Blu-Ray Standards

RobAnt · 21-10-2008, 16:57

I've just rented "The Happening". But I had to install an upgrade to my playback software in order to get it running.

I had a similar problem with "Bridge to Trebithia".

This shows that someone has to keep changing the playback software. How do stand-alone players cope with this?

What is the point of buying a dedicated player if it can't play the latest/new titles?

MAW · 21-10-2008, 17:46

A question I often ask myself, and which explains why I've only just started selling them, but only profile 2 players, ie ethernet capable, and capable of on line software upgrade. Just like your player, a PS3 I presume. The opposition had this capability from the outset. I never quite understood how Blu Ray won so early.

davidweller · 21-10-2008, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAW

A question I often ask myself, and which explains why I've only just started selling them, but only profile 2 players, ie ethernet capable, and capable of on line software upgrade. Just like your player, a PS3 I presume. The opposition had this capability from the outset. I never quite understood how Blu Ray won so early.

The PS3. This included Blu-ray playback from day 1 and therefore put Blu-ray in a lot of homes by default.

Would you have got an HDDVD player if you already had a PS3?

MAW · 21-10-2008, 19:00

Actually I probably would, I already owned a Blu Ray laptop with HDMI. I have both kinds of HD player, and both kinds of disc. Nothing wrong with either, but something very wrong with all BD players except the PS3 till recently. At the time of the Warner announcement, the PS3 was not quite as dominant as you seem to indicate, as whilst it's a player indeed, and a good one, disc sales showed few people used them as such, and they still don't. However, players have now caught up, well, with disc playback they have, clearly not in the other areas PS3s do as well.

Orbitalzone · 21-10-2008, 19:11

it's a good question and as a Sony BDP300 owner (version 1 blu ray I believe) without ethernet connection I have to wonder what upgrades will exist, if any.

Luckily I got the player for £50 with a TV purchase so won't lose sleep over it... I always assumed v1 gave video playback on all discs but extra disc content and features may not be playable (no worries for me)

MAW · 21-10-2008, 19:14

It does indeed, as long as the discs play back in the 1st place. I have seen several discs not play back until a firmware upgrade is applied, though these have mostly been Korean players. Apart from my lappy, which famously got eaten on Xmas day last by POTC3, and refused to play back even a dvd until fixed.

Jarrak · 21-10-2008, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobAnt

I've just rented "The Happening". But I had to install an upgrade to my playback software in order to get it running.

I had a similar problem with "Bridge to Trebithia".

This shows that someone has to keep changing the playback software. How do stand-alone players cope with this?

What is the point of buying a dedicated player if it can't play the latest/new titles?

I use my PC for Blu playback and I've come across the same situation. I've always assumed the PC application can not integrate the enhancements to the DRM which on the disk which a standalone player has no trouble with so needs to patch itself via a download.

That is different to a fairly significant firmware upgrade which covers perhaps new features or major enhancements the disk requires.

paulr2006 · 21-10-2008, 19:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAW

It does indeed, as long as the discs play back in the 1st place. I have seen several discs not play back until a firmware upgrade is applied, though these have mostly been Korean players. Apart from my lappy, which famously got eaten on Xmas day last by POTC3, and refused to play back even a dvd until fixed.

I have a Korean Player; Samsung BD P1400, profile 1 (with Ethernet connection) I have had it 10 months & it has never failed (or even hinted) at not playing a disc (I have played over 90) Firmware updates have been as & when required & are always only as a result of Authoring changes which the studios introduce. Theres been lots of crap talked about BD profile 1 players not being able to play later Java heavy discs that only profile 2 can cope with but as usual it simply is rumours from people who genraly know very little. I was an early adopter of HD DVD which is still having Firmware updates thanks to Toshibas on going support. The fact is it's nothing to do with "Korean Players" as some of the worst problems have in fact been with the two biggest names in BD but again to be fair it's down to Authoring.

MAW · 21-10-2008, 20:07

You may not have experienced it, but it happens. Down to authoring, probably. Cured by firmware, definitely.

RobAnt · 21-10-2008, 21:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAW

a PS3 I presume.

Nope a PC with LG BLu-Ray/HD DVD/DVDRW drive.

MAW · 22-10-2008, 06:44

My drive's a panasonic one. Blu Ray only as I have a HD DVD player. But my experience sounds similar to yours.

jam2000 · 22-10-2008, 07:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobAnt

I've just rented "The Happening". But I had to install an upgrade to my playback software in order to get it running.

I had a similar problem with "Bridge to Trebithia".

This shows that someone has to keep changing the playback software. How do stand-alone players cope with this?

What is the point of buying a dedicated player if it can't play the latest/new titles?

I have a stand alone Samsung Blu-Ray DVD player and never had this problem.

I am always renting and buying Blu-Ray's.

21-10-2008, 16:57	#1
RobAnt Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South West Posts: 10,218	Blu-Ray Standards I've just rented "The Happening". But I had to install an upgrade to my playback software in order to get it running. I had a similar problem with "Bridge to Trebithia". This shows that someone has to keep changing the playback software. How do stand-alone players cope with this? What is the point of buying a dedicated player if it can't play the latest/new titles?

