The Sony BDP-S300/301 Review Thread

[QwikSand]

4.30

What does this do?

This utility updates the BDP-S300 firmware to version 4.30, and provides the following benefits:

Improvements over firmware version 4.20:

* Improves BD-Java compatibility to enhance interactivity with some BD-ROMs.

Additional improvements over original firmware:

* Compatibility with BD-R/RE discs burned by the Click to Disc™ and Click to Disc™ Editor software included with some VAIO® computers
* Adds Dolby® TrueHD Audio and Dolby Digital Plus Audio decoding functionality.
* Compatibility with the newly released BD-R/RE format (BDMV).
* Improves BD-Java compatibility to enhance interactivity with some BD-ROMs.

[krisjan]

Originally Posted by CBFETT

I had a question after reading this thread. I have the 300 and have done every single firmware update since I bought it. Well up to 4.20 until I get home from work tonight. Anyway, the only time my personal settings were reset to factory was the first time when I went from factory to 2.30 or something. Every other update didn't reset my settings, but the correct firmware number was displayed. Now I called Sony and they said I was fine. And I did notice that before 4.20 came out I couldn't select Dolby True HD when I put in a BD. I always had to select Plain old Dolby Digital. Now I can select Dolby True HD and notice a huge improvement in the sound. So I guess my question is who is right? Just confused more than anything now.

According to an industry insider, TrueHD decoding was added to the S300 well before FW 4.2. It was just not announced officially until recently. In order to get TrueHD from the S300, you must be connected via HDMI and you must set audio to PCM (not bitstream). TrueHD decoding is not available via anlog output.

[CBFETT]

Originally Posted by krisjan

According to an industry insider, TrueHD decoding was added to the S300 well before FW 4.2. It was just not announced officially until recently. In order to get TrueHD from the S300, you must be connected via HDMI and you must set audio to PCM (not bitstream). TrueHD decoding is not available via anlog output.

Thank you. But I am hooked up via HDMI. I had a home theater built and the Home Theater Company hooked up up my BDP when I bought it. I had an Upconverting Marantz DVD Player hooked up via HDMI to the Marantz Projector before I decided to go Blu when the Spidy Trilogy came out. So the HDMI is there. I guess I was more asking about the rest of personal setting each time. Has anyone else not had it reset and been fine.

[J.Cornelius]

IMO, after a firmware update you do not need to do a manual reset to factory settings for the following reasons:

1). See Krisjan post #1342 on this thread, he quotes directly from the Sony website.

2). After each time I have performed a firmware update I have double checked the Firmware on the player, it has always displayed the most current Firmware without a reset.

3). After Firmware 4.20 it was confirmed that the player will officially decode DDTHD, I did not reset the player after this update and have been enjoying the lossless codec, which indicates that the firmware as updated correctly.

[Fatboymart]

Not having the luxury of HDMI connectivity on my Yamaha AX1 and reading FW 4.30 adds support for DD Plus. Am I write in thinking I will most benefit from keeping my BD 300 set to bitstream until I upgrade?

Thanks

Martin

[CBFETT]

Originally Posted by J.Cornelius

IMO, after a firmware update you do not need to do a manual reset to factory settings for the following reasons:

1). See Krisjan post #1342 on this thread, he quotes directly from the Sony website.

2). After each time I have performed a firmware update I have double checked the Firmware on the player, it has always displayed the most current Firmware without a reset.

3). After Firmware 4.20 it was confirmed that the player will officially decode DDTHD, I did not reset the player after this update and have been enjoying the lossless codec, which indicates that the firmware as updated correctly.

Thank you. That what I thought but wanted to double check.

[krisjan]

Originally Posted by Fatboymart

Not having the luxury of HDMI connectivity on my Yamaha AX1 and reading FW 4.30 adds support for DD Plus. Am I write in thinking I will most benefit from keeping my BD 300 set to bitstream until I upgrade?

Thanks

Martin

You must set the S300 to output audio as PCM (not bitstream) if you want to have TrueHD and DD+ sent to your AVR via the HDMI connection. If it is set to bitstream, you will only get lossy DD/DTS and lossless LPCM sent to the AVR.

[Fatboymart]

Originally Posted by krisjan

You must set the S300 to output audio as PCM (not bitstream) if you want to have TrueHD and DD+ sent to your AVR via the HDMI connection. If it is set to bitstream, you will only get lossy DD/DTS and lossless LPCM sent to the AVR.

