Blu-rays getting worse? - Blu-ray Forum

ottokar · 10-21-2012, 08:27 AM

I've been into blu-ray now for about the last 4 years now and have had no issues up until the last few months. I can't believe the number of problems there have been lately with new releases (I have a Sony BDP-S550 and have been very happy with it). The following releases were returned/replaced:-

- Taking of Pelham 1-2-3 (1974): it wouldn't play AT ALL on my player and this happened for the 2 replacements as well (one I got 5 months after release). In the end I gave up on this movie as I read that, as I have a Sony player, it won't work on this and there aren't any more firmware updates for this model - wtf??

- Puss in Boots: won't play after 'loading' screen, screen just goes black; same went for the replacement.

- Cabin in the Woods: initial release had the widely publicised problems, sent for replacement

- Prometheus: macroblocking in second half of the movie. Apparently this only happens on Sony players.

- Chariots of Fire: froze at certain point, sent back and will now get US version.

- Harry Potter Wizards Collection: had to get replacements for the 5 disks that were previous releases.

The one thing in common for all these disks is that I ordered them as pre-order so got the first batch. Maybe it's time I stopped doing that as initial releases have so many bugs these days

Is it me (I have heard that Sony players are particularly affect but why should this be??) or has Quaiity Control gone out the window?

malcy30 · 10-21-2012, 09:38 AM

Cabin in the Woods UK was crap quality control by Lionsgate affected all players but some more than others. They have fixed the disk.

With Taking of Pelham 123 original and Prometheus they are because Sony need to update their firmware. Another disk screwed on many of their players is Game of Thrones. As I have posted in other threads Sony are one of the worst manufacturers in NOT upgrading their firmware especially in Europe. For what they sell themselves as, which is a premium brand they are not. They only update firmware on the PS3 and their latest model of standalone players, but those are obsolete within a year. I gave up with my Sony, gave it to my dad who is happy to use for his DVDs. Bought an Oppo93 which is much more expensive but they update firmware every couple of months for problem disks.

BTW if you want to watch Pelham 123 original on a Sony buy the US disk is region free and because its a different master works okay on them.

Another tip with Sony is connect a USB memory stick. The 300 series players have no memory and other models very little. This causes load problems on some titles like the Alien boxset and Prometheus which try to save to internal memory on boot up.

In terms of Sony they do have a very bad reputation for disk play back problems, similar to the supermarket unbranded players, but you pay much more. You see many less complaints about Panasonic. However if you can afford the £500 or £600 for multi BD region nothing beats the Oppo.

FastAndFluid · 10-21-2012, 10:03 AM

I bought the Oppo 95 after breaking my US-imported multi-region Panasonic player just by applying a firmware upgrade. It clobbered the multi-zone capability and suddenly about half my titles weren't playing properly. I had to throw the player out.

I would like to say the Oppo is a lot better, but the reality is that the first firmware upgrade I got clobbered the multi-zone capability. My dealer sent out a multi-zone fix to go with the new firmware but if you read the AVS forums lots of people have had problems with the fix, and I was one of them. The player thinks the new firmware and zone-free mod is installed but is zone-locked and no amount of re-applying the different firmware/mod updates could fix the player. In the end I had to send the player back to my dealer and they had to fit new multi-region mod hardware to sort the mess out. I'm now terrified of applying another firmware upgrade in case it clobbers my multi-zone capability again, but suspect at some point in the future not keeping the firmware up to date will mean some newer discs won't play.

In truth I wish I'd gone for what I originally planned but was talked out of: two separate Panasonic players - one locked Region A, one locked Region B. That way I wouldn't have to worry about firmware upgrades that seem to be a way of life with new discs, but which clobber the multi-zone capabilities.

Sithlord75 · 10-21-2012, 10:51 AM

I've never had any problems playing disc's with either of my Sony players.

My first player that came with my TV was the old S-350, sold that about 3 years ago and bought a multi-region S-360. No problems whatsoever with anything & have never updated the firmware on it. Prometheus plays fine, some models must be more temperamental than others i guess.

malcy30 · 10-21-2012, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sithlord75

I've never had any problems playing disc's with either of my Sony players.

