SAMSUNG Blu-ray Players Require Constant Firmware Updates?

[CAPT. CANUCK]

I was fortunate enough to receive a Samsung BD-P1400 Blu-ray player free when I purchased a Sony Bravia TV this past January. That was a great bonus, but what a pain having to do those constant firmware updates.

My son has a Sony PS3 and has never had to do even one firmware update in order to play any new Blu-ray movie release. I got so fed up that I sold the Samsung and bought myself a Sony PS3 simply so that I can play my movies in peace without having to do the firmware updates.

Obviously, since Sony in the creator of the Blu-ray format they have the inside best run on quality and less hassles for their customers.

There are alot of folks out there that have no idea about having to do firmware updates because of course with their DVD players there is no such thing. If you're tech-savy there's no huge problem, but a huge percentage of the folks out there who are thinking of moving onto Blu-ray are not aware of the required firmware updates. I want to warn them on this and if you do not want the hassle simply purchase a SONY Blu-ray player or a Sony PS3 player.

Cheers. Capt. Canuck

[Edh63]

Surly you jest.

[JasonR]

You're f***ing with me right????

BDP=Firmware Updates

[BD Live]

The problem isn't with Samsung; it's with Sony (and the Blu-ray disc association). HD-DVD was years ahead in development; Sony released an incomplete product (Blu-ray) to market early to try and compete/catch-up, which is why we have profile 1, 1.1 & 2. Load times are also slow because of the buggy, rushed-to-market BD-J technology.

BD discs are created differently and firmware fixes are usually created AFTER the movies are released. Virtually all manufactures of dedicated BD players have released multiple firmware updates.

Firmware also brings upgrades, like advanced audio decoding. Generally people look at firmware updates as a positive thing; that the manufacturer is supporting a product (after release) and is even making steps to improve it.

Personally I highly encourage firmware updates... as long as they're not like Microsoft Windows (weekly and REMOVING functionality!).

[ryoohki]

I'am sorry but HD DVD needed FW update too. I mean the A1 is at 3.0 now shipped with 1.0. I know they added a few feature like TrueHD decoding and Web Mode. But still there's quite a lot of Disc Skipping using those even with the latest model

Not even to talk avec 24fps issues etc etc...

[Tonedeaf]

How can folks not know about firmware updates? An insert is included in just about every Blu Ray movie you purchase mentioning having to possibly update.

[jling71]

The comments given are correct. The main problem though is with Samsung. They don't seem to care about customer service. Had a 1200 model and share your pain. Now have a panasonic bd-30 and most problems have gone away. Stay away from Samsung players and for the most part you will be fine.

[krisjan]

Every BD player released to date (except perhaps for the very recent ones which will undoubtedly have some future FW updates) has had FW updates. This is a necessary part of being early adopters (yes, Blu-ray is still in the early adopter phase). The same thing ocurred in the early days of DVD. If one waits another year or so, all of this FW updating will likely be a thing of the past.

I own 3 BD players: a Samsung 1200, a Sony 300 and a Panasonic BD30. They have all had numerous FW updates to correct bugs and to allow them to play the latest BD titles. If this is something you don't want to do, then sell your 1400 and wait another year or so and jump back in when the technology has settled.

[Edh63]

Originally Posted by jling71

The comments given are correct. The main problem though is with Samsung. They don't seem to care about customer service. Had a 1200 model and share your pain. Now have a panasonic bd-30 and most problems have gone away. Stay away from Samsung players and for the most part you will be fine.

Stay away from the 1000 and 1200, no doubt. The 1400 and 1500 are fine. I've had the 1200 and it's a brick, just as the 1000 is. Your ignorance overwhelms me. Your experience with one or two of Samsung's players, and your lack of experience with the other two, motivates you to blanket your opinion on all the players? Please. It's comments like this one that start wars. Whatever the reason Samsung hasn't done much fast with their first two players is a mystery to me, but I would never assume their intent.

I have the 1400 and 1500 and they both are problem free players. You should, at the very least, understand the depth of your comment before making it. Go experience the players before making your statement and then come back here and give an informed opinion. It'll make you look a whole lot better in front of the world.

[GeneD5]

HECK...I've even got the bdp-1000, yes it required firmware updates but plays everything perfectly, no problems. I've actually moved on to ps3 for audio reasons, but still love the old sammy!

[CAPT. CANUCK]

Thanks to everyone who posted their replies to my post.

'Tonedeaf' wondered about how could there be people out there who don't know about firmware updates. Well, I've got news for you; that is pretty well everyone that I've talked to who uses a DVD player right now. They don't realize that the Blu-ray players require these firmware updates. I only knew about this requirement after I received the Samsung player in January. 'Tonedeaf' also advises that all new Blu-ray discs have an insert stating that a firmware may be required. Those inserts were not included with all Blu-ray disc's until fairly recently. Of course the reason why the inserts appeared was because customers had been returning their Blu-ray movies to retailers advising them that the disc would not play. This confusion occurred because people were completely unaware of the requirement for firmware updates. DVD's and VHS tapes never had this hassle.

My kids bought themselves a Sony PS3 in January and they have never had to do a Sony firmware in order to play any Blu-ray disc. On the other hand, I had to do many firmware updates with my Samsung in order to play almost all the new Blu-ray discs. When the Samsung would not play a movie I would test it in the Sony PS3 and they always played perfectly in that player. Actually, the visual and audio quality is better through the Sony players.

