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Toshiba's Latest HD DVD Firmware Upgrade Unlocks Web-Enabled Features

Mon Jul 02, 2007 at 12:30 AM ET
Tags: Firmware Upgrades, Exclusive HD Content, Hardware, Toshiba (all tags)

Coinciding with Warner's Tuesday bow of the web-enabled HD DVD version of 'Blood Diamond,' Toshiba of America is offering a new firmware upgrade for its second-generation players.

Hitting stores on July 3, 'Blood Diamond' will be the first major studio high-def release to boast exclusive web-enabled content, including dynamic text and graphic content as well as additional interactive web features. (It follows another web-enabled HD DVD release, 'Freedom Vol. 1,' which hit stores on June 26 from indie distributor Bandai Visual.)

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Toshiba is making the update available for its second-gen player models HD-XA2, HD-A20, HD-A2W and HD-D2.

According to the documentation provided by the manufacturer, the upgrade will improve network connectivity in anticipation of the web-enabled content on 'Blood Diamond' and any future such enhanced titles:

Certain HD DVD discs may contain or have the capability of downloading studio-provided, Web-enabled network content. To minimize any potential capability and/or connectivity issues, before viewing such content, it is recommended that you perform the firmware update process.

The firmware can be accessed for direct download via the player's Ethernet ports. The upgrade can also be obtained for download at the company website's customer support section, or users can request a copy of the firmware free on CD (sent via traditional mail).

For more on 'Blood Diamond's pioneering web-enabled content, check out Peter Bracke's just-posted comprehensive review.

See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.

Related links:
Toshiba HD DVD Player Firmware Upgrade V2.0 [Official Site]
Discs mentioned in this article: (Click for specs and reviews)
Blood Diamond (HD DVD)
Freedom: 1 (HD DVD)
Earlier on High-Def Digest:
Warner Brings 'Blood Diamond' to Blu-ray, HD DVD (Apr 19, 2007)
'Freedom 1' Offers First Look at HD DVD Twin-Format Disc (Jun 19, 2007)


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