Physical & Digital EST: The Future of Home Video Discussion Thread

[Wendell R. Breland]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Personally, I was thrilled when Samgung exited the disc player market. These players should self destruct because no one should be trying to use a Samsung disc player. (Even if it's curved to match the TV and Sound bar.)

Never liked Samsung players, no discrete power On and Off IR codes which make automation a pain. So for BD I waited and purchased the Panasonic DMP-BD10 as soon as it became available for $1050. Man was that thing slow!

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Misioon_Odisea

Several Samsung Blu-ray players worldwide have suddenly started to fail within the past few days, stuck in an undefeatable restarting frenzy! I have one player at home affected, does anyone here with any Samsung players also got hit with this? What do you make of it, what could have possibly happened here?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ZKz...ature=youtu.be

Video above is not mine.

While I am sorry to hear about the problems that you are having with your Samsung blu-ray player, I don't know that the three or four people complaining about it in your thread constitutes a "worldwide" problem:

https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...8#post17764878

The complaints in the above thread are centered on a specific model, the Samsung BD-J5700 that was first released in 2015. To reiterate what others have said, Samsung has a poor reputation for disc players.

None of my blu-ray players have failed, including my much older Oppo 93 released in January of 2012. The blu-ray drive in my 2007 model Playstation 3 is working fine, too. While I have the BD Live feature disabled on all of my players, they are all connected to the internet over a wireless connection. I have always updated my firmware wirelessly and without any issues.

[Misioon_Odisea]

Yes, I was aware that Samsung was not the most well-received brand in these circles... but I think this goes to show a glimpse of online security, an infinitely bigger problem. This can happen at any moment to any player connected to the Internet from any brand!

Originally Posted by Vilya

While I am sorry to hear about the problems that you are having with your Samsung blu-ray player, I don't know that the three or four people complaining about it in your thread constitutes a "worldwide" problem

I also thought it was a problem unique to me, but with the replies in that thread made me realize it was part of a bigger issue, seen some people at Twitter complain about it too, and they come from different countries, so yes... several players (surely not all) around the world have been affected.
https://twitter.com/search?q=Samsung...rc=typed_query

Originally Posted by Steedeel

If I were you, I would go out and get a PlayStation 4 and I very much doubt you will have any issues after that. You can get one for £250.

I know you suggestion is well-intended, but I have a small question... With the PlayStation 5 around the corner, and in the day and age of 4K UltraHD Blu-ray, what would be the point of investing in a secondhand regular Blu-ray player?

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Misioon_Odisea

I know you suggestion is well-intended, but I have a small question... With the PlayStation 5 around the corner, and in the day and age of 4K UltraHD Blu-ray, what would be the point of investing in a secondhand regular Blu-ray player?

You can still readily purchase the Playstation 4 brand new and for less money if blu-ray playback meets your needs.

If you desire 4K disc playback, waiting, and paying more, for the upcoming Playstation 5 could be a very good option.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Misioon_Odisea

Yes, I was aware that Samsung was not the most well-received brand in these circles... but I think this goes to show a glimpse of online security, an infinitely bigger problem. This can happen at any moment to any player connected to the Internet from any brand!



I also thought it was a problem unique to me, but with the replies in that thread made me realize it was part of a bigger issue, seen some people at Twitter complain about it too, and they come from different countries, so yes... several players (surely not all) around the world have been affected.
https://twitter.com/search?q=Samsung...rc=typed_query



I know you suggestion is well-intended, but I have a small question... With the PlayStation 5 around the corner, and in the day and age of 4K UltraHD Blu-ray, what would be the point of investing in a secondhand regular Blu-ray player?

So your Samsung was a UHD player? I was just suggesting a like for like replacement with a much higher level of reliability. You said “one of my players”.

Like you say, if you are going to be investing in UHD, the PS5 will be the way to go. It will even come with a remote control.

Samsung should be avoided like Covid 19 in my opinion.

[Vilya]

Rest in peace Ian Holm:

https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-53110391

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

So your Samsung was a UHD player? I was just suggesting a like for like replacement with a much higher level of reliability.

Like you say, if you are going to be investing in UHD, the PS5 will be the way to go. It will even come with a remote control.

Samsung should be avoided like Covid 19 in my opinion.

The Samsung BD J5700 is a blu-ray player first released in 2015. And I agree that Samsung disc players should be avoided.

If he is going to buy a new disc player, gaming console or stand alone, I would definitely recommend getting one with 4K disc playback capability.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

The Samsung BD J5700 is a blu-ray player first released in 2015.

Ah right. I honestly wouldn’t know. I see Samsung, I avoid.

[Misioon_Odisea]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

So your Samsung was a UHD player?

