Firmware Update Guide For New Toshiba HD DVD Owners

[MidnightWatcher]

Updating Your Toshiba/Venturer/Onkyo HD DVD Player

Firmware. Why update it? Think of it as a driver update for computer hardware, or a new updated version of your favorite software program for Windows. It makes things work better and may even have new features added. With HD DVD players the latest updates often include playback fixes, improved functionality and new features for some of the latest HD DVD titles that include improved web-enabled extras, such as those found on Transformers, Blood Diamond or Evan Almighty, for example.

Updating the firmware on your new HD DVD player is a lot easier than you may think. You can update your player to the latest firmware by either 1) the ethernet port (connecting the player to the internet since there is an ethernet port on the back of all HD DVD players for this), or by 2) manually downloading the firmware ISO and burning it to a CD ROM. If you're a little wary of doing something like this yourself, ask a techie friend who is familiar with this sort of thing to give you a hand.


How To Find Out What Firmware Version You Already Have

Stop any movie that may be playing and press Setup on the remote. In the Setup menu go to General --> Maintenance --> Update. It will tell you in the first set of numbers what the version is, for example 1.2/T19M. The firmware version in this example would be 1.2.




To Update Via The Ethernet Port*

* For all Toshiba HD DVD models, the Venturer SHD7000 and the Onkyo DV-HD805

First, go into the internet section of the Setup menu (Ethernet --> DHCP) and do the following:

1) Turn DHCP to ON
2) Turn DNS to ON
3) Move cursor to highlight the Confirm button in Yellow and press OK

Exit out of the setup menu and remove any disc that may be in the HD DVD player. Turn off the power and then turn it back on. You should then be able to update to the latest firmware via the Setup menu (General --> Maintenance --> Update) and then following the on-screen instructions.

Once the firmware update download process has finished:

1. A message will appear, and the firmware update will automatically start.
2. When the firmware update is completed, the player will automatically turn itself off.

For the HD-XA2 player only, you may need to follow these additional instructions if updating from firmware 2.5 or older:

1. Power up the player again.
2. The player will display a message (MSSG) that another update will start.
3. Read the message and press OK. The message will disappear, and the second firmware update will automatically start. Please be patient during this process. (During the update, "VERUP" may flash on the display of the player.)
4. When the firmware update is completed, the player will automatically turn itself off.

• DO NOT UNPLUG, TURN OFF, OR USE ANY OTHER FEATURE OF YOUR PLAYER DURING THE FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCESS. Doing so will cause the writing of the firmware update to the player to be halted and the player may no longer operate properly. If the player stops working, please contact Toshiba Customer Solutions at 800-319-6684 (US) or 800-268-3404 (Canada).
• If no firmware update is available, the player will quickly exit the update process.

The good thing about connecting your player to the internet is that you'll also be able to take advantage of all the web-enabled extras on an increasing number of HD DVD titles.


To Update By Downloading The ISO Firmware

ISO Burning Software: Use a CD only to burn the ISO image and not a DVD. If you do not have any burning software there is a FREE version of DeepBurner that will burn ISO images (works on Windows 95/98/2000/NT/ME/XP/Vista x86/Vista x64 and is virtually compatible with ANY CD/DVD burner). Click here to download. Since the firmware filesize is relatively small, please be sure to burn at a slow speed as this can often ensure a solid, error-free burn. Also remember to select Burn ISO image and to not just create a data CD.

DeepBurner: Choose Burn ISO Image


DeepBurner: Change Write Speed to 4x before navigating to the downloaded .ISO. When ready click Burn ISO.


If your burning software has the option, choose "Disc At Once" instead of "Track At Once". If the firmware update is in a .ZIP file, extract it and burn the large .ISO file image to disc. If the burn seems to have completed successfully and you feel like checking the disc after burning the ISO image and are concerned that the PC is unable to read the disc, don't be alarmed. This is perfectly normal, just follow the instructions below to update the firmware.

You can download the firmware update from either the Canadian or American Toshiba websites.

Toshiba HD DVD Firmware ISO Downloads - Canadian Site
Toshiba HD DVD Firmware ISO Downloads - American Site

Current Version: Firmware 2.4 for the HD-XA1, HD-A1 and HD-D1

• This firmware update improves network connectivity for supporting the download of web-enabled network content associated with certain HD DVD discs, improves certain video and audio processing capabilities, and also addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related issues identified by Toshiba.

