text:
Dune HD Smart D1
This firmware packages consists of files which are distributed under different license terms, in particular under Dune HD proprietary license or under any Open Source License (namely GNU General Public License, GNU Lesser General Public License or FreeBSD License). For further details see file "license.txt" (license.txt) The source code of those files distributed as Open Source are available on written request to firstname.lastname@example.com or can be downloaded here: http://files.dune-hd.com/firmware/gpl/dunehd_gpl_source_code.tgz
Dune HD grants the non-exclusive right to personally use this firmware package which is delivered in object code format only. Licensee shall only be entitled to make a copy exclusively reserved for personal backup purposes (backup copy). Dune HD reserves all intellectual property rights except as expressly granted herein. Without the prior written approval of Dune HD and except to the extent as may be expressly authorised under mandatory law, this firmware package in particular
- shall not be copied, distributed or otherwise made publicly available
- shall not be modified, disassembled, reverse engineered, decompiled or otherwise "be opened" in whole or in part, and insofar shall not be copied, distributed or otherwise made publicly available.
Version "170519_1353_r11" (stable version)
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_170519_1353_r11.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 170519_1351_r11:
This firmware includes fixes for regressions found in the new r11 firmware versions (170519_1350_r11 and 170519_1351_r11) in comparison with the previous b9 firmware, and fixes for some other issues. - Improvement: when starting DVD playback, if shell_ext plugin is required for DVD playback but is not installed, the system automatically proposes to install shell_ext plugin (and to initialize system storage, if needed). - Improvement: added correct support for adding plugin entry point to "Favorites" even if plugin has multiple entry points, and even if entry point is on the main screen. So it is now possible to easily add for example "My Collection" or "Movies" to Favorites (and enable auto start for them, if needed). - Improvement: TTF font setting is now "Regular" by default instead of "Light", to make text more readable on Movie screen and similiar screens. This change takes effect after settings reset or when installing r11 firmware over b9 firmware. - Bugfix: HDD formatting did not work in some cases on the following models: Dune HD Max, Dune HD Duo, Dune HD Smart D1/H1/B1, Dune HD Prime 3.0, Dune HD Base 3.0 - Bugfix: in some cases Recent main menu item was not included into the "Dune Plus" subscription. - Bugfix: wrong PIDs were saved for plugins. - Some other minor improvements/fixes.
Version "170519_1351_r11" (BETA version)
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_170519_1351_r11.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 170519_1350_r11:
This firmware includes fixes for various regressions found in the new r11 firmware (170519_1350_r11) in comparison with the previous b9 firmware, and fixes for some other issues. - Bugfix: ZOOM function did not work in some cases. - Bugfix: My Collection, Movies, Music did not work on some player models (tv303d2 and base3d2). - Bugfix: DVB-C did not work on models with DVB-C tuner. - Bugfix: HDMI audio output did not work properly in some specific cases. - Bugfix: Verimatrix IPTV DRM did not work in some cases on models with Verimatrix IPTV DRM support. - Bugfix: DVB icons loading/updating did not work in some cases. - Bugfix: High bitrate HD IPTV channels were stuttering in some cases (when lower_cpu_load media_url parameter was used). - Bugfix: Zapping between IPTV channels could be slightly slower than expected in some cases (ss_for_http_ts media_url parameter did not work properly). - Bugfix: Stopping playback of TV channel in Kartina.TV application could be slightly slower than expected in some cases. - Bugfix: Screen did not darken properly when EPG OSD was shown. - Bugfix: When playing DVB radio streams, "average bitrate" line was wrongly shown in INFO OSD. - Some other minor internal fixes.
Version "170519_1350_r11" (BETA version)
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_170519_1350_r11.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 150721_0135_b9:
This is a huge firmware update for old/dicontinuted Dune HD media player models based on old MIPS Sigma Designs chips. - This new firmware is based on the same new codebase branch (r11) which is used in the latest Dune HD media player models based on the new ARM Sigma Design chips. - This new firmware includes several thousands of various changes, fixes, improvements and new changes, which were previously implemented during the development of the firmware for the new models. - In particular, this new firmware includes the following new big features, previously available only on the new Dune HD models: My Collection, Movies catalog, Music catalog. The new firmware introduces the concept of "Dune Plus" subscription. - To use some new functions of the new firmware (currently: My Collection, Movies catalog, Music catalog), a paid subscription to "Dune Plus" premium function is required. - Initially, a promo period takes place and "Dune Plus" premium function is available for all users for free. After the promo period ends, a paid subscription will be required (with some limited trial period still available for free). The current status of "Dune Plus" subscription can be seen in the new menu "Setup / Premium Functions". - In this firmware version, the subscription to "Dune Plus" premium functions is required to use the following features: My Collection, Movies catalog, Music catalog. The set of features covered by "Dune Plus" subscription may be extended/changed in future (it is a subject to change without notice). - In other words: "Dune Plus" subscription allows the owners of old/discontinued Dune HD media player models to upgrade their players to get access to features originally available only on the newer player models. The new firmware is supported for all old/discontinued Dune HD media player models which have 512MB+ RAM. - This includes the following models: - Dune HD Base 3D - Dune HD Base 3D v2 - Dune HD TV-303D - Dune HD TV-303D v2 - Dune HD TV-102 - Dune HD TV-102 v2 - Dune HD Connect - Dune HD Max - Dune HD Duo - Dune HD Smart D1 - Dune HD Smart H1 - Dune HD Smart B1 - Dune HD Prime 3.0 - Dune HD Base 3.0 - The models with 256MB RAM (Lite 53D, TV-101, TV-301, TV-102p) are not supported by the new firmware. The new firmware may require System Storage to get access to some new features. - System Storage (e.g. 2GB+ USB flash drive attached to any USB port) may be required to install additional software components when using players which do not have enough internal flash memoty or which do not have enough free space in the internal flash memory. - When System Storage is needed, the player will automatically inform about it and will suggest installing the System Storage.
Version "150721_0135_b9"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_150721_0135_b9.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 150404_0032_b9:
- Bugfix: Weather widget could show wrong temperature in some cases. - Bugfix: After returning from playback to a folder with GUI customization (using dune_folder.txt), in specific cases, a wrong GUI state could be shown. - Bugfix: In some rare cases, when when playing a MPEG-TS stream from multicast or DVB source, playback could crash. - Bugfix: In specific cases, when switching between different MPEG-TS streams for a long time, playback could crash. - Bugfix: For models with DVB-C tuner: DVB-C default modulation mode was set to incorrect value. - Bugfix: For base3d2 and tv303d2 models: stability problems could take place in some cases. - Bugfix: SDK: when creating too many scheduled recordings, the application could crash in some cases. - Bugfix: SDK: in HTML applications, an attempt to modify the callback function from JS callback handler could lead to application hangup.
Version "150404_0032_b9" (BETA version)
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_150404_0032_b9.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 150227_0032_b9:
- The function of formatting a HDD into NTFS filesystem now does not have HDD capacity limitations and can be used with huge HDDs. - When a HDD with an EFI system partition is attached, the EFI system partition is now not shown in the GUI. - SDK: added new firmware customization possibility: custom firmware may now use a custom value of signer_id for signed plugins. See more information in SDK documentation. - Bugfix: AC3 or DTS audio could be played wrongly in specific rare cases. - Bugfix: Custom folders based on dune_folder.txt mechanism could be rendered in a wrong way in specific cases, when an old behavior of dune_folder.txt mechanism was expected. - Bugfix: PHP plugins: FWD and REW RC buttons did not work as expected in some cases. - Bugfix: GUI could crash in some specific rare cases when icon archive feature was used. - Bugfix: when playing very high-bitrate lossless audio files (FLAC, Wavpack) from an SMB network share, stuttering could take place in some cases. - Bugfix: playback of MPEG-TS stream containing a lot of errors could lead to playback crash in some rare specific cases. - Added new "adaptive+" deinterlacing mode, which should work better than the old "adaptive" mode on specific video content. - Bugfix: when playing a media_url with "dune_params" extra parameters, playback recovering from a network fault could be handled wrongly in some cases. - Bugfix: when playing HLS (and some other MPEG-TS based) content, audio track switching could work wrongly in some cases. - Bugfix: for models which do not support full power-off: a request to do power-off could be handled wrongly in some cases. - Hungarian UI translation updated.
Version "150227_0032_b9"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_150227_0032_b9.dff (ZIP)
Version "140827_0132_b9"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_140827_0132_b9.dff (ZIP)
Version "140610_0131_b8"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_140610_0131_b8.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 140425_0132_b8:
- Subtitles are now supported during plugin playback. - Internal improvements in plugins upgrade mechanism. - HLS playback bugfixes: - Playlists with blank lines in the beginning were processed incorrectly. - Sometimes HLS playback could crash because of too long URLs. - Bugfix: switching deinterlacing mode during DVD playback did not work. - Bugfix: in some cases scanning DVB-T with multiple bandwidths failed with GUI error. - Rutube application is removed from the set of preinstalled applications.
Version "140425_0132_b8" (BETA version)
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_140425_0132_b8.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 140223_0133_b8:
- Internal improvements in plugins upgrade mechanism. - Updated Videomore preinstalled application (Russian language only). - HLS playback improvements. - Bugfix: recording could crash in some rare cases.
