Help! Blu-ray player won't play dvd-r anymore

[Cypher]

I have regularly been using my Samsung BDP-1500 to play movies that are on dvd-r. Recently I bought a blu-ray that was very new but didn't work properly as I suspected it was because my firmware needed to be updated. I copied the firmware onto a dvd-r and loaded it into the blu-ray player but I got a message saying the disc won't play. After trying this repeatedly I realized I could use a USB key instead, which worked and I was able to play the blu-ray properly.

However, when I tried playing dvd-rs again I get a message saying signal could not be found or something similar.

Anyone know how to fix this? Is my blu-ray player just getting old?

[rdodolak]

It shouldn't have anything to do with the player getting too old. Have you upgraded the firmware via DVD-R before? The reason I ask is because the manual only specifies CD, USB and LAN as options for upgrading firmware. That doesn't necessary mean that a DVD-R won't work but it may be one explaination.

There could be a number of reason why DVD-Rs are not playing in general. The discs may be going bad, make sure they're in v-mode and finalized, also check to see if you can play regular DVDs (the dvd laser may be going bad).

[Cypher]

Regular DVDs work on my Blu-ray and I tried playing the dvd-rs on my region free dvd player and they work perfectly.

Also previously I did update firmware using a dvd-r.

[rdodolak]

Although unlikely it's always possible the manufacturer removed the feature from subsequent firmware releases. Some, but not all, players allow you to downgrade the firmware. Have you tried this option? Try installing the firmware from two releases ago (not the current firmware nor the one you just upgraded from) and see if you're able to read DVD-R's after the downgrade.

Have you tried contacting the manufacturer?