So... anyone else periodically checking the LG support site to see if the new firmware has landed?

I'm looking forward to watching Clerks 2... and curious to see if it implements profile 2.0...

-Stuart

So... anyone else periodically checking the LG support site to see if the new firmware has landed?

I'm looking forward to watching Clerks 2... and curious to see if it implements profile 2.0...

-Stuart

Of course. I hope you're periodically asking your player to dial in and check for updates as well.

when ever i remember, I just hit SETUP and network check for update. the only thing that sucks is I always have a DVD in the tray and have to eject first before it will check for a newer update...

cant wait .. hoping :rolleyes: for Profile 2.0 :D

Yep, I'm doing that too.

Historically though, haven't the updates been available on their website a few days before there were available through the player?

Of course. I hope you're periodically asking your player to dial in and check for updates as well.

Do we know if a new firmware will actually be released? Havent seen any mention of new firmware apart from the poster who said he met someone at a show in NYC. Is he the source?

I contacted LG about Clerks 2 not playing on the BH200, and they told me it would be fixed shortly.

Someone in another thread stated that they contacted LG last week because they were having troubles upgrading their firmware and were told that a new firmware was coming potentially by the end of last week.

So, that's 3 different sources... could be any day now, or still a bit off.


Do we know if a new firmware will actually be released? Havent seen any mention of new firmware apart from the poster who said he met someone at a show in NYC. Is he the source?

I hope you're periodically asking your player to dial in and check for updates as well.
How do you do that? Or do you mean you manually check, once in a while?

Historically though, haven't the updates been available on their website a few days before there were available through the player?
Correct.

I check every week or so. Now we have the Official Lossless firmware I'm not in a rush so much, but it would be nice.

This might be a dumb question, but I just picked up a BH200 this weekend and was watching Clerks 2 HD-DVD on it last night. I didn't watch the whole thing, but what is the problem with that disc?

(on an unrelated note, I was getting multiple video/audio dropouts like I was loosing HDMI sync with my receiver - denon 3808- on both HD-DVD and BD)

From one Brad to another :D, please look here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1002769

It works for almost as many people as it doesn't. It's currently the most problematic LG BH200 title (along with Babysitters (Adult), USA HD-DVD).

Brad, you posted below in the past tense.... "was" getting video dropouts... did you find a fix? If so; plz share!

ThxS!!



This might be a dumb question, but I just picked up a BH200 this weekend and was watching Clerks 2 HD-DVD on it last night. I didn't watch the whole thing, but what is the problem with that disc?

(on an unrelated note, I was getting multiple video/audio dropouts like I was loosing HDMI sync with my receiver - denon 3808- on both HD-DVD and BD)

Brad, you posted below in the past tense.... "was" getting video dropouts... did you find a fix? If so; plz share!

ThxS!!

Sorry. "Was" as in I "was" getting them last night as I used the player. I'm sure nothing has changed.

No worries.... take care!



Sorry. "Was" as in I "was" getting them last night as I used the player. I'm sure nothing has changed.

does that new 1080P film mode option from the update make a big difference if thats selected ?

Still nothing. What a drag.

There were rumours of "by the end of last week", but now it's looking like it might not even be the end of this week.

It just goes to show you how relative the word "soon" really is... it means drastically different things to large corporations and impatient consumers. :)

Still nothing. What a drag.

There were rumours of "by the end of last week", but now it's looking like it might not even be the end of this week.

It just goes to show you how relative the word "soon" really is... it means drastically different things to large corporations and impatient consumers. :)

Screw that. They can take their time. I would rather them get it right. Toshiba just released an update this week that didn't fix what they broke in the last update.

Screw what? I didn't really say anything... I just said "what a drag" and commented on how "soon" is a subjective term... :)

As for Toshiba, I'm assuming you're referring to the 24fps jaggies they introduced in fw2.8?

I think it's pretty clear they didn't try to fix that in the fw... people have been reporting it since the first day 2.8 was released, so they had time to address it if they wanted to...

Screw that. They can take their time. I would rather them get it right. Toshiba just released an update this week that didn't fix what they broke in the last update.

"Soon" has to be the most loosely used word ever :D.

I'm in no rush to get the new firmware. If it means they fix more, great!

"Soon" has to be the most loosely used word ever :D.

I'm in no rush to get the new firmware. If it means they fix more, great!

I will even wait much longer if we get Profile 2.0 :)

I want Profile 2.0 too:)

I want Profile 2.0 too:)

I'll bet a crappy amazon b2g1 that Profile 2.0 isn't going to happen.

No so fast.

http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/006045.html

Are you saying "not so fast" to the people skeptical that profile 2.0 will show up, or commenting on how the article says the BH200 is slow loading discs?


No so fast.

http://blogs.pcworld.com/staffblog/archives/006045.html

Pretty sure it's the former.

Pretty sure it's the former.

Yes.

Are you saying "not so fast" to the people skeptical that profile 2.0 will show up, or commenting on how the article says the BH200 is slow loading discs?

From the article:

According to LG, this player also has the hardware necessary to support Blu-ray's Internet-connected content, BD Live, when such content surfaces sometime next year. Not unexpectedly, though the player is what LG calls "BD Live-ready," it will require a firmware update in order to play BD Live content.

That pretty much says it all right there. It's not an "if" situation, but a "when". :)

From the article:

According to LG, this player also has the hardware necessary to support Blu-ray's Internet-connected content, BD Live, when such content surfaces sometime next year. Not unexpectedly, though the player is what LG calls "BD Live-ready," it will require a firmware update in order to play BD Live content.

That pretty much says it all right there. It's not an "if" situation, but a "when". :)I think it's still an "if" situation ... "if" LG decides to release the firmware update. They have no incentive to do it ...

From the article:

According to LG, this player also has the hardware necessary to support Blu-ray's Internet-connected content, BD Live, when such content surfaces sometime next year. Not unexpectedly, though the player is what LG calls "BD Live-ready," it will require a firmware update in order to play BD Live content.

That pretty much says it all right there. It's not an "if" situation, but a "when". :)

A lot has happened since that article was written. After all, "According to LG" they are fully behind dual-format players and will make a BH300 and never abandon the faithful.

*chuckle*

A lot has happened since that article was written. After all, "According to LG" they are fully behind dual-format players and will make a BH300 and never abandon the faithful.

Apples and oranges. LG dropping combo player support is understandable. HD DVD didn't taper off, it dropped off the face of the planet with surprising speed. On the other hand, the BH200 is also a Blu-ray player, and LG does fully support Blu-ray. I do expect to see support for BD Live added to the BH200 since it is a Blu-ray feature.

Apples and oranges. LG dropping combo player support is understandable. HD DVD didn't taper off, it dropped off the face of the planet with surprising speed. On the other hand, the BH200 is also a Blu-ray player, and LG does fully support Blu-ray. I do expect to see support for BD Live added to the BH200 since it is a Blu-ray feature.
By the same token, Samsung (http://pages.samsung.com/us/bluraysupport/support.html) also fully supports Blu-ray and there were rumblings that their player could also be upgraded to 2.0. I think the likelihood of LG offering the upgrade is greater than Samsung but I don't see said likelihood being any better than 50/50. After the money lost in this combo debacle, they will be interested in moving on with the development of newer profitable hardware. In Samsung's case, the BD-P1500 is said to have the same System-on-Chip (SOC) from Broadcom and is also upgradable to profile 2, so if the memory in the 5000 is adequate, the 5000 could simply receive a hypothetical "port" effort by the devs. I am just not confident this will happen. It could if we the customers requested loudly enough, I suppose (and the memory requirement is met). ;)

Hey, I hope it happens. But I don't think we can put any store in what LG may have said to a reviewer in 2007 when they were still fully in the combo game.

Hey, I hope it happens. But I don't think we can put any store in what LG may have said to a reviewer in 2007 when they were still fully in the combo game.

Fine how about what LG has said in several official documents?

Here's a link to the official PDF Spec sheet:

Linkage (http://us.lge.com/download/product/file/1000003288/BH200_spec_sheet.pdf)

Note on page 2 under the section "HD Playback Features" the last item in that section is "Networked Content Access" under HD DVD it has a dot indicating that it is capable of that feature out of the box and under Blu-ray it says "ready". That alone indicates that the device is BD Profile 2.0 ready

In addition to the official Spec sheet there is this press release from LG:

Linkage (http://us.lge.com/aboutus/pressdetail/detail/press_TV%7CAudio%7CVideo_337.jhtml)

Note the following from the "One Player Latest Technology" section:

"With full networked interactivity available from selected HD DVDs, and the capability to handle networked “BD-Live” interactivity in forthcoming Blu-ray discs , it is the latest available technology that plays both disc formats."

