days of searching through this thread and thinking about it late through the night I went to the Japanese I-O Data page and saw they had the firmware dates and what the updates did, but no download links. Even in the Japanese sites I browsed through google nothing came up. Then it came to me. :p I kept reading post about where to download the .bin files. So I got to thinking about jsevinsk's index.htm example and the way the files were named in the code then I did a test using one of BlueCop's download links. I substituted the .bin name with the one that I had seen on the Japanese I-O Data firmware page and what do you know I was prompted with a box asking me where I want to save the file. I was soo happy. Well, still am actually.

Since I was able to modify the download link and get the Japanese firmware I decided to go back to the index.htm file and recode it to go to the Japanese links instead of the English ones. So here you go guys who may end up needing the Japanese firmware instead of the English ones... I have named the file indexj.htm so that I don't get it confused with the English one of course. Just as with the English file just put it on a usb stick and plug it into the front usb port on your player and get all the Japanese features back.

<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
Click to upgrade
<ul>
<li> <a href="firmware.bin" update>Local firmware</a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/20-40-061019-03-IOD-231-000.bin" update> Nov 13 2006 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/13-14-060414-03-IOD-231-000.bin" update> May 08 2006 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/11-36-051228-02-IOD-231-000.bin" update> Jan 10 2006 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/08-74-050801-02-IOD-231-000.bin" update> Aug 08 2005 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/07-72-050622-02-IOD-231-000.bin" update> Jun 28 2005 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/05-45-050302-02-IOD-231-000.bin" update> Mar 11 2005 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/04-69-050110-01-IOD-231-000.bin" update> Jan 19 2005 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/03-42-041101-01-IOD-231-000.bin" update> Nov 01 2004 </a>
<li> <a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/02-86-040923-01-IOD-231-000.bin" update> Sep 30 2004 </a>
</ul>
</body>
</html>

I would like to thank all of you who have posted in this thread and hope that this thread will never die. I am new to the player, but if I can be of assistance I will do my best.

Loving this player...

mikecazzx

10-02-07, 10:56 PM

Hello All,

I am Game living in Tokyo, Japan. I have been wanting to purchase a lan based dvd </ul>
</body>
</html>[/CODE]

I would like to thank all of you who have posted in this thread and hope that this thread will never die. I am new to the player, but if I can be of assistance I will do my best.

Loving this player...

I am still using the JVC with the DVI out version of this player - its awesome. In fact I need to know where I can find another one! Too bad they stopped making this or whatever happened.
They were 5 or more years ahead of thier time I guess.

BIGgame

10-03-07, 07:19 PM

Hello once again all,

Last night I managed to get the Japanese firmware back on the player however, it was a bit of a pain and I wasn't able to get full Japanese character set until I upgraded to the Nov. 13th 2006 firmware(Seems that the November firmware does a full reset of the player instead of just upgrading the existing firmware). Of course being that I wanted to get rid of the Nov. 13th firmware to begin with I am now back to the Oct. 31st 2005 English firmware.

For now I have no problem using the English firmware, but the strange thing is that now I am not able to see my pc that has the Advanced Link Server software installed. Any suggestions???

Thanks,

Game in Tokyo

wallyyoung

10-12-07, 06:55 PM

Anyone know if it's possible to get a Tivo Series 2 to connect to and play content stored on my computer where I'm running the Linkplayer server software for my Linkplayer2?

Gojira69

10-14-07, 06:08 PM

Anyone know if it's possible to get a Tivo Series 2 to connect to and play content stored on my computer where I'm running the Linkplayer server software for my Linkplayer2?

Its called TivoServer. It was encoded by a TiVo user. You run the server software on your PC and your networked Series 2 TiVo sees the server and the content. Yes, you play video on you TiVo that resides on your PC. The way this is done is by "video insertion" just as if you were playing contnet from one TiVo to another on your network. I see no reason it could not be run while the LinkPlayer server is running.

Don't ask me for a blow-by-blow of how to do it. Its been months since I last did. It was somewhat buggy and the users who were developing this gem have opted to not continue working out those bugs, at least last I checked.

This thread has all the info you'll need:
http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44485

Cinerama

10-22-07, 12:12 AM

Yes. It's never been a perfect solution for my purposes, but it is quite workable.
And, I am very surprise that feature for feature, nobody has improved upon this funky products impressive array of features.

I've had mine for about 2 years. It's main use is to stream video podcast and TV shows download via bit torrent in the Divx format. It's nice to download in better than OTA quality (SD) video and have it reside on my computer for future playback. We run the server software at home on 4 different computers on our home network.

About 10 months ago I bought an XBox360. It has nicely filled in the gap of being able to stream H264 content that the LP2 does not handle.

Ripped to hard drive DVD content for streaming is functional, but awkward. I also use the 2005 October firmware and have no intention of changing. I probably buy another one or this one again if nothing else did all that this unit does in another product.

Cinerama

10-22-07, 12:17 AM

BTW, thank God for this FORUM. It has made the difference between being frustrated and being satisfied with the LP2. It is here where I found out about Wizd. Because of Wizd, video watching is really good.

davesino

10-26-07, 10:28 PM

Hi to all. I am desperately trying to download the Oct 31st, 2005 firmware for my SRDVD-100U player but I cannot find it *anywhere*.
Currently, my player fails at updating over the ethernet port with the following message ==>

invalid link

system error: 0xdead6, invalid link. <Press any key to reboot>.

If I could find a way to download the bin file, I could burn it to a CD and flash it locally via a USB key or the DVD drive.

Could anyone please e-mail it to me?
d.cutler@shaw.ca

Or let me know how I can get it.

I have tried the index.htm idea (see below), but this also does not work.

<html>
<head>
</head>
<body>
<a href="http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/10-88-051027-02-IOD-234-000.bin" update>Click to Upgrade</a>
</body>
</html>

I even considered buing the FW-CD from IO-Data, but their site says you have to live in the US to order it. I live in Calgary, AB. Canada

Many many Thanks for all of the excellent information!

