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jackbel
Just Posting
2 Posts |
 Posted - 11/29/2005 : 06:36:34 AM
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Hello All,
First, please forgive my english.
I am very happy to have found this very seful forum.
Here is why :
A few days ago, by walking me in a second hand shop here in Brussels, I fall on a small device which intrigues me at once because of its "legendar" name : "Commodore".
By examining and playing with it (the battery still had some juice !), I understand about what it is. A portable video and audio recorder/player. And btw, I directly fell in love with its special and "retro" form factor.
The complete name of this unit is "Commodore PMC30" ("PMC" stands for Portable Media Center and "30" is the HDD size in GB).
I don't find much about it on Internet apart some announcements, for example : http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000173046941).
And a very poor Commodore site where I found at least one firmware release (more later)
But except for some details (and the HDD size) it seems to be exactly the same machine than the Neuros 442.
Visible differences are the "Commodore" name printed on the front and the Commodore logo printed on the back. Also the machine comes with big rubber strips glued on each side. Very nice to hold the unit but they cover the dismantling screws.
The welcome screen (when power on) shows a Commodore animation (don't know what about the Neuros one)
The manuel (pdf) is exactly the same too (again apart for the name).
The HDD is an Hitachi Travelstar 4K40 (exactly HTS424030M9AT00)
The machine arrived with firmware 1.2.1
I found at least one bug with this version.
When on battery mode and listening to music (mp3), the last notes of each track repeated always some times ! No such default when connected to AC power.
I found and installed then the firmware 1.2.2 found at http://hardware.commodoreworld.com/default.aspx?i=3
With this firmware the "end of track default" is completely fixed.
Now, a technical question :
Does anybody know the exact size of the complete firmware ?
We can think that it is 8129KB (the size of LOAD.BIN)
But why, in this case, do we have to install at first the 1.2.2 release before the last 1.2.4 (at least for the Neuros 442) ? If the 8192KB is the total size, it is a nonsense ...
Perhaps that some firmware parts are untouchable (by example : the Welcome screen) ?
In the actual situation, I cannot take the risk to update my PMC30 with the 1.2.4 Neuros firmware (especially since there would be no way to go back)
About the whish list :
In audio mode, I have no sound when I use the forward or rewind functions. It's very annoying.
I found nobody on this forum talking about that (perhaps because the Neuros 442 has not this default).
Thanks for your attention.
Regards, Jackbel |
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JEFFH
Posting Profoundly
163 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2005 : 09:29:48 AM
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Im getting the impression Neuros and Commodore must have basically purchased a off the shelf PMP soultion from a Chinese manufature and had it slightly modified to add there name and a few custom tweaks to the firmware.
Has anyone tried loading the Commodore firmware to see the differences
or if it will still function? |
Edited by - JEFFH on 11/29/2005 09:31:06 AM |
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JEFFH
Posting Profoundly
163 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2005 : 6:17:49 PM
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I loaded the Commodore PMC30 1.2.2 firmware version onto my 442.
The only difference from the 442 firmware version 1.2.3 is the power-on splash screen now shows a Commodore logo. everything else looks and seems to operate exactly the same. |
Edited by - JEFFH on 11/30/2005 6:18:22 PM |
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ice.skillz(at)gmail.com
Posting is for Closers
31 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2005 : 10:52:15 PM
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wtf copy cats. lol, they look exactly the same.
like my sig |
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game_writer
Posting is for Closers
93 Posts |
Posted - 11/30/2005 : 11:39:55 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by ice.skillz(at)gmail.com
wtf copy cats. lol, they look exactly the same.
like my sig
It's possible that the Commodore is the same hardware developed by Neuros and rebadged by Commodore in Europe.
Or the deal could be vice versa!
The same sort of thing is always done with electronics in different countries and cars and other products as well. Different product names, same products. It's done all of the time; it's nothing new. You would probably be surprised to learn what off brands you always buy at your local store because they are cheaper that are actually produced by big-name manufacturers and labeled differently.
Or it could be that they use the same source for manufacturing the out shell and buttons. Okay, probably not, but it could happen.
Game_Writer |
Edited by - game_writer on 11/30/2005 11:40:29 PM |
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JEFFH
Posting Profoundly
163 Posts |
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jackbel
Just Posting
2 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2005 : 7:56:01 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by JEFFH
I loaded the Commodore PMC30 1.2.2 firmware version onto my 442.
The only difference from the 442 firmware version 1.2.3 is the power-on splash screen now shows a Commodore logo. everything else looks and seems to operate exactly the same.
Hi JEFFH,
Thanks to have make the test. It would mean that the 8129KB LOAD.BIN contains well all the firmware (because you got the Commodore splash screen).
The other consequences are that we must be able to flash the PMC30 without problem with the Neuros firmwares and, above all, that we could change the HDD.
Indeed, as the firmware of the PMC30 recognizes the bigger hdd of Neuros 442, it seems that there is no constraint at this level (and this not always the case with other manufacturers).
I also wonder JEFFH if Neuros 442 accepts to make a downgrade (is it as easy to just reflash with another LOAD.BIN) ?
Btw, what is this 1.2.3 version firmware (and where can we download it) ?
Thanks,
Jackbel
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JEFFH
Posting Profoundly
163 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2005 : 06:39:46 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by jackbel
Btw, what is this 1.2.3 version firmware (and where can we download it) ?
Thanks,
Jackbel
Im sorry I should have said 1.2.2 neuros firmware version.
Firmware version 1.2.2 is what Neuros shipped the 442 with and 1.2.4 is the latest neuros released version.
I don't know for sure but 1.2.3 I suspect was a beta version only that was not released.
I have downgraded to the older firmware versions by swapping load.bin files and back to the most recent with no problem.