That's makes it pretty clear that LG intends (or intended) to make the BH-200 2.0 compliant.

The fact that LG has discontinued the BH200 does not bode well, but if they make the BH200 2.0 capable they could then release a BD only 2.0 Player and still keep the premium price on the BH200s in the supply-chain. The documents I linked above could also be used as grounds for a class action suit against LG if the BH200 does not become BD Profile 2.0 compliant and I'm pretty certain that LG would like to avoid the pleasantries their cross town rival has experienced with the BDP-1200.

That's makes it pretty clear that LG intends (or intended) to make the BH-200 2.0 compliant. Unless I missed it, I don't think arguments were made that the BH200 is not capable of 2.0 through an upgrade, rather, I think the arguments are that there is no guarantee LG will supply the upgrade. As you say, it appears to have been their intention, so now the question is: Will they?

Its not a question of whether it can handle the firmware because LG states it is profile 2.0 ready... Its a question of whether or not LG will make it profile 2.0... Samsung's updated product resource center lists the bd-up5000 as profile 1.1 ready and say that the firmware to make it so is already out but states that only the 1500 will get a profile 2.0 upgrade soon. All we can do now is hope and wait for LG to make the player profile 2.0

My hopes for the next firmware update are to eliminate the DD+/DTS-HD tracking issue. My next hope would be for disc compatability issues. Next would add functions such as a: time remaining and bitrate metering functions and also to be able to hit the display button and be able to change the HD DVD options like you can in BD.

I'd love to see all those changes.

As for the 2.0 upgrade, I do believe in my heart of hearts that it's coming but not until after LG releases their latest BD player.

Its not a question of whether it can handle the firmware because LG states it is profile 2.0 ready... Its a question of whether or not LG will make it profile 2.0... Hey! :p

Isn't that what I just said?! :D

Unless I missed it, I don't think arguments were made that the BH200 is not capable of 2.0 through an upgrade, rather, I think the arguments are that there is no guarantee LG will supply the upgrade. As you say, it appears to have been their intention, so now the question is: Will they?

I guess some posters missed my point. I did not make my earlier post to argue that the BH-200 is capable of BD 2.0, I made it to indicate that LG has said the BH-200 WILL BE 2.0 compliant. They released a press statement (the one I linked earlier) that said they intended to make the BH-200 compliant. Since LG has indicated future BD Live capability in at least two official BH-200 documents they will be leaving themselves open to a lawsuit if they do not update the BH-200 to Profile 2.0.

Samsung already faced a class-action lawsuit because the BDP-1200 was not capable of playing several BDs. The 1200 was advertised as playing BDs and since there were some it could not play Samsung is now in court. Since LG is constantly trying to prove that they are a better CE than their cross-town rival (Samsung) I suspect the BH-200 will be made BD 2.0 compliant at some point just so LG can "scoreboard" Samsung. I agree with other posters that BD 2.0 compliance may take a while and that there are other, more pressing issues that LG must resolve with the BH-200, but I do think BD Live will eventually be added to the BH-200.

Next would add functions such as a: time remaining and bitrate metering functions and also to be able to hit the display button and be able to change the HD DVD options like you can in BD.


Well if they were to move to a unified menu system I would prefer that they modify, if possible, the BD Menu system activation process to mimic that of the HD DVD menu system. I have a bias, but it does seem more intuitive to hit one of the large, well placed up (Warner, Paramount, TWC) or right (Universal, some Imports) directional buttons instead of searching for which menu button activates a BD menu.

The HD DVD menu system also provides the time remaining function you alluded to alternately you can pause an HD DVD and the time remaining bar will immediately pop-up along the bottom.

Not sure why you have to use a different button to bring up BD menus vs. HD DVD. Though I can't recall whether we mapped "Title/Popup" or "Disc Menu" to our universal remote...point is, that one button brings up the menu for both disc types (I think it was the "Popup" button, since those menus are essentially popups.

Time remaining shouldn't depend on how the disc is authored. Only some HD DVDs show the time remaining bar. The A3 shows time remaining for everything--main feature, special features, etc. Just press Display. Current time is displayed on-screen, while time remaining is displayed on the LCD front panel of the player.

The absence of time remaining is one of the first things I noticed as missing in the BH200. Certainly hope they can add it.

Only some HD DVDs show the time remaining bar. The A3 shows time remaining for everything--main feature, special features, etc. Just press Display.

I would say most HD DVDs have a time remaining bar; every Universal, Warner and Paramount HD DVD I have tested on the 200 has a time remaining bar. I have not gone through all of my 112 HD DVDs yet (I've only used about 40 of them on the 200 so far) so perhaps I'll notice something later on.

My A2 also provides time remaining on every disc with the display button, but as you noted, that is a player specific function that has not been implemented on the 200 thus far. I was only pointing out that AA HD DVDs all seem to have a time remaining bar when a film is paused so if LG never adds time remaining to the 200 there are still several hundred HD DVDs that will display time remaining with the touch of the pause button.

Here's hoping LG will add a time remaining function in a future update.

my fingers have been crossed for a profile 2.0 update since the big April update!

Hey, I hope it happens. But I don't think we can put any store in what LG may have said to a reviewer in 2007 when they were still fully in the combo game.
Agreed.

In addition to the official Spec sheet there is this press release from LG: Linkage (http://us.lge.com/aboutus/pressdetail/detail/press_TV%7CAudio%7CVideo_337.jhtml)
It's dated September 2007.

Things have changed so much now. I doubt LG would release a press release saying that now. Remember Samsung (and I think LG) promised their Lossless firmware months before it actually came. LG have since said they've been selling Combos at a loss. I doubt they'll want to spend much more money on hardware they're not making any money out of.

They had to release lossless firmware as it was promised. Profile 2.0 was not, except in that one press release. It was never promised anywhere else.

The fact that LG has discontinued the BH200 does not bode well, but if they make the BH200 2.0 capable they could then release a BD only 2.0 Player and still keep the premium price on the BH200s in the supply-chain.
That's just not going to happen.

They're much more likely to spend time and money on a Profile 2.0 BD Player, which will use a different chipset so won't be compatible with the BH200. The premium price of the BH200 has gone, they're selling them at a loss.

The documents I linked above could also be used as grounds for a class action suit against LG if the BH200 does not become BD Profile 2.0 compliant.
Many things could happen, but I cannot see that happening either. Would it really be worth taking LG to court over anyway?

What is it with some people and wanting to sue everyone? :D. Maybe it's a cultural thing :).

Not sure why you have to use a different button to bring up BD menus vs. HD DVD.
Unless I'm missing something you don't. Pop-up brings up the Pop-up menu and Disc Menu displays the legacy DVD type of menu.

Time remaining shouldn't depend on how the disc is authored.
That is my biggest annoyance with the LG BH200. I have to faff around going to the end and working out the difference, then going back again or just guessing (which is what I usually do).

I also find it very annoying their is no total time option. This isn't a problem for the film but extras it's very handy indeed. Thankfully like you say some discs have it authored on to them but it's such a basic function that my very first DVD Player even had.

I also find it very annoying their is no total time option. This isn't a problem for the film but extras it's very handy indeed. Thankfully like you say some discs have it authored on to them but it's such a basic function that my very first DVD Player even had.
I didn't realize how much I missed this until it wasn't available on the BH200. If they would add this and fix the stretching of 4X3 content with a future firmware update I would be pretty content with the BH200.

The time remaining and total time features would be so easy to add too, probably the easiest firmware fix they need to do.

It's dated September 2007.

Things have changed so much now. I doubt LG would release a press release saying that now. Remember Samsung (and I think LG) promised their Lossless firmware months before it actually came. LG have since said they've been selling Combos at a loss. I doubt they'll want to spend much more money on hardware they're not making any money out of.

They had to release lossless firmware as it was promised. Profile 2.0 was not, except in that one press release. It was never promised anywhere else.

It was inferred in the official document I linked above. I understand that the press release was in 2007 and I know things have changed, but they did say they would do so and they did it on an official document. Do you have an official document where they rescinded their earlier statement? Do you have an official document that says they will no longer issue firmware updates on the BH-200? If you don't then the official position of LG seems to be that they are discontinuing the BH-200, they will continue providing firmware support for the BH-200 and they intend to make the BH-200 2.0 compliant. Period. Until they say they won't then we should assume they will because that was their last official position on the topic. It does not mean it will happen either and people should not get their hopes up, but there is no reason to poo-poo the idea when it is LGs official stance.


That's just not going to happen.

They're much more likely to spend time and money on a Profile 2.0 BD Player, which will use a different chipset so won't be compatible with the BH200. The premium price of the BH200 has gone, they're selling them at a loss.

