"NovusMPx" Custom firmware, utilities and themes - Please help, firmware dumps needed
 

Now has a name (NovusMPx - novus is new in latin) and a site: NovusMPxTheme- MP3/MP4 player replacement firmware theme
I'm looking to build a or heavily modded firmware for MPx players, primarily sunplus and actions, (but that touchscreen one may happen later). It will have a properly translated menu with decent graphics and more features, that doesnt show some stupid wizard saying "Bye Bye!" when you press the sleep button (yes I used to own an MPx that did that).
Most modifications will be cosmetic, but some actual features may be added as well, or features unlocked.
I am also building a utility that will tell you all the details about ANY mp3 player, including iPods (in case anyone is dumb enough to try and use one as a test).
I NEED YOUR HELP! Here are some things you might be able to help with:

• Knowledge on the processor, graphics chips etc inside most popular MPx players
• Backups of firmware (preferably extracted using s1fx/s1res)
• Graphic design
• Programming and hacking help (yes I can program but I'm not brilliant at software/firmware hacking)

Information links (this will be updated):

• Actions Semiconductor Co., Ltd. - Info on the actions multimedia chipsets from the company themselves
• Sunplus mMobile Inc. and Sunplus mMedia Inc. - Info on chipsets from Sunplus (the one that make mp3/mp4 players, there seems to be more than one Sunplus)
• S1fwx wiki - Info on the chipsets and processor
• S1mp3 wiki - Nothing more needs to be said, really
• Sp305x wiki - *.Bin games programming for Sunplus chips

Thank you to all these contributors:
FIRMWARE BACKUPS: metalboy94
LINKS AND INFO: BonesCollector (Sp305x wiki link), lolita (S1mp3 wiki link)
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Current Status:
- 28th June 2008 - Started ripping resources from some firmwares - downloads at website (NovusMPxTheme- MP3/MP4 player replacement firmware theme)

i can share with u my player's firmware (if u know, the Sunplus "slide panel" one). while at it, if u know that program, ISP v5.2, could u explain how to use it? compared to FRM pro, it's a bit difficult...

im not sure if i can help u with programming or graphic design (at least not creating, but if u want ideas for graphics...;) ).

Download the firmware

wow i've been loking for Actions's site for AGES!!

anyway u might want to add Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd. - The World-Leading Multimedia SoC Provider - DVD, TV, STB, DPF IC Solutions (Sunplus's website) in information links. apparently, they're into more than MPx players...

Sorry metalboy, that isn't the right sunplus link. The other sunplus (the one that makes mp3s and mobiles), is at: Sunplus mMobile Inc and Sunplus mMedia Inc. - The Best Multimedia and Communication IC Provider now added to links at top. Seems there's more than one Sunplus in the business it seems.

Here, info about "*.bin" games programming:

Main Page - Sp305x wiki

Take a look at wiki.s1mp3.org for info on the Actions-based devices. You can also join in and research the new AK202x/ATJ211x devices.

you are right, clubduckling, my bad. anyway, they also have a branch, called SunMedia, which makes games for use with devices with their chips.

and if there's any use to you, when i looked inside some Actions firmware for MP3 players (those things with small B&W screens) with s1res, i found a few B&W pics (obviously unused) with camera resolution names(VGA, QCIF). Veeeeery weird...

Hmm.... perhaps they all come from the same source ... perhaps related to photo display? or they may have even had cameras (!!!!).
I noticed ONLY actions 3.0.0.x are b/w, all the later 3.x and 9.x are colour.

The early 3.x firmware were for players like these:
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/8464/s1mp3.jpg

Most 9.x firmware is for MP4 players with color displays, but you will occasionally find a basic mono LCD player with a '91 or '93 chip and 9.x firmware.

The ATJ2089 and '97 do have support for camera functionality, but it seems most if not all manufacturers didn't add the feature.

wow you're really good at this lolita!

I know, I used to own a small b/w mp3 player - i never used the firmware update but it probably was an actions/s1mp3.
The actions 3.x devices probably did support colour and therefore a camera, but at the time there was no real point in a colour screen.

well i owned 2 actions MP3 players myself. and clubduckling is right, back then, color screens and cameras were not sought after. but come to think of it, none of the actions MPx players i've seen had a camera...