My first player that came with my TV was the old S-350, sold that about 3 years ago and bought a multi-region S-360. No problems whatsoever with anything & have never updated the firmware on it. Prometheus plays fine, some models must be more temperamental than others i guess.

I guess it depends upon what films you buy. Pelham 123 original film UK version definitely won't play on your Sony.

JimDiGriz · 10-21-2012, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sithlord75

I've never had any problems playing disc's with either of my Sony players.

My first player that came with my TV was the old S-350, sold that about 3 years ago and bought a multi-region S-360. No problems whatsoever with anything & have never updated the firmware on it. Prometheus plays fine, some models must be more temperamental than others i guess.

No problems with my two Sony blu-ray players either. I had an S350 too which is now at my parents house, it played everything for me even though it was a bit slow. My E870 plays everything fine - no problems with Prometheus at all and Ive watched it twice. Thats with BD-live on and latest firmware update.

Also - T2 Skynet is supposed to take ages to load? My E870 loaded it as quick as some other blu's, got to the main menu in just over a minute I think. Some people have reported up to 10 minutes?!

Dickieduvet · 10-21-2012, 11:13 AM

My first BD player was a Sony back in 2007, It died within a month. I've had 3 Panasonic players since and not had a single problem with any of them and they are used pretty much on a daily basis.

Won't touch a Sony again.....

Indiana Jones · 10-21-2012, 11:50 AM

Bought a Panasonic BD35 about 4 years ago and have never updated the firmware on it and it has played every disc I have thrown at it including the problem titles like Alien Anthology and Prometheus.

I guess some manufactures are better than others when it comes to putting their players together, perhaps Sony intentionally built their players so you have to upgrade every few years

ilikebluray · 10-21-2012, 12:44 PM

Got Boardwalk Empire some time ago and my Denon DBT-1713UD would sometimes not load the disk so i had to turn it on and off a few times in order to work but im not sure if that's the disk fault or player

shogun123 · 10-21-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

Bought a Panasonic BD35 about 4 years ago and have never updated the firmware on it and it has played every disc I have thrown at it including the problem titles like Alien Anthology and Prometheus.

I guess some manufactures are better than others when it comes to putting their players together, perhaps Sony intentionally built their players so you have to upgrade every few years

Every manufacturer does that, there is a name for it but can't remember atm.

Sky_Captain · 10-21-2012, 01:54 PM

I'm still using a fat PS3 that I bought in 2007 and a Region A fat PS3, bought in 2009.

Disc playback problems? What disc playback problems?

crazybeats · 10-21-2012, 01:59 PM

I've still got an old PS3 and it's working fine. I remember being told that because of all the updates Sony do and because they have a large part to play in the creation of blu ray that there is no better player than the PS3. It will play all kinds of discs other than blu ray and it can get you online and they always update the software.

malcy30 · 10-21-2012, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky_Captain

I'm still using a fat PS3 that I bought in 2007 and a Region A fat PS3, bought in 2009.

Disc playback problems? What disc playback problems?

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazybeats

I've still got an old PS3 and it's working fine. I remember being told that because of all the updates Sony do and because they have a large part to play in the creation of blu ray that there is no better player than the PS3. It will play all kinds of discs other than blu ray and it can get you online and they always update the software.

Exactly. If I bought another Sony BD player I would only go for a PS3 as its the only one long term they continue to update.

chip75 · 10-21-2012, 04:57 PM

I've been having a back and forth with SONY about my Casino Royale disc which is now as dead as a doornail. First they said that I should contact my hardware manufacturer. Which as a PS3 owner they are one!

I then tried the disc on two up-to-date SONY players after my Samsung and PlayStation failed to recognise the disc at all. They didn't recognise the disc either.

I messaged SONY and they asked was the disc bought new or used? It was brand new. I mentioned that I'd only played the discs 2-3 times and was only playing the disc to check the audio bitrate fro a member here. I got this peach back:

Quote:

Unfortunately, our Company Policy does not include the replacement of product due to issues or potential damages of this nature.

