Firmware Update Guide For New Toshiba HD DVD Owners

[Master X]

This site lets you know when updates are ready for every player
http://hddvdformat.blogspot.com/

[Drmillerse]

I have my Toshiba HD-XA2 connected to an Integra 8.8 via HDMI. Presently, I have the XA2 settings enabled with my front main (Definitive Tech - Mythos 4) set to large and everything else to small. I have the sub crossover set to 80. I have also set the distance settings for the speakers. Is this a good idea or should I leave everything blank and let the Integra receiver control things. Not sure what setting or not setting the speaker settings does for me. Any advice?

[AznNintendoFan1]

Hey I just wanted to say thanks yall. I just got my HD-A35 today and I uploaded Firmware 1.3 for the HD-A35 in my machine. I played my Chicago & Earth, Wind, And Fire HD-DVD first only because I love both bands, ESPECIALLY Chicago. The visual framey thing still goes on but the audio is good and I guess I should expect that because all live stuff like concerts and nature movies are always in 1080i when it comes to HD-DVD and thats how it shows. When I get back from work tomorrow, I'll probably try to watch Batman Begins or Constantine. If anything else comes up, I'll let you all know. I have 30 days from today to try to see if it's a long-term thing or not.

[guyver2077]

we need another compatability update soon..

atleast on my a3. i have had issues with chuck and larry and now transformers

[Galt]

INHO to make this work what needs to be done is that the movie disc should come with the firmware update on it or in the package that way it is there and can be loaded before the movie if needed. My issue is that all of this is to get “Special Features” content to work. I wish they would just put the movie on the disc I could not care less about net content, PIP, U-control I just want to watch the movie in HD with Great sound. Special features should all come on a separate disc as well as the firmware update with the movie disc.
This is the issue that is holding up the general acceptance of the new formats both HD-DVD and BluRay, most people just want to pop in the movie and watch it without worrying about the nonsense of skipping, freezing and popping. DVD took off because it was a noticeable difference in picture quality and sound and it did not require constant updating and tweaking. I am an early adaptor as well as a custom installer and I am reluctant to add HD-DVD or BluRay to systems until these issues are resolved. I have both formats with the understanding of the systems but I too get frustrated with the need to constantly update the player to watch a movie. Load times are long enough add 25 minutes to update firmware and it’s just not worth it for most people.
It is time to cut out all the “Special Features” and get these systems on a standardized format that all movies are on so there is no need to update firmware with just about every new release. Just because it is possible does not mean that it should be done. Get the technology to work for everyone 99.9% of the time or both formats are going to fail as the general consumer who is shelling out $300 for a player and $30 for a disc expects it to WOW! Them without problems; DVD players can be bought for $100.00 DVD Disc for $7.50-$15.00 and will play unconverted to near HD (for the general consumer) so why make the switch. The format war is not an issue when in house problems are sabotaging both of the HD formats.
High Def movies with great sound on a set standard for playback that works. Separate Special features disc with all the gadgetry for those who want the headaches and problems that come with such content.
The format that solves these playback issues first will be the one who wins the Format war this is what the general consumer wants. To watch a movie without having to be hooked up to the internet or load a firmware disc they had to down load and burn to a disc or wait for a manufacture to send them in the mail. I am most want to buy and or rent a movie put it in the player and sit down to enjoy without the nagging gnawing trepidation of wondering when is it going to freeze and stop.
Studios and hardware manufactures please take note or all of this will go by the wayside and will just be another broken dream as everyone just stays with unconverted DVD and HD/BluRay will be very expensive shinny coasters.

[MidnightWatcher]

Galt, I guess computer makers should just give up. With all the software updates, service packs and new drivers and firmware for hardware, these issues are holding back general acceptance of computers in people's homes.

It's all a part of an ever expanding technological world that we live in today. We need to get use to it, and in time more and more of us will.

[BCKNBLK]

Originally Posted by Galt

INHO to make this work what needs to be done is that the movie disc should come with the firmware update on it or in the package that way it is there and can be loaded before the movie if needed. My issue is that all of this is to get “Special Features” content to work. I wish they would just put the movie on the disc I could not care less about net content, PIP, U-control I just want to watch the movie in HD with Great sound. Special features should all come on a separate disc as well as the firmware update with the movie disc.
This is the issue that is holding up the general acceptance of the new formats both HD-DVD and BluRay, most people just want to pop in the movie and watch it without worrying about the nonsense of skipping, freezing and popping. DVD took off because it was a noticeable difference in picture quality and sound and it did not require constant updating and tweaking. I am an early adaptor as well as a custom installer and I am reluctant to add HD-DVD or BluRay to systems until these issues are resolved. I have both formats with the understanding of the systems but I too get frustrated with the need to constantly update the player to watch a movie. Load times are long enough add 25 minutes to update firmware and it’s just not worth it for most people.
It is time to cut out all the “Special Features” and get these systems on a standardized format that all movies are on so there is no need to update firmware with just about every new release. Just because it is possible does not mean that it should be done. Get the technology to work for everyone 99.9% of the time or both formats are going to fail as the general consumer who is shelling out $300 for a player and $30 for a disc expects it to WOW! Them without problems; DVD players can be bought for $100.00 DVD Disc for $7.50-$15.00 and will play unconverted to near HD (for the general consumer) so why make the switch. The format war is not an issue when in house problems are sabotaging both of the HD formats.
High Def movies with great sound on a set standard for playback that works. Separate Special features disc with all the gadgetry for those who want the headaches and problems that come with such content.
The format that solves these playback issues first will be the one who wins the Format war this is what the general consumer wants. To watch a movie without having to be hooked up to the internet or load a firmware disc they had to down load and burn to a disc or wait for a manufacture to send them in the mail. I am most want to buy and or rent a movie put it in the player and sit down to enjoy without the nagging gnawing trepidation of wondering when is it going to freeze and stop.
Studios and hardware manufactures please take note or all of this will go by the wayside and will just be another broken dream as everyone just stays with unconverted DVD and HD/BluRay will be very expensive shinny coasters.

