Latest Firmware Update Information - November 2008

We've found the below information to be very important to all existing owners of HD DVD players, so we've decided to provide firmware update information on this blog as long as they are available from Toshiba/Onkyo/Venturer/Integra, despite the fact that we've decided to stop posting news on HD DVD. Starting today, only news regarding the latest firmware updates for HD DVD players will be posted on this blog.

Latest Firmware Versions/Updates... Click on the version number for further information.

Click here for instructions on how to check the version of the firmware installed on the HD DVD players from Toshiba, Onkyo and Venturer.

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

• Toshiba HD-A1/D1 & HD-XA1 (Version 4.0)
• Toshiba HD-A2/D2/A2W & HD-XA2/A20 (Version 4.0)
• Toshiba HD-A3/D3 & HD-A30/A35 (Version 4.0)
• Onkyo DV-HD805 (Version 2.8)
• Venturer SHD7000 (Product manuals and FAQs can be found here)

HD DVD Players/Recorders Released in Japan

• HD-XA1 (Version 4.0)
• HD-XF2 & HD-XA2 (Version 4.0)
• VARDIA RD-A1 (Ver10) New!
• VARDIA RD-A600/A300 (Ver20)
• VARDIA RD-A301 (Ver10) New!

HD DVD Players Released in Europe

• HD-E1 (Version 4.0)
• HD-XE1/EP10 (Version 4.0)
• HD-EP30/EP35 (Version 4.0)
• Onkyo DV-HD805 (Version 2.8)
• Venturer SHD7001

HD DVD Players Released in Middle East, Hong Kong, India, Israel & Southeast Asia

• HD-E1/XE1/EP10 (Version 4.0) New!

HD DVD Players Released in Australia & New Zealand

• HD-E1/XE1/EP10 (Version 2.8)

Firmware Updates... (Updated January 29)

Latest Firmware Versions/Updates...

Click here for instructions on how to check the version of the firmware installed on the HD DVD players from Toshiba, Onkyo and Venturer.

Please note that the new web-enabled HD DVD titles such as Blood Diamond, FREEDOM Series, 300, Heroes Season One, Motörhead's "Stage Fright" and Transformers (2007) would require the latest firmware updates (latest versions listed below) on the HD DVD players, for the web-enabled features to function without major hiccups.

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

• Toshiba HD-A1/D1 & HD-XA1 (Version 2.4)
• Toshiba HD-A2/D2/A2W & HD-XA2/A20 (Version 2.8) New!
• Toshiba HD-A3/D3 & HD-A30/A35 (Version 1.3)
• Venturer SHD7000 (Product manuals and FAQs can be found here)

HD DVD Players/Recorders Released in Japan

• HD-XA1 (Version 2.4)
• HD-XF2 & HD-XA2 (Version 2.8) New!
• VARDIA RD-A1 (Ver08) New!
• VARDIA RD-A600/A300 (Ver13)
• VARDIA RD-A301 (Ver02)

HD DVD Players Released in Europe

• HD-E1 (Version 2.7)
• HD-XE1/EP10 (Version 2.7)
• HD-EP30/EP35 (Version 1.3)
• Venturer SHD7001

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

• HD-E1KTE (Version 2.5)

Microsoft Xbox 360 HD DVD Add-on Player

• Version 2.0.4645 (After applying December 2007 Update)

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Error Code Status explanation / Problems with playback even after the firmware is updated...

For owners of Xbox 360 HD DVD Add-on player having problems with HD DVD playback, you may want to refer to this article for some troubleshooting tips.

Specifically for Universal Studios' web-enabled HD DVDs... If you're having troubles with disc playback or the web-enabled features, you may want to check the support section of Universal Studios' Hi Def website.

For Paramount's HD DVDs, you may want to refer to this website for support.

For Warner Home Video's web-enabled HD DVDs, you may want to refer to this page for support information.

Toshiba Updates Firmware of HD-E1KTE to v2.0

Toshiba has released the v2.0 firmware update for HD-E1KTE HD DVD players sold in India, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

This firmware update improves network connectivity for supporting the download of web-enabled content associated with certain HD DVD discs, and also addresses certain disc playback and HDMI/DVI related issues identified by Toshiba.

HD DVD titles such as Blood Diamond and 300 are examples which would have web-enabled bonus materials.

Important Note: Certain HD DVD discs may contain or have the capability of downloading studio-provided, web-enabled network content. To minimize any potential compatibility and/or connectivity issues, before viewing such content, it is recommended that you perform the firmware update process to ensure that your HD DVD player is using the latest firmware version.

There are currently two known ways to get this official firmware update for the above-mentioned HD DVD players:

1. If you have broadband internet service, you may obtain the firmware update over the internet using the Ethernet port on the back of your HD DVD Player. Instructions for configuring the Ethernet port and downloading the firmware update can be found in the owner’s manual for your HD DVD Player. BEFORE BEGINNING THE FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCESS, BE SURE TO REMOVE ANY DISCS FROM YOUR HD DVD PLAYER. DO NOT UNPLUG, TURN OFF, OR USE ANY OTHER FEATURE OF YOUR PLAYER DURING THE FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCESS.
   
   
2. If you do not have an Ethernet-based broadband connection for your player or prefer not to use one, you may contact Toshiba Customer Service and request that a firmware update disc be sent by mail. You can update the firmware using this update disc by following the instructions provided with the disc. DO NOT UNPLUG, TURN OFF, OR USE ANY OTHER FEATURE OF YOUR PLAYER DURING THE FIRMWARE UPDATE PROCESS.

Please note that if you sent Toshiba the Firmware Update Request card included with your player, you will receive an update disc by mail from Toshiba as soon as it becomes available.

You may wish to refer to the webpage Firmware Update Information for Owners of Toshiba HD DVD Players for full details of the update and upgrading instructions direct from Toshiba (Asia Pacific), before attempting to upgrade the firmware.