Just got my player!

ryoohki:


Can you do me several favors? There is another poster that has an April 2006 built date printed on the back of his new player and it takes him under 20 seconds to boot, and under 20 seconds to load the HD-DVD disc. Even less for his SD DVD discs.


Could you:


1. Check YOUR build date on the back label of your player?

2. Time how long it takes to boot/turn on your player without a disc in it?

3. Time how long it takes to load a HD-DVD disc starting when the tray closes?

4. Time how long it takes to boot/turn on your player WITH HD-DVD a disc in it and it starts playing?

5. Check report back on what firmware version you have?


I am trying to find out if the April 2006 built players have faster load times and if it is due to newer firmware, or different hardware.


Thanks in advance if you could do this!


I would say enjoy your new toy, but I am sure you already are!

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I just bought one of these from Best Buy. It came in yesterday. I checked the build date and it's April 2006.


I was prepared for the slowness that everyone has been complaining about and I can say I don't see any of that on mine. I love it. I think it's very fast in responding. I haven't timed it but I would say it's under 20 seconds for boot time like someone else said. The remote responds immediately.


I'm not sure where to check what firmware version I have. I did try to do the firmware update and it told me one was available but when I clicked it to download it said I already had that version installed.


My previous DVD player was the Bravo D1. I had it hooked up to a panny 42 -HD6UY. It always gave me a great picture. I just bought the nec 50RX5a and the picture from the bravo was not very good. I was disappointed so that's why I tried the toshiba. I'm glad I did. The picture it puts on even regular dvd's looks great.

I got mine yesterday(the XA1 model), and at age 54, I felt like a little kid on Xmas morning.


But, OK - are you ready for this? I checked, and mine has a build date of FEBRUARY 2006! And it worked flawlessly straight out of the box. I have absolutely no issues with it - well, OK, I'm ready to throw the $#@! remote out the window, but the unit itself is wonderful, and a definate 'keeper'!


2. Time how long it takes to boot/turn on your player without a disc in it?

- 20 to 30 seconds, about the same as my Denon 1910 player


3. Time how long it takes to load a HD-DVD disc starting when the tray closes?

- 30 to 40 seconds; Ok, a little longer then the Denon, but not unreasonable


4. Time how long it takes to boot/turn on your player WITH HD-DVD a disc in it and it starts playing?

- 45 seconds

5. Check report back on what firmware version you have?

- Haven't checked that yet. With a February build date, I'd better. I did setup the ethernet to use DHCP, to connect to my router, but have yet to connect a cable to it - I'm leery of things that want to 'phone home'.


The only issues were of my own doing. Having read here of the complaints of "long boot/load" times, I first started up the XA1 with no DVD in the tray, but the TV turned off while I went & cleaned up the boxes. Came back a few minutes later and the LED display on the unit was showing "set up". Turned on the TV & switched input to the DVI (I'm using a HDMI>DVI adapter for the HDCP complaint DVI input on my Sony RP HDTV). No picture, just the Sony's blank 4:3 squeezed screen. So, I put a HD DVD in the tray. I could see on the LED the HD DVD was loaded, but still not a flicker on the TV screen. So, I powered down the XA1 & then powered up. This time the TV screen flickered, then went to full screen, and then the HD DVD displayed. Apparently you need to have your TV powered up on the HDMI / DVI input so the Tosh can recognize life at the end of its HDMI output & do it's HDCP handshake.

So, I missed the intial setup screen and had to break down & dig out the manual to find the set up button hidden under the slide-out bottom of the remote. I set everything up, exited, the "Serenity" HD DVD loaded up and the best picture I've ever seen on my Sony unfolded before my eyes. I expected to be "wowed" by the video quality; what I didn't expect was to be blown away by the audio. My 5.1 surround sound system has never been so full & alive with the 5.1 analog output on the XA1. I hooked digital optical as well, and switched back & forth a few times. The digital out was good, better than DVD DTS, but the direct 5.1 analog output is just amazing. I played the Serenity HD DVD straight through - never missed a beat, even after pausing a few time for kitchen & bathroom breaks.


One very happy XA1 camper here, even with an 'ancient' Feb.2006 build date.

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OK, I timed it - XA1, Feb.2006 Build Date, From Off mode:


No Disc - 35 seconds for the HD DVD logo, 50 seconds for the "no disk loaded" notice


With Disk (WB, Last Samurai) - 30 seconds for the HD DVD in the LED, 50 seconds until the FBI notice displayed.


Where do you find the firmware version? I looked all through the setup menu & didn't find it. In the "Update" section it says Update? 1.0/1.09/2.0

Press Ok to cancel, press Setup to update. I haven't tried updating yet; I'm a firm believer in "if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it". I just got, I'm happy, and I don't want to break it.


Maybe having been forewarned here on AVS about slow load times, I was prepared and don't think it's unreasonable. And I'm the kind of guy that can't understand why microwave ovens take so long . . . .

DaveinTuscon:


Thanks for the update! You DID figure out how to get the firmware version number.


If more people with quicker times and an April build date show the same version that might mean that something was tweaked without using firmware to get the faster load times, or that they just got lucky with a faster booting machine.


I also wonder if a SD DVD loads quicker than the HD-DVD discs given that they do not have the extra copy protection verification.


ahro:


I have heard from two sources that Toshiba IS beta testing a new firmware right now. I heard this from a big Toshiba dealer, and someone from MS who comes here. Who knows WHAT will be corrected so far with this firmware update, but it does show good faith by Toshiba that they are working to improve the machines before they are even 1 month out on the street. This is a very good thing IMO!

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Yes, I meant you won't see a firmware update anytime soon, like next week. I'm sure it's coming, but it will take a while.


Also, I have had freeze problems aplenty, particularly on TD. I bought a 'CleanDr.' automatic cleaning system at BB ($19.99) and TD played okay (I didn't watch it completely through). I can only hope this fixes my problem after having two players. Strangely, I was cleaning the TD disc by hand before I bought the automatic system and that didn't help. The big test will be POTO, which I've rented again from Netflix. What a hobby!

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ahro. I have noticed that people who have freezing/lock problems with their first player continue to have it even with their 7th. OTOH, there are folks like myself who haven't had a single freeze/lock since day 1. I don't even clean my disk and a couple of days ago played a pretty scratched up DVD - no problems!


I can't figure out what the deal is


I just got back from Tweeter where they were playing their A-1 on 720p - of course it looked like crap on their Mitsubishi display. I got them to change to 1080i and people around the store started gathering around to check it out - huge difference. Now, I bring this up, since during the change of resolution the Tweeter guy was doing all sorts of crazy things like forward, backward, next chapter, previous chapter , changin the resolutions just to verify how the hell the difference between 720p and 1080i was so great - but through it all, not one freeze....


So, it may be the batch. People are probably returning players and getting another from the same batch - so problem stays. I gather the April build does not have this lock/freeze problem (AFAIK).


My 2 cents...