FreeAgent Theater and GoFlexTV

[AlanM]

A firmware update will be released most probably on Monday for the FreeAgent Theater+ and GoFlex TV.  

The update will be the same for each device.

There are three separate updates, divided per region.

US/North America - will include an update for Netflix and many (or even most) bugs reported on this forum and especially in the beta test we performed (and many thanks to our beta testers, who were found on the FAT board!) will be fixed.  I believe the update identification number is 2.20.  

EMEA

and

APAC

EMEA and APAC will not, obviously, include Netflix.  Sorry about that.  

But here is an important issue for EMEA and APAC users - when the update releases, it will also be put onto the automatic-update server, and if your GF TV or FAT+ is connected to the Internet, the update will automatically be downloaded and applied.  This firmware will be locked and so you will not be able to regress to a previous firmware level once the new update is applied.

If you do not want your FAT+ or GF TV unit to update automatically, disable the Automatic Update function on your unit.

It is up to you whether you choose to update your unit.  One reason why you may not want to update your unit is because, as mentioned, it is locked, and so many of the modifications that some of our users (such as PlayDude) have performed and made available to everyone will not be possible.  

These updates will also be available for manual download on our www site, and once I find the URL of the page, I will announce it here.  

Thanks!

[AlanM]

Please see it here.

[wig_out]

So Netflix is not included in the APAC / EMEA firmwares, right?

Yet the latest edition of the firmware for APAC & EMEA will lock out users?

It is ridiculous.

Is there any defensible reason for locking those firmwares down?

If you have even one reason, please share it.

If not, this shows every user that this box was never theirs- they were simply paying for the pleasure housing the circuits and switches. The player itself always belonged to Seagate and now they've decided to close up shop, whether you like it or not.

What is it, uniformity among firmwares?

The Netflix stuff stinks, but at least it's a hook I can understand the device getting hung on.

Without that excuse, Seagate is just a bunch of thugs coming for your box.

Users should take notice and vote with their wallets.

EDIT: Still, I should say that it is good of Alan to at least provide advance notice. Be careful, or your supervisors might think you're on the side of the customers.

-wig_out

[quasar515]

Looking forward to seeing a complete listing of bugs that were fixed and any new enhancements. 

[Evilspock]

What time today will the firmware be release?  

[AlanM]

---

wig_out wrote:

So Netflix is not included in the APAC / EMEA firmwares, right?

Right.

Yet the latest edition of the firmware for APAC & EMEA will lock out users?

Yes.

It is ridiculous.

Since I'm an official Seagate employee, it puts me in a difficult position to say that, for the part of customer support, we did not support that move.

The player itself always belonged to Seagate and now they've decided to close up shop, whether you like it or not...Without that excuse, Seagate is just a bunch of thugs coming for your box.

I do think that is a bit harsh.

What is it, uniformity among firmwares?

Primarily, yes.

Users should take notice and vote with their wallets.

Well, I couldn't blame you.

EDIT: Still, I should say that it is good of Alan to at least provide advance notice. Be careful, or your supervisors might think you're on the side of the customers.

I understand what you're saying here and the feelings behind it.  In such a big company, there are always multiple sides playing multiple roles and factors, sometimes in competition with each other.  This time, the one side came out ahead.  

[Evilspock]

---

AlanM wrote:

---

wig_out wrote:

So Netflix is not included in the APAC / EMEA firmwares, right?

Right.

Yet the latest edition of the firmware for APAC & EMEA will lock out users?

Yes.

It is ridiculous.

Since I'm an official Seagate employee, it puts me in a difficult position to say that, for the part of customer support, we did not support that move.

The player itself always belonged to Seagate and now they've decided to close up shop, whether you like it or not...Without that excuse, Seagate is just a bunch of thugs coming for your box.

I do think that is a bit harsh.

What is it, uniformity among firmwares?

Primarily, yes.

Users should take notice and vote with their wallets.

Well, I couldn't blame you.

