Updating Optoma HD3000 with RS-232 adapter cable?

[Seraphic]

Have an Optoma HD3000 that came with firmware C04 and I would like to update to C05. Problem one is, I do not have a RS-232 port on any of my systems... I do, however, have an USB to RS-232 adapter cable. Now problem two is, the update program makes it a point to say that one should not to use adapter cables. I was wondering if anyone has ignored the warning, used an adapter cable and done the update? If so, did it work? On another note: Is there a feature break down of the Optoma's firmware and what was included in each update? If there is nothing major between C04 and C05 I might just let it be as 1080p seems to be enabled.

[Fudoh]

An USB-RS232 adapter won't work, don't try it. If your unit already is 1080p-out-enabled, I wouldn't bother with the update. The update available online (from me or Phil) is C04 anyway. Some people have "downgraded" from C05 720p units to C04 1080p units and couldn't find any difference besides the unlocked 1080p output.

As far as I know the only differences between C04 an C05 are some 1080p24 input stability bugfixes.

Usually I'm all in for updates of any kind, but in this case I'd say "never change a running system".

[Seraphic]

My last computer (that has been long gutted and sold off as parts) had a RS232 port. Of course the only way to upgrade the unit is with a EoL interface port, lol. Do the update files you have include a HD3000_HDMI EXE, HD3000EUpgrade EXE, and a HD3000 Ver. C05 Zip? I sold my first 3000 to a friend for more then what I paid and purchased a second one from the same seller. However, the first one came with firmware C05 while this one came with C04 (but 1080p60 is still listed as an option). What firmware are you running on your 3000?

[Fudoh]

I have the same update package. You can't use the C05 zip file and embedded in the HD3000EUpgrade.exe is the C04 FW. I think I'm running C05 on mine, but there were only 7 or 8 weeks between C04 and C05, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Most modern mainboards have a RS232 port onboard. It's just deactivated and there's no external port.

[Seraphic]

What is the HD3000_HDMI EXE used for and the C05 zip file is unusable for updating to C05?

[Fudoh]

The other EXE is an update for a beamer what came bundles with the HD3000 in some countries. No idea how you can use the C05 zip file, sorry.

[Seraphic]

Did some searching and found a post from 2007:

1) The last firmware revision is C05, and everybody must have this version because it allows HD3k to output 1080p, and fixes some issues with new hardware TV's and projectors, especially through HDMI

2) It accepts 1080p/24 (in C05);

3) It's not HDMI 1.3 compatible, so forget Deep Colour with it, for the moment (see 4)

4) Future firmware upgrades will be possible, because HD81 projector is sold with a HD3000, even if the name is not the same

Now I really wish I kept my first unit...

[Fudoh]

1) and 2) are definitely wrong.

There are locked C05 units which can output 720p and there are unlocked C04 units which can output 1080p. The 720p units were bundled with 720p projectors, the 1080p units were sold on their own.

C04 units can accept 1080p24 via HDMI just fine.


Do you have any problems with your unit ? I don't understand why you're even looking into this or why you wish you'd kept your 1st unit ?!

[Seraphic]

I have not really tested it. I did however, do just that. I found... Well, take a look: On the plus side, unlike the system menu, the source picture itself does not appear to be affected and I was able to get a picture on my capture card from the 3000 with only one HDCP stripper. Which is something I could not really do on my first unit. But again, even when it worked, the menu did not look like this. Need to do some more testing...

[Fudoh]

I have f**ked up menus on my unit as well (from time to time). Power cycling helps. Sometimes the scaling if kaputt as well (weird horizontal and vertical lines). I also can't access the advanced picture settings from the menu (edge enhancement etc). I have to enter the gamma setting through the remote and then go down manually to access those features. They simply don't show up in the menu.

[Seraphic]

Power cycling seemed to fix it. I am also getting audio pass-thru from the HD3000's HDMI out port (T.V picks it up but capture card is not).

[SGGG2]

There are a bunch of image adjustment options listed in the manual such as edge enhancement, color vividness, B/W extension that aren't present in my unit over any input. Firmware version is D07 2007/01/22.

Is there a better firmware available?

I also can't access the advanced picture settings from the menu (edge enhancement etc). I have to enter the gamma setting through the remote and then go down manually to access those features. They simply don't show up in the menu.

This doesn't work for me. It cycles through the same options in the menu.

[Fudoh]

They are there, just not in the main menu. If you access a single function through the remote, you can then cycle through the functions from there and these will show up. I don't have my remote nearby, so I can't be more specific. It's like pressing the Gamma button on the remote and cycle through the items from there.....

And where did you get this D07 software ? Do you have it as a file ?

[SGGG2]

I tried it several times just as you mentioned, those options clearly aren't present. I bought the unit used off a home theatre enthusiasts board, and the previous owner seems to be a reasonably well known tech reviewer. Just sent him an email regarding firmware. Hopefully the address is still good.

[Fudoh]

Interesting. The Edge Enhancement function is either extremely subtle or it simply does nothing. Maybe that's why it's hidden away. No loss there.

(PS: The iScan Mini was just released and it has an "anti-ringing" scaling option)

[ApolloBoy]

So it has HDMI output but you still have to update it via RS232? WTF?

[SGGG2]

It was designed so only Optoma can update it, for a $200+ fee, of course.

Philexile and Fudoh figured out a way around that.

[SGGG2]

The previous owner got back to me; he never had the firmware updated. My unit's probably one of the later production models. I think I'll stick with D07 since I'm not having any of the issues other owners are having.

[Fudoh]

Haha, at least they seem to have removed those dead options from the menu. Probably the only chances they made

[ryu]

An USB-RS232 adapter won't work, don't try it.

Is that the case with all devices that have a 9pin RS232 connector?

[Fudoh]

Lumagen is fine with almost any USB/RS232 converter. DVDO requires a certain chipset.

[BuckoA51]

PS: The iScan Mini was just released and it has an "anti-ringing" scaling option

iScan Mini ? (Googles it)

Ah, their answer to the Radiance Mini I suppose... WTF is this stupid trend for tiny scalers with virtually no inputs and outputs now?

[Fudoh]

Get that: NO deinterlacing on the iScan Mini.