DPS 475/575 Framesync Question (UPGRADE VS. OPTIONS)

[Jan Janowski]

Sorry to hear that didn’t help….

Comparing V1.5 to the V2.16 I recently installed….. I am noticing a great improvement in the SVideo input: Far less random clipping…. More Faithful reproduction of the video….

Both my Audio and Digital Noise Reduction Options remained after the update…

On composite input blacks seem a bit cleaner too….

[Jan Janowski]

If you get a chance….Contact me offline…. I have an idea…

[Irving Moy]

Mmm… I don’t see any contact info in your Creative COW profile. If I login by using my LinkedIn account, will that allow you to contact me offline?

[Jan Janowski]

Don’t use that.
Do you use DSLReports.com??

[Irving Moy]

I know about the DSLReports site and its forums but I’m not a member.
I’m on Reddit, Slack and Discord but I don’t know how popular those services are in the digital video and video production communities.

[Jan Janowski]

We need to talk or email.
I’ve been told there is a recovery method for corrupted EPROMs
I’m not the knowledgeable one. I’m trying to get you the info.

[Jan Janowski]

Ah screw it. !!

Here is email I received:
Usually boot roms had a special access, a failsafe recovery.

On a unit as old as the 475, it probably involves setting dip switches and using tftp at a specific baud, bits, parity, stop setting.

I’d have him give a call to the Imagine support number 888-534-8246 and see if they can scare up someone who remembers the 475 recovery procedure.

It might be in the manual as well.

[Jan Janowski]

PS. Use a straight through cable

[Irving Moy]

OK. I’ll see if I still have RS-232 straight through cables somewhere, but I’ll probably have to order one. It’ll be cheaper than buying the raw cable & connectors and wiring one myself.

There’s nothing in the Service Manual about failsafe recovery. I opened the DPS 475 when it failed but I don’t remember seeing any DIP switches, unless they are under the Audio Synchronizer Module’s circuit board. I also tried to read the schematics in the PDF version of the Service Manual, but the schematics are too blurry. I can’t make out any of the smaller lettering.

[Irving Moy]

Looking through the parts list in the Service Manual, I found the One Time Programmable EPROM (QU17) that probably holds the DPS’s operating system, and 2 Flash memory chips (RU1 & RU2) that probably holds the replaceable firmware. The EPROM is socketed but the Flash chips are surface mounted with 48 tiny leads. The EPROM can be replaced but it has to be first programmed with the DPS operating system. The Flash chips look like they need SMT experience to replace. The cheapest and easiest option is to spend $100-$150 on another used DPS 475 and hope it keeps working.