To which I responded with, "so pressing INFORMATION on the PlayStation remote is considered misuse of a SONY Blu-ray?" Or words to that affect! They seem to ignore emails unless you bombard them with duplicates as weell. I haven't heard back yet....

As for Blu-ray's getting worse? I'm not sure but the more technology they try to cram on the disc the more problems seem to crop up.

DJF · 10-21-2012, 10:35 PM

As a S550 owner myself this thread is rather interesting, if not a bit disappointing with Puss in Boots being on my wish list! Haven't personally had any problems with mine yet*, though I have heard something about the Butterfly Effect not working on it, which is also one I was planning to get - anyone able to confirm that? Only discussions I found were a few years old...

*at least blu-wise anyway, was a different story when I tried to update the firmware using Sony's downloadable disc image, which then failed as they provided the wrong format, which led to me having to dismantle my player to get the disc back out after Sony pretty much said "Tough, you'll have to pay £40 have it removed at a service centre", despite it being their fault.

10-21-2012, 08:27 AM	#1
ottokar Member Member since:Sep 2012	Blu-rays getting worse? I've been into blu-ray now for about the last 4 years now and have had no issues up until the last few months. I can't believe the number of problems there have been lately with new releases (I have a Sony BDP-S550 and have been very happy with it). The following releases were returned/replaced:- - Taking of Pelham 1-2-3 (1974): it wouldn't play AT ALL on my player and this happened for the 2 replacements as well (one I got 5 months after release). In the end I gave up on this movie as I read that, as I have a Sony player, it won't work on this and there aren't any more firmware updates for this model - wtf?? - Puss in Boots: won't play after 'loading' screen, screen just goes black; same went for the replacement. - Cabin in the Woods: initial release had the widely publicised problems, sent for replacement - Prometheus: macroblocking in second half of the movie. Apparently this only happens on Sony players. - Chariots of Fire: froze at certain point, sent back and will now get US version. - Harry Potter Wizards Collection: had to get replacements for the 5 disks that were previous releases. The one thing in common for all these disks is that I ordered them as pre-order so got the first batch. Maybe it's time I stopped doing that as initial releases have so many bugs these days Is it me (I have heard that Sony players are particularly affect but why should this be??) or has Quaiity Control gone out the window?

10-21-2012, 09:38 AM	#2
malcy30 Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Jan 2011 Location:Somewhere in the South Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Trading Score:1	Cabin in the Woods UK was crap quality control by Lionsgate affected all players but some more than others. They have fixed the disk. With Taking of Pelham 123 original and Prometheus they are because Sony need to update their firmware. Another disk screwed on many of their players is Game of Thrones. As I have posted in other threads Sony are one of the worst manufacturers in NOT upgrading their firmware especially in Europe. For what they sell themselves as, which is a premium brand they are not. They only update firmware on the PS3 and their latest model of standalone players, but those are obsolete within a year. I gave up with my Sony, gave it to my dad who is happy to use for his DVDs. Bought an Oppo93 which is much more expensive but they update firmware every couple of months for problem disks. BTW if you want to watch Pelham 123 original on a Sony buy the US disk is region free and because its a different master works okay on them. Another tip with Sony is connect a USB memory stick. The 300 series players have no memory and other models very little. This causes load problems on some titles like the Alien boxset and Prometheus which try to save to internal memory on boot up. In terms of Sony they do have a very bad reputation for disk play back problems, similar to the supermarket unbranded players, but you pay much more. You see many less complaints about Panasonic. However if you can afford the £500 or £600 for multi BD region nothing beats the Oppo. Last edited by malcy30; 10-21-2012 at 09:45 AM.

