Posted Sun Jul 1, 2007 at 09:30 PM PDT by
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.)
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.
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