CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 10270

Has anyone been successful updating the firmware on a Samsung BD-P1xxx Blu-ray player via the Internet instead of burning a disk?

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 10270

Seems that it will no longer read regular DVDs. It'll read Blu-ray disks just fine. I get a message saying the Disk cannot be read, and then ejects it. Tried this with several DVDs that have been played in the unit before. I thought I would try a firmware upgrade first before taking it back to Costco for replacement.

WanMan · Joined: 19 Mar 2006 Posts: 10270

Costco customer service was tested yesterday. They had no more Samsung in stock. They had the entry level Blu-ray player from Sony, which was sold for $299 by Best Buy during the month of December (the same month Costco sold the Samsung for $279). No dice of an exchange request. They said I could return or pay the $100 difference. I told them that this seemed like a CS test to see if they would do something to prove they being different then, say, Bad Buy, but they failed.

So, I am going to return it, use the $50 gift certificate that Amazon gave me, and buy another PS3 from them.

**kal** · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 1:47 pm Post subject:

Here's your handy Playstation 3 link for buying it from Amazon.... Wink

Kal

stefuel · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:16 pm Post subject:

Any games or movies come bundled with PS3? Also, I read somewhere that the picture quality lacked the punch of a stb player. Even after the latest firmware update. Any comments about that? I'm on the fence and just need a nudge Laughing

ecrabb · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:26 pm Post subject:

Chip,

I just don't see how that could be true. I've see only one reference to BD PQ lacking on the PS3 compared to a STB, and it was totally unqualified and subjective statements made without any test equipment or formal testing - by an audiofool in another forum... Kal linked us out to it. To say the guy left me unconvinced would be an understatement. Until I read something written by somebody with some testing experience, the proper equipment, and the ability to perform proper testing, I'm operating under the assumption that the PS3 looks just as good as a STB.

SC

ecrabb · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject:

Oh, I forgot...bundles. If you have a Costco membership, they have a bundle for $499 - 40GB PS3 plus an extra dual-shock controller, DVD/BD remote, and Gran Turismo 5. If you want all that extra stuff, it's not a bad deal. It's about like getting the DVD remote for free.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10001682

If you have a Sams membership, they have the 40GB model for $398 w/SpiderMan 3 and some other bundles with a game and a controller, etc...
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?catg=9378

Otherwise, the 80GB machine comes with Motostorm - fun little off-road driving arcade game. Usually about $499.

SC

stefuel · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:42 pm Post subject:

I would probably just go to BB and use my rewards card. All I want for now is the player, remote and one movie. Whats the best cgi movie BD has to offer?

ecrabb · Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:51 pm Post subject:

That's probably what I'd do, too.

If you want a great CG movie, Ratatouille and Cars both look and sound awesome. From a purely story standpoint, I'd give Ratatouille the edge, but I love cars, too. Both are reference disks from an audio/video standpoint.

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1048/ratatouille.html
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/630/cars.html

SC

Person99 · Joined: 09 Mar 2006 Posts: 4899 Location: Flower Mound, TX