Momitsu BDP-899 Warning! Please read!

[TedK]

It has been reported on other forums that the new firmware update (March 2010) for the Momitsu 899 and its clones (Sherwood, etc.) DISABLES REGION-SWITCHING CAPABILITIES! I personally do not find this surprising, since I've been semi-expecting it since Day One due to industry backlash. I've only done one update to my 899, only after it was confirmed that there were no negative effects. It apparently is possible to revert to a previous firmware version if need be. Please take heed if region-switching is important to you!

[ArieS]

Wow, that's lame.

[toddly6666]

I'm currently waiting for my order to be shipped. If it's not guaranteed that the old firmware (w/multi-region capabilities), then I guess I should cancel my order.

If I just update this player with the old firmware update, will that work? Or do the March Sherwoods prevent that old firmware update from working?

[TedK]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

I'm currently waiting for my order to be shipped. If it's not guaranteed that the old firmware (w/multi-region capabilities), then I guess I should cancel my order.

If I just update this player with the old firmware update, will that work? Or do the March Sherwoods prevent that old firmware update from working?

My understanding is that existing units can be downgraded, so I would assume that a new unit could be as well. If you need a previous firmware file and can't find it, PM me and I'll get it to you.

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by TedK

My understanding is that existing units can be downgraded, so I would assume that a new unit could be as well. If you need a previous firmware file and can't find it, PM me and I'll get it to you.

In other words, once I downgrade to that old multi-region functionality firmware, I won't ever have to do a firmware update again on this player?

Do you think it's likely that the March Momitsu clones have something built in them which reject the downgrade or that could even damage the player when one tries to update it to the old firmware?

[bhampton]

Wow,

I used to have a momitsu multi-region DVD player... good stuff.

It was a lot like an Oppo player but cheaper.

Hope the older FW works or a patch is made for the new one.

-Brian

[TedK]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

In other words, once I downgrade to that old multi-region functionality firmware, I won't ever have to do a firmware update again on this player?

Do you think it's likely that the March Momitsu clones have something built in them which reject the downgrade or that could even damage the player when one tries to update it to the old firmware?

I won't say you'll never HAVE to do an update, but you certainly would not want to. I have only updated once on my 899, but only after others reported success. I use mine for Region B BD, and no disc has given me a problem so far.

As far as your second question is concerned, I suppose anything is possible, but I don't think it's likely (personal opinion).

It's always possible that the March update is faulty and this was an unintended after effect. If Momitsu does not issue another update soon though, that theory would become moot.

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by TedK

I won't say you'll never HAVE to do an update, but you certainly would not want to.

Hi Ted, I called Sherwood technical support and the guy said that the Sherwood 5004 only plays multi-region for DVDs but not for Blu-rays. So how do I interpret this? That this DISABLING is just a glitch and they'll need another firmware update to fix this problem? Or is it something he can't talk about? And the tech support guy said this player was never Blu-Ray multi-region capable (only DVD multi-region).

[TedK]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

Hi Ted, I called Sherwood technical support and the guy said that the Sherwood 5004 only plays multi-region for DVDs but not for Blu-rays. So how do I interpret this? That this DISABLING is just a glitch and they'll need another firmware update to fix this problem? Or is it something he can't talk about? And the tech support guy said this player was never Blu-Ray multi-region capable (only DVD multi-region).

Well, officially, Momitsu never claimed to be a multi-region BD player either. It specifically states in the manual that it only plays region A BDs. HK Flix (the company that originally sold the 899 but does not sell hardware anymore) advertised it as multi-region BD on their website and gave out the switching codes. Whether the unit was modded by them or not (I doubt that it was) or whether Momitsu left a back door open for remote hacks (more likely in my mind), it is multi-region for DVD and BD.

I suspect the Sherwood rep is giving you the "party line" answer concerning BD multi-region capability. They're not going to admit that (as any BD player manufacturer would not). The fact that he stated it was NEVER BD multi-region, when we all know it was, is evidence of that. I do not want to try to interpret anything in his remarks, for fear that you might get something you don't want.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but I don't know much about the Momitsu clones. Where are you buying this from? Perhaps they can shed some light on this.

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by TedK

I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but I don't know much about the Momitsu clones. Where are you buying this from? Perhaps they can shed some light on this.

As long as this player is multi-region dvd and blu-ray Region A, I would be happy.

I'm buying it from http://www.4electronicwarehouse.com/.

When you originally posted this news, refering to "DISABLES REGION-SWITCHING CAPABILITIES", is this refering to DVD and Blu-ray, or just Blu-Ray?

[TedK]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

As long as this player is multi-region dvd and blu-ray Region A, I would be happy.

I'm buying it from http://www.4electronicwarehouse.com/.

When you originally posted this news, refering to "DISABLES REGION-SWITCHING CAPABILITIES", is this refering to DVD and Blu-ray, or just Blu-Ray?

I believe the original posters referred to all region-switching capabilities, but I'm not positive.

