Hi Everyone,

The last few months we have been working on a new firmware for Playon!HD and Playon!HD Mini with the new GUI2.0 implemented.

More information about GUI2.0:
viewtopic.php?f=152&t=10077

You can download the firmwares from the links below. Later in this post we have written down important information about this beta version that we recommend you read and understand before installing this firmware. This is the first release version for the Playon!HD with the new SDK and our GUI implementations. It will therefore still hold some problems we are aware of. We would like to inform you about them before installing.

Playon!HD Mini - European Edition:
https://mega.co.nz/#!jINBySqZ!OLKDBhoUN ... 67jkYtvz_0


Playon!HD Mini - Asian Edition:
https://mega.co.nz/#!bQ9kQLZD!RBn6BlV_6 ... CAkgh_Xc0o



How to Update:
Two methods to flash the firmware to your Playon!HD Mini

Safe-mode flashing procedure (Recommended):

1. Copy install.img to the root directory of a USB flash drive and connect it to any USB host port of the Playon!HD.
2. Switch off the main power to the unit.
3. Press and hold on to the power button on the front panel of the unit.
4. Switch on the main power.
5. Release the power button when the firmware update starts flashing on your display in a moment and
   will automatically reboot when update is completed.

**Do not power off the unit during the flashing process!**

Normal flashing procedure:

1. Copy install.img to the root directory of a USB flash drive and connect it to any USB host port of the unit.
2. Enter the Setup menu, System, USB Upgrade and Enter to confirm.
3. The firmware update will start flashing on your display in a moment and will automatically reboot when update is completed

**Do not power off the unit during the flashing process!**


What you should know before installation:

First we would like to explain why it has taken us so long to get this firmware ready and apologize for the unexpected delay we had with this release. The main delay is caused because of the difference in chipset used in the different players we produce. As the original GUI is developed for Realtek’s 1055 chipset we had to make huge adjustments for our Realtek 1073 platform, the base for our Playon!HD and Playon!HD Mini. The speed of the chipset and the amount of memory in the older platform is less than the newer players. There are therefore less resources available to run the firmware. You will therefore still experience the GUI still to be slightly sluggish. This is because of the compression rate of the images. For 1055 platform we used a high compression rate as the NAND flash to hold the firmware is a lot smaller. For 1073 we used the same compression rate while this is, with the amount of NAND flash available on the players, not needed. As the high compression rate demands a lot of resources it will take a bit more processing time than normal. We are already working on improvements and we expect to present you all with a faster working GUI in a short while. We did however, not want to hold back a first glimps of this firmware from you.

We are glad to let you know that almost all audio and HD audio formats have been tested working successfully in HDMI and SPDIF. There are unfortunately still some small problems with Dolby Digital Plus in pass-through and FLAC (some files give random stuttering). We have however, already found the problem of Dolby Digital Plus which requires changes in the core coding. We therefore expect to have this fixed in a upcoming firmware.

Within Internet Media we have included new Internet Feeds from Yahoo Finance, different Video Podcasts, and BuddyLink (which allows you to use Google Talk on your TV). Also Youtube is back in this firmware version. However, due to the GUI compression some of these features will respond a little bit slower than it should be. We are aware of this and hope to present you with a solution for this soon. You will experience the same within the SHOUTcast Radio Feature.

Yet Another Movie Jukebox has been updated with the new GUI. We released a new YAMJ GUI version already before which matches with the new GUI of the firmware. You can download this YAMJ version on our support pages (v1.0.3):

http://www.playonhd.com/en/?upn=support
(available in 32 and 64bit version)

Things that still need implementation in this firmware are: DVD/BD folder playback popup. When you open a DVD or BD folder with DVD or BD folder structure it will not present you with a popup if you want to playback the folder or browse it. However, when you know this is a DVD or BD folder, you can press play on the remote control to start the DVD/BD without going into the folder structure. The blue key skipping / fast forward is not yet implemented. This will however follow soon. You can still skip frames with the navigation buttons but it will function as an instant skip instead of a frame/time search bar.

Other questions you might have:

Why is the firmware number lower than the previous one?
The firmware numbers behind the r are linked to the SDK version. The SDK version is represented by the second number in the firmware version. You will see that this has changed from 3 to 4.

Why a beta?
A beta for AC Ryan is a firmware that is considered a candidate for public release. Before this release it has been tested internally by our technical staff and the beta testing group. A beta can become an official release when there are no critical or major bugs detected. An official release is always included in new players as out-of-the-box firmware. Officials are therefore more carefully selected. A beta however is considered more than safe to install on your own player. And remember, when you do not like a firmware upgrade, you can always downgrade back to previous versions.

We hope you enjoy the new GUI and feedback is more than welcome for further firmware development.

Thanks, first nasty bug

(1) Only 1 NFS client is allowed... Adding a NFS client means the exisiting client is overwritten.... argh

Other stupid thing
- Grey text on dark background in input fields (e.g. IP input fields inconfiguration settings). Makes text unreadable. Does Acryan staff use their own products? Are they blind or so? Sometimes I wonder if ACRyan staff can think? It's so stupid... Seems hard to learn for some folks.

