2.2 FW out for 1st Gen. HD DVD Players

CochiseGuy

SatelliteGuys Pro
Original poster
Feb 6, 2006
921
1
Cochise County, Arizona
Firmware 2.2 is now available for the 1st generation HD DVD players.

From posts on AVS, it looks like the only difference from 2.1 is that it eliminates the problems 2.1 had for most folks with a DVI connection for their displays. From previous firmware versions, it apparently improves playback reliability and slightly faster load times.

I'll try downloading it later - I have satellite internet and we've got thunderstorms in the area. I'd hate to lose my internet connection halfway through the update. :eek:
 
I din't try 2.1 since I have DVI, but I think I will give 2.2 a try later today or tomorrow.

Reminder for everyone: MAKE SURE TO REMOVE THE DISK BEFORE STARTING THE UPDATE!!!


Here are the release notes (http://www.tacp.com/tacpassets-images/notices/hddvdfirmware.asp):


Firmware Update Information for Owners of Toshiba HD DVD Players:
Models HD-XA1, HD-A1, and HD-D1


Firmware Update Version: 2.2

Applicable Models: HD-XA1, HD-A1 and HD-D1.

Overview:
This firmware update adds support for certain anticipated network delivered content in future HD DVD discs, improves certain video and audio processing capabilities, as well as addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related problems identified by Toshiba.

How to obtain and install the firmware update:

If you have broadband internet service, you may obtain the firmware update over the internet using the Ethernet port on the back of your HD DVD Player. There are instructions for configuring the Ethernet port on pages 44-45 of the owner's manual. Page 57 of the owner's manual describes how to download the firmware update. Here is an overview of the process:

  • BEFORE BEGINNING THE FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCESS, BE SURE TO REMOVE ANY DISCS FROM YOUR HD DVD PLAYER.
  • Please configure the Ethernet port. You may need to turn on DHCP and DNS. Page 45 of the user manual explains how to do this.
  • After you have configured the Ethernet port, follow the directions on page 57 to check for a firmware update.
  • If a firmware update is available for your player, it will take about 20 minutes to download and install. Once the firmware update download process has finished, the player's power will automatically switch off. You must wait until this process has finished.
  • 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.
  • If no firmware update is available, the player will quickly exit the update process.
  • Please refer to your owner's manual for additional details.

If you do not have an Ethernet-based broadband connection for your player or prefer not to use one, you may contact Toshiba Customer Solutions and request that a firmware update disc be sent by mail.

  • You can update the firmware using this update disc by following the instructions provided with the disc.
  • 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.
Please note that if you sent Toshiba the Firmware Update Request card included with your player, you will receive an update disc by mail from Toshiba as soon as it becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1. What does this update do?

A1. This firmware update adds support for certain anticipated network delivered content in future HD DVD discs, improves certain video and audio processing capabilities, as well as addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related problems identified by Toshiba.


Q2. The HDMI output does not work or works intermittently with the HDMI or DVI input on my HDTV or monitor. Does the new firmware address that problem?

A2. The firmware update addresses and improves HDMI and DVI connectivity. If you still experience problems, try disconnecting and reconnecting the HDMI cable. Make sure your display input is set to HDMI (or DVI). If your display has more than one HDMI/DVI input, make sure that all connected HDMI/DVI source devices are powered on (even if not in use). If none of these solve the problem, please turn off the TV and the HD DVD player. Check all connections. Disconnect and reconnect the HDMI cable. Turn on the TV first and then turn on the HD DVD player. Should you continue to experience problems, please contact Toshiba Customer Solutions at (800) 319-6684.

Q3. During HD DVD playback I sometimes experience pixelization, block noise or audio dropouts. Sometimes playback stops. Sometimes, playback is not smooth. Does the new firmware address these issues?

A3. This firmware update, which includes material from prior updates, addresses various playability issues. You should also check to be sure that the disc is clean and, if the disc will not operate at all, that you are inserting the disc with the right side up. Should you continue to experience problems, please contact Toshiba Customer Solutions at (800) 319-6684.

Q4. Do I need to install prior updates before installing the current update?

A4. No. The current update includes all of the prior updates.
 
Works fine with my DVI! :up
However, strangely enough, I didn't notice any significant boot time improvement that others reported: from power-on to "No Disk" message - 50 seconds as before... :confused:
 
OMG!!! I cant believe the absurd level of censorship at AVS. I FKN give up. I mentioned over there after someone stated that the upgraded was needed for internet features on blood diamond that the blood diamond disk must contain code on getting the machine to access a website on the internet and it would be great if someone figured out these instructions because it would be exactly what was needed to access a file server at home to stream videos. It was quickly deleted. unfknbelievable.
 
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OMG!!! I cant believe the absurd level of censorship at AVS.

Yep, they can be pretty persnickity. I just scan it for info now. I posted a reply in the "Insider's Thread" to a post asking why HD DVD's were "so expensive" and showed a chart from eProductsWar showing the average price climbing to almost $40. I replied that it didn't take an insider to answer that - look at the Top 10 selling titles at the bottom of the page & he'd see some of the top selling HD DVD's are multi disk collections - Planet Earth @ $70, Ultimate Matrix @$85, Matrix Trilogy @$69, and that bumps up the average price. My post was promptly deleted and I got a nasty IM telling me it is "forbidden" to post in the Insider Thread unless asking an Insider a question, and if I did it again I'd be Banned. :eek:

Anyways, I upgraded to FW 2.2 and no DVI problems - I had reverted back to 2.0 on disk from 2.1 because of so many DVI connection headaches - so, kudos to Toshiba. :up

From power-on to "No Disk" isn't much faster, but from inserting a HD DVD disk to playback seems much faster. I haven't had any playback issues with the Universal combos - Children of Men, Good Sherpherd, etc., so playback still nice & solid. Watched Smokin' Aces last night without a hitch. That U-control with Assassin Tracker is kinda fun. :p
 

May 1st 2007 HD DVD Releases

Planet Earth