New Firmware 4.0 HD-XA2/HD-XF2/HD-A20 - Page 8

Can anyone confirm if the alleged SRT is included in the 4.0 firmware for the XA2? I am currently at a crossroads trying to decide whether to sell my XA2 or combo BH200 so any enhancements to SD DVD playback would be interesting, considering the REON is onboard already. Thanks.

SRT ?
This is a feature of a new generation of Toshiba DVD (SD) players just coming to market.
They have special processor hardware for this built in.

Why do You think, that this can be had with a simple firmware update of an older model (2006)?

See this post, reason I posted the question.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...&postcount=180

SRT has not been added to the XA2. The person who wrote that was joking. Hence the smiley.

Hi,

I believe that the original poster was merely going for a "tongue-in-cheek" remark.

Personally, if you have a decent sized HD DVD and/or DVD collection it would be a big mistake to sell your HD-XA2, it is the best HD DVD player and one of the best upconverting players available. The LG combo appears to be an good choice as a "backup" player if your HD-XA2 or your primary Blu-ray players fail.

I have always admired Toshiba for being the first to release HD players that were full-featured, well designed and reasonably priced. Nevertheless, with regard to the new "super-upconverter" I remain skeptical. This is certainly not a viable competitor to the HD formats, nor is it likely to provide a startling improvement in upconversion particularly when comparing it's performance with the Reon equipped HD-XA2. As gurkey points out, there's no chance of this new upscaling processor to be inside the HD-XA2, and for owners with an HD-XA2 there is very little incentive to be looking for a new upscaling player.

Larry

+1

Now, if would could get Toshiba to make a Blu-ray player based on the
XA2 I think many people would be happy.

Didn't Samsung just come out with a BD player with a Reon chip in it?

I know they don't have a good track record, but there is nowhere to go but up!

Mark

Josh and Larry, thanks for the civilized responses.

Am I correct, there is no way to force 24fps with the XA2?

I have a BenQ W5000 1080p DLP and it 'sees' the 1080p 24Hz signal from my PS3 without problem, but when I send it a 1080p 24Hz signal from my XA2 (settings as 'up to 1080p24'), the projector displays 60Hz.

I have downloaded v4.0, but haven't installed it. I believe I'm running v2.8. Is there anything I can do to get the XA2 to output 1080p24 so that my projector will 'see' it and display it properly?

I had a Mits HC5500 for a day or so and if I remember correctly, the XA2 also had a problem sending 1080p24 to the Mits, but I cycled the power on either the XA2 or the projector or, possibly my HDMI matrix switcher, and the projector did eventually 'see' and display properly the 1080p24 signal from the XA2.

I've tried different sequences of power on/off but nothing seems to allow the BenQ to display 1080p24 from the XA2.

Thank you for the help,
George

There is a resolution setting and a refresh setting on the XA2 setup menu with 4.0. You could try setting both to 1080P24.

Thank you xradman, I will try that after I do the update.

George

Please report your results, I am wondering the same thing.

did the 360 add on get an update?

Hi,

Yes, I'm very pleased with Toshiba's responsiveness.

As I've mentioned earlier, I question the business sense in Toshiba pursuing upconverting at the expense of a Blu-ray player. Despite the fact I tend to be an early adopter, it has been very difficult for me to jump on to Blu-ray because Toshiba has spoiled me with their HD-XA2. So far no Blu-ray player has been released that can compete with it on features and performance at any price point.

I don't think I can wait for Toshiba anymore, but yes, if they had a horse in this Blu-ray race, I would probably have put my bet on it.

Larry

Hi,

No problem.

Getting back to your situation, are you a renter of discs? If so, it might make sense to sell your players. However, if you have a collection of HD DVDs and DVDs, in my opinion, it really doesn't make sense to sell the HD-XA2 when comparing it to other currently available players.