EDIT: Still, I should say that it is good of Alan to at least provide advance notice. Be careful, or your supervisors might think you're on the side of the customers.

I understand what you're saying here and the feelings behind it.  In such a big company, there are always multiple sides playing multiple roles and factors, sometimes in competition with each other.  This time, the one side came out ahead.  

I totaly understand and feel your pain.    Thankyou

---

[AlanM]

A few things.

Yesterday, the firmware went out in a limited batch via auto-update, and for a few hours, then was shut down.  Call it a gamma test.  I think they do that to see how it all works before they launch the big auto-update to everyone.  

So I expect it to come out anytime now.  I'll announce it when I get the word.

Yes, I think the firmware will be on this page:  http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=theater-plus-firmware&vgnextoid=04e4e42a1b8c...

And I'm looking into creating a page or KB article for the GF TV as well.

[Tinwable]

Well, it is unfortunate that those with the power to make those decisions, have decided to lock out their customers & not make any concessions.  I really like my FAT+, & have had hour's of entertainment using it.  But with that said, it has too many inconveniences & too many limitations for me to put hard earned money down on another unit.  I would understand the limitations if they were hardware related, but since these are forced limitations, & being imposed by Seagate then I am less understanding.

I would have thought that those a Seagate would have more pride in a device that they put on the market & they would be more interested in developing firmware that appealed to their customers, expecially when their compeditors are doing just that.   And that I  beta tested the latest FW, I can say that Seagate has a lack luster approach  (at least in development of any improvement in the FAT+ firmware) in making any improvements in their products.  As it is, instead of putting more money into buying another Seagate unit, I will have to go with the D-Link Boxee, which doesn't appear to have the same limitations, & also has NetFlix (according to Revision3).

[bodhi78]

Indeed, it's unfortunate. I've been using the FAT+ since day one, and the original FAT before that, have been enjoying both very much. The biggest problems I've been having are network files sorting, intermittent loss of audio, and an useless USB keyboard, all with FW 1.45. Since Seagate has refused to release an opened FW for 1.55+, I've decided a few months ago to get an Acer Revo and put XBMC on it. XBMC has been my main media player, and the FAT+ was downgraded to be a secondary media player. For the cost of 2 FAT+ players, you can have the Acer Revo and XBMC (free) combo. This is the best low cost solution, imo. Using XBMC to play movies on HDTV is a great joy. And the Acer Revo is practically silent (there is a small fan, but I can't hear it unless putting my ears right next to the box).

I think Seagate has made this decision because they don't care. So I've voted with my wallet

Boxee Box is also a great alternative for people who wants a ready-to-used media player (Boxee SW is based on XBMC). OTOH, with the Acer Revo/XBMC, you'll have a real PC do other things using the big screen: NAS, Transmission/Bit Torrent, surfing the net,....whatever the mood.

[noobie]

I don't blame you guys for moving on.  I use my FAT+ as secondary device in my bedroom.   For my main HT device I use full blown HTPC with 8800GT w/3rd party HSF.   I use win7 and xbmc... Also I use cheap atsc usb doggle to watch free OTA HD TV 1080i/720p via WMC7.   I can browse on the thing, even play some games...  

Just to add to Revo and upcoming Boxee, I would add PS3.... it is a little pricy, but you get decent BD player with 3D support, PS3 media center for transcoding almost any video format, great gaming console w/motion games now...... OH and it can play Netflix for both American and Canadians, I wonder how they accomplish that

I'm just waiting to see what the BIG update has to offer.   Maybe it will be next Monday...???

[bodhi78]

Well. I've been trying to avoid using HTPC as a main media player because of the G/WAF factor the noise, the asthetics, and the degree of difficulty are the reasons. I always like the FAT+ because it's small, low cost, noiseless, fantastic 1080p PQ, ready to use, and the FW was opened... there were many positives, with a handful of negatives that we could work around.

[quasar515]

Is it time for yet another update on the firmware release? "Anytime now" has taken on new meaning.

[HeyRadar]

I'm getting the update as I type.. Only via the updater within the FAT.

