Do any new Blu players out there not require firmware updates to play Blu's?

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Hey everyone - as I'm sure people have been able to see from some of my other recent threads on this board, I am currently in the market for a new Blu player. The Samsung Blu player I have doesn't play all my Blu's, just certain ones. Though, it does still play regular DVD's with no problems whatsoever.

Based on what I've read on here & the good advice many have given, the reason for this is that the machine needs some type of "firmware" updates; still not 100% sure that will even solve the problem, however.

So, to avoid this irritating issue in the future, I was wondering if there were any new Blu players out there that did NOT require firmware updates, and would play all current & future Blu's in the player without a problem. Or, is this too much to ask for?!

Any info. on this would be greatly appreciated - Thanks in advance to anyone who responds.

[CuriousGamer]

Blu-Ray has changed alot over the years with AACS upto version 60 now I believe and BD+ was added ages ago with updates coming out over time.
So long as the player is connected to the Internet it should get minor updates on it's own.
Just out of interest what model is it? I might be able to find how to update it.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Originally Posted by CuriousGamer

Blu-Ray has changed alot over the years with AACS upto version 60 now I believe and BD+ was added ages ago with updates coming out over time.
So long as the player is connected to the Internet it should get minor updates on it's own.
Just out of interest what model is it? I might be able to find how to update it.

Thanks for the info. My Blu is a Samsung, but I don't have the model info. in front of me; I bought this new in late 2012. I'll be able to get to this later today, and will try to post then.

My circumstances are unusual in that I don't have my TV/Blu player connected to the Internet. So, in order to update the firmware I will need to download the info. from my separate computer onto a flash-drive (I think), then load then onto the Blu player. I hesitate to do this, however, since I'm not even sure it will work. I may just end up buying a new Blu player.

The reason I wanted to post this question online is that I don't trust salesmen at b&m stores to have a clue about firmware updates, etc.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

My Blu is a Samsung

That's your problem right there.

[nikita70]

My first bluray player was a Samsung. POS. Then I bought an LG. Another POS. Then I bought an Oppo. Awesome piece of equipment.

[wormraper]

just because you have a player connected to the net doesn't mean it gets updated. I'm now having problems with the newest Blu-rays from fox and Paramount. Last week it was "13 Hours". it wouldn't play the special features disc. This week I put in "10 Cloverfield Lane" and it won't make it to the loading screen even. Then I put in "The Other Side of the Door" and I get greeted with the message that my player needs an update to play. yet my player hasn't had an update for TWO YEARS!!!! My player works fine. It reads discs fine, but it won't play new blu-rays, which is UNACCEPTABLE. I'm sorry, but I've never ONCE had a DVD that needed a firmware update to even play. I've had DVD players last 7-9 years and this player is barely 2.5 years old!!!! I'm sick up returning my player to costco every 2-3 years and getting a brand new one just because the GD studios can't make up their mind.

and to the OP... they all need firmware updates every year or so it seems. The problem isn't that they need firmware updates, but that the studios drop support after only like 1 year and then just expect you to buy a new player.... the ONLY players that really get updated past 1-2 years is the Sony play stations and the OPPOs

[Nowhere]

Originally Posted by wormraper

and to the OP... they all need firmware updates every year or so it seems. The problem isn't that they need firmware updates, but that the studios drop support after only like 1 year and then just expect you to buy a new player.... the ONLY players that really get updated past 1-2 years is the Sony play stations and the OPPOs

My Sony is 6 years old (470), I just had to look it up hard to believe that old it still occasionally gets updates. So far it's been a great player, played everything I threw at it (always sucked massively for streaming) . I don't have 10 Cloverfield yet, but hopefully that plays to.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by Nowhere

My Sony is 6 years old (470), I just had to look it up hard to believe that old it still occasionally gets updates. So far it's been a great player, played everything I threw at it (always sucked massively for streaming) . I don't have 10 Cloverfield yet, but hopefully that plays to.

how the hell do you still get updates? I haven't seen an update for over 2 years!!! and mine is their 3D S590 that was almost flagship level a few years back!

[Nowhere]

Originally Posted by wormraper

how the hell do you still get updates? I haven't seen an update for over 2 years!!! and mine is their 3D S590 that was almost flagship level a few years back!

I have no idea, lol, it just a month or so ago went out for an update. Not sure what for. This does 3D too, but don't have the TV for it.

