OFFICIAL Toshiba firmware update thread: 2.0 and or CD is here! - Page 106

I truly do not remember what one can do about your brother's
situation - but I know the answer is somewhere in the 107 pages
of this thread. Keep Searching.

I don't think the only solution is send it back.

But I could be wrong.

Stan,

Have you tried updating the firmware with a burned CD?

Otherwise, I think I'd keep calling Toshiba. Maybe you'll reach a CSR that'll agree to fix it at no cost. Considering that their documentation didn't warn you not to have a DVD in the machine, I think they're responsible too.

Be sure you go all the way up the food chain asking for supervisors or managers. This is clearly a bug in their software which caused the issue and there's no way you should have to pay to fix it.

I would personally call them up again, and tell them that it's RIDICULOUS that anyone should have to pay for labor on a $500 8 month old machine.
If they balk, ask to speak to someone higher up the food chain.

I don't know how anyone can still engage in punditry for the 2.0 firmware "upgrade" without issuing a warning to people. Don't these sad horror stories give some of the "advocates" of "upgrading" enough cause? If it worked for you - GREAT! That doesn't mean someone else doesn't deserve a word of caution from you. That's called friendship.

Upgrade to 2.0 at your own risk. Mine came with 1.4......works perfectly..........If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Toshiba is NOT going to issue another firmware update now that new models are out. Firmware 2.0 was the last travesty spewed upon their customers for the HD-A1 series. And judging by the last few posts no one is getting any sympathy from Toshiba either for their poorly engineered firmware that they beta tested on the public. Caveat Emptor I guess.

John

Thanks for your feedback, Everyone!

I understand about upgrading firmware at my own risk, but some newer discs wouldn't play on my machine until I upgraded to 2.0 (Miami Vice, King Kong). When my brother got the same error code that I got for Lady in the Water, he decided to upgrade his firmware. Unfortunately, instead of calling me, he went according to the manual.

Thanks again,
Stan

I am thrilled that both of my machines upgraded to 2.0 with no problems at all........ it was imperative for me because my AVR for some silly reason forces the HD-DVD player to only output my DVI equipped projectors primary display frequency of 720p. The firmware before 2.0 looked horrible at 720p forcing me to use Component instead.

What horror stories?

The current discussion has absolutely NOTHING to do with 2.0. If you upgraded to any version with a disc in the tray you were toast. I'm sorry you had trouble, but, I think you put way too much emphasis on your own experience. Yes, any upgrade such as this needs to be done carefully and with forethought. However, the vast majority of people who have upgraded have had no issues and better features because of it.

Stan,

Same thing happend to me on my brand new XA1. I tried to upgrade the FW2.0 with a Burn CD inside and using the setup key to update. The Unit froze. I call the Rep and they told me since I had an unoffical ver inside the Warranty is VOID.
It will cost me $169 to fix it. They spend no time to see if they can trouble shoot the unit. I told them let me think first. This is a brand New Unit just open from a Box. I got this from the VE. So I tried unplugging the AC and wait for 5 min nothing happend. Then I thought of how can I take that CD out. I saw a small pin size hole just below where the DVD goes inside so I push a Pin in the hole and it opens the DVD Door and my CD came out. Now I put the AC again and it came up fine. Looks like toshiba software some how locks/freeze the Unit when it sees something is not right. Then I hook up the LAN CAT5 cable to the back of the reciever and download the 2.0 via Ethernet.
Were you also trying the Ethernet Route and the DVD was inside. Is you DVD still stuck inside. Actually after the upgrade I played the Lady in Water and it played fine in HD.
I hope this works for you.

Thanks for posting your comments. I have never had this problem but
I did remember reading somewhere in this thread MONTHS and MONTHS
ago - that is was fixable without Toshiba's Help. Hopefully Stan will get
his working with your help.

Wow!

Thanks for your help. I am going to give this a try.

Stan

Stan please report back on your progress..............

If this fixes the problem this is something we all need to remember as I am sure there will be folks that suffer from this problem until Toshiba puts this warning in the owners manual... and probably still then 'cause folks who buy a used one will get the old manual........

On My XA1 the Manual dont say any warning but Toshiba did send few loose pages to look for these kind of issues. Most of the time people forget to read those loose pages and i am one of them.

If you read my post (s) you would know that I didn't have trouble because I never took the risk. My player came with 1.4 and I kept 1.4

A simple search would reveal the "horror stories" and as the poster said above, he knew the risks and decided to "upgrade" anyway. I have no problem with that as long as people aren't telling others irresponsible things like, "It worked for ME, therefore it will work for you". The simple search does NOT pinpoint any particular pattern for the failures. Many just happen for no apparent reason other than the firmware was not ready for primetime. So if others are aware that there is some risk, then at least we did the right thing in warning them first if they decide to do it anyway. At least they weren't sold a bill of goods first.

