Used HD-A1 for free- what first?

Only upgrade if you are having problems.
That being said I would upgrade to 2.0,you can always update to 2.3 if you still have problems.

Dang, free A1.. Not that is a deal.

If the player has firmware 1.4 and you upgrade the firmware to 2.0 you cannot go back to firmware 1.4. Most people have not had a problem with firmware 2.0, but some have. I conducted a survey that had 578 respondents resulting in an MOE of +/- 5.

Between 76% and 86% either did not have any problems or could not attribute any problems they may have had to updating their first generation Toshiba HD DVD player to firmware 2.0.

Between 14% and 24% had problems they could directly attribute to the Toshiba 2.0 firmware update.

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

I have an HD-A1 and an HD-XA1 with firmware 1.4 and with a few exceptions all discs play flawlessly so I kept the firmware knowing it's limitations because my main interest in the player is for upconversion of SD discs and it does that in an amazing way.

Here is what I would suggest:

If the player has firmware 1.4, I would try it for awhile and see if it meets your needs and if the player operates properly. That will eliminate one variable if the player doesn't function properly.

If you immediately update the firmware and it doesn't operate properly how do you narrow down the problem?

If you decide to update the firmware you have two choices:

1. Firmware 2.3 is the only one available from the Toshiba site so you could download and install that version.

2. Install firmware 2.0. I have provided a new thread with two sources to obtain firmware 2.0 contributed by fellow forum members.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=926171
In either case, if you make the irreversible decision to update to 2.0 or beyond, I would keep a copy of 2.0 anyway just in case 2.3 causes you a problem. YOU CAN go back to firmware 2.0 from 2.3. You cannot go back to any version before 2.0 once you update.

But in any case I would try the player as is for awhile to make sure you aren't adding any new variables if it doesn't work properly.

Check "The New HD DVD User's PQ & AQ Reference Thread"

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=856119

It will tell you which discs require the newest firmware (2.0 and above) in order to play. Test your new player with one of the titles that doesn't, which is most of the ones listed.

John

See my previous post. Don't test it with Transformers. Pick another title. See the Transformers posts for more detail. I realize the anticipation and excitement of an HD player, we all had it; but use the systematic approach to these players as I described above. That will reduce the chances of problems that could overshadow the excitement with disappointment and frustration.

John

If and when you decide to upgrade and you want to go to 2.x, but maybe not 2.3, I can send you my 2.2 disc image. I've had a flawless A1, but when I went from 2.2 to 2.3, all sorts of problems starting cropping up. Went back to 2.2, and its flawless again. Just watched Transformers on Friday night, no problems.

Transformers may not play with 1.4. It may need 2.0 or higher.
J

I don't know what horror stories you're referring to. Basically the A1 is a tank. Loadup is slow but not intollerable. Other than that it puts out a great picture and sound with hdmi/analog. I would always keep up on the latest firmware. The tatest firmware has some additional routines for interactive content.

Transformers has a lot of threads regarding firmware such as people saying it did or didn't play with firmware 2.0 and needed 2.3 or didn't play with 2.2 and needed 2.3 or played with 2.0 and not 2.3. Others complained about not being able to play it unless they emptied the persistent storage folder and that it didn't work the second time. The bottom line is try the player out for awhile with a no complaint ever disc so that if there is a problem you can eliminate the firmware as an issue. It is a rarity that upgrading the firmware has fixed a functional issue with one of these players. Many have upgraded firmware because they had a functional problem, but few if any have posted that the firmware fixed the problem. Usually they say: "I upgraded the firmware but that didn't solve the problem".

Use the systematic approach with a flawless disc like Phantom, or Aeon Flux or one of the others in the list I linked that no one posts a complaint about. Target sells them and so does Walmart.

John

I got an A1 that I picked up from BB the day they were released in April of last year. Been doing all the upgrades along the way with no issues at all.

