Internals
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Realtek Information

RTD1261 General Description

The RTD1261 is a highly integrated SoC for Consumer Electronics products requiring High Definition Media Playback, Media Recording & Timeshifting, Wireless/Wired Networking, and Mass Storage capabilities.

The RTD1261 was the first system-on-a-chip to incorporate high definition media decoding, media encoding, and built-in Ethernet. It supports MPEG1/2/4 playback up to 720p/1080i/1080p, and provides an unlimited-resolution JPEG decoder. With fast HD JPEG decoding, rotation, and zoom-in, users can easily share high-pixel photos with family or friends on a large screen TV. The wireless/wired networking feature allows easy and convenient sharing and streaming of media from multiple devices, for viewing in multiple locations throughout the home.

Based on a complete and flexible hardware and software platform architecture, the RTD1261 is ideal for use in various types of applications, e.g., Networked HDD player, HDD/DVD Recorder, Networked Media Module for CE devices, etc.

Features

  • HD MPEG1/2/4 Decoder with MPEG2 Encoder and Ethernet
  • HD MPEG 1/2/4 & HD JPEG Decoder
  • MPEG2 Encoder
  • AV-in/NTSC/PAL/SECAM Recording & Timeshifting
  • AV Streaming/Transmission via Ethernet & WiFi
  • 3D Video Decoder with CVBS in
  • TV Encoder with CVBS/S-Video/YPbPr/SCART out
  • I2S, SPDIF in/out
  • USB2.0 Host & PHY
  • IEEE1394a AVLink & PHY
  • ATAPI
  • Fast Ethernet MAC with MII interface

Applications

  • HDD & DVD Recorder
  • HDD Media Player/Recorder
  • Digital Media Adaptor/Server
  • Networked Media Module for Embedded CE device

RTD1262/1282

The RTD1262/1282 additionally features Hybrid TV signal handling that combines analog and digital TV. It supports DVB-T/ATSC/NTSC/PAL/SECAM reception, recording, and timeshifting, enhanced media codec support, and provides an integrated HDMI transmitter.

The upcoming RTD1283 will include support for more high definition AV formats, such as H.264, VC-1, RM, etc, and will integrate more advanced interfaces.

Unofficial information

Main system

The system is MIPS32 based. The MIPS32 cpu runs at 200mhz and uses 64mb ram. Video and audiodecoding is done by the Realtek VENUS chip, the actual RTD1261 PA. The MIPS cpu is a MIPS 4KEc version 6.4.

The system board has 2 unused headers, a 4 pin header and a 6 pin header. The 6 pin header is for 2 UART ports, and the first UART port is the console of Linux. The function of 4 pin header is still unknown. When I get more info from Mele I will post it here.

Mainboard emtec (HMC-3901)

Albert Wałczyk:
The 3902, polish HMC-39, mainboard. Is slighty different to the EMC-R (3901) as it has an additional CF memory card connector. There is also 3903 version, we had a sample, but its enclosure was plastic, low quality, it had not coaxial output (optical only), and works not fine in general - so we sent it back.
Perhaps it is the greenchili media recorder, no coaxial but additional front-usb, housig in plastic.

mainboard HMC-3902
[thanks for the sharp and clear picture Albert

The system board of the Evertech ET-1715 is 100% identical to the above mentioned board, including the printing "HMC-3902"

Mainboard HMC-3911
This mainboard is used in Icy Box IB-MP3010 from Raidsonic.

Mainboard HMC-3916
Images of mainboard used in Emtec Movie Cube Q800

Hardware Tweaks

On most fora there is a discussion about the noise these players can make. I myself have noticed some noise also but I found that using the stand supplied with the player reduces vibrations. Other users have used machine-oil to lubricate the Fan.

If you really are annoyed by the noise of the player there have been a few suggestions. One is replacing the Fan with a more quiet one, or even better a temerature controlled fan. Most fans will be compatible is my guess, but it will need some tweaking.

Most fans come with three wires, + - and rotations per minute. The last one is not needed, so it can be cut. But the socket will not fit in the two pin connector on the system board. You could use the original connection, but i would try to pry the white socketholder from the main board and connect the new Fan to the bare pins, it should work, and everything can be converted to original state

Another suggested using a 2,5" inch disk with a s-ata convertor. This way disk noise is reduced at the cost of disk space and higher price. Most silent option would be a compact-flash to s-ata interface with multiple CF cards (cheap ssd).

A dutch owner removed the complete backplate including the fan and states it is running this way for months without problems.

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