10-21-2012, 10:03 AM	#3
FastAndFluid Banned Member since:Sep 2012 Blu-ray reviews:1	I bought the Oppo 95 after breaking my US-imported multi-region Panasonic player just by applying a firmware upgrade. It clobbered the multi-zone capability and suddenly about half my titles weren't playing properly. I had to throw the player out. I would like to say the Oppo is a lot better, but the reality is that the first firmware upgrade I got clobbered the multi-zone capability. My dealer sent out a multi-zone fix to go with the new firmware but if you read the AVS forums lots of people have had problems with the fix, and I was one of them. The player thinks the new firmware and zone-free mod is installed but is zone-locked and no amount of re-applying the different firmware/mod updates could fix the player. In the end I had to send the player back to my dealer and they had to fit new multi-region mod hardware to sort the mess out. I'm now terrified of applying another firmware upgrade in case it clobbers my multi-zone capability again, but suspect at some point in the future not keeping the firmware up to date will mean some newer discs won't play. In truth I wish I'd gone for what I originally planned but was talked out of: two separate Panasonic players - one locked Region A, one locked Region B. That way I wouldn't have to worry about firmware upgrades that seem to be a way of life with new discs, but which clobber the multi-zone capabilities.

10-21-2012, 10:51 AM	#4
Sithlord75 Blu-ray Samurai Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jun 2009 Location:Norfolk, U.K. Home Theater Gallery:38 4K collection:257 Blu-ray collection:437 DVD collection:4 Trading Score:91	I've never had any problems playing disc's with either of my Sony players. My first player that came with my TV was the old S-350, sold that about 3 years ago and bought a multi-region S-360. No problems whatsoever with anything & have never updated the firmware on it. Prometheus plays fine, some models must be more temperamental than others i guess.

10-21-2012, 11:13 AM	#7
Dickieduvet Blu-ray Ninja Top contributor Member since:Sep 2008 Location:England 4K collection:638 Blu-ray collection:3909 DVD collection:90 Blu-ray reviews: 6 Trading Score:7	My first BD player was a Sony back in 2007, It died within a month. I've had 3 Panasonic players since and not had a single problem with any of them and they are used pretty much on a daily basis. Won't touch a Sony again.....

10-21-2012, 11:50 AM	#8
Indiana Jones Blu-ray Champion Top contributor Member since:Aug 2009 Location:Bristol, England 4K collection:7 Blu-ray collection:17 Trading Score:42	Bought a Panasonic BD35 about 4 years ago and have never updated the firmware on it and it has played every disc I have thrown at it including the problem titles like Alien Anthology and Prometheus. I guess some manufactures are better than others when it comes to putting their players together, perhaps Sony intentionally built their players so you have to upgrade every few years

10-21-2012, 12:44 PM	#9
ilikebluray Member Member since:Mar 2011 Location:Denmark	Got Boardwalk Empire some time ago and my Denon DBT-1713UD would sometimes not load the disk so i had to turn it on and off a few times in order to work but im not sure if that's the disk fault or player

10-21-2012, 01:54 PM	#11
Sky_Captain Blu-ray Duke Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:17	I'm still using a fat PS3 that I bought in 2007 and a Region A fat PS3, bought in 2009. Disc playback problems? What disc playback problems?

10-21-2012, 01:59 PM	#12
crazybeats Special Member Member since:Oct 2012 Location:Glasgow, Scotland	I've still got an old PS3 and it's working fine. I remember being told that because of all the updates Sony do and because they have a large part to play in the creation of blu ray that there is no better player than the PS3. It will play all kinds of discs other than blu ray and it can get you online and they always update the software.

10-21-2012, 10:35 PM	#15
DJF Active Member Top contributor Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Nottingham, UK 4K collection:48 Blu-ray collection:445	As a S550 owner myself this thread is rather interesting, if not a bit disappointing with Puss in Boots being on my wish list! Haven't personally had any problems with mine yet, though I have heard something about the Butterfly Effect not working on it, which is also one I was planning to get - anyone able to confirm that? Only discussions I found were a few years old... at least blu-wise anyway, was a different story when I tried to update the firmware using Sony's downloadable disc image, which then failed as they provided the wrong format, which led to me having to dismantle my player to get the disc back out after Sony pretty much said "Tough, you'll have to pay £40 have it removed at a service centre", despite it being their fault.

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