[NX3]

This is the official update from LG Australia for the LG 8900P of which the Targa is a clone. Unlike other version of 1.385201 this one includes support for the memory card slots :-)

Other changes / fixes... more responsive to remote, better zoom options, less overscan. Some other bits as well I expect but thats all thats been noticed so far...oh and the logo says LG now not Targa. I guess it will void your warrenty if you get any problems and Targa notice.....

I've updated 2 Targa so far with no problems.

http://board.softpedia.com/index.php...e=post&id=1682

How to firmware upgrade :

To get your current firmware version. Press the SETUP button and go to the “TV Aspect” menu. Locate the cursor at 16:9 Wide, and press ‘1397139' and then enter. This can be quite tricky to do but repeat until you get a blue screen with system information.

Targa Model Code is DV8E30242 unless you've updated to a non Targa firmware previously.

1) Check the ‘MODEL’ and make a note of it.

2) In Nero create a CD ISO, Mode 1, File Type ISO 9660 + Joilet, File name length 11 = 8 + 3, Character set ISO 9660.

Create a directory structure on your disc as follows :

LG_DVD\FIRMWARE\UPGRADE\LG

From the file you downloaded from the link above extract the MIH file. Read the PDF, it will tell you what I'm posting here more or less.

3) Rename the file from LV8A3024D.MIH to DV8E30242.MIH
(if your running Targa branded firmware e.g you see the Targa logo on screen)

4) Copy the MIH file to your disc into the LG directory.

Burn to disc, I used a CD-RW without any problems.

To upgrade your DVD player, turn it on, insert the disc. If you made the disc correctly you will get no error message and a screen

5) Insert program update disk, screen as following appears. Do following screen message saying :

"Firmware Upgrade mode
Reading : 0

Take off the disc and press UP key to upgrade"

6) Disc tray opens automatically, and then you will take out the disc and press ‘UP’ key.

7) About 1 minute takes upgrade
(it seems like a very long minute)

8) DVD player is reset automatically.

You will now see the LG logo on screen, proving the update worked.

Note you do this at your own risk, I've update two machines no problems and my Targa about 5 times now with various firmwares.

[n83a]

without trying to sound stupid.... if i do update the firmware to this version what difference will it make? thanks. n83a

[NX3]

it won't make a major difference no, it just improves a few things a small amount.

Sensible question imo...

[n83a]

cheers for the info NX3...i just bought a targa dp5100x (excellent player i must add) and ive been searching for the latest firmware but cant find it. Could you point me in the right direction please. thanks again. n83a

[NX3]

private message me your email address and I'll email to you

*bump*

NX3, I have PMed you my e-mail address in the hope that you can give me a copy of the 8900P firmware since the above link is dead. Thanks in advance.

This is probably stupid question, but looking at the manual on the LG Australia web site I notice that the 8900P doesn't have a SCART socket (perhaps not surprising since SCART is a European interconnect). Does the RGB SCART work correctly with the LG Australia firmware?

[NX3]

Yes RGB scart works fine

Many thanks, NX3!

I installed the new firmware and am happy to report that everything is working fine, including the card slots and RGB SCART.

[NX3]

Good good

[uczmeg]

I believe I have sourced the right files, assuming this is still the most recent firmware (LV8A3024D.zip).

But I can't get the current firmware version using the 1397139 trick. The instructions and pictures talk about the '16x9 Wide 'setting, but mine just says '16x9' and my menus look different to the picture in the PDF.

So I tried renaming it to the filename above, but haven't got anywhere with the disk yet, it seemed to think it was a VCD (after a long wait) and did nothing.

Will try burning another later in case that is the problem, but does anyone have any suggestions on how to get into the firmware screen?

Thanks
Marc

[NX3]

Check your email....

[uczmeg]

Worked a treat thank you!

NX3 brought a Targa DP-5100, when it works its brill when it doesn't I want to throw it out the window, it play divx when it wants, then won't plat dvd or vice versa, why?

I've searched the net for the LG 8900P Firmware Update 1.385201, no luck do you think it would help cure my problems and if so can you send it to me?

TIA

[NX3]

what brand disc are you using ? what codec are the files it won't play and what res ?

I doubt the latest firmware will fix it but let me know the answers to the above.

I'm using datawrite titanium for both divx and DVD, not to sure but I used Gspot and it came up with xvid and 352 x 288.

As I said, sometimes they both work perfectly, other days the same films stutter along, the player makes loads of noise as if it's searching for the data, I can't figure out whats wrong.

Sounds like it could be a packed bitstream problem.

Most Targas seem to come with v1.3381 of the firmware preinstalled. This is old firmware and is not compatible with packed bitstream XVID; it can cause the video to stutter. The later v1.36x firmware from Targa and the compatible v1.385201 firmware from LG do not have this problem.

I Updated the firmware to Firmware_dp5100x_UK_BE.zip but still does the same, I think it's time to open her up and see if there is something wrong with the reader, as DVD's should play fine, what do you think?

Well, better you than me.

Do prerecorded DVD-Video discs play correctly? If so then maybe it doesn't like the brand of disc. If not then there probably is a fault with the drive mechanism. I haven't had any playback problems so far but I haven't had it for long. Recordable media playback is far more reliable than my Panasonic player.

[NX3]

If you've updated the firmware etc then its not packed bitsteam. You might have a duff laser or it just doesn't like the brand of disc your using. Or even your writer could be making bad discs. I use verbatim discs, Pioneer dvd writer, no problems.

i found this version of the firmware over here

ftp://ftp.jokiin.com/DVD/LV8A3024D.zip

The above file is the v1.385201 firmware.

