Sony Blu-Ray plays some Disney titles...but not others.

[indianajdp]

I'm a technology idiot, so I'm sure this is something basic.

Anyway, the blu-ray player in our new Sony Laptop plays Cars just fine. But try Meet the Robinsons, Ratatouille, or Dinosaur, and it says the region is not correct. I then try to change the region, but the device comes up shaded grey (meaning I cannot change anything) but it is already set to USA.

Disney titles..no go.
Pixar, apparently okay.

Anything obvious I'm missing?
And yes I did update the drivers a week ago.

[dadkins]

What model of VAIO?
What software?
Have you tried a different player software?

I have this VGN-AR190G.
The preinstalled WinDVD BD will play *most* BDs.
First disc that I have that refuses to do anything is Surf's Up.
PowerDVD Ultra on the other hand, after the "Required Update" plays it fine.

[smiley]

I am guessing it is a software problem. The newest version of power DVD should play any Blu-Ray disc.

[NJMetsFan]

It odd that it won't play Dinosaurs, that one should be region free just like Cars. The other two are region coded. It seems like it doesn't like region coded BD's or at least Disney region coded BD's. Have you tried any other movies from other studios?

I don't think its your BD Drive. I would contact Sony and let them know about the problem.

[indianajdp]

More details (I was a bit rushed earlier):

Sony Vaio VGN-AR600 Series
Player: InterVideo WinDVD

Movies that have been tried that DO work:
Pearl Harbor
Cars

Did driver updates via Sony homepage a couple of weeks ago.
Should I be looking elsewhere for them?

[hendra]

I had the same problem until I downloaded the AACS update from Sony website. Go here http://esupport.sony.com/ , type in your model number, look under WinDVD section and download the latest update.

[indianajdp]

Where can I get the EXACT model #? I thought if I right-clicked properties i could get more specific info...but that only lists "Sony Vaio" as the model # under "Computer" and "Properties".

By the way, the manuals all say VGN-AR600 series, but the "model" on the bottom sticket says PCG-8Z2L. When I enter that info on the sony site for downloads it then asks me to verify my model as bing one of the AR600 series, either 605E, 610E, 620E, 630E, or 650U.

This might be the problem, as I think last time we went with 605E.

UPDATE:
Tried POTC, POTC 2, Santa Claus 3, and Invincible this AM. Both POTC films played, but Santa Claus 3 and Invincible did not.

[indianajdp]

Fixed it!!

It was something basic...my wife told me she had changed the region coding so I stopped trying to get in and verify that. Did do again this AM and see that she had changed the standard DVD setting but had never set the BD setting. Makes sense as to whay all of those region-free discs were good but the Disney Region A titles were not.

I'm still wondering, though, how I can see my EXACT model if anyone can clue me in on that.

[jakesully]

just doing a test

[hendra]

Originally Posted by indianajdp

Fixed it!!

I'm still wondering, though, how I can see my EXACT model if anyone can clue me in on that.

There is a tiny obscured sticker at the lower left hand corner of your screen. Or go to Vaio Support Central. The upper part of the program should show you the model #.

[emkoss]

I just bought a Sony VAIO VGN-FZ283BN Laptop with a Blu-Ray Drive. It's loaded with InterVideo WinDVD BD for VAIO. I think it's version 8, but not sure which revision of 8 it is. After going through all the standard initial challenges - region, enabling a single monitor while using Vista, etc., I'm finding that I can play some movies and not others.

I got Ratatouille to play, but for the life of me cannot get Spiderman 3 to play. I actually thought it was the DVD and returned it for a replacement. I can play the Special Features disc, but not the actual movie.

I've searched the web and didn't much help for the Sony laptops. I checked the Sony site and it seems at least one of the VAIO laptops has a patch for the InterVideo WinDVD for VAIO that solves playing problems. But, it's not listed as a patch for mine so I'm hesitant to install it. Also because I'm pretty sure my laptop is newer than the other one.

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

[hendra]

Originally Posted by emkoss

I just bought a Sony VAIO VGN-FZ283BN Laptop with a Blu-Ray Drive. It's loaded with InterVideo WinDVD BD for VAIO. I think it's version 8, but not sure which revision of 8 it is. After going through all the standard initial challenges - region, enabling a single monitor while using Vista, etc., I'm finding that I can play some movies and not others.

I got Ratatouille to play, but for the life of me cannot get Spiderman 3 to play. I actually thought it was the DVD and returned it for a replacement. I can play the Special Features disc, but not the actual movie.

