Past weeks' HD DVD Hardware News...

• Onkyo USA has finally confirmed earlier reports that it is introducing a new HD DVD player to retail. The DV-HD805 HD DVD player is packed with features such as high-bit-rate audio streaming via HDMI version 1.3a and support for playback at 24fps (which is the native frame rate of the original sources for most HD content). The DV-HD805 includes an Ethernet port to allow users access to these capabilities, as well as enable the user to easily download any future firmware updates. On the DVD upconversion front, the onboard HQV Reon VX video processing chipset provides exceptionally precise video scaling (to 720p, 1080i or 1080p). The player is expected to be available at retail from Fall 2007 at $899 MSRP. Full press release here.
  
  
• Toshiba has announced that it will be introducing third-generation HD DVD players to retail, starting September 2007. Entry-level model HD-A3 will be priced at $299.99 MSRP while the feature-packed model, the HD-A35, will be priced at $499.99 MSRP. Full details via this blogpost.

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Latest Firmware Versions and Error Code Status explanation...

Instructions on how to check the version of the firmware installed on Toshiba's HD DVD players available here.

Please note that the new web-enabled HD DVDs such as Blood Diamond, Freedom Vol. 1 and 300 would require latest firmware update for the web-enabled features to function without major hiccups. Should you face still face error messages when accessing the web-enabled features after having updated your firmware to the latest version, do check out HD DVD ASSISTANCE FOR WEB-ENABLED FEATURES (Click on the link titled Web-Enabled Features on this website) for specific explanation of each error status code.

Earlier this month, Toshiba America has released the v2.2 firmware update for HD-A2, HD-A20 & HD-XA2 HD DVD players sold in the U.S./Canada. Toshiba (Japan) has also released the v2.2 firmware update for HD-XF2 and HD-XA2 HD DVD players sold in Japan.

HD DVD Players Released in the U.S./Canada

• HD-A1/D1 & HD-XA1 (Version 2.3)
• HD-A2/D2/A2W & HD-XA2/A20 (Version 2.2)

HD DVD Players/Recorders Released in Japan

• HD-XA1 (Version 2.3)
• HD-XF2 & HD-XA2 (Version 2.2)
• VARDIA RD-A1 (Ver06)
• VARDIA RD-A600/A300 (Ver03)

HD DVD Players Released in Europe

• HD-E1 (Version 2.0)
• HD-XE1/EP10 (Version 2.0)

HD DVD Players Released in Asia (Hong Kong, India & Southeast Asia)

• HD-E1KTE (Version 2.0)

Microsoft Xbox 360 HD DVD Add-on Player

• Version 2.0.4636.0 (After applying May 2007 Revised Update)