Right so your saying that since they are currently selling them for a loss they should avoid any updates that might allow them to at least maintain their current loss margin? I mean if they update the BH-200 there is a reason for it to be priced equally or higher than an LG Profile 2.0 BD only device, but if they don't update it then they are probably going to need to reduce the price of the 200 even more and thus take an even bigger loss.


Many things could happen, but I cannot see that happening either. Would it really be worth taking LG to court over anyway?

What is it with some people and wanting to sue everyone? :D. Maybe it's a cultural thing :).

I don't have the desire to take anyone to court and if LG does not update the BH-200 to 2.0 specs I won't sue and I won't take part in a class-action suit. Funny how I pointed out what Samsung went through, how that could influence LGs decision and you have me becoming Mr. Sue-happy.

To answer your question it is a cultural thing and I'm not sure where it came from, but pointing out that it has happened to Samsung and could happen to LG does not make me a fan of the practice.

For LG, profile 2.0 was never mandated by a certain date. But for samsung, they released the 5k AFTER the mandatory profile 1.1 date of Oct 31st and therefore MUST follow through with profile 1.1 though. :) But it's definitely nice if LG makes it profile 2.0. :)

Do you have an official document where they rescinded their earlier statement? Do you have an official document that says they will no longer issue firmware updates on the BH-200? If you don't then the official position of LG seems to be that they are discontinuing the BH-200, they will continue providing firmware support for the BH-200 and they intend to make the BH-200 2.0 compliant.
I don't disagree with any of that, just that I don't see Profile 2.0 now coming. HD-DVD is now so dead and therefore Combos with it, there is no money left in it and thus no reason to spend much more time, and therefore money on it.

I suspect Profile 2.0 would mean quite a bit of development to be done. As we say in my neck of the woods "why get your knickers in a twist?" :D (joke). I wonder if Vinnie has heard of that one ;).

Until they say they won't then we should assume they will because that was their last official position on the topic.
Not really, fair enough you've found one article but there plenty of articles (from LG) which just say it may come.

but there is no reason to poo-poo the idea when it is LGs official stance.
There's no reason to give it much thought either. It was fair to expect LG deliver Lossless audio to the player but too much to expect Profile 2.0 (i.e - buy it on this basis). LG haven't even released a Profile 2.0 BD only player.

Right so your saying that since they are currently selling them for a loss they should avoid any updates that might allow them to at least maintain their current loss margin?
No, I am saying it's very unlikely to happen. The reality is HD-DVD and the market for Combos has all but disappeared.

Why spend money on a product you ultimately then have to sell at a loss?

I mean if they update the BH-200 there is a reason for it to be priced equally or higher than an LG Profile 2.0 BD only device
Sadly I doubt it. Most people will immediately see the Combo/HD-DVD tag and say they're not paying for that, LG already have to compete with the incredibely popular PS3.

but if they don't update it then they are probably going to need to reduce the price of the 200 even more and thus take an even bigger loss.
I think the fact LG have discontinued their entire Combo range means they want to get rid of old stock and call it a day. Combos quite simply are not the future.

As we say in my neck of the woods "why get your knickers in a twist?" :D (joke). I wonder if Vinnie has heard of that one ;).
Yessir.:o

Right, I must try harder :D.

I don't disagree with any of that, just that I don't see Profile 2.0 now coming. HD-DVD is now so dead and therefore Combos with it, there is no money left in it and thus no reason to spend much more time, and therefore money on it.

You continue to miss the relevant point, Brad. Of course combos are no longer a viable product. No one is debating that. You seem to believe that just because LG is no longer going to manufacture combo players that they will also no longer support the many thousands of players in consumers hands that are also Blu-ray players. Of course they will. HD DVD is only half of the BH100/BH200.

I forgot to mention I hope they correct the stretching of 4x3 material to it's correct aspect ratio.

@ Robert: You're missing the point ;). There is no money left in spending time time on either the BH100 or BH200, which pretty much counts Profile 2.0 out. I'm sure a LG Profile 2.0 Player will come but it's very unlikely to be the BH100/B200. It's just so long in the tooth now, if it was going to happen it would've happened by now.

I never said LG won't support their products, that's quite different from adding new features, which are probably tricky and time consuming to add. We're not talking about the odd problem disc here but an entire new feature, one we're not even 100% the hardware is capable of doing.

The BH100/BH200 are not BD Players, they're Combo Players. That is an important difference. Yes they obviously play BD too but the market no longer wants Combos, regardless of the fact they happen to play BD also.

I checked the USA and Swiss sites last night, no new firmware :(. Last time the April firmware appeared on the Euro servers first.

Yes they obviously play BD too but the market no longer wants Combos, regardless of the fact they happen to play BD also

If the ebay market is any indication, then I would have to disagree. BH200s (and UP5000) seem to be selling fairly fluidly there, and often in the $500+ range (usually at least $400+). There may be no market for them at 700-900 dollars, but get down near the median Blu-player price, and people buy 'em. And why not?:)

There is no money left in spending time time on either the BH100 or BH200, which pretty much counts Profile 2.0 out. I'm sure a LG Profile 2.0 Player will come but it's very unlikely to be the BH100/B200. It's just so long in the tooth now, if it was going to happen it would've happened by now.


Not sure if you've worked in the electronics/software industry before, but I have. And the name of the game is "customer good will". The software product I worked on survived for nearly two decades (unheard of for software, really) because we gave people what they wanted, even supporting user functions that were thought to be archaic in new code.

I doubt adding 2.0 functionality is that big of deal for the CEs, code-wise. If I were in charge of the LG group, I would let my superstar and veteran coders (who tend to get paid more) work on the newer products, but give the updating of earlier models firmware to interns and newbies--coders who are, by definition, trying to show their stuff. That way, it wouldn't be costing much, but would earn alot of good will with the consumer. The great thing about the whole firmware model is if the intern/newbie has a mistake slip through quality control, we can catch it in the next rev. Let the consumer make the decision whether the benefits/costs warrant an update for them or not...

If the ebay market is any indication, then I would have to disagree. BH200s (and UP5000) seem to be selling fairly fluidly there, and often in the $500+ range (usually at least $400+). There may be no market for them at 700-900 dollars, but get down near the median Blu-player price, and people buy 'em. And why not?:)
I wonder how many though? 10-20, a few hundred of a few thousand. I've no idea how many would need to be sold before LG would consider them a success but I'm guessing more than sell on eBay, not that I know though.

Fair points on your other comments and I partially agree. I still cannot see LG spending the time or money on it now.

I used to work for a small software house where the software itself was very old (and badly in need of re-writing) but like your example it was very popular with the market it was intended for (estate agents) because it did what they wanted, better than most and it was forever being tinkered with.

I think it would be smart for them to both release Profile 2.0 firmware for these players. The market dead? Umm, nope. I will buy one if I hear that profile 2.0 firmware is in fact confirmed.

Think of it like this: These companies already have hardware out there, and in the retail channel, that are capable of doing Profile 2.0. They and these players are in competition with other blu-ray player manufacturers. How good would it look if they can pull out a Profile 2.0 update? It would be great marketing. The PS/3 is suspected of being able to be firmware upgraded all the way to profile 2.0 (maybe not if it cannot pass high def audio streams to the AVR without first decoding). This is one of the points that helps make it a good seller NOW. Everyone knows it is the most future proof player in this half-baked format.

The LG and Samsung combo players would be selling alot better, would make all the current selling blu ray players obsolete if they simply announce that Profile 2.0 capability is coming soon.


Cost? I would wager the cost is relatively minor to develop Profile 2.0 capable firmware. There's no reason for them not to pursue making them 2.0 capable.

Combos are dead? Think again. In 2 years I bet that all players can play bluray + dvd + hd-dvd. A year ago a single lens mechanism was developed that reads both bluray and hd-dvd. It isn't going to cost much if anything to have the ability to play both built in. If they do not go this route it would simply be due to one company being too snubby to add that (something from a prior competitor) to it's products.

I've no idea how many would need to be sold before LG would consider them a success but I'm guessing more than sell on eBay, not that I know though.

That's a fair point. I have no idea how many they are really selling. I've found a few sitting in my local Best Buy's, but I'm in a part of the country for which HD is probably not a huge priority. I'll tell you this, though, the last time I was in a BB, the salesmen recommended the combo players to me because of "the great HD DVD deals you can get on the Internet". Kinda funny, considering they sell HD software in their store. (BR-only now, of course.:rolleyes:)

I used to work for a small software house where the software itself was very old (and badly in need of re-writing) but like your example it was very popular with the market it was intended for (estate agents) because it did what they wanted, better than most and it was forever being tinkered with.

