As promised a couple of months ago, Toshiba has delivered the September 1080p/24 firmware update for second-generation HD DVD players (HD-XA2, HD-A20, HD-A2, HD-AW2, and HD-D2). This version 2.5 firmware’s newest features are support for 1080p/24 and more OSD (on-screen display) language options. The update information page also says this update has fixes for web connectivity and HDMI/DVI issues, but I’m not sure whether these are fixes for issues discovered since the previous version, or if they’re just the same fixes from previous updates (updates contain all fixes from previous updates).
This update is not going to magically add 1080p ability to your HD-A2, AW2, or D2, because those players are limited to 1080i by the chips and hardware in them. It will also not magically make your HDTV display in 1080p unless that feature is already present in your display.
What it will do for those of you with an XA2, or A20 is add a new option in your “Picture” menu settings for “Up to 1080p/24Hz.”
Films are shot at 24 frames per second (anything per second is called Hertz or Hz, thus the 24Hz), whereas TV video technology displays images at 30 or 60 frames per second (or Hz). Films look fine at a movie theater playing in their native 24 frames per second, but that 24 vs. 30 and 60 HDTV rate has some inherent problems when you’re watching at home, and can result in blurry motion. This update addresses that problem. Try it out and see if you can notice any difference.
Many people are oblivious to lots of picture and audio quality issues because they’re accustomed to whatever they’ve seen and heard all this time. It’s only when you start getting a little more picky about these things that you might actually start to notice problems, and a little later, you start to be bothered by those problems. Some people will say that they didn’t notice much difference from the 1080p/24Hz update, and others will call these people blind. To each, their own.
The HD-XA2 has an enhanced picture quality chip, and its noise reduction features are disabled when this 1080p/24Hz mode is active.
The fastest way to update is to download the zip file and burn your own disc. If your player is connected to the internet, then you can download directly through the player.
Here are a few links of interest:
- Toshiba’s page about the 2.5 update
- Overview of the 2.5 update for HD-XA2/HD-A20 (PDF file)
- Overview for the HD-A2/HD-A2W/HD-D2 (PDF file)
- Download the appropriate ZIP file (you need to unzip it and make an ISO disc to insert into your player)
- How to make an ISO disc at Toshiba’s site
- AVS Forum thread on making ISO discs