Version "140223_0133_b8" (BETA version)
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_140223_0133_b8.dff (ZIP)
Version "140223_0132_b6"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_140223_0132_b6.dff (ZIP)
Version "131224_0132_b8" (BETA version)
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_131224_0132_b8.dff (ZIP)
Version "131213_0131_b6"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_131213_0131_b6.dff (ZIP)
Version "130515_2104_b6"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_130515_2104_b6.dff (ZIP)
Version "121018_0846"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_121018_0846.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 120815_2150:
- NOTE: This is a minor update to 120815_2151. - Dune HD TV models: Bugfix: Vidimax application could report "error 7" in some cases during playback. - Bugfix: fixed problem with the playback of certain MMS URLs (the problem appeared in the firmware version 120608_1420_beta). - Bugfix: playback of MPEG-TS streams w/o audio and with temporary audio dropouts could cause problems. (This includes playback of multicast, HLS, DVB MPEG-TS streams.) - Bugfix: playback of media content via HTTP protocol could cause hangup in some cases (e.g. when the server did not respond). - HLS playback improvements: - By default, the initial quality is now chosen based on the previous statistics (remembered till reboot). - Various performance and stability improvements. - Bugfix: too long HLS URLs were refused to play. - media_url: 'hls_initial_bandwidth' parameter extended with new possible values: 'auto' and 'auto_high'. - More details: http://dune-hd.com/support/misc/media_url.txt - Improvements in API for PHP plugins: - Default PHP plugin operation timeout increased to 60 seconds. - Bugfix: PHP plugin operation was handled in wrong way in some cases. - Bugfix: EPG OSD column had wrong title in some cases. - Dune HD TV models: Improvements in API for HTML+JS applications: - Bugfix: when playing HLS stream, read error events could be wrongly generated even in the absence of any errors.
Version "120815_2150"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_120815_2150.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 120608_1420_beta:
- Improvements for DVB-T: some fixes for Hungarian DVB-T; updated DVB-T tables for some other countries. - Updated UI translations for some languages (chinese, estonian, hebrew, hungarian, italian, swedish). - Added showing of software license information on the first player boot. - media_url: added 'deint_mode' parameter for playback URLs (possible values: 'off', 'adaptive', 'bob'). - More details: http://dune-hd.com/support/misc/media_url.txt - Added immediate visual feedback when the player handles standby or power-off request: the LED on the front panel blinks once. - Some minor fixes in the PHP plugin mechanism (note: no changes in API). - Bugfix: framerate detection could work wrongly for MP4 content in some cases. - Bugfix: 'rutube' application could not work in some cases. - Bugfix: when using old RC without "REC" button, it was impossible to start recording of IPTV stream (the problem appeared in previous firmware versions). - Bugfix: dynamic range control feature worked wrongly when playing files with TrueHD audio tracks. - Bugfix: HLS streams could start very slowly in some specific cases (MPEG-TS with specific PMT). - Bugfix: playback of RTSP streams could cause problems with subsequent playback of MPEG-TS content. - Bugfix: pause function could cause crash in some cases. - Bugfix: playback of MKA files could cause crash in some cases. - Bugfix: some keys on Dune HD Qwerty keyboard did not work in some cases. - Bugfix: when entering IP address, the use of leading '0' caused the entered number to be treated as octal number rather than decimal.
Version "120608_1420_beta" (BETA version)
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_120608_1420_beta.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 120531_2200_beta:
NOTE: This firmware version does not include the new application archtiecture introduced in 120531_2201_beta. The equivalent firmware version with the new application architecture is 120608_1421_beta. - media_url: added 'osd_size' parameter for www:// URLs. - More details: http://dune-hd.com/support/misc/media_url.txt - Bugfix: playback of some MP4 content could cause crash. - Bugfix: when playing MP4 files, exiting trickplay modes (e.g. fast forward) could work wrongly. - Bugfix: GUI skin switching using "B" RC button could work wrongly in some cases. - Some minor fixes in the PHP plugin mechanism (note: no changes in API). - Other minor fixes.
Version "120531_2200_beta" (BETA version)
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_120531_2200_beta.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 120329_2012:
NOTE: This firmware version has a lot of changes, is not well tested, and some things may be broken. If something does not work for you, please rollback to 120329_2012 version. * Added a set of preinstalled applications. - Facebook. - Twitter. - AccuWeather. - YouTube. - RuTube (Russian language only). - Videomore (Russian language only). - TV Rain (Russian language only). - Horoscope (Russian language only). - RIA news (Russian language only). - Poverhnost TV (Russian language only). - Megogo (for Russia, Ukraine and other ex-USSR countries only). - Videoprobki.ua (for Ukraine only). - video.bigmir.net (for Ukraine only). - Games: chess, four, sudoku, memory, tetris (Russian language only), snake (Russian language only). * Web browser improvements. - A new version of web browser engine is used. - Browser performance slightly improved. - Dune HD TV-101 and TV-301: Spatial navigation support is added: navigate through the elements of the web page using LEFT/RIGHT/UP/DOWN RC buttons. - Some other improvements and fixes. * DVB-T improvements. - TV OSD is now used during DVB-T playback. - Added EPG showing. - Added support for DVB-T channels icons. - DVB-T buffering and channel switching improvements. * UI improvements. - Text fields in the main menu do not require any more to press ENTER to edit the text: text fields are now always "active" and the text can be edited immediately. - RC button "D" in text fields in the main menu can be used to show the on-screen virtual keyboard. Currently, only English and Russian languages are supported. - Animation added in some places where it was missed previously. - TV OSD improvements: - ENTER on TV channel which is already played just closes the OSD and does not restart the playback. - Navigating to a different TV channel resets the EPG panel to today. * Playback improvements. - Added support for HLS protocol for streaming media content. Adaptive bitrate is supported. VOD and Live TV/radio modes are supported. AES encryption is supported. - media_url syntax: http://{host}[:{port}][/{path}].m3u8[?{args}] - More details: http://dune-hd.com/support/misc/media_url.txt - Added support for RTSP protocol for streaming media content. Only MPEG-TS streams are supported. RTSP+RTP and RTSP-over-TCP modes are supported. VOD and Live TV/radio modes are supported. - media_url syntax: rtsp://{host}[:{port}][/{path}] - More details: http://dune-hd.com/support/misc/media_url.txt - Improved multicast IPTV playback support. - Faster playback startup and faster switch between multicast IPTV channels. - Fixed problems which took place sometimes when the user attempted to switch between IPTV channels too quickly. - Improved errors detection and handling. - Added possibility to pause/resume the playback (with picture freezing). - Added support for DVB subtitles. - Added support for teletext passthrough (works with some TV models). - Improved support for playback of MP4 files via HTTP protocol. - Autoframerate enabled also for MP4 files played via HTTP protocol using "http://mp4://" media_url syntax. - Optimized playback of MP4 files via HTTP protocols w/o the use of "http://mp4://" media_url syntax. - Improved support for playback of HTTP/TS streams. - Performance of playback from SMB shares improved on SMP8670 platform (Dune HD TV-101 and TV-301 models). Now the SMB performance with Dune HD TV-101 should be approximately the same as with Dune HD Smart and Max/Duo models. * Various new features for application development. - dune_folder.txt extensions and improvements: - New parameters: - paint_details_box_background = yes|no - help_line_text_color = N - item_detailed_info_title_color = N - item_detailed_info_text_color = N - item_caption_color = N - item_sandwich_icon_scale_factor = N.N - More details: http://dune-hd.com/support/misc/dune_folder_howto.txt - Added a possibility to specify various playback options in media_url using "|||dune_params|||" syntax. - Supported options: - rtsp_tcp:0|1 - rtsp_seek_via_reopen:0|1 - protocol:hls - hls_initial_bandwidth:low|high - hls_key_url_add_query:{string} - enable_seek:0|1 - buffering_ms:1..60000 - More details: http://dune-hd.com/support/misc/media_url.txt - Added a possibility to launch web browser using a special media_url syntax. - media_url syntax: www://{HTTP-or-file-URL}[:::{parameters}] - Supported parameters: - fullscreen=0|1 - webapp_keys=0|1 - zoom_level={N} - overscan={N} - user_agent={string} - background_color={color} - More details: http://dune-hd.com/support/misc/media_url.txt - Dune IP Control API extensions and improvements: - New IP Control commands: - start_playlist_playback - launch_media_url - get_text - set_text - More details: http://dune-hd.com/support/ip_control - Dune FlashLite API extensions and improvements: - Added support for HTTPS. - Improved support for USB keyboards. - New API operations: - requestPlaylistPlaybackOnExit - requestPlaylistPlaybackOnExitWithReturn - requestDVDPlayerOnExit - requestDVDPlayerOnExitWithReturn - requestBlurayPlayerOnExit - requestBlurayPlayerOnExitWithReturn - More details: http://dune-hd.com/support/flash - Dune PHP Plugins API extensions and improvements: - New GUI actions: - file_play - dvd_play - bluray_play - playlist_play - launch_media_url - change_behavior - show_black_screen - show_main_screen - New GUI events: - timer - playback_stop - New properties in existing data structures: - GuiAction::params - PluginInvalidateFoldersActionData::details - PluginInvalidateFoldersActionData::rate_details - PluginMovieFolderView::left_button_caption - PluginMovieFolderView::left_button_action - PluginMovieFolderView::params - PluginRegularFolderView::timer - PluginTvInfo::epg_mode - PluginVodInfo::initial_position_ms - PluginVodInfo::advert_mode - PluginVodInfo::actions - PluginVodInfo::timer - ShowDialogActionData::actions - ShowDialogActionData::timer - ShowDialogActionData::max_height - ShowDialogActionData::initial_sel_ndx - ViewItemParams::item_caption_color - ViewItemParams::item_sandwich_icon_scale_factor - ViewParams::paint_details_box_background - ViewParams::help_line_text_color - ViewParams::item_detailed_info_title_color - ViewParams::item_detailed_info_text_color - New data structures and their properties: - BlurayPlayActionData::url - ChangeBehaviourActionData::actions - ChangeBehaviourActionData::timer - ChangeBehaviourActionData::post_action - DvdPlayActionData::url - FilePlayActionData::url - GuiTimerDef::delay_ms - LaunchMediaUrlActionData::url - LaunchMediaUrlActionData::post_action - PlaylistPlayActionData::url - PlaylistPlayActionData::start_index - PluginFolderViewParams::paint_path_box - PluginFolderViewParams::paint_content_box_background - PluginFolderViewParams::background_url - PluginVodPlayActionData::vod_info - ShowBlackScreenActionData::post_action - ShowMainScreenActionData::post_action - New features related to plugin file structure: - {plugin_install_dir}/bin/ - The player automatically sets executable permissions on all files in this directory during plugin installation. - {plugin_install_dir}/www/{path} - The player automatically makes these files accessible via HTTP (locally inside the player, and from the local network): - http://localhost-or-dune-ip-address/plugins/{plugin_name}/{path} - {plugin_install_dir}/www/cgi-bin/{path} - The player automatically makes these CGI applications accessible via HTTP (locally inside the player, and from the local network): - http://localhost-or-dune-ip-address/cgi-bin/plugins/{plugin_name}/{path} - Other new features: - Ability to package FlashLite application into plugin and launch it when the user enters plugin entry point, or when PHP plugin code decides to call it. Supported via the new "launch_media_url" action. - Ability to package HTML page/application into plugin and launch it in web browser when the user enters plugin entry point, or when PHP plugin decides to call it. Supported via the new "launch_media_url" action. - If the plugin is pure FlashLite or HTML application and does not need to execute any PHP code, "plain" plugin type can be specified in plugin manifest instead of "php"; in this case, there is no need to include PHP program into the plugin and specify "program" parameter in plugin manifest. - More details: http://dune-hd.com/support/plugins * Other minor changes. - The set of preinstalled UI skins slightly reduced to free some flash memory for new firmware functions and applications. - DHCP client sends the information about player model and firmware version to DHCP server using DHCP vendor specific options. - Various other minor fixes and improvements.