Yep. I wonder how many of those Frankenstein products are out there still...?:) Probably thousands.

Combos are dead? Think again. In 2 years I bet that all players can play bluray + dvd + hd-dvd. A year ago a single lens mechanism was developed that reads both bluray and hd-dvd. It isn't going to cost much if anything to have the ability to play both built in. If they do not go this route it would simply be due to one company being too snubby to add that (something from a prior competitor) to it's products.

They certainly could be that snobby, of course. From what I gather, the whole format war was created because of a bunch of chest-thumping on both sides...but that is yesterday...

Personally, I think they're marketing these combo players wrong now (and probably were even during the format war). They should market them as 'everything players', because frankly that's almost what they are--especially the LG model. They shouldn't just allow the region hacks, they should capitalize on them. Given a choice, who wouldn't want a player that can play everything fairly well? Better yet, they should up the ante on finding disks the players don't play. Instead of fixing them 'maybe' when the next firmware comes out, they should say a public "give us something it doesn't play" and then when they come, fix them within a month or two. It could change the morale on their team from being "oh, we're working on a dead-end product" to "we're working on the best darn everything player out there".

Just my two cents.:)

By the way I don't think adding BD-Live will cost LG much because their engineers must (should) be working on a BD-Live player by now. All the have to do is port code over the BH200 platform or the other way around. Just my 2 cents.

By the way I don't think adding BD-Live will cost LG much because their engineers must (should) be working on a BD-Live player by now. All the have to do is port code over the BH200 platform or the other way around. Just my 2 cents.

Good point.

Surely it would be a good idea to try and perfect the code for Blu-Ray Profile 2.0 on the BH200, with all the 'enthusiasts' from this forum (and others) at least trying it out with all sorts of disks from all over the world. This would be a good test for the code/firmware.

Then they could release a standalone Blurry player with this tried and tested code? With HD-DVD compatability (or not)

Saying that I would still like continued development with HD-DVD as I've just had to rollback my firmware )to Feb) to play Planet Earth UK, but I digress.

Just a thought.....

Matthew

The PS/3 is suspected of being able to be firmware upgraded all the way to profile 2.0 (maybe not if it cannot pass high def audio streams to the AVR without first decoding). This is one of the points that helps make it a good seller NOW. Everyone knows it is the most future proof player in this half-baked format.


The PS3 has been Profile 2.0 for a few months now -- none of the Blu-ray profiles require bitstreaming the HD audio codecs. The PS3 can internally decode everything including full DTS-HD MA though, so it really is the player to beat.

...but now I just use it for games and the BH200 for movies.

The PS3 has been Profile 2.0 for a few months now -- none of the Blu-ray profiles require bitstreaming the HD audio codecs. The PS3 can internally decode everything including full DTS-HD MA though, so it really is the player to beat.

...but now I just use it for games and the BH200 for movies.

I'm liking the BH200 more and more, but find myself using the PS3 for DVDs because it remembers your place on every DVD you put in it, doesn't require me to change my TV to 480p for 4X3 DVDs and plays them all without issue. BH200 still wins on my Region 2 PAL DVDs though. PS3 will never play those.

I've been very happy with my BH200 for HD DVD and Blu-ray with no audio drops yet, but will use my PS3 for any BD discs with DTS-HD MA. I'm not missing out on lossless audio after waiting so long for the PS3 to add MA decoding.

I think it would be smart for them to both release Profile 2.0 firmware for these players. The market dead? Umm, nope.
Okay on the verge of death/slowly dying :D.

The LG and Samsung combo players would be selling alot better, would make all the current selling blu ray players obsolete if they simply announce that Profile 2.0 capability is coming soon.
I doubt it. Most people don't give a monkeys (care) about Profile 2.0 features, it's very much a techie thing.

Cost? I would wager the cost is relatively minor to develop Profile 2.0 capable firmware. There's no reason for them not to pursue making them 2.0 capable.
Minor or not it's still too high, given how many people are interested in it. Look at this way, it would be here by now if it was coming ;).

In 2 years I bet that all players can play bluray + dvd + hd-dvd.
Surely, you're not for real?

Yes a select few "possibly" still will, from the likes of Pioneer and Denon but ALL players. No way!

p.s - I'd still prefer they spent their time fixing the bugs the BH200 has instead of possibly adding new ones by adding Profile 2.0 :).

Minor or not it's still too high, given how many people are interested in it. Look at this way, it would be here by now if it was coming

Didn't the BH200 ship just 6-7 months ago? The PS3 shipped years ago, and it just went Profile 2 in March. Using your reasoning, it should've been Profile 2 in early '07!

I would assume Sony had the inside track on Profile 2.0 code requirements, and everything trickled out to the CEs from there. If we don't see 2.0 in any of these machines (or hear something from the CEs) by the end of the year, I'd say it is probably a no-go, otherwise it is wait and see.:cool:

I would assume Sony had the inside track on Profile 2.0 code requirements, and everything trickled out to the CEs from there. If we don't see 2.0 in any of these machines (or hear something from the CEs) by the end of the year, I'd say it is probably a no-go, otherwise it is wait and see.

If anyone is assuming just because LG has not updated the BH200 to 2.0 yet that it won't be is likely very mistaken. Even though Sony did update the PS3 many weeks ago, Sony's brand new standalone player model that isn't even available as of right now is shipping without Profile 2.0. It will be added with a firmware update in the next couple of months. The same is true of the most recent Samsung model. The 1500 shipped just a month or so ago as "2.0 Ready" and the firmware update hasn't been released yet either.

Didn't the BH200 ship just 6-7 months ago? The PS3 shipped years ago, and it just went Profile 2 in March. Using your reasoning, it should've been Profile 2 in early '07!
I presume you mean early 09?

Not that that has got to do with anything. The PS3 and BH200 Combo are entirely different products, going for different markets. Most people initially (and probably still) buy the PS3 for it's gaming capabilities first and foremost.

The BH200 is a product LG themselves have said they're discontinuing. The two cannot be compared.

If anyone is assuming just because LG has not updated the BH200 to 2.0 yet that it won't be is likely very mistaken.
Obviously it's possible. It's possible Angelina Jolie will realise Brad isn't for her and shack up with me by the end of the year but it's not very likely is it :D.

Sony's brand new standalone player model that isn't even available as of right now is shipping without Profile 2.0. It will be added with a firmware update in the next couple of months. The same is true of the most recent Samsung model. The 1500 shipped just a month or so ago as "2.0 Ready" and the firmware update hasn't been released yet either.
They're still viable market products that haven't been discontinued by the manufacturer.

As I keep saying a Combo is not the same as a BD Player, even if it to play BDs too. Most people simply don't want a Combo Player, even at any price. "Most people" being the crucial part here.

I'm liking the BH200 more and more, but find myself using the PS3 for DVDs because it remembers your place on every DVD you put in it, doesn't require me to change my TV to 480p for 4X3 DVDs and plays them all without issue. BH200 still wins on my Region 2 PAL DVDs though. PS3 will never play those.

I've been very happy with my BH200 for HD DVD and Blu-ray with no audio drops yet, but will use my PS3 for any BD discs with DTS-HD MA. I'm not missing out on lossless audio after waiting so long for the PS3 to add MA decoding.

Wait a minute--the PS3 might remember its place on every Blu-Ray when the BH200 doesn't. However, I recall that the BH200 even remembers its place after I eject a SD DVD. I might have to double check that. I concur on the 4x3 stretching. I still have to wonder WTF!

Wait a minute--the PS3 might remember its place on every Blu-Ray when the BH200 doesn't. However, I recall that the BH200 even remembers its place after I eject a SD DVD. I might have to double check that. I concur on the 4x3 stretching. I still have to wonder WTF!

With the latest firmware the PS3 remembers the place on every DVD as long as you exit to the XMB before ejecting the disc. I'm not sure if there is a limit, but so far it seems to remember every disc I have played and stopped somewhere in the disc even if I come back to it many discs later.

This is a great feature for TV sets. I don't have to remember which episode I watched last. I exit to the menu at the beginning of the next show I'm going to watch and it starts there next time I pop in the disc. Since I'm usually watching 3-4 series at a time this is a really useful feature.

Most people initially (and probably still) buy the PS3 for it's gaming capabilities first and foremost.


Wasn't the stat that 87% use them primarily as movie players or something? Thought I read that recently...

87% said they had watched a Blu-ray movie on their PS3, there wasn't anything about "primarily"...

But I don't think the difference is whether you bought it for movies or gaming, the difference is that Sony is updating the PS3's movie playback capabilities so it can sell more PS3s. LG won't sell one more BH200 no matter what they do (assuming they really are discontinued), so there's less incentive to keep updating it.

