diff --git a/apps/codecs.c b/apps/codecs.c
index 831b9b4f0c..d12b43642f 100644
--- a/apps/codecs.c
+++ b/apps/codecs.c
@@ -68,13 +68,9 @@ extern unsigned char codecbuf[];
 
 extern void* plugin_get_audio_buffer(int *buffer_size);
 
-static int codec_test(int api_version, int model, int memsize);
-
 struct codec_api ci_voice;
 
 struct codec_api ci = {
-    CODEC_API_VERSION,
-    codec_test,
 
     0, /* filesize */
     0, /* curpos */
@@ -95,6 +91,8 @@ struct codec_api ci = {
     NULL,
     NULL,
     NULL,
+    NULL,
+    NULL,
     
     gui_syncsplash,
 
@@ -155,6 +153,7 @@ struct codec_api ci = {
     strcat,
     memcmp,
     strcasestr,
+    memchr,
 
     /* sound */
     sound_set,
@@ -163,9 +162,6 @@ struct codec_api ci = {
     mp3_play_pause,
     mp3_play_stop,
     mp3_is_playing,
-#if CONFIG_CODEC != SWCODEC
-    bitswap,
-#endif
 #if CONFIG_CODEC == SWCODEC
     pcm_play_data,    
     pcm_play_stop,
@@ -190,24 +186,6 @@ struct codec_api ci = {
     audio_current_track,
     audio_flush_and_reload_tracks,
     audio_get_file_pos,
-#if !defined(SIMULATOR) && (CONFIG_CODEC != SWCODEC)
-    mpeg_get_last_header,
-#endif
-#if (CONFIG_CODEC == MAS3587F) || (CONFIG_CODEC == MAS3539F)
-    sound_set_pitch,
-#endif
-
-#if !defined(SIMULATOR) && (CONFIG_CODEC != SWCODEC)
-    /* MAS communication */
-    mas_readmem,
-    mas_writemem,
-    mas_readreg,
-    mas_writereg,
-#if (CONFIG_CODEC == MAS3587F) || (CONFIG_CODEC == MAS3539F)
-    mas_codec_writereg,
-    mas_codec_readreg,
-#endif
-#endif /* !simulator and HWCODEC != SWCODEC */
 
     /* tag database */
     &tagdbheader,
@@ -226,6 +204,9 @@ struct codec_api ci = {
 
 #if defined(DEBUG) || defined(SIMULATOR)
     debugf,
+#endif
+#ifdef ROCKBOX_HAS_LOGF
+    logf,
 #endif
     &global_settings,
     mp3info,
@@ -234,28 +215,16 @@ struct codec_api ci = {
     find_next_frame,
     battery_level,
     battery_level_safe,
-#if (CONFIG_CODEC == MAS3587F) || (CONFIG_CODEC == MAS3539F)
-    peak_meter_scale_value,
-    peak_meter_set_use_dbfs,
-    peak_meter_get_use_dbfs,
-#endif
 
     /* new stuff at the end, sort into place next time
        the API gets incompatible */
 
-#ifdef ROCKBOX_HAS_LOGF
-    logf,
-#endif
-
-    memchr,
-    NULL,
-    NULL,
 };
 
 int codec_load_ram(char* codecptr, int size, void* ptr2, int bufwrap,
                    struct codec_api *api)
 {
-    enum codec_status (*codec_start)(const struct codec_api* api);
+    struct codec_header *hdr;
     int status;
 #ifndef SIMULATOR
     int copy_n;
@@ -272,22 +241,40 @@ int codec_load_ram(char* codecptr, int size, void* ptr2, int bufwrap,
             memcpy(&codecbuf[copy_n], ptr2, size);
         }
     }
-    codec_start = (void*)&codecbuf;
+    hdr = (struct codec_header *)codecbuf;
         
+    if (hdr->magic != CODEC_MAGIC
+        || hdr->target_id != TARGET_ID
+        || hdr->load_addr != codecbuf
+        || hdr->end_addr > codecbuf + CODEC_SIZE) {
+        return CODEC_ERROR;
+    }
 #else /* SIMULATOR */
     int pd;
     
