New firmware 3.0 for HD-XA2 and HD-XF2 in Japan

[kannisto]

Toshiba released firmware 3.0 for HD-XA2 and HD-XF2 in Japan today.

The content of the release is newly added support for playback of HDVR format (HDTV content recorded with Toshiba HD DVD recorders RD-A1/A600/A300/A301). Additionally there were some generic "playback improvements" according to Toshiba's announcement.

I don't know if corresponding firmware is going to be released in other markets as well as the recorders are Japan specific models.

http://www3.toshiba.co.jp/hdd-dvd/su...XA2HD-XF2.html

I was very much looking forward to this update as I want to play my RD-A301 recordings with my HD-XF2 as well.

[chris gerhard]

I will wait for something official for US models, thanks for posting this information. At version 2.8, there are some issues I have been reading about.

Chris

[bruceames]

That's certainly good news about HD DVD-R playback. Hopefully that will be the case for HD DVD-R discs recorded from PC burners as well, and later HD content burned onto DVD-R. When 3.0 for the US comes out, I'm going to leave my XA2 on 2.7 until I hear some feedback from others.

[Chief]

Are you sure because I just got a disc in the mail that said 3.0 but it was for the A1 and XA1?

[chris gerhard]

Originally Posted by Chief

Are you sure because I just got a disc in the mail that said 3.0 but it was for the A1 and XA1?

I got that one also but click on the link which shows HD-XA2.

Chris

[kannisto]

Originally Posted by Chief

Are you sure because I just got a disc in the mail that said 3.0 but it was for the A1 and XA1?

Yes, this firmware update in Japan is specifically for 2nd generation Japan models: HD-XA2 and HD-XF2 (Japan equivalent of HD-A2). I updated my HD-XF2 yesterday through the internet and the update works as expected. I can now play the HDVR discs I've recorded with my RD-A301 on it, I tried with both HD DVD-R 15 GB and 30 GB discs. Those didn't work before. I noticed I have to finalize the discs with the recorder before they can be played on HD-XF2, when I just want to play them with RD-A301 the finalization is not required as they work without it.

The recorded content starts to play back automatically when the disc is inserted and there is resume-play function for HDVR discs, i.e. when I press stop I can start playback from the same point again, but if I turn off the power once I have to start the playback from the beginning.

One of my HD DVD-R 30 GB discs I tried didn't work for some reason though, when playback is supposed to start nothing happens, but all the others I tried worked OK.

[bruceames]

Originally Posted by kannisto

Yes, this firmware update in Japan is specifically for 2nd generation Japan models: HD-XA2 and HD-XF2 (Japan equivalent of HD-A2). I updated my HD-XF2 yesterday through the internet and the update works as expected. I can now play the HDVR discs I've recorded with my RD-A301 on it, I tried with both HD DVD-R 15 GB and 30 GB discs. Those didn't work before. I noticed I have to finalize the discs with the recorder before they can be played on HD-XF2, when I just want to play them with RD-A301 the finalization is not required as they work without it.

The recorded content starts to play back automatically when the disc is inserted and there is resume-play function for HDVR discs, i.e. when I press stop I can start playback from the same point again, but if I turn off the power once I have to start the playback from the beginning.

One of my HD DVD-R 30 GB discs I tried didn't work for some reason though, when playback is supposed to start nothing happens, but all the others I tried worked OK.

Have you tried hitting the play button on your remote to power the unit on? I find that DVDs (and the HDNet HD DVDs) do in fact resume from the point you left off if you do this.

[kannisto]

Originally Posted by bruceames

Have you tried hitting the play button on your remote to power the unit on? I find that DVDs (and the HDNet HD DVDs) do in fact resume from the point you left off if you do this.

I haven't tried, didn't know that play button can be used to power on. I'll try out if it starts the playback from the same old position with HDVR discs. Thanks for the tip

[segaklon]

Someone confirm if this firmware is valid for the Toshiba HD-E1, because I do not read HD DVD-R discs.

[gijoela]

Toshiba indicated to me that a new update will be forthcoming for the XA2 and other models.

Their continued support for updates could be a reality since the A1 just got 3.0.

[livingproof73]

Originally Posted by gijoela

Toshiba indicated to me that a new update will be forthcoming for the XA2 and other models.

Their continued support for updates could be a reality since the A1 just got 3.0.

Did they happen to say when?

[segaklon]

Can anyone tell me as it firmware 3.0 for the HD-XF2, Toshiba Web japan no direct download link.

[The BJD]

My X-A2 doesn't show the set-up screen when I press the button. I may be sending it in for repair.