Sony BDP-S1 Will Require Firmware Update

[thebry]

Hey there, forgive me if this is a duplicate post. I've been patiently awaiting notification that my Sony BDP-S1 has shipped. Over the holiday, I received notification that the unit will soon ship, but that it'll require a firmware update to playback BD-R and BD-RE disks. Won't really affect me, but it's an indication that they finally put a stake in the ground to get this thing out the door. Can't wait to receive mine! Here's the full text of the note:

Dear Sony customer,

We are excited to announce that BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc players will soon be shipping. We know that you have been waiting patiently for this product and strongly believe that the Blu-ray experience will be worth the wait.

This notice is to advise you that in order for the BDP-S1 to playback BD-R/RE discs, a firmware upgrade will be required.

In 2007, Sony plans to issue a disc-based product upgrade at no charge that will allow the playback of most discs using the BD-R/RE format. This is not in any way related to the BDP-S1’s ability to play BD-ROM discs, like the packaged movies you would purchase from a film studio, but will increase functionality for customers who can take advantage of it.

Additionally, an upgrade to enhance BD-Java capability will be available soon.

Thank you for choosing Sony Style!

Sony Style Customer Care

[vick vega]

How do you get these perodic update discs if you didn't order from Sony directly? I ordered mine from amazon, so will they give you a registration card w/the player, then send you the updates to the registered address?

[Jim]

Yes, there is registration information for the updates inside the box. I got mine from BestBuy and it was packaged in with the users manual right on top so you can't miss it.

[vick vega]

Cool thanks for the info. Have you figured out the audio decodeing capabibilities? Can it decode the new audio formats? If so which ones, and it pass them as PCM over analogue cables or do you have to have a reciever w/an hdmi input? Thanks for the help. Jason

[Jim]

For me, I had to set the audio preferences on Dolby Digital and DTS both to Downmix PCM. I am using the audio out on the optical cable to my surround sound system. My surround sound system is 7 or 8 years old, so I'm sure if it were newer I would not have to down mix.

But even that still sounds pretty good. I just finished watching The Fifth Element and the video and sound were great. I switched back and forth a couple of times during the movie between the Dolby Digital audio track and the LPCM track and personally the LPCM track sounded a bit better to me. A little deeper and richer.