Firmware

This is where you will find firmware related questions and answers. This will get subdivided as more info comes in.

How many software versions are there?

• Two spotted so far

What are they?

• 071020.02_1020_0924.11_XAA
• 071108.02_1114_0924.11_XAA

What is the current software version?

It's found in "Setup / System Setup / System Information" and reads:
S/W: 071108.02_1114_0924.11_XAA

What does this S/W version string mean?

Assumptions about the S/W version string based on above

• Four values separated by the underscore "_"
  • Main Software
    • Date is YYMMDD
    • Version is .##
  • Build Date or some sort of manufacturing date stamp
    • MMDD
  • Date of bootloader / firmware upgrader
    • Date is MMDD
    • Version is .##
  • Region / model information
    • X for HD-DVD region, meaning no region which is not used yet
    • A for Bluray region
    • A for DVD region. Letters substituted in for the region to prevent a number on the end that could look like a version number
• Example, 071108.02_1114_0924.11_XAA
  • Main Software version 01 dated November 8th, 2007
  • Built on November 14th (year assumed as this only happens once)
  • Bootloader version 11 dated September 24th (year assumed as this is only loaded once)
  • HD-DVD no region, Bluray Region A, DVD region 1 (A)

Is there an update available?

No, not beyond the version 2 from November 08, 2007

When?

Reports say January / February 2008

Where did you see stuff about an update and what is in it?

• http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9778543-1.html
• Look on the General FAQ at the articles section
• What has customer service said?
  • A 2nd tier support person said title compatibilty, but no Audio updates
  • A 3rd tier support person contradicted that and said Audio updates were in process now too, and look for them in a few weeks.

What happens in an update?

checked for an update. it said an update was available:
New Version : 071108_02_UP5000_XAA_1

ran the update.
— took about 22 minutes to "download"
— took about 4 minutes in the "Processing" stage

Then the unit powered down.
I waited a couple minutes to see if it would restart. It didn't.
Powered back on.

updated system info:
S/W: 071108.02_1020_0924.11_XAA

from gggunderson on AVSForum. Thanks Garrett!

Note how the manufacturing date (1020) stays the same. This is completely expected.
Personal note: I have created version info / build date stuff for products, so I have a pretty good insight as how to encode this stuff. I figured it was this (SW, Build Date, Bootloader, and region) but the second piece of data confirmed it. As for the bootloader, 11 versions is totally expected for a piece of software that will never be updated, and must work perfectly, lest the player become a brick / doorstop.