CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[WanMan]

Aside from the natural concerns of upgrading firmware (doing it directly by player-to-Internet, burning disk, etc.), are there certain aspects contained with the firmware upgrades that CRTers probably would prefer not to see in their players?

For instance, I thought someone had mentioned to me that one of the Toshiba HD-A2 firmware upgrade features coming down the pipe would counter one's ability to use devices like DA converters (e.g. HD Fury, etc.), or third party HDMI switchers.

Now, I've not done any research, but I wondered if anyone else is more up on this facet of the firmware upgrade conditions. I have not, for the record, upgraded the firmware on my Toshiba HD-A2, but I have once on the Sony PS3 (203 months ago) and most recently the Samsung BD-P1400 (fixed the audio sync problem I experienced with the 5E).

[Jenkins425]

Wan Man,
I have recently (last week) upgraded the firmware on the HD-AX1 with no ill side effects.
I am currently using the FC4 (HDMI to Component converter) but I did try the HD Fury as well and they worked like a charm.
Keep in mind that I am currently using a DLP projector but hopefully the outcome is relative.

[paw]

Just don't be the first to try out new firmware. Let someone else live on the bleeding edge. That way, if a newer version of firmware removes a feature you need, you just don't upgrade. The Zeith DVB318 DVD player was an example. Older firmware versions allowed up converting over component but later versions removed this ability. Just think of firmware as coming from Microsoft. You never want to be the 1st one to try a new version. Wait for at least SP1.

[GEBrown]

I agree with everything PAW said.

There are dedicated threads for each player/update version over on AVS (HD-DVD Player forum) where you can read people's experiences first.

FWIW, I never had any problem updating my HD-A1 over the Internet. I recently upgraded to an HD-A35 and have updated it once over the Internet with no problem.

From reading the threads though, there are clearly some people who have trouble with the updates, whether they do them via disc or internet. I've got a feeling there is just something wrong with some of the individual players. You won't know if you have one of them (the "troubled" ones) until you try. Sorry to put that thought in your head, but wanted to be complete.

I think the vast majority of people have no problems with the updates.

[zaphod]

yeah, i'm at 2.7 for my A20 and no feature loss yet, and the HDfury still works. although occasionally the HDfury won't see any signal from the toshiba. i reboot (turn off and then on again) and usually have better luck the second time. this has been an ongoing problem for 2 or three firware revs.

[jkruger]

Isn't it possible to do all the firmware upgrades from disc and if one of them removes a desired function just reload the previous version? I think it might be wise to save all the current versions in case they do away with capabilities that we want to keep.

[zaphod]

depends on how the firmware rev function is written. if it is written to recoginize a fw rev ISO and then apply it (with confirmation) after a match to the hw is detected then you are good to go.

if it is written to recognize a fw rev ISO and then apply it (with confirmation) after a match to hw AND a lower fw rev is detected then you are not so lucky.

or it could completly kibble your machine.

try it. let us know how it goes for you

[WanMan]

Well, I am glad I updated on the Samsung BD-P1400 as it fixed an issue. I also did a firmware update a couple of months back on the PS3. If either one of them introduced something bad I am blissfully ignorant. As for the Toshiba HD-A2 I have not updated anything yet.