APEX AD-500WM
WARNING!!!
There is more than one version of the Apex AD-500WM!
To find out which version you have, do the following:
1. Eject the disc tray.
2. Push the
following buttons on the remote:
SETUP
SLOW
|<< (Track Back)
>>| (Track Forward)
You should
now see a screen titled VERSION PAGE or FACTORY CONTROL PAGE.
If you don't see this screen, try this sequence instead:
SETUP
STEP
|<< (Track Back)
>>| (Track Forward)
You should now definitely see the VERSION PAGE or FACTORY CONTROL PAGE.
If the
VERSION is listed as "MD20-1", then scroll down to the
next section
and follow the instructions.
If the
VERSION is listed as "500DE-1AM", then the firmware
available on this page will NOT work. However, you CAN use
firmware designed to
work on the no-letter AD-500...click HERE to access the no-letter AD-500 page. BUT FIRST, read
the paragraph below:
NOTE: it has been
reported that some 500WM's that have this "500DE-1AM"
firmware will NOT advance past the "ERASE" stage of the
upgrade. If you find that this is the case, and you want to
upgrade, you will need to open up your player and check to see if
the firmware chip is in a socket. (The chip is rectangular in
shape.) Once you've confirmed that the chip can easily be
removed, you will need to buy a new chip with the desired
firmware programmed onto it. Details on ordering a
replacement chip are available HERE. You can also order a firmware
chip at a very reasonable price from chipdlx@yahoo.com. Regardless of who you contact
to get the chip, specify that you need an "AMD 29f040 or compatible" 32-pin DIP chip.
Once you receive the replacement firmware chip, you can visit THIS PAGE
for instructions on how to properly pop out the old chip and put
in the new one.
If the
VERSION is listed as something other than what is mentioned
above, or if no VERSION screen is shown at all, please visit the AD-500/500B/500W/500WM forum
and report your findings.
Again, all
information which appears below pertains ONLY to AD-500WM's that
come with factory firmware version MD20-1!
Upgrading AD-500WM's that
come with
factory firmware version MD-20-1
The 500WM has been around for a little while, however not a lot is known about it. It is thought that the 500WM was supposed to be a "replacement" DVD player for the 500W. Having said that BEWARE!!! The 500WM IS NOT THE SAME AS A 500W AND THE 500W FIRMWARE WILL NOT WORK IN A 500WM!!!. It is possible to make the 500WM Regionless and Macrovision disabled - see below...
Here are some pictures of inside a 500WM:
GOOD NEWS!!!
THE ORIGINAL 500WM FIRMWARE HAS NOW BEEN FULLY MODIFIED CAN NOW
BE MADE REGIONLESS, RCE IMMUNE AND MACROVISION DISABLED
THE FIRMWARE
Click HERE for the Regionless, RCE immune and Macrovision Off firmware ready for CDR upgrading.
To make your CDR for upgrading firmware:
1. Unzip the downloaded file.
2. Burn disc ISO9660, Mode 1, Track at once, closed CD.
With Nero use ISO 1 MODE 1 and click DOS in
the Character set. If you don't understand what this
means, you might want to check out this excellent article put together by the guys at Area 450. The
article references Sampo firmware, but the burning specifications
are the same. Be sure to "finalize" the disc, or the
player probably won't be able to read it.
3. Turn on player and insert CDR. Screen will go weird and the name of the file will appear on the upper left then "writing" will flash 3 times and finally "done", screen will blank and the tray will come out. The machine may power off at this point. Pull the disc out and power back on. Don't worry if you don't see the "words" on the screen, just let the process finish.
What if you want to change back to the original firmware?
If you do not like the upgraded firmware you can download the original AD-500WM (Region1/Macrovision on) firmware HERE and burn the firmware to a CDR using the steps above.
CHANGING THE BACKGROUND IMAGE
If you want to change the background you can! This procedure can be used on the original AD-500WM firmware or Regionless/Macrovision off version.
Click HERE for the Regionless and Macrovision off AD-500WM firmware as a .bin image of the chip.
Click HERE for the original Region 1/Macrovision on AD-500WM firmware as a .bin image of the chip.
Use either .bin file with ApexLogo to change the background image. Click HERE for instructions on how to do that.
Remember!!! once you have changed the picture with ApexLogo BEFORE you burn the file to CDR you MUST change the new file made with ApexLogo to have the filename U500WM.ROM otherwise it will NOT work!
Please Note! I do not own an Apex AD-500WM. All care taken in accurately providing this information which is kindly provided by others who do own these models. Please visit the Apex Forums and go to the "AD500/AD500WM" page if you require any assistance.
ALSO NOTE I
AM NOT A FIRMWARE PROGRAMMER!!!
So please don't ask me when other features will be available...
