FYI - Noticed this over at AVSForum, http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=10201997#post10201997, my box is downloading now.
V2.1 Software for 1st gen Toshiba HD-DVD Available
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Moved.
This one has no new features, but fixes a bug where the player has trouble reading some discs.
This one has no new features, but fixes a bug where the player has trouble reading some discs.
Thats alright.
The thing I like best about these upgrades is the PQ is so good I have no trouble reading the fine print user agreement that you must accept before the download begins.
The thing I like best about these upgrades is the PQ is so good I have no trouble reading the fine print user agreement that you must accept before the download begins.
actually it does. It is supposed to enable download of network content found on some new upcoming movies like the Matrix series.
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.
I would advise everyone to not rush into this 2.1 update, especially if you have a DVI connection. It has totally messed up my XA1.
I've never had any issues using an HDMI>DVI cable to connect to my display's HDCP complaint DVI connect. With FW 2.1, it's almost unusable. After the update, when I started up my player, all I got was a blank screen my TV. I've found I have to "break" my HDMI connection to get it to work. I have a monoprice HDMI switcher. Switching to another input causes the XA1 to display "no HDMI link", then "Stop". Then switch back to the player input and press Play, and the display syncs up and shows the movie.
I thought maybe it was the switcher, so I connected the XA1 directly to my TV. Same thing - when an HDVD starts up, no picture. I had to power off the TV, wait for the player to say "Stop", power back up, then press play. I've gone back to the HDMI switcher - it's easier to switch inputs than power the TV off & on.
I been on the phone twice with Toshiba support, and now they're offering to take it in for repair even though it's almost a year old. I told them I'd think about of a few days; I don't want to do without. I'm using component output now, and it's OK, but of course I can't upconvert DVD's on component.
Oh yes - and you cannot go back to FW 2.0 if you have problems with 2.1. I have 2.0 on disk from Toshiba. I always thought of those disks from Toshiba as a backup if an upgrade goes worng. When I put the 2.0 FW disk in, the player displays something to the effect of "version up". Toshiba support confirmed that you cannot revert back to 2.0.
I love HD DVD and my trusty XA1. But FW 2.1 sure has made a mess of my player for DVI.
I've never had any issues using an HDMI>DVI cable to connect to my display's HDCP complaint DVI connect. With FW 2.1, it's almost unusable. After the update, when I started up my player, all I got was a blank screen my TV. I've found I have to "break" my HDMI connection to get it to work. I have a monoprice HDMI switcher. Switching to another input causes the XA1 to display "no HDMI link", then "Stop". Then switch back to the player input and press Play, and the display syncs up and shows the movie.
I thought maybe it was the switcher, so I connected the XA1 directly to my TV. Same thing - when an HDVD starts up, no picture. I had to power off the TV, wait for the player to say "Stop", power back up, then press play. I've gone back to the HDMI switcher - it's easier to switch inputs than power the TV off & on.
I been on the phone twice with Toshiba support, and now they're offering to take it in for repair even though it's almost a year old. I told them I'd think about of a few days; I don't want to do without. I'm using component output now, and it's OK, but of course I can't upconvert DVD's on component.
Oh yes - and you cannot go back to FW 2.0 if you have problems with 2.1. I have 2.0 on disk from Toshiba. I always thought of those disks from Toshiba as a backup if an upgrade goes worng. When I put the 2.0 FW disk in, the player displays something to the effect of "version up". Toshiba support confirmed that you cannot revert back to 2.0.
I love HD DVD and my trusty XA1. But FW 2.1 sure has made a mess of my player for DVI.
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Updated my XA1 with no issues so far, but I am using straight hdmi. Took close to an hour to update though!
Cochise is right. I have read over in the AVS forum several users having problems that are using HDMI>DVI. I have HDMI all the way for my A1 and the upgrade took about 40 minutes. I tried NIN this morning and it seemed to fix some of the stop points it was having with the DTHD during some of the songs.
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Yes, I see a few posts there that 2.1 gives slightly faster load times, some report slightly better PQ, and several reporting that disks that gave them glitches now play fine. But it's a flood of folks with a DVI connection that have the problems I have. When you startup an HD DVD or DVD, you get the "splash screen" that says Toshiba HD DVD, then nothing. You have to "break" the HDMI>DVI connection by powering off your display, wait for the player's LED to display "No HDMI link" then "stop". Then power back up and hit Play. The screen flashes for a few seconds while it negotiates a new HDCP handshake, then you get the display of the movie.
I played around with it last night using that trick. Yeah, slightly faster load time, it seems like a slightly more clear & sharp PQ. The only disk that ever gave me a problem was Happy Feet, when it locked up at the dreaded 28:50 spot. Last night it just hung up at that point for a few seconds, and then kept playing. But the DVI connection problems way outweigh the slight improvements for me. I'm going back to 2.0.
When I posted that you can not revert back, I was relying on two Toshiba Support reps telling me you cannot revert, probably a stock answer. Also, with no picture on my display, all I could see was the player's LED saying "version up" & nothing happening. I tried my FW 2.0 disk from Toshiba last night again, using component connection to my display. (The Setup and other menus display as a garbled mess on my HDMI>DVI connection, and the power off/on trick doesn't work because the display is not protected content, so it doesn't try to negotiate a new HDCP handshake).
On component now I can see the display saying "Proceed Anyway?", with buttons for "Yes" or "No". Two have posted on AVS that they were able to revert back to 2.0 using the disk, with no problems. I'll wait for a few more brave souls to confirm this before I try it.
I remain very happy with my XA1, and full committed to HD DVD. I appreciate Toshiba's best efforts to make their players more fully backward compatible with the older DVI standard. But FW 2.1 clearly needed more compatibility testing for DVI before it was released.
