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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.
  1. 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.
  1. Connect your WiFi capable computer to the DCHDMI access point using:
    • SSID: Access point SSID
    • Password: Access point password
  2. When connected to DCHDMI AP, use a browser of your choice and enter 192.168.4.1 in the browsers address bar.
  3. The Web console should be displayed and setup mode should be started. Just hit CTRL-D to exit the setup.
  4. 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.
  5. uploadfpga to upload the file.
  6. Use select again to select the previously downloaded ESP firmware (4MB-firmware.bin).
  7. uploadesp to upload.
  8. Use select once again to select the Web console (esp.index.html.gz) file.
  9. And upload it using uploadindex.
  10. Now use flash to flash/apply all files to your DCHDMI.
  11. reset DCHDMI to (re-)start with the new firmware
  12. 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

CommandDescription
configShow current DCHDMI configuration data
setupEnter setup mode, to edit configuration
checkCheck for new firmware using Firmware Server and Firmware Version configuration data
downloadDownload firmware from Firmware Server to staging area
flashFlash firmware from staging area
resetReset DCHDMI. This also resets the Dreamcast
helpShow available basic commands
helpexpertShow available expert commands
clearClear terminal screen
exitExit terminal

Expert commands

CommandDescription
check[type](1)Check for new type firmware using Firmware Server and Firmware Version configuration data
selectSelect a file to upload from your computer
upload[type]Upload selected file to staging area for type
filePrint 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
cleanupRemove all staged firmware files and forget about previously flashed versions
lsList files in filesystem

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

Special commands

CommandDescription
flashfpgasecureFlash FPGA firmware while disabling the FPGA
bannerPrint DCHDMI banner
get_macPrint MAC address of DCHDMI
flash_chip_sizePrint ESP flash chip size
res_[resolution](1)Switch to resolution
deinterlace_[deint](2)Use deinterlacer deint (only works in 15kHz mode)
generate_onGenerate test video image
generate_offDisable test video image
testdataShows test screen
resetpllReset 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_eraseErase 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

Black Dog Tech

Christof Harnischmacher

Daniel Kunz