Version "120329_2012"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_120329_2012.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 120202_1544_beta:
NOTE: This is a minor update to 120202_1544_beta. * Initial video mode setup wizard improvements: EDID information from TV is now taken into account to automatically suggest the optimal HDMI mode. Default mode is NTSC instead of PAL. * Minor improvements related to the support for big and small Dune remote controls in different Dune HD models. * Bugfix: false IR signals were detected in some cases. * Bugfix: playback of files from some huge (>2TB) HDD models did not work. * Bugfix: formatting HDD partition did not assign proper filesystem type in some cases. * Minor other improvements and fixes.
Version "120202_1544_beta" (BETA version)
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_120202_1544_beta.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 120127_2115:
NOTE: Includes also all changes from 120127_2115 (see below). * Added "Soft Reset" function: - Now the "Reset Settings" function proposes two choices: full reset to factory defaults (the same as took place in previous firmware versions), and so called "soft reset". - The soft reset clears the settings only partially and is more convenient in cases when the user does not need full factory reset. - The following things are cleared by the soft reset: - All settings from Setup menu. - All plugins settings. - All cached data and data stored by the player for its own needs. - All bookmarks (remembered playback positions). - The following things (which may be hard to reconfigure from the scratch) are kept by the soft reset: - All configured network folders. - All favorites configured in the main menu. - All installed plugins. * Improvements for the users of big remote controls: - Added the setting allowing to choose the behavior POP UP MENU RC button: toggle playlist/TV menu (as took place in previous firmware versions), or toggle the new functions menu (introduced in the latest firmware version) (this is the default behavior). The old behavior (toggle playlist/TV menu) can be convenient for the users used to it. Enabling the old behavior makes the functions menu unavailable (and thus it may be reasonable only for users of big remote controls, which have dedicated buttons allowing to trigger various playback functions w/o the need to use the functions menu). The setting: 'Playback / Preferences / POP UP MENU button'. - On the models which are shipped by default with big remote control, LEFT/RIGHT RC buttons during playback now trigger the time seek function (as took place in previous firmware versions), rather then the volume function (as was introduced in the latest firmware verion). * Tvigle.ru application improvements: - Added setting allowing to manually control if the application is shown or not on the main screen: 'Setup / Applications / Tvigle / Shown on the main screen'. * Kartina.TV application removed from the set of preinstalled applications by demand of the Kartina.TV company. * Minor other improvements and fixes. NOTE: Includes also all changes from 120127_2115 (see below).
Version "111122_0159_beta" (BETA version)
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_111122_0159_beta.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 110923_1710:
NOTE: Includes also all changes from 110923_1710 (see below). * Playback improvements: - Bugfix: POWER RC button did not work correctly during Blu-ray Lite playback. - Bugfix: time-seeks in AVI files muxed with OpenDML structure were very slow when playing from network. * Various fixes and improvements. - A new boot splash picture. - Minor improvements and fixes for Kartina.TV and Tvigle applications. - Minor improvements and fixes for GUI skins handling. - Minor fixes for some recently introduced features and changes in dune_folder.txt mechanism and related functionality. - DHCP support improvement: "client id" sent by the player to DHCP server is reverted back from a non-standard value (introduced in the previous firmware version) to the standard value (0x01 followed by MAC-address). - Bugfix: WiFi scan produced no results in some cases. Also, added a button allowing to easily restart WiFi scan. - Some menu languages updated/improved. - Some other minor fixes. * Added emergency settings reset function. In order to use it: put "dune_boot_reset_settings.flag" file into the root of the only USB flash drive connected to the player, then the player will reset settings during boot. * IP Control API extensions. - Protocol version changed to 2. - Improved reporting of current state during playback of IPTV streams. - Added information about available audiotracks during playback. - Added the possibility to configure the following playback parameters (via "set_playback_state"): - video_enabled - video_zoom - video_fullscreen - video_x - video_y - video_width - video_height - volume - mute * Additional features and API changes in the mechanism for the integration of IPTV/VOD services.
Version "110606_1315_update1"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_110606_1315_update1.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 110606_1315:
* Includes changes from 110225_1222_update2 (ensuring compatibility with the latest player batches). So, players with preinstalled 110225_1222_update2 firmware can be upgraded to this firmware version. * Minor improvements for "Kartina.TV" application.
Version "110606_1315"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_110606_1315.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 110511_2007_beta:
* NOTE: Changes from 110225_1222_update2 are not included. * Bugfix: Weather application settings did not work in some cases. * Bugfix: Specific DVD-Video discs could not be played correctly. * Bugfix: NTSC/PAL detection could be handled wrongly during DVD-Video playback. * Bugfix: Wrong audio channel could be chosen when switching channels during MPEG2-TS/IPTV playback. * Bugfix: Playback of video streams from network could hang in specific rare cases. * Some interface languages updated. * Some other improvements/fixes.
