What's the deal with Dreamworks and HD DVD? I know Paramount acquired them, but I'm basically asking to see what, if any, plans exist for Over the Hedge on HD. If anyone has any info, I'd be delighted to read it.

If you are talking about a change (for the worse) occurring when you went from 1.4 to 2.0, that is entirely possible. 2.0 changed a number of aspects of the way the data stream is processed after it is read from the disc, and it even changed the firmware of the drive itself. It is possible that there was a latent anomaly (defect) in your player that didn't surface until you loaded 2.0 onto it.

However, if you had problems after loading 2.0, and then re-loaded the same version and noticed fewer problems, then the most likely answer must be coincidence. It is remotely possible that the first attempt to flash to 2.0 was not completely successful, but successful enough to give you a marginally functional player, but that seems highly unlikely to me. I don't know about the A1 specifically, but many flash upgrade programs check the firmware after the upgrade completes to ensure that it was successful.

Given that this these players are more like computers now than regular DVD players, isnt it possible through a number of ways that the firmware could become corrupted somehow and reinstalling the firmware could correct the issue. Like a voltage spike or something, could that somoehow corrupt software on the drive? I am trying to think of other circumstances where something could become corrupt but am not thinking of any, a voltage spike is the only thing that really comes to mind where it could damage the machine. Anyways isnt that somehwat possible. If it is software then it has the possibility of becoming corrupt and then reinstalling the software would in fact correct the problem. Just throwing out guesses here to help try and explain how reinstalling could be benificial.

PS..

While it is possible that such a thing could happen, it is rather unlikely. Plus, if something were to cause that kind of damage to the firmware, it would probably render the player inoperable, rather than introducing similar quirky behavior in more than one unit. More than a few people have reported similar kinds of problems, which is what leads me to believe that it is some kind of quality control issue on one or more of the components of the player that is to blame.

I believe Toshiba has been very open to fixing/replacing players that have been damaged or stuck by FW changes.

Yeah I am with you on this one, I was just trying to help think of something that might cause the software to become corrupt. I however dont believe that is what happened and if people are having problems with thier machine I am tending to think that its a problem with the machine itself and not a software issue. What the people should do that are having problems is actually contact Toshiba and see what they say about it. I think you would be able to find out if its at least software or hardware related. considering that other people are having the same kinds of problems you would think they have in fact dealt with these problems before. After all we really are just guessing here as nobody really has the technical qualifications to be able to figure out what exactly is going on.

I am just thankful I got lucky and grabbed the right box, actually the only box as it was the last A1 in stock at Best Buy. My machine really has run like a dream. The only problem I ever had with it was when I pressed eject too many times in a row when I first turned it on (Didnt know it took so long to power up) and the thing froze up on me. I had to reset the machine and ever since then its been perfect. I have heard on other sites that Toshiba has had a great track record so far with repairs and exchanges so that is at least a positive thing for people having problems.

PS..

Actually, my history of FW upgrades is as follows:

1. Received player with 1.3
2. Upgraded to 1.4
3. Downgraded to 1.2, because of skipping problems with 1.4. 1.2 ran flawlessly.
4. Upgraded to 2.0, but used the early, "leaked" version.
5. Reloaded 2.0 with the official disc from Toshiba. A month later (this past weekend), I had the skipping problems.
6. Flashed to 1.2.
7. Upgraded to 2.0, with the official Toshiba disc.

Perhaps it was the original double load of 2.0 that eventually caught up with me. I'm not sure.

Well, as I feared, my theory was simply a theory, and an incorrect one, to boot. Looks like I'll have to send it out for service, which royally pisses me off. If I had the money and knew the HD-A2 were defect free, I'd put in a pre-order. Alas, it appears I'm stuck with this one. Shit.

Sorry to hear that, Vipper. But if you're serious about the A2, I wouldn't hesitate to pre-order it. I seriously doubt it will have the same problems as the 1st generation units have had. Or, if you're so inclined, pick up an XBox 360 and the add-on drive. All the reports I've read about the add on so far have been spectacular.

Anyone either than Jiggawhat and me going to the HD DVD tour bus deal at the Grove next Monday/Tuesday?

I am SO disappointed about the A2 being delayed. I was looking forward to watching some HD DVDs this weekend. I have no doubt that whatever Robert is promising will help take the sting out of the delay.

Me too. I was hoping to watch some of my new HD DVDs over Thanksgiving, but now I just have useless HD discs for at least another month. However, I would be more disappointed if I had received a defective player next week. I guess I just have to be patient.

For those of you who missed the delay news, here is a link:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...63#post8888363

That news seems to have REALLY upset a lot of the AVS posters. I don't think Italy does that much w(h)ining.

Has anyone heard from Robert about the delay compensation? I'm thinking probably either an extra disc or a free extended warranty.

Should be interesting to watch what happens over the next month with BD #'s at amazon. At the moment, the top 11 HD DVD's are beating the #1 BD.

Damn, that sucks about the A2. You're that far into production and then a last minute error pops up. But I wouldn't want them to release something unless it's 100% working. I hate glitches. My 360 add-on arrives today, so I feel better about having a backup player in case my A1 acts up again. I think I will definitely get the A2, but will wait to order once they are officially out and have been tested.

This news could make the 360 add-on that much more popular. That's basically the only option for the next month. Toshiba's delay will cost them some sales as I'm sure the A2's would've been a hot item for those on the fence.

Cost them some sales???

What's their alternative? A BD player that's double the cost? Please.

MOD NOTE: Hey, leave the BD remarks out of here! -namja

No word from Robert yet. Another free disc would be freaking sweet, Perhaps he's got a deal on a different model of player. We'll see.

Yeah, like someone walks into Store A and asks if they have the Toshiba A2 in stock and they are told no they aren't. So they leave. That's a missed opportunity for a sale. This is the time where most would likely spend $500 for a player, so yeah, it's a missed sale. Not having players during the prime shopping season is a big mistake on Toshiba's part.

Unless you work for Toshiba, I don't understand why anyone would get so defensive about it. But you get defensive about any negativity towards HD DVD.

And so they go online and order an A1. Or they wait for the A2...unless they're impatient like you.

If I'm defensive about HD DVD, it's because I don't want inconsistant extra-less crap like BD to become the standard.

Woohoo. I'm defensive and your impatient. Did i miss anything?

MOD NOTE: ygm. -namja

I am not quite as "Sky is falling" as some on AVS, but this is a bad thing for HD DVD. However, the "dumb move" points are still overwhelmingly in BD's favor.

To be honest, I don't think there were many J6P's clamouring for either format at the moment so a delay of a month isn't going to kill anyone. They can still have it under the tree for Christmas. And let's face it, this doesn't have the interest-factor of, say, the PS3. The people who wanted the A2 and have already pre-ordered it will keep their pre-order and wait...or cancel and get an A1. Either way, I don't see it hurting badly enough for people to buy into BD. What will it really do??

Yes, it will cost sales. People buy far more of this stuff during the holiday shopping bonanza. Now Tosh won't have as many units on shelves, and people won't wait til after 12/25. That's just a simple fact of the USA marketplace. There are many sales that either happen in the next 6 weeks, or not at all.

Consumers may not jump to BD, that is not the only competitor. At this time of year, everything is a competitor. DVD, BD, clothes, games, trips, bedding, dining room table....

No one is saying it won't be out by christmas. At the moment, it will be. And from what I was told, stock will be plentiful.

And as long as they don't jump to BD, IMHO it doesn't mean much in terms of "the war."