-    codec_start = sim_codec_load_ram(codecptr, size, ptr2, bufwrap, &pd);
+    hdr = sim_codec_load_ram(codecptr, size, ptr2, bufwrap, &pd);
     if (pd < 0)
         return CODEC_ERROR;
+
+    if (hdr == NULL
+        || hdr->magic != CODEC_MAGIC
+        || hdr->target_id != TARGET_ID
+        || hdr->entry_point == NULL) {
+        sim_codec_close(pd);
+        return CODEC_ERROR;
+    }
 #endif /* SIMULATOR */
+    if (hdr->api_version > CODEC_API_VERSION
+        || hdr->api_version < CODEC_MIN_API_VERSION) {
+        sim_codec_close(pd);
+        return CODEC_ERROR;
+    }
 
     invalidate_icache();
-    status = codec_start(api);
-#ifdef SIMULATOR
+    status = hdr->entry_point(api);
+
     sim_codec_close(pd);
-#endif
-    
+
     return status;
 }
 
@@ -317,21 +304,3 @@ int codec_load_file(const char *plugin, struct codec_api *api)
 
     return codec_load_ram(codecbuf, (size_t)rc, NULL, 0, api);
 }
-
-static int codec_test(int api_version, int model, int memsize)
-{
-    if (api_version < CODEC_MIN_API_VERSION ||
-        api_version > CODEC_API_VERSION)
-        return CODEC_WRONG_API_VERSION;
-
-    (void)model;
-#if 0
-    if (model != MODEL)
-        return CODEC_WRONG_MODEL;
-#endif
-
-    if (memsize != MEM)
-        return CODEC_WRONG_MODEL;
-    
-    return CODEC_OK;
-}
diff --git a/apps/codecs.h b/apps/codecs.h
index 5d5fbfe75d..320431f3bf 100644
--- a/apps/codecs.h
+++ b/apps/codecs.h
@@ -80,32 +80,23 @@
 #define PREFIX(_x_) _x_
 #endif
 
+#define CODEC_MAGIC 0x52434F44 /* RCOD */
+
 /* increase this every time the api struct changes */
-#define CODEC_API_VERSION 44
+#define CODEC_API_VERSION 1
 
 /* update this to latest version if a change to the api struct breaks
    backwards compatibility (and please take the opportunity to sort in any
    new function which are "waiting" at the end of the function table) */
-#define CODEC_MIN_API_VERSION 44
+#define CODEC_MIN_API_VERSION 1
 
 /* codec return codes */
 enum codec_status {
     CODEC_OK = 0,
     CODEC_USB_CONNECTED,
-
-    CODEC_WRONG_API_VERSION = -1,
-    CODEC_WRONG_MODEL = -2,
-    CODEC_ERROR = -3,
+    CODEC_ERROR = -1,
 };
 
-/* compatibility test macro */
-#define TEST_CODEC_API(_api_) \
-do { \
- int _rc_ = _api_->codec_test(CODEC_API_VERSION, 1, MEM); \
- if (_rc_<0) \
-     return _rc_; \
-} while(0)
-
 /* NOTE: To support backwards compatibility, only add new functions at
          the end of the structure.  Every time you add a new function,
          remember to increase CODEC_API_VERSION.  If you make changes to the
@@ -113,10 +104,6 @@ do { \
          version
  */
 struct codec_api {
-    /* these two fields must always be first, to ensure
-       TEST_CODEC_API will always work */
-    int version;
-    int (*codec_test)(int api_version, int model, int memsize);
 
     off_t  filesize;          /* Total file length */
     off_t  curpos;            /* Current buffer position */
@@ -158,6 +145,8 @@ struct codec_api {
     void (*advance_buffer_loc)(void *ptr);
     /* Seek file buffer to position <newpos> beginning of file. */
     bool (*seek_buffer)(off_t newpos);
+    /* Codec should call this function when it has done the seeking. */
+    void (*seek_complete)(void);
     /* Calculate mp3 seek position from given time data in ms. */
     off_t (*mp3_get_filepos)(int newtime);
     /* Request file change from file buffer. Returns true is next
@@ -165,6 +154,7 @@ struct codec_api {
        codec should exit immediately with PLUGIN_OK status. */
     bool (*request_next_track)(void);
     