No. I mean, if I were to replace it (which seems to be the situation now), certainly it would be with a player with 4K capabilities.

Originally Posted by Vilya

You can still readily purchase the Playstation 4 brand new and for less money if blu-ray playback meets your needs.

If you desire 4K disc playback, waiting, and paying more, for the upcoming Playstation 5 could be a very good option.

Ok, that does seem to be a valid reason as for why would you go for a PlayStation 4 as a player, but if I were not to be necessarily interested on the PlayStation's gaming capabilities, wouldn't a standalone player like this https://www.amazon.com/Sony-BDP-S6700-Upscaling-Streaming-Blu-Ray/dp/B075Y4H4PM/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1 also cover my needs for less? Even then, as I said before, most likely I would be buying a 4K player instead.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Misioon_Odisea

No. I mean, if I were to replace it (which seems to be the situation now), certainly it would be with a player with 4K capabilities.



Ok, that does seem to be a valid reason as for why would you go for a PlayStation 4 as a player, but if I were not to be necessarily interested on the PlayStation's gaming capabilities, wouldn't a standalone player like this https://www.amazon.com/Sony-BDP-S6700-Upscaling-Streaming-Blu-Ray/dp/B075Y4H4PM/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1 also cover my needs for less?

I think that I bought that exact model, The BDP-S6700, for my sister a couple years ago. It was a lot more expensive then. She has had no problems with it. If blu-ray playback is all that you want, it is a good choice at a great price.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by Misioon_Odisea

Yes, I was aware that Samsung was not the most well-received brand in these circles... but I think this goes to show a glimpse of online security, an infinitely bigger problem. This can happen at any moment to any player connected to the Internet from any brand!

Good point. My UHD BD player isn't connected to the internet and I will wait for others to do any future FW updates to see what happens before I perform any FW updates.

I like that it's offline.

-Brian

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by bhampton

Good point. My UHD BD player isn't connected to the internet and I will wait for others to do any future FW updates to see what happens before I perform any FW updates.

I like that it's offline.

-Brian

I can only share my experience, but I have never had any issues updating the firmware of any of my disc players over a wireless internet connection. I have done it this way for at least 14 years across many makes and models of players, both my own and those of family members.

Alternatively, you can download firmware to a USB drive and install from that if one prefers. You could also hard wire your player to the internet as well.

When using a wireless internet connection, the home network needs to be secured. You might be surprised at how many people do not secure their networks. I could literally cancel my internet service and instead log into the unsecured networks of some of my neighbors.

The problem he is having is most likely due solely to Samsung's poor quality.

I do disable BD Live on all players, but that is just one specific setting that does not affect updating firmware over an internet connection.

[Misioon_Odisea]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I think that I bought that exact model, The BDP-S6700, for my sister a couple years ago. It was a lot more expensive then. She has had no problems with it. If blu-ray playback is all that you want, it is a good choice at a great price.

Great, that looks like a good choice if I were still to go after simple vanilla Blu-ray playback. I'll still keep looking on the Samsung issue to see if I can learn what was exactly the cause of the problem. Just in case I will keep the rest of my players offline at all times unless absolutely necessary, the Samsung player was online because the rest of my family loves Netflix (not me though, optical disc forever here), and I played the occasional YouTube video on it. I didn't go for a dedicated streaming player for them since I look at modern Blu-ray players as multifunctional multimedia devices, which even though I don't use their streaming functionalities besides YouTube, it is still pretty nice that they offer them anyway if you ask me.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Misioon_Odisea

No. I mean, if I were to replace it (which seems to be the situation now), certainly it would be with a player with 4K capabilities.



Ok, that does seem to be a valid reason as for why would you go for a PlayStation 4 as a player, but if I were not to be necessarily interested on the PlayStation's gaming capabilities, wouldn't a standalone player like this https://www.amazon.com/Sony-BDP-S6700-Upscaling-Streaming-Blu-Ray/dp/B075Y4H4PM/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1 also cover my needs for less? Even then, as I said before, most likely I would be buying a 4K player instead.

Firmware updates are just not a problem for PS4. Standalone players sometimes have issues. I have a Pioneer 4K player and a PS4 (soon to be PS5) as back up. The Pioneer is great but expensive. On a budget, the PS4 is a solid player with 3D playback also a boost. Will you be better off with the stand-alone Sony player? Anyone’s guess. It should be fine, good luck.