I have to agree with you 100%! I love my Xbox 360 and HD DVD add on, but I have no desire to have it connected to the internet nor do I have the time to spend doing that. I just want to put in my games and HD DVD's and watch them!! I just bought the Bourne Ultimatum on HD and it freezes up at the same spot EVERY time!! Non of my other HD DVD's have done that and while I wouldn't mind updating I don't think I should have to be connected to the internet to do so. The updates should be on the discs themselves or should be available on a website for me to burn a disc to update. BTW, I have no desire to run the internet from ym home office in the basement to upstairs where my HDTV and XBox resides.

I just think the updates should come on the disk so those of us who just want to enjoy the games and movies for what they are don't have to worry about whether or not we have the latest and greatest by having to log into the internet to do it.

[Z22_Z33]

Originally Posted by BCKNBLK

I have to agree with you 100%! I love my Xbox 360 and HD DVD add on, but I have no desire to have it connected to the internet nor do I have the time to spend doing that. I just want to put in my games and HD DVD's and watch them!! I just bought the Bourne Ultimatum on HD and it freezes up at the same spot EVERY time!! Non of my other HD DVD's have done that and while I wouldn't mind updating I don't think I should have to be connected to the internet to do so. The updates should be on the discs themselves or should be available on a website for me to burn a disc to update. BTW, I have no desire to run the internet from ym home office in the basement to upstairs where my HDTV and XBox resides.

I just think the updates should come on the disk so those of us who just want to enjoy the games and movies for what they are don't have to worry about whether or not we have the latest and greatest by having to log into the internet to do it.

Go to www.xbox.com. You can download an update from that website. I would send you the link, but everyone and their mom is complaining about this same "problem," and I don't feel like finding and posting a link yet again.
BTW the Bourne Ultimatum plays flawlessly in my add-on, but not so well in my A3. (the spot it freezes, does it happen a minute or two after Bourne sent a text to Landy to meet up?)

Well I am feeling nice right now so here you go:
Fall 2007 update http://www.xbox.com/en-US/support/sy...temupdates.htm
HD-DVD update
http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x...r/download.htm

[almo89]

There was a new firmware update for my Toshiba A3, but the site doesn't really tell you what the updates actually are. Where can I found out what updates are included in the firmware?

[MidnightWatcher]

http://tacp.toshiba.com/tacpassets-i...d3firmware.asp

[Kosty]

Thought these links might be useful.

If anyone wants to copy and paste them or post them if someone has a firmware problem, feel free.

==============================

Toshiba links

Ethernet setup guide
http://tacp.toshiba.com/tacpassets-i...cksetguide.pdf

Info on using ISO images and downloading firmware
http://tacpservice.toshiba.com/Consu...andnotices.asp

[peterhefer1]

I hope this fixes playback problems I've been having since buying the A3, I always feel embarrassed when the wife and me are watching a movie and it freezes or screw's up, especially after sinking lot's into upgrading to HD, between the A3 and my HD cable provider it's been a bumpy road for new technology.

[Gordon Werner]

can someone please explain why there need to be updates just so you can watch a movie? (same goes for Blu-ray) ... I mean the laser is simply reading binary data off of a CD ... why do you need to update firmware just to watch a movie? WTF are they doing when they encode the movie that requires a firmware update to the players?

[mdale13]

i got my A3 today, NO FIREWARE UPGRADES NEEDED! i was so pumped. tis played all the way through 300 and HP5 with no problems! yay!

[Kosty]

Originally Posted by Gordon Werner

can someone please explain why there need to be updates just so you can watch a movie? (same goes for Blu-ray) ... I mean the laser is simply reading binary data off of a CD ... why do you need to update firmware just to watch a movie? WTF are they doing when they encode the movie that requires a firmware update to the players?

...copy protection AACS updates, new error checking. Better software tweaks after players are produced and have months in shipping. Lessons learned from people hooking up with infinite combinations of AVRs and other displays, more advanced interactive content or internet content being created and the firmware is capable of being upgraded to allow for that new idea?

AACS copy protection is the big issue for main movie content playback. The firmware has the latest keys needed by newer discs if the AACS protection has been breached for older releases.


Its better than having to buy another Blu-ray player because the one you bought only was profile 1.0 and doesn't have a second pip video recorder or ethernet port so it never can do Bonus View or BD-Live content.