Thanks Krisjan. I dont have HDMI so it looks like I will have to make do until I upgrade.

Martin

[CBFETT]

Originally Posted by krisjan

You must set the S300 to output audio as PCM (not bitstream) if you want to have TrueHD and DD+ sent to your AVR via the HDMI connection. If it is set to bitstream, you will only get lossy DD/DTS and lossless LPCM sent to the AVR.

So when I go into my personal settings for Audio, I need to set the Dolby & DTS to "downmix PCM"? And then the last one from Auto to "PCM"?

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by krisjan

I have never had to do any kind of manual reset after updating FW on the 300. There is no mention of this in Sony's instructions either. Here are the final steps of the update procedure from their web site:

The firmware update is complete when "DL OK" appears on the player front panel display.

WARNING!! Do not operate or power off the player until this message is displayed. Doing so may result in your player being unresponsive and requiring repair.

Remove the update disc from the player.

Power on the BDP-S300 player.
NOTE: It takes about 90 seconds for the player to display pictures on the television when the player is powered on for the first time after installing the update.

Check the firmware version (See "Check Current Firmware Version").
NOTE: If the version number is 4.30, the firmware update was successful.

No reset required/needed.

Since my player didn't do the 90 sec power up step as noted by Sony's instructions, I reset my player. It used to do that step automatically and everything was set back to factory settings. During the past few fw upgrades, it hasn't been doing that. So I do it manually. Perhaps my machine is the only one not doing the 90 sec power up. It powers up in about 30 sec after doing a fw upgrade. That's not what Sony's instructions says. Maybe my player has a glitch, I don't know. Just to be on the safe side so I know the update really took effect, I do a manual resent.

You didn't post everything Sony had listed. Here's what you missed especially what I highlighted in bold:

: "WRT FAIL" is displayed on the player front panel display. A: Please perform the following procedure:

1. Push and hold the "POWER" button for several seconds until the unit powers off. Do not remove the disc.
2. Push the "POWER" button again to continue the firmware update procedure.

If "WRT FAIL" is displayed again, remove the update disc from the player and delete the update files from your computer. Download the update again and follow the entire procedure above to create a new update disc and install the firmware update.

Q: "DISC-DWLD" is not displayed on the player front panel display when the update disc is inserted. A: Remove the update disc from the player and delete the update files from your computer. Download the update again and follow the entire procedure above to create a new update disc and install the firmware update.

Q: "NO DLWD 2" is displayed on the player front panel display. A: The latest firmware is already installed. No update is necessary.

Q: All my personal settings are gone after updating the firmware. A: This is normal, updating the firmware returns all settings to their factory defaults.

Q: How can I verify that the update disc was burned correctly? A: After creating the update disc, check that the disc name is "BDPV-11430" in your computer.

Q: Power was shut down while updating. A: Power on the player again keeping the update disc in the tray. The update should restart automatically.

Q: When I double click on the UPDATE_BDPS301_VER0430.EXE update file I downloaded from the update web site, the UPDATE_BDPS301_VER0430.ISO file is not created and the following error message appears: "Win32 Cabinet Self-Extraction". A: The download may have failed. Delete the downloaded file and download the update file again.

Q: When the player is powered on after performing the update, nothing appears on the front panel display or on the TV screen. A: Initial start-up after installing the firmware update will take longer than normal (approximately 90 seconds). If this situation continues for more than two minutes please call Sony support at 1-866-909-SONY(7669).

Q: When the player is powered on after performing the update, a "POWER ON" message appears on the front panel display or on the TV screen. A: Please call Sony support at 1-866-909-SONY(7669).

Q: The firmware update does not finish, after running for more than 30 minutes. A: Please call Sony support at 1-866-909-SONY(7669).

Q: "INCOMPLETE"/"NEED DISC" are displayed on the player front panel display. A: The update procedure is not completed.

1. Put the update disc in the tray and power off the player by pushing the "Power" button on the player for a few seconds.
2. Power on the player by pushing the "Power" button again and The update procedure starts again.


Sorry about the format problems though. You can see the page correctly here.

Anyway, whether you want to or not that's up to you. But since my player didn't reset, and Sony say's it's normal to, I reset my player. Either you are right or Sony is right. I choose to go with Sony's instructions.

