The Sony BDP-S300/301 Review Thread

[viiv]

Originally Posted by Acquiesce

Do you NEED the firmware update?

Well, if you want something that does not behave like a prototype then yes. The early fw versions for this player were aweful. The first decent release was like what, 3.70? 3.70, while definantly not finished, I'd say is the first production quality firmware release. Everything before that was absolute betatastic crap. This idea of firmware updates is a mixed blessing. Sure it allows the addition of new features, but it also allows release of a product before its software is complete. This release now, patch later mentality is disconcerting. The fact is, the BDP-S300 will be a finished product in about a year or so, when its final fw update is released. Maybe more, cause they are still releasing updates for the S1 which has been discontinued for about a year. So, while I believe that the S300 will be a "finished" and a super stable & bulletproof product with that final firmware version, its disturbing because it means it will actually be a "finished" product when its an "old" product. I'd love to be able to bring that final fw update from the future and use it now, so I can actully enjoy it to its full extent NOW. That said, that applies to almost everything. I would have loved to have XP SP3 from the future, when XP first came out in 2001. That way over the past 7 years I could have used XP as the stable and bulletproof OS SP3 is instead of the Vista like beta grade quality original release. Cause the fact is, XP SP3 being the final service pack, is Windows XP finally finished, 7 years after its first "beta" release. And I would love to have the final service pack for Vista NOW, so I can use Vista while its still new, but as a finished, refined and stable operating system like XP is now. Ok, enough for my wishful thinking.

Now, in terms of should you update, I'd say YES! Here is why. Now this is a serious allegation I am making, and I really don't have concrete evidence for this, but I believe that the early 2.xx firmware versions, maybe even up to the later 3.xx releases are DAMAGING to the player. What I mean by that is if you are running these early primative firmware versions, you are in essence killing and wearing out your unit very fast. Why? Cause I believe that:

a) The older fw versions overstress your unit because they are so inefficent.

b) The older fw versions dont really even know how to control the hardware effectively. Why? Because the Sony firmware engineers didn't know how to either until recently.

I believe the many S300s that have freezing problems, if they were updated to a civilized version of say 3.90 before any use, they would not have such problems. I know that however is kind of impossible for those people who brought it back then.

My opinions is the S300 is a great high quality piece of hardware with (at least up until now) crap software. The problem is they're just figuring out how to write proper software for a Blu ray player. That said, 3.90 is a very decent fw version and I highly recommend updating to it, even if you have 3.70 or 3.80. If you just brought one, there is a big chance it came with an even earlier firmware version. In my opinion if you fall into this category, do not even use the player before updating to 3.90. The first disc a new S300 should be the fw update disc, and nothing else before it.

[Riff Magnum]

How long does the 3.9 update usually take?
I know after about 20 minutes the disc will eject (which mine has), but how long does it usually stay open before closing back up and finishing the download?

[QwikSand]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

How long does the 3.9 update usually take?
I know after about 20 minutes the disc will eject (which mine has), but how long does it usually stay open before closing back up and finishing the download?

The instructions are slightly misleading. Once the tray opens, if nothing happens after a minute, it's done. Just take the disc out and power it on. I was nervous about this too with my first update but asked around and that is the case. Then you can check on the menu screen like it says to see it say 3.90.

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by QwikSand

The instructions are slightly misleading. Once the tray opens, if nothing happens after a minute, it's done. Just take the disc out and power it on. I was nervous about this too with my first update but asked around and that is the case. Then you can check on the menu screen like it says to see it say 3.90.

Awesome. thanks qwiksand. Now i'm off to see how fast NCFOM will load. Beside the loading time/java stuff, do you notice any other differences. I'm still pissed sony saw fit to leave all us stand alones to fend for ourselves, while the spoiled PS3 owners get everything handed to them on a firmware platter. Seriously, what's the deal with that?

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Awesome. thanks qwiksand. Now i'm off to see how fast NCFOM will load. Beside the loading time/java stuff, do you notice any other differences. I'm still pissed sony saw fit to leave all us stand alones to fend for ourselves, while the spoiled PS3 owners get everything handed to them on a firmware platter. Seriously, what's the deal with that?