Version "110511_2007_beta" (BETA version)
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_110511_2007_beta.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 110225_1222_update1:
* NOTE: Changes from 110225_1222_update2 are not included. * Completely new graphical interface. - New background image, new icons, more advanced graphics for all GUI elements (glasses, dialogs, controls, OSD, etc). - Animation effects. - NOTE: it is recomended to use 50/60Hz video mode as the default video mode in order to ensure smooth animation. - NOTE: animation effects can be disabled in Setup / Appearance. - Improved text look. - The space between characters and the width of whitespace character optimized. - Ability to create and install custom GUI skins. - More information: http://dune-hd.com/support/skins - Ability to switch GUI skins on-the-fly. - GUI skins can be switched via the setting "Setup / Appearance / Skin", or via "B" RC button on the main screen (and also via "ZOOM" RC button on any screen). - Several GUI skins are included into the firmware. * New tab-based main menu interface. - All items from the main menu are now grouped into the following top-level folders: - "Sources": locally attached storage devices, configured network folders, and "Network Browser" function. - "TV": TV services (when available). - "Favorites": shortcuts to favorite items (previously known as "items added to main screen"). - "Applications": all other applications and services. - "Setup": player settings. - By default, all top-level folders are now represented as "tabs" at the top of the screen. - In Setup / Appearance, the user can switch between the following styles of the main menu: - "Tabs": the new default menu style ("tabs" at the top of the screen). - "Folders": show all top-level folders as regular folders in the main area. - "Plain": do not group main screen items into folders (the same behavior as in previous firmware versions). * Added widget for showing weather and current date/time information. - The widget is shown at the top right corner of the screen (in the main menu only, not during playback). - The widget can be configured or disabled via "Setup / Applications / Widget". - NOTE: When no information is available (e.g. when Internet connection is not available), the widget shows Dune HD logo. * Various other user interface improvements. - Added more predefined icon-based view modes for folders: 3x2, 3x3, 4x2, view modes with right panel. - "Extended list" view mode is renamed to "List with right panel". - Added the ability to quickly switch between view modes by pressing "A" RC button. - Debug dump function (which was previously available via triple press of "A" RC button) is now available via tripple press of "PAUSE" RC button. - "Add to favorites" function can be quickly called by "D" RC button. - "Copy" and "Paste" functions can be quickly called by "B" and "C" RC buttons. - The help line at the bottom of the screen indicates currently available shortcut RC buttons ("A", "B", "C", "D", "POP UP") and their functions. - When launching the playback, "ENTER" RC button now works as "PLAY" by default, i.e. builds a playlist consisting of all items in the current folder and starts the playback of the currently selected item. Usually, this improves the conveniency when the folder contains multiple items (e.g. photos, music files, series, links to Internet radio stations, links to TV channels, etc). The old behavior (do not build the playlist, play just the selected item) can be restored via settings (see "Setup / Advanced / File Browser"). - The current folder path at the top of the screen is now always shown as just single line (with scrolling when the path is too long). - Bugfix: "TOP MENU" RC button did not work in some Setup screens. * Added support for CUE-sheet playlist files. - When playing an audio file, is there is an associated CUE-sheet file (should have the same filename as the audio file, but with ".cue" extension), the CUE-sheet file is automatically used. - "PREV"/"NEXT" RC buttons allow to switch between tracks. - The OSD menu ("POP UP MENU" RC button) allows to see the list of tracks and switch to the desired track. - When the playlist contains multiple audio files, CUE-sheet files are also detected and used for each audio file (the detection is performed when an audio file starts to play for the first time). The OSD menu groups all tracks by the corresponding files. - Also added support for built-in CUE-sheets in FLAC, APE and WavPack files. * Added support for chapters in MKV files. - "PREV"/"NEXT" RC buttons allow to switch between chapters. - The OSD menu ("POP UP MENU" RC button) allows to see the list of chapters and switch to the desired chapter. - When the playlist contains multiple MKV files, chapters are also detected and used for each MKV file (the detection is performed when a MKV file starts to play for the first time). The OSD menu groups all chapters by the corresponding files. * New version of DVD engine. - The new version of the DVD engine adds the support for multiangle feature and improves the support for DVD-Video discs with advanced DVD-menu and interactive features. - If needed, the old version of the DVD engine may be chosen via Setup / Miscellaneous / System / DVD engine. * Added settings for preferred languages of disc menu, audio track, subtitles. - See "Setup / Playback / Language". - Supported for BD/DVD-Video discs/images and files. - NOTE: The default value of these language settings is "English". So, if there are several audio or subtitles tracks and the "English" one is not the first one, it will be automatically chosen (instead of choosing the first track, as it took place previously). - Also added a new setting (see "Setup / Playback / Subtitles") which allows to enable subtitles by default not only for files, but also for DVD-Video discs/images. * Various playback improvements. - General improvements for playback of HTTP audio streams (such as Internet radio stations). - CD audio playback improvements: faster startup and gapless playback. - Improvement: for autoframerate function, non-standard framerates between 23.976Hz and 24Hz are now treated as 23.976Hz (rather than 24hz). - Bugfix: Viewing photos from a UPnP source did not work (the problem introduced in previous firmware versions). - Bugfix: Unsupported REW (fast rewind) command for TS files was wrongly handled as fast forward rather than ignored. - Bugfix: Playlist shuffle function could use an already previously used random sequence in some cases. - Bugfix: MP3 files with very large embedded covers could not be played. - Bugfix: MP3 files with specific ID3 tags could not be played. - Bugfix: ".mts" files were wrongly handled as audio files. - Bugfix: Pausing M4A files could cause playback stop in some cases. - Bugfix: .M3U/.PLS playlist files with "UTF8 BOM" header could not be played. - Bugfix: specific TS files (such as specific broadcast recordings) could be played wrongly or with pause/seek not working. - Bugfix: specific MKV files could not be played. - Bugfix: BD-R/DVD-R discs could play with problems in some cases. * Improved handling of RC buttons during playback. - "PREV" RC button now navigates through the history of the previously played playlist items only in the shuffle playback mode and only after normal transitions (selecting an item in the playlist and manually jumping to it resets the history). - "TOP MENU" RC button now allows to go to the main screen also from file playback mode. * Added new audio output configuration possibilites. - The setting "Setup / Audio / Audio decoding mode" allows to specify the number of channels (stereo, 5.1, 7.1), which should be output to analog audio outputs and HDMI output. - NOTE: This setting influences only audio codecs for which multichannel audio decoding is allowed according to license restrictions, such as PCM or FLAC. License-restricted audio codecs such as DTS and Dolby can only be decoded in stereo mode. * Improved output of DTS-CD audio streams. - Removed 14-bit to 16-bit conversion, which is undesired in some cases. - Added the new setting "Setup / Audio / DTS CD audio conversion", which allows to revert back the old behavior (enable 14-bit to 16-bit conversion) when needed. * DVB-T related improvements. - Usability improvement: when watching DVB-T channels, "ENTER" RC button opens the list of DVB-T channels (as "POP UP MENU" RC button). - Bugfix: DVB-T playback did not work in some cases. * Added "SHOUTCast" and "RadioTime" applications (free access to thousands of local and world-side Internet radio stations). * Added "Russia.ru" application (free access to "Russia.ru" Internet video service). * Minor improvements for "IVI.ru" application. - Added showing some information about listed movies in the right panel. * A lot of new features and improvements for "Kartina.TV" application. - Integrated the new "Videoteka" function based on the new "Dune VOD" mechanism (planned to be used for other VOD services as well). - Movies can be filtered by categories (including filtering by multiple categories). - Movies can be searched by title (with on-screen virtual keyboard). - When browsing the list of movies, different view modes can be switched. - Detailed movie information can be shown. - Movies with series are supported (including series selection before and durign movie playback). - "Dune TV" mechanism improvements: - Added the possibility to switch different view modes when browsing the list of TV channels. - Added hints about the possibilities to use "B", "C", "D" RC buttons to manage favorite TV channels. - Added automatic resuming of TV playback after power-off/power-on. - Added remembering the last played TV channel. When resuming TV playback (automatically after power-off/power-on, or when entering the application via "PLAY" RC button), the remembered TV channel is restored. - Added showing not only date, but also week day in the EPG menu. - Increased the font size in the EPG menu; added a new setting allowing to change the font size in the EPG menu. - Added support for "Low Bitrate" channels. - Improved handling of "Time Shift" function in some cases. - Added "0.5 seconds" buffering option (for people with very good Internet connection). - Improved the stability and performance of the communication with servers. - Added waiting for the IP address when attempting to start the application when the IP address is not assigned yet. * Added new possibilities for UI customization and authors of applications based on "dune_folder.txt" mechanism. - Added new dune_folder.txt parameters: - Animation: - animation_enabled = yes|no (default is yes) - Overall item layout: - item_layout = center|left|right (default is center) - Badge-based icons: - paint_icon_badge_box = yes|no - icon_badge_box_dx = N - icon_badge_box_dy = N - icon_badge_box_height = N - icon_badge_box_width = N - Selection frame visualization: - icon_selection_box_dx = N - icon_selection_box_dy = N - icon_selection_box_height = N - icon_selection_box_width = N - Icon visualization: - icon_margin_bottom = N - icon_margin_left = N - icon_margin_right = N - icon_margin_top = N - icon_sel_margin_bottom = N - icon_sel_margin_left = N - icon_sel_margin_right = N - icon_sel_margin_top = N - Caption visualization: - item_caption_dy = N - item_caption_sel_dy = N - item_caption_width = N - item_caption_wrap_enabled = yes|no (default is no) - Item details visualization (in the right panel): - zoom_detailed_icon = yes|no (default is no) - paint_item_info_in_details = yes|no (default is yes) - item_detailed_info = TEXT - item_detailed_info_font_size = normal|small (default is normal) - item_detailed_info_rel_y = N - Marks visualization: - mark_scale_factor = N.N - Small icon type (for list view): - folder_small_icon_name = {small_icon_name} - item_small_icon_name = {small_icon_name} - Here, {small_icon_name} can be: - video_file|audio_file|image_file|folder|disc_folder - Added a new kind of media_url: "http://audio_stream://...". Enables a special handling of the HTTP URLs, which is often useful when playing audio streams (such as Internet radio streams). - Bugfix: relative paths did not work properly when used with virtual items in dune_folder.txt. - When the player communicates with an external application via "dune_http://" protocol, the application now can determine various information about the player (product id, firmware version, serial number, current interface language) using "X-Dune-..." headers in HTTP requests. Also, a specific "User-Agent" is now used in HTTP requests. * Added new possibilities for authors of FlashLite applications. - New operations added to Dune FlashLite API: - requestFilePlayerOnExitWithReturn() - requestWebBrowserOnExitWithReturn() - getFirmwareVersion() - getProductId() - Some other minor fixes/improvements. * Network setup improvements. - Usability improvement: when submitting network settings, "Waiting for IP address" popup window is shown and the system waits for the IP address to be assigned. - Bugfix: "Auto + manual DNS" network configuration mode could not work properly in some cases. - Added the possibility to use empty password for PPPoE network connections. * Added support for controlling most player functions via USB keyboard and USB mouse. - Various keyboard buttons (such as LEFT, RIGH, UP, DOWN, ENTER, BACK, PageUp, PageDown, etc) are handled the same way as the corresponding RC buttons. - Mouse movements are handled as LEFT, RIGHT, UP, DOWN actions. - Mouse left button presses are handled as ENTER. - Mouse right button presses are handled as RETURN. - NOTE: Text input using a keyboard in text fields in setup and file browser is not supported yet. * Added support for "Dune HD Qwerty" device (compact wireless keyboard + touchpad + remote with a RF USB dongle). - NOTE: The support is preliminay, although most functions work, some potential functions do not work yet. * Improved handling of remote controls and IR signals. - All IR codes expect codes from Dune HD remotes should be ignored now in all cases (so, pressing any button on 3-party remote control should not interrupt the screensaver) (except when 3-party remotes use the same the same IR codes as Dune HD remotes). - Added a Setup option to disable the compatibility with old kinds of Dune HD remotes (Setup / Miscellaneous / Advanced / Old remote support). (May be helpful if some 3-party remotes use the same IR codes as old kinds of Dune HD remotes). - Some other improvements in IR signal decoding and handling. * Improved output to the front panel display. - Improvement: when playing content having no known duration (such as Internet radio stream), the title of the played item is shown instead of meaningless playback counter. - Added support for displaying characters from some european languages. * Added support for working with favorites without system storage. - When the system storage is not attached, the list of favorites is stored (without associated icons) in the internal flash memory (the same memory as used for storing all player settings). - NOTE: If some favorites are added when the system storage is not attached, and after that the system storage is attached, the internal flash memory still will be used to store the list of favorites. * Improved web browser performance. - Increased the amount of memory available for the web browser (and other applications as well). This leads to increased web browser performance and ability to work with more complex web sites. * Various other improvements. - Bugfix: adding shortcut (favorite) did not work when the filename contained a specific character. - Some previously missing characters added to fonts. - Some interface languages added/updated. - Some other improvements/fixes.
