View Full Version : Phillips 963 and 1080i
Consultant
03-09-04, 04:00 PM
I've been reading and reading and just want to get confirmation that there is a firmware patch that allows the Phillips 963 to output 1080i on component video, including copy-protected DVDs.
Where is the best place to get the firmware patch and where are the instructions on how to apply it? (Please don't tell me everything is in French.) Can it be applied easily and realiably and is it safe to use without screwing up the player? Does it give you the ability to manually control whether the player outputs at 480p or 1080i. I need to be able to switch to 480p manually when I watch home home videos so they don't get stretched.
you can find the patches here:
http://www.ianc.net/philips/downloads.shtml
Also am very interested if it works and in how it looks.
Consultant
03-10-04, 12:03 PM
Does anyone know if all the recent 963sa units shipping have the FLASH ROM or is it a crap shoot?
JohnB56
03-14-04, 10:30 AM
Hi all,
Our french friends have very recently (march2004) developed 2 firmware for the 963 (where I was waiting for): a firmware which switches Component YUV progressive to RGB progressive!!! and a firmware which switches back RsGsBs to YUV.
Both firmwares claim to include the 1080i feature and switching the macrovision off.
This Forum does not allowe me to give you the URL until I have made more replies, so wait or start Googling with: basetritube.free.fr/firm963/963
I only tried the RGB (RVB=RougeVertBleu) and both the RsGsBs works perfect and the 1080i as well on my CRT projector (for European readers Pal DVD's will be played in 1080i and 60 Hz refreshrate).
Regards,
John.
JohnB56
03-14-04, 10:39 AM
The firmware expands the video menu and adds the item: Pscan Output with 3 choises:
1. unprocessed (gives both 480p and 576p)
2. 480p (I guess for the American market)
3 1080i
Regards,
John.
JohnB56
03-14-04, 10:41 AM
This is the 3rd post to make the URL possible!
Regards,
John.
JohnB56
03-14-04, 10:41 AM
Here it is:
http://basetritube.free.fr/firm963/963.php
Regards,
John.
Plague1392
03-15-04, 05:35 PM
I wanted to give this a try but I don't know which version to use. Would I want to use the RGB or the YUV firmware with the DVD player connected to a Sony HS20 LCD projector?
Thanks
JohnB56
03-15-04, 05:40 PM
DLPfan
It looks great!
It definitively competes with the HTPC picture I have from the Mpact in 480px72Hz!
Regards,
John.
JohnB56
03-15-04, 05:45 PM
Plaque 1392,
I don't know the Sony HS20 LCD but I presume the projector has a component 3xRCA input named YUV. So use the YUV firmware.
If the input of your projector would indicate RGB (like 3 tube CRT projectors) then use the RVB firmware!
Succes,
John.
Plague1392
03-15-04, 05:59 PM
Thanks, I think it's probably YUV then. I'll give it a go now and see what happens.
Originally posted by Consultant
Does anyone know if all the recent 963sa units shipping have the FLASH ROM or is it a crap shoot?
The 963 and 963sa are completely different units I believe. The 963 is a higher end Faroudja based player and the 963sa is a low end player w/ DVD-A and SACD capabilities.
rocky01
03-15-04, 07:20 PM
Which version is best for direct view monitor - a la, Sony XBR CRT?
Plague1392
03-15-04, 07:36 PM
Gave it a try and it’s not really for me. First of all it’s stuck in 16:9 so you would have to watch 4:3 DVDs stretched which looks terrible (you could just change it back to 480p for 4:3 DVDs though). Secondly parts of images previously on the screen seemed to be left behind if there was a black area on the next screen. Third the refresh rate isn’t constant in 1080i, and varies constantly though is always around 60Hz. Finally the image seemed slightly soft and blurry, so I went back to a Philips firmware fairly fast.
Thinking about it I had the switch on the back set to progressive when I tried it, which may explain why the HS20 reported the picture as 540p instead of 1080i. It might look better with this switched to interlaced but I think I’ll stick with the Philips firmware.
Thanks for the information though. It was nice to give it a try even if it didn’t really work out.
Plague1392 ,
How is the PQ of the 963SA in 480p? The reason I ask is I have a Q50 that has excellent PQ but am still looking for another DVD player for the main theater.
Originally posted by spyfy
The 963 and 963sa are completely different units I believe. The 963 is a higher end Faroudja based player and the 963sa is a low end player w/ DVD-A and SACD capabilities.