Larry

Prefer to purchase, I rent occasionally from Xbox live MP or when getting a film that my wife wants to watch. I actually bought the combo thinking I would at least be buying Iron Man and The Dark Knight on Br but I am undecided now, especially with the issues reported with Iron Man. I bought Heroes on DVD recently and enjoyed in on my BH200, the fact it wasnt HD didnt bother me at all.

I guess I am trying to figure out if I will be buying any br discs at all in which case I dont need the combo or if I will would probably be better off selling the XA2. Just for the record I think the BH200's SD DVD performance is comparable to the XA2 so I dont thing I will be sacrificing much in that department.

Hi,

Sorry I missed your signature showing that you have colleccted 99 HD DVDs. I found your remarks regarding the LG's DVD performance to be surprising. How large is your display? Have you experienced the dropouts that I hear about in the LG combo thread? Which machine do you usually use for serious HD DVD viewing, such as when you have guests over for a movie?

Larry

I finally bought a Bluray machine. The Pioneer BDP-51fd and with HD BD's it's got all the features that the XA2 has and it looks awesome. However with SDDVD's the XA2 is still the clear winner.

Ron

Update... The new v4.0 firmware did not resolve my 1080p24 issue with my XA2 and my BenQ W5000.

However, I did take my HDMI Matrix switcher out of the mix, and the W5000 immediately synced up to 1080p24. Funny, the PS3 had no trouble nor did the XA2 sending 1080p24 to my Westy LCD.

Oh well, small price to pay to get 1080p24. My HD DVD collection is not huge, perhaps 30 or so. But, I was just watching Planet Earth and 1080p24 is definitely the only way to go. At 1080p60, you could clearly see small skips while panning, but the 1080p24 was smooth as silk.

Thanks all,
George

Hi Ron,

No doubt the Pioneer if a fine player, but it does not have quite the same features. It's not a profile 2.0 player and therefore can't download additional content via Ethernet, nor can it install firmware updates via Ethernet.

Larry

I have no interest in BD live nor did I ever have my XA2 hooked up to the internet. BD live stuff like movie extras download will only be available for a limited time frame anyway. A year or so after the release of the movie you will not be able to get the info any more. There is enough extras on the disc already. I am interested in the picture quality of the movie. The Pio has the same noise reduction stuff as the XA2 which I only use with bad DVD's on my XA2 so they are great for DVD. I'll never use the Pio for DVD. I'll probably never use the NR with BD. So for me it's a great player for BD movie playback. To each his own.

Hi Ron,

Yes, I agree to each his own, and not everyone shares an interest in downloadable extra content. Nevertheless, the Pioneer lacks this feature, and I still stand by my statement, "So far no Blu-ray player has been released that can compete with it (the HD-XA2) on features and performance at any price point."

Larry

Well, I love my XA2, but my ps3 has been kick ass, too. A bit of duct tape, and you've got the perfect combo player

has anybody tested sub output level for analog out? Thanks so much, guys.

Larry/Ron:

I am also very pleased with my Pio 51FD for blu-ray. Ron, I share your opinion regarding SD DVD playback - I always use my XA2. Now back on topic:

It seems I have waited long enough and will update my XA2 to 4.0. This firmware update was totaly unexpected on my part. Good work Toshiba!

So, is it safe to upgrade to 4.0 if I'm currently using 2.7 and running 24P to my Pioneer Kuro? Did 4.0 correct the issues in 2.8 and 3.0 on movies like the Transformers? Thanks.

It would be nice if people would just write in regards to 4.0 and if its worth updating to the new firmware.

Thanks

That's what I'm waiting for also. There have been so many problems with 2.8 and 3.0. I want to be sure before I upgrade.

Josh,

Have you been able to put 4.0 through its paces on your XA2? I'm really interested in hearing what you have to say about this latest update.

What exactly are you looking for? I've read replies that it fixes the jaggies on 1080p/24, other disc play fine that didn't work before. So what other evidence do you need?

FWIW, I've updated both my A2 and A35 and have absolutely no problems.