Blu-Ray for the PC still isn't reliable

[Stillhouse]

Originally Posted by Offender_Mullet

That's the only movie that ever gave me a problem in TMT3. It's either their last patch or second-to-last one which was suppose to fix that specific problem though. I loaned the movie to a friend and haven't been able to test it out yet.

Yeah, mine has been patched and working without a problem for a while.

[Darkhawk9587]

I just got a new Samsung computer with built in blu-ray player. I didn't buy it only for that reason, but I sure hope it works properly.

[aramis109]

Originally Posted by Darkhawk9587

I just got a new Samsung computer with built in blu-ray player. I didn't buy it only for that reason, but I sure hope it works properly.

It's the software, not the hardware most of the time. Pick one of the big software players (PowerDVD, Arcsoft WinDVD, or TMT) and keep it updated and it shouldn't be an issue. I use PowerDVD10 and haven't had anything not play as of yet. I don't use it very much except for the road, but I occasionally throw in discs just to try them out.

[Non Quixote]

I have an internal BD player set up on a dual core multimedia PC with 2G of DDR2 and PowerDVD 10 that will sometimes play a BD.

I'm very happy for each and every one of the folks who have been able to play every Blu-ray that they have ever rented or bought. Unfortunately there seem to be a whole heck of a lot of us not included in that lucky group.

I have to agree with the OP, compared to the stability of the DVD format Blu-Ray is an epic fail. The standard is apparently not even close to standard and the tonnage of DRM and other copyright crap crammed into each BD (only to be hacked and cracked before the BD even hits the shelves) only makes the stability issues worse. I've gotten to the point of not even bothering to rent a BD unless I know that the video store will be open long enough for me to swap out the BD for DVD if it fails to play.

I won't say that I'm "happy" to read that lots of other folks have had trouble with Green Zone, but I am happy that I have plenty of company. I rented that PoS last night and it would play up to the trailers and then hang. After a couple of hours trying various fixes I gave up.

Don't even get me started on Avatar. That took two days to figure out. I've already changed my Netflix from Blu-Ray back to DVD. It just isn't worth taking the chance. I KNOW that the DVD will play.

Happily the BD drive will also play DVDs and so it wasn't a complete waste of money. If BD technology ever becomes stable and standard I'll start renting/buying BDs again. Till then I'll stick to DVDs.

At least I'm sure that they will work.

And to all the posters who reply with "just keep your firmware/software updated" I have to say; I shouldn't HAVE to update my firmware/software with EVERY OTHER new release. DVDs play in nearly every DVD player ever made. Once BD tech does the same it will be worthwhile. Until it does it's just a finicky gadget that works for some but not all.

[CH108]

I use a combination of Slysoft's AnyDVD HD and Windows Media Player Classic (modified for Blu-ray playback) with Haali Decoders.

I found with my Geforce 8800GTX and Pioneer Blu-ray drive the Corel and Power DVD product's didn't perform as well.

[Celerony]

Avatar plays fine here with PowerDVD10. (without ''help programs'')
But I agree, the DRM crap is way beyond acceptable, but the studios will not change...

[Ragnarok]

I hear you.

Never had these problems with HDDVD( the HDDVD spec was complete on release ) but Hollywood studios just had to go for the 2 or 3 layers of DRM on blu-ray which has proved useless because all the new versions gets constantly broken before the new discs even make it out.

.

[backslashio]

I find they're much more reliable than standalone (excl PS3). I use TMT3 & AnyDVDHD & never had any problems and if there were any it was quickly addressed by AnyDVD's constant updates

[prerich]

I will allow this discussion to continue as long as it doesn't debase into a rant about the ability to rip BD which is illegal. Let's keep it clean - the subject is the reliablity of BD playback on PC's - lets keep it that way.

I currently play BD back with TMT Asus version and I haven't had any problems. I also updated (not upgraded) someones PowerDVD 7.3 and it played Astroboy and other new release BD's perfectly. I have little if any trouble playing back BD and if I do, I know it's not a hardware issue - but that there is need for an update. I think its time to face it people, in the PC world we are constantly doing updates (both PC and Mac people). There's always some type of update. This is just another piece of software and software providers have always had a bit of room - they put out products that they know will need updates. I would think the standalone crowd would have a harder time adapting to this than PC users. I'm just getting use to having to update things now. I think that's why I stay with things that are vintage when I can. Other than that - if its new technology....it will go to the PC first before I buy a standalone unit or processor, or whatever. My PC box is my test box for new tech - if it doesn't pan out right - no biggie - I didn't spend a lot to get in anyway. If it needs updates, I have it on an updatable platform (and I can update anything in it I want).

[dvdmike]

Maxium movie mode on Cop Out does not work on Power Dvd 10 Ultra Mark II

[BuddyB]

Hi all,
New to the Forum and my first post.
About 3 months ago I purchased a new HTPC for my Pioneer Kuro Plasma.
It was and is a HP Pavilion Elite HPE-112y.
It came with two drives, one regular DVD and the other a Blu-Ray drive, it is my first HP Computer, I have to tell you that I am Very Very Happy with this computer!
It plays Blu-Ray discs perfectly and has a HDMI OUT with Sound on the video Card (Radeon HD4350) to HDMI IN on my Pioneer.
HP uses their own Software (HP MediaSmart Software Suite) for playing DVD's and Blu-Ray's.
So far there are no Blu-Ray Discs that it does not play flawlessly.
Avatar looks Great!