P.S. - The ethernet port works, as I listen to I-Radio over it.

Dave Cutler

TPeterson

10-27-07, 01:14 PM

Dave, the IO-DATA server evidently goes down from time to time for a day or two. I just now tried the link from your html text above and it's working. So you should be able to download the bin file from there yourself.

bigrig

10-27-07, 04:22 PM

If you paste the link for the bin file into your browser you can save it to your PC, right?

http://myibox.net/update/local-bus/10-88-051027-02-IOD-234-000.bin

Edit - Oops...what TPeterson said.

davesino

10-28-07, 02:10 PM

Hi again. I have tried pasting multiple FW URL's into both IE 6, IE7, and Firefox but I always get the following message:

The webpage cannot be found
> > > HTTP 400
> > > Most likely causes:
> > >There might be a typing error in the address.
> > >If you clicked on a link, it may be out of date.

Someone has now e-mailed me the 12-45-060125-03-IOD-255-000 (Jan 2006) firmware, and it works great. It also now recognizes my external NEXSTAR USB drive. (which had previously said unsupported usb device).

Thanks for everyones help!

Dave

mickeybeau

10-29-07, 09:20 PM

Hi, i have the same problem i cannot update the firmware where can i get the last fimware(s)
Thanks
michel

RalphArch

10-30-07, 11:28 PM

Question regarding the SRDVD-100U. The IODATA page - http://www.iodata.com/usa/products/products.php?cat=HNP&sc=AVELK&ts=2&tsc=&sc=AVELK&pId=SRDVD-100U

lists following video out options:

Video Out (HD) RCA Component 3 Connectors x1 (1080i/720p/480p/480i)
DVI-I Out x 1 (640x480 VGA / 800x600S VGA / 1024x768 XGA / 852x480 / DVI 480p / DVI 720p / DVI 1080i)

Can I use the DVI-I out to feed my RCA CRT (which only accepts 800x600 vga or 1080i rgb for HD)?

If so is there a simple cable to take the DVI-I out and feed it into a DB15 input on the TV?

(Currently using the LP2 with a transcoder for my projector -but that could be available soon anyway if I get a new Moome external box for that setup)

RalphArch

11-02-07, 12:48 PM

I found DVI-I to db-15 cables so I am about to spring for the $200 special on this - so would appreciate feedback before possibly wasting my $

Anyone at all have any feedback for me on whether the set outputs analog 1080i on the dvi-i connection?

It sure sounds like it on their website

http://www.igsshop.com/product_info.php?cPath=43_49&products_id=163

I really need the analog 800x600 or 1080i for my RCA direct view MM36100; but I suppose I could also use it for my Marquee 81110+

Just a little suspicious though as what good is HDCP protection if the analog will go out over the DVI-I cable

Edit - the analog works but not over dvi for commercial dvds without HDCP

mansoupe

11-03-07, 11:39 AM

[QUOTE=RalphArch;12097235]I found DVI-I to db-15 cables so I am about to spring for the $200 special on this - so would appreciate feedback before possibly wasting my $

Hi, can you not just use one of those small DVI to db-15 adapters which come with pc video cards these days? I'm sure they are very cheap - we throw them out at work once in a while when we have too many.

RalphArch

11-03-07, 12:14 PM

mansoupe

11-03-07, 01:00 PM

I've been using the AVLP2/G model in Japan for a few years now without much trouble. I made the unfortunate decision recently to upgrade the firmware to:

20-42-061018-03-IOD-233-000

which resulted in degraded video and audio playback. It got rather frustrating having to settle for the degraded viewing experience so I started to investigate ways of downgrading the firmware because the link did not offer any rollback option as I had seen before.

Thanks to BlueCop, BIGgame and others in this forum I could get the firmware files I needed. I made a mistake though and burned the wrong product version of firmware for my device. The AVLP2/G has the three digits 233. I inadvertantly burned a firmware with 234 in the filename:

10-88-051027-02-IOD-234-000.bin

and after that, my remote controller no longer worked. Unfortunately the only way to browse is with the remote control's ir signals.

Does anyone know a way to automatically kick off the firmware burning? I can load index.htm without trouble.

I've tried:

<head>
< m e t a http-equiv="refresh" content="0;URL=file:///firmware.bin update" />

</head>
<body>
Click to upgrade
<ul>
<li> <a href="file:///firmware.bin" update>Local firmware </a>
</ul>
</body>
</html>

resulted in "unable to load the requested website address" file load error

I tried this:

<head>
< m e t a http-equiv="refresh" content="0;URL=firmware.bin update" />

</head>
<body>
Click to upgrade
<ul>
<li> <a href="firmware.bin" update>Local firmware </a>
</ul>
</body>
</html>

and something does happen - I can see the dots on the lower left portion of my screen as if something is loading - it doesn't repeat - but stops at the 5th or 6th dot - the USB memory stick LED flashes for about 3 minutes - thought it was actually doing the update without telling me of its progress, but after the 3 minutes produces "junk characters" on the display (tv screen).

Power cycling the AVLP2/G brings it back to the way it was before - can boot but cannot browse with ir remote controller - so cannot setup network interface or use at all.

If anyone has any ideas - would be glad to hear them. Otherwise, I might have just created my first brick :-)

Thanks!

mansoupe

11-06-07, 06:40 AM

I bought a used AVLP2/DVDG here in Tokyo. The remote which came with it now runs the AVLP2/G which I thought I turned into a brick. Actually it's working except the wifi is not an option to configure any more. It's obvious this firmware is meant for a model which doesn't have wifi.

Tried pushing a different bin to it by USB - 'wrong signature' is what I got.
I wish I got the 'wrong signature' when I accidentally burned the wrong model's firmware to it (as posted previously).

As long as I do not need wifi then it works fine. I also have a backup which does work with wifi and has a built in DVD player, supports PAL/NTSC and has a way to be region free.

