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patch posts

HP MediaSmart ex485 / ex487 v2.5 update now available

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 22nd 2009 at 9:41PM


Thanks are due to EHD reader Matthew for letting us know the much-anticipated v2.5 update to HP's MediaSmart ex485 / ex487 model home servers has been waiting for us on its website for a few days now. In case you missed it, this patch adds a whole load of new features like automatic video conversion, iPhone streaming and other improvements detailed here. The patch itself? A click of the read link and a 24MB download away.

[Thanks, Matthew]

Corel WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray Update Pack ready for download

by Darren Murph posted Aug 20th 2008 at 4:36PM

Ooh, goodie! A full five months after Corel released its WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray application, the first major update pack has arrived. The unimaginatively named WinDVD 9 Plus Blu-ray Update Pack checks in at just under 50MB and size and promises to resolve the "Enable S/PDIF Out" / "HDMI output to speaker" issues while expanding the list of compatible commercial titles and enhancing compatibility for a slew of VGA chipsets within Windows Vista / XP. There's no direct mention of BD-Live support, but for those who purchased the original, why not give the update a go and report back?

[Thanks, Tyler]

Microsoft releases one more Xbox 360 HD DVD player update

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 8th 2008 at 4:32PM


Microsoft is releasing one more update for owners of the Xbox 360 HD DVD drive (all 269,000 of you, give or take a few), promising "additional support for network features" and compatibility improvements with certain titles, although which ones aren't mentioned. It's good to see they haven't left these issues to simply whither on the dying vine of HD DVD, but unless an alternate ending to the format war is tucked into those network features we don't see this making things all better anytime soon. Expect a prompt the next time you watch an HD DVD while online, and remember the good times we had.

Sony patches BWU-100A Blu-ray drive to play movies

by Darren Murph posted Dec 19th 2006 at 8:49PM

Yet another debacle in the Sony world is finally getting some closure today, as Sony's much-anticipated BWU-100A Blu-ray drive is finally getting an official update to allow BD movies to play back. While it was almost unbelievable that a Blu-ray drive would be offered up sans the ability to watch flicks, especially considering the CyberLink PowerDVD that was bundled in, Sony managed to pull it off. Of course, it shifted the blame and gave us all the run around, but in the end, disgruntled owners of the device can finally get their movie watching on. So if you threw down the massive coinage to get this bad boy awhile back, and haven't tossed it on the eBay market in sheer frustration just yet, be sure to hit the read link and get to downloading.

[Via HDBlog]

Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray player firmware update available

by Richard Lawler posted Oct 18th 2006 at 11:37AM

Early adopting Blu-ray owners can now download, burn to disc, and install a patch for some of the issues that have plagued the Samsung BD-P1000 since its release -- but the "noise reduction" bug affecting picture quality is not one of them, yet. The firmware update 1.0 doesn't say exactly what it fixes, but the list of upgrades found so far is as follows:
  • Fixes stuttering audio/video while viewing movies with DTS soundtracks
  • Adds pillarboxing to 4:3 content on Blu-ray discs (instead of stretching it to widescreen),
  • Improved load times
  • Hourglass icon changed to colored dots
  • Fixes reversed analog outs on affected players
  • Adds DTS decoding for DVD content (like AVIA test disc)
Of course, if you're on the list Samsung will simply send a disc for you to put in the player and upgrade, but why wait? Another release to fix the annoying noise reduction issue is expected "soon".

[Via AVS Forum & Home Theater Blog, thanks for the tip Dave!]

CableLabs and UpdateLogic to provide digital TV software updates via cable

by Richard Lawler posted Oct 17th 2006 at 1:17PM

Digital TVs are complex consumer electronics devices in their own right, and sometimes need software updates. UpdateLogic has had technology in place to deliver updates to TVs from manufacturers like Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp and Sony via PBS, but what about the many customers with only a cable box and no OTA antennas? Now the company has partnered with CableLabs to use the OpenCable specification to enable updates to set top boxes as well as connected digital TVs. This process doesn't need user intervention, so don't expect a call from your parents on how to install the latest update, but at the same time we can just see the first time someone comes home to a dead HDTV from an upgrade gone wrong. Those reservations aside the ability to hopefully add features and solve minor glitches is intriguing, although there's no word on a possible 1080p software update for that 13-inch TV/VCR combo in our basement.

Samsung BD-P1000 Blu-ray player firmware update on the way

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 14th 2006 at 8:42PM

Samsung has joined Toshiba in offering firmware updates for their first generation HD player. Reportedly this update will address problems with the noise filter reduction circuit, hopefully bringing HDMI up to snuff with component, as well as add support for Blu-ray Java releases expected later this year. We've heard a lot of questions about BD-J support and "full profile" players, hopefully this means BD-P1000 owners won't be missing out on any special features but we'll have to wait and see. One question answered is that yes, the BD-P1000 can play dual-layer 50GB BDs, the firmware update is not necessary for that; according to The Digital Bits, the problem was only with some BD-R test discs. Still, by the time October rolls around who knows how well even an updated BD-P1000 will compare to the incoming Blu-ray players and second-gen HD DVD players but we hope all early adopters are registered for the update.

Toshiba HD-A1/HD-XA1 firmware update (officially) available

by Richard Lawler posted Jun 6th 2006 at 10:16PM

Well that was quick. Just a few days after the 1.20 patch was posted for download on AVS Forum, Toshiba HD DVD player owners can now download the update directly to their player via the ethernet port. We still don't have an official list of what this fixes, however HDMI connection problems, BTB (blacker than black) & WTW (whiter than white) HDMI clipping, and various freezing/lockup issues are among the problems reportedly sent packing. PC World says you can also get the update from Toshiba's website, however at the moment the link doesn't work. A few new buyers are also reporting their players shipped with the 1.2 firmware.

Now that you can download it over the ethernet port feel free to upgrade without fear, but tell everyone you burnt a CD from a guy on AVS Forum anyway, it makes you sound more hardcore. Some have remarked on how disturbing this trend is, I'm just glad these issues are being resolved, through whatever means necessary. Early adoption is not for the faint of heart, whether it is a car, computer or washing machine, the first few revisions are rarely bug-free.

Update 2.0: The link does work now, thanks cassiusdrow!

Toshiba HD-XA1 HD DVD player firmware upgrade leaked

by Richard Lawler posted Jun 2nd 2006 at 9:19PM


Early adopting Toshiba HD-XA1 HD DVD player owners may be in for a special treat this weekend, as a poster on AVSForums has obtained a copy of a firmware upgrade early and posted it for download. Rumors on the board indicate Toshiba may release the update for owners to via disc or download next week, but if you just can't wait, all you need is a CD-R and a copy of Nero and you should be in business.

So what does the update do other than flipping your firmware number over to 1.2? Early reports from posters yorkie2k and sspears indicate reduced load times, no freezing when searching/skipping around movies and fixes for HDMI connection problems. Although the update is labeled for the HD-XA1 premium player, users have not reported any problems with the HD-A1 after upgrading. As usual, applying as yet unofficial updates could void your warranty, brick your player or kick your cat, so proceed with caution. Fortunately, as an early adopter, we know you're used to throwing caution to the wind, so update your player and let us know how it goes. Increased performance and stability may just be what Toshiba needs to lure the cautious off the fence and into buying.

[Thanks for the tip WiFiSpy!]




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