FreeAgent Theater and GoFlexTV

[AlanM]

From here: FreeAgent Theater+ Firmware Update for US

Download Theater+ Firmware Update

File Name: FAT+_Firm_US_1.24.ZIP

File Version: 1.24

File Size for Windows: 39.2MB

Region Support: United States (US)

Note: Do NOT install this update on to a FreeAgent Theater+ purchased for use in/from the following Regions:

EMEA	APAC
Europe (includes Russia)	Asia/Pacific Rim (Australia/New Zealand)
Middle East	Japan
Africa	China
	Asia

If you purchased your product from any of the above regions, please download the file from the FreeAgent Theater+ Firmware for the EMEA or the FreeAgent Theater+ Firmware for APAC. Do NOT install this Firmware Update to an original FreeAgent Theater.

Note: Firmware updates are performed through the USB interface on the front of the FreeAgent Theater+’s dock, please remove any FreeAgent Go drives that may be connected in the device bay during the upgrade process. The firmware update resets the unit back to its factory defaults, so you will have to reset the language, time and resolution, after the update.

WARNING: Do not apply this firmware update to an original FreeAgent Theater system. Return to the Seagate Download Center to obtain firmware for that product.

Procedure - Theater+:

1. Download and extract the FAT+_Firm_US_1.24.zip file to your Windows system.

2. After extraction insert a USB memory stick into your PC and perform a quick format.

3. After format is complete drag and drop the install.img on to the root of the memory stick.

   Note: Do not store the .img file in any folders on the memory stick, the FreeAgent Theater+ doesn’t search for the firmware in update files hidden in folders.

4. Remove any FreeAgent Go drives that are docked in the Theater+, and insert the USB memory stick in to the front USB port of the Theater+.

5. Power on your television and the FreeAgent Theater+.

6. 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+.

7. Press the Right button 2 times. This opens the Firmware Update Menu.

8. Press the Down Arrow 1 time to select USB and press OK. Repeat this process a second time. At this point the Firmware update begins. This process may take awhile and requires no user intervention. When complete, the Seagate logo will move around the television screen as if it was a screen saver from a computer.

9. Use the Remote to power off the FreeAgent Theater+, disconnect the Flash Drive, reconnect any other external drives and you are finished.

For more information on how to get the most out of customizing and viewing your digital content on your television please visit the Seagate Knowledge Base and search for Theater.

[Luf99]

What exactly does the firmware update containt?

I am in South Africa, so can you please provide the link for the update for those in Europe and Africa.

Thank you

[HDuser1]

Can we have the Factory bin firmware in case we want the go back ?

No one would want to ruin the box from flashing without knowing we can go back,

other than returning to dealer for replacement.

[TSV]

I went ahead and installed the firmware update 1.24 on my FreeAgent+ box (I live in USA). Didn't play around much, but on quick look, here are the nice new features. Thanks Seagate Freeagent Theater+ team

New items added under the "Internet" icon

+ YouTube (Woo hoo! )

+ Video Feeds (CNN, BBC and lots of other channels)

+ Text Feeds (New update from CNN, BBC etc.,)

Under "Devices" icon

+ MediaServers(UPNP AV) are now supported! (Woo hoo!)

One note on the firmware installation:

 I connect to my network through WiFi. First I tried an online update. It said version 1.25.XXXX is available. When I selected it, the download(approx 29MB) progress went till 26MB and it aborted asking me to check network connection. I tried about 10 times and it failed at various points, all after 25MB. So I gave up and downloaded the firmware update from this site. What I'm surpised is, the download available from this site is V1.24 (online update says 1.25). So, I copied it to a USB disk and installed it on my FAT+. Once the update is complete, I again did a check for updates online and still it says V1.25 is available! But am unable to download it as it keeps saying network connection issue (I have my laptop in the same room that uses WiFi and there is not connection issue).

Is there a link to V1.25 on this site that I could download and update ?

Once again, kudos to the FAT+ team  for listening to your customers and improving the (already great) product

Thanks,

Venkat 

[TSV]

Oops! Already found some issues. After installing the update and doing my test, I turned off FAT+. When I turned it on again, I found a strange behaviour. The features under the "Internet" icon all fails saying "There may be network congestion"(youtube) or "Unable to service request"(Video Feeds). Even the online update screen says "Not connected to internet". However, the Network and MediaServers icons under the "Devices" icon work fine. Something has caused FAT+ not to recognize internet connection anymore. I tried resetting the box, but no luck.  Everytime when I power cycle the box (not reset), I get an annoying "Initial setup" screen that forces me to select the menu language and time!

Also,  after the firmware update, my Video Settings screen shows the TV system as PAL !! It is actually NTSC and the original firmware had it correct.

Are these known issues ? If so, will there be a fix ? Btw, is there a way for me to revert back to previous firmware version ?

Thanks,

Venkat

[IDMS]

What about v1.26?

[stevenk78]

I have the same issue as TSV. After upgrading the firmware to 1.24, whenever I cycle the player off, the time, language, and video display settings are lost. I have to reset them every time I power the device on. In addition, none of the internet apps are working (network congestion, check your connection, etc...) however, video served from my local intranet is fine.

I hope this is corrected quickly in a future firmware, or we are provided a method to revert back to previous firmware. This is a fantastic piece of hardware, let's home the firmware follows suit!

[TSV]

@Stevenk78: I posted my current status on this on a different thread. Have given below: 

<short reply: A new FAT+ box + V1.25 firmware update online = problem solved! >

After struggling for serveral hours trying to fix the issues with my FAT+ box, I finally gave up. The V1.24 firmware update has done something wrong to the box that it won't work normally again. Few points of interest:

* I followed exactly the same instructions given in the firmware download thread. However, it didn't take much time to install the update (less than 5 mins) and after the installation is complete, I did not see any "Seagate screensaver". Instead, the initial setup page came up and asked me to set the menu language, date, time etc.,

*  Like one of the membes in the forum mentioned, the V1.24 firmware had an "E" at the end of it - may be it is for "Europe" ? The online update that I had initially seen was something like 1.25.XXXXU. Unfortunately I was not able to do an online update as it kept on timing out.

Question to Seagate: If online update says 1.25, why post an older update for download in the portal ?!

So, I went to BestBuy this morning and exchanged this box for a new FAT+. I setup the box and made sure it worked fine with the original installed firmware version. Then, after making all prayers, I tried an "Online" update. The new box promptly found the new firmware "1.25.XXXXU" and I took the chance and installed it. The screen went blank for a moment to my surprise, it brought up a firmware update progress screen (I never saw this with V1.24 update). The screen had 3 rows specifying the steps the update process is going through and estimated time of completion - sweet!

    *  (something like)verifying the firmware - 3 minutes

    *  restarting the device- 5 seconds

    * installing the firmware update - 10 minutes

It took 10 mins to complete the installation, restarted and came to the initial setup screen. 

Now all the new features + old features works fine. I haven't extensively tested it yet, but have power cycled the box at least 5 times after each try and it seems to be stable now.

Dear Seagate ,

Please please and please, update the site with the correct firmware (V1.25) file for U.S customers.

 

[IDMS]

Why are you people stuck on the old version if new 1.26 is out!!!

???????

Message Edited by IDMS on 11-17-2009 06:25 PM

[tomwwolf]

because the most current firmware posted to the website is 1.24, and if the network update doesn't work - as it appears to not work for some, that is the only option.

Much like the GNU code, there does not seem to be any real effort to post the current code or firmware on the website.

tom w wolf