[CBFETT]

So to decode Dolby TrueHD when I go into my personal settings for Audio, do I need to set the Dolby & DTS settings to "Downmix PCM"? And then the last setting from Auto to "PCM"? If not, what should be the correct settings?

Thank you.

[Yeha-Noha]

Originally Posted by CBFETT

So to decode Dolby TrueHD when I go into my personal settings for Audio, do I need to set the Dolby & DTS settings to "Downmix PCM"? And then the last setting from Auto to "PCM"? If not, what should be the correct settings?

Thank you.

Change the last setting from AUTO to PCM and then you're all set to enjoy lossless DD TrueHD.

BTW, the Downmix PCM settings do not have any effect on your HDMI output, only for Optical/Coax outputs if your AVR is incapable of decoding DTS, DD or both.

[CBFETT]

rwojtalewicz,

Huge Thanks my man! I've got a lot of BD's to rewatch now!

[polmack2000]

Hi, im in the U.K and the firmware update site is only up to version 4.20..is the new update to 4.30 only for american players and will it do any harm if i change it. Or im i best to wait until we get the update on the uk site.

[tek101]

Originally Posted by Peaky

Hey Guys, have just been reading the last 15-20 pages. I have yet to buy a blu ray player. My local walmart has the Sony BDP-S300 for $198. Given that I would really use my xbox360 as my gaming machine of choice, is the S300 a good buy, or should I wait and save a bit more money and get the PS3? The PS3 would probably be only used as a buy ray player

Thx in advance

IMO...Buy PS3....(Getting cheaper now....through Sony...With NewCR..$250)

[claes.v@tiscali.dk]

Originally Posted by polmack2000

Hi, im in the U.K and the firmware update site is only up to version 4.20..is the new update to 4.30 only for american players and will it do any harm if i change it. Or im i best to wait until we get the update on the uk site.

LOOK WHAT IT SAYS ON THE U.S. SITE.......

NOTE: This utility is only for use with the products identified above and sold in the United States, Latin America, Canada, or Brazil. Not all models are sold in all countries.

[Foghorn]

Hi Guys, I'm new to the forum and have been reviewing a lot of pages and I'm still not sure about some settings and connections. I have the S301 BDP, a Denon 5803 A/V Receiver, and a Sony VPL-VW-60 Projector.
My A/V receiver has no HDMI inputs, outputs or switching. It does have 5.1 Analog inputs AND Digital Optical and Coax inputs. I'm running an HDMI cable directly from the S301 to the projector and Digital Coax from the S301 to the A/V receiver for audio inputs. I have a B&W speaker set up with front, center, surround, back surround and subwoofer. I have Firmware update 4.30 installed and operating.
The question: What's the best way to make the audio connections from the S301 to the Denon A/V Receiver and what are the proper settings on the S301 to maximize the audio capabilites of the system when playing bluray disks

[Yeha-Noha]

Welcome to the forum!

If you are happy with the 5803 and don't want to part with it, hook up the S301 analog outputs to the multichannel analog inputs on your 5803. If you do that, the only settings you need to worry about in the S301 is to set the analog audio output from 2 channel to 5.1 channel and setup the speakers options to your preferences and HT setup (center yes/no, surrounds yes/no), Large/Small, etc. That's all you need to do. I would also run an HDMI cable from the S301 HDMI out to your Sony projector if it has HDMI inputs. I don't know what or how you would hook up other devices now that the S301 takes up an HDMI input. HD cable or SAT HD channels via HDMI will be a problem unless the projector has mulitple HDMI inputs or buy a multichannel HDMI swith box.

I know the 5803 is a top notch higher end AVR that costs thousands back in 2003. But seriously give consideration to a similar HDMI ready Denon. Your 5803 was great during the age of DVDs and lossy audio. But now it's the new age of BDs and lossless audio, you really would do better to go the HDMI route.

However there's another trick you can do if you want to keep the 5803. Get an HDMI ready entry level AVR like the Yamaha V663, Onkyo 605/6, or Pioneer 1018. Use it for the HDMI inputs and DSP needs for all your audio input sources (BDs, DVDs, HD SAT or cable, etc). Then use the multichannel outputs from one of these AVRs to go to your 5803 which would then be used essentially as a multichannel 5.1 power amp. You will get great absolutely clean superb sound and have the ability to decode all the lossless audio codecs. That is what I would really recommend in your case.

