The H2O uses the ICE code which was originally a freely distributed homebrew code that started way back in the Magic3 days. The code over time has evolved into much more then the code of the magic3 days with the help of lacyg, RCE and a few others.
The H2O chip is produced my a guy that goes by the handle of summ0ne, fitting isnt it. Yes summ0ne is also one of the guys that has developed the summ0ne v12 laser fix. This chip simply uses the ICE final code and works fairly well. The only bug that I have run into is the autoboot feature can be a little troublesome at times. It has trouble detecting PSX games and at times fails to switch modes. Its default mode is PS2 games so it boots PS2 games no problem. There however is a workaround for this you can force PSX/DVD mode if you like with a reset button sequence. The ICE code does have a nice feature for such a low end chip, this feature is Dev1 mode which will allow you to boot ELF's from the memory card.
However like I said this is a low end chip and you shouldnt be paying anywhere near the price of a CC or MI. If your interested in this chip look around for a good deal.
summ0ne has made claims that lacyg has once again been able to update the ICE code to be able to correctly patch the new V14 consoles. However him and the rest of the ICE team are not going to release this new code, not anytime soon anyway. So what was once a free fun homebrew code/chip combo has now gone 100% commercial through the H20 chip. But oh well I guess its about time
lacyg and the rest of the ICE team make some cash from all their hard work.
Here is the readme from the Final ICE hex.
Code:
;ICE REVOLUTION FINAL CODE - FIX
;code optimalized and fixed
;Most of the code is completely rewriten AND new
;Developed by : Lacyg, vdavide , RCE .
;Tested on PAL/NTSC/JAP versions
;CODES :FINAL.hex => use F as second rest (addon pics F10.jpg,F1-9.jpg)
; FINALR.hex => need addon on rest (see pic ... rest.bmp)
; both for SX48 included
;--------------------------------------------------------------------------
; Special thanks to :
; - Summ0ne for reset addon
; - Automan, Summ0ne, Romeo and many others for testing
; - Someone that ... help without know ... he he ...
; - many others for support
;--------------------------------------------------------------------------
; CURRENT VERSION FEATURES
; - Only 3 wire on cddvd controller for V9> PAL and NTSC (B,G,I) for JAP need H
; - Only 2 wire on cddvd controller for V1-V8> PAL and NTSC (B,I)
; - F wire now used for AUTOBOOT operation !!! see addons
; - NOTE : RW SUPPORT = H for PAL or F for 'R' codes
; - AR2 operations and PSX bootdisk operations if need .
; - Boot ps2 dvd-r and dvd+r
; - Chip can be disabled and auto-sleep
; - Automode for ps2 prot. games :)
; - RGB fix
; - PSX1 imports fix screen position FIX
; - DEV1 mode : boot mc0:/BOOT/BOOT.ELF , standards as commercial chips use
; - AUTOBOOT : PSX2/PSX1/MOVIES boot automaticaly
; CURRENT VERSION Operation mode
; -PSX1,PSX2,DVD VIDEO : insert disk and play (note: simple rest if false)
; -FORCE PS1 game/DVD video : 2sec reset from STBY
; -DEV1 mode : 4 sec reset from STBY and second short reset until 10 sec
; RESET from DEV1 mode = back to DEV1MODE
; -EJECT after boot from mode = back to mode (example eject from PSX1 = back to PSX1)
; -Turn off chip : keep reset for 4 sec. (about) from STBY (you can load only original, video & audio CD).
; May be usefull for future online games ( may check chip ...)
; FUSE SETTINGS
; -use FUSE=7F1, FUSEX=F7F