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| Home Theater and Firmware Updates |  While consumer electronics is getting more and more complicated and the speed of technology changes very quickly, the need to keep a product up-to-date has gotten more critical, especially in home theater application. Engineers have developed a way to keep pace with technology changes by making products that can be updated with new features, so now it is not necessary to buy a new product periodically in order not to be behind the progress. This is done with the help of periodic Firmware Updates.
The idea of Firmware has its origins in the PC. In PC’s, firmware is usually a program that is embedded in a hardware chip. This provides the chip with specific instructions to control different aspects of PC, without a danger ob being altered by other software changes. So, firmware is classified as a sphere between true hardware and true software. The concept of firmware has moved to such products as Blu-ray and HD-DVD players, DVD players, home theater receives and video projectors. The use of firmware in such products provides a basic operating system platform that allows the execution of complex instructions that enable the component to operate. In other words, the nature of firmware let the user to update the operating system when new instruction settings are required to enable new features or use current features more efficiently.
In home theater applications firmware control, correct and determine audio decoding capabilities and video processing features, HDMI pr DVI connectivity issues, add or remove Menu and Setup features. Besides it can change BD-Java capabilities in the case of Blu-ray and correct operating deficiencies due to premature product release.
It is possible to apply firmware updates in such ways:
- Download and install by the user directly from the internet to the device. This is the easiest option, as the user has only to go to the correct site and get access to the download Installation after download is automatic.
- In case of Blu-ray Discs, HD-DVD player or DVD, the user may also download the firmware update from a special website or page to a PC, extract the files and then burn a CD or DVD. The user then inserts the CD or DVD into the player and installs the update.
- The user can order the update disc with updates from the manufacturer directly and have it mailed. The only disadvantageous of this method is that the user may have to wait for a certain period of time (about the week) before the order is delivered to him.
- Send the item to the manufacture and have them do firmware update for you. This is the most uncomfortable option, as usually the user has to pay for shipping in both ways. However, sometimes this may be what the manufacture requires. It may be the case with such items as Home Theater receivers and Televisions. It happens that the manufacture can send someone out to do the firmware upgrade at your location.
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