I just wish I could get the AVLP2/G to work with its original firmware so I can get back my wifi - any ideas?

Thanks.

RalphArch

11-11-07, 01:57 PM

Thanks for the tip. I'll try that before ordering a dvi-i to db15 breakout.

No one answered on the pro model analog out but I went ahead and ordered it anyway..

Sort of regretted it an hour later when I saw that divco network box/server that Terry Peterson was mentioning with the 1080p and ATSC tuner/ntfs usb capabilty.

Oh well here's hoping it works for me - at least it was relatively cheap

The good news is that the standard dvi-i to vga adaptor works and I am happy with how I can get either 1080i or a number of other resolutions on my RCA MM36100 (either component or analog via dvi out). However for DVDs it will not output at all on the DVI (analog or digital) unless there is an HDCP display - so if I want to watch DVDs I have to do it swtching to 480i output or ripping and playing as a stream for upscaling. No big deal for me - I was looking for the analog out on the DVI and that works other than DVDs with my non HDCP set.

Bad news is that the dvd player won't recognize any dvds. Even tried going to 480i out composit - still all 5 I tried returned no disk. Updated all the firmwares didn't help.

Any tidbits before hassling with returning/more troubleshooting?

Any tricks to getting the player to work (changing region code or whatever? - but I did try a home brew dvd of hs sports that shouldn't have had any probs).

Edit - defective loader pursuing return

Paul_PDX

11-20-07, 08:53 PM

Any suggestions for a replacement drive that is easy to find?

(still a great player if you use Oct 2005)

davidwill2005

12-04-07, 02:10 PM

Some one please help!

I'm in need of a firmware that can make the player output 1080i though component with commercial DVD disc. Can Oct 2005 firmware do that ? If so please send it to me or give me a link to download it.

Thanks in advance.

David

JohnTheDoe

12-04-07, 02:15 PM

davidwill2005

12-04-07, 02:27 PM

Thank you JohnTheDoe!

Is the firmware on your link same as "10-88-051027-02-IOD-234-000.bin" ?

Thanks again for your quick response.

David

JohnTheDoe

12-04-07, 02:28 PM

yes it is -- but for LinkPlayer2 only -- not for the JVC

davidwill2005

12-04-07, 02:34 PM

Thanks JohnTheDoe! You are the man.

David

flabingo

12-20-07, 10:30 AM

I copied a dvd(Shooter) into my hard drive and played it through my stereo system in my living room. The sound was awesome and seemed better than if I played it using the dvd. Was this my imagination? I use Oct firmware and will not change. I have not figured out how to clean out the unneeded files yet and I have been using their software instead of wizd.

satnav4

12-24-07, 03:10 AM

yes it is -- but for LinkPlayer2 only -- not for the JVC

Thanks for the firmware. Can you tell me how to run the downgrade manually?

S.

satnav4

12-24-07, 11:45 AM

Thanks for the firmware. Can you tell me how to run the downgrade manually?

S.

I read this thread until 3:00 am, and found the answer. Bluecop, you are a genius. I used the thumbdrive method, creating an index.htm file and then I loaded the renamed firmware.bin with the htm file on the thumb drive. It worked. I downgraded when they said it could not be done. I didn't even know how to create an index.htm file, so I just found another on the computer and "saved as" my new file.

Great work if you are still monitoring this thread.

S.

vip007

01-08-08, 09:51 AM

rapidshare.com oct2005fw.bin -- for IOData LinkPlayer2 only -- not for JVC

Hmm, I am getting 'wrong signature' error when trying to upgrade my March 05 firmware. And the myibox.net has been down for days now (at least).

Is there an alternative repository of LinkPlayer2 firmwares?

irgaac

01-08-08, 07:33 PM

The site is not down, it just has a user agent check now and won't let you download the firmware with IE. I have firefox installed just so I can use it's user agent changer to check for new firmwares without having to use the linkplayer.

satnav4

01-08-08, 08:41 PM

Hmm, I am getting 'wrong signature' error when trying to upgrade my March 05 firmware. And the myibox.net has been down for days now (at least).

Is there an alternative repository of LinkPlayer2 firmwares?

Yes, they are posted around page 114 I seem to recall. Do not go beyond the Oct. 2005 firmware. You may need to use Firefox browser to download.

Sapien420

01-17-08, 05:17 PM

my biggest wish would be to get some mkv support. It is the new hi-def format on the web, and hopefully the future because it looks great and is easy to load with the right software. I have been getting all of this latest season of shows in mkv and all the new movies as well. They look brilliant. Just bought a Sony Bravia and this link player. Hasn't arrived yet. Hope I can at least stream mkv to the player somehow. If this isn't possible with the native settings, does anyone have suggestions before I start baring away at it?

TPeterson

01-17-08, 06:10 PM

Fuggetaboudit. mkv ain't possible on the LP2.

Cinerama

01-30-08, 06:40 PM

I just downloaded Azureus to one of my networked PC's. I was very surprised when later in the day when I fired up the LP2 it added an Azureus link to the main screen. WTF. Sure didn't expect that. I only got the program because I heard good things about it for torrent downloading and wanted to get away from my trusty but kludgy bit torrent/utorrent setup with something sexier.

Any other good people out there made use of Azureus and the LP2?

BIGgame

01-31-08, 08:31 PM

Cinerama

02-03-08, 01:22 PM

In response to Azureus within LP2 menu...

Cinerama I have seen this samething. It also lists one of my workstations. I haven't played around with it much to find out what you could do with it, but it would be cool to just be able to preview any media files you maybe downloading at the time.

I have been also wondering if there is a way to get streams directly from these (direct movie viewing) sites like you can do on the Xbox. Anyone figure out a simple way of doing this?

