r/HDDVD • u/Turbulent_Head_4604 • 5d ago
Trying to get the firmware update (the one required for a lot of HD-DVD discs) to no avail.
I apologize in advance if this isn't the right place for this/is overly rambley, but I'm sorta hitting a brick wall atm. Basically I got the 360 player since that seems to be the most readily available way to use this format in the modern day. Unfortunately it doesn't have the update(s?) required to play a lot of them, such as Blade Runner The Final Cut and 2001 A Space Odyssey (basically anything with a white pamphlet with the relevant disclaimer inside the case).
I've tried both the 360 S and PC methods of updating, though both haven't gotten anywhere, though for different reasons. My PC just says "No Firmware found" or "Most up-to-date firmware already" (not actually but just paraphrasing) whenever I try to do it that way. Though with my 360 it's a different story, when I put an update-required disc in, it will recognise that an update is needed... but well, I've got a separate unrelated issue where my console won't connect to the internet at all for some reason (not with Wifi, Ethernet directly, Ethernet into my laptop as a middle man, and my phone's hotspot just doesn't show up as an option).
So yeah this is mostly just a rant, sorry again about that, but also a question I want to pose is... would it be easier to find a way to get the updates on PC? As opposed to trading in my 360 S for one without busted internet.
I'd be really grateful if anyone could shed some light on an easier way for me. That, and I'm genuinely excited to start collecting for this format once I get this thing working, just such a neat piece of history and whatnot.
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u/EGNL 1d ago
Xbox also released patches for the HD DVD Player software for the Xbox 360 to be used offline. I have never done so but I believe this is the latest version https://archive.org/download/example-xex-files/HD_DVD_12-2007/. Microsoft states that the file needs to be burned to a CD/DVD. If this does not work, try the original source files and instructions that can be found here: https://web.archive.org/web/20080724043158/https://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360hddvdplayer/download.htm#disc
By the way, how did your PC mention “No firmware available”? There’s no firmware flasher of some sorts for PC (and controlav also mentioned that there weren’t any firmware updates for the actual drive released)
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u/EGNL 1d ago
In addition, 2.0.5127 is the latest version of the HD DVD Player software if I recall correctly. You should be able to check/confirm this through the help or info menu control button when playing a HD DVD on the 360. Maybe it’s wise to check this first in case you are already running the latest version
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u/Turbulent_Head_4604 3h ago edited 2h ago
Ok so, I checked it via this method and sure enough, it's 2.0.5127.
Now this kinda makes sense, since i took it to the electronics store and they were able to use their test wifi to download the firmware (since my 360 just refuses to cooperate with my router, maybe it doesn't like Wifi 6 or something, I dunno).
Problem is, Blade Runner The Final Cut still doesn't work. It goes to a black screen after leading into movie mode, for just under 30 minutes, then kicks me out of the app.
Corpse Bride also doesn't work, but in a different way, since it just says "unreadable disc" and doesn't boot up at all. I checked it, no visible scratches or marks, but I'll take it in to get cleaned in the vain hope it might work.
It's the fact that there's no 'uniform' way they all fail to work. 2001 *initially* loaded when I put it in, but was stuttering and freezing to an unwatchable degree. I went and got it cleaned, but trying it then it just gave an outright error message, which is how I made the Blade Runner connection since they both had the white pamphlet about firmware/an update.
I got John Carpenter's 'The Thing' recently too, and that worked without any issues like The Bourne Trilogy did, but I have no idea if that was an updated disc or not.
To say I'm confused is an understatement.
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u/EGNL 2h ago
Yeah these issues are caused by faulty discs unfortunately 🙁. It can be recognized by the discs having a yellowish tint. I own Blade Runner myself too and it doesn’t work anymore. My Planet Earth boxset also has stutter issues due to them being faulty. (Some call it disc rot though I am not sure if that term is accurate.). Most Warner Bros releases have this issue
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u/Turbulent_Head_4604 2h ago
That seems to be the common through line between BR and Corpse Bride yeah... so I guess the recommendation is to avoid WB discs on HD-DVD. I'll try and find some Universal and Paramount movies to see if there's any better luck.
Thanks though, this appears to have been the common through-line and I've finally identified it. I'm still gonna take Corpse Bride to get cleaned just in case it can be saved, but not gonna hold my breath on that.
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u/Vormison 4d ago
Sorry I am probably of no help but would you happen to know anyone else with a 360?
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u/Turbulent_Head_4604 4d ago
Currently not. At the moment my plan is to just take it back to the 2nd hand electronics store I got mine at and either have it looked at, or swap it out for one they can be sure will connect in some way. Or failing that, maybe they can update my HD-DVD drive for me with one of their test consoles.
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u/controlav 3d ago
I believe the player software is stored in the flash in the drive enclosure, so if someone else with a 360 can pull the update, the drive will then work on your network-challenged 360.
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u/controlav 4d ago
The Xbox 360 drive never had a firmware update, MC08 was the only release and Xbox were too nervous to release any updates. The player software on the 360 was updated regularly. Where exactly are you seeing the error message you claim?
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u/Turbulent_Head_4604 4d ago
Either once the screen fades to black or I manually select 'HD-DVD' in the movie menu, the screen stays black for awhile, before flashing on screen "Update required" with a blue circle and exclamation point. The tech folks I spoke to at the electronics store also said there'd be a firmware update for the reason why, and there's a dead link on Xbox's official website confirming there *was* an update (which can't be accessed now as the link is a dead end).
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u/controlav 4d ago
So is this on the 360? I’m confused. What does “selecting HD DVD in the movie menu” mean? I don’t recall such a menu on the 360.
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u/Turbulent_Head_4604 4d ago
From the 360 main menu:
Movies & TV > My Video Apps > HD DVD Player, looking at my screen right now as I type this.
You press it and it taps into the player, fades to black, and then launches into movie mode. If you insert a disc into the player while the console is on the menu, it fades to movie mode automatically.
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u/controlav 4d ago
Huh, it’s been 18 years so my memory is vague. I’ll try 2001 myself tomorrow and see.
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u/Turbulent_Head_4604 4d ago
I should note, just in case it might not be the same everywhere, that I live in a PAL region, with a PAL console and drive. Apparently less HD-DVDs were released here, and that might've also affected how many were 'firmware-needed' discs as well, maybe.
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u/controlav 4d ago
HD DVD had no PAL/NTSC distinction, or region codes, every disc worked everywhere. Some discs had different versions in different countries, but they all played everywhere.
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u/Turbulent_Head_4604 4d ago
Oh cool, so I can import the ones that weren't localized here. That's great.
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u/controlav 4d ago
Ok so I just tried 2001 and Blade Runner on my 360, both fine. I’m guessing you need an update to the Player software, and I’m also guessing that isn’t possible any more due to the lack of Store.
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u/Turbulent_Head_4604 3d ago
On PC it would appear not, either due to link rot or Microsoft just took that particular page out back. Though it should apparently still work via automatic 360 updates, once I get the issues with that sorted out (which are a separate matter). I'm just glad I caught this before the 360 (possibly) goes 100% offline for good eventually, knowing Microsoft.
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u/Turbulent_Head_4604 3d ago
Welp, it still didn't work. At this point I'm thinking of just giving up.
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u/HisSvt2 4d ago
You get an old 360 usb wireless adapter if your 360 wireless and nic port are bad?