Toshiba HD DVD player Owner's Thread

[bobgpsr]

Edited on 25 Aug 2006 to reflect current Official release status!

NEWS: Firmware 2.0 was officially released today (25 Aug 2006 ~6:12am EDT) for internet connected player update. Toshiba player owners (RCA may take a couple more days) can get this update over the internet using the player's ethernet connection. The major thing it does is add 5.1 Dolby TrueHD decode, fixed the 720p output and has improved error recovery.

-------------- from: http://www.tacp.com/dvd/product.asp?model=hd-a1 ---------------

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

Firmware Update Version: 2.0

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:

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 30 minutes to download and install.
PLEASE DO NOT TURN OFF THE POWER TO YOUR PLAYER during the update process. Doing so could cause the player to malfunction.
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.
PLEASE DO NOT TURN OFF THE POWER TO YOUR PLAYER during the update process. Doing so could cause the player to malfunction.
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:

Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. What does this update do?

A1. This update adds some new features (extended support for Dolby True HD® and some network connectivity features). It also addresses some problems Toshiba has identified with HDMI/DVI connectivity and disc playback.

Q2. What are the added Dolby True HD features?

A2. Support for Dolby True HD is extended from two channels to 5.1, which will be available in full resolution on the HDMI and analog 5.1 outputs and down-mixed to a DTS bit stream on the SPDIF output.

Q3. What are the network enhancements?

A3. To help support anticipated future content from HD DVD disc publishers, support is added to accept or deny "cookies" (similar to internet browser cookies) and to specify the bandwidth available from the user's internet service.

Q4. 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?

A4. 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.

Q5. 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?

A5. 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.

Q6. When I hook up my HD DVD player to a monitor using the HDMI connection I hear a high frequency noise from the monitor when I switch on the HD DVD player's power. Does the new firmware address this issue?

A6. This firmware update, which includes material from prior updates, addresses the issue. Should you continue to experience problems, please contact Toshiba Customer Solutions at (800) 319-6684.

Q7. Do I need to install prior updates before installing the current update?

A7. No. The current update includes all of the prior updates.

Bob

[Tommy]

Well I was gonna wait a bit before jumping into the hd-dvd players but b-day is this week and the wife was still searching for something to get me when she decided on this yesterday. Unfortunately we went to about 4-5 different stores to get it and no one had it in stock.

We even called and specifically asked if it was in stock before going to these stores. Needless to say I was driving to some of the places that were 30 minutes away just to find some guy saying, Oh I must have misunderstood you...
And of course then the wife gets mad at me for embarrassing her when I dress these people down.

Another thing that really gets my goat is all these stores wanting to pay for things that they don’t actually have. Really now if I wanted to order it, I didnt need to come to the store then. How bout you stock the items that you want to sell so that when a customer hands you money they can actually leave with it.

Anyway now that I would like to order the hd-dvd, I don’t trust any of the places online that say "In Stock".

Does anyone know a reputable store that actually has it and will send it out immediately? I'm having company next Saturday and would like to have it before then.

[bobgpsr]

Value Electronics seems to have the most reliable stock and a very good reputation. They will ship out of NYC a HD-A1 for $499 with free shipping and two HD DVD's of your choice.

http://www.valueelectronics.com/avstc.htm

Sears is also now supposed to have them in stock. They likey would have to ship from their warehouse to your local store for pickup.

Good Luck!
Bob

[Tommy]

Thanks Bob

[Sonnie]

I'm not seeing the $300 difference between the two models.

Bob... why did you choose the XA1?

[bobgpsr]

Sonnie wrote:

I'm not seeing the $300 difference between the two models.

Bob... why did you choose the XA1?

Availability! I had a HD-A1 on order (March 27th) that did not get fullfilled till last week (a good price though). And I thought that I might play with the XA1's RS232 control input. I've now run both units and the perfomance is the same . I'm giving the A1 to my adult son as a birthday present

Bob

[Tommy]

I asked someone else about the difference and he said it was just a better remote and the unit size was smaller.

[Sonnie]

Cool... I think I'm gonna go ahead and drop 500 bucks with Robert at VE and get the free shipping and 2 free HD-DVD's. Unless you guys know of somewhere to save a tad. I was hoping my Toshiba rep was going to tell me they were going to offer them but no such luck yet. It would have been nice to get one at dealer cost.

[Tommy]

I think thats a good deal. Everywhere I've seen it, it was the same price. Mine didnt come with the 2 free hd-dvd's though. It gives a month to netflix's however.

[Tommy]

I just tried watching a brand new HD-DVD, about the 2nd one in a row and was experiencing problems with it freezing up during the movie. Not sure if it was the player of the new hd-dvd disk.

Also I kept restarting the movie and using the fast forward button to skip scenes to get back to where it froze. Apparently (not always) but when you use the fast forward button it can cause the audio to get out of sync with the video. It was off by about 5 seconds, it made it unbearable.

