Last Updated: 5th March 2021

DCDigital Firmware Update Information

Firmware Parts

The Firmware consists of 3 parts:

1 FPGA firmware

FPGA firmware comes in 3 different file types:

• .dc Binary configuration for WiFi/Web console update.
  • DCxPlus-v2.dcNewer style firmware package containing both std and hq2x firmware. This is used in firmware > v4.0.
  • DCxPlus-default.dcLegacy firmware package for firmware < v4.0.
• .jic Active serial configuration file for use with programmer (e.g. USBBlaster).Obsolete as the production DCHDMI does not have the JTAG connector on board.
  • DCxPlus-hq2x.jic Standard firmware
  • DCxPlus-std.jic Relaxed firmware
• .rbf Raw binary configuration file.
  • DCxPlus-hq2x.rbf Standard firmware
  • DCxPlus-std.rbf Relaxed firmware
  These files are used to create the .dc file(s)

2 ESP firmware

• 4MB-firmware.bin ESP firmware.
• 4MB-littlefs.bin ESP Filesystem image. Used for initial programming.

ESP web console

• esp.index.html.gz Web console index.html

Files used by WiFi update

• https://dc.i74.de/fw/<branch>/DCxPlus-v2.dc (> v4.0)or https://dc.i74.de/fw/<branch>/DCxPlus-default.dc (< v4.0)

Important

If you want to manually update your firmware as described here, make sure all 3 files are from the same branch.

Firmware Branches

Available firmware versions (branches) (aka Firmware Version in Web console setup)

master

Stable branch. This is the recommended setting for most users.

develop

Development branch. Release candidates are released here.

experimental

Experimental branch. Alpha/Beta versions are released here. Use with caution!

Bleeding

Bleeding edge branch. Daily builds and features in development is done here.
Use with extreme caution, as these may require restoring from a bricked console via serial port!

vX.Y

Previously released firmware versions.

hq2x-<branch> / std-<branch>

These are legacy branches, if doing a WiFi update from a v2.3.x or v3.0.x firmware.

How to Update Manually

Download the firmware files to your computer:

Unified FPGA firmware:

If your Firmware is v4.0 or above download:

If your Firmware is below v4.0 download this Transitional FPGA Firmware:

ESP firmware: 

Web console: 

1. Open the OSD and enter the WiFi Setup page.
2. Make sure it says [Access point] on the screen.

3. Press Y to reveal passwords.
   To be able to connect to the DCHDMI access point you will need the information marked red.
   For web console access you will need the information marked yellow.

4. Connect your WiFi capable computer to the DCHDMI access point using:
   • SSID: Access point SSID
   • Password: Access point password
5. When connected to DCHDMI AP, use a browser of your choice and enter 192.168.4.1 in the browsers address bar.
6. The Web console should be displayed and setup mode should be started. Just hit CTRL-D to exit the setup.
7. If your current firmware is v4.0 or newer:
   Use the select command and select the previously downloaded Unified FPGA firmware (DCxPlus-v2.dc) from the file chooser.If your current firmware isn’t v4.0 or newer:
   Use the select command and select the previously downloaded Transitional FPGA firmware (DCxPlus-default.dc) from the file chooser.
8. uploadfpga to upload the file.
9. Use select again to select the previously downloaded ESP firmware (4MB-firmware.bin).
10. uploadesp to upload.
11. Use select once again to select the Web console (esp.index.html.gz) file.
12. And upload it using uploadindex.
13. Now use flash to flash/apply all files to your DCHDMI.
14. reset DCHDMI to (re-)start with the new firmware
15. Only if you upgraded from a version before v4.0:
    1. Use the select command and select Unified FPGA firmware (DCxPlus-v2.dc) from the file chooser.
    2. uploadfpga to upload the file.
    3. You’re now able to switch between Standard and Relaxed.

Commands

Basic commands

Command	Description
config	Show current DCHDMI configuration data
setup	Enter setup mode, to edit configuration
check	Check for new firmware using Firmware Server and Firmware Version configuration data
download	Download firmware from Firmware Server to staging area
flash	Flash firmware from staging area
reset	Reset DCHDMI. This also resets the Dreamcast
help	Show available basic commands
helpexpert	Show available expert commands
clear	Clear terminal screen
exit	Exit terminal

Expert commands

Command	Description
check[type](1)	Check for new type firmware using Firmware Server and Firmware Version configuration data
select	Select a file to upload from your computer
upload[type]	Upload selected file to staging area for type
file	Print information about selected file
download[type]	Download type firmware from Firmware Server to staging area
flash[type]	Flash type from staging area
reset[type](2)	Reset type
cleanup	Remove all staged firmware files and forget about previously flashed versions
ls	List files in filesystem

(1) [type]: fpga, esp or index
(2) There is no resetindex command

Special commands

Command	Description
flashfpgasecure	Flash FPGA firmware while disabling the FPGA
banner	Print DCHDMI banner
get_mac	Print MAC address of DCHDMI
flash_chip_size	Print ESP flash chip size
res_[resolution](1)	Switch to resolution
deinterlace_[deint](2)	Use deinterlacer deint (only works in 15kHz mode)
generate_on	Generate test video image
generate_off	Disable test video image
testdata	Shows test screen
resetpll	Reset PLL
osd (on,off)	Show/hide OSD
hq2x (on,off)	Activate/deactivate HQ2X filter (only in 960p/1080p mode with Relaxed firmware active)
240p_offset ([0-9]+)	Set offset for 240p mode (pixel x2)
osd (on,off)	Show/hide OSD
spi_flash_erase	Erase FPGA configuration memory
osdwrite\   [column]\   [row]\   "[text]"	Write [text] to OSD starting at [column]/[row]

(1) [resolution]: vga, 480p, 960p or 1080p
(2) [deint]: bob or passthru

Sources