+    void (*set_offset)(unsigned int value);
     /* Configure different codec buffer parameters. */
     void (*configure)(int setting, void *value);
 
@@ -228,6 +218,7 @@ struct codec_api {
     char *(*strcat)(char *s1, const char *s2);
     int (*memcmp)(const void *s1, const void *s2, size_t n);
     char *(*strcasestr) (const char* phaystack, const char* pneedle);
+    void *(*memchr)(const void *s1, int c, size_t n);
 
     /* sound */
     void (*sound_set)(int setting, int value);
@@ -236,9 +227,6 @@ struct codec_api {
     void (*mp3_play_pause)(bool play);
     void (*mp3_play_stop)(void);
     bool (*mp3_is_playing)(void);
-#if CONFIG_CODEC != SWCODEC
-    void (*bitswap)(unsigned char *data, int length);
-#endif
 #if CONFIG_CODEC == SWCODEC
     void (*pcm_play_data)(void (*get_more)(unsigned char** start, long*size));
     void (*pcm_play_stop)(void);
@@ -263,24 +251,6 @@ struct codec_api {
     struct mp3entry* (*audio_current_track)(void);
     void (*audio_flush_and_reload_tracks)(void);
     int (*audio_get_file_pos)(void);
-#if !defined(SIMULATOR) && (CONFIG_CODEC != SWCODEC)
-    unsigned long (*mpeg_get_last_header)(void);
-#endif
-#if (CONFIG_CODEC == MAS3587F) || (CONFIG_CODEC == MAS3539F)
-    void (*sound_set_pitch)(int pitch);        
-#endif
-
-    /* MAS communication */
-#if !defined(SIMULATOR) && (CONFIG_CODEC != SWCODEC)
-    int (*mas_readmem)(int bank, int addr, unsigned long* dest, int len);
-    int (*mas_writemem)(int bank, int addr, const unsigned long* src, int len);
-    int (*mas_readreg)(int reg);
-    int (*mas_writereg)(int reg, unsigned int val);
-#if (CONFIG_CODEC == MAS3587F) || (CONFIG_CODEC == MAS3539F)
-    int (*mas_codec_writereg)(int reg, unsigned int val);
-    int (*mas_codec_readreg)(int reg);
-#endif
-#endif
 
     /* tag database */
     struct tagdb_header *tagdbheader;
@@ -300,6 +270,9 @@ struct codec_api {
 
 #if defined(DEBUG) || defined(SIMULATOR)
     void (*debugf)(const char *fmt, ...);
+#endif
+#ifdef ROCKBOX_HAS_LOGF
+    void (*logf)(const char *fmt, ...);
 #endif
     struct user_settings* global_settings;
     bool (*mp3info)(struct mp3entry *entry, const char *filename, bool v1first);
@@ -313,35 +286,45 @@ struct codec_api {
                                      long max_offset, unsigned long last_header);
     int (*battery_level)(void);
     bool (*battery_level_safe)(void);
-#if (CONFIG_CODEC == MAS3587F) || (CONFIG_CODEC == MAS3539F)
-    unsigned short (*peak_meter_scale_value)(unsigned short val,
-                                             int meterwidth);
-    void (*peak_meter_set_use_dbfs)(bool use);
-    bool (*peak_meter_get_use_dbfs)(void);
-#endif
 
     /* new stuff at the end, sort into place next time
        the API gets incompatible */     
-       
-#ifdef ROCKBOX_HAS_LOGF
-    void (*logf)(const char *fmt, ...);
-#endif
 
-    void *(*memchr)(const void *s1, int c, size_t n);
-    void (*set_offset)(unsigned int value);
-    /* Codec should call this function when it has done the seeking. */
-    void (*seek_complete)(void);
 };
 
