New Firmware 4.0 HD-XA2/HD-XF2/HD-A20 - Page 7

Can't seem to update my XA2 via the ethernet port (internet), is this available yet?

Really! I'll have to check that out tonight.

What is SRT, and how do you know they added it? SD DVD playback looks the same to me.

I think it has something to do with subtitles.

Anyone having any issues playing Digital Video Essentials? My combos are now hit and miss on my HD-A20 with 4.0 just like with 2.7.

I get the message:

Is anyone else getting this trying to update over the internet?

The internet is still at 3.0 so if you already have that installed, you'll get the message that you're already up to date. You'll have to use the CD-R method via the link at the beginning of this thread.

I, too, would like to know the meaning of 'SRT'.

This is what I've done for previous updates to my X-A2. It worked then and you've certainly confirmed that it will work now. I shall do it soon.

With previous updates, the online version was usually available a few days later. It's been about a week now, and still no online update available. I wonder if the CD update option is all we'll get now?

Googled 'Toshiba SRT':

SRT Super Resolution Technology upconverts and enhances 480i/p and 720p input signals for a more detailed picture. Now all your DVDs and TV channels will be displayed in near High Definition picture quality.

and... where did you get that from?

Ah, well, DVD still looks the same on my XA2. Reon FTW.

I did some searching and i couldn't find anything about the firmware offering SRT. Must be someone just trying to stir things up.

Working through the ethernet port! Thank God!

Just to inform everybody:

The new 4.0 firmware (XA2, US version) is identical (binary compare) - except for the model name in the header - to the European one (XE1).
So either one will do for whatever country.

Thanks for the info! Will update ASAP

Did this improve smoothness of DVD fast forwarding, at least on the A2? I get the impression it did, but I don't watch DVD that much, so it could have been an earlier firmware update that did that.

Or maybe I'm just imagining everything.

I live in the US and have an A2 (3.0) that also said that I was up to date last night. Called thr Toshiba Rep. told me they put a hold on 4.0 to do more work. Asked if it will be 4.1 when ready he didn't know.

Hi Ron,

I just now upgraded to version 4.0 via the Ethernet connection. Everything ran without a hitch.

The only HD DVD I've viewed so far is the HD DVE calibration disc and I'm happy to report that my Black and White levels continue to remain properly calibrated. My DVI switch continues to provide a good HDMI handshake with my HD DVD player and projector.

Larry

I'm confused. Still can't get 4.0 for my A2. Called back Toshiba Rep. They are also confused. He told me some of the upper models you can program others you can't. What gives here? I guess this is there commitment to excellence they are talking about.
Larry what model do you have?
Thanks

Hi Ron,

I have the HD-XA2. In reading this thread it appears there are several versions of the 4.0 upgrade depending on the model. Perhaps Toshiba has only posted the XA2 upgrade to their servers, with the others to follow.

The HD-XA2 (and it's Onkyo clone) is the only HD DVD player that I am aware of that has picture settings that permits you to manually adjust Brightness, Contrast, and Color settings without having to adjust the display's settings.

Those folks with other HD DVD players without picture settings, who have elected not to upgrade to version 2.8 and up, would need to resort to adjusting the Brightness and Contrast settings on their displays. Hopefully those displays have the means for adjusting these setting by source device. Otherwise it would be very inconvenient to recalibrate the display for each source.

By the way, a number of knowledgeable forum members believe that, if the player suffers from sending the wrong video levels, adjusting the Brightness and Contrast does not properly correct the problem. This may be true, but my experience indicates that this workaround (prior to installing version 2.8 and up) provided Black and White levels to my untrained eyes that are indistinguishable from the Component Video connection, which never suffered from the video level problem.

I would like to reiterate what has been stated earlier, that is it appears that this incorrect video level problem manifested itself mostly for folks with HDMI to DVI connections. So if you have an HDMI to HDMI connection to your display it is very unlikely you will have a problem.

Larry

Thanks Larry, that makes complete sense. Also, I realized this thread was for the upper models from Toshiba.
Ron

Larry, so BTB and WTW appear correct with the XA2's Brightness and Contrast settings at their default positions?

Did you check to see if the "RGB Setting" or whatever it is called makes the appropriate changes when switching from "Standard" to "Enhanced"?

Thanks for being the guinea pig for us with DVI connections!

Mark

Hi Mark,

My settings under version 4.0 are identical to my settings under version 3.0. My settings are Brightness = +1, Contrast = 0. (In a previous posting I had incorrectly recollected a Contrast setting of -1.) I think I could have just as easily chosen zero for Brightness without a noticeable difference in picture quality. As you know when you are very close to being properly calibrated, it is very subjective whether to be a click away from the "ideal" setting. Therefore, for my setup I consider this upgrade to have maintained the correct video levels coming from the player since the calibrated settings are essentially at the zero default settings. (Again the +1 setting could easily been due to my projector not being professionally calibrated.)

I did not bother changing the RGB Setting to from Standard to Enhanced because it is supposed to be on Standard for Video Levels and on Enhanced for PC Levels.

Thanks for the attaboy, but there were braver guinea pigs that preceded me.

Larry

This 4.0 Update is the truth!!!!!
I have a xa2 going into my 57" Mits 1080p rear projection set via HDMI. After I updated 2.7 some of my Standard Dvd's that have alot of darkness in them such as X-men 1&2, Aliens, and even Batman Begins HD were basially unwatchable. It was as if the picture was murky and faces appear to be glowing in the dark. I actually thought it was my tv for a second. But after this Update I am well please. HUGE improvement on the picture side. The black levels are extremely well handled,no more glow in the dark faces or murkey saturated back grounds!!! Thanks toshiba. Sounds corny but i am very happy.

Mark,

I confirmed that switching between standard and enhanced does work in 4.0. All is well so far with 4.0.

Ron

So far this update is a winner for me. Discs that were problematic before and had trouble reading work fine. 24p finally works and the picture quality couldn't be better, seems like they got it right this time.

Downloading now over ethernet.....

Updated to 4.0 with NERO express. Had trouble getting an Active ISo burner to work on my xp machine. ( Had WIN 2000 before and no trouble) Had to use NERO express and after a couple of tries I got it to work. I had 2.7 on my XA2 and hadn't bothered to upgrade with the last updates, but decided to install the 4.0. Install went without a hitch. I was wondering, based on reading some of the other posts. Do you put the machine on enhanced for SD DVD's. Not sure what my machine is on at the moment, but will check after work.

I just upgraded my XA-2 to 4.0 successfully via the ethernet. Thanks to the people on this forum for the info and also big Kudos to Toshiba for contiuing to upgrade their players in spite of the death of the format.