The problem may well be with Sony, in that Sony has not supplied ALL the Blu-ray technology to other Blu-ray player manufacturers like Samsung and others. If they had, Samsung players would also be able to play all the new Blu-ray discs without the necessity of firmware updates.

'BD Live' mentioned that he regards firmware updates to be a positive thing in that some firmwares provide audio upgrades / audio decoding upgrades, etc. I agree with him on the reasoning behind those updates. However, there is still a huge DVD / VHS viewing majority out there that are not aware of the firmware requirement on all the Blu-ray players that are on the market presently other than Sony Blu-ray players and PS3 units.

Cheers. Capt. Canuck

[Edh63]

Fair enough.

[RUR]

Originally Posted by CAPT. CANUCK

...The problem may well be with Sony, in that Sony has not supplied ALL the Blu-ray technology to their Blu-ray player manufacturers like Samsung and many others. If they had, Samsung players would also be able to play all the new Blu-ray discs without the necessity of firmware updates...

This is a common misconception... Sony doesn't "own" the technology behind Blu-ray and, in fact, doesn't even have the most patents involved - Panasonic does. Blu-ray is a consortium of CE's and others, who form the Blu-ray Disc Association aka the BDA. We really don't need to look for Sony conspiracy theories to explain Samsung's frequent updates - the most likely reason is sub-optimal execution of the technology by Samsung.

For the record, I've owned a Samsung BD-P1200 since March '07, so I'm well familiar with the challenges and frustrations associated with updates. I also own a PS3 and Denon 3800.

[dlma1]

I have a Samsung 1000 and Samsung 5000 (which plays both HD-DVD and Blu-Ray) and I have applied all the firmware updates. Both players have been trouble free (in fact, the 5000 can play my Evan Almighty HD-DVD, and my Toshiba A30 cannot). I also have a Pioneer BDP-94HD, which is on release 2.46 of firmware. So, firmware updates are a fact-of-life for BD players. And BTW, they are ALSO a fact of life for standard DVD players. My Sony 777 changers required a firmware update as well as my Sony 995V. So you're statement about normal DVD players not requiring firmware updates was incorrect.

[HDPlasma]

Originally Posted by CAPT. CANUCK

Obviously, since Sony in the creator of the Blu-ray format they have the inside best run on quality and less hassles for their customers.

You should search the Sony BDP-300 threads and see the history behind this problamatic player.
That player is riddled with many issues that required many FW updates to resolve.
Even with the FW updates, it's probably the slowest loading Blu-ray player available and Sony is still charging $350-400 for that model at most CE stores.

btw:
You know the PS3 has issues with some 7.1 titles outputing correct 7.1 audio due to an LPCM issue with the PS3 and those titles. I guess a FW update will be required to hear the correct 7.1 soundtrack on those discs.

[ItsGettingHotInEER]

I own a PS3 and a Samsung BDP-1000. I have had some minor issues, but, they all been corrected with recent updates. It has been however, about 5 months since their last update, and Samsung needs to make sure they are keeping up with their updates. Would be nice if you could sign up for email updates, and they would actually email you the update or at the very least, inform you when a new update is available, or will be available.

[Edh63]

Or, you could go to the website and check for an update like everyone else.

[GORT]

Originally Posted by HDPlasma

You should search the Sony BDP-300 threads and see the history behind this problamatic player.
That player is riddled with many issues that required many FW updates to resolve.
Even with the FW updates, it's probably the slowest loading Blu-ray player available and Sony is still charging $350-400 for that model at most CE stores.

btw:
You know the PS3 has issues with some 7.1 titles outputing correct 7.1 audio due to an LPCM issue with the PS3 and those titles. I guess a FW update will be required to hear the correct 7.1 soundtrack on those discs.

Since you don't own one how do you know how fast it loads

[HDPlasma]

Originally Posted by FEP3108

Since you don't own one how do you know how fast it loads

The S300 was my very first Blu-ray player I bought.
Had it for 4 weeks and took it back due to the VERY SLOW load time especially on BD java discs and mediocre SD upconversion. It was also glitchy(freezing/lock up, studder video) on extra feature access on BD java discs.
For $500(the price back in Aug/2007), I would of expected better from Sony.

[ozzman]

I read alote of threads on blu-ray(Like i think most of us do)The two most complaints ,"I hate always downloading firmware"and"the loading time took 2 minutes,It's to slow"Those things don't bother me .I feel iam one of the lucky ones that really hav'nt had any problems.When a new movie comes out i don't go out and buy it, I wait.(i don't rent i buy)I don't want to set myself up for being pissed off if it does't work.Is this fair for me as a consumer,probley not.But when samsung puts out another firmware then i'll go buy the movies that i wanted .there's some movies that have been out for a for a couple months i feel confortable buying right now.My goal (for me)is to always try to have a good experience with the equipment i have ,( including the latest firmware).Iam not saying it's fiar, iam saying it's a lot easier then being pissed off all the time.I have a bd-p1400 and ia'm very happy. I have no experience with the 1000 or 1200 from what i read there in a different boat.(that's my two cents)