Sunplus SPCA536: I've got one, interested in fiddling.

[yyttu]

I've got a PMP that is called "Sunplus SPCA536" according to the CheckUDisk program on this site. It has a software update option in one of the menus and I'm really interested in modifying the firmware. I know noone has done it yet, but I think it would be great if we did some R&D

Anyway, I pulled mine apart and wrote down most of the chip names as well as some other misc stuff:

PCB:
HTX-C500 <----- True "Model name"
2005.09.30
ver: 3.0

LOGIC:
jcatch (tm)
SUNPLUS <----- Yep, definitely a Sunplus media player
SPCA536A-PB111
0532
MOH5430.00

(Most of the following isn't so interesting)

BATTERY:
+ALP505068
-HW531110110

LCD:
388572B001 - XX - 0011431

RAM/ROM?:
SAMSUNG 543
K4S281632F - TC75

S2816 ZLI014DAC

OTHER:
------------------
SAA7113H
------------------
WM
WM9711
3CAHAOC
------------------


I've been looking around for information on this stuff, but I haven't had a lot of success. I can't even find a datasheet for the Sunplus chip, only some webcam variant. For the MPX players, how was the firmware decompiled? I've asked the guy at chizon.com for the firmware tools (Purposely vague, I want whatever I can get) but I haven't received a reply yet. Does anyone have the firmware upload/backup software for this player? I'm fairly sure noone does but a post by "Irish Nerd Guy" HERE suggests that it is available (Too bad he was just a guest...)

So does anyone have any ideas? Here's a pic of my PMP. Does anyone have a similar main menu?

[tadad1]

yyttu, I shall see what I can find out. Just out of curiosity what size is the screen and what is the video format?

[yyttu]

I wasn't expecting such a fast reply, tadad1! Screen size is roughly 6.5cm (2.4 inch) diagonally. It only supports ASF format video using the Sunplus PMP Transcoding utility. Thanks for the help.

[tadad1]

yyttu, there is a pretty long forum discussion on sunplus PMP here has a few links to some software that might be handy HERE

I actually had a link to that thread above, but being the domestically blind fool that I am, I never went past the first page (I'm so used to seeing page numbers at the bottom, not top)

I can't seem to get to the FTP address mentioned there, and everyone who'se flashed their PMP players seems to have bricked them...

I found this particularly funny:

Irish, thank you for all the advice. I’ve read every page and know these things now:

1) Don’t upgrade the firmware. I counted over half a dozen people with dead PMP’s because of this.

2) Encode video files to VOB and then encode using the included software.

3) Make sure to encode the VOB to the right resolution.

4) Recording PS2 games is cool. Shadow of the Colossus anyone??

5) Make sure to edit your pictures BEFORE sending them or they will squish and distort.

6) Don’t upgrade the firmware.

7) Don’t upgrade the firmware.

8) No matter what PMP you THINK you have, don’t upgrade the firmware.

I'm reading through it now, hopefully the conversations regarding firmware will swing to a positive light. I really want to modify mine.

[tadad1]

yyttu, Like you said not a lot of info on them and killing then is pretty final from what I have read.The only apps I can find are ASF transcoders nothing for firmware which is possibly just as well :evil: If I find anything more I will let you know.

Thanks. I've tried that FTP link with no luck (I need a password), and I can't find anything on the directgt website, either... I've made a post on that link you sent me asking for the file - and accidentally double posted - so hopefully I'll get something back from them. If I get the file it might be worth uploading it on this website, since other people would probably want to play with it.

Right now I'm googling around for "ak4" which is supposedly the folder that contained the goodies.

[yyttu]

The above post was me. I can't edit it, so excuse the double post. I get the feeling this AK4 software is designed for this sunplus PMP only (Note the AK4 at the end of the item name)

[yyttu]

A kind forum member at that website sent me the software that is apparently used for changing the fonts. Tadad1, are you interested in having a look at it and trying to make some sense of it all? From what I can see all it does is take a BMP file (with characters in it) and resizes it and produces a file with the coordinates of the letters, and it also has some flashing feature. Interestingly, the folder included some images of all the icons, as well as the main menu screen that I have (although very slightly different) Here is a screenshot of the program and the other files that came with it:

[tadad1]

yyttu, My man I would love to have a look at it, may not be able to make much sense of it though without being able to kill a player or 2 but upload it to www.ezshare.de and I will download it and have a squizz.