Edit last Firmware update according to Sony is December 2014, so it must of been compatibility update not sure where to find details of those online.

[wormraper]

This gets weirder and weirder. It's playing NONE of the new Blu-rays by Fox, Paramount and Sony. throws back an error or says needs new firmware. Something new must have been added to the specs


EDIT: Uggggg, I did something I hadn't thought of doing. I completely reset the software on the S590 and it continues on like a champ. I can only assume something was corrupted.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Thanks very much to everyone - your feedback has all been invaluable. Thanks again for taking the time to post.

I don't play video games, so am not sure I want to invest the money in a Sony play station. However, I am open to buying just a regular Sony Blu player. It sounds like a Sony player or an OPPO player is the way to go here.

The thing is, with all of these issues I'm having playing newer Blu's I sometimes have thought about just throwing in the towel & sticking with DVD's & streaming (for Blu's that won't play on my player). However, I've become so impressed with Blu's ever since I got my player 3 1/2 years ago that I've gotten spoiled by the HD format.

OK, now here's a related question: after reading all of these threads, I am open to the possibility of getting a new Blu player with wi fi built in so that updates can be done easier; as it stands right now, neither my TV or Samsung Blu player are wi fi capable.

So, here's the thing: my HD TV (an LG) is great, but doesn't have wi fi built in. So, if I get a new Blu player with wi fi built in, will I need to get a new TV with wi fi capability as well? I didn't think so, but since I've never had this type of set up before I wanted to make sure.

Note I do have wi fi in my house, and have a separate home computer (a tower) that I use for the Internet (streaming, etc.). And, I have been able to log onto wi fi using a separate laptop (independent of my computer).

Note the reason I'm asking all of these questions here is because I trust the Blu-ray.com members to be more knowledgeable about these technical issues than any employee @ an electronics store.

[Nowhere]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

So, here's the thing: my HD TV (an LG) is great, but doesn't have wi fi built in. So, if I get a new Blu player with wi fi built in, will I need to get a new TV with wi fi capability as well? I didn't think so, but since I've never had this type of set up before I wanted to make sure.

Note I do have wi fi in my house, and have a separate home computer (a tower) that I use for the Internet (streaming, etc.). And, I have been able to log onto wi fi using a separate laptop (independent of my computer).

Note the reason I'm asking all of these questions here is because I trust the Blu-ray.com members to be more knowledgeable about these technical issues than any employee @ an electronics store.

You do not need a new TV if you get a Wifi Bluray player...Wifi is just how it connects to the internet. Personally I would prefer to run an Ethernet cable to the player if it has both wired and wireless options (personal preference)

There will be connection settings in the Blu Ray player where you would enter your wifi information (SSID, User name, password)

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Originally Posted by Nowhere

You do not need a new TV if you get a Wifi Bluray player...Wifi is just how it connects to the internet. Personally I would prefer to run an Ethernet cable to the player if it has both wired and wireless options (personal preference)

There will be connection settings in the Blu Ray player where you would enter your wifi information (SSID, User name, password)

OK, Thanks - this is much appreciated. Still not sure I'm going to go this route, but we'll see.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

So, to avoid this irritating issue in the future, I was wondering if there were any new Blu players out there that did NOT require firmware updates, and would play all current & future Blu's in the player without a problem.

Generally speaking firmware updates are a good thing, they can improve a player's reliability and performance and help with incompatible discs, I think there are some players that don't have firmware updates, but you'll run the risk of a player becoming obsolete if studios decide to change their discs copy protection.

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

So, here's the thing: my HD TV (an LG) is great, but doesn't have wi fi built in. So, if I get a new Blu player with wi fi built in, will I need to get a new TV with wi fi capability as well? I didn't think so, but since I've never had this type of set up before I wanted to make sure.

No you don't need a new TV, they're separate devices, but if your TV's location isn't accessible with an Ethernet cable getting a Wi-Fi enabled player will be a benefit, especially if you like Netflix and other streaming services, most BD players have a range of Apps.

Set-up is simple enough, you just need to know your networks name and password.

Did you have any luck updating your current player?

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Originally Posted by chip75

Generally speaking firmware updates are a good thing, they can improve a player's reliability and performance and help with incompatible discs, I think there are some players that don't have firmware updates, but you'll run the risk of a player becoming obsolete if studios decide to change their discs copy protection.

