Updating Firmware on MVP

[mdnttoker]

I've noticed that Hauppauge's change logs for their dongles list updated firmware versions. For example:

05/05/06 3.2.24125b Aaron Ho 1.Update firmware to 1.1.42

04/20/06 3.2.24110b Aaron Ho 1.Support OSD in client function.
2.Update firmware to 1.1.41

04/05/06 3.1.24088 Aaron Ho 1.Update firmware to 1.1.38

03/24/06 3.0.24088 Aaron Ho 1.Update firmware to 1.1.36


However, whenever I install these new versions, and load the Hauppauge software, the Server Selection screen on my MVP continues to ALWAYS show version 1.1.38.

Has anyone else out there been able to get their MVP to load the new firmware versions? (1.1.41 or 1.1.42, for example)?

Is this possible or are these firmware versions read-only?

Thanks,
Dan

[mvallevand]

The Hauppauge release notes are referring to the version of dongle.bin. Firmware on the MediaMVP is a little different then on many devices that we are all used to dealing with since there are actually 5 areas of flash memory that could be updated any of which could in some sense be termed firmware. One of these regions holds the entire dongle.bin and although none of the new dongles have updated it, Hauppauge in theory could do so when it senses a new version.

This fact that is isn't save isn't really a problem since through the boot loading process there is a comparision of the server's dongle.bin and the flash copy and if the server's is newer this dongle.bin will get transferred to the mvp and loaded otherwise the flash version is loaded. With the Hauppauge dongle it is difficult to determine what is loaded, but if you are using a version of gbpvr that supports inset video that alone would indicate you are running dongle.bin 1.1.47 or newer.

Martin

[mdnttoker]

The Hauppauge release notes are referring to the version of dongle.bin.

That doesn't appear entirely true since the file versioning does not necessarily indicate a change in the firmware version. (See the attached release notes).

With the Hauppauge dongle it is difficult to determine what is loaded, but if you are using a version of gbpvr that supports inset video that alone would indicate you are running dongle.bin 1.1.47 or newer.

The reason I ask, is I would like to see if any of these 'firmware' updates fix the initial load problem I'm having with Sage and GB-PVR with a particular combination of hardware devices. Clearly, only Hauppauge can fix / alter the initial boot-up / DHCP process.

Is there anyway to force the Hauppauge software to load the new firmware to the onboard flash in the MVP so it uses the new firmware in the future?

Thanks,
Dan

[mvallevand]

That doesn't appear entirely true since the file versioning does not necessarily indicate a change in the firmware version. (See the attached release notes).

To be clearer the Hauppauge firmware version when it's mentionned is the version of dongle.bin. Hauppauge have released their "suite" with new dongles but no mention of a firmware change and also with no dongle changes whatsoever. Since Hauppauge has been in beta mode for over a year I guess this can be excused. The version is inside the dongle.bin too if you can open it with a hex editor look at position 48-4a hex.

The reason I ask, is I would like to see if any of these 'firmware' updates fix the initial load problem I'm having with Sage and GB-PVR with a particular combination of hardware devices. Clearly, only Hauppauge can fix / alter the initial boot-up / DHCP process.

If you let me know the problem I'd be glad to try and help you with gbpvr and equally glad not to help you with sage. Maybe the mvpmc dongle will work for you when Hauppauge's can't?

Is there anyway to force the Hauppauge software to load the new firmware to the onboard flash in the MVP so it uses the new firmware in the future?

Short answer, yes but I'm not going to elaborate on it. Without adding a serial port (not easy) you could brick your mvp and since you still need to connect to gbpvr and stream reliably afterwards, I doubt that the flash load will do more then save a few seconds.

Martin

[mdnttoker]

Short answer, yes but I'm not going to elaborate on it. Without adding a serial port (not easy) you could brick your mvp and since you still need to connect to gbpvr and stream reliably afterwards, I doubt that the flash load will do more then save a few seconds.

Martin

Thanks for the explanation Martin. It still just strikes me as strange that Hauppauge even publishes the new firmware versions in their Release Notes when it really doesn't help anybody because its not flashable....

-Dan