The only incentive for LG is based on reputation and customer goodwill, ie they'll update the BH200 in the hope that we'll eventually buy their next BD-only player or recommend that others do. That may or may not be enough to justify the investment depending on how many of us there are out there and, to some extent, how noisy we are.

Since the latest fw for the BH200, I have not used my PS3 for movies; not even once- the BH200 is just too good visually and sonically:cool: I really don't care about online connectivity that much so my PS3 is strictly a gaming machine and a CD/SACD player:)

The only incentive for LG is based on reputation and customer goodwill, ie they'll update the BH200 in the hope that we'll eventually buy their next BD-only player or recommend that others do. That may or may not be enough to justify the investment depending on how many of us there are out there and, to some extent, how noisy we are.

This is true, yet the player isn't dead. It's still on the market. Retailers are still selling it. Blu Ray has "won" and it's a superb player for that alone. One would think it would not be that difficult to provide an update for something that the player can actually take advantage of.

This is true, yet the player isn't dead. It's still on the market. Retailers are still selling it. Blu Ray has "won" and it's a superb player for that alone. One would think it would not be that difficult to provide an update for something that the player can actually take advantage of.

Actually after the firmware updates the Samsung and the LG are both enjoying word of mouth as decent Blu-Ray players. The Denon, the Panasonic DMP-BD30 and the Funai players have various issues that are becoming well known. IMHO, the LG BH200 is still one of the top standalones on the market. Profile 2.0 and DTS-HD HR/MA internal decoding would make it neck and neck with the Panny DMP-BD50. LG could then sell it for $600 to the DMP-BD50's $700.

Yeah... I'm waiting for future firmware.

Combos are dead? Think again. In 2 years I bet that all players can play bluray + dvd + hd-dvd. A year ago a single lens mechanism was developed that reads both bluray and hd-dvd. It isn't going to cost much if anything to have the ability to play both built in. If they do not go this route it would simply be due to one company being too snubby to add that (something from a prior competitor) to it's products.



Surely, you're not for real?

Yes a select few "possibly" still will, from the likes of Pioneer and Denon but ALL players. No way!

p.s - I'd still prefer they spent their time fixing the bugs the BH200 has instead of possibly adding new ones by adding Profile 2.0 :).

I think you both are valid to some degree, but I lean more towards Tspeer's position on this one bradavon.

I think bradavon is right when he says that not ALL players will have combo capability.

Still I think combo players will be fairly commonplace if and when Toshiba stops charging per player licensing fees for CEs to utilize HD DVD in their players. Just look at the current batch of DVD Players; there are many of them out there that can handle both SACD and DVD-Audio. Both of those are dead formats that once charged nice licensing fees, the format failed, the fees are now waived and both formats are regularly added to DVD Players because the cost is minimal and it adds value. I think HD DVD will end up going the same way because CEs love to add extra logos to their devices and marketing material. Assuming the cost to add HD DVD playback is not prohibitive I think getting a full blown Combo Player will be an option from many CEs in just a few years.

But I don't think the difference is whether you bought it for movies or gaming, the difference is that Sony is updating the PS3's movie playback capabilities so it can sell more PS3s. LG won't sell one more BH200 no matter what they do (assuming they really are discontinued), so there's less incentive to keep updating it.

The only incentive for LG is based on reputation and customer goodwill, ie they'll update the BH200 in the hope that we'll eventually buy their next BD-only player or recommend that others do. That may or may not be enough to justify the investment depending on how many of us there are out there and, to some extent, how noisy we are.
Exactly!

And a LG Profile 2.0 BD Player will likely give them a better reputation than updating the LG BH200 anyway.

This is true, yet the player isn't dead. It's still on the market. Retailers are still selling it.
LG said they're discontinuing it by the end of the year, actually it may have been the third quarter :).

The Denon, the Panasonic DMP-BD30 and the Funai players have various issues that are becoming well known.
Sadly the LG/Samsung issues are also well known.

It's also worth remembering LG and Samsung still haven't released their Combos (except for the LG BH100) world-wide. Samsung are unlikely to now and the BH200 is only available in a few European countries and not The UK. Which is in the top 3 European economies.

This adds weight to the argument that neither have much faith left in their Combo products :).

http://forums.highdefdigest.com/showthread.php?p=1070652#post1070652

This was posted on a subforum (of HD DVD and not in the Dual Combo section) over on HighDefDigest. Thought I would post it here.

This may be old news to the LG owners or others in this thread, but I thought Profile 2.0 was probably not much more than internet rumors for this unit. So I sent a message to LGE asking if they really had plans to upgrade it to Profile 2.0 and just got this reply:

We are delighted to hear from you as our Valued Customer. We appreciate your interest in this DVD player. It is the current plan to upgrade the firmware of this player, to where it will be compatible with Blu-Ray 2.0 discs. If you have other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us again either via email, or by calling our customer service division at 800-243-0000 at your convenience. Neil E Electronic Correspondence Executive (ECE) LG Electronics USA 800-243-0000


At first I figured I'd just start over with Blu one day, but then I took inventory of how many HD-DVD discs I have and realized I have more than I thought. And circuit city has them marked down some more plus I have some discounts I could apply making one very affordable... hmmmm.

We are delighted to hear from you as our Valued Customer. We appreciate your interest in this DVD player. It is the current plan to upgrade the firmware of this player, to where it will be compatible with Blu-Ray 2.0 discs. If you have other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us again either via email, or by calling our customer service division at 800-243-0000 at your convenience. Neil E Electronic Correspondence Executive (ECE) LG Electronics USA 800-243-0000



Ohhh, this is great news. Might be time to order another BH200 :-)

Just look at the current batch of DVD Players; there are many of them out there that can handle both SACD and DVD-Audio. Both of those are dead formats that once charged nice licensing fees, the format failed, the fees are now waived and both formats are regularly added to DVD Players because the cost is minimal and it adds value.
Which brands?
Oppo & Denon I know, any others?
Thanks.

Which brands?
Oppo & Denon I know, any others?
Thanks.

Pioneer, Onkyo, Arcam, Cambridge Audio and most other high(er) end brands.

Not to be a wet blanket but look what they said:

"to where it will be compatible with Blu-Ray 2.0 discs"

That doesn't mean this will be a profile 2.0 player, just that it will be compatible (read: play) 2.0 disks. I would be thrilled if they do since I own 3 of them, but I am not counting on it.

It's already compatible with 2.0 discs, isn't it? Just like the Samsung player...

It's already compatible with 2.0 discs, isn't it? Just like the Samsung player...

Yeah thats how I thought of it as well. So to point out "where it will be compatible with Blu-Ray 2.0 discs" means something else (at least to me).

I only know what I'm posting and have asked for more information (such as how old is it?):
Just read this on another forum regarding the LG and blu ray 2.0

We are delighted to hear from you as our Valued Customer. We appreciate your interest in this DVD player. It is the current plan to upgrade the firmware of this player, to where it will be compatible with Blu-Ray 2.0 discs. If you have other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us again either via email, or by calling our customer service division at 800-243-0000 at your convenience. Neil E Electronic Correspondence Executive (ECE) LG Electronics USA 800-243-0000
Source (AV Forums UK): http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=756827&page=15

I only know what I'm posting and have asked for more information (such as how old is it?):

Source (AV Forums UK): http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=756827&page=15


Yeah that guy said he seen it over on HiDef Forums. Which is where I seen it. So I posted it over here. The guy who posted it said he got that info directly from LG (he got it directly, he wasnt just passing it on).

Cheers BallX.

It's already compatible with 2.0 discs, isn't it? Just like the Samsung player...
Neither are compatible with 2.0 discs. The discs will work but the BD-Live features won't, that's not the same as being compatible :).

still no updates as of last night. just did a firmware check via network connection and nothing new :(

hopefully soon :rolleyes:

-----------Reply to Customer Inquiry------------
Dear Bradley, Thank you for inquiring of LG Electronics. Your e-mail has been received. Unfortunately at this time we don’t have a release day for the new firmware updated for your unit and the profile 2.0 is not ready yet and we don’t know when it will be available but can be upgrade. Have you try the latest firmware updated from 022908a? If you have other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us again either via email, or by calling our customer service division at 800-243-0000 at your convenience. Virginia Q. E-mail Administrator Customer Interactive Center LGEAI


-----------Original Customer Inquiry------------
Received Date : 7/16/2008 09:11:56
The type of inquiry : Customer Service
Product/Model No. : DVD&VIDEO&SET TOP/BH200


A couple of Questions: 1. Will the BH200 be updated to Profile 2.0? 2. Any timeline on the next firmware update to fix bitstreaming of Dolby Digital Plus?