+/* codec header */
+struct codec_header {
+    unsigned long magic;
+    unsigned short target_id;
+    unsigned short api_version;
+    unsigned char *load_addr;
+    unsigned char *end_addr;
+    enum codec_status(*entry_point)(struct codec_api*);
+};
+#ifdef CODEC
+#ifndef SIMULATOR
+/* plugin_* is correct, codecs use the plugin linker script */
+extern unsigned char plugin_start_addr[];
+extern unsigned char plugin_end_addr[];
+#define CODEC_HEADER \
+        const struct codec_header __header \
+        __attribute__ ((section (".header")))= { \
+        CODEC_MAGIC, TARGET_ID, CODEC_API_VERSION, \
+        plugin_start_addr, plugin_end_addr, codec_start };
+#else /* SIMULATOR */
+#define CODEC_HEADER \
+        const struct codec_header __header = { \
+        CODEC_MAGIC, TARGET_ID, CODEC_API_VERSION, \
+        NULL, NULL, codec_start };
+#endif
+#endif
+
 /* defined by the codec loader (codec.c) */
-#if CONFIG_CODEC == SWCODEC
 int codec_load_ram(char* codecptr, int size, void* ptr2, int bufwrap,
                    struct codec_api *api);
 int codec_load_file(const char* codec, struct codec_api *api);
-#endif
 
 /* defined by the codec */
-enum codec_status codec_start(struct codec_api* rockbox)
-    __attribute__ ((section (".entry")));
+enum codec_status codec_start(struct codec_api* rockbox);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/apps/codecs/Makefile b/apps/codecs/Makefile
index 5aec2ed983..d0cd97db9b 100644
--- a/apps/codecs/Makefile
+++ b/apps/codecs/Makefile
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 INCLUDES = -I$(FIRMDIR)/include -I$(FIRMDIR)/export -I$(FIRMDIR)/common \
  -I$(FIRMDIR)/drivers -I$(APPSDIR) -Ilib -I$(BUILDDIR)
 CFLAGS = $(GCCOPTS) $(INCLUDES) $(TARGET) $(EXTRA_DEFINES) \
- -DMEM=${MEMORYSIZE} -DCODEC
+ -DTARGET_ID=$(TARGET_ID) -DMEM=${MEMORYSIZE} -DCODEC
 
 ifdef APPEXTRA
    INCLUDES += $(patsubst %,-I$(APPSDIR)/%,$(subst :, ,$(APPEXTRA)))
diff --git a/apps/codecs/a52.c b/apps/codecs/a52.c
index dd504e83fd..f12fce1027 100644
--- a/apps/codecs/a52.c
+++ b/apps/codecs/a52.c
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@
 #include <codecs/liba52/config-a52.h>
 #include <codecs/liba52/a52.h>
 
+CODEC_HEADER
+
 #define BUFFER_SIZE 4096
 
 #define A52_SAMPLESPERFRAME (6*256)
@@ -129,7 +131,6 @@ enum codec_status codec_start(struct codec_api *api)
     int sample_loc;
 
     /* Generic codec initialisation */
-    TEST_CODEC_API(api);
     ci = api;
 
     #ifdef USE_IRAM 
diff --git a/apps/codecs/aac.c b/apps/codecs/aac.c
index a6ce0170a9..baa3935175 100644
--- a/apps/codecs/aac.c
+++ b/apps/codecs/aac.c
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@
 #include "libfaad/structs.h"
 #include "libfaad/decoder.h"
 
+CODEC_HEADER
+
 #ifndef SIMULATOR
 extern char iramcopy[];
 extern char iramstart[];
@@ -51,10 +53,8 @@ enum codec_status codec_start(struct codec_api* api)
     int16_t* decodedbuffer;
 
     /* Generic codec initialisation */
-    TEST_CODEC_API(api);
-
     rb = api;
-    ci = (struct codec_api*)api;
+    ci = api;
 
 #ifndef SIMULATOR
     rb->memcpy(iramstart, iramcopy, iramend-iramstart);
diff --git a/apps/codecs/alac.c b/apps/codecs/alac.c
index 30c1ada555..7ca70ce83c 100644
--- a/apps/codecs/alac.c
+++ b/apps/codecs/alac.c
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@
 #include "libm4a/m4a.h"
 #include "libalac/decomp.h"
 
