Marantz PMD570 Firmware Update
I had the opportunity to upgrade the firmware of our compact flash recorders this week. All in conjunction with a new morning show and the fact you cannot find many CF cards less than 2GB. Even a 4GB card was not read. After a check of the D-MPro website, I was a bit miffed that the machines needed to be sent in. After a kind email to technical support and a confirmation that I was “tech savvy”, they allowed me to download the necessary files and application to install the update. Thanks!
I proceeded to do the installation. I can tell you right now that the process is not “easy” or for the weak of heart. Actually, it was not too bad, but I can see why they recommend shipping the unit to them as the update application they sent is fairly complex. Out of respect, I am not at liberty to name the application except to say it is a developer toolkit. Just knowing that you may guess at how you can get into trouble.
I followed their instructions to the “T” even when the screen shot was in Japanese! I pushed the two updates, one for the microprocessor and one for the DSP. I did 4 machines and all of them behaved. I also discovered what the little, recessed switch is next to the RS232 DB9. The combination of stuff could get a novice in deep “S”. Each machine took at least 10 minutes to complete as loading the one update, for the MPU, took the most time and the special application. The DSP update was quick and was actually read from a CF card making that portion of the update easy.
Thanks again for trusting I would not screw up D-MPro Tech Support!
PS- if you have the DN-C640 CD players, there is a firmware update that corrects that “disk error” message when one does not exist.
Tech Notes from the Field 
For those interested, there is a firmware update to the PMD580 recorder. This was recently released: 11/3/2010. Go to: http://www.d-mpro.com/users/folder.asp?FolderID=4347&Tab=FAQ
I don’t suppose you could confirm the FW versions you found before and after the update?
I, unfortunately, cannot find the pre-update versions. At the time of the article, I had updated to DSP version 3.9 and MCU version B0024.
I am pretty sure I had an MCU version of B0023 prior to the update.
Again, the reason for the update was to accommodate the larger compact flash cards. Our folks now use cards of at least 4-8GB. Very few cards under 4GB exist now.
Bill
Hi Bill,
Firstly, thanks for your blog. It’s a great source of information.
I have several Marantz PMD-570’s which need updating to DSP v.3.90 & MPU v.B0024. Marantz UK sent me the latest DSP update, but refuse to send me the flash development kit and firmware to update the MPU – Instead wanting to direct me to their support partners who want to charge me £45 a unit for something I’m confident I can do myself.
Is there any chance that you have a copy of these that you could email me please?
I sent you an email. Let me know if it works for you.
Regards,
Bill
Hello
may be you can help me..
I make the updating for the PMD570 ( v.3.90 & MPU v.B0024) but the 8go Kingston card still do not work..
Do you know the exactly list of compatible card after the upsate ? kingston work ?
Thank you very muche. (we have a lot of pmd570.. and it’s a big problem for us to find some card..)
Raphael
Raphael,
Pardon the late response. I must have missed your question. Interesting situation. We have tested with Sony, Lexor, and even Maxell. We have run 8GB cards and I believe there are a couple of 16GB Sony cards out there. Make sure if you purchase a large capacity card the transfer rate is high, 20M/b or greater. A cheap card may not work. I am finding there are many different labels on these cards and they mean different things. I have also noticed that a card labeled “high capacity” may not mean high transfer rate, just that it can hold a lot of data. When working with audio, and video for that matter, you want the highest transfer rate capable. Check the specs on the Kingston card and look for another that has a higher rating.
Hope that helps!
Bill
Hi again Bill!
Good news. I’ve finally managed to update our 4 Marantz PMD570’s to the latest firmware and DSP.
We suffered real problems getting the update software to work on our work laptops as our IT department has a very stringent policy on who can access what. Really I needed to see the Windows Mangement screen to decipher what COM port to use.
In the end, I brought in my own Windows XP laptop and installed the Renasas Firmware software.
I was using a USB – Serial cable which was very short. As a result, I extended it with a serial male to female cable. However, when trying to update it kept failing to make a connection.
In the end I had to remove the 2 screw nuts from the serial port and plug the short USB – serial cable directly into the Marantz.
The firmware update proceeded as normal and got about halfway through before my old laptop started running low on power – despite being plugged in! It chose now to develop a fault in its PSU connector.
In trying to wiggle the power, the USB cable fell out midway through the update. I thought I’d killed the recorder as it wouldn’t turn on despite being switched out of update mode.
I gave it another go and it worked all the way through.
I continued to update all the others without any such dramas.
Sorry for the long post, but you did say you wanted to know how I got on 🙂
Thanks again for all your help and patience. As a result, we will get much more mileage out of these units without paying a ridiculous sum of money to do so.
Being a charity, that’s greatly appreciated.
Thank you Bill for helping us when even marantz didn’t want to know.
Keep up the good work.
Rich
Great news even though you had a couple of hurdles to jump!
No worries on details, I like details. I file them in my short memory spaced brain and pull them up in some weird neuron firing mode when needed.
We’ve managed to use 16GB cards, have you tried 32GB? 8GB seems to be our standard at the moment.
Thanks for sharing!
Bill
Hi Bill,
Just thought I’d update you – It appears that I’ve nuked one of our recorders as a result of this update – Despite it seeming to go fine when it was updating and rebooting OK – It now just cycles on, all the LCD icons light up for about 30 seconds then reboots – Stuck in an endless loop. I’ve tried reflashing it (software says updated successfully), updating the DSP via the compact flash card and also restting the PROM.
Nothing seems to remedy its cycling state. I guess I’, going to have to send it back to Marantz’s service partners to fix.