I've searched the web and didn't much help for the Sony laptops. I checked the Sony site and it seems at least one of the VAIO laptops has a patch for the InterVideo WinDVD for VAIO that solves playing problems. But, it's not listed as a patch for mine so I'm hesitant to install it. Also because I'm pretty sure my laptop is newer than the other one.

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

Just try it. My Sony SZ-381P doesn't even come with Blu-Ray (I use external drive) and I download WinDVD from Sony website. Originally, I had the same problem as the OP did. I downloaded the patch and it fixed the problem.

If it worked with my laptop that doesn't even come with Blu-Ray drive, I can't see why it won't work with yours. Just download the latest patch. If the program complains that the software is not intended for your model, download Universal Extractor (Google it), extract and install manually.

Good luck!

[dsmartd]

Okay I just took my laptop to the geek squad Sony Vaio VGN FZ283BN the reason that spiderman is unplayable is the it was incrypted around five more times so it the movie the weird thing is that it plays on ps3. To change region code open up win dvd bd make sure there is no disc inside left click the black screen go to options in a tab it going to say region the put a concerns email me at hustler.davido@gmail.com

[thunder]

I am having the same problem with VAIO AR590E and Ratatouille- I have applied the update patches for Win DVD and the BD disc will play but gets stuck at the disc's top menu. The disc plays on PS3 without problems. Any help/ideas would be aprpeciated.

[Chuck]

I just purchased a Sony VGN-FZ283BN on 01/04/08.
It plays the Harry Potter Blu-ray movie just fine,
however LOST Season 3 episodes will not play.
All of the advertisements, interviews, and movie previews play just fine.
I talked to Sony and did some troubleshooting with them
over a 4 day period with zero results.
Sony is looking into this.

I do believe this is a software issue with InterVideo WinDVD BD for VAIO.

There are no upgrades model VGN-FZ283BN using Vista Business.

So, if you are having a similar problem please let Sony know.
The Sony techs (tier 1 and tier 2) told me no one has reported this
issue for this model number until I did.
The more people that report this issue to Sony will hopefully
pressure Sony to have InterVideo correct this.

Thanks

[emkoss]

Originally Posted by Chuck

I just purchased a Sony VGN-FZ283BN on 01/04/08.
It plays the Harry Potter Blu-ray movie just fine,
however LOST Season 3 episodes will not play.
All of the advertisements, interviews, and movie previews play just fine.
I talked to Sony and did some troubleshooting with them
over a 4 day period with zero results.
Sony is looking into this.

I do believe this is a software issue with InterVideo WinDVD BD for VAIO.

There are no upgrades model VGN-FZ283BN using Vista Business.

So, if you are having a similar problem please let Sony know.
The Sony techs (tier 1 and tier 2) told me no one has reported this
issue for this model number until I did.
The more people that report this issue to Sony will hopefully
pressure Sony to have InterVideo correct this.

Thanks

Chuck - I have the same VAIO model, have experienced the same issue, and contact online chat support about it the first week of January. It was clear they hadn't seen the issue before, tried to troubleshoot in all the ways that I already had. The answer seemed to be wait for a software update, but I could never get them to come right out and say that. Very strange. I do believe it's an issue with InterVideo, but as you know there are no such updates yet for this model on the Sony website. If you hear anything with regards to timing, I'd love to know this. I'd be nice to the play the Spiderman 3 BD I got with the purchase of the darn laptop!

Regards,

[hendra]

Originally Posted by Chuck

I just purchased a Sony VGN-FZ283BN on 01/04/08.
It plays the Harry Potter Blu-ray movie just fine,
however LOST Season 3 episodes will not play.
All of the advertisements, interviews, and movie previews play just fine.
I talked to Sony and did some troubleshooting with them
over a 4 day period with zero results.
Sony is looking into this.

I do believe this is a software issue with InterVideo WinDVD BD for VAIO.

There are no upgrades model VGN-FZ283BN using Vista Business.

I have VGN-SZ381P that doesn't even come with BD until I add an external drive and WinDVD BD for VAIO plays Spidey 1 to 3 and Lost Season 3 just fine. The key is you have to get the latest version (8.0.8.425)
from another model. Download the latest patch from the VGN-AR series. The patch may refuse to install with your FZ model. You have to use Universal Extractor (google it) to extract the installation program and bypass the model checker.
Good luck!

[mr.hidef]

PC's SUCK.

[mr.hidef]

It is suprising,though..Sony makes great products!