MX-760HD WhichFirmware
From MvixCommunity
Contents |
Guide To Available Firmware
Here is a fairly detailed guide of what firmware versions are available for a Mvix MX-7x0HD media player.
There are enough firmware versions out there to get anyone very confused, especially since adventurous owners have messed with Unicorn's intended version lineage for the MX-generation players. We brought this upon ourselves, so it is left to the community to assist others on their path forward.
The latest 'stock' firmware versions are as follows: (as at October 2008)
- MX-760HD - v1.2.2
- MX-780HD - v2.0.4
Similarities: They both share the same bug-fixes (according to Mvix.net) and otherwise appear to be of the same generation.
Main differences: The 760 firmware GUI features blue screens vs the 780 firmware's purple screens. Other than that, nothing more has come to light.
Note - Version 1.2.0 and prior builds of the MX-760HD firmware excluded the Internet Radio & beta TV functionality.
Disclaimer Warning
One word of warning before I get into this - running 780 firmware on a MX-760HD is not in any way endorsed by Mvix, Unicorn, any Mvix retailer, or even MvixCommunity for that matter - you do stand to lose your warranty! Worse still, if you do not follow the firmware installation procedure or install a corrupt firmware file, then you risk bricking your unit. Familiarise yourself thoroughly with the debrick procedure before you decide to follow this course of action - if it appears too much for you to manage then don't do it!
Naming Standards
Note that for the purpose of this dialogue, the naming standards to be found are as follows:
- 760 firmware
- Official mvix.net name: MVIX-*.*.*
- Unofficial name: 760-*.*.*
- 780 firmware
- Official mvix.net name: MX780-*.*.*
- Unofficial name: 780-*.*.*
- FTP/TELNET/HTTP-enabled firmware
- firmware with the suffix: ~mod or ~olav
If you are in any doubt at all, go to one of the official sites and download the original firmware for your unit.
Which version will work for you?
(1) MX-760HD with original 760 Firmware
If you have a 760 with its original firmware (1.x) or you have upgraded to a newer firmware of this generation (1.x), then you must use a firmware file bearing the naming standard 760-x.x. You can easily recognise this state by reading the LCD screen on startup - it will read '760'. Or, if you check your firmware version within the SETUP menu, it will be of the 1.x generation.
You have 4 upgrade options:
- (a) Upgrade to stock 760 firmware.
- Download a file of the naming standard 760-1.x
- (b) Change to hacked 780 firmware.
- Download a file named 760-2.x
- (c) Change to 760 firmware with FTP mod.
- Download a file named 760-1.x.x-mod
- (d) Change to hacked 780 firmware with FTP mod.
- Download a file named 760-2.x.x-mod
(2) MX-760HD running hacked 780 firmware
If you have a 760 and you have already installed any firmware of the 2.x generation, then you have effectively turned your MX-760HD unit into a 780 (from a firmware perspective anyway), therefore it will only recognise 780 firmware from that point onward - use a firmware filename with the 780-prefix. Once more - look at the LCD screen on startup - if your MX-760HD says '780' then you have already installed 2.x firmware, and now you must continue to install 780 firmware (bearing the 780-prefix. If you check the firmware version from the SETUP menu, it will read 2.x.
You also have 4 options:
- (a) Change to another stock 780 firmware version
- Download a file named 780-2.x
- (b) Change to 780 firmware with FTP mod
- Download a file named 780-2.x.x-mod or ~olav
- (c) Change to stock 760 firmware
- Download a file of the naming standard 780-1.x
- (d) Change to 760 firmware with FTP mod
- Download a file named 780-1.x.x-mod or ~olav
In brief:
- Original (stock) lineage:
- MX760 - use fw 760-1.x
- MX780 - use fw 780-2.x
- Changing from 760 to 780 firmware:
- MX760 displaying '760' on startup - download 760-2.x
- Upgrading existing 780 firmware:
- MX760 displaying '780' on startup - download 780-2.x
The '~mod' (also found in their original name-format: '~olav') files all feature Olav's original FTP/TELNET/HTTP modification.
Most of these newer firmware versions have had this mod carried over through the various upgrades thanks to Nyco and Olav himself. Thanks to them both we now enjoy versions with FTP access to the firmware and directory tree.
Now there have been various reports in the MvixCommunity forum of this firmware version working better than that - this dialogue doesn't go there - this is simply to give the MX-7x0HD owner an indication of how to recognise which firmware will work on their units.
Reverting MX-760HD back to original firmware lineage
For all those desperate 760 owners who installed the hacked 780 firmware on their MX-760HD and are wondering how to revert back to the original firmware lineage for the 760, this is for you. There is a way to go back to the original 760 firmware lineage! If you have at any point installed the 780 firmware on your 760, your 760 will believe that it is a 780 in that it will only validate 780 firmware. You need to install 760 firmware that has had the validation field altered to allow this installation to take place. We have provided an edited firmware file just for you. Look for v1.2.1 under the '780 modded firmware' section on this firmware downloads link. This particular version includes full Internet Radio and TV functionality and bug-fixes which brings it in line with the 780-2.0.3 version. After installing 780-1.2.1, the 760 will once more assume the characteristics of a 760 and will accept 760-specific firmware henceforth. There is another way, but this will involve some nerve and a little hex editing of the header data of the firmware file in order to pass the version validity check - more about that later.
If anything else should fail, you can always load the 760 1.1.17 emergency ROM image as described in the MX-760HD_DebrickingHowto.
Other links of interest
Go back to MX-760HD Main Page
