Issues with the VP30 + ABT 102 Card

[tongshadow]

So I've recently acquired a VP30 with the ABT102 card included, but I cant see the options in the menu for Deinterlacing/Gamemode.
The software version is 1.06 and the most recent one is 1.14. Do I need the latest version to get the ABT102 to work?
I noticed that the card got completely loose during transportation so I opened it up and tightened it a little, but the VP30 still wont detect the card apparently.

If I do need an update, how should I go on to update it without a serial port?

Thanks in advance!

[orange808]

Here's the last firmware and all the DVDO documentation and additional release notes for the iScan vp30.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/nhgr2f3ta8zhre0/vp30.zip

Read the readme file.

[tongshadow]

Yes I got it already, but I need to know if the firmware v1.06 is enough to run with the ABT102 card, I want to make sure it's deffective before updating.

[Xyga]

With any DVDO machine you always need the latest firmware anyway.

Also in your case check that the card is properly inserted in the dedicated slot and do a hard reset (maybe a soft reset would be enough, dunno, try both)
It's rather hard to insert (don't be brutal with it though!) and also can come off easily if it wasn't properly inserted to begin.

The options don't appear if the card isn't detected, so better make sure.

[tongshadow]

With any DVDO machine you always need the latest firmware anyway.

Also in your case check that the card is properly inserted in the dedicated slot and do a hard reset (maybe a soft reset would be enough, dunno, try both)
It's rather hard to insert (don't be brutal with it though!) and also can come off easily if it wasn't properly inserted to begin.

The options don't appear if the card isn't detected, so better make sure.

Ok, how do I perform a hard reset?
If it this doesnt work, I'll open it up again to make sure it's properly seated (pretty sure I've put enough force into it lol).

[Xyga]

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/855/A ... ml?page=42

But a hard reset without checking the card first most probably won't fix anything.

[tongshadow]

Yea just tried the hard reset+rechecking the abt card and no dice
I might really need to update after all... can I use one of those USB to Serial cables to do this? I know it's possible on Windows 7 as well.

[Xyga]

We were just talking serial adapters and cards in the general thread: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... start=4860
(I would never try a simple USB>serial cable, most certainly won't work)

[tongshadow]

We were just talking serial adapters and cards in the general thread: http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... start=4860
(I would never try a simple USB>serial cable, most certainly won't work)

And what do you recommend exactly? The VP30's guide itself says it should work with those USB>Serial cables.

[tongshadow]

Ok, did some research and looks like a need a serial to USB cable that uses the FTDI chipset. Would this be enough to update my VP30?

[Xyga]

Dude I've posted a link to the page where we discuss it because there's more than one post, just read and you'll find out.

[tongshadow]

Dude I've posted a link to the page where we discuss it because there's more than one post, just read and you'll find out.

Xyga, I apologize if I'm asking stupid questions (again) but I want to make sure that I'm in the right direction because I'll need to spend extra money on something that might or not work. So I hope I'm not testing you patience.

I've read the whole page and after some research I have reached some conclusions:
-My VP30 with the FW v1.06 cant detect or open the new menu options for the ABT102, so an update to at least 1.07 will be needed (I'll use v1.14 of course)
-The most reliable method is using a standard Serial cable, either from an old hardware or using a PCI adapter. The PCI adapter could be "iffy" according to the post on that topic.
-Serial to USB do work, but they need the FTDI chipset and even then it's not 100% guaranteed because drivers newer than 1.0.2151.0 wont work on iScan units. However, it looks like you managed to get the older FTDI/Serial drivers to update your units.
Feel free to correct me.

My options are either a PCI card Serial adapter or an USB to Serial cable. For me the PCI card would be cheaper, a cable with the FTDI chipset costs three times as much! And according to you, both options work with tons of extra work.

So yea, now I'm thinking about getting the PCI card.
Again, thanks for the patience and help until now.

[Xer Xian]

Hi, I'm the one who in the other thread commented about Serial to USB interfaces besides Xyga. I was going to buy the PCI card I linked to because I thought it was equipped with some kind of proprietary chipset different from the FTDI one, but then I read a bit more and I'm now unsure about that. The drivers incompatibility issue I reported was probably referred to the official Serial-to-USB cable that DVDO listed among the optional accessories for the DVDO VP50, and may not be relevant for other cables/adaptors after all.

I ended up buying the same adapter as Xyga suggested, if you can wait a few days I will report back my experience.

[tongshadow]

Hi, I'm the one who in the other thread commented about Serial to USB interfaces besides Xyga. I was going to buy the PCI card I linked to because I thought it was equipped with some kind of proprietary chipset different from the FTDI one, but then I read a bit more and I'm now unsure about that. The drivers incompatibility issue I reported was probably referred to the official Serial-to-USB cable that DVDO listed among the optional accessories for the DVDO VP50, and may not be relevant for other cables/adaptors after all.

I ended up buying the same adapter as Xyga suggested, if you can wait a few days I will report back my experience.

Alright, thanks for clearing that up. I'd wait, but I just cant find that specific model anywhere around here
Guess a proper Serial to USB cable (FTDI) is still a better bet than a PCI card then...

[tongshadow]

Ok my cable arrived today and... I managed to update it!
It was way easier than I imagined, all I needed was the latest FTDI drivers from here:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm

I'm on Windows 7 64 Bit btw. The installation was a breeze, there's even a guide on the website. The whole update process was also pretty easy and quick, took less than 15 mins to upgrade my VP30 from 1.06 to 1.14.

After the update I finally managed to get the Deinterlacing options, and damn they're pretty useful for PS2 games. GM1 is actually faster than my PS2+cheap HDMI adapter directly connected to my display, which is already pretty much lagless (only 10ms, one of the newer BenQ models). GM2 really does proper deinterlacing and the result matches native progressive images. I'm really satisfied with the result.

Oh but theres more... it's actually also pretty useful to use with a PS3/720P sources. Believe me or not, the result is much better (the overall image is sharper, less blurry and slightly more colorful) than plugging the PS3 directly to my display. That was a pleasant surprise because at first I wasnt expecting much from progressive/HD sources but now I can say it's worth if your TV tends to blur the image for upscaling 720p to 1080p. Oh it also removes the HDCP from HD signals, so recording my games from a PS3 is even easier now thanks to the VP30. I can even post some comparison pictures if anyone desires to see the difference.
Now I can also use it as a Hub for my consoles and cable TV

So yes, at first I wasnt expecting much from the VP30+ABT 102 (I thought I would even regret buying it, was pretty expensive afterall), but now I can safely say that despite being a 10+ year old device, it's still a nice and extremely versatile piece of hardware for displaying a nice picture from any devices on your modern displays. Compared to my iScan HD the VP30 is really on a different league, the newest updates also adds a bunch of nice quality of life features, like Passthrough for HD/Digital signals.

10/10 would buy again.

[Xyga]

Glad it went smoothly!

Yes it's still a strong machine, one of the top 2~3 for PS2 era interlaced games, but also good for 720p>1080p indeed.
I use it with my 360 set to 720p, it allows me to zoom 2D games properly and avoid the crappy filters, beats every other solution.
It's also great with the older XRGB's and OSSC.

For using with monitors and TVs that don't do a good job with all that stuff, it's a great addon. There's many occasions to use it with benefit.
It lacks some of the more advanced things of the VP50 Pro, but I appreciate its simplicity, plus it stays cool and silent.