Toshiba EP30 Region Free Firmware

[Viking61]

There is now a way to make your HD-EP30 region free.

First of all I want to say that I don't take any credit in making the regionfree firmware. I only modified it to make it run on our players. It is a quite 'dirty method', so maybe it's not for all to do this. The procedure has to be followed very carefully, or you risk rendering your player useless.

The update procedure:

1. Insert the CD with firmware called EP30-dirty1
2. Answer Yes to update
3. The display will show VER UP for awhile, then count until STEP 2/4 before it stops with 10004050 showing on the display. The TV will still show “Updating. Do not turn off.”
4. Let it stay like that for 10 minutes
5. Unplug the power cord, wait 10 seconds and plug it in again
6. Turn the player on with the remote
7. There will not be anything shown on the TV
8. It will show WELCOME in the display for awhile, then it will show VER UP
9. Press Right Arrow (the button to the right of OK) once
10. Press OK once
11. The disc will eject

12. Insert the CD with firmware called EP30-dirty2
13. After awhile it will show VER UP in the display, then you press OK once
14. It will still show VER UP in the display for awhile, then it will count from STEP 1/4 until STEP 4/4
15. STEP 4/4 can take up to 20 minutes. Just wait and let it run its course.
16. The disc will eject and the player will turn itself off
17. Remove the disc and turn the player on with the remote
18. It will show WELCOME for awhile and then a small update will run, only STEP 1/1 and the player will turn itself off again.
19. Turn the player on with the remote and you have a regionfree EP30

You can now update to version 4.0 and still keep the regionfree setting.

If you don't feel up to it, then it's better not to try. Hopefully there will come a better way to do it in the future. Having said that, the procedure have been tested on 4 players and all of those are now region free.


To make your EP30 or A30 (incl. PAL capability) region free:
1) EP30-dirty1
2) EP30-dirty2
3) Update your now region free player with the EP30 version 4.0.

To crossflash your EP30 or A30 (incl. PAL capability) into region free EP35-mode:
1) EP30-dirty1
2) EP35-dirty2
3) Update your now region free player with the EP35 version 4.0.

To make your A35 into PAL capable region free EP35:
1) EP35-dirty1
2) EP35-dirty2
3) Update your now region free player with the EP35 version 4.0.

To revert your EP30 or A30 from EP35-mode to EP30-mode:
1) EP35-dirty1
2) EP30-dirty2
3) Update your reverted player with the EP30 version 4.0.

If you decide to crossflash your EP30 or A30 into EP35-mode, you can see how bitstreaming will work in this post.

If you have an A30 or A35 and plan to make it into a regionfree EP30 or EP35, please ensure that your TV or projector can handle PAL before starting the process. Even though the EP30 and EP35 can playback NTSC, they will have PAL as default.

If you play a R1 DVD that is encoded with RCE, you will get an error message like: 'This disc is not formatted to play in this region'. You will then need to enter the RCE hack, which can be found here.


Disclaimer
****************
By downloading the firmware files you agree that you fully understand the potential, like with any firmware update, to "brick" the player and are happy to attempt this firmware update at your own risk.
****************

UPDATE !!!

My SkyDrive is now closed, so no need sending me PM for the "dirty firmware"

[scottsweapon]

Can I just ask Viking61- what if the player already has version 4.0 upgrade? Is it still okay to follow the above procedures?

[Viking61]

Originally Posted by scottsweapon

Can I just ask Viking61- what if the player already has version 4.0 upgrade? Is it still okay to follow the above procedures?

It will do the update whatever your current firmware version is. Re-apply version 4.0 afterwards.

[craddock]

Can confirm it doesn't matter which firmware you are running.

Flashed one at v2.0 and one at v4.0

[scottsweapon]

Many, many thanks to all who have made this progress possible, you are all wonderful indivuals!

Viking61, I have sent you a wee PM.

[dee2001]

I just wanna say a huge thanks to Viking61 for all his work on region free for ep30. Was starting to think we'd never see it.

[Viking61]

I have to pop out to do some shopping. Will be back to you guys in an hour or so.

[Bald Monkey]

Originally Posted by Viking61

I have to pop out to do some shopping. Will be back to you guys in an hour or so.

don't be long... and what's for dinner??

[simms1965]

does anyone thik a pioneer 600 would upscale ntsc dvds beter than a multi region ep 30.i have a p 600 and ntsc dvds look fine,justthinking when i update my ep30 would they look better.

[scottsweapon]

Originally Posted by craddock

Can confirm it doesn't matter which firmware you are running.

Flashed one at v2.0 and one at v4.0

So if I run the discs on Version 4.0 as my player is, is it essential to then re-install V4.0 again as Viking61 suggests? Does the region free firmware revert the player back to an earlier firmware?

[fasda]

I understand everything except,
1. Insert the CD with firmware called EP30-dirty1 ?

[Boo128]

I would just like to say, on behalf of all EP30 owners:

Many many thanks to Viking61, who has enabled us mere mortals to have a machine that can now recognise dvds - Your hard work and effort is greatly appreciated

[Viking61]

Originally Posted by fasda

I understand everything except,
1. Insert the CD with firmware called EP30-dirty1 ?

You are supposed to download 2 ISO files plus the procedure document. The ISO files must be burned to a CD as an image.

[Viking61]

There will be a slight delay in the file distribution as I have forgot the password I put on the account I used for the Skydrive.

[dj_ooms]

Hey guys,

I have some good news and some bad news. I have made the my EP30 regionfree and it works. The only thing is the display seems to be completely mucked up. Colours are completely out of wack. Another good thing is that the player does indeed seem to send the audio via bitstream now. I tested my T2 German HD-DVD with a 7.1 DTSHD Hi-Res track and I get all the nice flashy lights on my amp. I am going to try to re-apply the firmware again to see if I can fix it otherwise I may have to contact Toshiba to RMA it. Many thanks to Viking61 for the patch.

Regards,

Ooms