MORE OPTIONS FOR YOUR ADV7175/7176 VIDEO PROCESSOR EQUIPPED AD-600A
ADV715 and ADV7176 video chip equipped players are a variant on the "normal" ADV7170 equipped players. The history of why AD-600A players started appearing with ADV7175 video chips is a bit of a mystery (possibly a shortage of ADV7170 chips).
Another variant is the ADV7176 video chip. This chip only appears in *SOME* Australian Hiteker AD-600A players because someone thought it would be a good idea to remove Macrovision by changing the chip (the ADV7176 does not support Macrovision). Wrong! This lead to some compatibility problems, which was later fixed with GK600B firmware anyway.
Whatever the case, these oddball chips have lead to a lot of hassles. It has meant that Apex people have been stuck with old and outdated firmware (A4, A7 and A10), or the only REAL upgrade option was to install GK600B/ADV7176 firmware but this meant removing the karaoke chip to restore analogue audio.
NO MORE!!!
Thanks to mpho01, who owns an AD-600A with an ADV7175 processor, there are now several VERY exiting options for you. But first if you do not know what the video chip is or what version you have please look at this picture:
As can be seen by the picture the video processor is outlined as shown. You will either see the markings "ADV7170", "ADV7175" or "ADV7176" printed on the chip. If you have an ADV7170 then this page does not apply to you and none of this firmware will work. For ADV7170 video processor people your page is HERE.
So what are your options?
There is the original upgrade by using GK600B/ADV7176 firmware (Region Free, Macrovision removed and RCE defeated), however remember that the karaoke chip needs removal if you want analogue audio as discussed HERE. Digital audio output is unaffected.
If you do not want to remove the karaoke chip then there is now an ADV7175 version of N6 (Region Free, Macrovision removed and RCE defeated) which allows you to have the last "official release" firmware for the AD-600A without the need to remove the karaoke chip. You can get the ADV7175 version of N6 HERE.
Alternatively you may want to use the ADV7175 version of the Haier HD-700 firmware which adds the ability to play Mini-DVD discs. This firmware is Region Free, Macrovision removed and RCE defeated, and also has been modified to support the standard AD-600A remote control. Please be advised however that the karaoke chip DOES need removal if you want analogue audio as discussed HERE. Digital audio output is unaffected.
But here is the BIG ONE! You can now use an ADV7175/ADV7176 version of the One Firmware For All (OFFA). This firmware includes:
-Analog Audio patch, remote and front panel buttons working
-Front Panel display patches
-Boot-up to On patch [no more hitting the remote power or Open/Close button]
-No more Blinking when turned on patch
-LoopHoles Menu for Region setting/Bypass, Macrovision Auto & Off, SCART Out option
-1.5 Zoom
-It is UOP disabled
-It is CGMS/A disabled
-Read VOB,AC3,VBS patch
-Rear, Center, Back and subwoofer patch
-Improved Playback through subfolders/sorting patch and Analog (Mp3 only) volume control
-Fix Corrupted index number when displaying jpg tiles patch
PLEASE NOTE: In most cases to use ANY of the above firmware you are going to need to get your firmware chip replaced as the standard firmware chip that comes with the AD-600A is NOT re-programmable or CDR upgradable. If your player looks like the circuit boards shown above, and when you peel off the firmware sticker you see the markings "27C040" printed on the firmware chip and also you do not see a little round glass window under the sticker then it is definitely NOT re-usable and you will need to purchase a new 27C040 or 27C4001 EPROM and get it programmed as per the details on THIS PAGE. If however the markings on the chip say "29F040" then it IS a re-usable chip, but this is very rare.
If you are unsure what type of firmware chip you have, please EMAIL ME.
