Help Required Vu+ Duo2 - official FW update, which version to use?

intracube

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Hi, I'm following these instructions on how to flash a Duo2:
VU Plus

What are the differences between the 3 image versions (1.6, 2.1, 3.0)?

Should I just use the latest, or are they for specific hardware revisions?

I tried downloading one of the most recent 3.0 images and followed the update instructions. The box seemed to go through all the flashing steps OK and displayed Reading USB, Programming, Scanning, Flashing, Finishing on the front panel, but after that point, when I rebooted the box, it's now stuck at a Vu+ splash screen with 'double your expectations' showing on the front panel.

Memory stick is a Kingston 4GB FAT32.

EDIT: Just to add, the original firmware version was dated from the middle of 2015 with 'experimental' in the filename.
The file I tried to update to was: vuplus-image-vuduo2-20180305015511_usb.zip from: Vu+ Update
 

sonic1

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I would use the latest Open Black Hole or VIX, I think your problem could be the USB stick you are using, its to good for the job, get a 1GB unbranded stick and I bet it works just fine.
 

Mickha

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I'm using Open Black Hole 4.1, on my Duo2, but you can use a lot of different firmware, before you find the image you prefer.
As Sonic 1 pointed out the older, cheaper, USB sticks tend to work best, I us a cheap Toshiba 8GB, that hasn't let me down yet.
If you want to try Open Black Hole 4.1you can find it on the internet, the file you want is:
openbh-4.1.018 for the VU+ Duo2, each receiver has it's own image.
First you format your USB stick to FAT 32, using your PC.
Next you unzip the file, using a free program like 7-zip, or trial version of winzip, or winrar, will work.
You then copy the vuplus folder onto your USB stick.
Next you take the USB stick to your receiver, switch off your receiver, using the rocker switch, at the rear.
Pull down the flap, front right, of your receiver, and insert tue USB stick.
Turn on your receiver, at the rear, and when instructed press the front power button, located behind the flap, near the USB stick.
The receiver will then load your image.

Before doing this you might want to copy your channels, and Bouquets, using dreamboxedit, as you will lose everything, when you flash a new image.

Please post back, if you need any help, with setting up, or getting the most out of your receiver, including the most out of Kodi 17.6.
 

intracube

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Thanks for the replies.

It seems like the USB stick has to be completely free from any other files. I had a few bits and pieces left in the top level directory and I hoped (assumed) the box would be smart enough to only go into the vuplus directory and extract what it needs... but it seems that it's not :cool:

After reformatting the stick and copying the required files back, the upgrade worked.

Unfortunately I'm still seeing corruption on the UK Freeview EPG data (which was the reason for the upgrade). SD channels are unaffected, but most of the HD EPG data is entirely random characters.

The box is pulling in signals from more than one transmitter (some duplicate channels in the list) so maybe it's grabbing the EPG data from a weak transponder. Will need to investigate further.

Also I'm not keen on Vu+'s modified Enigma2 interface... They managed to make the behaviour even less intuitive, if that's possible. Will definitely look into OpenBlackHole and see if it's any better. I've already tried OpenVix and OpenATV on my other Octagon receiver and been happy with them.

Also, no EPG multichannel grid view on the default firmware?! Very strange.
 

intracube

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Anyway, the original question has been answered. I'll start a different thread for the EPG issue if I can't resolve it.

Thanks again.
 

intracube

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Quick update on the garbled EPG issue, just in case anyone else stumbles on this page looking for answers.

I replaced the stock Vuplus software with OpenVIX yesterday and since then all the Freeview EPG data has displayed correctly.

As a bonus, there's also none of the odd Vu customisations. So thankfully all the issues seem sorted.
 

daro2096

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Use the latest image would be my advice. OpenVix 5.3 is good. I used the one dated November 21st 2019. Seen no problems so far.
 
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