Here is the firmware for the 500W. There has been four versions released (2, 3, 4 and 6). 6 is the latest official version. Note however as explained further down the page you CANNOT use Version 6 in an older model 500W or use an older firmware in a Version 6 player successfully. There is no need to anyway as there is a region selectable/macrovision removed version of 500W-4 (usable in all older players) and 500W-6 (for newer players)
Note: All 500W firmware is *NOT* CDR upgradable nor is the original chip that came with the player from the factory re-programmable, so you have to buy a blank 27C040 or 27C4001 type EPROM chip and program it in a chip programmer with the modified firmware as discussed HERE. *NOTE: APE-500W-6 firmware equipped player owners please EMAIL ME first because you MAY or MAY NOT have a 27C040 or 27C4001 type chip in your player. Currently there is a LOT of confusion with the new batch of 500W-6 players and you need to speak with me FIRST to clarify exactly what you have.
If you have not got access to a chip programmer click HERE and I can help you. Details on how to program an EPROM available elsewhere on this site.
APE-500W-4 FIRMWARE
WITH REGION SETTING!
Now, for the first time ever, there is a way to "Dual Boot" a 500W with only the one firmware chip. Thanks to an anonymous person, the 500W Version 4 firmware has been patched to enable selection of either Region Free or Region 1 setting via a menu setting. The firmware is also Macrovision disabled. Players with Version 1 to Version 4 firmware can upgrade it to this special Version 4 with just a chip change.
DO NOT use this firmware if you have a Version 6 player. Your Analogue audio will be distorted!
Click HERE for more details on the Region Selectable firmware!
EXPERIMENTAL:
500W Firmware
WITH RCE IMMUNITY
This firmware was taken from a CONIA M-100 player and will work in any 500W but no front panel display or buttons (except power button). Remote control works fine. The firmware is also Regionless and Macrovision disabled. The background image can be changed as per the instructions on the Backgrounds page.
Click HERE for the CONIA M-100 firmware.
This is EXPERIMENTAL ONLY!! If you are unsure about using this firmware then DON'T!
Version 6 owners please note: I need someone to test this firmware in their player. I am quite certain it will cause Analogue audio distortion but I do not have the means to test it myself.
Below is all the older firmware for the 500W just in case you ever want it.
APE-500W-2 FIRMWARE
Click HERE for the modified 500W-2 firmware (Region Free/Macrovision Off).
NOTE: The Region Free version is not RCE proof.
Click HERE if you want the patch program for 500W-2 firmware to set your own region. You must use the original 500W-2 firmware for the patch to work. Other versions of firmware (for example 500W-3) WILL NOT WORK.
Click HERE for the original 500W-2 firmware.
APE-500W-3 FIRMWARE
You can use APE-500W-3 to upgrade your APE-500W-2 player.
Click HERE for the modified 500W-3 firmware (Region Free/Macrovision Off).
Click HERE for the modified 500W-3 firmware (Region 1/Macrovision Off).
NOTE: The Region Free version is not RCE proof.
Click HERE if you want the patch program for 500W-3 firmware to set your own region. You must use the original 500W-3 firmware for the patch to work. Other versions of firmware (for example 500W-2) WILL NOT WORK.
Click HERE for the original 500W-3 firmware.
APE-500W-4 FIRMWARE
You can use APE-500W-4 to upgrade your 500W-2 or 500W-3 player.
Click HERE for the modified 500W-4 firmware (Region Free/Macrovision Off).
Click HERE for the modified 500W-4 firmware (Region 1/Macrovision Off).
Click HERE for the modified 500W-4 firmware (Region 4/Macrovision Off).
NOTE: The Region Free version is not RCE proof.
Click HERE for the original APE-500W-4 firmware (Region 1/Macrovision on).
NOTE: There is no patch program for changing the regions, however you can HEX edit the modified W-4 files above. Using a HEX editor go to location 0x75702 and change the byte. 00=Region Free, 01 = Region 1, 02 = Region 2....etc, etc. If you require something other than Region Free or Region 1 or Region 4 and cannot do the HEX edit yourself then EMAIL ME.
DO NOT use ANY of the above firmware if you have a Version 6 player. Your Analogue audio will be distorted! Please read below if you have a Version 6 500W player.
APE-500W-6 FIRMWARE
Click HERE for the original 500W-6 firmware. (Region 1/Macrovision On)
Click HERE for the modified 500W-6 firmware with a region selector and Macrovision removed.
So what is the problem with using 500W-6 in an older player, or any older firmware in a 500W-6 machine? I have had the time to check the APE-500W-6 firmware in my old (originally APE-500W-2) unit and unfortunately the results are far from good. Here is a brief rundown:
First up: Audio problems. APE-500W-6 *WILL NOT* be suitable for anything else other than a player that came with APE-500W-6 firmware. The analogue audio is shockingly distorted. It is as if someone has wound up the gain in the audio chip way too high and it is clipping (distorting) to the max. I am sure this is to do with loader revisions and/or some differences in the audio chip on the mainboard but as of yet no confirmation.
And Secondly: CDR updating. Definite no-go with MX, AMD or Hyundai branded 29F040 flashroms. I tried both flashing it again with APE-500W-6 and even downgrading to APE-500W-4 with the region selector menu and it failed every time. The unit DOES recognise the CDR and begins the upgrade (you see it say BLANKING, WRITING, etc on the TV) and after about 30 seconds the screen goes blank and the player sits there. Cycling the power off/on brings back a totally dead player and upon reading out the chip in my programmer it is just a blank chip.
In all honesty there is absolutely NO reason to want to use 500W-6 in an older player or older firmware in a 500W that came with 500W-6 firmware as I can not tell any functional difference between the region selectable 500W-4 and the region selectable 500W-6.
In conclusion for the time being until further developments please follow these "rules":
* DO NOT use APE-500W-6 in an older model 500W
* DO NOT use APE-500W-4 (or earlier) in a 500W that came with APE-500W-6 from the factory
* APE-500W-6 does have CDR upgrade functionality but is not successful
There is also a thread on the Apex Forums regarding the current problems with Version 6 firmware. You can view the particular thread HERE.
If anyone has the means to do further testing your input would be appreciated.