[Nitro Rider]

Got the EMEA 2.20 via auto update today...works fine and the annoying bug with file sorting on network storage is history, now there is a normal alphabetical order with folders first and files afterwards.

[Tinwable]

The new firmware isn't going to offer much, it is just a bug fix update.  So don't get your hopes up that you are going to see a lot of changes, although the issue of internet streaming movies stoping @ 1h, 4min..., has been fixed, and some of the sorting problems have been fixed (not the numerical sorting though).

[Even_Steven]

Yay, I'm so happy now--I have the Playon media server and it was just so frustrating trying to watch the episode that I wanted to watch! I'm so relieved--I can really enjoy my FAT+ now...

[bodhi78]

---

Tinwable wrote:

The new firmware isn't going to offer much, it is just a bug fix update.  So don't get your hopes up that you are going to see a lot of changes, although the issue of internet streaming movies stoping @ 1h, 4min..., has been fixed, and some of the sorting problems have been fixed (not the numerical sorting though).

---

Only FW bug fix? no new features? I was hoping for a better USB keyboard. It would make youTube and other Internet streaming services much more user friendly.

[wig_out]

Anyone who wants to download and examine the firmware files can do so by visiting this page:

http://www.seagate.com/support/software/theaterappliance.xml

Note that this scheme tries to detect which firmware you have installed, then pushes the firmware you should load next.

That is, those coming from less than 1.55 will have the 1.55 firmware pushed to their device. THEN the next time you checked your live update it would get version 2.2.

This is because the 1.55 firmware includes a bootcode update to handle the "newer" squashfs the most recent realtek media players are relying on.

You only need to update your bootcode one time, so firmware 2.2 doesn't contain the bootcode/bootloader stuff.

Anyway.

Inside the 2.2 firmware files, US and not-US is the same wall of aes encrypted impenetrability.

So that's that.

-wigout

[Tinwable]

I don't know it there was anything added for USB keyboard support, but I don't think so.  And no new features that I'm aware of, but I'm going from the last beta firmware, which appears to be the same as the offical firmware.

And, yes, as wig_out mentioned, you do have to flash 1.55 FW before you can flash the 2.20 FW.

I should also mention, if they didn't make any more changes from the beta version, there now will be an volume control issue.  In the beta version of this firmware, the volume meter will change, but the sound is either on or off, there is no actual control.  Also, it appears that when the volume is on, it is about .10db too low.

[bodhi78]

---

Tinwable wrote:

I don't know it there was anything added for USB keyboard support, but I don't think so.  And no new features that I'm aware of, but I'm going from the last beta firmware, which appears to be the same as the offical firmware.

And, yes, as wig_out mentioned, you do have to flash 1.55 FW before you can flash the 2.20 FW.

I should also mention, if they didn't make any more changes from the beta version, there now will be an volume control issue.  In the beta version of this firmware, the volume meter will change, but the sound is either on or off, there is no actual control.  Also, it appears that when the volume is on, it is about .10db too low.

---

Thanks! I can see why your assement about about the new FW is a "little" underwhelming: a possible new volume bug. Hope Seagate fixed that before putting it on the download page.

[Nitro Rider]

In the 2.20 EMEA is no volume control bug. Also the update procedure is a bit diffrent, there is an info that update 1.55 is avaiable, but after updating it shows directly 2.20 as installed firmware.

[bodhi78]

Alan - Any news when this is going to be available for download?

[Oldie1944]

Well, it is.

Look at the normal firmware-download page. it says Version 2.20 EMEA.

Rgds.

[FLHTHEMI]

---

Oldie1944 wrote:

Well, it is.

Look at the normal firmware-download page. it says Version 2.20 EMEA.

Rgds.

---

I found it available from the GoFlex firmware link.

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=goflextv-firmware&vgnextoid=cf4ebe90a5c8b210...

But not from the Theater+ link???

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=theater-plus-firmware&vgnextoid=04e4e42a1b8c...

