DIY Build ISP Questions [Build your own upgrader dongle!]

[markus]

Hi,
I too am in need of an ISP to flash my XL2411Z. But the MSTAR ISP seems quite expensive, but looking at the picture of the MSTAR ISP picture i saw that the main component is just an ftdi chip. That means the only problem is to figure out which protocol they use and how it its connected to the VGA cable. The drivers provided for the Utility also seem to be normal FTDI drivers.
Considering the different ports, looking at the package and the 6 Mhz Quarz it might be a FT2232D (7,30 €). My guess would be that the flashing is done via the DDC ports of the VGA cable with I2C or SPI.
Can anybody read the chips description on his MSTAR tool or has it been removed? And can anybody validate which ports and protocol are used?

Greetings,
Markus

[Chief Blur Buster]

For Easy Method (Buy A Pre-Built Dongle)

1 -- If you haven't bought a monitor yet, just simply get an XL2420Z or XL2720Z with V2 built in.
2 -- If you already own the monitor, the easiest method is to buy the upgrader dongle (MSTAR ISP)
You can find the information at: http://www.blurbusters.com/benq/diy-fir ... -z-series/

For Advanced Geeks (Build Dongle)

I have good news for you.

Here's a PDF document that tells you how to build your own flashing unit.
A regional BENQ provided this document to a BENQ Customer, who translated it to English, and then emailed me this file.

(forum member who provided this -- please feel free to identify yourself!)

[pnum]

I don't understand why benq doesn't create a utility to flash over ddc from the video card. I guess they don't want to take the responsibility for a malfunction?

[Chief Blur Buster]

I don't understand why benq doesn't create a utility to flash over ddc from the video card.

This was originally only designed to be used inside a factory or service center. Current video card are not designed to communicate with the correct parameters in a MSTAR chipset protocol necessary to properly install the firmwares (It is not standardized DDC/CI commands). The MSTAR protocol is common in television sets and many monitors, and were never intended to be user upgraded. Hopefully this will change in the future, allowing monitor firmware upgrades to be easier. I'm persuading all major makers about this.

I guess they don't want to take the responsibility for a malfunction?

From what I figured out recently, it was not a malfunction, but an intentional design decision (bad for some of us, good for others). This explains why some of us view it as a bug (since motion was much worse than LightBoost), while others view it as a feature. The early strobe reduced input lag a tiny bit. They tested it with the high-end uber-elite(paid/sponsored) competitive gamers, who care more about the tiny differences than casual competitive gamers like us. This is interpretative/subjective, so I've added a new FAQ entry:

Q: Why Is The Default BENQ Blur Reduction Calibration So Bad For Ghosting?

A: The factory settings (“Crosstalk”; the timing phase of the strobe backlight flashes) are currently optimized for slightly less input lag (approx ~1-2ms less latency) but at the cost of much worse motion quality compared to LightBoost and other strobe backlights.

Blur Busters Strobe Utility allows you to re-calibrate this manually for much better motion clarity, especially for users who are used to CRTs and LightBoost, and expect something “better than LightBoost”. Some people don’t see tearing, others see tearing instantly. Some people don’t see stutters, others see stutters instantly. Likewise, many Blur Busters readers are an extremely discerning lot, and are very sensitive to motion imperfections.

What matters now is BENQ has made amends by deciding to release V2 firmware & letting users upgrade the monitor themselves so they can use third party utilities (Blur Busters Strobe Utility), and also beginning to deploy V2 in shipments. Now we can enjoy "Better than LightBoost" motion clarity for those who prioritize motion clarity.

[pnum]

ddc is just an i2c bus everything else is all software, I don't see any reason why it can't be done and imo has been done by other manufacturers such as Samsung. the malfunction I was talking to was about a benq provided firmware update utility somehow harming a monitor.

[Chief Blur Buster]

ddc is just an i2c bus everything else is all software, I don't see any reason why it can't be done and imo has been done by other manufacturers such as Samsung. the malfunction I was talking to was about a benq provided firmware update utility somehow harming a monitor.

I realize it is an I2C bus, but I suspect something preventing it from being easily done (e.g. graphics driver limitations from doing raw I2C with full binary/timing control). Both AMD and NVIDIA has made precise control quite difficult to an extent. So a simplified mistiming-resistant I2C protocol may be needed to get through the drivers flawlessly. However, I'll send some inquiries out.

[cybrnook]

I have good news for you.

Here's a PDF document that tells you how to build your own flashing unit.
This was provided to a BENQ Customer, who translated it to English, and then emailed me this file.

(forum member who provided this -- please feel free to identify yourself!)

Full fledged win! Thanks man

[markus]

Thanks Chief Blur Buster this will work fine.

[jubaz]

Hi there...

Just succesfully flashed my XL2720Z with the "Do it yourself" methode from the Russlan translated pdf,
it works very well too.
Just remember to flash it in standby mode or else it wont work. (just like the pdf says)
It takes about 6-8 minutes to flash that way, so dont worrry
Very easy to make the cable yourself, I just cut up, and used a printer cable and a vga cable, with the few components in between.
Great utility Chief, thanks.

Regards Jubaz

[superslugz27]

Hey Jubaz,

Is there anyway you could take some detailed pictures of what the DIY do it yourself looks like, I am very interested in making one myself.
Thanks