Version "110225_1222_update2"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_110225_1222_update2.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 110225_1222_update1:
NOTE: This version is exactly the same version as 110225_1222_update1, but adopted to the minor hardware changes taking place in the new player batches. This firmware version is preinstalled on these new player batches, and it is the first firmware version compatible with these new player batches; do not install any previous firmware versions to these new player batches.
Version "110225_1222_update1"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_110225_1222_update1.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 110225_1222:
NOTE: This version is exactly the same version as 110225_1222, but adopted to the minor hardware changes taking place in the new player batches. This firmware version is preinstalled on these new player batches, and it is the first firmware version compatible with these new player batches; do not install any previous firmware versions to these new player batches.
Version "110225_1222"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_110225_1222.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 110127_2105_beta:
- Bugfix: Specific M2TS files could not be played. - Bugfix: Specific MP4 files (such as files from specific video cameras) could be played without sound on HDMI output. - Bugfix: DVB-T channels scan failed in specific cases in some countries/locations. - Bugfix: icons loading could fail in some cases for some applications (such as KartinaTV). - Bugfix: some Blu-ray discs could not be played in specific cases ("Securiry Violation" error was produced). - Bugfix: Restarting optical disc playback (after stopping the playback of the same disc) could not work in some cases.
Version "110127_2105_beta" (BETA version)
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_110127_2105_beta.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 101201_1626:
* Various playback improvements. - Bugfix: Specific MP3 files were playing with distortions when played during photo viewing. - Bugfix: Specific AVI files with AC3 audio were playing without sound, and no file with audio could be played afterwards. - Bugfix: Specific AVI files with H.264 video were not playing, and no other video file could be played afterwards. - Improvement: unsupported non-LC AAC audio tracks in MKV are not shown in the list of audiotracks to avoid confusing the user. - Bugfix: The setting "HDMI audio = disabled" did not work properly in some cases with some equipment. - Bugfix: Specific AVI files with AAC audio could not be played correctly. - Added support for playback and recorinding of A/V streams based on MMS protocol (useful for MMS-based Internet Radio and Internet Video resources). * Added support for MMS audio/video streaming protocol. - Useful for MMS-based Internet Radio and Internet Video resources. - Both playback and recording of MMS streams is supported. - Usage: launch playback of MMS URL ("mms://...") via .M3U playlist file or in any other way supported by Dune. * Volume control improvements. - Added a new setting "Audio / Volume control" with the following possible values: - "Off". Volume control is completely disabled. The volume level is fixed at 100% (0dB) and the player does not perform any modifications of the digital audio signal. - "Best quality". The default setting. The user is allowed to control the volume in the safe range till 0dB (ensuring no audio distortions on all audio content). When needed for specific files, it is also possible to temporarily overcome the 0dB limit by pressing and holding "V+" RC button for several seconds (the increase volume level takes effect only for the current playback session and is automatically reset to 0dB when the playback session finishes). - "Allow overload". The setting corresponding to the behavior taking place in previous firmware versions. The user is allowed to set the volume to values greater than 0dB. Depending on played content, this may lead to severe audio distortions and thus is not recommended. - Added a new setting "Audio / Volume indication" with the following possible values: - "Percents". The default setting. The volume level is shown as [0..100%] (corresponding to [-48..0dB] range). When the volume level is set to 100%, the player does not perform any modifications of the digital audio signal. Overloaded volume level is shown as (100..150%] (corresponding to (0..+24dB] range). - "Decibels". The setting corresponding to the behavior taking place in previous firmware versions. The volume level is shown in decibels. - Volume control for background audio during photo viewing is implemented in the same way as for regular file playback. - NOTE: As in previous firmware versions, the player can apply volume control only to PCM audio signal (i.e. when playing PCM audio tracks or audio tracks which are decoded by the player itself); when using "bitstream" audio output mode and playing audio tracks supporting bitstream output, the volume control does not take any affect. When A/V receiver is used, it is recommended to control the volume using the A/V receiver. * Other OSD improvements. - When performing time navigation using LEFT/RIGHT/UP/DOWN/P+/P- RC buttons (in file/DVD playback mode), the OSD does not only show the selected playback position, but also shows the offset from the current playback position. - Certain notification OSD elements, such as volume control and certain information messages can now be quickly hidden by pressing any non-relevant RC buttons (no need to wait for autohide timeout). * Added IP Control possibilities (control the player from iPhone etc). - A simple HTTP protocol allows to control the player from network (start/stop playback of the given media resources, control the playback, check current player status, emulate RC button presses, etc). - Applications for various devices can be created based on this IP Control procotol. Several such applications are already announced / provided (e.g.: applications for iPhone/iPad, integration with Control4 smart home systems). - More information: http://dune-hd.com/support/ip_control * Added new possibilities for authors of FlashLite applications. - Added ability for FlashLite application to store persistent data in the flash memory of the player ("persistent SharedObjects"). - Added support for showing specific text message on the front panel display (for player models having front panel display) on startup of FlashLite application. - More information: http://dune-hd.com/support/flash * Added new UI customization possibilities (for "dune_folder.txt" applications). - Added a possibility to load icons shown in the right panel of the "extended list view" asynchronously. When this feature is enabled, navigation in such folders becomes much faster. - Syntax: - async_icon_loading = yes - Added "icon_archive" feature, allowing to download a collection of icons/images from an HTTP server once when entering certain folder, and cache it in the player (in System Storage), that allows to significantly improve the performance. - Syntax: - icon_archive.{n}.name = {name} - icon_archive.{n}.url = {HTTP-URL-to-TGZ-archive} - icon_path = icon_archive://{name}/{file-path-in-archive} - When a new version of the icon archive is deployed on the HTTP server, a modified URL should be used for it, then the player will automatically reload the icon archive next time when the user opens the folder. * Setup usability improvements. - When the user tries to exit "Video" or "Network" setup screen with unsaved changes, a warning dialog is shown. The user is asked to either apply the changes, discard the chances, of cancel the action. - When selecting WiFi network connection type, the WiFI settings dialog is shown automatically. - When selecting PPPoE network connection type, the PPPoE settings dialog is shown automatically. - Online firmware upgrade function does not require an attached storage device (such as USB flash drive) any more. * Added built-in functions for management of System Storage. - New Setup page "Miscellaneous / System Storage" provides the following functions: - "Initialize System Storage": allows to initialize the system storage if it is not configured yet. Two possibilities are provided: create the system storage on an empty storage device (USB flash drive, SD card, an already existing HDD partition), or partition an empty HDD into system storage and user data partitions. Usage instructions: - The system lists all found empty 1GB+ storages. - Select the desired storage. - If the selected storage's capacity is less than 100GB, the entire storage is initialized as the system storage. - Otherwise, if the selected storage is 100GB+ storage device, it is partitioned into two partitions, the first partition is initialized as the system storage, and the second partition is kept unformatted (to format it, select it in the file browser and press ENTER). - "Deinitialize System Storage": allows to deinitialize the system storage if it is already configured. - "Clear System Storage": deletes all data stored on the system storage. This, in particular, includes Blu-ray cache, main screen shortcuts, content of Internet Radio and IPTV folders. - "Clear Blu-ray Cache": clears Blu-ray cache (also known as "Blu-ray local storage"). * Added support for "Flash Memory Storage" - an area of main flash memory that can be used to store data instead of System Storage in some cases. - Flash Memory Storage currently can be used to store the following data: - Data cache for dune_folder.txt applications utilizing "icon_archive" function (graphics packages downloaded from Internet). - Data cache for KartinaTV application (graphics and some other information downloaded from Internet). - For all other kinds of data that can be stored in System Storage, Flash Memory Storage can not be used, and System Storage is still required. This includes, in particular: Blu-ray cache, main screen shortcuts, content of Internet Radio and IPTV folders. - In future, it is planned to allow to use Flash Memory Storage for more player functions. - The purpose of Flash Memory Storage is that it makes it easy to use the corresponding player functions for the users not having System Storage attached. When System Storage is available, Flash Memory Storare is not used (System Storage is used instead). - Flash Memory Storage availability and capacity depends on a particular Dune model. - Dune HD Max, Dune HD Duo: Flash Memory Storage is always available and its capacity is ~100MB (due to total 256MB of main flash memory in these models). - Dune HD Base 3.0, Dune BD Prime 3.0, Dune HD Smart D1/H1/B1: Flash Memory Storage can be enabled/disabled (disabled by default) and its capacity is ~16MB. Enabling Flash Memory Storage is performed automatically when it is needed for the first time, or can be performed manually via Setup. When Flash Memory Storage is enabled, some optional firmware components (asian fonts) are removed from the flash memory. When firmware is reinstalled/updated, Flash Memory Storage becomes disabled again and these optional firmware components are restored automatically (until Flash Memory Storage is required again by some application). If these optional firmware components are required, Flash Memory Storage can not be used (System Storage should be used instead). - Dune HD Lite 53D: Flash Memory Storage is always available and its capacity is ~16MB. - Setup section "Miscellaneous / System Storage" allows to see the current status of Flash Memory Storage and provides the following functions: - "Enable Flash Memory Storage": allows to enable Flash Memory Storage (only for Dune models where Flash Memory Storage is optional, other Dune models have Flash Memory Storage always enabled). - "Clear Flash Memory Storage": deletes all data from Flash Memory Storage. * Improved "Reset Settings" function. - The confirmation dialog includes the information that player reboot will be performed. - Added clearing of all user-related data stored by the player in System Storage (including main screen shortcuts and cached icon archive data). NOTE: the content of Internet Radio and IPTV folders is not cleared automatically (since these folders may contain files important for the user); if needed, these folders can be cleared manually. - Added clearing of all data in Flash Memory Storage. * Integrated "KartinaTV" Internet TV service. - More information: http://dune-hd.com/support/kartina_tv * Integrated "IVI.ru" Internet Video service. - More information: http://dune-hd.com/support/ivi_ru * Various other improvements. - The function of quick video mode choosing now provides feedback using the LED on the front panel of the player: - When the function is activated: the LED blinks once. - When the user cancels the function: the LED blinks once. - When a new video mode is chosen: the LED blinks 2 times. - When the user confirms the new video mode: the LED blinks 3 times. - Some interface languages added/updated. - Some other improvements/fixes. * Includes also all changes from 101201_1626.