No you don't need a new TV, they're separate devices, but if your TV's location isn't accessible with an Ethernet cable getting a Wi-Fi enabled player will be a benefit, especially if you like Netflix and other streaming services, most BD players have a range of Apps.

Set-up is simple enough, you just need to know your networks name and password.

Did you have any luck updating your current player?

Again, good to know. Thanks very much.

I have not tried to update my current Samsung player re: firmware updates, and may not due to the hassle involved - I don't know if it will even work, and to do this I will need to get some kind of flash-drive/USB drive & load any firmware updates on there from my computer, and then load that onto my Blu-ray player (which has no Internet or computer connection). Again, since this may not even work I don't know if I will bother. I'm sick of the Samsung Blu player at this point.

If it weren't for this site & the valuable info. I'm getting here, I would be a lot less informed re: the Blu players. For the most part, I've noticed that sales-people in electronics stores typically do not know as much as they should about the products they're selling. I speculate that they either don't get any training, are ignorant/indifferent, or a combination of all of this.

[Nowhere]

Originally Posted by chip75

No you don't need a new TV, they're separate devices, but if your TV's location isn't accessible with an Ethernet cable getting a Wi-Fi enabled player will be a benefit, especially if you like Netflix and other streaming services, most BD players have a range of Apps.

Set-up is simple enough, you just need to know your networks name and password.

I wouldn't go into a new Bluray player with hopes of streaming working, I know my player is old, but out of the box it was dodgy at best. Sony in particular go out to Sony first then out to Netflix. Not sure if that's still the case on current gen players (but assume so) both Netlfix and Sony told me that and blamed each other for the dodgy service.

Once I got a set top box, I never used touched streaming in the Bluray again. Set top def the way to go if you do a lot of streaming.

[halloween5309]

Originally Posted by nikita70

My first bluray player was a Samsung. POS. Then I bought an LG. Another POS. Then I bought an Oppo. Awesome piece of equipment.

i owned an lg bp220 and thought it was great
even oppo needs updates

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

Originally Posted by Nowhere

I wouldn't go into a new Bluray player with hopes of streaming working, I know my player is old, but out of the box it was dodgy at best. Sony in particular go out to Sony first then out to Netflix. Not sure if that's still the case on current gen players (but assume so) both Netlfix and Sony told me that and blamed each other for the dodgy service.

Once I got a set top box, I never used touched streaming in the Bluray again. Set top def the way to go if you do a lot of streaming.

Good to know - I will not use my Blu player for streaming; I have a computer & nice monitor for that purpose.

My main reason for getting a new Blu Player is because I want something that will play all my Blu's; not just a Blu player that will only play certain ones, or only work when it "feels" like working (like the one I have now).

[movielib]

Originally Posted by Nowhere

I wouldn't go into a new Bluray player with hopes of streaming working, I know my player is old, but out of the box it was dodgy at best. Sony in particular go out to Sony first then out to Netflix. Not sure if that's still the case on current gen players (but assume so) both Netlfix and Sony told me that and blamed each other for the dodgy service.

Once I got a set top box, I never used touched streaming in the Bluray again. Set top def the way to go if you do a lot of streaming.

I have a region free Sony BDP-S5200 (a couple of years old). I stream Netflix, Hulu and Amazon on it and have had almost no problems. For some inexplicable (to me) reason, every once in awhile I have to re-login to one of the services.

[Pondosinatra]

Originally Posted by AnamorphicWidescreen

Hey everyone - as I'm sure people have been able to see from some of my other recent threads on this board, I am currently in the market for a new Blu player. The Samsung Blu player I have doesn't play all my Blu's, just certain ones. Though, it does still play regular DVD's with no problems whatsoever.

Based on what I've read on here & the good advice many have given, the reason for this is that the machine needs some type of "firmware" updates; still not 100% sure that will even solve the problem, however.

So, to avoid this irritating issue in the future, I was wondering if there were any new Blu players out there that did NOT require firmware updates, and would play all current & future Blu's in the player without a problem. Or, is this too much to ask for?!

Any info. on this would be greatly appreciated - Thanks in advance to anyone who responds.

My first player was a Samsung. I hated it. Granted Blu-ray was in its infancy, but ya, it was always a coin toss whether a movie would play or not. I'm sure Samsung is great now, but that first experience forever tarnished me on the brand.

Since then I've been Pioneer, and they've had their own issues. That said, ever since Profile 2 players came out I thankfully haven't had any issues.