There was a firmware update in February? (022908a). It's not on LG's website and surely would be outdated, now the April one is out anyway.

Cheers volleybradt (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/member.php?u=7923388).

There appears to be a new firmware upgrade on the LG site:0620A

I have just noticed it as well.. anyone knows what it updates?

I have just noticed it as well.. anyone knows what it updates?

This is all it says:
#.It was improvement of performance;
New firmware will update the DVD audio signal output error.

They took their sweet time posting this one if it's truly from June 20th. (Sorry, 20 June to our European friends.)

Downloading now...I'll apply it when it get home this evening.

Since the BH200 can't play DVD Audio (the lossless track at least) I wonder if this firmware fixes the DD+ "helicopter sound" issue that many have reported.

Since the BH200 can't play DVD Audio (the lossless track at least) I wonder if this firmware fixes the DD+ "helicopter sound" issue that many have reported.


I just updated my 200 with the new firmware and I can confirm that it does not fix the helicopter noise on DD+. I was trying different discs and went from Moody Blues HD DVD Dolby True HD to The Golden Compass DTS HD MA 7.1 and they both played perfectly. I then went to Transformers HD DVD DD+ and immediately got the helicopter noise. I removed the disc, shut down and then restarted the 200 and tried again. Transformers then played fine. This is the same experience that I have had in the past with the 200.

As a side note, I was also not able to do the update via internet directly to the 200. I got a message that it couldn't find the update so I copied the new firmware to a memory stick and did the update that way. Perhaps my ethernet connection to the 200 was not working properly, but I don't think so.

Excitement! Will upadte and try out Clerks 2 as soon as I'm home.

I just updated my 200 with the new firmware and I can confirm that it does not fix the helicopter noise on DD+. I was trying different discs and went from Moody Blues HD DVD Dolby True HD to The Golden Compass DTS HD MA 7.1 and they both played perfectly. I then went to Transformers HD DVD DD+ and immediately got the helicopter noise. I removed the disc, shut down and then restarted the 200 and tried again. Transformers then played fine. This is the same experience that I have had in the past with the 200.

As a side note, I was also not able to do the update via internet directly to the 200. I got a message that it couldn't find the update so I copied the new firmware to a memory stick and did the update that way. Perhaps my ethernet connection to the 200 was not working properly, but I don't think so.

Ok what about the 5.1 PCM flagged as 7.1 PCM issue?

As a side note, I was also not able to do the update via internet directly to the 200. I got a message that it couldn't find the update so I copied the new firmware to a memory stick and did the update that way. Perhaps my ethernet connection to the 200 was not working properly, but I don't think so.

The update doesn't seem to be available via the ethernet, at least not yet. My connection is working fine and it couldn't find any new update either. Had to use the memory stick too.

Has anybody checked to see if it disables any of the hacks, especially the DVD or Blu Ray Region changes?

this update seems to have completely fixed the black level issue i was having prior to it. i am now experiencing much better blacks and shadow detail!

After more thorough experimenting i can confirm the colorspace/black level issue is absolutely 100% fixed!

Thank you LG!

Has anybody checked to see if it disables any of the hacks, especially the DVD or Blu Ray Region changes?

The NTSC SD DVD Hack is still in place.

Can someone post a link to the download, i'm not finding it.

Can someone post a link to the download, i'm not finding it.

http://us.lgservice.com/index_b2c.jsp

http://us.lgservice.com/index_b2c.jsp

Thank you. Will download when I get home.

on top of the colorspace/black level fix. i've checked all of my studio canal HD DVD's and the menus no longer lag or get stuck on the screen. (still no 1080p24 for studio canal titles though)

so far i have to say this update is tremendous!

D/loading now.

Will check if it plays Planet Earth....HD-DVD UK

April's f/ware wouldnt had to revert to November's....

C'mon Bradavon you trying out the new firmware?

Matt

Is there any feedback with regards to an update to Profile 2.0.....?

Matt

Just checked, still doesnt play Planet Earth UK HD-DVD properly...

Matt

There appears to be a new firmware upgrade on the LG site:0620A
Sweet.

As others have said my BH200 finds nowt via the Ethernet connection. It's too be expected, it took a few days too appear last time.

C'mon Bradavon you trying out the new firmware
I am now. That will teach me for spending too much time working and not paying attention :D. I'll update the Mini-FAQ to reflect changes in the moment.

I just updated my 200 with the new firmware and I can confirm that it does not fix the helicopter noise on DD+.

Dang! That is the only fix I'm still waiting for :(.

I don't have access to any Blu-ray Region B or Region C locked discs but here's what I've discovered so far:

* Unsurprisingly the 20th of June upgrade installs fine on a Euro model (despite so far only being on the American and Canadian service sites)
* After applying the upgrade my BH200 was still set to SD DVD Region 0 and BD Region A (from the factory default SD DVD Region 2 and BD Region B)
* Die Hard USA Fox BD (Region A locked) still works fine.
* A PAL R2 SD DVD still works fine (Downfall)
* A NTSC R3 SD DVD still works fine (Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon)

The following remote hacks still load and work as expected:

* The System Information (Region Info) menu
* System, ATAPI and HDMI EDID Logs menus
* PAL/Blu-ray Region EEPROM menu

I can still change the BH200 from BD RA to BD RB or BD RC.

Lastly I can also confirm the Region Management Test CD loads fine and I can still change it from SD DVD R0 to R1 etc...

Well, I was hoping that this newest firmware would fix the dropouts. I played Room with a View (HD DVD) and saw one quick video/audio dropout. After that, no further problems. I sure hope they are giving this a look as it can be very disrupting of a movie. Especially if it happens in the middle of an action scene.

The LG BH200 has suffered from Audio/Video drop outs since launch. Personally I don't reckon LG are capable of fixing it, it's inherent in the hardware.

Both audio and video dropouts have been mention probably more than any other bug and we still have them. I don't think LG will ever fix them. That's just my two cents worth.

I'm going to try and wait for the Network update version; any news as to if this fixes the issues with Clerks 2? If it fixes that I might go ahead and burn a disk.

Just loaded the new firmware. My Clerks II menu still doesn't show. Will keep playing around with it, though.

So yeah, it still doesn't work.

What does this firmware do, exactly?

Well I can say I was finally able to play my SUPERMAN RETURNS special features that weren't accessible before. It also seemed like I had a better picture? Seemed like the boot time was longer, however the load time seemed a bit faster?

Sadly, I still have the "helicopter" sound issue.

I'm going to try and wait for the Network update version
Why? It took a good few days, maybe more last time.

It also seemed like I had a better picture? Seemed like the boot time was longer, however the load time seemed a bit faster?
It seems no different to me.

What does this firmware do, exactly?
Not much: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=14316630&postcount=90
And: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14318918#post14318918

A few have mentioned some problem discs are now working.

Thanks kiltie76 and Davcole. I'll update the Problem Disc thread.

Can everyone please re-test their problem discs with the 20th of June firmware and update the Problem Discs thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1002769

Ok what about the 5.1 PCM flagged as 7.1 PCM issue?

I can't say as I bitstream audio from the 200 to an Onkyo 875 and let it do the decoding.

I can't say as I bitstream audio from the 200 to an Onkyo 875 and let it do the decoding.


I'm talking about disc encoded with 5.1 LPCM like must Disney disc. On those disc the BH200 flags the output as 7.1 LPCM instead of 5.1 LPCM.

It´s a step backwards on playing BD-R and BD-RE (authored with TSMuxer). With april firmware they played flawlessly, with june firmware player only says "Data Disc" and does not play back the movie...

http://us.lgservice.com/index_b2c.jspWhere is the FW update? When I click on the provided link, I go to an LG page ... but I can't see any way to download a FW update.

anyone yet try the update? Dont have time to do a network check anyone see if its up on the Network update yet?

The LG BH200 has suffered from Audio/Video drop outs since launch. Personally I don't reckon LG are capable of fixing it, it's inherent in the hardware.

Both audio and video dropouts have been mention probably more than any other bug and we still have them. I don't think LG will ever fix them. That's just my two cents worth.

If its a hardware issue, I'm screwed then. I'm now beyond the measly 90 day warranty and no more combos coming out. I could always put the XA2 back in but I'm not paying the high cost for a stand alone BluRay unit.

It´s a step backwards on playing BD-R and BD-RE (authored with TSMuxer). With april firmware they played flawlessly, with june firmware player only says "Data Disc" and does not play back the movie...
Bollocks! That's not a bad sign.

anyone yet try the update? Dont have time to do a network check anyone see if its up on the Network update yet?
It's not yet on the Network Update service but I imagine it will be soon. For now you can download it and copy it to a CD/DVD/USB Stick.