Regards,

GO

Looks like I can now answer my own question: I read some more of the Azureus wiki and drilled into the plugin area re: media player. Under Tools>Options>Plugins>Media Server, there is a box that is unchecked by default, "Publish media to the local network". Checking this option made 4 folders available there weren't there before: Pictures, Music, Movies, Downloads. Right now there is only content in Downloads. Of the 11 items there, 10 are mkv files, so they are unplayable on the Avel LinkPlayer2. However, the documentary THE CORPORATION which is a Divx file, streams just fine!

If you have multiple servers or computers in the home with Azureus (I do), then you can differentiate how they show up on the LP2 by changing the Service Name in this area. Otherwise, the LP2 Log In screen will show the default name of Azureus for each unit up and running the service.

Now I got to figure out this mkv thingy...

:D:D:D:D

RalphArch

02-03-08, 03:04 PM

If you have multiple servers or computers in the home

I have a similar situation but inverted with my new NAS (Buffalo Linkstation)which has two built in servers; one a UnP and the other called a link server. They both show up along with all the Media player servers on my LP2 and the JVC, and have to figure out the right one. Only the linktheater server one seems to work (I haven't tried too hard on the other server since the NAS has one working anyway). Sure is nice to be able to save all on the NAS and play from anywhere.

The lip sync issue with using advance server and H2 to clip MyHD files doesn't seem as bad using the Buffalo server either.

TPeterson

02-03-08, 06:09 PM

You can completely eliminate the lip sync issue with H2M-edited files by using its "clips" feature to make each edited segment into a separate file. The LP2 then plays them in sequence with a short pause at each juncture (far less intrusive than the stuff that was chopped out).

spexman

03-01-08, 09:57 PM

I am trying to play mkv files using the Advanced Server software; I can get the picture to play but the audio is nothing but noise. The mkv plays fine on my HTPC, picture and sound, yet I get noise for audio through the Linkplayer; I was wondering if anyone can help me out on this...are there any settings that I am not aware of?
Thanks in advance.

osanekun

03-22-08, 08:15 AM

I read this thread until 3:00 am, and found the answer. Bluecop, you are a genius. I used the thumbdrive method, creating an index.htm file and then I loaded the renamed firmware.bin with the htm file on the thumb drive. It worked. I downgraded when they said it could not be done. I didn't even know how to create an index.htm file, so I just found another on the computer and "saved as" my new file.

Great work if you are still monitoring this thread.

S.

How did you get it to launch automatically? I followed the instructions by bluecop and when i insert the USB stick into the AVLP2 the drive just show up as an accessicle disk only accessible thru the usual choices of, MOVIE, PHOTO, MUSIC. No option auto launched to change the firmware. Any help would be appreciated.

update:
Never mind. I used a CD-R instead and all worked like a charm. Thanks to bluecop for the great info, now I can upconvert DVDs at 1080i!

satnav4

03-25-08, 02:16 PM

How did you get it to launch automatically? I followed the instructions by bluecop and when i insert the USB stick into the AVLP2 the drive just show up as an accessicle disk only accessible thru the usual choices of, MOVIE, PHOTO, MUSIC. No option auto launched to change the firmware. Any help would be appreciated.

update:
Never mind. I used a CD-R instead and all worked like a charm. Thanks to bluecop for the great info, now I can upconvert DVDs at 1080i!

Just back from vacation. I am glad you had success.

S.

osanekun

03-27-08, 10:03 PM

Anyone know if the Linkplayer2 is compatible with the new Buffalo Linkstation EZ? I looked at the specs and it doesn't say anything about using the LinkServer software. I've seen people talking about UnP and LinkServer. What exactly makes the Linkplayer2 see the Buffalo Linkstation? Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

TPeterson

03-27-08, 10:17 PM

If the Buffalo Linkstation supports a uPnP server, then the AMLP2 should be able to connect to it.

RalphArch

03-28-08, 06:29 AM

I have the LP2 (and separately the JVC player). As I mentioned above I get two servers on my LP2/JVC from the Linkstation Live (there is no setup needed on the LP2). All I had to do was enable the server in the Live setup and assign a media folder; plus I had to rename the ts file extentions to mpg, which I set up H2 to do when processing out commercials. Renaming is not needed for myHDhomerun recordings as these use a tp extension which is recognized by the servers. One of the servers (the one I set up - Buffalo Linktheater) is populated with the media files as I set it up. Not sure why the second server (Linkstation) shows up - it has no files in the media folders but I really don't know how to control it and don't need it anyway

I would think the situation would be the same with the Buffalo product you are mentioning but can't be sure. The info mentions being a DLNA client which the LP and JVC players apparently are.

osanekun

03-30-08, 12:57 AM

Thanks to RalphArch and TPeterson for the help. I tried finding as much info about the Linkstation EZ and it doesnt seem to have alot of features that the Linkstation Live has and I really can't figure out whether it has the capability of being a file server for the Linkplayer2. Heres a link to the comparative chart of the different Linkstations for Buffalo:
http://www.buffalotech.com/comparison-charts/network-storage/linkstation/
I think I may just go with the Linkstation Live as RalphArch has since its jammed packed with features and is only about $30 more that the featureless Linkstation EZ and at least I know for sure it will work.
One last question, I already have 2 Network capable drives already, the SimpleTech 160GB SIMPLESHARE External Hard Drive( STI-NAS/160 ) and a Ximeta ENCL-1P NDAS Ethernet/USB 2.0 Hard Drive Enclosure with a 250GB HD installed, are any one of these capable of setting up to allow the Linkplayer2 to see them over the network? I've tried with no luck but maybe with software I may not know of could it work? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

TPeterson

03-30-08, 01:30 AM

osanekun

03-30-08, 02:20 AM

To use your network drives with the Linkplayer2, they need to be running a uPnP server. Some are capable of doing that, but I think that most are not. If the capability exists you should see it either in the doc from the manufacturer or via a Google search combining your HDD model number and the key words "uPnP server".
I updated the firmware on the Simpleshare unit. Suppossedly the firmware supports UPnP but the Linkplayer still doesnt see it on the network. Is there anything else I should be doing in order to get this to work either from the Linkplayer2 or the Simpleshare?
This is the desciption for the firmware I updated my Simpleshare unit to:

An updated firmware is now available for the SimpleShare. The new 1.09 firmware
features many changes from the previous 1.07 firmware. To improve performance
and ease of use some features have been removed that were previously available.
If these features are important to you do not update to the 1.09 firmware. A
list of new features and changes can be found below.