Oh well – 3 out of 4 updated successfully, so at least we saved some money there!
Will let you know the outcome.
Ah! That is not good. Have you looked to see if there is a factory reset? I’ll look, too, but you may be right and it will have to go in. So close.
Good luck,
Bill
Jerry,
I will send a link when available. I am mobile all weekend, so stay tuned.
Bill
Ok.
Tnx Bill
Hi Guys,
Richard did you have any luck with the PDM670 you nuked as I have 2x units here. 1 updated ok with the latest MPU & DSP software but i made a mistake leaving the DSP software update on the SD Card i was using and put in the second unit without doing the MPU first and now it does the same thing, just keeps rebooting , same symtoms as you descibed above. what did you end up doing with the nuked one ….. Bin … or any suggestions anybody
Thanks
Ross
Ross,
Been busy (a good thing I guess). Wow. Have you figured out how to recover this misbehaving unit? There must be some sort of factory reset or maybe re-do the steps of the update. I’ve never tried on one of these as I have been fortunate enough not to kill it, but I have been able to save other equipment by starting from scratch.
If anyone else has resurrected theirs from disaster, please post. Knowledge is power. And if anyone sent theirs to DM-Pro for service (factory service center), how much and how long of a turn-around?
BE
Hi Bill,
Please help me I have updated the DSP before the MCU and now the pmd570 is restarting.
Can you sen me the software to flash with the serial cable.
It’s rely urgent . PLEASE.
I will send an email with a link. I do not know if it will work if the machine is in the state you describe, but you can try.
Please verify your email address by sending me an email directly.
bill@eisenhamerengineering.com
Bill
In addition if I cannot get to my email try this link to Renesas site: http://am.renesas.com/products/tools/flash_prom_programming/fdt/downloads.jsp#
Bill
Hi, I came across this thread while searching for info about the pmd570 (considering purchase for church use). I’m quite surprised that d-mpro has no mention of this model; no support; no archive; it’s as if it never existed. Kind of scares me away…. my question is what is the biggest flash card this unit will accept without the firmware update? Thank, appreciate the informative dialog.
Bruce
The PMD570 is a discontinued model. It was released at least 6 years ago or so. The 580 replaced it along with another under the Denon name. Tascam also makes a flash recorder.
Search the web. BSW, Full Compass, Broadcasters General Store, B&H, and others for the latest models. New ones use SD cards rather than CF cards.
Bill
Thanks for the info. I’m working on a shoestring budget, trying to get something to replace our cassette recorder ( and subsequent process). I’ve been looking at Tascam’s compact flash units as well, trying to stay under $250. Thanks again.
Bruce
Could you send the firmware update for the PMD570 to me? Thanks.
Morgan,
May I ask where you are located? I need to keep an eye on what can be done outside the US. BTW, forgive the delay. Been a busy start to the new year!
Once confirmed, I will give you a link.
Regards,
Bill
I have a PMD570 that doesn’t put valid time stamps on the recorded files. I was thinking of replacing the unit but am now wondering a firmware update might cheer it up! Could you send us the firmware? I am in Australia.
Rod,
I hate to say this, but I think you are better off upgrading to a new device. The 570 is way past not being supported now. I do not even you our 580’s.
There comes a time when retiring a machine makes sense. These are worth retiring due to issues as you state. BTW, have you tried a new CF card? I know we’ve had them go bad.
Bill
Thanks for your comments Bill. The unit behaves the same no matter which CF card we use. Would you still have a copy of the firmware files? Since it is destined for the bin anyway we don’t have much to lose – worst case it will be a interesting experiment!!
Have a bit of patience and I will try to dig up the files. I’ll included instructions. There is a software package you will have to download yourself. I’ll look for the link.
When I locate the files I’ll give you a log in access to my website to get them. Had issues last time I did this, so we may go back and forth a couple times to get it right.
Rod,
forgive me. I was out of town this weekend. I just checked my access and I cannot get to me resources until I get home tonight. Ugh. The best laid plans just fall through.
Also, send an email to my email address so when I get the proper log in credentials done I can send you the link.
Again, thanks for your patience!
Bill
I have sent an email to bill@eisenhamerengineering.com. Thank you for your trouble!
I know this is a very old topic, but do you still have the firmware files and instructions left lying around? I help a non profit and they really need to upgrade 4 of their recorders
Tim, I am out of town for the next couple of days. Please send me an email. When I get back I can see what I can dig up. It is a shame Marantz will not support these. Be patient, and I’ll get back to you.
Regards,
Bill
I have a PMD570 that needs the firmware update. Can anyone share a link where I might be able to download the files?
I have a PMD570 that needs the firmware update. Can anyone share a link ?
Alvis, please visit the Resources page on my website. That should get you going.
Bill
Bill,
I know this is an ancient thread, but an you list any PMD580 CompactFlash cards you’ve had success with? I’ve tried a couple 32 GB Sandisk CF’s formatted in FAT32, with no luck. I’ve even tried shrinking the volume to 1 GB.
I used the link here with the Internet Archive to get the zip package for the firmware update. I’ll try that later, although from the update history I don’t see anything promising for larger CF card improvements.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Jason:
If you have not done the procedure to update the machine, you cannot use any CF card larger than 2GB. The update is to allow cards larger than this to be use. If I remember right, as we long have moved on, the largest I tested after the update was 32GB.
At this point it may be less expensive to purchase a new machine. Tascam makes a pretty decent combo unit that does CD, SD, and USB. These are limited to 32GB cards.
Cheers!