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HD-(X)A1 Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.4!!! - Page 2

post #31 of 220
8/14/06 at 2:06pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 1.4!!!

Does anyone know why, here in the 21st century, Toshiba isn't making firmware updates for their flagship next generation DVD video product DOWNLOADABLE FROM THEIR WEBSITE??? The only way for customers to get an update is via an Ethernet connection or a CD in the mail? I find either method extremely incovenient when I could instead download an 50MB ISO CD image to my PC in a few minutes, burn it to CD-R in a few minutes, load it up onto the HD-A1 and be done with it. What's up with forcing customers to jump through hoops?
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post #32 of 220
8/14/06 at 3:19pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 1.4!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Doug Pippel
Does anyone know why, here in the 21st century, Toshiba isn't making firmware updates for their flagship next generation DVD video product DOWNLOADABLE FROM THEIR WEBSITE??? The only way for customers to get an update is via an Ethernet connection or a CD in the mail? I find either method extremely incovenient when I could instead download an 50MB ISO CD image to my PC in a few minutes, burn it to CD-R in a few minutes, load it up onto the HD-A1 and be done with it. What's up with forcing customers to jump through hoops?


You may know what your doing but alot off people out there probably don't. Unless the power goes out, its pretty idiot proof hooking up to the internet.
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post #33 of 220
8/14/06 at 4:49pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 1.4!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin. W
You may know what your doing but alot off people out there probably don't. Unless the power goes out, its pretty idiot proof hooking up to the internet.
Electronics companies have been distributing firmware updates via download for YEARS. Even if user "confusion" were a factor, how hard is it to post an image file on a server for those customers who DON'T have a problem burning a CD? Not hard at all, and it would save me the expense and added hassle of making a trip to buy a long (25') Ethernet cable.

IMO there's no good reason that Toshiba isn't doing this for the HD-A1.
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post #34 of 220
8/15/06 at 9:06am

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 1.4!!!

Still waiting for CD ROM from Toshiba. I would certainly welcome the ability to download from their web site and burn a CD. Meanwhile, the Toshiba player looks bad when I have guests to view HD DVD and the film freezes and has drop outs......things the updated firmware is said to fix. Six weeks (and still waiting) is too long to wait for an already published update.

Just called Toshiba customer service......they indicated that they have 120 CDs on backorder but have no idea when they would be sent.
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post #35 of 220
8/24/06 at 7:29pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 1.4!!!

The latest 2.0 software which will be released in the next few days (from what I read) will enable full 5.1 Dolby True HD. Our players just got a free upgrade from 2 channel True HD to 5.1. How awesome is that!

Current reports from a leaked 2.0 non official firmware confirm that it works and sounds great.
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post #36 of 220
8/24/06 at 8:28pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 1.4!!!

so this will be another disc shipped to us to upgrade our tosh?
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post #37 of 220
8/25/06 at 10:22pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

Can we edit the first post in this topic?

The final version of firmware 2.0 is now available from Toshiba via the box's firmware update feature.

The new firmware adds support for full 5.1 TrueHD output, significantly improves quality when the 720p mode is selected, improves interactive menu responsiveness, pause is now full-frame, among other improvements.

You can find more information about the firmware update (with instructions) at Toshiba's HD-DVD website. Click on "Support" and then "Firmware Update V2.0."

The differences between Dolby Digital Plus and TrueHD 5.1 vary by the film. On some films, the improvement in quality is significant and very obvious; on other films, the improvement with TrueHD 5.1 is more subtle. For those who want to compare Dolby Digital Plus and TrueHD, I would suggest Constantine and Training Day. I would suggest turning "Dialog Enhancement" OFF on the HD-DVD player when using TrueHD.

To experience TrueHD 5.1 lossless audio, you need a receiver/processor with HDMI 1.1 or a receiver/processor with 5.1 analog inputs. You do not need a receiver with HDMI 1.3. You cannot experience TrueHD lossless audio over traditional spdif/optical connections, because they are limited in implementation to 1.5Mbps, whereas TrueHD delivers audio at [up to] 14Mbps.