[bobgpsr]

Some player problem fix possibilities:

1. The player can get confused with too many, too rapid, commands by the remote control. This problem is especially bad with the original 1.0 firmware.

2. Somehow your player still has the original 1.0 firmware which for about 30% of the players had problems with reading certain disks. The 1.2 firmware fixed most people's problems. What is curious is the high percentage of users that did not have problems. Some of us suspect a difference in the alignment/sensistivty of the internal NEC drive. The new firmware may have opened up things for tracking and has better error correction. To check your version go to Setup (button under remote sliding cover) / General / Maintainence / Update (IIRC) and check the displayed version. The first number should be 1.2 If it is and you still have problems likely the best bet is to exchange the player.

3. Some report laser pickup was dirty and a DVD laser cleaner (Philips ?) solved their problems.

4. Some report cleaning the HD DVD disc solved the problem. But a few have reported getting heavily scratched discs (loose in container) that played fine (with their problem free players).

Hope this helps! I've been lucky with two problem free players.
Bob

[Tommy]

I've read the 1.2 update fixes the freeze up issues and read of some having problems with the 1.3 update. I downloaded the 1.2 firmware and will update tonight, hopefully that will solve everything.

[Tommy]

I installed the 1.2 upgrade last night. From what I read the 1.3 upgrade is only for certain hd-a1 machines and since I dont know which one, I thought it best not to jump right to that one yet.

Anyway I found the 1.2 firmware to download, burned it to a CD and installed it. The HDA1 version went from 1.0 to 1.2 after upgrade. I tried 2 disks that previously were freezing up. The HD-DVD disk that was freezing the night before is now working without any problems. The other disk which was a DVD-R of something I burned is still freezing up at the exact same points. The disk works fine in a regular dvd player.

[Sonnie]

Got my A1 installed this evening... watched Serenity, which was the only movie that has come in so far. It's one I haven't seen yet anyway, so I was excited to watch it.

Only one little glitch in the beginning... about a 1-2 second freeze. I probably need to update to 1.2.

One thing I noticed right off was that my brightness and contrast settings for the Denon 3910 do not work for the A1. While this particular movie has some dark scenes, the blacks were crushed and it was unbearable until I adjusted it. After that I thought the picture was nothing short of stunning although it may not be exactly spot on. The color looked good to me. Sound for that movie was equally impressive on the subs.

I'm wondering if AVIA and/or Video Essentials will work in 480 mode to adjust the brightness and contrast and it work okay for 1080i? I guess I could just try it and see. I hope we'll see an HD version of AVIA or VE soon.

All in all I was impressed and happy now that I went ahead and got it. I'm anxious to get the other DVDs in and see them.

[bobgpsr]

Sonnie,

Glad that it is working for you, although I am suprised that yours does not have the 1.2 firmware. Are you using HDMI audio input or analog? It can be a bit tricky getting the LFE/Sub analog out of the A1 to the right level for proper sub cal. I also am waiting to see where I can get a HD DVD calibration disk. I read that Stacy Spears of MS made his own. Hoping that Ulead will put back in HD DVD authoring in their product (they had it but removed it ).

Rumor has it that a firmware update my give us 5.1 (instead of 2.0) Dolby TrueHD (lossless) audio decode capability. I'm hoping to see a 1.4 firmware update in the next few days. It will be interesting to see what it changes/fixes. There are still a few HDMI connectivity issues with certain targets (Samsung HLS TVs, etc.) that 1.4 update is supposed to fix. 5.1 Dolby TrueHD is the big question -- in 1.4 or later?

Bob

[Sonnie]

I may have 1.2... I haven't even checked yet. I'm using the digital coaxial audio output on the A1. I haven't tried the analog yet. Sub level seemed right on though for the digital output. I'll check it later on and see what version I'm on.

Surely someone will eventually come out with a retail HD-DVD calibration disk.

[Tommy]

Sonnie wrote:

Surely someone will eventually come out with a retail HD-DVD calibration disk.

eventually...

[bobgpsr]

Shucks! It only fixes the Samsung HL-Sxxxxx TV HDMI problem.

Originally Posted by DTV TiVo Dealer
1.4 only fixes the Samsung anomaly. Nothing else is in 1.4 that is not already been fixed with 1.2

-Robert

I still expect Dolby TrueHD 5.1 to be added with a firmware upgrade. Likely sometime in July it looks like now

Bob

[Sonnie]

Hey Bob... you wrote:

Users who use PCM over HDMI or the analog outputs get the full benefit of DD+ or the current 2 channel limited (current player firmware) Dolby TrueHD.

... in another thread.

I'm using the digital coax to my Denon and have the HDMI running straight to my projector.

Should I be connecting this differently to get the most out of my player?

[Tommy]

Sonnie, have you tried calibrating it yet?

[Tommy]

Version 1.4 is now available if you connect your Tosh to the internet