Barco Cine 9 / 909 controller board flashing/update

Ok, that worked:



So far the set seems to be operating correctly. It would not turn on at all prior to flashing.

Well that is both great news and that sucks at the same time.

Good to see the software update went well with no problems and fix the controller besides.

It is to bad though that these quads seem to fail so much. You would think that because they were having problems with these in earlier models that they would of changed the design for better reliability.

Ok, so i thought id try flashing my 909 controller as well, it was somewhat successful, i now have all my Cine 9 options back, but it still has the different product name. Mustve been a custom job...



I can also confirm that the fans now run much quieter, as they would in a Cine 9.

The quad holds out just long enough when cold for a quick test.

Gday Hulio

I did the 2.21 because i didnt relise i had the 2.22 there!! I havent noticed any extra features, but i havent put my LIMO-PRO back in yet either. I noticed that the voltage diagnostics is gone from the service menu for some reason.

After the flash, my 909 controller did indeed slow the fans back down to normal.

I set the jumper, connected up the RS232 cable to the PC, started up the program and chose flash program. It starts after you select the file, and takes at least 20 minutes to upload, i just left all settings on their defaults.

Prior to flashing, my 909 controller ran the fans at full speed all the time, even though all else was there from the Cine 9.

I will check those jumpers for you when i can, i cant remember where theyre set. I think the fan speeds still went slower even without that front board connected, but i am not certain on that. Only one of my trays has that board, the only thing i did notice is that the temperature diagnostics is missing from the menu without that little board in the tray.

Casey have you checked to see what the output voltage is from your quad? I know they fail but you have gone through quite a few so I am wondering if they are being pushed too hard.

Ok guys, i successfuly flashed two BR909 controllers and decided to post my findings and a walk-trough sort of. I also hardware-mod my BR909 to duplicate the fan circuit of Cine 9. More about this in the performance modifications thread.
One controller, used in a SEOS Prodas 919 with 20000 hours runtime, was not working at all. After replacing a SMD capacitor, i mannaged to flash the software in, what Barco calls, "emergency repair modus" ( W3 jumper shortened ).





Without jumper, the com. port of my computer could not establish a connection with the controller. Also, with or without the jumper, the projector won't power on. It just stayed in standby and no reaction from remotes ( IR and build-in ). Then i shortened the W2 jumper on the controller ( force SMPS on ). The projector started, the fans were spinning but still, nothing on the tubes, no remote reaction and no communication with the com. port on my PC. In the end, pulled the W2 out, shortened the W3 and, bingo. The com. port could establish a connection with the controller. I did flashed without problems and it works flawless eversince. Cine 9 V2.21 software now, but the identification screen still say SEOS Prodas 919.



Just like Case's Skyvision in his earlier post. Not a drama, my dead controller is fixed now.
The second controller is from my working BR909 with 1862 hours runtime. I had soft. V3.11 on it and after flashing, the identification screen has changed to Cine 9 V2.21.






This time i tried to flash without any jumper. I thought, if something goes wrong, i still can short the W3 jumper and flash in emergency repair modus. But to my surprise, it wasn't necessary. The connection and flashing went flawless with no jumper placed.
So, as a conclusion, flashing a good working controller can be done with or without W3 jumper in place, while a dead controller ( due to data corruption, not a component failure ) requires W3 to be shortened.
Now, what we need and how flashing goes :
1. BR909 comms link program ( or Barco Explorer )
2. The required software version ( must have extension .bin, not .BIN )
3. PC with serial 9 pin com. port
4. One RS232 serial cable ( DB9 male to DB9 female with straight wires, not twisted ).
First, after installing the flash program on the PC, make sure you disable any antivirus, screen savers, energy-saving rubbish and LAN or WIFI connection. Also, with a laptop, use the mains adapter instead of running on battery. If programming is disturbed, you'll end up with a non working controller.
Second, you have to know the projector address in order to establish a connection with the PC. Take a look at the identification screen, you'll see the adress on the first line. When unknown, push with a pencil the recessed button on the IR remote while projector is on and the address will be displayed on screen. Look also to the baudrate. If is not 9600 ( standard, it is ) change that in the service menu. With both the PC and projector off, connect the serial cable from the com. port of your PC to RS232 in, under the lenses.



Put first the projector in standby, and power the PC on. Go to device manager and check the allocation of the com. port ( it is not always com. 1 ). Start the BR909 comms link program and click on the communication settings pictogram. Choose the right projector address you saw earlier on identification screen and the right com. port you saw in device manager.




On com. settings configuration, make sure the bitrate is set on 9600 ( or choose reset standard settings ). Click ok and go to projector diagnostics tab.



On the "present" map, you can see the different voltages of the projector. It is normal to be a bit off or show some red crosses since the Barco is not running, only standby. When wished, before programming, one can start the PJ to monitorized all real time voltages. But, for flashing, just let it on standby.
Now go to flash programming tab, and click on software file to load the right *.bin file from your hard drive. Let the configuration file field empty, it's not important. Now click upload and flashing should start.







While writing the data, status of the progression is to be seen, along with a sporadic flash of the green led on the internal remote control, showing processor activity. For both my controllers, programming took exactly 30 minutes. The process could be speed up by changing the baudrate, but it does not make sense. With data writting, slower is safer. When ready, a pop-up window will show-up saying that the programming is done.


Close first the connection with the PC, then the flashing program and the computer. Shut the PJ off with the power button on the back and disconect the RS232 cable. Now start the projector and you should see the new software version in the identification menu. That's it folks. Enjoy.