New Firmware Upgrade for Sony BDP-S300

[Dyana B]

I just spoke with a Sony Rep. and I am happy to report that the owners of the BDP-S300 are getting a new firmware upgrade (Version 3.30). The upgrade will allow the player to decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. You can either download and burn the firmware on a recordable dvd or you can request a copy to be mailed. This is truly great news because I was planning to purchase the new Panasonic, and now I don't have to. Spread the word...

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by Dyana B

I just spoke with a Sony Rep. and I am happy to report that the owners of the BDP-S300 are getting a new firmware upgrade (Version 3.30). The upgrade will allow the player to decode Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD. You can either download and burn the firmware on a recordable dvd or you can request a copy to be mailed. This is truly great news because I was planning to purchase the new Panasonic, and now I don't have to. Spread the word...

do you mean an upgrade past 3.3 because thats what we have now.

I hope this is true, it will make me a really happy camper.

[jkwest]

If this is true, my PS3 is going upstairs and I'm buying a new Blu-Ray player.

[Dyana B]

The Sony Rep told me that firmware version 3.30 will be able to decode Dolby TrueHD, as well as DTS-HD. I asked him about this because someone else on this site mentioned it, so I called Sony to confirm this and that's what they told me. Give them a call at (866) 909-7669.

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by jkwest

If this is true, my PS3 is going upstairs and I'm buying a new Blu-Ray player.

now I feel bad about telling my mom to get a ps3 instead of the s300.

Oh well, in the long run, the ps3 is probably still the better bet.

[Vonscoot]

When you say DTS-HD are you talking DTS-HDMA? We are talking about a difference between the two.

[Dyana B]

Sony's Rep said Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, so I don't want to mislead anyone.

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by Vonscoot

When you say DTS-HD are you talking DTS-HDMA? We are talking about a difference between the two.

chip set in the s300 is unable to do MA decoding, it if anything will be DTS-HD (high resolution audio) not Master Audio. And TrueHD as that is what the chip set is capable of doing. IIRC KJack spoke to this previously.

[jkwest]

Ah....

ok, thanks for clearing it up.

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by Dyana B

Sony's Rep said Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, so I don't want to mislead anyone.

well 3.30 is out now I have it, and it don't decode anything new.

[Dyana B]

I don't want to create chaos and confusion, so please give Sony a call so that they can also confirm this. (866) 909-7669

[BTBuck1]

ok, got confirmation:

user Brian has entered room

analyst Tom_ has entered room
Tom_>
Hi Brian. Welcome to Sony Online Support. I'm Tom. Please allow me a moment to review your concern.
Tom_>
Thanks for waiting, Brian. I'll be glad to assist you with the information about the firmware update.
Brian>
Yes I hear a firmware update is in the works to allow for internal decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio, is this true?
Tom_>
Brian, the firmware update is available for download.
Brian>
the site makes no mention of it enabling these audio codecs in the firmware update page
Tom_>
I'm sorry the firmware update doesn't allow for internal decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio.
Brian>
do you know if there is word of it comming?
Brian>
A member of Blu-ray.com forums said they called and a rep told them a firmware update was comming that would enable this.
Tom_>
I'm sorry we don't have exact information about the firmware, however you can expect it in the near feature.
Brian>
So it is comming, it's just a matter of sometime down the line?
Tom_>
Yes, Brian.
Brian>
Thank you so much. Sony r0x s0x!
Tom_>
You're welcome.
Tom_>
Is there anything else I may assist you with today?
Brian>
Yes, tell the whole world....Screw HD-DVD!!!
Brian>
=) bye
Tom_>
Good bye and take care.
Tom_>
Thank you for contacting Sony online support today.

[Dyana B]

Brian,
I just got off the phone with another rep, and I was told that yes, the firmware is able to decode dolby truehd as well as dts-hd. I am also glad that you got a hold of someone else as well. I don't know what else to say regarding this confusing matter. At least I know now that there will be a new firmware upgrade down the line. My sincerest apologies to everyone, so please don't kill the messenger, lol...

[jonstatt]

By the way, if they "sneak" TrueHD support in there, it will be hard to tell unless you do a proper audio test. On the S500 which does support TrueHD already, if you press the AUDIO button on the remote it still says Dolby Digital even though it is in fact playing the TrueHD track.

Of course I doubt they would sneak the support into the player because they would want to boast the new feature.

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by jonstatt

By the way, if they "sneak" TrueHD support in there, it will be hard to tell unless you do a proper audio test. On the S500 which does support TrueHD already, if you press the AUDIO button on the remote it still says Dolby Digital even though it is in fact playing the TrueHD track.

Of course I doubt they would sneak the support into the player because they would want to boast the new feature.

Well I put in Stomp the Yard and the LPCM is still lightyears ahead in sound quality to the selected TrueHD track. Those who can decode both now, say they are indistinguishable when dully decoded properly, so it's obviously not decoding it Yet.

[nate4241]

So if you have a proper dolby truHD decoding player, but your receiver does not...can you still decode truHD through PCM?

[jonstatt]

Originally Posted by nate4241

So if you have a proper dolby truHD decoding player, but your receiver does not...can you still decode truHD through PCM?

For internal decoding, it will output PCM over HDMI or via analogue outputs

For external decoding, it will output bitstream over HDMI.

External decoding is not possible for TrueHD or DTS-HD MA with the S300 because it does not have HDMI 1.3

Internal decoding is possible for TrueHD however, as this player is fundamentally the same as the S1 and the S1 already supports this.

My fear has always been that Sony will intentionally cripple the S300 to justify the existence of the S500. So I am actually surprised to hear the news they will add TrueHD. Forgive me for remaining sceptic.

Forgive also my cynical side which believes if people had asked the Sony online tech support chat person, if the S300 toasted bread, that they would have said "yes it is coming in the future but we don't have an exact date yet". I have seen an online chat conversation where the support person didn't even know what TrueHD was.

[BTBuck1]

Originally Posted by jonstatt

My fear has always been that Sony will intentionally cripple the S300 to justify the existence of the S500. So I am actually surprised to hear the news they will add TrueHD. Forgive me for remaining sceptic.

Forgive also my cynical side which believes if people had asked the Sony online tech support chat person, if the S300 toasted bread, that they would have said "yes it is coming in the future but we don't have an exact date yet". I have seen an online chat conversation where the support person didn't even know what TrueHD was.

I feel you on this, You can call 4 seperate times and get 4 seperate answers.

I will refrain from hyping it further until i hear from a more credible source.

Seeing is believing

[monkyman]

Originally Posted by jonstatt

My fear has always been that Sony will intentionally cripple the S300 to justify the existence of the S500. So I am actually surprised to hear the news they will add TrueHD. Forgive me for remaining sceptic.

I think it will come out once they decide to make a 1.1 player. It will be a selling point to get them off the shelves for the new players. I think they did this for the BD-S1 to justify the higher cost compared to the S300. We know it can be done on his model, i'm just afraid of the ripple affect it will have on my wallet. First the new reciever, then new speakers.