[NX3]

Yup thats the LG v1.385201, works on Targa, changes the logo to LG etc. As I've said before if you want a copy PM me and I'll send in ready to burn Nero format or get from Jokiin site.

[Mr_Fantastic]

Originally Posted by ceebee

I Updated the firmware to Firmware_dp5100x_UK_BE.zip but still does the same, I think it's time to open her up and see if there is something wrong with the reader, as DVD's should play fine, what do you think?

I would not open it up, just have it repaired under guarantee. Phone the number that came with the DVD player and find out where to send it. Opening it up will void the guarantee.

On another topic. NX3 have you experienced any playback problems with VBR MP3 soundtracks with avi XVid files? I now have two files which will not play back correctly. These are both XVid with VBR MP3 audio and GSpot shows that the DAR (Display Aspect Ratio) and FAR (Frame Aspect Ration) are both well over 16:9. One has Packed Bitstream (first) and the other(second) doesn't, the first has 23.976 frames/sec and the second runs at 25 fps. Both are 640 x 272 pixels and both have FAR & DAR of 2.353 (40:17). This seems to be the only difference between these two which don't play correctly (sound is broken up, plays a bit and skips) and all the other VBR MP3's play fine. The only way I have managed to play these files is to strip the audio out and convert it to AC3.

Originally Posted by Mr_Fantastic

The only way I have managed to play these files is to strip the audio out and convert it to AC3.

Would you mind explaining how you convert the audio? I know how to extract audio from an AVI using VirtualDubMod and then convert it to another audio format using an external audio converter, but I don't know how to replace the audio in an AVI.

The only file I have found so far that doesn't play is a 960 x 540 XVID (sound, but no picture). I don't think the MT1389 chipset supports resolutions above DVD, which is fair enough.

[NX3]

3 year warrenty is good imo...don't open up a void !!

Hmm had lots of things with mp3 soundtrack, not sure if VBR though. I'd prob convert in virtual dub to CBR mp3.

Rimmer. In VDub you can get it to re-encode the audio in the app without using external converter, leaving video steam as is (not touching it). Fairly quick and painless for CBR mp3 as it doesn't need much cpu grunt.

[Mr_Fantastic]

Originally Posted by Rimmer

Would you mind explaining how you convert the audio? I know how to extract audio from an AVI using VirtualDubMod and then convert it to another audio format using an external audio converter, but I don't know how to replace the audio in an AVI.

The only file I have found so far that doesn't play is a 960 x 540 XVID (sound, but no picture). I don't think the MT1389 chipset supports resolutions above DVD, which is fair enough.

I use Nandub (a variation on Virtualdub) and open the avi file. Then save Wav to extract the audio. Then use Besweet to convert the wav into AC3 and then on the audio menu select AC3 and that allows you to select the AC3 file that you just converted, select direct stream copy on the video and audio menus. Then just save as avi to process it. You would be best to goto preferences and force optimizations if you are using an AMD CPU to force 3dnow instead of SSE which usually gets used but not really necessary as it is only copying the streams. I don't trust default optimizations to get it right and I like showing my contempt for programs that use SSE over 3dnow+ Nandub even allows you to have two audio streams as well.

RedDwarf is Brilliant Rimmer if that is what your name refers to.

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions / tips, I guess I'll just have to send it back I know it's not the disc's as they all play with no problems on my old Yamada 2100 player (except avi of course!), as for my writer, a Pioneer 106 writing at x2 on x8 datawrite titanium's I can't see them being duff?

Now to try and downgrade the firmware back to dp5100x_UK_BE, don't want to give Targa any excuse for why it don't work now do I!

On a side note, did any of you get the Targa DRH-5100x from Lidl today? I got there at 9, went to where they usually put their offers, only to see a notice saying "at the tills" got there just in time to see the last one being sold

Originally Posted by Mr_Fantastic

I use Nandub (a variation on Virtualdub) and open the avi file. Then save Wav to extract the audio. Then use Besweet to convert the wav into AC3 and then on the audio menu select AC3 and that allows you to select the AC3 file that you just converted, select direct stream copy on the video and audio menus. Then just save as avi to process it. You would be best to goto preferences and force optimizations if you are using an AMD CPU to force 3dnow instead of SSE which usually gets used but not really necessary as it is only copying the streams. I don't trust default optimizations to get it right and I like showing my contempt for programs that use SSE over 3dnow+ Nandub even allows you to have two audio streams as well.

Thanks for the tips. Never used Nandub before.

Originally Posted by NX3

In VDub you can get it to re-encode the audio in the app without using external converter, leaving video steam as is (not touching it). Fairly quick and painless for CBR mp3 as it doesn't need much cpu grunt.

The problem I had with VirtualDub was that I never could get it to process VBR MP3s, even after installing the appropriate codec and reading various forum posts about the problem. In the end I found it easier to rip the audio using VirtualDubMod (Stream List > Save) and then convert with an audio converter. I never managed to get VirtualDubMod to save a new audio track to the AVI (direct stream processing saved the original video + audio).

[Mr_Fantastic]

Originally Posted by ceebee

NX3 brought a Targa DP-5100, when it works its brill when it doesn't I want to throw it out the window, it play divx when it wants, then won't plat dvd or vice versa, why?

I've searched the net for the LG 8900P Firmware Update 1.385201, no luck do you think it would help cure my problems and if so can you send it to me?

TIA

Sorry this didn't "Click" with me at the time until I saw it again. My First Targa machine had a very similar problem. It had terrible trouble playing disks, sticking and pausing. I got it replaced and the new one worked a treat.