+CODEC_HEADER
+
 #ifdef USE_IRAM
 extern char iramcopy[];
 extern char iramstart[];
@@ -50,10 +52,8 @@ enum codec_status codec_start(struct codec_api* api)
   alac_file alac;
 
   /* Generic codec initialisation */
-  TEST_CODEC_API(api);
-
   rb = api;
-  ci = (struct codec_api*)api;
+  ci = api;
 
 #ifdef USE_IRAM
   rb->memcpy(iramstart, iramcopy, iramend-iramstart);
diff --git a/apps/codecs/flac.c b/apps/codecs/flac.c
index ae05b0f2aa..a96963dd80 100644
--- a/apps/codecs/flac.c
+++ b/apps/codecs/flac.c
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 #include "codeclib.h"
 #include <codecs/libffmpegFLAC/decoder.h>
 
+CODEC_HEADER
+
 #ifdef USE_IRAM
 extern char iramcopy[];
 extern char iramstart[];
@@ -226,10 +228,8 @@ enum codec_status codec_start(struct codec_api* api)
     int frame;
 
     /* Generic codec initialisation */
-    TEST_CODEC_API(api);
-
     rb = api;
-    ci = (struct codec_api*)api;
+    ci = api;
 
 #ifdef USE_IRAM
     ci->memcpy(iramstart, iramcopy, iramend-iramstart);
diff --git a/apps/codecs/mpa.c b/apps/codecs/mpa.c
index 3d824d9b39..3c57f3f33f 100644
--- a/apps/codecs/mpa.c
+++ b/apps/codecs/mpa.c
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@
 #include <codecs/libmad/mad.h>
 #include <inttypes.h>
 
+CODEC_HEADER
+
 struct mad_stream stream IBSS_ATTR;
 struct mad_frame frame IBSS_ATTR;
 struct mad_synth synth IBSS_ATTR;
@@ -81,7 +83,6 @@ enum codec_status codec_start(struct codec_api *api)
     char *inputbuffer;
 
     ci = api;
-    TEST_CODEC_API(api);
 
 #ifdef USE_IRAM
     ci->memcpy(iramstart, iramcopy, iramend - iramstart);
diff --git a/apps/codecs/mpc.c b/apps/codecs/mpc.c
index 207a63ce97..1d1ed3a8b7 100644
--- a/apps/codecs/mpc.c
+++ b/apps/codecs/mpc.c
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 #include "codeclib.h"
 #include <codecs/libmusepack/musepack.h>
 
+CODEC_HEADER
+
 mpc_decoder decoder;
 
 /* Our implementations of the mpc_reader callback functions. */
@@ -82,7 +84,6 @@ enum codec_status codec_start(struct codec_api *api)
     mpc_reader reader;
     mpc_streaminfo info;
     
-    TEST_CODEC_API(api);
     #ifdef USE_IRAM 
     ci->memcpy(iramstart, iramcopy, iramend - iramstart);
     ci->memset(iedata, 0, iend - iedata);
diff --git a/apps/codecs/shorten.c b/apps/codecs/shorten.c
index 9e679f5ea7..ffbd42a9ff 100644
--- a/apps/codecs/shorten.c
+++ b/apps/codecs/shorten.c
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 #include "codeclib.h"
 #include <codecs/libffmpegFLAC/shndec.h>
 
+CODEC_HEADER
+
 #ifdef USE_IRAM
 extern char iramcopy[];
 extern char iramstart[];
@@ -50,9 +52,8 @@ enum codec_status codec_start(struct codec_api* api)
     long bytesleft;
 
     /* Generic codec initialisation */
-    TEST_CODEC_API(api);
     rb = api;
-    ci = (struct codec_api*)api;
+    ci = api;
 
 #ifdef USE_IRAM
     ci->memcpy(iramstart, iramcopy, iramend-iramstart);
diff --git a/apps/codecs/vorbis.c b/apps/codecs/vorbis.c
index 795e689e7d..fdd7a952d4 100644
--- a/apps/codecs/vorbis.c
+++ b/apps/codecs/vorbis.c
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@
 #include "Tremor/ivorbisfile.h"
 #include "Tremor/ogg.h"
 
+CODEC_HEADER
+
 static struct codec_api *rb;
 
