HD DVD 2.0 Firmware (Officially released); enables TrueHD 5.1

**Tommy** · **08-11-06, 12:40 PM**

HD DVD 2.0 firmware soon; enables TrueHD 5.1

**Sonnie** · **08-11-06, 05:31 PM**

Cool beans.... but my HDMI doesn't pass audio...

**bobgpsr** · **08-11-06, 08:27 PM**

Another sighting version 1.95 (beta 2.0) in this thread:

http://www.hometheaterspot.com/htsth...e/0#Post806674

Bob

**Tommy** · **08-12-06, 11:15 AM**

Quote:

bobgpsr wrote:

Another sighting version 1.95 (beta 2.0) in this thread:

http://www.hometheaterspot.com/htsth...e/0#Post806674

Bob

That article just points back to the HDBeat article as the source....

**bobgpsr** · **08-12-06, 12:24 PM**

Quote:

Tommy wrote:

That article just points back to the HDBeat article as the source....

Keep reading, esp starting at post "#806850 - 08/11/06 09:08 AM"

**Tommy** · **08-12-06, 12:28 PM**

Quote:

bobgpsr wrote:

Keep reading, esp starting at post "#806850 - 08/11/06 09:08 AM"

Oh, I thought you were refering to the linked article in the first post

**bobgpsr** · **08-12-06, 12:36 PM**

Quote:

Tommy wrote:

Oh, I thought you were refering to the linked article in the first post

Sorry I don't know how to link to an individual post on the Spot. Funky UBB.threads software.

Bob

**bobgpsr** · **08-17-06, 11:45 AM**

August 22, 2006 is the on or about date for the new 2.0 Toshiba firmware update. Supposed to add 5.1 Dolby TrueHD decode (previously only did 2 channel).

From a post by Robert George on AVS. http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&&#post8226809

Bob

**Tommy** · **08-17-06, 12:06 PM**

Excellent!!!!

**bobgpsr** · **08-23-06, 11:07 AM**

It (the version 2.0 firmware which supports TrueHD) is now unofficially (leaked) out and users have burnt this Nero image to a CD-R, successfully updated, and are now enjoying 5.1 Dolby TrueHD.

This morning at 7:46 am CDT from:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&&#post8266704

Quote:

umm wrote:

found this link on usenet:

rapidshare.de/files/30453167/2.0firmware.nrg.html

This thread title has been edited to show that it is leaked out.

Bob

**bobgpsr** · **08-23-06, 12:21 PM**

Reports also say the new 2.0 firmware fixes the 720p output issue (previously had poor resolution). So HDMI output direct to a 720p display can now use the Toshiba HD DVD player's scaler. No longer have to do 1080i output and make the display do the 720p downconversion.

Bob

**bobgpsr** · **08-23-06, 01:34 PM**

It has now been shown to decode 5.1 DTS-HD (but is it "core" or lossless Master Audio? We don't know yet.

).

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&&#post8268976

Bob

**bobgpsr** · **08-23-06, 02:00 PM**

Amir from MS has said today that the official version of 2.0 firmware should be out in a couple of days.

Some speculate that it might have been Toshiba

who leaked the firmware to the German download site. A bit more massive last minute

testing by

geeks?

**bobgpsr** · **08-24-06, 07:08 AM**

Well I guess I'm one of those volunteer Gamma testing

geeks. Last night downloaded the leaked update,(the 495th person to do so) and burnt a CD-R using Nero with no problems. The player update took less than 5 minutes.

Went through the Setup after powering up again and noticed/set the following two new menu items:

internet connection speed
cookie option (left it on the default on).

My careful calibrated audio analog levels and speaker distances survived the update.

Played and very much enjoyed POTO in 5.1 TrueHD!

Is it really a lot better? Only a double blind test can really give a valid answer. But it made me smile!

Superb picture quality and very clear sound. Possibly 4 more audio bits of resolution (go up to 20 bit / 48 kHz instead of the current studio HD DVD practice of 16/48 on TrueHD) might make a subtile improvement.

Bob

**Tommy** · **08-24-06, 07:23 AM**

I've read that PQ has even improved with the new firmware update, Bob can you confirm this? Also what type of connections are you using for audio?