New Features/Fixes

Disk Power Management – This feature is now working.

New Menus – The basic and advanced setup options now have wizards to walk you
through setting up access, new shares, passwords and adding additional usb
drives.

UPnP Support – Networks supporting Universal Plug and Play will now auto detect
the SimpleShare.

RalphArch

03-30-08, 09:35 AM

Heres a link to the comparative chart of the different Linkstations for Buffalo:
http://www.buffalotech.com/comparison-charts/network-storage/linkstation/
I think I may just go with the Linkstation Live as RalphArch has since its jammed packed with features and is only about $30 more that the featureless Linkstation EZ and at least I know for sure it will work..

Yesn-from that chart I definitely get the files and folders I set up in the Live's PCCast server.

Don't really know what DLNA means other than a certification of interoperablity for networking devices; but one thing I did see somewhere browsing around was that UPnP was required for DLNA certification; maybe there is more than just this.

If I were you and buying something new I would spend the $30 extra for the Live over the EZ - which looks to be just another networked drive.

If you want something that IOdata is pitching (Taxan?) you could just spring for their Infrant NASserver (which clearly states it works with the LP2.- I think its just a Netgear product)

But its a lot steeper than the Live at $700 without drives, whereas I got the Live w 500g for around $300 after rebate.

http://us.taxan.com/products/products.php?cat=HNP&sc=AVELK&ts=2&tsc=&sc=AVELK&pId=ReadyNAS-NV%28LS%29

RalphArch

03-30-08, 09:54 AM

I updated the firmware on the Simpleshare unit. Suppossedly the firmware supports UPnP but the Linkplayer still doesnt see it on the network. Is there anything else I should be doing in order to get this to work either from the Linkplayer2 or the Simpleshare?
.

There is no mention of a server in the description you provided. Just because a device is UPnP doesn't mean it can be a media server. When I go to My Network places the Buffalo live shows up as a media server; my networked printer shows up as does the router. Invoking them brings up configuration screens that allow me to setup configurations.

What happens when you invoke the Simpleshare; assuming it shows up in My Network Places?

osanekun

03-30-08, 10:08 AM

There is no mention of a server in the description you provided. Just because a device is UPnP doesn't mean it can be a media server. When I go to My Network places the Buffalo live shows up as a media server; my networked printer shows up as does the router. Invoking them brings up configuration screens that allow me to setup configurations.

What happens when you invoke the Simpleshare; assuming it shows up in My Network Places?

The Simpleshare unit shows up in My network Places while accessing from the PC. Theres also a configuration page. I could not find any setting that states UPnP server. So I guess rather than being UPnP capable it needs to be UPnP server capable? Theres also an http access control option which I enabled and tried to access it thru the Linkplayer2's manual IP input with no luck. Looks like i'll need the Buffalo Linkstation Live after all.

RalphArch

03-30-08, 10:30 AM

Well you could just add the simpleshare as a mapped drive to a watch folder in the server you are currently using. (I use advancedserver) But obviously would require your computer to be turned on

TPeterson

03-30-08, 01:44 PM

osanekun--

Another thing to check is to make sure that your router has uPnP (port forwarding, I think) enabled. But if you're seeing any servers on your LAN from the LP2, that's likely not the problem.

osanekun

03-30-08, 03:56 PM

Well you could just add the simpleshare as a mapped drive to a watch folder in the server you are currently using. (I use advancedserver) But obviously would require your computer to be turned on
Thanks RalphArch, I was running Advanceserver from a PC and it worked well but as you stated I would need that PC on which is why I was looking for a networked drive compatible with the LP2. But thanks so much for all your help and advice. I really appreciate it.

osanekun--

Another thing to check is to make sure that your router has uPnP (port forwarding, I think) enabled. But if you're seeing any servers on your LAN from the LP2, that's likely not the problem.
TPeterson, Actually I can't see anything on the network except when using the Advacedserver sofware running on a PC.Also I recently downgraded my firmware on the LP2 to the Oct 2005 version if that makes any difference. If setting the Ports on the router may solve the problem I was wondering what port should I set? Thanks again for all your help.

TPeterson

03-30-08, 04:06 PM

Check your router docs for a setting to enable uPnP.

osanekun

04-03-08, 08:38 PM

Thanks TPeterson. Tried it on my Linksys with no luck. Bummer. Guess i'll be buying the Linkstation Live after all. Thanks for all the assistance though.

pcmacbob

04-21-08, 09:06 PM

I have 2 avel linkplayers for sale. They are in excelent condition. One not used much. I live in the Southern California area so the would be best so that I can bring them to you or you can come and see them in use. I would like to get $150 for each or best offer.

thanks

Bob 714-496-2656

onibakushinka

05-22-08, 05:19 PM

anyone have the JVC firmware
12-45-060125-03-IOD-255-000.bin and
11-36-051215-01-IOD-255-000.bin

couldnt access the mybox website.

thanks

satnav4

05-22-08, 07:40 PM

anyone have the JVC firmware
12-45-060125-03-IOD-255-000.bin and
11-36-051215-01-IOD-255-000.bin

couldnt access the mybox website.

thanks

Did you use the Firefox browser?

onibakushinka

05-24-08, 05:19 AM

yes and i also used the firmware update code by bluecop in my player with no effect. any ideas ? thanks

satnav4

05-24-08, 10:21 AM

yes and i also used the firmware update code by bluecop in my player with no effect. any ideas ? thanks

Let me research. I have a bad memory for these one time type things. Is your problem that you don't have the files, or that you have tried the procedure and it does not work? Also, are you using an htm file via cd or thumb drive? I am pretty sure I saved the htm file and the June update. You might want to PM your email address.