Version "100916_2027_beta" (BETA version)
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_100916_2027_beta.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 100828_0034:
- NOTE: Changes from 100828_0034_update1 are not included. - Added a possibility to adjust the vertical position of subtitles during Blu-ray playback. - Added a possibility to adjust the vertical position of PGS and VobSub subtitles during file playback. - Improved handling of PGS subtitles in MKV and TS files. - Improved "Audio / HDMI audio = Disabled" setting, which should now work more correctly with various HDMI equipment. Now, it only disables passing audio through the HDMI, but does not force DVI mode with RGB colorspace on the HDMI output any more. - Added a new setting "Video / Advanced / Force DVI output", which allows to force DVI mode on the HDMI video output. This allows to achieve player behavior which took place previously when using "HDMI audio = Disabled" setting. (Note, as previously, this does not affect Blu-ray playback.) - Added a new setting "Video / Advanced / Output colorspace", which allows to specify the desired colorspace on the HDMI output. - Supported values: - Auto (use BT.709 for HD video modes and BT.601 for SD video modes) - BT.601. - BT.709. - RGB-Full. - RGB-Limited. - The default value is Auto. - Note: does not affect Blu-ray playback (for Blu-ray playback, "Auto" is always used). - Note: in previous firmware versions, the actually used setting was BT.601; if you think that you had a better picture quality during file or DVD playback in previous firmware versions, you may try to set this setting to BT.601 (see also the new setting "Video / Advanced / Default decoder colorspace"). - Added a new setting "Video / Advanced / Default decoder colorspace", which allows to specify the default colorspace which should be assumed for files having no explicit indication of the colorspace actually used when encoding these files. - Supported values: - Auto (use BT.709 for files using HD resolution and BT.601 for files using SD resolution). - BT.601. - BT.709. - The default value is Auto. - Note: affects only file playback. - Note: in previous firmware versions, the actually used setting was BT.601; if you think that you had a better picture quality during file playback in previous firmware versions, you may try to set this setting to BT.601 (see also the new setting "Video / Advanced / Output colorspace"). - Improved Audio CD playback startup speed. - Improved compatibility with specific models of eSATA HDD enclosures. - Implemented improvements/fixes for Avatar Blu-ray playback. - Added automatic clearing (when needed) of Blu-ray Local Storage after firmware upgrade in order to prevent possible Blu-ray playback problems. - Added a new setting "Misc / Playback / Save zoom settings", which allows to remember the choosen zoom mode even after stopping playback and switching off the player. - Added a new setting "Misc / Playback / Show recording indicator", which allows to enable on-screen indication (blinking red circle) during recording of IPTV / Internet radio / DVB-T streams. - Improved the firmware recovery procedure: the LED indicator on the front panel is blinking during firmware recovery process. - Improved handling of specific unsupported files (such as GMC-encoded AVIs): information about this is reported to the user. - Bugfix: HDMI color depth and HDMI CEC settings could be set to wrong values when using "safe" video modes (triggered by MODE + 1..6 RC buttons). - Bugfix: very high-birate IPTV channels could be played with artefacts and picture distortions (a problem introduced in firmware version 100630_2131_beta). - Bugfix: specific MKV files could not be recognized and played at all. - Bugfix: ".djvu" files wrongly considered as supported. - Bugfix: creation of debug dumps did not work in specific cases (when the current folder path contained whitespaces). - Some interface languages added/updated. - Some other improvements/fixes.
Version "100828_0034_update1"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_100828_0034_update1.dff (ZIP)
Changes since 100828_0034:
NOTE: This version is exactly the same version as 100828_0034, but adopted to the minor hardware changes taking place in the new player batches. This version is shipped by default with Dune players starting with November, 2010. NOTE: it is not recommended to install any previous firmware versions to these new player batches; this is the first firmware version compatible with and recommended for these new player batches.
Version "100828_0034"
Download: dune_firmware_hdsmart_d1_100828_0034.dff (ZIP)


text:
EVERETT — The USS Shoup is back in Everett following the longest deployment by a Navy destroyer since World War II.
The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer left Naval Station Everett on Jan. 9 and arrived back home on Monday morning.
Navy Cmdr. Jill Cesari, the Shoup's commanding officer, greeted families waiting for their sailors to disembark and thanked them for coming out for the rainy return celebration.
"I think this might have been the third-longest destroyer deployment ever," Cesari said. "It was a heck of a ride. We traveled 64,000 miles. The crew did amazing work and we gave it our all."
Of the sailors streaming off the ship, 11 were fathers who had not yet seen their new babies.
Among them was first-time dad Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Curnett, who scanned the crowd for his wife's bright pink coat.
As the ship pulled up to the Navy pier, his wife, Kirby Ritter-Curnett, nervously tried to keep their 6-week-old baby, Charlotte Curnett, warm in the cold drizzle.
The Curnetts, both in their mid-20s, are from the Midwest. Ritter-Curnett went home to Kansas City to deliver the baby, but they plan to return to their apartment in Everett.
"She really does have red hair," Curnett said to his wife. "She is beautiful. I am very proud."
While the crowd waited, a jazz combo from Navy Band Northwest entertained with a variety of upbeat songs, including Dixieland-style tunes and the melody from Macklemore's "Thrift Shop."
The family of Petty Officer 3rd Class Mitch Kraus danced to keep warm. They also held up a giant greeting sign made from red, white and blue duct tape.
"Mitch joined the Navy soon after his dad passed," his mother Kris Kraus said. "He's our youngest and this was his first deployment."
Kraus, 20, also was welcomed by his two sisters, brothers-in-law and niece Holly, 1. They got up at 3 a.m. Monday to make the trip over Stevens Pass from the Leavenworth area.
"It was a long time to be away, but the last hour getting here was the longest of the whole trip," Mitch Kraus said as he munched on a biscuit and grinned at his family. "I got to man the rails for the first time as we pulled in. It was great."
Emily Reed, who turned 21 on Monday, waited with her son Cameron, 2. They were joined by her husband's mother and brother, who had driven his car out all the way from New Hampshire.
Petty Officer 3rd Class Fred Reed said the deployment was extended four times. He was thrilled to get back in time to celebrate his wife's birthday.
"It worked out great, but it was a long wait," Emily Reed said. "We only did a video chat three times."
David Black flew in from Phoenix to greet his wife, Petty Officer 2nd Class Tracye Black. His sign read, "Welcome Home My Li'l Love Bug." She laughed at the sign and snuggled into his chest.
Among its duties during the deployment, the Shoup conducted operations as part of the USS Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. The Nimitz is expected home before Christmas.
Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427, firstname.lastname@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


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Prophets Then and Now
1. In olden times, Jehovah told
His will thru prophets' voice.
They spoke for Him: "Thus saith the Lord.
Now hearken and rejoice! Hearken and rejoice!
2. In latter days, Jehovah tells
His will thru prophets' voice.
So I will listen and obey
To gain eternal joys, gain eternal joys.
3. Today Jehovah's prophet speaks
I'll hearken to his voice
As if the Savior spoke to me,
Then make a righteous choice, make a righteous choice.
Text: Penelope Allen
Music: Kenneth Jones
Artist: Allen/Jones
Album: Music Published in the Church Magazines: Friend
Composition Date: 1998-10-01
More Info: Friend


text:
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries
A.S.W.S.U. Activities Board Records
Archives 166
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Libraries
- Title
- A.S.W.S.U. Activities Board Records
- Archives 166
- Date [inclusive]
- 1966-1967
- General Physical Description note
- approximate 13 items .25 linear feet 1 containers
- Abstract
- Contains working papers relating to A.S.W.S.U. finances.
Organizational History:
The Associated Students of Washington State Universty (ASWSU) serves as the government for the general student body. Through the Activities Board the ASWSU approves all proposed student activities submitted to the Activities Center. These activities include dances, concerts, speakers, films, and intramural sports.
Scope and Contents note
The records of the ASWSU Activities Board, dating from 1966-1967, consist of a single folder which has been removed from the ASWSU President's records (WSU 204). The folder had been placed at the end of the President's records after receipt but actually had no connection with those records. The records are comprised of working papers relating to finances.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections, Washington State University Librarieshttps://libraries.wsu.edu/masc
Terrell Library
P.O. Box 645610
Pullman, WA, 99164-5610
Conditions Governing Access note
The Collection is open for research use.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
The records of the ASWSU Activities Board were transferred to the Washington State University Libraries prior to 1975 (WSU 204).