963sa also has a Faroudja de-interlacer.
Nice. Wasn't sure on that. So can it be patched as well to do 1080i over component?
I just picked up one of these to try it out with a 30 day return option. All in all I am very impressed with both the audio and video quality, although I immediately noticed the green stripe issue on 480p. I tried using the 480i through an iScan Pro and the results are as good as any 480P I have seen (really top notch). I have not tried the firmware at 1080i, as I have not yet decided to keep the unit. Is it easy to install the firmware .25 and then roll back (in my case to .22) afterwards if I want to return it? How would you do this? I have a U.S model and a pronto. Thanks much.
rocky01
03-18-04, 07:56 AM
Which version is best for direct view monitor - a la, Sony XBR CRT?
Japporeactor
03-18-04, 01:45 PM
Anyone has tried the 963sa/1080i with a Nec ht1000?
I've tried different settings on the player (switching to interlace-progressive in the 963sa ) and on the projector (setting input on Auto) but it doesn't work: blue screen on both cases, right after the menu screen.
If someone succeeds please post the settings.
Cris
963sa is being discontinued, any one knows, when is replacement coming out?
rocky01
03-20-04, 07:22 PM
BTT (back to the top)
Originally posted by JohnB56
The firmware expands the video menu and adds the item: Pscan Output with 3 choises:
1. unprocessed (gives both 480p and 576p)
2. 480p (I guess for the American market)
3 1080i
Regards,
John.
After firmware upgrade (100 % correct) to 1080i (the YUV.zip) there is no option for 480p,1080i and unprocessed. Instead of that i have two menus (no difference betwen them) for System Digital Crystal Clear (submenus are: Chroma Delay,Gamma,Sharpness,DCDi,True Life).
Can you help me?
Originally posted by patema
After firmware upgrade (100 % correct) to 1080i (the YUV.zip) there is no option for 480p,1080i and unprocessed. Instead of that i have two menus (no difference betwen them) for System Digital Crystal Clear (submenus are: Chroma Delay,Gamma,Sharpness,DCDi,True Life).
Can you help me?
I solved the problem by myself: after the upgrading you must digit the code for the progressive scan!
Thanks Patema - it works !
Anybody know if this 1080i trick can be applied to the Q50 as well?
Markie Boy
bundee1
07-08-04, 10:21 AM
Both 963 and 963sa are the exact same units.
yeah anyone try it on a Q50? please, please
rudee
Vladisurf
07-03-05, 05:53 PM
Hi, guys 1
I understand it could be to late ,but any reference (link) to download 1080i patch for Philips 963SA
is not working now.Is there anybody who can E-mall me that patch?
Any help would be really appreciated.
Vladisurf.
http://www.homecinema-fr.com/laric/963HCFR.html
Try at the bottom of this page.
[QUOTE=Vladisurf]Hi, guys 1
I understand it could be to late ,but any reference (link) to download 1080i patch for Philips 963SA
is not working now.Is there anybody who can E-mall me that patch?
Any help would be really appreciated.
Vladisurf.[/QUOTE]
Unless you need upconversion over component, you'd probably be better off buying it's replacement the Philips 9000S, or Yamaha's version of it the S2500. The 1080i firmware for the 963SA is pretty buggy.
Niels Nielsen
07-17-05, 04:59 AM
Yes, the 963SA have DCDi and sacd, NO DVD-A.
The RGsB (RVB) firmware works perfectly with a crt projector, do NOT move the switch on the back to Interlace, leave it at Progressive.
Since you may not have a picture when the firmware is installed it helps to make notes in advance so you can access the menu and make choices "blindfold", or connect the player to a tv via scart.
The crt projector must be turned on first in order for it to catch the sync and produce a picture.
If you, after you have a picture with 1080I, then switch to Unprocessed you will loose the picture and have to adjust the projector again. When this is done you probably have both memories stored in the projector and you´re okay.
I run 1080I RGsB and is very happy with the result. All adjustments in the menu is set at 0, except Gamma which is at -1, but this is personal, depends on your projector, screen and taste.
In my case the 1080I produces a much better picture, brighter, more vivid colors, I am not going back to 576p.....
The player passes below black and Macrovision is off.
The 1080I firmware for LCD projectors I cannot get working here, so I cannot help with any problems.
I would not try the firmware on other players, you do so at your own risk....
If someone needs firmware you can send me a PM with an e-mail address and I will send it to you....
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