PS: I have the bin files you need; I saved them in case the online ones were ever lost. They are Avel Linkplayer---I don't think they are JVC. Just send me a PM with your email address, and I will forward them to you.

cstup

05-26-08, 05:48 PM

I've got a linkplayer 2 that I'm no longer using (switched to HTPC). I purchased new direct from AVEL. Comes in original carton with all accessories and the pigtail cables they sent later.

I also bought a replacement remote that I never used, the originals buttons stopped working. Both remotes would be included.

$100 + shipping, PayPal accepted.

Thanks!

HUNTER2

05-27-08, 10:16 PM

Hello Folks,

My IO Data AVLP2 player, recently became unbearable in terms of playing DVD's.
It doe s not play anything other then Region 1 factory disk. Noisy and it’s very slow (it was actually that slow and a little noisy from first day). None of the disks DVD-R or +R
with DiveX or VOB files. It will work at some point, but laser assy is very picky at this point only BurnMaster media works.

Regarding streaming AVI, MPG and VOB files, all works but sometimes drops the connection from AVel Link Server ver 1.9b. To fix that I need to reboot my windows box, where I have server installed.

Any suggestions to shape up my AVLP2 player? Or it’s ready for trash …
I don’t have HD TV yet, so I don’t watch HD content, but I don’t mind to have nice quality Standard Definition. Does this firmware updates makes any progress on SD format?

Thank You.

PS My player:
Firmware ver: 20-50-061026-04-IOD-234-000
File System ver: 04-IOD
DVD-ROM Model: EPO EPO-LDR DP-306D
DVD-ROM Firmware ver: 586H

JohnTheDoe

05-27-08, 11:23 PM

RalphArch

05-28-08, 08:09 AM

satnav4

05-28-08, 08:22 AM

HUNTER2

05-28-08, 08:35 AM

Thanks for reply JohnTheDoe.

I will try WIZD later this afternoon.
Regarding a DVD drive, do you know what drive I can use?
I opened IO Data player last year, I could not see any way to replacing this DVD drive. Looks like it's a IDE drive, but on another hand it has proprietary power connector, and most important mounting.
Any idea, will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

HUNTER2

05-28-08, 08:50 AM

I would first send some air into the DVD compartment. Recently, my DVD burner started acting up. Turns out it was dust or a hair interfering with the laser.

I would also update the firmware. If you send me a PM with your address, I can email the bin and htm files you need. I can also send some easy instructions. You can also change the DVD drive per instructions earlier in this thread.

Thanks. Please check your PM

HUNTER2

05-28-08, 09:17 AM

I run the Advanced Server and use the latest firmware. For my needs I see no advantage of WIZD over advanced server (I have tried both and neither has the reboot problem for me you are describing). You do need to add some lines of text to the advanced server config file to get it to recognize .ts files directly.

On the firmware my tv upscales on its own so I don't need to worry about 480i out of DVDs. If this is a concern then you need to stay at an older version that can upscale. But with your instablity sounds like it would be better to upgrade the firmware.

Thanks for reply RalphArch.
Advanced Server - do you mean Microsoft Advanced Server? If yes, I think it's a overkill unless you have have other needs for that server. All I have is small- factor HP PC that has XP, and 750Gb external USB2 drive. This setup is dedicated for AVLP2. So I was looking for something that does not crash, or stop responding.
Thanks for advise anyway.

satnav4

05-28-08, 09:22 AM

Thanks. Please check your PM

Check your email.

satnav4

05-28-08, 09:25 AM

Thanks for reply RalphArch.
Advanced Server - do you mean Microsoft Advanced Server? If yes, I think it's a overkill unless you have have other needs for that server. All I have is small- factor HP PC that has XP, and 750Gb external USB2 drive. This setup is dedicated for AVLP2. So I was looking for something that does not crash, or stop responding.
Thanks for advise anyway.

Avel has an advanced server software to which I think he was referring. It used to be on their website.

RalphArch

05-28-08, 07:58 PM

Avel has an advanced server software to which I think he was referring. It used to be on their website.

The advanced server beta and also the regular server etc are all still available on line at taxan.com
The only thing Kaga killed is the IODATA forums. see here (includes descriptions of what the various firmware updates were about - I just always updated to the latest via the online setup.)

http://us.taxan.com/products/AVLP2_SW.php#SW

and the advanced server page:

http://us.taxan.com/products/AVLP2_Setup4.php

satnav4

05-28-08, 11:53 PM

The advanced server beta and also the regular server etc are all still available on line at taxan.com
The only thing Kaga killed is the IODATA forums. see here (includes descriptions of what the various firmware updates were about - I just always updated to the latest via the online setup.)

http://us.taxan.com/products/AVLP2_SW.php#SW

and the advanced server page:

http://us.taxan.com/products/AVLP2_Setup4.php

I updated to the latest months ago, and it screwed up Divx playback. That is how I found this forum. I learned that the latest firmware was apparently designed to remove features. I believe the June and October 2005 firmwares may be the best if you like Divx. Thanks for the links. I thought they had been removed.

RalphArch

05-29-08, 02:33 PM

I updated to the latest months ago, and it screwed up Divx playback. That is how I found this forum. I learned that the latest firmware was apparently designed to remove features. I believe the June and October 2005 firmwares may be the best if you like Divx. Thanks for the links. I thought they had been removed.

I don't know specifically about Divx (don't use it for that) - I would think it would have to work under current firmware - just look at their website here http://us.taxan.com/app/divxtriangle.php

But otherwise you seem to have a pretty cynical view about the firmware updates. They were designed for bug fixes: "LinkPlayer's new firmware with some additional features and some bugs fixed. This version was designed as "Major Update" for the LinkPlayer series. Your unit's system performance will be improved..."

