Page 1 of Mico Diamante 3000 - extra hidden menu functions?

Out of curiosity, the other day I ran the Ver.1.1 firmware upgrade file for the Mico Diamante 3000 (filename diam3000.bin, date 20/12/02) through a hex editor (sad, no?); and was intrigued to find that there was text relating to several functions or menu options which do not appear in either the normal Setup or `Hidden` menus for that player.

The following text is contained in the file, without having a visible menu equivalent:

MPEG-2 Test Sequence, 30 frames/sec

Composite Output on/off

5.1 Channel Downmix Stereo Analog (?)

Subwoofer on/off

Advanced setting - Operation Mode
Dual Mono Mode
Dynamic
Dolby Digital

Line out RF remod (?not possible surely)

Stereo L-Mono
R-Mono
Mix-Mono

Scale factors 0.00 0.25 0.75 1.00

Macrovision test AGC+4L NTSC
AGC+2L NTSC
Test NO1 NTSC
Test NO2 NTSC
Test PO1 PAL
Test PO2 PAL

Fearute (?feature) off

Video standard NTSC M
NTSC N
PAL M
PAL N
PAL B/G/H/I
PSEUDO PAL
PSEUDO NTSC
NTSC 4.43


I`m not sure if I have these in the correct operational sequence, but that is how they appear in the file as text strings.

Question is, are these engineering functions; do they only appear as menu options with certain builds of the Mico Diamante 3000 (?fitted with different chipsets); or are they for other players with which the Diamante shares some components? I`d be interested in any comments as to how these options are accessed, especially the extra audio ones.

ANy chance of sending the update to me. I would like to have a closer look at the upgrade.

Thanks

Bob

Pretty well all the `universal` chips used in Chinese players have a comprehensive list of features that can be activated if the right codes are known. Things like macrovision on/off are particularly valuable. What about a £5000 reward to the Chinese engineer who spills the beans on the remote codes to open all these options?

Bob Sheppard - sorry but I don`t have the update file any longer. After experiencing intermittent but annoying playback problems with both the Diamante 3000 and a replacement Sofia 02a, I have given up on Mico players and bought another brand! However, if you call the Mico Helpdesk (phone number inside the player`s box) they will promptly email it to you (or post a CD-R if you prefer). There was a link in this forum to a website with downloads for both the Diamante 3000 and Sofia 02a, but it seems to have now disappeared.

LATER EDIT - just found the download site again here:

http://asterix69.tripod.com

Snafu - yes, I am sure you`re correct. It`s far cheaper for firms like Mico to `buy in` standard components and assemble them, `picking and mixing` the functionality they require from what`s available, than to develop their own firmware and build all the components in-house. I`m afraid my experience is that this approach has its limitations however!

This item was edited on Wednesday, 11th February 2004, 15:12