 /* Some standard functions and variables needed by Tremor */
@@ -122,7 +124,6 @@ enum codec_status codec_start(struct codec_api *api)
     ogg_uint32_t vf_serialnos;
     ogg_int64_t vf_pcmlengths[2];
 
-    TEST_CODEC_API(api);
     rb = api;
 
     #ifdef USE_IRAM
diff --git a/apps/codecs/wav.c b/apps/codecs/wav.c
index e86b559caa..1dda2c3d58 100644
--- a/apps/codecs/wav.c
+++ b/apps/codecs/wav.c
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 #include "codeclib.h"
 #include "inttypes.h"
 
+CODEC_HEADER
+
 struct codec_api* rb;
 
 /* This codec support WAVE files with the following formats:
@@ -230,8 +232,6 @@ enum codec_status codec_start(struct codec_api* api)
   int32_t * const int32_samples = (int32_t*)int16_samples;
 
   /* Generic codec initialisation */
-  TEST_CODEC_API(api);
-
   rb = api;
   ci = api;
 
diff --git a/apps/codecs/wavpack.c b/apps/codecs/wavpack.c
index ff890ba805..2804d3ef72 100644
--- a/apps/codecs/wavpack.c
+++ b/apps/codecs/wavpack.c
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 #include "codeclib.h"
 #include "libwavpack/wavpack.h"
 
+CODEC_HEADER
+
 static struct codec_api *ci;
 
 #define FORCE_DSP_USE    /* fixes some WavPack bugs; adds about 12% to boost ratio
@@ -52,8 +54,6 @@ enum codec_status codec_start(struct codec_api* api)
     int bps, nchans, sr_100;
 
     /* Generic codec initialisation */
-    TEST_CODEC_API(api);
-
     ci = api;
 
 #ifdef USE_IRAM
diff --git a/firmware/export/config-gmini120.h b/firmware/export/config-gmini120.h
index 29066ecae3..8ffe51c433 100644
--- a/firmware/export/config-gmini120.h
+++ b/firmware/export/config-gmini120.h
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
 #define CODEC_SIZE 0x40000
 
 /* The number of bytes reserved for loadable plugins */
-#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0xC0000
+#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0x80000
 
 #ifndef SIMULATOR
 
diff --git a/firmware/export/config-gminisp.h b/firmware/export/config-gminisp.h
index 982e8f3725..4aa4723ca0 100644
--- a/firmware/export/config-gminisp.h
+++ b/firmware/export/config-gminisp.h
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 #define CODEC_SIZE 0x40000
 
 /* The number of bytes reserved for loadable plugins */
-#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0xC0000
+#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0x80000
 
 #ifndef SIMULATOR
 
diff --git a/firmware/export/config-h100.h b/firmware/export/config-h100.h
index 6d19b44820..34c0cc4f70 100644
--- a/firmware/export/config-h100.h
+++ b/firmware/export/config-h100.h
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
 #define CODEC_SIZE 0x80000
 
 /* The number of bytes reserved for loadable plugins */
-#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0xC0000
+#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0x80000
 
 #define CONFIG_TUNER TEA5767
 #define CONFIG_TUNER_XTAL 32768
diff --git a/firmware/export/config-h120.h b/firmware/export/config-h120.h
index 5c6f763981..2790063c64 100644
--- a/firmware/export/config-h120.h
+++ b/firmware/export/config-h120.h
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
 #define CODEC_SIZE 0x80000
 
 /* The number of bytes reserved for loadable plugins */
-#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0xC0000
+#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0x80000
 
 #define CONFIG_TUNER TEA5767
 #define CONFIG_TUNER_XTAL 32768
diff --git a/firmware/export/config-h300.h b/firmware/export/config-h300.h
index 2698d12098..806ae0a079 100644
--- a/firmware/export/config-h300.h
+++ b/firmware/export/config-h300.h
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
 #define CODEC_SIZE 0x80000
 
 /* The number of bytes reserved for loadable plugins */
-#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0xC0000
+#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0x80000
 