AVLP2/DVDLA
Date May 08, 2006
Version 13-14-060414-04-IOD-234
Update Info
Additional Functions
- Added some message on DVD loading in progress.
- Enable to repeat all playback from any file in the file list.
Fixed Following Problem
- AAC audio noise happens in the beginning of playback.
- DVD movie menu disappear on some DVD-Video discs.
- Mono-Right audio channel doesn't work.
- WMV9 audio doesn't work correctly after going back from the trick play mode.
- DVD-Video LPCM audio comes with some noise.
- Image isn't displayed correctly on some TVs via D4-Component out.
- The LinkPlayer sometimes freezes on 2nd playback with Rhapsody.

I can understand the dilemna of not updating if a principal use is upscaling of commercial DVDs - but how many really care about that in the day of HD and with other ways to scale if you really want 480i commercial material to look better?

HUNTER2

05-29-08, 03:09 PM

Does anybody know if I can replace the DVD player?
(tray and laser assembly)

andy1m1

06-04-08, 11:49 AM

Can someone post me the jvc 255 firmware, just picked up one of these machines and want to play around with the different versions
I have tried the downloads in firefox but no data is downloading just an empty file
Many thanks
Andy

chakotay2

06-04-08, 01:40 PM

Any way to get this player to play mp4 files? Itunes converted all my video and now my files don't play on the JVC SRDVD / Linkplayer.

TPeterson

06-04-08, 02:32 PM

No way. The Sigma Designs 8620L chip in the LP2 only does MPEG-2 decoding, not MPEG-4. To stream MPEG-4 stuff you need a box with an 8623, such as the TViX M-4100SH, or with the next-gen S.D. chipset (863x), such as the TViX M-6500A, upcoming Ziova CS-615, or Popcorn Hour. (The PS3, also does this, I understand)

chakotay2

06-04-08, 02:37 PM

Ok, thanks!

spexman

06-07-08, 12:27 AM

I too would GREATLY appreciate any JVC firmware other than 061026; this is on my unit and all my DIVX/XVID files stutter! REALLY annoying.

I have read the ENTIRE thread and all the previous links to download these bins do not work.
Any help would be SOOOOO appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

satviewer2012

06-20-08, 01:26 AM

Unfortunately the Avel website is defunct, so it looks like this is the only place I can go to to hopefully get some expert help. My Avel Linkplayer was bought in 2005, so out of warranty.

It was working completely fine until recently. It has always been set to 1080i mode. One day when I turned it on, the colors seemed to be "off". When I looked closer, anything that was red or orange seemed particularly intense. This was more of an annoyance, as it made skin tones look very red. The 720p files (xvid-HD, wmv-hd, mpeg2-HD) played except they would have the annoying colors skewed toward the reds. I tried this on 3 different TV's with the same problem showing up, so it's definitely the Avel.

The 480i files (mpeg2 and xvid) would cause the screen to turn blank. When I chose 480i video mode, then the 480i files would play, but still had the weird red color skewing.

My question is ... is the videochip on the MB fried? Can a problem like this be fixed by an electronics store for a reasonable price?

I really love this otherwise well made player. Despite its age, it can still play XVID-HD files beautifully, even in HD 720p. In fact, I went thru the trouble of converting all my files (MKV, WMV, etc) into XVID-HD so it would play on this machine. Will I have to just dump it and get a newer device?

Please HELP!

akahan

06-20-08, 01:38 AM

satviewer2012

06-20-08, 03:06 AM

Have you tried different cables? Or, if you're using the "component conversion cable," unplugging it from the Linkplayer and plugging it back in/jiggling it? You never know, it could be something REALLY simple. Do you still get the reddish tint if you use the S-Video output rather than the component output?

I thank you for the suggestions. I tried the S-VHS & composite outputs, and you're right, these both seem to work fine with normal appearing color tint (albeit at only 480 resolution). I tried a different Avel component cable (I have 2 identical Avels) and the same problem appears on the defective Avel. I would have to conclude from this that it is the component output that has become defective.

The problem is not only with the distorted colors, but also, when I try playing 480i files and even SOME 720p files, the screen goes blank and my TV then says "no signal". When I press STOP for these files, it returns to the WizD menu screen normally (but for the color abnormality).

I guess I could still use it to watch only 480i material, but the majority of my movies are in 720p so it would really be a waste.

I don't suppose anyone knows if there is an inexpensive way to fix just the component output, or is it merged with the main motherboard of the Avel and not easily replaceable?

lmengel

06-20-08, 07:45 AM

I had the same problemo, Trashed it. May I suggest the NMT Popcorn Player. It does play mkv.

Leslie

mr23jet

06-24-08, 05:23 PM

Please HELP...!!!!
Can someone post me the jvc 255 firmware, 12-45-060125-03-IOD-255-000.bin
Thanks

mr23jet

06-24-08, 05:41 PM

anyone have the JVC firmware
12-45-060125-03-IOD-255-000.bin and
11-36-051215-01-IOD-255-000.bin

couldnt access the mybox website.

thanks

:(Please HELP...!!!!
I also need this firmware for the jvc Player, Please HELP...Thanks

tc5531

07-30-08, 11:54 AM

TPeterson

07-30-08, 12:45 PM

tc5531--

Search this thread for Blue Cop's postings on non-web fw updating.

satnav4

07-30-08, 01:30 PM

Does anyone have the October 05 firmware? As others have mentioned, the Taxan USA forum is well and truly dead and I have an unused Linkplayer 2 to get up and running.

Also, how do I load a firmware if I can't download it from the net? Can it be done by burning the .BIN onto a CD and inserting it into the player?

Thanks for your help

I have it, as well as the instructions and index file you will need. Just send a pm with your email address. And yes, you can upgrade/downgrade the firmware from a CD or thumb drive. I have only used a thumb drive.

Die Fledermaus

11-20-08, 09:25 AM

Okay I have followed the bluecop threads which pertain to downgrading the firmware via thumb drive. I am getting an invalid link when I use the index.htm and it trys to go to the website. The link /index.htm is valid on my pc because it downloads the firmware. I need to downgrade and I am having no luck any help from anyone following this thread would be greatly appreciated.