Processing Information note
The records were processed in September 1984 by Patricia M. Gourd.
Controlled Access Headings
Corporate Name(s)
- Associated Students of Washington State University.
- Washington State University. Associated Students Activities Center--Archives
- Washington State University. Associated Students Activities Center--Records and correspondence
- College student government--Washington (State)--Archives
- Colleges and Universities
- Government and Politics
- Student activities--Washington (State)--Archives
- Washington (State)
Collection Inventory
Correspondence 1966-1967 13.0 items


text:
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text:
Sheridan College in conjunction with the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce will host the fourth part in their Natural Resource Lecture Series this Thursday evening in the CTEL.
It's been a well-received series with more than 100 attendees at the first three sessions held during the past year and a half. The program is sponsored by SC's Ag Department and funded by the Diamond Cross Ranch. SC Ag director, Keith Klement.
Three speakers will span the hour, including Rachel Mealor, rangeland extension specialist in the department of ecosystem science and management at UW.
Brain A. Mealor, assistant professor and extension weed specialist for the department of plant sciences at UW will talk about weeds.
Finally, a Sheridan County speaker, Carrie Rogaczewski, District manager for the Sheridan County Conservation District. Klement tells us what she will talk about.
The event is set for this Thursday, April 19 from 6 to 7 pm. Refreshments will be available at following the program for those who wish to stay and visit with the presenters. The chamber of commerce will also give a brief presentation.


text:
Fine Dining & Polished Casual
Eastern European/Polish Homemade Food Café & Deli
Finding businesses in Livingston County is easy to do with our Business Directory search.
Sort businesses alphabetically by category and/or community.
Livingston County Chamber members will appear first and are easy to find as their listings are bright and bold blue lettering
All other Livingston County businesses are listed


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As we have for the past decade, in early January we headed to the Sonoma County town of Cloverdale to judge the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
This year, the competition included 5,500 American wines, making it the largest wine judging in the country. It is a lot of fun, and we always come away with several insights. Here are a few from this year's competition.
Medal counts. Overall, wineries from Washington and Oregon won eight best-of-class awards, meaning they were the top wines in their respective categories.
There also were nine unanimous double gold medals and 53 gold medals. Overall, Northwest wineries won 364 medals.
Riesling rules again. Northwest Rieslings showed well, and came close to doing even better.
Hogue Cellars in Prosser, Wash., won gold medals for all three of its Rieslings. Its regular 2011 Riesling ($11) won best of class and was in the running for top white wine of the competition.
Its 2011 Late Harvest Riesling ($11) and 2011 Genesis Rieslings ($16) also won gold medals.
Chateau Ste. Michelle, which makes more Riesling than any other winery in the world, also showed a fair bit of domination. It won gold medals for its 2011 Dry Riesling ($9) and 2011 Eroica Riesling ($20). The Dry Riesling was one vote shy of moving forward to the sweepstakes round.
The wine that was picked, the Keuka Spring Vineyards Riesling from New York's Finger Lakes region, went on to represent dry Rieslings and ultimately won best white wine of the competition.
Diversion Wine in Seattle won a unanimous double gold medal for its nonvintage Riesling ($15), as did Willamette Valley Vineyards in Turner, Ore., which won a unanimous double gold medal for its 2011 Riesling ($15). Samson Estates north of Bellingham, also won a gold medal for its 2011 Riesling ($15).
Also of note, Joel Gott Wines in the Napa Valley won a gold medal for a 2011 Riesling ($12) made from Washington grapes.
Barnard Griffin streak ends. Barnard Griffin in Richland, had won seven gold medals in as many years at this competition for its rose of Sangiovese. The streak finally ended this year, when the wine won a silver medal. Another Sangiovese rose from Lodi, Calif., won the best rose.
We're sure the folks at Barnard Griffin are still happy with the results, as their 2011 Chardonnay ($14) won best of class — not bad considering it is their largest-production wine.
The Barnard Griffin 2008 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($40) also won a gold medal, and four other wines won silvers. Not a bad haul.
Maryhill shines. Maryhill Winery wins a lot of medals, and this competition was no exception. The Goldendale, Wash., winery won 22 medals this time. Of greatest interest is a new line of wines, "The Vineyards," which were entered for the first time.
These are reserved for Maryhill's wine club members, and they are the winery's first vineyard-designated wines and are meant to highlight various appellations in Washington wine country. All are from the 2010 vintage, which is Maryhill winemaker Richard Batchelor's second vintage with the company since moving from California.
These wines won a unanimous double gold, two golds, four silvers and two bronzes, a terrific showing for a new line of wines.
Smasne wins more golds. Robert Smasne, who grew up in the Yakima Valley and has a winery in Grandview and tasting rooms in Kennewick and Woodinville, won three gold medals for three different labels.
His Smasne Cellars 2010 Muscat Ice Wine ($36) from Snipes Mountain near Sunnyside won a gold medal, as did his Farm Boy 2010 Bunk House Red ($15).
Smasne also is the winemaker for Skylite Cellars in Walla Walla, and its 2008 River Rock Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon ($29) also won a gold medal.
Andy Perdue and Eric Degerman operate Great Northwest Wine, a wine news website. For more information, go to www.greatnorthwestwine.com.


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General Questions
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- Does everyone in my family need an individual card?
- No. One card can be used for all family members, but you can print individual cards.
- Can I use this card to get discounts on my pet's medications?
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- I just received my card. Can I use it right away?
- Yes, just use your card to start saving immediately. Present your RxSavingsPlus card at a participating pharmacy when you fill your prescriptions.
- I've lost my card. How can I get a replacement?
- Please visit the Retrieve My Card page, enter your email address and retrieve your card. You can also print a new card to use immediately if your email has changed.
- Can I use my card to get discounts on over-the-counter products and non-prescription medications?
- Not usually. However, discounts ARE available for many diabetic supplies.
- How is RxSavingsPlus Program different from traditional prescription insurance?
- This program is not insurance; it is a prescription discount program. The card provides immediate discounts at the pharmacy. Upon presenting your RxSavingsPlus card to the pharmacist, a discount is taken off the regular retail price of the prescription. There are no claim forms to fill out and no limit to the number of times you can use the card. These discounts are available only at participating pharmacies.
- Can I use my RxSavingsPlus card with my current insurance benefit to reduce my costs?
- Your card cannot be used in conjunction with other insurance. However, you are able to use your RxSavingsPlus card to purchase prescriptions that are not covered by these plans.
- How can I enroll?
- Enter your email and click on the "Print a Card" button on our website or call us toll-free at 1-877-673-3688.
- Can I still use my RxSavingsPlus prescription discount card if I sign up for a Medicare prescription plan?
- Yes, you can use your RxSavingsPlus prescription discount card anytime you need to purchase a prescription that is not covered by your Medicare prescription plan or any other insurance.
- Should I use my RxSavingsPlus prescription discount card during my deductible and coverage gap periods of coverage for covered medications?
- No. Only use your RxSavingsPlus prescription discount card to purchase non-covered medications.
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- No. You need to present either your Medicare prescription plan card or your RxSavingsPlus prescription discount card. Only use your RxSavingsPlus prescription discount card when purchasing medications not covered by your Medicare prescription plan.
- I'm not going to sign-up for a Medicare prescription plan. Can I still use my RxSavingsPlus prescription discount card?
- Yes, you can continue to use your RxSavingsPlus prescription discount card just as you do today.
Pharmacy and Pricing Questions
Expand All
- Which pharmacies accept the card?
- The RxSavingsPlus card is accepted at more than 60,000 pharmacies nationwide, including many of the leading chains. Click here for a list of participating chain pharmacies. Or, you can call your local pharmacy to ask if they accept the RxSavingsPlus card.
- How much will I save?
- While savings on each prescription may vary, as a member of RxSavingsPlus you can save up to 70%, with average savings of 22% off of the pharmacy's regular retail prices for prescription drugs.
- Will I always receive the lowest price?
- Yes. You will receive the best price available to you through this program at the pharmacy. On occasion, pharmacies will price a particular medication lower than the discount rate provided by the card. If that occurs, you will receive the lower price.
- Can I find out the discounted price of my prescriptions before going to the pharmacy?
- Because prices can vary by location, only the actual pharmacy can tell you the exact price of the prescription.
- Why did the price of my prescription change since the last time I purchased the prescription?
- Drug prices are different from pharmacy to pharmacy. Even chains have different prices in their stores depending on the population they are servicing. Additionally, manufacturers' drug prices change periodically.
- What percentage will I save on all my medications?
- Because a pharmacy's retail price or usual and customary charge can differ greatly by pharmacy, your exact percentage of savings may vary depending on the prescription drug and the price you have paid before.
- Do I have to choose between my RxSavingsPlus card and a flat rate $4 generic option?
- No, always present your RxSavingsPlus card at a participating pharmacy so you will receive the lowest price available from the pharmacy for that prescription medicine on that day. You will receive the $4 flat-rate price, or the RxSavingsPlus discounted price when it is lower.
About MinuteClinic®
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- MinuteClinic diagnoses and treats a variety of common illnesses and minor injuries. Click here to access MinuteClinic services.
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- MinuteClinics can be found in select CVS/pharmacy locations in the following 25 states: AZ, CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN , TX and VA. Click here to see a list of MinuteClinic locations near you.
- Can I find out the price of services before going to MinuteClinic?