HD-A1/D1 -- 69.8 MB .ISO - Firmware update 2.4 Date: Nov 15, 2007
HD-XA1 ---- 69.8 MB .ISO - Firmware update 2.4 Date: Nov 15, 2007


Current Version: Firmware 2.8 for the HD-XA2, HD-A20, HD-A2, HD-A2W, and HD-D2

• A20 and XA2 Updates: 1080p/24 forced option now implemented; Improved HBR Audio Support For DD+, TrueHD and DTS-HD for the XA2 (Set Digital Direct Audio Mode to ON and Digital Out HDMI to Auto); From 2.7: Lip sync issue reduced significantly; Reports of improved bass management using multi-channel analog out (Set digital SPDIF to PCM and all speakers to the same size)
• Improves network connectivity supporting the download of web-enabled network content associated with certain HD DVD discs
• Addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related issues identified by Toshiba

HD-A2/D2 -- 39.5 MB .ZIP - Firmware update 2.8 Date: Jan 22, 2008
HD-A20 ---- 39.5 MB .ZIP - Firmware update 2.8 Date: Jan 22, 2008
HD-XA2 ---- 39.5 MB .ZIP - Firmware update 2.8 Date: Jan 22, 2008


Current Version: Firmware 2.0 for the HD-A30, HD-A3, HD-D3, and HD-A35

• This firmware update improves network connectivity for supporting the download of web-enabled network content associated with certain HD DVD discs, improves certain video and audio processing capabilities, and also addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related issues identified by Toshiba.

HD-A3 ----- 38.7 MB .ISO - Firmware update 2.0 Date: Feb 12, 2008
HD-A30 ---- 38.7 MB .ISO - Firmware update 2.0 Date: Feb 12, 2008
HD-A35 ---- 38.7 MB .ISO - Firmware update 2.0 Date: Feb 12, 2008


Now That You've Downloaded And Burned The ISO Image To Disc ...

The following events may interrupt the firmware update process and cause the player to malfunction.

• DO NOT unplug the power cord during the firmware update process
• Avoid loss or interruption of power during the firmware update process
• DO NOT press the power button on the unit during the firmware update process
• Check the disc for dirt or scratches before beginning the firmware update process

1) Confirm that the player is connected to a television. Turn on the television and select the appropriate video input on the television to view the player. (I.e. Video 1, Video 2, HDMI etc…)

2) Turn the player on by pressing the “On / Standby” button” on the unit or with the remote control.

3) Open the player’s tray by momentarily pressing the “Open / Close” button on the front of the unit.

4) Place the firmware update disc on the tray and close the disc drawer. The player will indicate “Loading” as the firmware update disc is initially read.

5) The players front display will indicate “Ver Up” and the on-screen display will indicate “Do you want to update the version?”

6) If “Yes” is not already selected (Highlighted in yellow) select “Yes" by using the cursor left button on the remote control.

7) Press “OK” on the user remote.

8) If you receive a message “Error code : 2007c5c2” on the TV, this indicates you are using an incorrect firmware version. You should contact Toshiba Customer Solutions at 1-800-319-6684 to obtain the correct firmware version.

9) After approx 2 minutes the players front display will indicate the progress of the firmware update in steps. It will first indicate “STEP 1/5” then “STEP 2/5”, “STEP 3/5”, “STEP 4/5” and finally “STEP 5/5”.

10) The player will stay on “STEP 5/5” for an extended period of time.

11) The complete firmware update process will take approximately 30 minutes. DO NOT UNPLUG or POWER DOWN the Player during the update process or it may result in damage to the HD DVD Player. The disc tray will automatically open upon completion of the firmware update. The unit will shut off with the tray in the open position.

Note: HD-XA2 owners only: Please see the additional instructions at the top of this page beginning with the green text.

12) Remove the update disc from the tray.

13) Turn the player on by pressing the “On / Standby” button on the front of the unit. The disc tray will automatically close.

14) The firmware update is now completed.

TIP: Re-initialize your player after the firmware update has completed (go back in the maintenance menu to do this). Settings will then be reset back to default so you may need to change a few things back to where you had them before. Think of re-initializing as a soft "reboot" where it gets things working the way they should. (And I know, it's not really a reboot. To do that hold the power button down for about 10 seconds and then power it back up).

Enjoy!!

[Jaws17]

I have checked and re-checked my settings but I still get the message Cannot find out server and I know the cable is good as I unplugged from my Xbox 360 and it worked there.

Any suggestions?

[MidnightWatcher]

Are you using a cable modem? DSL? Router?

[Jaws17]

You know, the first thing they ask is"Is it plugged in?"

Thats for people like me.

I chekced and the cable was unplugged, works great now!!

THanks again for the post.

[dink18]

Wow, absolutely well done. This is the type of help people actually need. I commend you.

[forsho01]

Originally Posted by HD-MAN

This should be a sticky.

seriously. i'm going to try the iso burn cd thing next time there's an update, so if this is stickied, then i don't have to look for it.

[mmmmDoNut]

Nicely done. You must be a tech writer.