21-10-2008, 17:46	#2
MAW Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 28,577	A question I often ask myself, and which explains why I've only just started selling them, but only profile 2 players, ie ethernet capable, and capable of on line software upgrade. Just like your player, a PS3 I presume. The opposition had this capability from the outset. I never quite understood how Blu Ray won so early.

21-10-2008, 18:14	#3
davidweller Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wallington, Surrey Posts: 6,960	Quote: Originally Posted by MAW A question I often ask myself, and which explains why I've only just started selling them, but only profile 2 players, ie ethernet capable, and capable of on line software upgrade. Just like your player, a PS3 I presume. The opposition had this capability from the outset. I never quite understood how Blu Ray won so early. The PS3. This included Blu-ray playback from day 1 and therefore put Blu-ray in a lot of homes by default. Would you have got an HDDVD player if you already had a PS3?

21-10-2008, 19:00	#4
MAW Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 28,577	Actually I probably would, I already owned a Blu Ray laptop with HDMI. I have both kinds of HD player, and both kinds of disc. Nothing wrong with either, but something very wrong with all BD players except the PS3 till recently. At the time of the Warner announcement, the PS3 was not quite as dominant as you seem to indicate, as whilst it's a player indeed, and a good one, disc sales showed few people used them as such, and they still don't. However, players have now caught up, well, with disc playback they have, clearly not in the other areas PS3s do as well.

21-10-2008, 19:11	#5
Orbitalzone Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sussex Posts: 12,173	it's a good question and as a Sony BDP300 owner (version 1 blu ray I believe) without ethernet connection I have to wonder what upgrades will exist, if any. Luckily I got the player for £50 with a TV purchase so won't lose sleep over it... I always assumed v1 gave video playback on all discs but extra disc content and features may not be playable (no worries for me)

21-10-2008, 19:14	#6
MAW Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 28,577	It does indeed, as long as the discs play back in the 1st place. I have seen several discs not play back until a firmware upgrade is applied, though these have mostly been Korean players. Apart from my lappy, which famously got eaten on Xmas day last by POTC3, and refused to play back even a dvd until fixed.

21-10-2008, 19:24	#7
Jarrak Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 18,075	Quote: Originally Posted by RobAnt I've just rented "The Happening". But I had to install an upgrade to my playback software in order to get it running. I had a similar problem with "Bridge to Trebithia". This shows that someone has to keep changing the playback software. How do stand-alone players cope with this? What is the point of buying a dedicated player if it can't play the latest/new titles? I use my PC for Blu playback and I've come across the same situation. I've always assumed the PC application can not integrate the enhancements to the DRM which on the disk which a standalone player has no trouble with so needs to patch itself via a download. That is different to a fairly significant firmware upgrade which covers perhaps new features or major enhancements the disk requires.

21-10-2008, 19:26	#8
paulr2006 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 1,098	Quote: Originally Posted by MAW It does indeed, as long as the discs play back in the 1st place. I have seen several discs not play back until a firmware upgrade is applied, though these have mostly been Korean players. Apart from my lappy, which famously got eaten on Xmas day last by POTC3, and refused to play back even a dvd until fixed. I have a Korean Player; Samsung BD P1400, profile 1 (with Ethernet connection) I have had it 10 months & it has never failed (or even hinted) at not playing a disc (I have played over 90) Firmware updates have been as & when required & are always only as a result of Authoring changes which the studios introduce. Theres been lots of crap talked about BD profile 1 players not being able to play later Java heavy discs that only profile 2 can cope with but as usual it simply is rumours from people who genraly know very little. I was an early adopter of HD DVD which is still having Firmware updates thanks to Toshibas on going support. The fact is it's nothing to do with "Korean Players" as some of the worst problems have in fact been with the two biggest names in BD but again to be fair it's down to Authoring.

21-10-2008, 20:07	#9
MAW Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 28,577	You may not have experienced it, but it happens. Down to authoring, probably. Cured by firmware, definitely.

21-10-2008, 21:36	#10
RobAnt Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South West Posts: 10,218	Quote: Originally Posted by MAW a PS3 I presume. Nope a PC with LG BLu-Ray/HD DVD/DVDRW drive.

22-10-2008, 06:44	#11
MAW Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 28,577	My drive's a panasonic one. Blu Ray only as I have a HD DVD player. But my experience sounds similar to yours.

22-10-2008, 07:35	#12
jam2000 Inactive Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cambs Posts: 3,322	Quote: Originally Posted by RobAnt I've just rented "The Happening". But I had to install an upgrade to my playback software in order to get it running. I had a similar problem with "Bridge to Trebithia". This shows that someone has to keep changing the playback software. How do stand-alone players cope with this? What is the point of buying a dedicated player if it can't play the latest/new titles? I have a stand alone Samsung Blu-Ray DVD player and never had this problem. I am always renting and buying Blu-Ray's.

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Blu-Ray Standards