I have tried using the rescue procedure documented in the 3600 manual i.e. push the pause button repeatedly and the unit goes into rescue mode but does not pick up the NZ firmware, so just sits there. No error message or action when I push "ok"
Just a little update on getting a web server working for the patched 3600 firmware. I haven't had much time to work on it recently so it has slipped by the wayside a little, I started thinking about it again tonight.
My main problem is that I had been unable to find a light weight http server that required no external files and supported generating directory listings on the fly. Both busybox and thttpd failed here. Anyway, I finally found a really good light weight http server that meets the requirements. It is called webfs: http://linux.bytesex.org/misc/webfs.html
I have it compiled and running on my MagicTV and it's working well. Over the next few days I will look a creating an upgrade file that contains the server. Usual things apply regarding risk, but if you'd be interested in testing and can handle potentially bricking your mtv (albeit unlikely) send me a pm.
Wow! So cool! ... Just done a test run of Ian's webfs patch. Just wow. It works a dream. Freedom at last ... :)
It's a one-way system, as in you can't put a video on the MTV from your computer. But then the MTV won't list any new files without the relevant meta data updated to match in the .tv files. Also, 5MB/s is no speed demon but you can leave it copying while still using the MTV. Between that and being able to leave the MTV in one piece we have a winner.
It would be great to be able to put the screws back in the MTV and leave them there ;)
It's a one-way system, as in you can't put a video on the MTV from your computer. But then the MTV won't list any new files without the relevant meta data updated to match in the .tv files.
Wouldn't it be preferable for the http interface to present both partitions for easy access to the .tv files too?
I'm guessing if there is to be an FTP server alongside the http server that the ftp interface could be used by more advanced users for uploads?
bfginger: It would be great to be able to put the screws back in the MTV and leave them there ;)
It's a one-way system, as in you can't put a video on the MTV from your computer. But then the MTV won't list any new files without the relevant meta data updated to match in the .tv files.
Wouldn't it be preferable for the http interface to present both partitions for easy access to the .tv files too?
I'm guessing if there is to be an FTP server alongside the http server that the ftp interface could be used by more advanced users for uploads?
It's certainly possible to add an ftp interface, but I haven't done this in the current firmware.
The http interface presents the whole mounted hard drive that has a small directory tree on it. This covers a few files, including the .ts video files, the .tv files that contain the metadata and a few other files that presumable contain the recording schedules.
These other files are in some proprietary file format. Even if you could upload files to the device, you would still need to figure out the file formats of these binary files and this would be no easy task. Finally the file format of the .ts video file would be very specific - it's not like the MagicTV has any general purpose codecs installed. So where will the content being uploaded come from? Would you be willing to spend hours transcoding it to an appropriate format?
let the magic be magic and ask another device to do playback of outside recordings. I must admit im kinda hoping that Ian gets an MTV3700 one day down the track the power consumption is so much lower and the drive size is double. Im trying to imagine what we will have in 5 years when aftermarket non certified boxes are the norm as the public get more comfortable with the Digital system and truly open and powerful systems hit the market. Magic job on the MTV3600 , thank you to everyone involved for making it so good now. A timely reminder is everyone with a 3700 is now going through the pains we had 2 years back with out the help of 2lostkiwis and other contributors.
Jimmy22: I must admit im kinda hoping that Ian gets an MTV3700 one day down the track the power consumption is so much lower and the drive size is double.
Hah, I was secretly hoping someone would buy me one :-)))
I swear we should all combine our buying power order 8 boxes from crazy stu between 7 of us and donate the last one to Ian between us. not a gamble if the bloke with one already allows ian to coax it apart and find out how to make it into a fully operational death st... oops wrong movie. ;) I suspect the wholesale cost in NZ is pretty much a Crazy stu price anyway. i got my 3600 for $450.00 which has the 3700 tracking about $300.00 ish , just a wild guess of course.
One way is fine, as Jimmy says let the Magic do the Magic. Playback can be achieved by a number of different options. I use an ACRyan and stream video off my NAS, being able to archive off 3600 to my NAS is great !!!
I have hooked my 3600 up to a 14" Philips CRT, and while the picture on all channels is very good, the text on the player (menus and gadgets) is pretty unreadable - it appears to have a white shadow. Anyone noted this on CRTs and found a setting that improves it.
Note on my other TVs - NEC 14" I haven't noticed and on the LCD it is perfect.
I have tried different settings in the Video Output format menu.
Not a biggy - as I am just using the 14" for testing but if anyone has a solution would make reading the News and Weather a bit easier.
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