There is really no reason to wait for a CD from Toshiba when you can start experiencing TrueHD 5.1 sound today. Firmware 2.0 disks are not being mailed out by Toshiba for another 2-3 weeks. Toshiba recommends that customers update via the built-in firmware update feature; a network connection will also be required to download additional interactive content on some upcoming HD-DVD titles. When updating using the built-in firmware update feature, be sure to remove all disks from the drive before doing so.

If for some reason you can't spend a few bucks on an ethernet cable to run from your internet router (or cable modem) to the HD-DVD player, you can download the firmware as a Nero CD image right here. Burn it to a CD with Nero using the "burn image to disk" (not data disk) option, or if you don't have Nero, you can download the trial version of ISOMagic.

Current titles with TrueHD 5.1
Constantine (recommended by me)
The Perfect Storm
The Phantom of the Opera
Training Day

Upcoming titles with TrueHD 5.1
12 Monkeys
2 Fast 2 Furious
Batman Begins
End of Days
Fast and the Furious
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Harry Potter 4: The Goblet of Fire
The Matrix
Out of Sight
Superman Returns
The Thing
Troy
V for Vendetta
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post #38 of 220
8/25/06 at 11:33pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

Thanks Ken....
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post #39 of 220
8/26/06 at 1:18pm
Thread Starter 

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

FYI:

Warning to those when using the 2.0 software with a video processor and certain displays/projectors: There are reported issues with this v2.0 software!

HDCP and DVI issues are being reported with the Toshiba A1 v2.0, when used in conjunction with a video processor like the Lumagen and displays/front projectors like the Sony Ruby.

Currently, the changes will be permanent: (i.e. You cannot install a past version to go back/correct it.

For those that may have a concern: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&&#post8287140
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post #40 of 220
8/26/06 at 5:05pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

Superman Returns -- This has been confirmed as an HD DVD release?

Holy crap. I just checked thelookandsoundofperfect.com and see that they have done a LARGE update on upcoming stuff.
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post #41 of 220
8/26/06 at 8:25pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

That site looks the exact same to me Travis as it has for about a week...unless I missed something. It's a cool site but wish they would add the movie trailers instead of the coming soon heading. Picky aren't I?
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post #42 of 220
8/26/06 at 9:08pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

Travis,

On AVS, one of the people encoding these movies for Warner mentioned that the Superman Returns HD-DVD would have a TrueHD 5.1 track. It was disclosed in a technical discussion on the HD-DVD format. He was told a few weeks ago not to discuss any aspect of specific titles, so information on future TrueHD titles will probably be limited to press releases in the future.

His comments created excitement about what Warner was doing with its titles, but I suppose someone at the studio didn't appreciate him disclosing information on future titles when it wasn't in his job description to do so, even in the context of a technical discussion on encoders that could ultimately lead to a better product / authoring tools.
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post #43 of 220
8/27/06 at 12:12pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

i did the update, i guess it went through i cant figure out how to check the player for version.

i checked my phantom for the sound and found the sound in true hd to be much lower in volume then the standard DD track.

what should i expect to hear with this true hd track?
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post #44 of 220
8/27/06 at 12:37pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

Quote:
what should i expect to hear with this true hd track?
Increased detail... Of course, ultimately what you can hear and what you can't will depend on your equipment and your ears.

Note again you need to use either HDMI or 5.1 analog output to experience TrueHD -- you also have to select the TrueHD 5.1 track in setup. If you are using 5.1 analog input and your receiver/amp doesn't have an analog bypass mode, then it may be degrading the audio signal with an extra A/D step.
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post #45 of 220
8/27/06 at 12:41pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

denon 3803 using an 5.1 inputs.
Quote:
If you are using 5.1 analog input and your receiver/amp doesn't have an analog bypass mode, then it may be degrading the audio signal with an extra A/D step.

never heard of thAt , not sure if this denon does that.
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post #46 of 220
8/27/06 at 2:22pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

ok just i case no one sees the dupe thread on this.
if you have a problem with the true hd being too low on
phantom turn off enhanced dialogue.
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post #47 of 220
8/27/06 at 3:14pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

Enhanced dialogue? Where does one change this?