[gotmule]

Curious if anyone has any experience with HDFury products. They claim to be able to get DV from The Oppo 203 as a source and a projector with forceable HDR10. Seems maybe too good to be true. JohnAV, Sapiendut, or Wendell, or anyone else?

https://hdfury.com/category/news/

[JohnAV]

Originally Posted by gotmule

Curious if anyone has any experience with HDFury products. They claim to be able to get DV from The Oppo 203 as a source and a projector with forceable HDR10. Seems maybe too good to be true. JohnAV, Sapiendut, or Wendell, or anyone else?

https://hdfury.com/category/news/

I don't see how it would work. You can force DV using non DV content with a DV capable display, but all you can really do is force some gamma curve to a HDR10 projector or display like the HDR10 optimizer.

Saying you can HDCP fool a DV capable source that it can send DV meta data to a non-DV display sounds like snake oil.

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by JohnAV

I don't see how it would work. You can force DV using non DV content with a DV capable display, but all you can really do is force some gamma curve to a HDR10 projector or display like the HDR10 optimizer.

Saying you can HDCP fool a DV capable source that it can send DV meta data to a non-DV display sounds like snake oil.

That is my gut as well, but my curiosity is piqued.

[bhampton]

Originally Posted by gotmule

That is my gut as well, but my curiosity is piqued.

I've relied on HDFury products in the past and they usually accomplished whatever I needed them for.

First I had one that made DVI into RGBVH ... that was back when I used a CRT front projector and that was one of the first products HDFury made.

Then I had one to spoof meta data. There used to be a bug of sorts with my projector when dynamic meta data (like DV video) would cause it to renegotiate the HDMI signal resulting in a drop out of video for a few seconds. ... The HD Fury injected static meta data in the signal and this worked perfectly. Eventually Sony fixed the bug and I was able to return the HDFury shortly after buying it.

HDFury have active members who are great at answering direct questions .... on AVSForum.


-Brian

[gotmule]

Originally Posted by bhampton

I've relied on HDFury products in the past and they usually accomplished whatever I needed them for.

First I had one that made DVI into RGBVH ... that was back when I used a CRT front projector and that was one of the first products HDFury made.

Then I had one to spoof meta data. There used to be a bug of sorts with my projector when dynamic meta data (like DV video) would cause it to renegotiate the HDMI signal resulting in a drop out of video for a few seconds. ... The HD Fury injected static meta data in the signal and this worked perfectly. Eventually Sony fixed the bug and I was able to return the HDFury shortly after buying it.

HDFury have active members who are great at answering direct questions .... on AVSForum.


-Brian

Thanks Brian. I was poking around there as well. Thanks for sharing first hand experience also.

[JohnAV]

AMC takes one look at social media, walks back "masks optional" policy - AVClub 6/19/2020

Yes some theater chains were going forward with facemarks being optional, that didn't go over very well on social media.

Yesterday, AMC Theaters tried to ride the middle and ended up careening into a ditch when it announced that masks would be optional when the theater chain reopens for business in Mid-July. The reason, according to CEO Adam Aron, was that AMC “did not want to be drawn into a political controversy.” But it found itself in one anyway, as outcry over the framing of a public health issue as “political” quickly gained traction on social media, with tweets from prominent filmmakers and #BoycottAMC trending on Twitter.

Regal Cinemas Will Require Guests to Wear Face Masks at Theaters - TheWrap 6/19/2020

Regal Cinemas said Friday it will require its guests and employees to wear face masks when its theaters reopen.

This follows similar mandates made by AMC Theatres — the largest chain in the U.S. — and Alamo Drafthouse earlier in the day.

According to the Regal Cinema website, “as related to our employees, guests will also be required to wear masks.”

The moves come after critics on social media said that cinemas are not going far enough if they do not require customers to wear face masks.

Earlier this week, AMC, Regal and Cinemark all said in their reopening plans that employees would be required to wear masks and other personal protective equipment, but the same would not be asked of customers unless local or state officials mandate the use of masks in public spaces. Now, Cinemark remains the lone holdout, stating that it “strongly encourages” guests to wear masks but does not require them to.

AMC explained why it reversed its stance in a statement, writing, “This announcement prompted an intense and immediate outcry from our customers, and it is clear from this response that we did not go far enough on the usage of masks. At AMC Theatres, we think it is absolutely crucial that we listen to our guests. Accordingly, and with the full support of our scientific advisors, we are reversing course and are changing our guest mask policy. As we reopen theatres, we now will require that all AMC guests nationwide wear masks as they enter and enjoy movies at our theatres. The speed with which AMC moved to revise our mask policies is a reflection of our commitment to the safety and health of our guests.”

Alamo Drafthouse also issued a statement on Friday saying it would be requiring patrons to wear masks and that those without one will be given one.

AMC plans to open on July 15, while Regal is opening its doors on July 10 and Cinemark will open on July 17.

Some pretty stupid business exec's out there.