Technics SLDZ-1200

[e-potis]

Hey all. I've been with rockbox for years (I'm still using my archos rec thanx to rockbox). The awful support from technics reminded me how this movement was not supported by archos and how much better than the original firmware has rockbox always been.

So I thought I might ask (not really hoping for anything) if anyone of you owns one of this deck and has done anything regarding its firmware. Would anyone be interested in expanding the supported line into something more big and dj'ish. I know these devices are probably too complicated and too expensive for someone to temper with but I 've seen you guys do miracles. Afterall these play mp3s as well.


Some words about  sldz1200s. Don't get me wrong. These decks are really great! And they seem to be the best platform to try and make the ultimate cd - deck. They are robust like mk2s.  They have some minor drawbacks though that I beleive could be easily fixed with a better firmware (for example there is no cdtext althought there is track name for mp3.... stupid. The problem is that there is absolut no support from technics. Only 3 versions of firmware have been spotted and they are not officially available from any site. Firmware update is done using sd cards.

You can find more info in the forum: www.sldz1200.net or by asking me

If there is the slightest interest I can upload the service manual which has schematics for the electronics and the latest firmware.

I'll be happy to answer any questions.

[e-potis]

Thank you anyway.

[paulheu]

While it would be interesting to have rockbox running on this unit I do not see it happening..

[Llorean]

I can see it happening, assuming e-potis puts some effort into doing it. ;-)
All new ports basically require a lot of work from interested parties owning the device in question.
http://www.rockbox.org/twiki/bin/view/Main/NewPort

[e-potis]

First of all thanks for answering

why do you think it can't happen?

Because of its price? Too complicated?

As i've mentioned I have all the schematics, pcb layouts, flowcharts etc.

here is a small part of them (main circuit). Might interest some engineers.
http://www.geocities.com/ee_potis/maincirc.pdf

[Llorean]

It's more interest than anything else. You need someone with the appropriate programming skills, possibly a way to recover from a flash that doesn't work if firmware resides in flash, and a lot of time for debugging.

As I said, most of the hard work needs to be done by interested people who own the player, which would be you and others you can find.

[e-potis]

Hey Llorean, nice to see your responses.

I've read the list about newports. I've got the schematics, bcbs, flowcharts and other info. The problem comes on the reverse engineering part.

I can solder and I'm willing to take one of my units appart (actually I've already done that). I've done some electronics and some programming. But I'm not even close to the skills needed for this job. Another problem is that most people who have these are djs. And most djs can't do electronics. And although all of the users will benifit from a better firmware, I might be alone in trying to develop it. I'm willing to work on it but can't do it alone.

Can you tell from the schematics what kind of work should be done? What's the next step? I've also got schematics for the psu, the audio output, the lcd and panel etc.

The attached diagram might help getting a general idea. I guess the firmware is stored in eeprom.


Thank you for your time.

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[saratoga]

I can solder and I'm willing to take one of my units appart (actually I've already done that). I've done some electronics and some programming. But I'm not even close to the skills needed for this job. Another problem is that most people who have these are djs. And most djs can't do electronics. And although all of the users will benifit from a better firmware, I might be alone in trying to develop it. I'm willing to work on it but can't do it alone.

Sorry, but unless you've got the time and skills to work on it, its not going to happen. 

Can you tell from the schematics what kind of work should be done? What's the next step? I've also got schematics for the psu, the audio output, the lcd and panel etc.

The attached diagram might help getting a general idea. I guess the firmware is stored in eeprom.

Probably to figure out how the unit's FLASH can be flashed.  Then find a compiler for whatever chip that schematic lists, work out a bootloader, etc.

[e-potis]

I will have much time on a month and I pick up things pretty fast. At least I can try and develop the skills part with some help (guidance from you).

I know it flashes with an sd card with the downloaded firmware after pressing a combo of buttons. It's actually very easy.

Then find a compiler for whatever chip that schematic lists, work out a bootloader, etc.

Any info/how-to/help on these?

[Llorean]

Well, you need to identify the primary CPU in the unit, and the look up its architecture online.