John

Thanks for posting that for people. $169? "Unofficial version". I sent in the postcard for the "official version" and they never sent it to me - not that I actually want it. Toshiba is really remiss with this entire thing regarding the firmware and as I said above they aren't going to release another one.

John

Hello, everyone!

Well, I got the disc out using the instructions above, so that's something, but the player is still stuck at welcome screen. To clarify, the update was done with ethernet, but my brother didn't take his hd dvd out. So unless someone has any other ideas, it seems I am out of options.

Stan

A simple search for what? I got the following results:

Searched on "Frozen":

7 results. All references to the same user so one actual occurence of the problem.

Searched on "Hung":

0 results

Searched on "Hang":

4 results. One referring to a phone conversation, the other three referencing the same user who's unit hung up without ever performing an update on it.

Searched on "Crash":

2 results. Both referring to the same user who had a disc in the drive when performing the network update. He solved the problem as noted above.

Searched on "Froze":

13 results. Two were duplicates of the above solved problem. Three were the current issue we're talking about here (which, hopefully, is going to be solved the same way) and the rest were all discussing stuttering or freezing up of playback on all different versions of the FW (1.0, 1.2, 1.4 and 2.0).

So, out of over 3,000 posts in this thread there has been one bona-fide instance of a user reporting his unit froze up after updating to 2.0 without being the known issue of having a disc in the drive. There were two people who reported their unit froze up all on its own without performing an update.

If those are the "horror stories" then I think they need to be put in perspective. Are there risks. Yes, I guess so. But they appear to be in line with the risk of simply turning the player on each day or of your house taking a lightening strike. Therefore, if someone wants TrueHD capability and/or the ability to play the newer discs that require 2.0, I wouldn't have a lot of trouble with a recommendation to upgrade. But, that's just me - out on the wild side...

YOU DID the POWER OFF - CORD OUT OF THE WALL - 5 minutes.

It stays on even when you use the power button.

If I missed anyone trying this earlier, I appologize. I updated mine via ethernet with a disc in the tray. The only issue I had, was that after the update, the player was set back to default and was outputing the video via component, not hdmi which is how I have mine connected. Did you try using the v. output or resolution buttons? Also, if that fails, try hooking up a composite or component cable and see if anything displays.

CORRECT - after any update - all the settings are set back to DEFAULT!

Stan, I did the same thing your brother did when 1.4 came out. Left Doom in while updating, after the update was done it was "bricked". What has happened (talked with the tech guy as he was repairing it) was when the firmware is flashed it first searches for the location of the firmware. Of course Toshiba in their infinate glory has it checking Disc first, so if you have a movie in it believes that is the firmware to use and it end's up corrupting the firmware of the system. What they end up having to do is take apart your machine, strip the firmware/os etc.. And rebuild the software...


I would also like to point out that after that happened to my A1 ever since I got it back it skipped like mad on certain disks. I sent it back again and they tried to fix it again but I still get lots of skips. It's actually drove me to move to Blu-Ray with my PS3...
Mine was under warranty and it took 5 days..

Nothing else can be done except having a full rebuild of the software.

This poll from last November alone should be reason enough to warn a fellow AVS forum member before they update to 2.0

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/poll....ts&pollid=4063

The thread we are in right now has lots of horror stories as well. There should be NO ONE who is having issues with their $700 player if the firmware were engineered properly.

It's a DVD PLAYER not a MOTHERBOARD where USER bios settings and USER INSTALLED components can affect the functionality. We aren't doing anything except installing the firmware and playing DVDs.

Toshiba releases a firmware (2.0) that has caused some people to have to send in thier units for service.

Movie industry releases some movies that REQUIRE you to take the gamble with the firmware.

For the worst cases (unit failure) Toshiba tells many of them that the warranty is up or they somehow violated the terms nad they have to pay nearly $200 to get it fixed.


The reasons given by people for problems with 2.0 should not be dismissed as "ligtning strikes". They should at least warrant a warning to fellow AVS forum members who spent a lot of money on their players before they update it rather than engaging in punditry for Toshiba like many seem to be doing. Fellow forum members are more important.

John

I am sorry you have had those problems with your player. I have been fortunate with mine and I really like it a lot. I bought it to upscale SD DVDs for my videography business when I show demos. Perhaps that is why I am so reluctant to mess with it. It upscales REALLY well. It is unfortunate that some are quick to blame the victim rather than the perpetrator when it comes to horrible problems like the ones you had.

