Since the first one was not being updated (and the OP being banned), I figured I would go ahead and start off a new thread with the current firmware updates for all HD DVD players (as per a mods request a few months ago). Please send me a PM or e-mail me if a new one pops up and I don't update this post.

All North American Firmware
HD-A1/HD-XA1/HD-D1
Current Version 3.0 (NEW as of 4/24/08)


(For more info about this update please see the link posted above. The ISO is also available for download)

HD-A2/HD-XA2/HD-A20/HD-A2W/HD-D2
Current Version 2.8
http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/tacpasse...d2firmware.asp

(For more info about this update please see the link posted above. The ISO is also available for download)

HD-A3/HD-A30/HD-A35
Current Version 2.0
http://tacp.toshiba.com/tacpassets-i...-A30-1100U.zip
(Apparently boot times has decreased greatly. Nothing else known right now.)



How to make the perfect Firmware ISO Disc (Thanks to MovieMan!)

For anyone who wants to do the update via CD-R/CD-RW, this worked perfectly for me the first time (this comes from "e_professor" on AVS):

1. Download Active ISO Burner (it's free and has no spyware) (Windows Platform)

2. Follow the Instructions on the Toshiba Support Page (http://tacp.toshiba.com/tacpassets-i...ngfirmware.asp) to extract the ISO file.

3. And then follow the instructions on the Active ISO Burner Page - http://www.ntfs.com/iso_burner_free.htm


Last Updated 4/26/08

I'll be updating my A2 this weekend when I get a chance. Good to see that Toshiba made good on their 24Hz output.

Anyone know if Toshiba is considering making these players region-free for standard discs? Interested in the A20 specifically...

Sadly, according to JoshZ, it causes a second delay between image and audio.

Doubt it, but I wish some enterprising hacker would go to work on something useful like this instead of trying to crack the copy protection.

I had the same problem when running the A-20 through a Sony DG-910 receiver but NO problems when running directly to a Sony 60A3000...

Updated OP for A30 firmware update to 1.1.

Use at own risk for now. Apparently boot times has decreased according to one AVSer...but nothing else is known right now. Not sure if it works on A3 or A35.

That's odd they would decrease the loading times. Smooth move Toshiba.

Decrease...means lowering them...
Making discs boot faster...
Did I word it odd?

Regarding downloading the firmware updates: I've tried a few times to download, and it seems extremely slow to download (it downloads some then stops). Almost like the connection times out and the updates fail. Any ideas?

Is there a site on how to download the updates onto a CD-RW? I know it's supposed to be an ISO image but I'm not sure on the how or what program to use. I can't do this until I get an HDTV in a month or so, but I'm giving my sister an HD-DVD player and she already has the TV so I'd like to be able to help her get the upgrades.

Their server is getting slammed. Some patience is going to be warranted for the next couple of days...

I have some of the ISO images. PM me, and I'll help if possible.

AVS has a write-up that's pretty thorough:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=876566

Thanks for the link, found what I was looking for.

One more (probably dumb) question: Can I do this update using a regular TV or will the display only show up on an HDTV? It'd be nice if I can get the firmware updated before giving it to my sister.

Yes, no problem.

Excellent. Thanks for your help!

How do you know if you need an update?

I don't. But I don't think there's any harm in trying rather than driving the 2 hours to my sisters and finding out it needs it. Or is there harm in doing that?

I wasn't clear: I wasn't asking whether you know if you need an update. Rather, for all of us who just bought an A2, how do WE know whether we need an update? How can you tell?

Click "setup" on the remote, then select "General" -> "Maintenance" -> "Update."

That'll tell you what version you currently have running.

Ha, sorry. Read it the wrong way

And thanks clappj, I guess I needed to know that as well...

It looks like the best time to 'download' is about 7 a.m. It downloaded fast and patched itself no problem.

I just bought my A3 last week, does it already need an upgrade or am I good out of the box?

Killer, A3 has had 1 update...I have yet to do it yet.

Anyone know by chance what the upgrade is? I'm hoping I don't have issues like others who updated the A2 and had audio synch problems.