Not sure the update worked. NCFOM is as slow as ever. How do u confirm the update on the player? Saw a screenshot from an earlier poster in the setup menu and under the selection 16:9 or 4:3 it read "3.90". I don't see this on my menu. Is this how you know if it worked or not?

p.s. when i closed the player it displayed the text DL OK. I thought i was good to go, but need to make sure.

[Moefiz]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Not sure the update worked. NCFOM is as slow as ever. How do u confirm the update on the player? Saw a screenshot from an earlier poster in the setup menu and under the selection 16:9 or 4:3 it read "3.90". I don't see this on my menu. Is this how you know if it worked or not?

p.s. when i closed the player it displayed the text DL OK. I thought i was good to go, but need to make sure.

When you get to the part where you can select the Tv ratio, hit the green or red key on the remote and it should tell you what firware you have.

[didihala]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

Not sure the update worked. NCFOM is as slow as ever. How do u confirm the update on the player? Saw a screenshot from an earlier poster in the setup menu and under the selection 16:9 or 4:3 it read "3.90". I don't see this on my menu. Is this how you know if it worked or not?

p.s. when i closed the player it displayed the text DL OK. I thought i was good to go, but need to make sure.

When the display shows "DL OK" it means your upgrade was successfull. To verify the FW version do the following from your remote control:

1) Select the System Menu
2) Select Setup
3) Select TV Type
4) Hit the Blue button

It should show your FW version as 3.90

[navyman]

So has anyone been able to confirm if this latest update did indeed add dolby true hd to the 300

[tek101]

didihala . Hey .Thanks.
(BTW> Do you know where can I buy Blu-ray dvd movie with THX Optimized.
The one that has a function the calibrate PLasma Tvs..?Picture adjustment.)

[Riff Magnum]

thanks guys. Apparently it worked, but like i was saying NCFOM still loads like molasses. Anyone else have any feedback on the pros/cons of this new update?

[MJailme]

I finally bit the bullet and said goodbye to my 300. I finally realized that Sony is never going to give the machine the dolby trueHD or dts hd ma decodes. Sold my 300 for 250 on ebay and got me a PS3. The sound coming from my Onkyo 805 withe dolby trueHD and DTS tracks are amazing.

I hope they do give the 300 player the upgrades to do the encoding. I just got sick of waiting and had to make the move. Seems the PS3 is Sony's baby and will always get the better upgrades first.

[Riff Magnum]

Originally Posted by MJailme

I finally bit the bullet and said goodbye to my 300. I finally realized that Sony is never going to give the machine the dolby trueHD or dts hd ma decodes. Sold my 300 for 250 on ebay and got me a PS3. The sound coming from my Onkyo 805 withe dolby trueHD and DTS tracks are amazing.

I hope they do give the 300 player the upgrades to do the encoding. I just got sick of waiting and had to make the move. Seems the PS3 is Sony's baby and will always get the better upgrades first.

you're probably right. Can't believe you got $250 for the 300 though. Some sucker like me probably bought it. Once i upgrade i'll probably just move the 300 and my measly 30" into the bedroom.

[MJailme]

Originally Posted by Riff Magnum

you're probably right. Can't believe you got $250 for the 300 though. Some sucker like me probably bought it. Once i upgrade i'll probably just move the 300 and my measly 30" into the bedroom.

I wanted to move it to the bedroom. But the ole wife wasn't to keen on me spending another 400 on the ps3, since I just bought the 300 in jan. So I had get something for it. I was surprised I got that much too.

[didihala]

Originally Posted by tek101

didihala . Hey .Thanks.
(BTW> Do you know where can I buy Blu-ray dvd movie with THX Optimized.
The one that has a function the calibrate PLasma Tvs..?Picture adjustment.)

No, I don't.

[BluRayFan12]

Originally Posted by tek101

didihala . Hey .Thanks.
(BTW> Do you know where can I buy Blu-ray dvd movie with THX Optimized.
The one that has a function the calibrate PLasma Tvs..?Picture adjustment.)

I think Terminator 2 is THX optimize and has the calibration on it.

[Octavio]

Originally Posted by tek101

didihala . Hey .Thanks.
(BTW> Do you know where can I buy Blu-ray dvd movie with THX Optimized.
The one that has a function the calibrate PLasma Tvs..?Picture adjustment.)