 #define CONFIG_TUNER TEA5767
 #define CONFIG_TUNER_XTAL 32768
diff --git a/firmware/export/config-iaudiox5.h b/firmware/export/config-iaudiox5.h
index a06d22b3c1..ac3073428b 100644
--- a/firmware/export/config-iaudiox5.h
+++ b/firmware/export/config-iaudiox5.h
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 #define CODEC_SIZE 0x40000
 
 /* The number of bytes reserved for loadable plugins */
-#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0xC0000
+#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0x80000
 
 #ifndef SIMULATOR
 
diff --git a/firmware/export/config-ipodcolor.h b/firmware/export/config-ipodcolor.h
index b88c9bc7a4..b413b8681c 100644
--- a/firmware/export/config-ipodcolor.h
+++ b/firmware/export/config-ipodcolor.h
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 #define CODEC_SIZE 0x80000
 
 /* The number of bytes reserved for loadable plugins */
-#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0xC0000
+#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0x80000
 
 /* Define this if you have the WM8975 audio codec */
 #define HAVE_WM8975
diff --git a/firmware/export/config-ipodnano.h b/firmware/export/config-ipodnano.h
index 207aa18fa2..728c83ef9f 100644
--- a/firmware/export/config-ipodnano.h
+++ b/firmware/export/config-ipodnano.h
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 #define CODEC_SIZE 0x80000
 
 /* The number of bytes reserved for loadable plugins */
-#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0xC0000
+#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0x80000
 
 /* Define this if you have the WM8975 audio codec */
 #define HAVE_WM8975
diff --git a/firmware/export/config-ipodvideo.h b/firmware/export/config-ipodvideo.h
index d6d9bbc92f..0e6dc153bb 100644
--- a/firmware/export/config-ipodvideo.h
+++ b/firmware/export/config-ipodvideo.h
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 #define CODEC_SIZE 0x80000
 
 /* The number of bytes reserved for loadable plugins */
-#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0xC0000
+#define PLUGIN_BUFFER_SIZE 0x80000
 
 /* Define this if you have the WM8975 audio codec */
 #define HAVE_WM8975
diff --git a/uisimulator/common/io.c b/uisimulator/common/io.c
index 1871b29395..68eb8933a5 100644
--- a/uisimulator/common/io.c
+++ b/uisimulator/common/io.c
@@ -306,20 +306,20 @@ int sim_fsync(int fd)
 void *sim_codec_load_ram(char* codecptr, int size,
         void* ptr2, int bufwrap, int *pd_fd)
 {
-    void *pd;
-    char *path = "archos/_temp_codec.dll";
-    int (*codec_start)(void * api);
+    void *pd, *hdr;
+    const char *path = "archos/_temp_codec.dll";
     int fd;
     int copy_n;
 #ifdef WIN32
     char buf[256];
 #endif
 
+    *pd_fd = 0;
+
     /* We have to create the dynamic link library file from ram
-     * so we could simulate the codec loading.
-     */
-    *pd_fd = -1;
-    fd = open(path, O_WRONLY | O_CREAT, S_IRWXU);
+       so we could simulate the codec loading. */
+
+    fd = open(path, O_WRONLY | O_CREAT | O_TRUNC, S_IRWXU);
     if (fd < 0) {
         DEBUGF("failed to open for write: %s\n", path);
         return NULL;
@@ -341,7 +341,7 @@ void *sim_codec_load_ram(char* codecptr, int size,
         }
     }
     close(fd);
-    
+
     /* Now load the library. */
     pd = dlopen(path, RTLD_NOW);
     if (!pd) {
@@ -357,17 +357,12 @@ void *sim_codec_load_ram(char* codecptr, int size,
         return NULL;
     }
 
-    codec_start = dlsym(pd, "codec_start");
-    if (!codec_start) {
-        codec_start = dlsym(pd, "_codec_start");
-        if (!codec_start) {
-            dlclose(pd);
-            return NULL;
-        }
-    }
+    hdr = dlsym(pd, "__header");
+    if (!hdr)
+        hdr = dlsym(pd, "___header");
 
     *pd_fd = (int)pd;
-    return codec_start;
+    return hdr;       /* maybe NULL if symbol not present */
 }
 
 void sim_codec_close(int pd)