Whats the big deal... with firmware?

[Moefiz]

I am just curious why do some people make such a big deal about firmware updates.I have run across numerous posts and threads about people complaining about updates.Why is that?.

People need to realize that this is a brand new media thats about 2 years old and they will be alot of changes in time to come ,when the PS3 first came out it was a bare bones system after numerous firmware updates its one of the best players out there.
I have a S300 and we already had 1 update for it,I look forward to the next one to see what new features it will get.

[pedigree]

for real every time i update i think something new is happening.. yea its a bit of a pain to wait but its for sure worth it

[SKRUhddvd]

i remember the first firmware update i did was jaming a book of matches between the 8 track player and the tape. simple update and it worked till you needed the matches or you hit a bump.

[T-Wrecks]

Creating systems that allow upgrades via free software vs. having to purchase NEW HARDware...that is so great that it really goes without saying.

I think those that gripe do so more out of impatience than anything else. They know the merits and just want improvements right now.

[jorg]

Originally Posted by Moefiz

I am just curious why do some people make such a big deal about firmware updates.I have run across numerous posts and threads about people complaining about updates.Why is that?.

People need to realize that this is a brand new media thats about 2 years old and they will be alot of changes in time to come ,when the PS3 first came out it was a bare bones system after numerous firmware updates its one of the best players out there.
I have a S300 and we already had 1 update for it,I look forward to the next one to see what new features it will get.

yes pople should be happy for them i remember my uncle(rich basterted ) bought a dvd player when it first came out a lower end one(not that rich ) haha and he had to get a new player becuase it wouldent play some discs(turned out to be having problems with dulelayers discs)

[ArkGuy]

Originally Posted by SKRUhddvd

i remember the first firmware update i did was jaming a book of matches between the 8 track player and the tape. simple update and it worked till you needed the matches or you hit a bump.

That was especially effective for R.E.O./TWO


Anyway, the excuses and spin regarding the need for firmware upgrades is getting a bit old. If you want the technology to break into the mainstream, things have to work out of the box, period. If you buy some new movie, it needs to work, period. None of this, "well, I'll go to the manufacture's website, and find the download page, and burn the disc EXACTLY like they say, and then ....."


C'mon. DirecTV receiver boxes have done firmware updates automatically since day one through the connected phone line. The consumer didn't have to do squat. As someone put it in another thread, standard 2.0 can't get here fast enough.

[WickyWoo]

Anyway, the excuses and spin regarding the need for firmware upgrades is getting a bit old. If you want the technology to break into the mainstream, things have to work out of the box, period. If you buy some new movie, it needs to work, period. None of this, "well, I'll go to the manufacture's website, and find the download page, and burn the disc EXACTLY like they say, and then ....."

We're quickly approaching that point. With each new disc with advanced features fewer and fewer decks are choking on it out of the box.

What people need to understand is that the software driving these things is exponentially more complicated than even DVD was, and that this is what's going to happen with any complex device

[tru2blu707]

Id rather do a firmware update than have to buy a NEW blu ray player...cough<HDDVD>cough

[GasCat]

Firmware updates rock. As said earlier in the post, who wants to buy a newer model? That's what consumers used to do.

[SKRUhddvd]

how many of us complain when we install a service pack in our microsoft operating system?

[Manco]

Firmware is the software computer programming logic that runs your Blu-ray player (and every other piece of electronics known to man). Without it, you have a very nice looking piece of "dumb" hardware to place on your coffee table.

Since computer programming logic can have bugs and other logic problems, keeping your firmware updated will ensure the most reliable performance of your Blu-ray hardware. This is where compatibility problems with various BD's will be fixed...plus other available enhancements (such as profile 1.1 compatibility if your player has the hardware to support it). It's important to keep current.

[Papi4baby]

While i will say that it is getting somewhat out of hand, that every new movie needs a firmware(LISTEN BDA, INCLUDE THE FIRMWARE ON THE DISC.)

The problem is people are acustomed to DVD insert and play. They dont understand and dont want to understand that it is not the same beast. And lastly we dont like change, we like habit. Anything that makes us do something different we will fight it and try to not get used to it.

[whippersnapper]

I consider firmware updates to be "free" enhancements to the product I bought. Folks should get used to this or find a relative or friend to do it or even get a neighborhood kid that will do this easy task for five bucks. It's really not difficult at all.

[MotionBlurr]

How do you get firmware updates into a stand alone BR player? I have a PS3 so I just connect with Wi-Fi. How do the stand alone players get updated?

[WickyWoo]

burn a cd

[jaymzbo]

Originally Posted by WickyWoo

burn a cd

While I'm sure I can handle that, I was wondering, just out of curiosity, do standalones have usb ports where I could attach a flash drive and do FW updates that way? That's the way I get my updates for the PS3.

[lch]

getting new firmware is like refreshing you player to become new.
else we will be like going to need a new player for every new movie feature they going to introduce.

we also get windows software update on our pc so often that they now don't even inform us when patching our system. previously, still got the icon at the tray to inform, now only when you shut down, you will see the 'updating in progress'.

[quetzalcoatl]

Where I have no problem with FW updates there is still a problem here. And that is everytime you do a FW upgrade there is a chance you will kill your system. Now I have been working with computer for nearlly 27 years so it is no big deal to me. There are alot of people that have never delt with them and therefore do them wrong.

This is not a regular software upgrade like a windows sevice pack as was mentioned. This is at the core of everything that happens with your system.

They need to make them simple. And as to them putting them on the disc I know that has been metioned and from insiders will not happen. But make it like the windows update is. That is checks for you. Only problem there is that is has to be connected and even after the ethernet ports become manditory how many will have them connected. My guess if few. Even if DirecTV is helping here by moving to VOD very soon for its HR-20 units.

[WickyWoo]

A few of the new ones do. I think the Samsung 1400 does.

Frankly I wouldn't buy a Samsung Blu-ray player though, after seeing how many issues they've had

[gvortex7]

I just updated my Philips BDP9000's firmware today, and can already see better performance with the unit loading discs quicker and movies not skipping or freezing. This is the third firmware I've downloaded and burnt since I got my unit, and it has been the most significant so far, as far as the unit's performance is concerned. Thanks Philips.