I'm currently on 2.3 and Transformers works perfectly for me. I own about 40 HD-DVDs and have Netflixed another 100 or so. All played great on whatever the latest firmware was at the time.

That's not to say you won't have issues, but my experience is that this player is solid as a rock, no matter what software version you run.

Don't be afraid of upgrading. I've never ever had a problem with newer firmware. It adds functionality and compatibility. He likely would have had less problems had he upgraded it.

And be aware that rented discs can always be a source of problems -- it's called scratches and debris on the playing surface. Best results regardless of FW are obtained by step one -- cleaning the rented disc (though sometimes a brand new disc also needs cleaning.)

And I thought that getting one for $60 was good...

Actually, I'd update the firmware as it will enable the player to run with True HD 5.1 audio.

"I have never heard "True HD", so I'm not sure if it's substantially better than DD/DTS over optical. In theory, it should be and I figure it is. I would like to hook the A1 up to my Denon 2805 via Analog Outs to compare True HD to DD+ to DD, etc. I knew the only way to do that was to upgrade the Firmware since it still runs 1.4. However, I didn't want to upgrade blindly JUST to obtain TrueHD and screw something else up since Transformers (as an example) play fine for some, not for others with various FW. I see why "craftech" is suggesting the systematic approach."
==========================
Yes. I use my player (and so does my son with his) mainly for upscaling SD DVDs. I run a vieography business so that is what is most important. It does an amazing job of upscaling so I never wanted to take a chance of losing or even diminishing the quality of SD upconversion with my player. I realize that is not the normal usage of this player.

But I also love it for my Home Theater with my receiver, five plus sub speakers, digital projector, and 120 inch screen.

While firmware 1.4 will not output True HD in five channels (only two) I get incredible sound using the five channel analog output of the player using the analog multichannel feature of my receiver. It sounds great. For HT, I think Toshiba's elimination of the multichannel analog outputs in 2nd generation players was a huge mistake. Try it and you will see what I mean. Moreover, while True HD has incredible specs, the disc producers haven't fully inplemented the technology's capabilities in their discs. They are somewhat crippled from their full potential particularly in the bass. I am not sure you will see a big difference between a disc with a good sound track using five channel analog out and five channel True HD (if you decide later to update the firmware to 2.0 or above) although some may argue otherwise.

=========
"But, the good news for me, I'm reaping the benefits of his upgraditus."
==========
That's awesome.

John

I own the HD-A1, A2 and add-on, the HD-A1 is still my favorite. When you get it, give it an internet connection and allow it to install any updates necessary.

Not sure what the receiver is that your getting but I would make sure it accepts an HDMI connection if you want to get the most out of the audio tracks in HD DVD.

Yes, a PC monitor power cord will work. Anything that fits will work.

My projector only accepts DVI as well. I had an adapter hanging off the back of it at first with an HDMI to HDMI cable between it and the player. That worked, but it was too much sticking out the back of the PJ. I was afraid it would cause damage to the jack eventually. I bought an HDMI to DVI cable or two from Monoprice. Avoid getting a cable that is super thick. They don't bend well and they put too much strain at both ends. A lot of people make that mistake. The thicker cable does NOT make a difference in the video or audio signal over HDMI. I tried both and there was NO DIFFERENCE. Here is what I would get:

26 or 28 AWG cable

http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...02&cp_id=10231

An HDMI Cable male to female 28AWG Port Saver to act as a strain relief to protect your HDMI jack on the back of the player.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

John

Buy an HDMI->DVI converter, screw it into the PJ, then run HDMI-HDMI cables and switchboxes as needed.

But beware you may have problems. Many posters on this forum including me have reported HDMI-DVI issues with the A1 (and later gen models).

Luckily my PJ also accepts component. I think it looks better than DVI on my PJ, anyway.

I use the DVI input on my PJ for my OTA tuner.

Nope. Not unless they are region 0.

You should be able to download the manual from here: http://tacpservice.toshiba.com/Consu...uals/hddvd.asp