Sony Blu-Ray S-300

[Grbeef]

Blu-ray player would not play rented blu-ray disks. Downloaded firmware upgrade from Sony site and followed directions to the letter (burned as image, finalized, did not interrupt firmware upgrade while in progress). Verified through player set-up that new firmware version was accepted.
First blu-ray disk played for two minutes, then froze and would not respond via remote or front panel buttons. Had to power machine down to get the disk out. After that, front panel would either display message "can't play or no disk". Sony Tech support recommended, with machine on, resetting machine (holding stop key and on/off button at same time). This worked long enough to load another disk with same results. Any suggestions other than the one that Sony offered - pay freight to send 1,000 miles away for repair?