Barco Series 4 software update release thread

[Steve Guttag]

Christie never used TRP chips. All of their 4K machines, including Series 4 were with conventional 1.38" chips. They ARE slated to use the SST based .98"

NEC (pronounced SHARP)...who do you know that has one of their TRP based projectors? So, we're talking the NC1843ML, NC2043ML, and NC2443ML (same projector with a different clip-on butt for different light levels). I know of no users of it. Normally, the Sharp/NEC crowd is about cost and that line of projectors isn't particularly cheap. Furthermore, the benefit of that line is that the light source is changeable as an assembly with a core charge. And that process is not particularly cheap either. I don't doubt that they've sold some but I sure don't know of any in my circles. It is guaranteed that they have stuck pixels too. I believe TI has canned that chip due to its absurdly high failure rate (stuck pixels).

[Leo Enticknap]

I just checked in the documentation section of the support site and while I don't see specific instructions for conversion, there is a TRP to SST upgrade sheet. It would appear that the parts include the Light Processor (sort of a given) and a Light Pipe "Kit" The part number listed is not showing on the parts page since, likely it is not, on its own an orderable kit...just when a projector is being converted. So, what's involved is anyone's guess...all of the way up to changing the entire light pipe assembly with lenses/mirrors.

In which case it's a major exercise that only senior techs with several years of experience will be able to do, with the result that Barco will likely have to continue to make TRP engines available as a replacement option for failed ones. I did the Level 2 training class in March 2023. This included removing the light pipe, disassembling, reassembling, and adjusting its internal components. But I haven't had to use that training in any service call since, and would definitely need to go back through the slides, my notes, and the service manual before doing it for real.

When the Series 4s came out, it registered in my mind that one major design difference from Series 2 is that in a Series 2 projector, the light engine and light pipe are an integrated, single assembly; whereas in Series 4s, they are separate parts (hence an adjustment to the fold mirror being needed frequently when swapping out engines). At the time I thought that was likely sensible, because it saved costs and I couldn't think of any scenario in which both the engine and the pipe would need to be replaced. But now that scenario has arrived.

Note, to gain access to one of the lock down screws on the SST, one will need to remove the light processor cooling fan assembly.

That's just three screws and a power connector, so only a minor inconvenience. However, if any other unusual tools are needed to complete the job (for example, instead of a 12" T20 for the three anchoring bolts, an even longer one, or a 12" T something else), I hope that will be clearly flagged up in the documentation or training provided for the conversion.

They made a point of saying that the high-speed cables are NOT the same between the TRP and SST and that the SST cables are on the delicate side and susceptible to being creased/damaged. Routing is specific and to have gentle curves to them.

The mini SAS cables used in the TRP aren't exactly designed to wishstand a drone strike, either. I've had to replace a few that spontaneously failed, and in the Level 2 class the instructor told us that this was a common fault, so much so that he advised us to check for this (by swapping colors around at the connection to the backplane) before determining that a formatter had gone bad and asking for a new light engine to be shipped. If this is true, I find it frustrating that they don't supply a fresh set of cables with every new light engine.

[Steve Guttag]

I guess, ignorance is bliss. No mention of the SAS cables being a common failure point...I've had zero failures. FWIW, I don't disconnect them from the signal backplane...just from the light engine formatters. So, they do get handled in a minimalist fashion and only handled by their connectors.

On the fan, they note that you do NOT need to even remove the power cord...just the screws to move it out of your way as you just need access to the hole for the Torx driver. The service manual does show what it takes to swap the Mk II stuff, as components, not as a conversion. I think a T20 (long) and a T10 driver gets you over 99% of the fasteners in an S4. FYI, the driver I got for the T20 is 300mm long Wera 5028070002 It travels with my laptop. I really like how minimal your "toolkit" can be on the Barco S4.

[Steve Guttag]

Barco S4 1.9.7 has been released.
It would appear to provide fixes to the SST based SP4K projectors and updates the ICMP software. The ICP-D remains unchanged.

It would not surprise me if Barco releases a succession of firmware updates until they get a degree of stability.

Release notes

Included versions

• This version includes the ICMP Software 1.4.4.30 and ICP-D software 1.2.1.16

Bug Fixes:

• Fix an issue where update failed on some new Mk II version of SP4K-12C / SP4K-15C / SP4K-20C / SP4K-25C
• ICMP: Fix an issue where the process in charge of SNMP was crashing

Note

• The new encryption mechanism is bringing some limitation on the way to handle update, backup and restore
• Upgrade: need to install v1.8 first before to upgrade from v1.7 to v1.9
• Downgrade: need to install v1.8 first before to downgrade from v1.9 to v1.7
• Backup package generated in v1.7 can be restored on v1.8 but not on v1.9
• Backup package generated in v1.8 can be restored on V1.9 but not on v1.7
• Backup package generated in v1.9 can be restored on V1.8 but not on v1.7

[Leo Enticknap]

I wonder what is in the ICMP and ICP-D updates. They don't appear to be available in standalone versions for Series 2 on the website, which leads me to suspect that the changes only affect these boards' interaction with Series 4 projectors.

[Arno Yu]

Could you please send me the latest firmware versions for both the S4 and the ICMP-X?