SamyGO for DUMMIES

I think we have a problem here in SamyGO. Older members tend to know a lot about embedded systems and their operating systems, but some newbies don't seem to know how to execute basic programs... We thought that every one would know that, because of its relative simplicity. But we are wrong there. Also the Wiki pages are too overwhelming for some newbies.

I think we needed to create a wiki page `SamyGO for DUMMIES" and divert all newbies to that article before starting. The article might mention about how you could execute programs on a TV or copy them to internal TV memory etc. Easy things, which we don't feel the need to talk a lot about.

So I created this page. Me and others will fill this area later on to show simple processes. Also put pictures about running steps of external applications from TV etc...

What is SamyGO?

SamyGO started in the summer of 2009 as a thread at avsforum, under the title "Samsung LNXXA650 InfoLink hacking". This thread drew a lot of attention and slowly strayed away from its original topic towards rooting TV's and firmware hacking. It also got quite long, so Erdem U. Altinyurt and a few others decided to start a sourceforge project, specific for enhancement of the firmware of Samsung TV-sets, specifically aimed at models issued from 2008 onwards. Many people stayed on and came along from avsforum to sourceforge.

So that is what SamyGO is: A sourceforge project, aimed at enhancing firmware and functionality, specifically for Samsung TV models from 2008 onwards.

The activities of the SamyGO project comprise, but are not limited to:

Gaining access to all available Samsung TV models from 2008 onwards (rooting).

Active development of software extensions to enhance Samsung TV accessibility.

Active development of applications to run on Samsung TV hardware.

Giving support to project members who want to enhance their TV's functionality.

SamyGO is not a program that you can run on your TV. Enhancing your hardware is not THAT simple.

So I want more functionality from my TV-set using SamyGO, what steps do I take?

1. Find out whether your TV model is supported by SamyGO, see the supported models list at our homepage for that.
2. Find out which firmware version your TV is equipped with. Newer firmwares are not (yet) supported by SamyGO. See also the supported models list.
3. Checkout the access route for your TV, again, this is in the supported models list.
4. Get access! Follow the tutorials in the Wiki pages for that.
5. Install the software you like/need.
6. Enjoy your improved equipment.

Each of these steps will be explained briefly:

What is my TV model code and number ?

Model code and number are almost the same thing. The model number is a short form of the model code. This is a sample model code with the model number written bold.

UE40B7020WWXXC

You can read your model code from the sticker at the side or rear of your TV. Once you found the model, you can check whether it is supported by SamyGO here for A- and B-series and here for C-series models.

What is my firmware model and version ?

You can learn your firmware number by entering the Service Menu. But please don't change anything. DO NOT USE RIGHT and LEFT buttons of your remote in that menu because you might change some variables that may easily brick your TV. Again, you can determine whether your firmware version is supported by SamyGO here for A- and B-series and here for C-series models.

Is my TV a CI or a CI+ device?

A TV from the C series is always CI+. B series models have two possibilities. If there is a P in the last part of the model code, it is most likely a CI+ device. The firmware version installed on these TV's has the letters CIP in the firmware version code. Otherwise it is probably a CI device.

Some examples:

LE40B652T4WXXU device uses T-CHL7DEUC firmware, which indicates it is a CI device.
LE40B652T2PXXU device uses T-CHLCIPDEUC firmware, which indicates it is a CI+ device.
UE40B7020WWXXC device uses T-CHU7DEUC firmware, which indicates it is a CI device.
TODO: Add some UN,UE and PS model "codes" here.

You can also find your firmware name and version number in the Service Menu.

How can I get access to my TV?

With getting access we mean root access to your TV's operating system. Essentially, Samsung TV's are Linux-based embedded systems with a huge display attached to them. To control a Linux-based system, you need root access to it (Administrator privileges in Windows). Depending on the type of TV and version of the firmware, this can be achieved in a number of ways. In the compatibility tables you can find the methods that have been used successfully for each type (The list is not complete yet, work in progress).

Using the Ex-Link port

Many TV models are accessible through a serial port, called Ex-link. This port is addressed in the manuals as "connector for service only". It is a serial port, with a 3.5mm stereo jack as connector. To use it, you will need a serial cable with the right layout, which is given here. On the same page you will find how to enter the service menu of your TV, at least for a number of older types.

Patching Firmware with the SamyGO Firmware Patcher

B-series models (Non CI+) with older firmwares (pre february 2010) have firmware update files which are only trivially encrypted by Samsung. The CI+ firmwares are AES-encrypted. From a few of these firmwares, the encryption keys have been recovered. By decrypting these firmwares, changing some of the startup scripts inside them and subsequently upgrading your TV's firmware with the patched firmware, it is quite easy to get root access through telnet. Telnet is a small program that enables remote access to another computer. For windows, you can use PuTTY. This remote access is required, since (at least at this stage) there is no mouse or keyboard attached to your TV. The use of the SamyGO firmware patcher is explained here.

Using Content Library applications

TODO

Using Internet@TV

TODO

Using Hotel@USB

TODO