- Because prices vary by service, click here for a list of services and costs.
- Do I need an appointment to go to a MinuteClinic?
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- If you are uninsured, you can save up to 10% at MinuteClinic on any regular priced health service or screening*. Simply show your RxSavingsPlus card at MinuteClinic to obtain the discount.
*Up to $10 per person, per visit. Cannot be used in conjunction with any health insurance. Payment is due at time of visit. MinuteClinic®.
Health & Wellness
Click here for information and articles regarding Health and Wellness.


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Fee increases and changes in vessel registration and titling will take effect Oct. 1.
Fee increases and changes in vessel registration and titling will take effect Oct. 1.
The changes stem from N.C. General Assembly�s passage of Senate Bill 402, according to a press release by N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
The new fees for registering and titling a vessel in North Carolina will be:
1-year registration fees:
n Vessels less than 26 feet $30
n Vessels 26 feet or greater $50
3-year registration fees:
n Vessels less than 26 feet $90
n Vessels 26 feet or greater $150
Titling fees:
n New title or title transfer $30
Two other rules for vessel registration also take effect Oct. 1. The first change requires owners of U.S. Coast Guard-documented vessels that stay in North Carolina 90 consecutive days to register those vessels with the state.
The second change eliminates the free, one-year vessel registration renewal for those who have a commercial fishing license. To renew a vessel registration, commercial fishing license owners will pay the normal rate, which is based on vessel length.
The fee increases were the result of recent legislation passed by the N.C. General Assembly as part of the state budget act, section 14.22 of Senate Bill 402. The law established the new registration fees and requires the Wildlife Resources Commission to transfer 50 percent of fees to the New Shallow Draft Navigation Channel and Lake Dredging Fund.
For more information about the new rules, call the commission at 1-800-628-3773 or visit www.ncwildlife.org/vesselregistration.


text:
Your storage is full :(
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Thanks for the friend request - gladly accepted ;-)
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You're welcome. If you like erotic stories, I have a blog at http://johncoldianistories.blogspot.com . I get very "edgy" in most if not all of them.
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text:
A quick visual update to what I have been doing.
Some of my most recent work
A quick visual update to what I have been doing.
Shotlister - the Idea is becoming reality
The idea of being able to digitize the entire film making process - that is; writing, shot-listing, scheduling, designing, shooting and then editing - is happening. Here is an APP that gets us closer. SHOTLISTER
Official Description
Shot lister is the only truly profesional shot listing app in the world. Filmmakers can take that crumbled piece of paper out of their back pockets and touch the digital future of shot listing. Now, instead of scribbling over printed out spreadsheets from a week ago, filmmakers can get back on track with a flick of a finger.
The Noir Collective
The Noir Collective is up, running and is XOOL!
Wolwedans Behind the Scenes
The film is in post production and my editor, Quinn Lubbe, is as excited about the pictures as I am. Last week I watched the rough cut of the first 45min minutes (which still stands at 80 minutes in the rough cut). Werner has posted our first 4 behind the scenes videos onto our Youtube channel. Werner edited two and our resident German Herbie, who also made two videos.
The pictures are coming together and I am happily not loosing my mind!
Lights and Camera
I've been trying to figure out how best to express the goings on involved in making this film. I thought that recounting the day's events would be the obvious means of doing so, but I found that it became a "Today we did this, this and this" affair, a form that both the reader and writer would tire of quickly. Instead, what I've done is observe and collect little character notes on those who I work with, letting the information build up and settle. It is from this base that I hope to describe life on this crazy shoot, and hopefully describe a coherent picture of a remarkable group of people. I've seen what it is that keeps them in a film industry that struggles with budget constraints and work overload. I've landed in an environment that is lush with incredible characters; I don't know whether or not I'll be able to write about everyone – I don't often get to interact with all the crew – but I'll try, and see how far I can succeed. As a result, I'll start at the easiest place, and let time draw me out of my writing shell.
The Pictures We Take Don't Resolve, They Only Reflect
James Stent looks at Film Noir, German Expressionism, and how Wolwedans in die Skemer has taken inspiration from these movements.
Wolwedans Location Recce
This week James has joined me on our location/technical recce to Hazyview where we hope to shoot most, if not all, of the film. We where told that there is a heat wave on it's way but so far so good! We spent the day yesterday at Casa do Sol, the hotel where the story actually takes place. Although James wrote this post yesterday there isn't much of the internet here in Hazyview, apparently someone is still posting the web here and it hasn't arrived! ;)
Read well, and do Write back!
From me ~ Cheers.
Wolwedans in die Skemer
Welcome back. Its been too long and so much has happened! I'm actually directing a film! BOOM! Its a noir-thriller but my D.O.P. Tom came to me with a suggestion of genre: Boere-Noir. Brilliant!
Considering I launched Read/Write to become a place of reference and hopefully some insight I am really excited at documenting this process of making a full length feature for cinema. I am four weeks away from shooting and many of the elements are now in place. I have all my lead cast; we will chat more about this in a later post, crew for shooting and post and most of my locations. We are shooting on the Sony F3 (hopefully at 4.4.4) for 5 weeks.
The team is very passionate and my actors are all incredible. This is truly going to be a crazy/magnificent journey.
To help me document this journey I have a genius with me. I have known James for many a year and couldn't be more chuffed when he agreed to come up from Cape Town to be my research assistant on this picture. I have no doubt he will entertain and inform ya'll as we go along. You will quickly see that here is a writer in the making…. so, without further ado:
An introduction: I am James Stent, boy wonder and Jozua Malherbe's research assistant on the shoot of Wolwedans in die Skemer, the Boere-Noir feature film that he is directing. My brief is simple; I do whatever Jozua tells me to do. In this case, he has tasked me with writing the first blog posts about the Wolwedans in die Skemer process.
I will be following up this post with some more Hitchcock later on so consider this a tease. Here are two great videos talking about techniques and themes that make up a film with a 99% rating in rotten tomatoes… OMG..99% just saying.
10 story types
I have previously blogged (meh) about SAVE THE CAT. A great screen writing hand book written by Blake Snyder. The man has unfortunately passed, however, his work is still practical and insightful. Once you begin to unpack a script you might find that they way in which you unpack it is unlike the way your pitch audience has. And if you realize this too late you have already lost the pitch.
Roby Stancel emailed me this today. Although I like the simplicity I think it overlooks a little too much, in film at least.
For your convenience I googled the 10 story types for you so that you can simply copy/paste/print and put it up on your wall. I got this list from TV TROPES
Dreamers Draft 3. And now?!
Writing is hard. Like you dont know that already. While I just got some amazing feedback on our third draft of Dreamers I dread having to write the next draft, I would almost rather jog. Not quite.
PLUS read 5 pages of our script!
Fractured Media
As well as offering the audience a chance to participate with as little friction as possible we need to fracture our content and intercept audiences.
Before Memories Fade
Image from Tim Young
Last year was full as per usual and I may have seen a trillion different pieces of media. This post a collection of the good stuff. Neatly packaged for you thanks to Youtube, Grooveshark and Amazon. We are steadily getting our filing systems in order amongst the chaos that is the internet
Amazon Studio
Although not "hot off the press" it is still pretty cool and worth noting! Amazon Studios will not "make" you but they may buy you a house in Camps Bay and that is good enough for me!
Save the Cat
"The last book on screenwriting you will ever need." And thats whats on the cover!
Superhelde Movie
This post is about Superhelde, a film that I had the pleasure of working on. I wrote a little blurb about it while shooting but thought it is worth a lot more when yesterday I went through my Flikr collections and found on-set pictures amongst them. A brilliantly funny film in the vein of Mallrats, Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre and Bakgat.
A Hitch Hiking Documentary
The first Episode is about to be complete. Since working on the marketing and media sponsors for this project I have been busy in Johannesburg shooting on a TV series. Marc and Beer have been handling the post within UCT Campus and I am looking forward to seeing the project for the first time.
We've been able to secure a great collection of media sponsors. The next drive is toward advertising spots within these media channels.
The documentary will follow two guys as they (you guessed it) hitch-hike across South Africa during the World Cup. Along the way they will be meeting crazy, funny, interesting and hopefully opinionated people including a Rasta Community in the Transkei, a soccer team in PE and meet with the guy who drove the the Magic Bus in the 70's…
Visit our Blog and join us on the trip through FB
It's always been about Hybrid
Distributing pictures and making a decent return has always been a multi-diciplinary project. In the 80's it was about making ancillary-products, 90's VHS and DVD and now? This online game has thrown everybody and so the innovators try and fail, the cynics sit on the fence and say it will never work and alot of us hope for the best.
From a great new site I found called Magnet Media. I've used again only excerpts so check it out for yourself.
The Panel was: Efe Cakarel, Graham Leggat, Peter Becker, Sara Pollack
The return of Zombie
Its all been Vampires lately, Zombies are soon back and they mean more to us than we give them credit for.
I've been researching Zombie flicks over the last little while and have now had the pleasure of watching Zach Sniders "Dawn of the dead" (which is a superbly crafted narrative) and Norwegian recent called "Dead Snow" - a gory romp of Nazi Zombies in snow, its amazing!
$100K Paramount Plan
I heard late last year (post the Paranormal Activity phenomenon) that a studio was going to start a devision to produce a slew of $100K features. 20 a year to be exact, which is a lousy $2 milj a year. Thats about the make-up budget on a normal studio picture. Don't get me wrong, I'm hardly criticizing, I think its a great idea and more than that it goes to show that we as independents are onto something that the studio wants. Every time we make a film we walk that line of break-throuhg VS failure and that makes us innovative and highly creative.