Thanks - Steve
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post #48 of 220
8/27/06 at 3:22pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

in the setup menu of the player under audio
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post #49 of 220
8/31/06 at 11:40am

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

This may be nothing more than O/C paranoia, but I downloaded the firmware update last night (I get the player tomorrow), and I remembered a thread (don't remember where) mentioning that the firmware updates could also contain malware, and could "infect" the player. Is there any truth to this? As I understand it, the downloaded image is exactly the same as the official disk sent out by Toshiba....?

Quote:
If you are using 5.1 analog input and your receiver/amp doesn't have an analog bypass mode, then it may be degrading the audio signal with an extra A/D step.

Does anyone know if using the 5.1 analog inputs of the Denon AVRs bypass bass management, as well as all processing (Pro-logic, etc), and if the above statement is applicable to them (I am using an AVR2105)? Thanx!
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post #50 of 220
8/31/06 at 4:29pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

Derek, if the firmware image did not come from Toshiba, it's not an officially supported Toshiba release. Sure, it may be the same, but Toshiba will not have to support it if you run into an upgrade problem using an unsanctioned install disk.

- Steve
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post #51 of 220
8/31/06 at 5:58pm

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

That's pretty much what I thought, Steve. I'm gonna just go with optical audio for now (but I'm sure even that will still be awesome!)...
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post #52 of 220
9/1/06 at 2:18am

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

Was I supposed to change audio from Bitstream to PCM?

I seemed to have lost a bit of sound direction in the process.
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post #53 of 220
9/1/06 at 4:10am

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

I left mine at bitstream... don't we need that for regular DVD and Dolby Digital to work? PCM is a stereo-based carrier.

To get Dolby TrueHD to work, you go through the analog outs, not the digital out anyway.

- Steve
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post #54 of 220
9/1/06 at 4:34am

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

I had no idea -- and probably the reason I was unsatisfied with
the audio on Phantom.

Now, you need to go with ANALOG outs?! Does that mean
not using coxial or toslink outputs?
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post #55 of 220
9/1/06 at 5:23am

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

Ron,

As I understand it, to get the DD True HD 5.1 or whatever it is called, you would need to use the 5.1 analog out of the player into your amplifier. Using the toslink or coax results in a down rezzed bitstream signal being sentto your amp via DTS encoding. The reason for this is that you need the HD A1 to do the decoding of the True HD signal, your amplifier (no ones amp at this stage) is not capable of decoding the true HD signal.

Hope that helps.

Dave
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post #56 of 220
9/1/06 at 5:50am

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

Dave is correct. You use the internal decoder in the HD-A1 for Dolby Digital + and Dolby TrueHD audio, which it sends to its 5.1 analog outputs/HDMI output. If you're using a digital output on the Toshiba for these formats then they're being TRANSCODED to a format (DTS I believe) your reciever/processor can handle and then output to the optical/coax digital out. Not an ideal situation. In addition, unless you've applied the v2.0 firmware to your HD-A1, you'll only get 2 channel output from TrueHD. The new firmware enables full 5.1 TrueHD.
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post #57 of 220
9/1/06 at 5:52am

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

I think I'll just switch back to bitsream and use normal 5.1
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post #58 of 220
9/1/06 at 6:14am

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

Bitstream is the way to go for DVD.

Bitstream will limit you to full-bitrate DTS sound on HD DVD. Everything will be converted to DTS sound on playback of an HD DVD.

The only way to get unfettered Dolby Digital Plus or Dolby True HD, barring an HDMI connection, is via the discrete 5.1 outs of the Toshiba and the discrete 5.1 ins of your receiver. It is the same principle as connecting high-resolution audio from an SACD or DVD-Audio player--you use the discrete 5.1 connections.

- Steve
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post #59 of 220
9/1/06 at 6:20am

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

the analog outs provide amazing sound listening to DD+ but true hd is better if only slightly.

do it ron you'll like
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post #60 of 220
9/1/06 at 9:15am

Re: HD DVD Firmware Update now available on Toshiba website. Now version 2.0!!!

What a waste of hype, the whole video/audio in one cable (HDMI) is. So much for simple setups with no cable rats nest, now we have to have audio switching everytime we want to play a DolbyHD disc (or SACD for BD players). Gotta love DRM.
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