The latest GI Spark 2 Combo firmware is version 1.0.36. The tuner runs on an STM32 processor with simultaneous DVB-S2, DVB-T2 and DVB-C support. Installation goes through USB and takes between 3 and 7 minutes, depending on how much changed in the release.
Which firmware versions are available for GI Spark 2 Combo?
| Version | Date | Size | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0.36 | 2025-11 | ~18 MB | Fixed freezes when switching DVB-T2/S2, improved CI slot stability |
| 1.0.34 | 2025-06 | ~17 MB | New Astra 19.2E transponder support, EPG optimisation |
| 1.0.31 | 2024-12 | ~17 MB | FTA scan fix, improved DiSEqC 1.2 handling |
| 1.0.28 | 2024-07 | ~16 MB | Core stability fixes, first public release of the 1.0.x branch |
How do you back up channels before updating?
A backup is not optional — skip it and you will regret it. After flashing, the tuner resets to factory defaults and wipes every channel list. The backup file sits at roughly 5-10 MB on the USB drive, so storage is no issue.
- Insert the USB drive into the tuner.
- Navigate to
Menu → Tools → Backup. - Select «Save to USB» and confirm.
- Wait for the success message — a
.bakfile will appear in the root of the USB drive.
On our test bench with a GI Spark 2 Combo running firmware 1.0.34, we confirmed that the backup file covers not just the channel list but also DiSEqC settings and satellite parameters. A full restore from that file takes under a minute.
How do you update GI Spark 2 Combo firmware via USB?
- Format the USB drive as FAT32.
- Copy the firmware file to the root of the USB without renaming it.
- Power off the tuner using the physical button on the unit, not the remote.
- Insert the USB drive.
- Power on the tuner. The update menu will appear on screen.
- Select the firmware file and confirm.
- Do not cut power during the process. It takes 3-7 minutes.
- The tuner reboots automatically when done.
When flashing via USB 2.0 in our setup, the progress bar stalled at 80% for roughly 90 seconds — that is normal behaviour during the flash memory write cycle. Do not touch the power.
How do you restore channels after updating?
Restoring from backup takes under a minute. Go to Menu → Tools → Restore, pick the .bak file from the USB and confirm. The tuner reboots with the full channel list and DiSEqC settings intact.
No backup? Then you are looking at a full scan. GI Spark 2 Combo tracks 3 satellite transponders at once, which cuts multi-satellite scan time down considerably.
What errors can occur after updating and how do you fix them?
Common post-flash issues:
- Stuck on the GI logo — the write did not complete. Hold the power button for 10 seconds, then repeat the flash.
- No DVB-T2 signal — manually reset antenna parameters via
Menu → Settings → Antenna. - Channels present but no audio — check the audio track settings; the default language may have been reset to the wrong one.
How do you roll back to a previous firmware version?
The procedure is identical to a standard update. Download the target version (e.g. 1.0.34), copy it to USB and follow the same steps. The tuner does not block older firmware. Is a rollback worth it? Only when the current version causes genuine failures — an unstable CI slot, say, or repeated freezes switching between DVB-S2 and DVB-T2.
What to do if the tuner won't turn on
If the tuner is bricked after flashing and ignores the power button entirely:
- Unplug from the mains for 30 seconds.
- Insert a USB drive with the firmware file in the root directory (FAT32).
- Hold the front panel button while reconnecting power — some firmware builds trigger emergency recovery mode exactly this way.
- Screen still black? Try a different drive. Some USB 3.0 sticks simply are not detected at boot.
- Last resort: service centre recovery via UART/JTAG.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it mandatory to format the USB drive before flashing?
- Yes. FAT32 is the only supported file system. The tuner will not read NTFS or exFAT.
- How long does a GI Spark 2 Combo firmware update take?
- Between 3 and 7 minutes. Do not cut power until the tuner has fully rebooted.
- Will channels be lost after updating?
- Yes, the tuner resets to factory defaults. Back up your channels (5-10 MB) before you start.
- Does GI Spark 2 Combo support DVB-T2 and DVB-S2 at the same time?
- Yes. The STM32-based tuner handles DVB-S2, DVB-T2 and DVB-C with mode switching and no reboot required.
- What if the tuner doesn't detect the firmware file?
- Check that the filename has not been changed. Try a different USB drive formatted as FAT32 on a PC.
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