Maus

I read this thread until 3:00 am, and found the answer. Bluecop, you are a genius. I used the thumbdrive method, creating an index.htm file and then I loaded the renamed firmware.bin with the htm file on the thumb drive. It worked. I downgraded when they said it could not be done. I didn't even know how to create an index.htm file, so I just found another on the computer and "saved as" my new file.

Great work if you are still monitoring this thread.

S.

SPElectronics

01-02-09, 02:41 AM

I have an AVLP2 and I'm running the avel link server software (as well as Netgear AV Media Server), and I don't like the default background or font for the AVLP2. Is there any way to change the background and/or the font and font size? In a fairly large room, it is sometimes difficult to read the filenames, especially late in the evening while lounging in bed. The problem is, the background is a sort of gray and white scheme, and the font color is white, and is too small, so it makes it hard to read.

I have been trying to figure out a way to change it, either in the player itself, or in software, but have been unable to find any way to do so.

Also, what server software is most recommended? I was running the Netgear AV Media Server exclusively for another network media player, and found it worked with the AVLP2, so I left it for a while, but then something happened and the software fouled up, so I decided to try the avel link software that came with the player, and it actually seems to work better overall. It seems to see all my "shares" on my computer, without having to scan or import all the files like in the Netgear software. I also tried Twonky, but I didn't like it as much.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thank You.

RalphArch

01-02-09, 09:30 AM

Not really recommending one or another; but I currently use four servers depending on whim.

Wizd works fine for my ATSC and QAM video TS files as does the IODATA Advanced Server (not the one that came on the CD but the one that let you directly use MyHD ts files after adding some changes in the setup file). I also use the PCast server that came with my Buffalo Linkstation Live as well as the new PS3 server. The problem with both of these is that I have to change the file extensions of my saved files to mpg (from ts or tp) to get the files to show up, but when I do they stream fine on using both of these.

The PS3 server is the only one I got to work handily with my PS3, plus its under active development at the moment.
Thread here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1085772

blkfire74

01-09-09, 06:16 PM

I think those links are toast. I am looking for the AvelLink2 firmware as well...would like to get the upscaling working again. With luck, someone watching this old thread may be able to help us out. Many thanks in advance.

Okay I have followed the bluecop threads which pertain to downgrading the firmware via thumb drive. I am getting an invalid link when I use the index.htm and it trys to go to the website. The link /index.htm is valid on my pc because it downloads the firmware. I need to downgrade and I am having no luck any help from anyone following this thread would be greatly appreciated.

Maus

F-rank

01-21-09, 11:42 AM

I've had contact with irgaac. He said different versions of firmware are still available on the internet. Only there's a trick to get them. He promised me to look into it and post it here. I suppose there's a trick to get the different versions directly from the update server from I-O data since it's still online... I don't know the adress of the server and I don't think you can just browse on to it and dowload them if you had the adress... That's why we have to wait patiently for irgaac to post his comments.

satnav4

01-21-09, 11:48 AM

I have some of the firmware. Send a pm with an email, and I can help.

irgaac

01-23-09, 08:33 PM

Sayabas now checks the user agent of the device trying to download the firmware and rejects it if it doesn't look like it's coming from one of the players. To get around this use Firefox and the user agent switcher add-on. Once the add-on is installed go to the options for it and add a new user agent. For the decription just use Syabas or whatever, for the user agent use Syabas/12-45-060125-02-IOD-234-000/02-IOD (uCOS-II v2.05;NOS;KA9Q; Res1280x720,HiColor; TV Res1920x1080; www.syabas.com mac_addr=00.a0.b0.c0.d0.e0 and it will let you download the firmware

F-rank

01-26-09, 01:27 PM

Irgaac,

Thanks for taking time for us. Only I don't completely understand your post... I can follow the user agent switch, only which web adress should I type? Just the syabas homepage? And what do you mean with the mac address? Something like "mac spoofing" ? Please let me know.

Thank's in advance,

Frank.

F-rank

01-26-09, 01:46 PM

I think you mean the update files from myibox? only I can't get it to work here... hmmm... I suppose I do something wrong...

F-rank

01-26-09, 02:27 PM

I figured it out! It works! http://myibox.net/firmware/update.jsp is the web adress.

irgaac

01-26-09, 07:33 PM

That's all part of the user agent, I highlighted it all in red. Then you just click on the link for whichever firmware you want to download and it should work.

F-rank

01-28-09, 03:26 PM

Here's some links that should work without the user-agent settings. The files seem to be moved to this location...

http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/11-36-051228-02-IOD-231-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/08-74-050801-02-IOD-231-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/07-72-050622-02-IOD-231-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/05-45-050302-02-IOD-231-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/04-69-050110-01-IOD-231-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/03-42-041101-01-IOD-231-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/02-86-040923-01-IOD-231-000.bin

http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/11-36-051227-02-IOD-233-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/08-82-050802-02-IOD-233-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/07-73-050622-02-IOD-233-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/05-46-050308-02-IOD-233-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/04-70-050110-01-IOD-233-000.bin

http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/12-45-060125-03-IOD-234-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/11-36-051215-02-IOD-234-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/10-88-051027-02-IOD-234-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/08-83-050802-02-IOD-234-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/07-74-050622-02-IOD-234-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/06-35-050430-02-IOD-234-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/06-20-050406-02-IOD-234-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/05-47-050302-02-IOD-234-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/04-91-050127-01-IOD-234-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/04-33-041227-01-IOD-234-000.bin

http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/11-36-051215-03-IOD-235-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/10-89-051027-02-IOD-235-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/08-84-050802-02-IOD-235-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/07-75-050622-02-IOD-235-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/05-48-050302-02-IOD-235-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/04-72-050110-01-IOD-235-000.bin
http://files.syabas.com/myibox/firmware/update/local-bus/03-79-041130-01-IOD-235-000.bin