DigiFusion FVRT100/200 series (incl. FVRT145, FVRT150)
Personal Digital Recorder
1. Upgrading the run-time firmware
This is probably the most frequent upgrade, simply because the firmware version shipped with the FVRT100 (version 1.6.3) has a few bugs that irritated users and frequently caused the Digibox to hang with strange error messages during the Over Air Download (OAD) and Electronic Program Guide (EPG) update, that occurs at 3am daily.
Firmware Versions
More recent shipments of the FVRT100 have version 1.7.4 installed which still has an irritating wide-screen bug, only relevant if you are watching on a wide screen television or plasma unit.
In October 2005, Digifusion released version 1.7.5 that fixed (among other things) the wide screen problem but they very quickly widthdrew that update as other bugs were apparently discovered after transmission. In June 2006 version 1.7.8 was transmitted which was basically a slightly modifed 1.7.5 and seems to work well for most people. At more or less the same time, firmware version 0.1.1 was transmitted for the FVRT200 model, which fixed the widescreen issue.
As well as wanting a new version of the firmware, many users were extremely irritated with the "wallpaper" background of the FVRT units. Although it looked great, in all its blue-white marble swirl glory, it made reading the onscreen TV guide very difficult. Some of the more technical users have therefore provided modifed versions of all firmware versions to remove the marble swirl effect to a greater or lesser extent. The many versions available are listed below - it's up to you to choose the one you like the best. They are all improvements on the original! If you like what you see, let the author know via the forum.
A final irritation of the FVRT100/200 series is that whenever you return to the list of recording you have made, you are always prompted whether you wanted to generate scenes for those recordings. Most users never want to generate "snapshot" scenes, because you can manually generate one or more snapshots as you watch the recording (by pressing the OK button), and then use those manually generated scenes as bookmarks to return to, if you interrupt the viewing, for example. So most of the modified firmware versions are also available with this prompt removed. This version is referred to as [No Scenes] in the list below. Full credit to Forum Member af123 (Andy) for this patch, You can catch his web site at www.jeamland.org.
A bonus for all FVRT100 series owners is that the firmware for the FVRT200 runs just fine on it, effectively turning your FVRT100 into an FVRT200, which has (among other things) repeat recordings (eg record Eastenders every day at 7pm) and folders (where you can store your recorded programs according to genre, date, title or whatever). The patched (Removal of the 'Generate Scenes Now?' prompt) version of the 0.1.1 firmware (once again, thanks to af123) also runs great on the FVRT100 series units.
To upgrade the firmware in your Digifusion FVRT100/200 series (100, 145. 150, 200) you need access to a PC and the software mentioned below:
Your choices:
| Theme:
| FVRT100 1.7.4
| FVRT100 1.7.5
| FVRT100 1.7.8
| FVRT200 0.1.1
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To update your FVRT unit via the hard disk method, the run-time file must be called run.bin - so if you download a different name just rename it! If you flash the chip using the serial port, the file name can be called anything!
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Original
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| Download here
No Scenes here
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Dave_101
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| Download here
No Scenes here
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af123 (Andy)
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| Download here
No Scenes here
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Craig_16 (Clear Blue)
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| Download here
No Scenes here
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Craig_16 (Aqua Blue)
| Not available
| Not available
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| Download here
No Scenes here
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Technonotice (Philip)
| Download here
No Scenes here
| Download here
No Scenes here
| Download here
No Scenes here
| Download here
No Scenes here
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Fraggle (Graeme)
| Not Available
| Download here
No Scenes here
| Download here
No Scenes here
| Download here
No Scenes here
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(Gareth - BinThereRunThat) Antique
| Not Available
| Not Available
| Not Available
| Download here
No Scenes
Read this first
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Click any of the images above for a closer view (opens in new window)
| FVRT100 1.7.4
| FVRT100 1.7.5
| FVRT100 1.7.8
| FVRT200 0.1.1
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Warning! If you load your FVRT100 series (incl. FVRT145/150) with the FVRT200 firmware, you will lose your existing library.
You will, however, gain the functionality of a FVRT200, such as folders and repeat recordings.
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"No Scenes" versions refer to the same theme with the "Generate Scenes Now" prompt removed (highly recommended!). Mega credit to af123 (Andy) for this patch.
If you'd rather replace the backgrounds manually (with bespoke images, for example) you can find more in-depth info at af123's site at http://digifusion.jeamland.org
Full credit to Craig_16 for providing many of the permutations [craig's mirror site] [af123's mirror site] and of course to all the background modifers. Fantastic job guys!
And thanks for his interminable patience with me goes to forum member Technonotice (Philip)
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| Have you got a theme you're willing to share?
Send me a PM from the forum and I'll let you know where you need to send it. You will need to send me a run.bin file for as many firmware versions as you are willing to support (the versions in the last three columns on this page would be a good starting point) including the "No Scenes" variants. Make sure you name your files something to identify you by, such as
1. FVRT100_1_7_8_MikeSmith_run.bin (this will be the original firmware with your scenes)
2. FVRT100_1_7_8_MikeSmith_NoScenes_run.bin (this is the patched firmware with your scenes)
Finally, don't forget to include a jpeg of your background "Frame1" (full size, 720px x 576px) so it can be displayed in all its glory right here!
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To update your FVRT100 (incl. FVRT145, 150, 200)
Hard disk update method
You will also need a copy of Karl Eccleson's Syphon - this applies if you choose to update by connecting the hard disk inside the FVRT100 to your PC (temporarily) to update the firmware version. Alternatively, you could use the Fusion Filesystem Reader, by Daniel Hope. It's basically the same procedure.
Information on both these incredible bits of software are on the respective web-site pages, linked to above. I know many Digital Spy forum members swear by one or the other, but I have only used the Syphon software and it works great.
For some bed-time reading, digest in some detail the posts in the following Data Extraction thread on the Digital Spy forum, although be advised that this starts from October 2005 - the sophistication of the software has moved on since then with many of the initial teething problems having been ironed out.
Serial port method
Simplified instructions for updating the FVRT100/150 firmware via the serial port have been generously written by Digital Spy forum member Ilowman (pdf download). I suggest you save and print a copy for your own records if you intend to do this. However, check back to the linked site now and again for an updated version. A snapshot copy is available here if the main link does not work.
There are some advantages to flashing the firmware via the serial port:
- Tou don't have to remove the cover off your FVRT unit - retains the warranty
- You don't have to connect the hard disk to your PC - ditto
- You just connect the FVRT unit to a serial port on your PC using a female to female serial cable (or a USB-to-serial port converter)
- You use a very simple program called Hyperterminal (part of Windows)
- You can run either the flashed firmware version or the firmware on your hard disk just by pressing the right most two buttons on the unit as it powers up. When you get bored with one theme you can switch to the other!
Links
[0] Back to main FVRT100 page
[2] FVRT100 Hard Disk Upgrade page
[3] FVRT100 Power Supply Upgrade page
[4] Top 10 Most Frequently Asked Questions
Digital Spy Personal Video Recorders Forum page (select DigiFusion)
Mousemat (webcrazy.co.uk) home page (this web site)
