Say hi if you're still using Magic TV 3600!

Forums › Freeview (DVB-T/DVB-S) › Say hi if you're still using Magic TV 3600!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

429 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 23

#2452650 1-Apr-2020 22:05

Nutts: Yes, may as well. You don't have many other options.
M

HDD error - was pressing the pause button but didn't go into rescue mode, so couldn't format disk by pressing 15900. Maybe because that firmware version is what's already on it. Will try again with different version tomorrow.

Gemini

429 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 23

#2453260 2-Apr-2020 19:18

HDD successfully replaced and eliminated as cause of problem.
Problem is live TV is torn and pixellated and audio is dropping in and out. This carries over to recordings.
Aerial input is fine btw.

Not sure what next if anything

Nutts

65 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 8

#2453266 2-Apr-2020 19:28

It's not looking good really. There is only the power pack and the circuit board left.
You have changed the hdmi cable and tried the analog output, changed the hard drive and gone through the recovery procedure and it's still faulty.
I doubt you can get a replacement board now days so power pack.
If that does not work look for one on trade me I guess.
M

JeffWright

7 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#2455487 6-Apr-2020 09:26

Another check...

If you connect your TV antenna connection to the UHF output of the magic box is it good?
That would check the integrity of the UHF inlet connector and its PCB solder joints.

If you have the patience you could lift out the PCBA and check its power supplies for electrolytic capacitors.
These aren't used much nowadays because they have such a finite life at high temperatures.

richrdh18

232 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 102

#2516553 3-Jul-2020 08:09

Yep, still using mine. I think Ive replaced two hdd in it over the years.

DougSprk3y

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2547977 23-Aug-2020 09:41

I'm still (was) using a modded 3600 until it decided to stop working recently. It starts up and shows the Magic splash screen on the TV, but then the TV goes blank and nothing more happens. It continues to show MAGIC TV on the front display.

I haven't done much faultfinding yet, other than to disconnect the HDD to see if it did anything different. I see from a post above, it may store some setting on the HDD but it should still boot further than it does I think, even without the HDD connected.

I guess I could try a different video output instead of HDMI, but as the front display seems to show that it's stuck, I'm not sure that will make much difference :(

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks

Geekzone support

Support Geekzone with one-off or recurring donations Donate via PressPatron.

Nutts

65 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 8

#2547981 23-Aug-2020 09:55

Have you tried running the rescue procedure and loading the firmware again.
I have managed to get a couple of the 3600 going again doing this.
Same symptoms as you describe.
I have read that you have to load an original firmware not a modified version from 2lostkiwis when doing the rescue procedure.
Also load a different version from the final one you want to run if you are going to use a modified one in the end. (Load 3.16 or something like that with the recovery procedure, then upgrade to the modified version you want after that. ) You can't load new firmware with the same name as the one that is already running.

Worth a try as it's not working now so really you can't make it any worse.
It will only take about 15 minutes to do.

M.

DougSprk3y

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2548051 23-Aug-2020 11:39

Thanks for the quick reply Nutts.
I looked in the manual for the "firmware upgrade", which needs the unit to boot first - I didn't get as far as the rescue procedure. It has been quite a few years since I did the modified firmware change, so I didn't remember the proceedure.

So thanks for the reminder. I did still have an original firmware file which was lucky, as the MagicTV download site doesn't seem to work anymore?

Anyway, I did the rescue with version 20 and it worked OK. I tried the modded version 17 firmware after that, but it gave a "stage 2 not found" error.
I think I'll just leave it on the original version. This unit is just for occasional use in the office, as I also have a 3700 for main use.

Really appreciate the nudge in the right direction. Thanks

stephanv9

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#2595600 31-Oct-2020 19:14

Hi, yes was using mine until the HHD failed yesterday....purchased new HDD but am not able to find the firmware anywhere (MagicTV NZ downloads seem to be unavailable). Does anyone have a copy of firmware kicking around so I can format HDD using rescue mode? Cheers. Stephan

Nutts

65 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 8

#2595648 31-Oct-2020 21:28

Hi. The down loads are still on the magic tv web site but are just not listed in the menu system.
Here is the link for version 17. You can change the version number to get the version you require.
Remember to use an Unmodified version to do your rebuild with the new hard drive. The one from this link is unmodified. Good luck.

http://www.mymagictv.co.nz/downloads/mtv3600_3_17NZ.zip

bfginger

1330 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 191

#2597336 4-Nov-2020 00:22

You should be able to format a drive with a PC. A 5900RPM surveillance video HDD should be best if you can find one. Format to align 4k sectors. You can only use a modest amount more space on a 3tb drive than with a 2tb drive because of the 32bit address limit as detailed in the link.

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=83&topicid=62095&singlepage=yes

Does anyone remember which firmware version introduced the ram leak bug? Are 3tb drives using less than three platters available by now? I was surprised to see how much bigger HDDs are now than a couple of years ago.

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

Nutts

65 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 8

#2597364 4-Nov-2020 07:53

With regard to which firmware version introduced the ram leak but.
Not sure which version number it was but it was released to fix the EPG problem that meant most recordings did not have a name when the list of recorded programs was viewed. Just a few odd letters if anything for most recordings.
Best guess would be version 20.

cb1

339 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 44

#2622088 15-Dec-2020 16:01

Just discovered that in series view, there is a max of 100 shows listed. all others are omitted. (I've got a whole lot of 1-off shows which has made this apparent)

I'm getting the occasional pixelation on live tv, recordings too. Will have to investigate further.

DutchBoy

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2669299 7-Mar-2021 08:58

I’ve been using my MTV3600 since 2009 I think (at least the hdd is from that year). Consumed 2 remotes. Great unit.

Sadly, I woke up this morning to find no power to the unit??!! Can’t get it to turn on at all. :(

I suspect the power brick has died? The inside looks fine. Anyone experienced this before? Any recommendations as to what power brick to replace it with?

I’m not keen on getting the new dish to pvr yet.

thanks all.

bfginger

1330 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 191

#2674038 13-Mar-2021 23:36

Magic TV 3600 uses a generic 12v AC adapter, the SAWA-07-41612 which has the specifications printed on it. You can search that model name to find replacements or compatible equivalents for sale on Amazon, eBay etc. You could also try contacting DishTV.co.nz to see if they have any left in stock or can order one from Pixel Magic.

With hot power supply bricks like Magic TV's I always put them on their side so the greater surface area exposed to the air dissipates heat easier and they run cooler.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4