Should I be worried about HD-A1 freeze-ups?

Ronald Epstein · 08-04-2006, 12:22 PM

My Toshiba HD-A1 is updated to the newest firmware, 1.4

I get an occasional freeze-up on my player. It doesn't happen
often, and when it does, the picture freezes for just a second.

Though I'm sort of pawning it off at the moment, there is an
underlying concern that perhaps I should contact Toshiba about
this.

Anyone else having a similar problem?

Steve Tannehill · 08-04-2006, 12:48 PM

It would not hurt to contact their tech support at the toll-free number--might be a good data point for the next firmware update.

I've seen one stopple (as we used to call it on TiVo) since the last update. It was on one of the Paramount titles--don't remember which.

- Steve

Hayes Preston · 08-04-2006, 12:51 PM

I had a similar issue early on. Mine would freeze or more acurately "stutter" (video only) the audio would keep going, then the video would "fast forward" to catch-up, this all happened in less than 2 or three seconds.

It happened on the same spots on the same movies, so it was repeatable. Ususally, a good cleaning of the disc would fix or lessen the occurance, even on brand new discs.

I haven't had the problem since the first firmware upgrade (1.2) and it has not reoccured with 1.4.

If you are having the problem with 1.4, I would check the disc, if that does not correct the problem, I would contact Toshiba, their customer service has been great since my purchase.

Tony Mirra · 08-04-2006, 01:12 PM

I've taken to blasting my discs with canned air to clear off any kind of dirt or debris before putting them in my player - even new discs. I've noticed that these kinds of stutters are related to particles of dirt than a flaw in the player (at least since the the firmware upgrade).

Paul Arnette · 08-04-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

My Toshiba HD-A1 is updated to the newest firmware, 4.x

4.x? Do you mean 1.4? If so, there seem to be a lot of people having trouble with freeze-ups using 1.4. I haven't been able to determine from the threads over at AVS if there are more people experiencing freeze-ups going over component or HDMI.

Have you noticed the freeze-ups with a specific disc or a specific studio?

Quote:

I had a similar issue early on. Mine would freeze or more acurately "stutter" (video only) the audio would keep going, then the video would "fast forward" to catch-up, this all happened in less than 2 or three seconds.

It happened on the same spots on the same movies, so it was repeatable. Ususally, a good cleaning of the disc would fix or lessen the occurance, even on brand new discs.

I haven't had the problem since the first firmware upgrade (1.2) and it has not reoccured with 1.4.

This sounds very similar to my first HD DVD experience with Serenity. I am using firmware 1.3. I had a video freeze-up and an audio drop-out both in the same chapter. I was able to reproduce the former 2 out of 3 times, the later 2 out of 2. I then noticed that there was a tiny sliver of a finger-print on the edge of the HD DVD. Once I cleaned that, I played the same portions again, and I had no issues. Does that mean I'm convinced its fixed? Hardly. I just haven't had the luxury of watching Serenity twice yet.

Enter the Dragon, Goodfellas, and Unforgiven all played without freeze-ups. I recently received another Warner Bros. HD DVD, Lethal Weapon, and my first Paramount, Sleepy Hollow. I plan to watch them this weekend and report back.

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Ronald Epstein · 08-04-2006, 01:33 PM

I'm sorry, it's version 1.4. I am at work so I had to post
my thoughts from memory.

In any event, it has happened just recently with Legend Of
Sleepy Hollow and on Chronicles of Riddick and Enter
The Dragon.

A slight freeze, only once per title, and when I try to scan backwards
to duplicate the incident it does not reoccur. This tells me that the
problem is not with any disc(s) but the player itself.

Anyone have a number handy to report problems?

Phil Iturralde · 08-04-2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ronald Epstein

I'm sorry, it's version 1.4. I am at work so I had to post
my thoughts from memory.

In any event, it has happened just recently with Legend Of
Sleepy Hollow and on Chronicles of Riddick and Enter
The Dragon.

A slight freeze, only once per title, and when I try to scan backwards
to duplicate the incident it does not reoccur. This tells me that the
problem is not with any disc(s) but the player itself.

Anyone have a number handy to report problems?

Here's the CS #1 800-319-6684 - (back of my manual)

Phil

Kevin. W · 08-04-2006, 06:39 PM

I replaced the feet on my A1 with vibrapods and haven't experienced any hiccups since. Firmware 1.4 on my unit.

AaronSCH · 08-04-2006, 10:39 PM

I had my first freeze on the second viewing of Sky Captain. Up to now, my HD-A1 has been glitch-free ( I have Firmware update 1.4 on disc but I am still operating on 1.3). I just stepped it back and hit play and it did not happen again. What is a vibrapod? I assume it is a shock absorber of some type? I wonder if this issue comes up on Toshiba's higher end unit that has a more stable chasis?

I watched The Rundown last night and it was not only a helluva lot of fun but it looked awesome. Once again a very 3-D looking presentation.

AaronSCH · 08-04-2006, 10:43 PM

Does everyone reccommend updating to 1.4?

Paul Anthony · 08-05-2006, 01:21 AM

After reading the www.avsforum.com it seems that numerous complaints involve skipping, freezing, and audio drop-outs from HD-DVD discs, and this comes from customers who have never had problems before. I think this is a problem that should be concerned, because this happens to me at random with HD discs (never with ST DVDs), though I did experience CD skipping very briefly from time to time, but not often.

Aaron, read the topic "Skipping, after the 1.4 Firmware Update" at the AVS Forum before you decide.