Firmware 4.0 available for A-3, A-30, and A-35 - Page 7

That's a good point I forgot to test. I had the volume muted and just left it at the default soundtrack. I'll try again tonight with TrueHD selected.


That's quite all right.

I've got a working non-Combo copy already (came with the A35). I keep the Combo around to check to see if new firmwares fix the glitches.

I don't even like the movie, and certainly don't need multiple copies of it.

So it seems v1.3 is still the best FW for my A35 and 48/96Hz-capable Pana broadcast display combo, right?

I was going to ask the same thing. Is the consensus to stay with v1.3 for the A35?

As it relates to the Tosh players, probably not much in that their system is upconverting 48kHz to 96 when HD DVDs are internally decoded. It seems a bit "cleaner" to my ears (and I do mean a bit), but I can't say with any certainty that the result is based on any real-world facts or if its a placebo effect. (Besides, for me the subject is moot as I bitstream from the A35). But, as the player's manual indicates, volume output could be adversely affected depending upon your audio settings. I'd suggest perusing the Tosh players threads (the one specifically for your model), as you'll find a wealth of information on the subject there.

I'd say it depends on your requirements or setup. If 1080/24p is important to you, then you probably ought to abstain. But if you're okay with a straight 1080i output and/or if your display or video processor/display combo converts to 1080/24 or -60p properly, then updating will probably afford you a bit more overall system stability. You'll have to weigh the two. For me, the increased stability made it worth while to eschew 1080/24p for the time being.

I have run 1080p/60 into my Integra 9.8 successfully through all the upgrades with nary a glitch or complaint. Compared to my XA2 and Sony BD300 both of which failed in one way or another, this thing is a dream. The video passes through to my Optoma HD81-LV set for Native.

I'm running the A35 via HDMI into my Denon AVP-A1HDCI. Then I have the Denon via HDMI into a Pioneer PRO-150FD (which I sold and am waiting on the PRO-151FD) I've always had the A35 set at 1080/24p. I wonder if my best bet is to stay with v1.3? Besides, I can't find the 2.0 update disc.

I am getting a Panasonic PZ800 which supports native 24P to go with my A35. Based on what I've read so far regarding the FWs, it seems that up to fw 2.7 1080/24P did not introduce jaggies on AVC encoded discs. Is that correct?
I did see that some people feel that 3.0 either corrected or reduced this issue..but there doesn't seem to be a consensus.

I have ISOs for FW 2.0 and 3.0 but I can't find 2.7 anywhere.
Can anyone point me to where I could get it?

When I go to the "Update" screen on my A35, the FW is listed as 2.0/1.1.
Does this mean I'm at 2.0 and the machine's original was 1.1????

Thanks!

There was no 2.7 for the A35...2.0 is the version you have now...Not good for 1080p/24 from what I've read...

OK so, strangely, I restarted 300 from the beginning tonight with TrueHD audio selected, and this time the whole movie played without issue.

Maybe last night's freeze was an anamoly? I guess I won't know for sure until I watch some more movies.

Agreed. 1.3 is perfect for 1080/24p and the last 2 versions have f'd this up.

I just got my HD-A30 and watched Transformers with no issues a few days ago. I am trying to watch coming to america though and have twice gotten error code: 408bc504 mid-play. Will the firmware help fix that problem? (I don't even know what the code means to be honest)

Yes. But you don't mention what FW you currently have. Each of the firmware upgrades have improved playback errors.

After upgrading to 3.0 on my A30, I haven't had any problems. Just to be on the safe side, clear your storage after you upgrade. That fixed some minor disc problems I had.

I honestly don't know what FW I have. I assumed 1.3 because I just got it. Not sure how to check.

Well, I updated my A3 to 3.0 last night after reading this thread. It promptly locked up during We Were Soldiers, just past an hour into the movie. I restarted & reinstalled the disc and finished the movie, but that's unacceptable. I'm really starting to hate this thing (second one, Toshiba replaced the first one for the same issues). I'm considering returning it yet again, but is the next one going to be any better, or will I just be out the shipping charges, again?

Did you try clearing the persistant storage in the maintenence menu?

RTFM

Read the manual.

Boggles the mind that they wouldn't fix the jaggies in a FW update. You know, I was singing the Toshiba praises when HD DVD first came out and I got my HD-A1. It may not have 1080p but with every firmware update that player got more and more solid. I loved that thing (well, I still have it boxed up as a backup player). With my A35 it seems the opposite... it's absolutely ridiculous that I have to stick 2 firmware revisions behind just so I don't get appalling video artifacts on certain titles.

I guess you could say my Toshiba brand loyalty is all but gone and I can't see myself ever purchasing another Toshiba product.

It didn't come with a manual.

(Yes I know I can look up the manual online).

So...I repeat...read the manual.

Oh please...

People seem to take this stuff seriously, don't they?

With some trepidation, I upgraded my A35. I don't have a 24fps display (I have an Aquos D64U) so the jaggies problem wouldn't affect me.

I did an upgrade from 1.3 to 2.0 and then 2.0 to 3.0. Prior to that, I had issues with Ethernet connectivity (wireless bridge, wired, DHCP or set IP) that I thought was a hardware problem. The firmware upgrade fixed my Ethernet connectivity.

I'm also now able to play through discs with no glitches for Children of Men, Smokin Aces and some 3xDVD that I had issues with.

I haven't went through all the other discs I had issues with (PE Disc 2, Twister) but as Josh mentioned playback of discs is more stable.

Anyone care to mention which discs (other than Transformers) exhibit the "dreaded jaggies" problem?

I have upgraded from 2.0 to 3.0 firmware on an A35 and cannot see any problems with Sleepy Hollow (AVC) or Shrek 3 (VC1). I have a 1080/24 capable display and the appropriate settings are switched on in the A35.

Disc load times have improved since updating.

Transformers is one. It's especially apparent at the beginning of the chapter where they are at the Pentagon, on the text on the screen and the edges of the Pentagon building, and on the hard lines inside the Pentagon on the screens, etc. after that.

Thanks for reading my post.

Funny...

The problem exhibits itself rather clearly on AVC-encoded titles such as, of course, Transformers, along with Next, Babel, Blades of Glory, Disturbia, Payback, etc. Since Shrek 3 has a VC-1 encode, the 1080/24p jaggies issue won't manifest itself on that title. Look for scenes with lots of lines--both horizontal and vertical--along with camera pans over those lines. (Think: the Vatican scene in Mission Impossible III; lots of stair steps and barrier walls, and its a scene that can pose a challenge even to the best of de-interlacers.) The reason Transformers Chapter 5 is used so often as an example is because of the lines on the Bumblebee car. (The helicopter shot in the opening desert scene is another example.)