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Edited by - JEFFH on 12/02/2005 06:46:23 AM |
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pedersdd (Derek)
Posting Mania
407 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2005 : 12:19:39 PM
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the 442 was built from the commadore casings. They were produced in the same factory. Neuros chose to do this because by not having to design their own casings they could spend time on other important things...such as open source, encoding and features. So yes, they did copy the casing, but they did so to save time for better things.
Interesting note: i have one of the origional gamma units, it has the commadore logo on the back . (its a rare keepsake)
Derek
When I was a kid my mom used to tell me that curiosity killed the cat...What she forgot to tell me was that it also discovered the cat, invented the lightbulb, and forged the Neuros |
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JEFFH
Posting Profoundly
163 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2005 : 1:30:40 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by pedersdd (Derek)
the 442 was built from the commadore casings. They were produced in the same factory. Neuros chose to do this because by not having to design their own casings they could spend time on other important things...such as open source, encoding and features. So yes, they did copy the casing, but they did so to save time for better things.
I would agree if your talking about the yet to be released 442V2.
The current 442 however seems to share more with the Commadore than just the casing. Hardware wise I suspect its exactly the same.
The base Firmware was most likely provided by the manufacture and the only obvious difference is the splash screen graphics.
The latest firmware release did provide 3 added features and I suspect owners of the commadore could load it and also get these.
Its also very possible Neuros contracted the original manufacture to write the latest firmware as they more than likely retain the code and design rights.
I would futher speculate that this same manufacturing team in China could have been contracted to build the version 2 hardware for Neuros.
This is just all wild speculation on my part but its fun to speculate every now and then.
These boards seem pretty much dead lately. |
Edited by - JEFFH on 12/02/2005 1:44:37 PM |
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JoeBorn
Neuros Audio Team
Administrator
783 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2005 : 11:27:39 PM
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Actually you are both right in a sense, we did work with the factory to make modifications to the hardware, but those were ultimately shared with the commodore branded products.
Whether or not this happens with the 442v2 is yet to be determined. As you know, we're making considerably greater investments on the 442v2 platform and the extent to which we share those improvements with another brand (and what kind of co-branding we do) hasn't been determined yet. We'll make a better effort to clarify those decisions going forward so that we can eliminate the kind of confusion above, and let you know the full scope of compatibility or incompatibility as the case may be.
jborn (at) neurosaudio.com |
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Gunderstorm
Posting is for Closers
35 Posts |
Posted - 12/21/2005 : 11:11:34 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by jackbel
Hello All,
A few days ago, by walking me in a second hand shop here in Brussels, I fall on a small device which intrigues me at once because of its "legendar" name : "Commodore". The complete name of this unit is "Commodore PMC30" ("PMC" stands for Portable Media Center and "30" is the HDD size in GB).
Thanks for your attention.
Regards, Jackbel
Commodore in the gadget news again:
http://us.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/commodore-joins-the-21st-century-144431.php |
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DLSS
Just Posting
3 Posts |
Posted - 12/25/2005 : 10:55:44 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by ice.skillz(at)gmail.com
wtf copy cats. lol, they look exactly the same.
like my sig
no it is the same thing with lower specs sold under another brand name (that in some cases don't even exist on its own.) i have the same thing. i have the same 1 as the commodore but mine's called ZOLID920
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JanV
Just Posting
7 Posts |
Posted - 12/26/2005 : 03:59:41 AM
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Looks like the Eastech (ET920) has a 1.3.2 firmware out.
I've put a copy of it here:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E9J9UYL1
Haven't tried it yet, but it came straight from eastech, so should be OK for their player (at least)
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JEFFH
Posting Profoundly
163 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2005 : 07:02:45 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by JanV
Looks like the Eastech (ET920) has a 1.3.2 firmware out.
I've put a copy of it here:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E9J9UYL1
Haven't tried it yet, but it came straight from eastech, so should be OK for their player (at least)
Anyone brave enough to try this yet?
Is this firmware available for download direct from Eastech?
I checked the Eastech website and found the ET920 but no firmware download.
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JanV
Just Posting
7 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2005 : 09:49:26 AM
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They have a sister website: http://www.mp3ok.com
But even there they don't the have firmware available.
I've tried the firmware and it seems to work OK. I've heard from others who had problems with JPG images that those problems were solved after loading the new firmware.
I have 1 video that used to play on the previous version and nolonger on 1.3.2 . But once converted using Ulead it plays again.
I've asked the guys at Eastech if they have some place on the internet where we can download the firmware (and the changelogs for them). I can understand that you don't want to 'kill' and expensive piece of equipment by loading whatever on it.
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JEFFH
Posting Profoundly
163 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2005 : 12:37:31 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by JanV
I've tried the firmware and it seems to work OK. I've heard from others who had problems with JPG images that those problems were solved after loading the new firmware.
I have 1 video that used to play on the previous version and nolonger on 1.3.2 . But once converted using Ulead it plays again.
Does it add anyother features or improvements that you know about?
I have never had a problem with JPG images so far. |
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JoeBorn
Neuros Audio Team
Administrator
783 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2005 : 2:30:42 PM
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I'll find out what the deal is with that Eastech firmware. We have been working with Divx for certification and there have been special versions of software created as a result of that, maybe that's it. I'll find out.
jborn (at) neurosaudio.com |
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JEFFH
Posting Profoundly
163 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2005 : 4:44:50 PM
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I downloaded and updated my 442 to the Eastech firmware 1.3.2
It Has the Normal Neuros splash screen at startup and all the same features as 1.2.4
I have not found any difference so far.
It looks like Eastech ET_920 is just a basic OEM/ODM Model of the 442 that they offer to other companies for rebadging. |
Edited by - JEFFH on 12/29/2005 4:59:38 PM |
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Topic |
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Commodore PMC30 & Neuros 442