Regards,

John

There are NO posts in that thread/poll that report any issues that don't also exist in all other versions of the firmware (other than maybe some issue with EDIDs in some instances). And, I posted a list of the "horror stories" from this thread. But, its clear that facts are not going to get in the way of your opinion and that's okay. You're entitled to it.

I don't have any tie to Tosh and I do believe, as DVD players go, this unit is not really ready for the masses. I've had a number of friends ask me about getting one and I told them to wait. However, considering it is a niche, hi-end user product right now, costs half of blu-ray players and, for the most part, it does what it advertises (produces awesome video and audio quality) I think it is worth the few headaches that do exist. And, if you want to play some of the newer discs, you need 2.0.

So, truthfully, I couldn't care less if anyone else upgrades but I kept seeing you pop in here with the scare stories and I just thought the other side needed to be represented. Nothing personal. I'm sure you are a great guy. Peace.

???? The poll alone indicated that 15 out of 188 had "Picture Quality Issues" AFTER they upgraded to firmware 2.0 And that was last November. Some of the posts there:

"Big problem for me with 2.0 is altered EDID functionality over HDMI/DVI. Can no longer utilize 422 component with SD DVD and must use PC levels. This is irritating and needs to be fixed. I'm beginning to wonder if there will be a V2.1 firmware.

I said a long time ago that this is a great player assuming Toshiba holds up their end with firmware support. We'll see. "

My own HDDVD's (DVD Studio Pro HD) won't play anymore as well as some older family DVD's I have. The HDDVD's I created on DL media. "


Perhaps a new poll would settle the matter for those who find it too much to do less than wholeheartedly endorse the firmware to all who ask.

John

I have posted a new poll regarding firmware 2.0

Please participate if you updated.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=801346

John

That is a VERY BIASED Poll.

How about and option besides NO FAILURE - It fixed
problems from PREVIOUS Releases.

FYI - Despite your biased opinion - FW 2.0 was the
BEST update from Toshiba yet and I went from 1.0,
1.1, 1.3, 1.4 to 2.0.

"FYI - Despite your biased opinion - FW 2.0 was the
BEST update from Toshiba yet and I went from 1.0,
1.1, 1.3, 1.4 to 2.0."
---------------------------------------------------
Great!! For YOU it was. I don't have a problem with that at all.


I tried my best to make it unbiased. The purpose of the poll was a result of battles with people who insist that fellow posters DON'T DESERVE at least a warning that some people have had problems with the firmware.

Why their allegiance to the firmware requires covert secrecy over the fact that some have had problems is mind boggling to me. I have stated many times that we should have at least enough consideration for others who have spent $400 to $800 for these players to "reveal" (shhhhhh!!) that there have been some who have been left with worse problems after upgrading to firmware 2.0.

Yet the pundits get angry at the notion of telling others that "government secret" first and letting them decide after hearing a few caveats as well as a few accolades.

But that seems unreasonable to some fellow forum members. Unreasonable to have enough respect for other owners of these players to let them hear both sides of the upgrade endeavor. Then after hearing both sides they can choose to upgrade or not upgrade. I have no problem with any decision they make after that, but to insist that they NOT be told that there might be risks is pretty inconsiderate IMO.

The poll, therefore is to determine how many have had problems AFTER the upgrade and how many did not. If you read the explanation it clearly states not to claim that the firmware caused the problem unless you are sure it did. Whether it fixed problems doesn't seem to be a discussion. It has been widely posted on these forums that True HD 5.1 is the main advantage to upgrading to 2.0 as well as the fact that some movies require 2.0 .

So your point about bias seems misplaced. If you look at the results so far, they plainly indicate that MOST people have not had any problems after the update.

Regards,
John

John - I haven't seen anyone advocate secrecy of issues of any kind. In fact, I think I'm the only one who spoke up on the issue at all and that was just to point out that, in my opinion only, your warnings seemed a little harsh given the actual evidence that we have.

You're the only one I've seen issuing loud and repeated warnings and you haven't even updated. I just didn't think that it was fair if the sheer number of your warnings were interpreted as evidence that there was a huge failure rate here. That really doesn't seem to be the case. I don't have any more to say on the subject , so have a nice day .

The poll does indicate what I know as a fact - and that is:
MOST people did not have any problem.

It fixed a large number of things such as many HDMI
issues along with TrueHD and enabled U-Control which
some movies do need to play at all.

Therefore as the poll indicates - only your extremely biased
opinion that has been ongoing for weeks now warning everyone
to NOT UPGRADE is OUT OF ORDER.

I do appreciate your poll to prove YOURSELF WRONG.