Where is the FW update? When I click on the provided link, I go to an LG page ... but I can't see any way to download a FW update.
Please read the Mini-FAQ :) (it's been updated it) -

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1009104

Here are the instructions copy/pasted from it:

1. Click on DEVICE DRIVER, then click on DVD&VIDEO&SET TOP
2. Click the Search button
3. You will be presented with a list of BH100/BH200 downloads, the highest BH100/BH200 link in the list is the latest firmware.
4. In this case you need to click on Program Update for BH200, with the size 38,063K.
5. You'll then see the Firmware name (BH02080620A) and various download links, download both files:
LG_BH_LV221BH_0620A.zip and Update Guide for BH200.pdf.

Instructions:

1. Unzip the file LG_BH_LV221BH_0620A.zip - The file you need to transfer to a CD/DVD/USB Stick is called LG_BH_LV221BH.ROM.
2. Follow the instructions provided in Update Guide for BH200.pdf

IMPORTANT: Before transferring the LG_BH_LV221BH.ROM file to a CD/DVD/USB Stick make sure it's size is: 38,970,096 bytes.

Confirm you download as instructed above and you'll get the right (20th of June) firmware.

I made the upgrade yesterday and watched The Bank Job BD flawlessly and at last, a BD with "interactive" menu... not a menu bar from bottom like most HD-DVD but at least, menu screen with the movie still playing within a ½ size window... and so, this make me think that BD could add a zoom in and out feature to their title like HD-DVD.

Regarding stability and problems, I did'nt experienced anything wrong with this player since the begining (except the green bar on SD-DVD) so I'm not sure this new firmware does but I'll let you know if I notice something different.

Has the film mode, 24fps, disappeared with the new firmware?

Matthew

Has the film mode, 24fps, disappeared with the new firmware?

Matthew

Just updated my firmware and the film mode is still there.

Why would it? It's not a Hack but an Official feature added in the January firmware.

Updated mine last night(from 402 to 620)
24P is still going to my PJ

I haven't gotten the "Helicopter noise" in DD+ yet- using a Denon 988 as a Pre/Pro, I played(bitstreamed) Transformers without issue.

I wasn't sure why it would have disappeared either..... was just answering his question.:confused:

Bradavon ... Thanks for the instructions on the FW link. Got it!

Just updated my firmware and the film mode is still there.

Yeah sorry, 'twas late, and I had the beer goggles on.....

Matt

I wasn't sure why it would have disappeared either..... was just answering his question.:confused:
I know, it's cool :).

The only thing this firmware update seemed to fix for me was the "judder" on the documentaries on the second discs of the FACE/OFF and ZODIAC sets.

And I'm still deeply annoyed that LG hasn't fixed the 4x3 flag on HD-DVD material that stretches practically all of the special feature content on these discs. They're formatted properly on Blu-Ray.

And I'm still deeply annoyed that LG hasn't fixed the 4x3 flag on HD-DVD material that stretches practically all of the special feature content on these discs. They're formatted properly on Blu-Ray.
...and the acclaimed PS3 can't handle the 4x3 flag on Blu-Ray. :)

So I play BD extras on my PS3 to even things out ;)

I'm noticing more audio drops (very quick) on sd dvd's with the new firmware. However, they are discs I haven't watched before on the player.

btw, this is with optical audio (and re-encode to dts)

I'm noticing more audio drops (very quick) on sd dvd's with the new firmware. However, they are discs I haven't watched before on the player.

btw, this is with optical audio (and re-encode to dts)

Really? I've noticed fewer video dropouts when fast forwarding with the new firmware. However, I recently changed my setup as well to have an AVR (instead of a HDMI switch) between the BH200 and my display.

I watched Sunshine (multichannel pcm) on Blu last night without a single drop-out (audio or video).

Installed the new firmware.. .burned it to a CD ROM (no multisession). and it updated fine... thanks for the heads up on the new firmware. nothing new on the setup menus I found... well hopefully this means there are still more firmware or driver updates coming... ahhhmmm profile 2.0 :)

Ive ran I dont know how many HD DVDs, DVDs and Blurays (alot) through this thing in the last three weeks and I havent had one drop out either video or audio.

The only issue that I have had (which was very small) was in the Rambo menu's. The video menu would skip or something. It would start playing the video (at the menu) and then kind of catch and then start over.

same here. I've run tons of blu-rays, hd-dvds, regular dvds, region 2 pal dvds, dvd-r copies and not a single dropout while a movie is playing.

Me either. I'm using Optical and DTS Re-encode.

After reading all the non dropouts I just don't figure why I have a problem. I have a Denon 4308 which is feeding a LG 50 inch plasma. Everything is HDMI so I'm at a loss. I guess I'll have to live with this issue. If I don't do HDMI I won't get the advantage of the higher audio codecs bit streamed to the Denon. This is the second BH200 so I have to assume there is a problem between the equipment. The first BH200 did the same thing with my previous Denon 4306. Maybe they don't like Denon's.

Maybe they don't like Denon's.

Nope. I use a 4308 also, and I am also one of the people with no audio issues whatsoever. Inf act, with this latest firmware, I have only a single disc I can't get the BH200 to play, the UK version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Everything else plays without issue, although the latest disc I have from Fox, Point Break, is very slow to load.

Nope. I use a 4308 also, and I am also one of the people with no audio issues whatsoever. Inf act, with this latest firmware, I have only a single disc I can't get the BH200 to play, the UK version of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Everything else plays without issue, although the latest disc I have from Fox, Point Break, is very slow to load.

That's really weird because the only disc that I have problems with is the US HD-DVD version of Harry Potter and the "Sorcerer's" Stone. All other discs that I have tried have played flawlessly with no video or audio dropouts.

...and the acclaimed PS3 can't handle the 4x3 flag on Blu-Ray. :)

So I play BD extras on my PS3 to even things out ;)I tried it with a friend that own a PS3 and actually, what happens is the PS3 DON'T UPSCALE the extra 4x3 content and so the TV switched to 480P. The PS3 output was set to AUTO and was playing fine the movie in 1080P 16x9 of course too (tried with Harry Potter 1). It's strange because SD-DVD disc are upscaled and 4x3 or 16x9 according to source but 480p over a BD-DVD won't upscale at all and remain sent in original format.

Actually, I wonder how the BH200 react when Image set to AUTO instead (I'm in forced 720P and yes, experienced 4x3 content stretched over HD-DVD).


I'm noticing more audio drops (very quick) on sd dvd's with the new firmware. However, they are discs I haven't watched before on the player.

btw, this is with optical audio (and re-encode to dts)Guess what? Yesterday, I watched my first SD-DVD since the new 0620A firmware and I experienced tiny audio drops too (over SPDIF) but I found out why... I was watching ID4 (English DD5.1) and it contain an 9 minutes extended edition and I knew this movie by heart and so, I figured the audio drop came at the transition when adding extra content to the movie. So maybe some movies use unusual technique to add audio that our player don't like. I'm just not sure this happens on a regular DVD player throught... I'll try to check later.


Oh and since the new firmware, I also watched Batman Begins on HD-DVD and tried to play with PiP in-movie feature. Of course, I had to be SPDIF DTS Re-encode to listen to secondary audio but I experienced some audio drops from main audio and video drop from secondary. Strange to explain and I'm not sure if it's normal but every time I could see the PiP box appering for 3 sec, earing the speaker and boom, picture disapper but I could still ear the PiP speaker voice?!?!? And so, PiP could happear and disappear like that, plus main audio being muted or not.

And finally, still with Batman Begins HD-DVD, either in PiP or not and either in Bitstream or DTS Re-encode, I would lost the HDMI image sync when skipping chapters too fast. One at the time would be fine but pressing chapter skip fast for 3 or more would lost the image on my PJ (and loosing sound too according to my receiver indicator). Did'nt noticed that before new firmware...

But well, no real issue here anyway.

Well I can say I was finally able to play my SUPERMAN RETURNS special features that weren't accessible before. It also seemed like I had a better picture? Seemed like the boot time was longer, however the load time seemed a bit faster?

Sadly, I still have the "helicopter" sound issue.


As a followup:

When I first got the LG, whenever I watched an HD DVD, after the player identified it as an HD DVD, then the screen goes black with the ">" icon, the player would lose video connection and my television would say "searching for signal" until the player loaded to main intro screen. That issue now seems to have been corrected for HD DVD as i'm seeing a connection all the way from boot up, to loading, to playing disc with no connection. Have not had the chance to play with it enough to see if there are zero video dropouts.