[Drmillerse]

Well...here is my problem and discovery. I have an xa2 with the new 2.7 firmware update. Thought it was sounding great. I put in my favorite HD-DVD, "Eagles-Live From Melbourne-Farewll Tour I" Was enjoying the DTS-HD MASTER sound track and then on track 5 at 23:40 I got a loud POP!!! which scared me half to death. After I regained my senses. I removed the disc and cleaned it...replay...POP!!! I turned off the Dolby Digital setting...putting it to PCM in the menu. No POP. Initalized the player....uplugged the power cord...reloaded the settings...put the disc back in at the same spot...POP. I have two of these disc...long story...put it in the xa2 to see if it was deformity in the orignial disc. When I played the second disc, purchased at another time and place...it POPPED!!! at the same place track 5 23:40. I talked to Toshiba to see if they thought this was a firmware problem. Of course they said they didn't think so or know because the firmware is new. I wanted to contact the HD-DVD producer, but having trouble finding a contact method. Is anyone else having this problem or something similar? Don't want to send the unit in for repair if I don't have to. Thanks!

[briskier105]

Great thread!!

Toshiba's support website is a joke trying to find firmware updates.
This helps a ton.

[rmoody]

Originally Posted by Jaws17

I have checked and re-checked my settings but I still get the message Cannot find out server and I know the cable is good as I unplugged from my Xbox 360 and it worked there.

Any suggestions?

I got this on my first update of my A2. I tried several times, each time resulting in my having to unplug the player to get it to respond. Never found out what the issues was, I just downloaded the ZIP file and burned the ISO. I have since been able to update via the Internet, so I don't know what the situation was.

[rad]

Hi,

i am experiencing the same problem... Did exactly as above and it says cannot find a server... Nobody seems to know why, not even Toshiba support. My model is european version HD-E1

please help!!!!!!!

[charolin]

Originally Posted by Drmillerse

Well...here is my problem and discovery. I have an xa2 with the new 2.7 firmware update. Thought it was sounding great. I put in my favorite HD-DVD, "Eagles-Live From Melbourne-Farewll Tour I" Was enjoying the DTS-HD MASTER sound track and then on track 5 at 23:40 I got a loud POP!!! which scared me half to death. After I regained my senses. I removed the disc and cleaned it...replay...POP!!! I turned off the Dolby Digital setting...putting it to PCM in the menu. No POP. Initalized the player....uplugged the power cord...reloaded the settings...put the disc back in at the same spot...POP. I have two of these disc...long story...put it in the xa2 to see if it was deformity in the orignial disc. When I played the second disc, purchased at another time and place...it POPPED!!! at the same place track 5 23:40. I talked to Toshiba to see if they thought this was a firmware problem. Of course they said they didn't think so or know because the firmware is new. I wanted to contact the HD-DVD producer, but having trouble finding a contact method. Is anyone else having this problem or something similar? Don't want to send the unit in for repair if I don't have to. Thanks!

I having the same issue and I put in a thread last week but nobody said something about it, inclusive Josh Z was quiet. I reported this bug and yesterday I found another one, in the second disc for Heroes season one when you go to the web enabled options when you are there another horrible sound come out but is different like a ZZZZZZZZ and I had to turned off my XA2 and turned on again after that works well but again if I choose the same option the ZZZZZZ again.

I called Toshiba also but they said the same, not have information about it, I am angry because sound as Toshiba go forward one step but two steps back in other issue when they send some firmware to the market.

But today I discovered something, I make the same test with an HD-A35 the same issues appears again, I don´t know now if that is a disc problem or Toshiba device problem or Receiver problem, I am confused now because I was thinking about the last firmware but now I am not sure. It´s very strange that with the A35 the same issue happend but in the A35 is a native option to send to decode the DD+ and others in the receiver not XA2 where is a updated by firmware to do the same that the A35 do.

We have a big very big issue to solve, but we need more help, please SOMEBODY HELP US.

[Arkadin]

I wonder what Cochiseguy or Marine would have to say about this. They might know something as they have this player I believe. I'll check with them tomorrow and see if they can help. I am interested in finding out what is going on with this also.

[hackmeister]

Good guide. I downloaded the 1.3 iso for my new A3 and burned it in Linux using K3B. Just select 'burn CD iso'. Then pick your file from the file browser. You'll get a message saying the iso image is not recognized. Go and select iso9660 under the iso type and start the burn. Recognized immediately in the DVD player.

[Drmillerse]

I got an email from Josh Z. He said he had not heard of the problem with the Eagles disc or any others. He may know something by now as this was a couple of days ago. The 2.7 firmware upgrade has made some improvements, but maybe Toshiba has some more work to do to work out the bugs. Not sure if they plan on any additional updates? It may be a problem in the disc at time of recording or reproduction...but again who knows? All my other discs play fine.