I have the single (I think it is digital something) wire running from the player to the receiver.

What other improvements have you noticed? Also have you noticed any disadvantages with the new firmware?

My HD is still hooked up to my plasma tv (no surround sound) till the HT room is done, so I guess I wont worry about the new audio options yet

**Sonnie** · **08-24-06, 07:25 AM**

Sounds like it went smooth.

Is the 5.1 TrueHD only passed via HDMI?

**bobgpsr** · **08-24-06, 07:58 AM**

Quote:

Sonnie wrote:

Sounds like it went smooth.

Is the 5.1 TrueHD only passed via HDMI?

The decoded 5.1 TrueHD audio goes out of the player the same way all decoded audio (i.e. DD+) has always done. It works with linear PCM via HDMI, with the 5.1 analog outputs, and even with the re-encode to 1.5Mbps DTS sent via S/PDIF.

Using the HDMI or analog outputs is better in that the "re-encode to DTS" is a lossy process and limits the ultimate sound quality.

The linear PCM via HDMI (if your AVR/Pre-Pro supports it) has the advantage that you can use the DSP functions in your AVR/Pre-Pro, for instance apply DD PLIIx to 5.1 audio to drive the rear surrounds in a 7.1 system. A very few high end systems have the option of digitizing the 5.1 analog inputs and doing the same (the Sherwood preamp is one IIRC).

Bob

**bobgpsr** · **08-24-06, 08:11 AM**

Quote:

Tommy wrote:

I've read that PQ has even improved with the new firmware update, Bob can you confirm this? Also what type of connections are you using for audio?

I have the single (I think it is digital something) wire running from the player to the receiver.

What other improvements have you noticed? Also have you noticed any disadvantages with the new firmware?...

I'm using the 5.1 analog outputs for audio and 1080i component for video to my 1080p 37" LCD display. I only re-watched POTO last night and the video was superb. Better than before? Hard to say. but none of the issues people have had with the video via HDMI or DVI have ever been a problem with component connection (no color space or BTB/WTW issues ever for component). My HDMI connector on my 37" LCD disply is broken.

The single S/PDIF connection you are using is not the most optimum for the new HD DVD audio codecs. It works -- but when you finally set it up in your new theater you should use HDMI or analog to get the full quality benefit.

Power up and disc play from open tray times seem to be the same for me (around 40 sec each). Response quickness to player menu selection button pushes seem to be good. Nothing worse or broken that I've noticed so far.

Bob

**bobgpsr** · **08-25-06, 08:19 AM**

The official release is out for internet connected player update except that the RCA version may take a couple more days. See post: http://www.hometheatershack.com/foru....html#post4385 for more info.

Bob

**bobgpsr** · **08-29-06, 06:28 PM**

Oh and before I forget -- Everybody! -- DO NOT HAVE A DISC IN THE TRAY when you do an ethernet update of the Toshiba or RCA HD DVD player's firmware. It you do you may "brick" your player.

Bob

**bobgpsr** · **09-25-06, 07:54 PM**

I got part # HDVD2001 update disc in the mail today (with the correct instructions for use). Nice to have, but not critical since I did firmware 2.0 updates twice. Once with leaked, and (after reverting all the way down to 1.3 fw) again via ethernet. I'll wait for the next update (hopefully with dts-HD Master Audio lossless

).

Bob

**Tommy** · **09-25-06, 09:59 PM**

Quote:

bobgpsr wrote:

I got part # HDVD2001 update disc in the mail today (with the correct instructions for use). Nice to have, but not critical since I did firmware 2.0 updates twice. Once with leaked, and (after reverting all the way down to 1.3 fw) again via ethernet. I'll wait for the next update (hopefully with dts-HD Master Audio lossless

).

Bob

Bob,

huh? I thought you could not back off 2.0 once it was installed? Or is that what you are saying by twice, that you had to put 2.0 on a second time because it would not work when you reverted?

Anyway what problems were you having with 2.0 that you backed it down anyway?

Also how much of a difference do you think DTS-HD is going to make above TrueHD?

Good to hear the disks are out though, just in time for me... The only issues I've heard of are with DVI to HDMI and I'm not using DVI.

**bobgpsr** · **09-26-06, 08:07 AM**

Quote:

Tommy wrote:

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