CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[thewolfman]

So I'm getting a new proper working machine from Barclay, which I at first choose firmware v4,5 for stability, but after thinking about it I changed my mind and will go as high there is with v8,0. If it holds own and not behave oddly, but do like the extra features of geometry so that ranks high on my whish-list.

The one I have now says 5,6 on one of the chips so I don't know yet what firmware I have now on my 2010+2011.

One thing that I recall is that it gets zigg-zaggie grid lines with a reset pj. If not all the time then very often. It's not until I start to shrink the image down, to fit the 2,35.1 screen, they go away. But, I understand they are still there of course underneeth and sort of wonder if anyone has had problems like that with v8,0?

To add to the excitement I can choose any firmware I like as he can burn chips himself.

I had one of these today so I am one happy clam!

[Tim in Phoenix]

Hmmm

CLM v8.0 was beta I think; I do not recall seeing a production machine with it. I had a few 8.0 chips and there were funny problems, I threw them out.

Anheuser-Busch is much more remembered for funny Super Bowl commercials than for tasty beer LOL

[thewolfman]

Ah, that figures. Ah well, he will install it and run for a while and see what happens.

Oh and I was expecting watery taste with Budweiser but to my surprice I liked it. 33cl bottles is engulfed easly though. I Always go with 50cl.

[mp20748]

That ziggy lines thing on an 9518, would be the deflection processor board (CLM) should be replaced, or better still check U7 chip version. Anything above v5.5 could cause those ziggies.

[thewolfman]

I know you had succes solving that issue way back when but I'm stuck with it. Fortunately he will test to make sure and even offer several kinds to make sure I get a great result. In any case I will most likely go for 6,1 + 8,0 to be on the safe side. Getting rid of those zaggies should really improve the image I Think - that + ferrit beads all over. I'm more excited about that than anything else really. Should yeild a better visual performance with that I hope.

You are the only one I know that has v8,0 as I Googled the net and there was only one thread about it over at AVSforum. Back then you all liked it.

[mp20748]

[thewolfman]

Seems like v8,0 is a dreampipe more like it. What's good about it then other than side stacking? Any extra features of geometry maybe?

[mp20748]

I've had that version before, but don't remember much of anything about it.

[thewolfman]

What firmware are you using now then?

[mp20748]

U35 - v6.1

[thewolfman]

That is one version he seems happy with, and stable, it sounds weird you feel you still have troubles with it. Lowest valuble and still have all the geometry + sub brite would be preferably, maybe.

[mp20748]

I think also it's a good version for U35. my goal is to get an ealier chassis

[thewolfman]

Well, it looks like we are locking in 6,1 then.. if the price is right I will also go for 8,0 too. Just for fun and to get a arise out of it and see what happens. New features is Always fun on these old things.

[barclay66]

Hi,

Please be aware that there are several firmwares involved: At the same time!

We have U16, the I/O-Processor (handles the remote commands, serial interface, stand by control and the LEDs on the CLM) which nowadays should have version 3.1.
We have U35, the main processor which (handles general control, the menus, convergence waveforms and G2 control) which can be anything between version 3.1 and 8.0.
We have U7 on the Deflection Processor board (generates horizontal and vertical deflection signals and controls) which can be anything between version 4.8 and 5.6 (this might be the one You saw).

My suggestion with the zigzag lines is that it doesn't necessarily have to do with any of the firmwares mentioned above. I suspect that there's a problem on the HDM with its on-board power supply which feeds the horizontal deflection circuit. Maybe there's some kind of unwanted feedback or oscillation which adds a resonant frequency on top of the supply voltage.
At least this is what I would be checking first. Next, I would replace C43 on the HDM with a high-quality low-ESR 105C capacitor and after that I would check if the waveforms at the gate of Q20 look normal.
Otherwise it could be a parasitic oscillation within the deflection system itself. That could be trickier...

Kind Regards,
barclay66

[thewolfman]

Could you do it for me? I'm paying for mods so try out the things you said? If your were right you could start selling chips + HDM mods yourself. I will do fan mod that is all I will and can do.

[barclay66]

Hi,

No problem. I will try different combinations of firmwares just to make sure everything works as it should. For me, U35 with version 6.1 and U7 with version 5.6 have been working flawlessly for years.
Regarding Your suggestion: I’m not interested in making any commercial offers regarding firmware chips. I’m more like a collector and have tried to find any version I could get. And finally, I invested in a good programmer, adapter sockets and blank chips. Not as easy as You might think as production of those stopped several years ago. At least I’m able to helping out fellow CRT enthusiasts...

Regards,
barclay66

[thewolfman]

For me the suspense is killing me.. have you had a chance with v8,0?

[barclay66]

Sorry, not until next week. Too much regular work going on right now...

Kind Regards,
barclay66