Sorry to say, but i doubt the abilities of ACRyan.

... it's buggy... after many retries I managed to add several NFS clients, but when I wanted tot delete one client, all the others were deleted too... os it's really buggy.

1080p video playback via HDMI on my 1080p HD TV put large black bands around the picture, i.e. the picture is downsized... arghhhhhh

i would call this release alpa.... not beta.


SHAME SHAME SHAME ACRYAN

Where is the function to browse TV Shows and Movies as separate categories in YAMJ? I just spent 40 mins browsing my entire collection looking for episodes of TV Shows I hadn't watched because the new GUI is slow. This is a major step back.

I'm donwloading the Beta version and will wait for more reviews before installation from technical persons.

I will do the same. I am happy that there is a new release - I use my player very basically - just to play avi and mkv files.

Couple of questions:

Can we upgrade to this beta from any firmware? Or do we need to install an SDK 3.x firmware before installing this SDK 4.x firmware? If so, what is the recommended order?

Secondly, I understand that you have compressed images for the GUI. This is fine... for now (!). Is there any idea when the next release (hopefully with less compressed images, which would allow for faster loading) might be released?

Finally, I am on a firmware that I am very happy with. It does everything I need it to do without issue. Is there any way I can try this beta WITHOUT permanently flashing it? Something like a soft install? Via USB, perhaps? I haven't heard of such a thing, but thought I would ask. Would prefer having to reinstall my current firmware again, if I don't get on with the beta...

Please understand - I am not being ungrateful about this long-awaited release, just like to have a fully functional/latest&greatest media player!

this gui is useless on the mini using network storage.
first of i get all the hidden folders like C$, D$ IPC$ we have no need for the hidden samba folders. so it would be nice if they stay hidden.

second of all why cant i go to movies. only when i have usb attached storage(i never have that). why cant i select a samba share to show movies in the folder.

you know what forget i said anything. i dont care anymore

Overall, looks fantastic! Also, happy with stability and speed.

A few things I've tested, all worked well:

- many containers and video and audio encoding types
- HDMI and Component/SPDIF
- 1080P 60Hz .. / 24 - size was correct, bands when there are on original and not when there aren't, e.g. Dark Knight IMAX intro.
- Dolby Digital, DTS ... (SONY AMP indicators included)
- subtitles (how to move across and select size and font and colour?)
- HDMI CEC blocking fixed *update* sometimes still blocks (why??? how???)
- music/mp3 over HDMI and SPDIF
- thumbgen (pressing SLOW) quicker
- ID3 tags

There were a few issues:

Major
- cycle of constant reboot with USB HDD plugged in, tried using both usb ports (self-powered). So, haven't been able to try libraries.
- No DTS HD - detects and displays audio track is available, but no audio (switching to LCPM gave 2-channel audio on DTS HD track) - *update* DTS HD now work, no changed settings... very bizarre.

Minor
- system and other inaccessible/hidden folders not hidden (C$, recycle etc)
- London weather old-style, Australasian cities I tried looked great (new style)
- music album art takes first jpg? This is AlbumArtSmall, would prefer folder.jpg (but could rename and you did mention image quality)
- preview view of music and films uses first jpg - thumbgen generated jpg rather than folder or backdrop?
- text input shortcut PLAY to change to symbols tried to play.
- text input language cycled through English (my preferred) and Chinese languages (in European firmware)

Apologies for long post, just trying to give a full picture of what I've found so far. This for me is by far the best firmware yet (and I've tried most) - good job guys (ps: please don't break anything when fixing / adding functionality ).

What's the icon to the right on network on the home page? If it's wifi control via an Android app I'm in!

Nice refreshing look.

But......
1. It's too sluggish for my liking. Takes a few seconds to go to the next item on the menu.
[It is much better after my 2nd reflash. The time delay is acceptable. Donno why.]
2. No thumbgen.
[Thumbgen dont work from "Movie" I need to go "browse mode" to work]
3. Youtube have copyright restriction = many videos cannot watch.
4. Still no BT. Not impt.
5. Can't copy large file from PC to ACR mini HDD over wired network
[It works fine after 2nd try. Yeah!]

The rest are minors.
Since there is no substantial improvements I revert to 4312 cos I love thumbgen.
Using new FW now.
Good work ACR team.

Tested the new beta on my mini as well, here's what I found for the PoHD, it's the same feel as on the mini except for one thing:

Tried to open a MP3 over the network (actually one that was on the internal HDD of my PoHD) and the mini hung... Had to unplug to make it work again.

This is what I wrote so far in the PoHD fw section:

first impression: looks great, seems to have a problem with my files though, gonna let it check again to see if things pick up the way they should.
Noticed a little problem with my programmable remote, seems the timing of ir codes has changed wich results in double commando's with a single press.

At this moment the slughisness is not as bad as I thought but there's room for improvement.

Gonna test on my PoHD mini tomorow, let you know what the results are.

there's a little error on the homescreen: dutch translation for new added music spells out: nieuw toegevoegde muzie (the letter k is missing)

Screensaver icon is bouncing too fast on the screen and missing the info when playing MP3's