[coutardcoutard]

Hi, I was going to buy a Sherwood BDP-5004 blu-ray player for the region-free capability for blu-rays (I already have a region-free dvd player) but now I'm afraid to do so.

If I buy one now (probably from amazon.ca), will the March 1st firmware already be installed on the player or will I have to do it myself? (which I will obviously abstain myself to do!!)

If someone knows, please respond.

From a worried "blu-rayphile"
Thank you in advance.

[RBBrittain]

Originally Posted by coutardcoutard

Hi, I was going to buy a Sherwood BDP-5004 blu-ray player for the region-free capability for blu-rays (I already have a region-free dvd player) but now I'm afraid to do so.

If I buy one now (probably from amazon.ca), will the March 1st firmware already be installed on the player or will I have to do it myself? (which I will obviously abstain myself to do!!)

If someone knows, please respond.

From a worried "blu-rayphile"
Thank you in advance.

I really can't say, but the March firmware is only on Momitsu's website, not Sherwood's. (In fact, the Sherwood site only has firmware for the older BDP-5003 model--and it hasn't been updated.) It probably won't be installed on players you buy right now.

[henson1855]

I was having a problem playing the French movie 36 on my BDP-5004 it would sound horrible loading then keep ejecting the disc,on Monday I called Sherwood to ask about any new firmware they said there was none at this time,I did not know then what I know now from reading this thread so I am glad I didn't find any firmware,Amazon Fr is sending me out a replacement disc,hopefully that will solve the problem,otherwise I love this player,so much in fact,that I retired my brand new Samsung Bp-3600.

[The Lizard King]

Originally Posted by TedK

It has been reported on other forums that the new firmware update (March 2010) for the Momitsu 899 and its clones (Sherwood, etc.) DISABLES REGION-SWITCHING CAPABILITIES! I personally do not find this surprising, since I've been semi-expecting it since Day One due to industry backlash. I've only done one update to my 899, only after it was confirmed that there were no negative effects. It apparently is possible to revert to a previous firmware version if need be. Please take heed if region-switching is important to you!

Which forums? This is the first I've heard of it.

EDIT: Nevermind. Found the thread on Hi-Def Digest:

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/blu-...er-26.html#381

So far, there is no firmware update for the BDP-799, but I'm not going to flash my player with it until I know the facts about this.

TLK

[zombeaner]

Okay, I have gone from angry to FURIOUS. I just tried playing one R2 NTSC and one R2 PAL disc and BOTH gave error messages. Not only is the BD region switching disabled, but now DVD region free is impossible. I am PISSED. PLEASE if anyone has the previous firmware saved for the BDP-799 let me know! I am not going to let this be a $225 paper weight.

[The Lizard King]

I'm having trouble playing the Japanese release of Casino Royale on my Momitsu BDP-799. I bought it from amazon.co.jp, because it's supposedly the unedited version of the film. I don't know if it's a firmware problem, or what. It takes longer than usual for the loader to recognize that it's a BD. Then, once it does recognize that it's a BD, it goes into "play" mode, but the screen stays dark in perpetuity and the time counter never goes up past 00 min 00 sec.

I'm going to take it to my local Best Buy to see if any of their machines will play it. That should give me a clue to see if it's a firmware issue, or not.

Any other suggestions?

TLK

[The Lizard King]

Originally Posted by The Lizard King

I'm having trouble playing the Japanese release of Casino Royale on my Momitsu BDP-799. I bought it from amazon.co.jp, because it's supposedly the unedited version of the film. I don't know if it's a firmware problem, or what. It takes longer than usual for the loader to recognize that it's a BD. Then, once it does recognize that it's a BD, it goes into "play" mode, but the screen stays dark in perpetuity and the time counter never goes up past 00 min 00 sec.

I'm going to take it to my local Best Buy to see if any of their machines will play it. That should give me a clue to see if it's a firmware issue, or not.

Any other suggestions?

It, indeed, must be a firmware problem. I took my BD into the local Best Buy and the floor associate put it in the latest, greatest Samsung 3D BD player, and it started up immediately. I asked him to put it in a 2D player, and he did so in a Sony BDP-S360 that hadn't been updated with new firmware for nearly two years; the Sony balked and stated that the disc was "invalid."

So, I guess I'm going to try that March 2010 firmware for the BDP-799 soon in order to play this disc! This means, of course, that I won't be able to switch between region settings like I used to be able to. However, I've read in this thread and elsewhere, that I can "downgrade" to the 11/2009 firmware if I so desire.

EDIT: Even the newest March 2010 firmware doesn't allow the BDP-799 to play this BD.

TLK

[The Lizard King]

August 2009 region-free firmware for the BDP-899:

http://momitsu.com/TEMP/89/BDP-899_E...064_090330.rar

November 2009 region-free firmware for the BDP-799:

http://momitsu.com/TEMP/79/BDP-799_FW_ENG_091118.rar

TLK

[snoman_99]

thanks for the heads up... still have the older firmware on our player . almost installed the latest firmware last night but thought we would check on here and see what it actually fixed first lol...

Much respect to our peeps on blu-ray.com!!!,

J & Jen