PS Edit: Note that going analog out from the S301 directly to 5803 will only give you lossless audio from PCM 5.1 - 7.1 BDs. Using a cheap AVR (mentioned above) for HDMI inputs, switching, DSP on inputs, will add DD TrueHD lossless audio via HDMI. To get DTS-HD MA lossless audio, you will need that setup plus a new BD player that can bitstream or decode DTS-HD MA. I think you know this, but just in case you weren't aware of it, there you have it. Again, the S301 will never decode or bitstream DTS-HD MA due to lack of DSP design specs and processing power.

[tek101]

Originally Posted by polmack2000

Hi, im in the U.K and the firmware update site is only up to version 4.20..is the new update to 4.30 only for american players and will it do any harm if i change it. Or im i best to wait until we get the update on the uk site.

Don't worry....Its coming.

[krisjan]

Originally Posted by rwojtalewicz

Since my player didn't do the 90 sec power up step as noted by Sony's instructions, I reset my player. It used to do that step automatically and everything was set back to factory settings. During the past few fw upgrades, it hasn't been doing that. So I do it manually. Perhaps my machine is the only one not doing the 90 sec power up. It powers up in about 30 sec after doing a fw upgrade. That's not what Sony's instructions says. Maybe my player has a glitch, I don't know. Just to be on the safe side so I know the update really took effect, I do a manual resent.

You didn't post everything Sony had listed. Here's what you missed especially what I highlighted in bold:

: "WRT FAIL" is displayed on the player front panel display. A: Please perform the following procedure:

1. Push and hold the "POWER" button for several seconds until the unit powers off. Do not remove the disc.
2. Push the "POWER" button again to continue the firmware update procedure.

If "WRT FAIL" is displayed again, remove the update disc from the player and delete the update files from your computer. Download the update again and follow the entire procedure above to create a new update disc and install the firmware update.

Q: "DISC-DWLD" is not displayed on the player front panel display when the update disc is inserted. A: Remove the update disc from the player and delete the update files from your computer. Download the update again and follow the entire procedure above to create a new update disc and install the firmware update.

Q: "NO DLWD 2" is displayed on the player front panel display. A: The latest firmware is already installed. No update is necessary.

Q: All my personal settings are gone after updating the firmware. A: This is normal, updating the firmware returns all settings to their factory defaults.

Q: How can I verify that the update disc was burned correctly? A: After creating the update disc, check that the disc name is "BDPV-11430" in your computer.

Q: Power was shut down while updating. A: Power on the player again keeping the update disc in the tray. The update should restart automatically.

Q: When I double click on the UPDATE_BDPS301_VER0430.EXE update file I downloaded from the update web site, the UPDATE_BDPS301_VER0430.ISO file is not created and the following error message appears: "Win32 Cabinet Self-Extraction". A: The download may have failed. Delete the downloaded file and download the update file again.

Q: When the player is powered on after performing the update, nothing appears on the front panel display or on the TV screen. A: Initial start-up after installing the firmware update will take longer than normal (approximately 90 seconds). If this situation continues for more than two minutes please call Sony support at 1-866-909-SONY(7669).

Q: When the player is powered on after performing the update, a "POWER ON" message appears on the front panel display or on the TV screen. A: Please call Sony support at 1-866-909-SONY(7669).

Q: The firmware update does not finish, after running for more than 30 minutes. A: Please call Sony support at 1-866-909-SONY(7669).

Q: "INCOMPLETE"/"NEED DISC" are displayed on the player front panel display. A: The update procedure is not completed.

1. Put the update disc in the tray and power off the player by pushing the "Power" button on the player for a few seconds.
2. Power on the player by pushing the "Power" button again and The update procedure starts again.


Sorry about the format problems though. You can see the page correctly here.

Anyway, whether you want to or not that's up to you. But since my player didn't reset, and Sony say's it's normal to, I reset my player. Either you are right or Sony is right. I choose to go with Sony's instructions.

I think you are still confused. After the FW is downloaded in the player and the update process is finished, the OSD will show DL OK and then the unit will power itself off. It will not automatically power itself back on - you have to turn it back on. That is where the "90 seconds" comes in - because the player takes that long to start up after you press the power button. Again - there is absolutely no need for anyone to do any manual reset of the 300 after updating. If it makes you feel better to reset your player after updating then have at it. It will have no bearing on the update success.