In my bedroom I have a Gateway FX 541S computer, it is paired with my ViewSonic LCD Monitor and my LG 32LCD HDTV in a Dual Monitor setup.
I use DVI out from my NVIDIA 8600GT card to HDMI in on my new Pioneer VSX1020 K reciever and on to my LG 32 HDTV.
In my Gateway I installed a LG BH10LS30 Blu-Ray Burner / Player and have just recently upgraded my PowerDVD 9 Ultra to the new PowerDVD 10 Mark II software.
My Gateway HTPC has played all of my Blu-rays perfectly except for one, my recently acquired Woodstock Limited Edition Directors Cut Box Set.
Ironically my HP plays my WoodStock disc perfectly!

I am searching for a solution to this Woodstock anomaly and that is what has brought me here.
In my web searching I have found a new Firmware version for my LG BH10LS30 and I will probably try that, I do not think that it is the PowerDVD's problem, because my LG just continually flashes it's blue light on the front and will not launch the disc.

I saw this post and thought that I would mention that there is a PC that will play Blu-Rays with no problems - it's my HP!
Now I just need to get my Gateway to do so as well.

Later,
Bud

[Hatter]

I've had no problems using my blu-ray drive and HP DVD Play BD.

[Polygon]

Originally Posted by tyelway07

I don't own a standalone bluray player I only use my PC and so far I have had no problems with playing any disc I own.

Same here. My HTPC is my BD player. I've never had a problem playing any BD I own or any that I've rented from Netflix. It's all about the software you're running. Are you running Power DVD? If so, there's your problem. I'm running Arc Soft TMT and it works just like it were a standalone player.

[aramis109]

Let me first say that anyone that doesn't want to update their software/firmware probably shouldn't be trying to play BD on a PC. Heck, at this point, everything has updates (and that's good!) - consoles, players, PC software/firmware. These are normal as the product grows. If you're complaining about that, then BD isn't the right place for you- even most standalones require firmware updates to play new BD content. It's one of the reasons I love having a PS3 as my main player- it's painless to upgrade thanks to wireless. That said, many new players are getting wireless now.

I just tried my laptop this weekend in conjunction w/ my HT setup and had to do a little bit of tweaking but was able to get lossless audio output to the receiver on top of having my video output come through beautifully.

Originally Posted by dvdmike

Maxium movie mode on Cop Out does not work on Power Dvd 10 Ultra Mark II

Do you have any other movies with MMM? 300 and Watchmen both have it off of the top of my head. If so, pop one in and try it. When you say it doesn't work, is it not playing at all or is there no audio? I know that the way they did it makes it a little more complex and some folks weren't getting any audio until they switched from Bitstream to LPCM.

Otherwise, check for an update.

Originally Posted by BuddyB

Hi all,
New to the Forum and my first post.
About 3 months ago I purchased a new HTPC for my Pioneer Kuro Plasma.
It was and is a HP Pavilion Elite HPE-112y.
It came with two drives, one regular DVD and the other a Blu-Ray drive, it is my first HP Computer, I have to tell you that I am Very Very Happy with this computer!
It plays Blu-Ray discs perfectly and has a HDMI OUT with Sound on the video Card (Radeon HD4350) to HDMI IN on my Pioneer.
HP uses their own Software (HP MediaSmart Software Suite) for playing DVD's and Blu-Ray's.
So far there are no Blu-Ray Discs that it does not play flawlessly.
Avatar looks Great!

In my bedroom I have a Gateway FX 541S computer, it is paired with my ViewSonic LCD Monitor and my LG 32LCD HDTV in a Dual Monitor setup.
I use DVI out from my NVIDIA 8600GT card to HDMI in on my new Pioneer VSX1020 K reciever and on to my LG 32 HDTV.
In my Gateway I installed a LG BH10LS30 Blu-Ray Burner / Player and have just recently upgraded my PowerDVD 9 Ultra to the new PowerDVD 10 Mark II software.
My Gateway HTPC has played all of my Blu-rays perfectly except for one, my recently acquired Woodstock Limited Edition Directors Cut Box Set.
Ironically my HP plays my WoodStock disc perfectly!

I am searching for a solution to this Woodstock anomaly and that is what has brought me here.
In my web searching I have found a new Firmware version for my LG BH10LS30 and I will probably try that, I do not think that it is the PowerDVD's problem, because my LG just continually flashes it's blue light on the front and will not launch the disc.

I saw this post and thought that I would mention that there is a PC that will play Blu-Rays with no problems - it's my HP!
Now I just need to get my Gateway to do so as well.

Later,
Bud

I would definitely try the new firmware update you found.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by aramis109

Let me first say that anyone that doesn't want to update their software/firmware probably shouldn't be trying to play BD on a PC. Heck, at this point, everything has updates (and that's good!) - consoles, players, PC software/firmware. These are normal as the product grows. If you're complaining about that, then BD isn't the right place for you- even most standalones require firmware updates to play new BD content. It's one of the reasons I love having a PS3 as my main player- it's painless to upgrade thanks to wireless. That said, many new players are getting wireless now.

I just tried my laptop this weekend in conjunction w/ my HT setup and had to do a little bit of tweaking but was able to get lossless audio output to the receiver on top of having my video output come through beautifully.





Do you have any other movies with MMM? 300 and Watchmen both have it off of the top of my head. If so, pop one in and try it. When you say it doesn't work, is it not playing at all or is there no audio? I know that the way they did it makes it a little more complex and some folks weren't getting any audio until they switched from Bitstream to LPCM.

Otherwise, check for an update.



I would definitely try the new firmware update you found.

Aramis...what do you have for a HTPC? I didn't realize that you had one.

[Torgon]

I have a Sony Optiarc and PowerDVD 10 Mark II and haven't had any problems with any blu-ray. There hasn't been a firmware update for a long time either.