An unusual glitch has angered some "Avatar" Blu-ray owners. For these unlucky people, since the disc won't play on their Blu-ray players, their new "Avatar" Blu-ray serves no real purpose other than to sit idly on the coffee table.So how many people do you think know that you have to hook your BluRay player up to the internet for firmware updates (or to find manual updates if they exist) just to keep watching movies? I mean, you buy a BluRay player then I expect it to play BluRay movies. All of them, past and future, without me having to do anything other than buy the movies.
"When 3 out of 3 players in my house (Denon, Samsung and PC) won't play it, then 20th Century Fox should be slapped with losses on this one," said one irritated customer.
In reality, the disc works fine; the problem stems from the Blu-ray players themselves. In order to run optimally, the firmware for these fancy Blu-ray machines needs to be updated regularly via a download from the Web. ("Firmware" is the program that controls the performance of an electronic device, which would be, in this case, the playback of a Blu-ray disc.)
PS3 imho
The blu ray disc specifically states that you may need to update your firmware in order to play the movie. In addition, this is not the first movie where there has been a firmware update requirement.
Firmware is customized for each piece of hardware though. They can't include firmware for each and every manufacturer's blu-ray player. Obviously it is a slight inconvenience to have to update your player.
PS3 imho
Keep in mind that you don't have to connect your player to the internet. You could also contact customer support and they will likely mail you a CD-ROM containing the update, or you could download and burn the update yourself. There are methods for those who aren't inclined to actually connect their player to the internet.And which of those do you think my mom would either A) know to do or B) not be pissed about? Basically people are just going to think the disc is defective and return it.
And which of those do you think my mom would either A) know to do or B) not be pissed about? Basically people are just going to think the disc is defective and return it.
Yes, I read this isn't new for BluRays. But honestly this is the first I've ever heard of it. Its stupid any way you slice it. Why is the format not finalized to the point where you don't need firmware updates just to play new movies? Its retarded. And this is the format that "won" the battle for HD video? Fuck, we have to put up with this shit until the next format...which could be a while.
And which of those do you think my mom would either A) know to do or B) not be pissed about? Basically people are just going to think the disc is defective and return it.
Yes, I read this isn't new for BluRays. But honestly this is the first I've ever heard of it. Its stupid any way you slice it. Why is the format not finalized to the point where you don't need firmware updates just to play new movies? Its retarded. And this is the format that "won" the battle for HD video? Fuck, we have to put up with this shit until the next format...which could be a while.
Then learn to read the fucking manual or don't bother with the latest technology. Firmware updates are commonplace especially considering the format is still getting updated.
And there are reasons why the PS3 is still the best blu-ray player... the fact that it can so easily connect to the internet is one of them.
It seems the real answer for anyone tech savvy would just be to buy a big ass hard drive and enclosure.
In reality, the disc works fine; the problem stems from the Blu-ray players themselves. In order to run optimally, the firmware for these fancy Blu-ray machines needs to be updated regularly via a download from the Web. ("Firmware" is the program that controls the performance of an electronic device, which would be, in this case, the playback of a Blu-ray disc.)
That's what I've done. :PI'm sorry, but the way you legitimize this is sickening to me.
Another informed decision you can make is to buy the PS3 instead of any other standalone player. Seriously. When I decided to make the jump to blu-ray I considered standalone players but ended up getting the PS3 because it would have infinitely better support and firmware updates than other manufacturer's could provide. The fact that it can also play games was secondary at the time of purchase.
Also, the format has been finalized but there is still ongoing development to improve it such as high disc capacity and other features. I know the PS3 has all the updates necessary and will in fact get an update to support 3D Blu-ray. You won't get that without a new player if you bought a standalone.
And guess what? My rental copy of Avatar played fine on the PS3. I plan on buying the special edition in November, but until then...
The point I'm trying to make is that this 'firmware update' and movies not working on certain players isn't a big deal. If you've followed the HD format at all, these issues have existed since the introduction of HD-DVD and blu-ray. For example, I know for a fact that Children of Men on HD-DVD had playback issues on the Xbox360 HD-DVD drive. Perhaps those of us who have been using HD for a while have grown accustomed to it, and those who are just starting to jump onto the HD bandwagon find these issues jarring.
If you don't like it, don't buy it. Nobody is forcing you to get blu-ray and an HDTV. SD still holds the majority market share at this time, and it is possible that this is one reason among many why. Alternatively, the thing is available on the internet as well.
You act like this is common knowledge. I can tell you that this is the first I've heard of this, and I'm the type of person who actually is interested in technology and actually knows what firmware is. Before I read this thread today, if I were to go out an buy a Blu-Ray player I wouldn't have hooked it up to the Internet and I would have run into this problem and probably been even madder than I am now.
I can see how a long-time owner of a Blu-Ray player might be accustomed or at the very least aware of the need to update the appliance, but how would someone know that this is a common practice for the format when they haven't bothered paying attention to it for whatever reasons (cost, prior disinterest, etc.)?
The difference between SD and HD is like night and day, but that's another conversation.
Google Chrome is telling me this thread contains information from site: cut-etc.ru, which it says may contain malware. I can't visit this thread without clicking a little "I understand" thing and pressing "proceed".The Ruskies are at it again!
Google Chrome is telling me this thread contains information from site: cut-etc.ru, which it says may contain malware. I can't visit this thread without clicking a little "I understand" thing and pressing "proceed".
Don't PS3's have fans? I remember I used the PS2 as my first DVD player and the fan noise annoyed the shit out of me.
As for manufacturers not taking the time to update players just to sell new hardware is something I just don't see happening, because it doesn't seem logical to me. The ramifications are too heavy, and it isn't like they have a new product at hand. A blu-ray player is a blu-ray player.I think he means newer models of Blu-Ray players. It's not like Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, etc. will release one model of Blu-Ray player and ride it out for the life of Blu-Ray.
I think he means newer models of Blu-Ray players. It's not like Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, etc. will release one model of Blu-Ray player and ride it out for the life of Blu-Ray.
If I don't like it, don't buy it? OK. You got it. I think standard DVDs on progressive players look peachy on a 42" screen from 8 ft away. Sandy is curious about Bluray, and now I have one more reason to talk her out of it. There's nothing better than the promise of technical difficulties to scare normal consumers away from needless gadgets.
Unless we are talking about something like Blu-ray 2, that's exactly what I expect to see happen. I mean it is an enhancement... it isn't exactly a new model.You would be wrong. These manufacturers already have multiple models of Blu-Ray players. See this page: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Blu-ray-DVD-Players/Blu-ray-Players/abcat0102003.c?id=abcat0102003. Within seconds I saw two Sonys and two Panasonics. And these won't be the last models of Blu-Ray players Sony and Panasonic release.
You would be wrong. These manufacturers already have multiple models of Blu-Ray players. See this page: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Blu-ray-DVD-Players/Blu-ray-Players/abcat0102003.c?id=abcat0102003. Within seconds I saw two Sonys and two Panasonics. And these won't be the last models of Blu-Ray players Sony and Panasonic release.
I want to think that all these companies will keep their players updated. But all we can do is hope. This is really the first time I can think of that this sort of thing is going on (regular, required software updates for an appliance). It remains to be seen.