Any of the Star Wars DVD's comes with the THX optimizer.

[QwikSand]

Don't all Sony blus come with the picture calibration? One of studios does.

[montezuma]

Originally Posted by davidflas

It is possible to update the firmware using a Mac, I use my Macbook to update the firmware in my BDP-S300, here is how you do it:

1. download the firmware .exe file
2. download a copy of stuffit expander 10.0, (this is an older version the newer versions don't work, you can get this on versiontracker.com)
3. use stuffit to expand the .exe file, you will now have an .iso file
4. open disk utility which is in the utilities folder in your applications folder
5. click on the convert icon at the top of the disk utility window
6. select the .iso file and click the convert botton
7. in the drop down window that opens select dvd/cd master in image format
8. click save, and then click use .cdr when the next dialog box opens
9. the .cdr file will appear in the window on the left side of the disk utility window, select it, after inserting a blank cdr disc, click the burn icon at the top of the disk utility window.
10. follow the directions on Sony's site for updating firmware


All this sounds complicated, but its actually quick and easy once you've done it the first time. The directions above describe the process using Mac OS 10.5, the positions of buttons are slightly different in older versions of the OS.

This works.

Stuffit Expander 10.0.2 can be found here:
http://my.smithmicro.com/mac/stuffit...r/updates.html

Enter your name and email to register, Stuffit will then email you the link to the download page for older versions of Stuffit Expander including 10.0.2.

I just followed the steps provided by davidflas using an old G4 running OSX 10.4.11. The disc I burned using my Mac updated the firmware on my BDP-S300 from 3.80 to 3.90 like a charm.

[tek101]

Hi all. Thanks for your help.
I got a Blu-ray Spiderman 3 that comes with the Picture Calibration
(code7669) But don't know how to do it. I log it on and th screen comes up with lot of collors frames...what mI suppose to do..?
Anybody has done this before...? PLease help..
thanks .

[JasonR]

Originally Posted by tek101

Hi all. Thanks for your help.
I got a Blu-ray Spiderman 3 that comes with the Picture Calibration
(code7669) But don't know how to do it. I log it on and th screen comes up with lot of collors frames...what mI suppose to do..?
Anybody has done this before...? PLease help..
thanks .

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showpost.p...&postcount=207

There are a few adjustment where the included test patterns can be particulary useful for getting the best possible picture. Most of our discs have at least 4 test patterns included, SMPTE bars, monoscope, ramp and cross hatch. The first adjustment I usually concern myself with is the black level or "brightness". Bring up the colorbar signal and pause your player. Turn up your monitor "brightness" and confirm that all 3 pluge chips are visible in the lower right hand corner of the screen. If all three can be seen, then you have confirmed that your player and monitor are passing signals "below black". Next, adjust the brightness control down until the right chip is just visible. You now have an optimum black level setting. Put the player back into play mode and chapter skip to the next pattern, the monoscope and pause once again. Ideally, you should see a complete image with 16:9 shown at the corners and no truncating of the triangles. If you don't see the full image, check if you monitor supports "full pixel", "dot by dot" or some other description of a mode that allows a 1:1 relationship between the incoming signal and the pixels on your display. Some displays do not allow the disabling of "overscan" so you will not be able to make this adjustment. The monoscope is also useful for checking over sharpening, or filtering of the image. Ideally the round patterns comprised of wedges should be clear, sharp with no asymetrical gray bars or ovals. Distortions in the pattern usually indicate that a scaler is being used in the display. Also check that the squares comprised of 2x2 pixel black squares are distinct. If sharpening is used, the black or white portions of these squares is often exaggerated. And finally can you read the text on the bottom of the pattern for the company that created it? If you can, you are likely getting a full 1920 x 1080 image.

Of course there are many other important settings for Contrast and color, but these settings need to be adjusted according to your average room light. I recommend turning off all of the processing that is available in todays displays such as Noise reduction, DRC (Sony) or whatever a given CE company happens to be calling their image enhancement feature. If you have a good blu-ray disc, "Black Hawk Down" for example, you should be able to see the film grain from the original master faithfully reproduced. If it looks mottled or irregular, there is a good chance your display is using noise reduction or other processing and hurting, rather than helping the picture quality.

http://www.videouniversity.com/tvbars2.shtml