Strange....thought both boxes used the same firmware....

[noobie]

---

FLHTHEMI wrote:

---

Oldie1944 wrote:

Well, it is.

Look at the normal firmware-download page. it says Version 2.20 EMEA.

Rgds.

---

I found it available from the GoFlex firmware link.

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=goflextv-firmware&vgnextoid=cf4ebe90a5c8b210...

But not from the Theater+ link???

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=theater-plus-firmware&vgnextoid=04e4e42a1b8c...

Strange....thought both boxes used the same firmware....

---

Does it work on FAT+?  Anybody tried it?  Also is there a list of bugs fixed by 2.20? 

[Oldie1944]

May be, you should check again?     :

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=theater-plus-firmware-emea&vgnextoid=50973ce...

Rgds.

[footballroy]

hi

Ime sorry if some of my questions have already been answered but I have just bought one of the fat+ box and having plugged it in I tried to update it over the internet and I am having the same problems as everyone else.  I think the firmware is 1.26, ime not sure whether I can update to the 2.20 firmware or do I have to update to 1.55 first. at the moment internet is lost and also the menus on photo video etc. which allows you to search in folders is also gone.

Dont really know whether this can be put right. I didn,t know there was any issues with this box before buying it, I just looked at the reviews some bad some good, but no mention of any serious problems.  Sorry Ive picked your post but it was the most recent and I have looked at a number of others but I am just getting confused.  I would really appreciate any help.

regards Roy

[bodhi78]

Here is the US FW download page

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=theater-plus-firmware&vgnextoid=04e4e42a1b8c...

[bodhi78]

---

footballroy wrote:

hi

Ime sorry if some of my questions have already been answered but I have just bought one of the fat+ box and having plugged it in I tried to update it over the internet and I am having the same problems as everyone else.  I think the firmware is 1.26, ime not sure whether I can update to the 2.20 firmware or do I have to update to 1.55 first. at the moment internet is lost and also the menus on photo video etc. which allows you to search in folders is also gone.

Dont really know whether this can be put right. I didn,t know there was any issues with this box before buying it, I just looked at the reviews some bad some good, but no mention of any serious problems.  Sorry Ive picked your post but it was the most recent and I have looked at a number of others but I am just getting confused.  I would really appreciate any help.

regards Roy

---

Check your FW version using setting following this:

"From the Remote, press Menu > Settings. The Settings Menu opens.
Note: Press the Down Arrow 3 times and select Version Information. Document the current firmware version number on your FreeAgent Theater+."

If it's 1.45 or older. Just download FW 1.45 and follow instruction for Cold Method upgrade.

If you want to upgrade to FW 2.20, then you have to upgrade to FW 1.55 first, and then upgrade to 2.20. (Make sure that you use the Cold Method to upgrade). Note that FW 1.55 or newer are locked, and encrypted, so you will not be able to flash back to older version (to use MOD firmware from playdude).

Also remember if you need help, create an new thread. That way people will notice and you'll get help faster.

[FLHTHEMI]

---

Oldie1944 wrote:

May be, you should check again?     :

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=theater-plus-firmware-emea&vgnextoid=50973ce...

Rgds.

---

Them Seagate people sure are tricky!! I guess someone slid in there and updated the firmware download page within 4 hours after I posted. It sure did NOT have the page that's there now when I went there yesterday morning.

[Salvo]

Dear AlanM,

I'm an EMEA User, where I can find the "Features" (full list, with ALL changes) of the 2.20 Firmware version ?

From 1.45 to 2.20 I suppose that there are many many maaaaany changes...

Thank you,

Salvo

[Nordlicht]

If you want to upgrade to FW 2.20, then you have to upgrade to FW 1.55 first, and then upgrade to 2.20. (Make sure that you use the Cold Method to upgrade). 

It's possible to install the EMEA 2.20 firmware directly with cold method on 1.45 EMEA. No update to 1.55 necessary before updating to 2.20.

So the 2.20 EMEA download file has also the bootstrap changes inside.