Does it decode Dts-hd or dts-hd-ma with this new update?

No it does not.

Does it decode Dts-hd or dts-hd-ma with this new update?

Not at this time... Decoding of the DTS-HD formats must still be done via bitstream.

I cannot see the BH200 ever doing on-board DTS-HD. I also reckon the April firmware was the last big firmware upgrade.

I cannot see the BH200 ever doing on-board DTS-HD. I also reckon the April firmware was the last big firmware upgrade.

I hope not. With LG releasing the new Blueray player and Netflix support, I'd hope they'd release a firmware update for this player to support Netflix streaming. That'd be awesome if they did.

I've skimmed through this thread, but was still unclear on where we stood with the current firmware. Is it 2.0 now or are we still waiting on it?

I cannot see LG spending money/time to add Netflix on a product they're discontinuing. There's also a chance the BH200 doesn't have the hardware needed. The streaming could be software but it could be hardware based.

There's more chance of Profile 2.0 though. It's Profile 1.1, alas still no Profile 2.0.

so what is the consensus on the June firmware upgrade, does it do anything useful? also, is it borking some features that were working before? of course i'd like profile 2.0 compatibility, but i don't want to ruin my 1.1 features i have, plus any additional audio dropouts are not welcome. opinions would be appreciated before i decide whether or not to apply the new firmware.

No it doesn't do much but it's still the latest firmware and the one supported by LG. The Change Log just says:

* Improvement of performance
* New firmware will update the DVD audio signal output error

What that means who knows but it must mean something. You can always downgrade back to your current firmware if you so wish.

I think the Netflix streaming requires a harddrive. Unless we attached a USB hard drive to the BH200, I'm not sure it's technically possible to do the Netflix streaming. (Besides, we all know how the BH200 "upconverts" 4:3 pan and scan!)

LG seems to be going for these even #'d months lately--April, June... It's now August.

I can hope for profile 2.0, DTS-HD HR/MA internal decoding, and a fix for the 4:3 upscaling all in one update. (Think positively!) :D

I cannot see DTS-HD Internal decoding coming or a fix for the 4:3 issue. The latter LG don't think needs fixing.

The BD300 will not have a hard disk and will only stream.

I am a newbie here so forgive me if I rehash old shtuff. I just connected my bh-200 and played my first movie in Blue Ray----- Mr. Brooks. I thought it was my system when the movie from the very beginning started dropping out. The sound remained but the picture would sometimes freeze and disappear or just disappear. I will be trying some more movies over this next weekend but if this player gives me fits I will return it and just get a dedicated blue ray player. Incidentally I do have the ps3 should I consider using it as the stand alone?

My equipment is sony vp-60, 108" dalite,sunfire tgV, sunfire sig amp 425wpc X 5, Direct Tv, all on HDMI cabling. I know I am not supposed to list my equipment in my sig so I hope its ok to list it here so that there is a baseline for the equipment type and the blu ray issues.

edit: As the movie progressed the drop outs decreased and were gone during the last 1/2 hour of the movie. Totally unacceptable but I don't understand the lack of consistancy in the drop outs.????

I think the Netflix streaming requires a harddrive. Unless we attached a USB hard drive to the BH200, I'm not sure it's technically possible to do the Netflix streaming. (Besides, we all know how the BH200 "upconverts" 4:3 pan and scan!)

Actually, the Roku Netflix Player doesn't have a hard drive - it has only enough storage to buffer a few minutes worth of video. There may be other requirements that prevent the BH200 from having this capability though.

We SERIOUSLY need a firmware update!

Got the dreaded "motorboating" on DD+ bitstreaming to my Marantz AV8003.

Deal killer for me on this player, as I need it to bitstream all codecs...

BUMMER!

Any news on an upcoming firmware update?
The last update was in June, so come on, LG!!!

hey guys, check out this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1070480) and send LG support an email with the updates you would like to see. This will increase the likely hood we will see anything happen at all.

While your at it, please add BD-Live to your lists ;)

Just got this from LG:

Firmware update 2.0 BD Friday, October 3, 2008 2:29 PM
From:

I just found out that we are not currently looking at upgrading to BD 2.0. The BD300 came out yesterday and it has 2.0 in it.

Unless you have explicit authorization from its owner to post it on a public online forum delete the name and address from your post, please.

Thanks for the head-up though.

Just got this from LG:

Firmware update 2.0 BD Friday, October 3, 2008 2:29 PM
From: "Nice Lady" <nldy@lge.com>

I just found out that we are not currently looking at upgrading to BD 2.0. The BD300 came out yesterday and it has 2.0 in it.

Well, with all due respect to the nice lady, does she expect BH-200 owners to trot out and buy another Player to get BD-Live support? Yes, I get that there will be NEW customers that can not buy the BH-200, and when they buy the BD-300 they get BD-Live support.

I suggest a reply to the nice lady saying that thanks for the response, but how does that help BH-200 owners?

It´s a step backwards on playing BD-R and BD-RE (authored with TSMuxer). With april firmware they played flawlessly, with june firmware player only says "Data Disc" and does not play back the movie...

Has this been fixed? I can't get mine to play :(

Has this been fixed? I can't get mine to play :(It appears they may have deliberately crippled the player to not play these or AVCHD or BD-5/9 discs.

It appears they may have deliberately crippled the player to not play these or AVCHD or BD-5/9 discs.

I'm talking about BD-R discs...25gb. Those as well. Why would they do that?

Oh dear, just received another silly reply as follows from our favorite email administrator at LG in relation to problem discs on the BH200. Has anyone seen this so called August firmware?

"Thank you for your email. We apologize for any inconvenience this may be causing.

We released a firmware on August, and we haven’t heard any issues with the Madagascar movie.

If you have other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us again either via email, or by calling our customer service division at 800-243-0000 or 201-816-2000 at your convenience."

Ah yes, the fabled August firmware.

This isn't the first time they've referred to it.

Samsungmaster, any ideas?

Did LG do an August firmware update and forget to release it? :)


Oh dear, just received another silly reply as follows from our favorite email administrator at LG in relation to problem discs on the BH200. Has anyone seen this so called August firmware?

"Thank you for your email. We apologize for any inconvenience this may be causing.

We released a firmware on August, and we haven’t heard any issues with the Madagascar movie.

If you have other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us again either via email, or by calling our customer service division at 800-243-0000 or 201-816-2000 at your convenience."

I just called LG customer service for DVD players and our LG BH200. They said no firmware is in the works even though I told her that BOTH of my weekly Netflix BR discs would not play again. I own a Panny BR BD30 $239.00) and it plays every disc I have! (it also sends at bitsream to my SR 606 which has no audio problems so far.) The two BR discs this week are: China Revealed, and Brazil Revealed from Discovery Atlas. I have the June firmware and have never seen the fabled August firmware, the techniciam also did not know about it.
My plan: I have just written snail mail to customer service giving them the above information and requesting that their engineer visit the "....discs that won't play" thread and do something to help us as the name of LG is becoming synonomous with poor after market support. Imagine if they got a 1000 letters like that. It is worth the stamp. The address is:LG Electronics, Att.Customer servioce, P.O. Box240007, Huntsville Al, 35813-6407. Please consider writing. Paper talks more than e-mails, as a huge stack of letters, each pointing out different discs that won't play, could not be ignored. We can also "cc" the president of LH!
Barry.
__________________
Barry

Ah yes, the fabled August firmware.

This isn't the first time they've referred to it.

Samsungmaster, any ideas?

Did LG do an August firmware update and forget to release it? :)

I think you will get a different answer every time you call just depends on which CS person you get. Either way I do know the engineers have been made aware of problem discs and other issues.

the question is are they going to do anything about it?

the question is are they going to do anything about it?

As far as profile 2.0 they are discussing it.

It appears they may have deliberately crippled the player to not play these or AVCHD or BD-5/9 discs.

I'm talking about BD-R discs...25gb. Those as well. Why would they do that?
I found & posted a link somewhere around here to an article which describes that some-or-all mfrs were supposed to cripple/kill the ability of BD players to play BD movies from recordable media. Yes, that's right, in effect relegating BD-R/5/9 movies to the dustbin, and limiting them to data-only.

I'll try to find that link again...

EDIT: Here ya go. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11237686#post11237686) Not an article, but a post here in an "Insiders" thread.

This member, paidgeek, was very active for a while last year, and sounded quite authoritative, then disappeared. Maybe mfrs are just now getting around to disabling this capability!!!??!!! :eek:

Originally Posted by Blurray
I find the thought of blocking playback from BD-R on commercial devices to be chilling. Do any insiders have any feedback on this issue? If this is being done for copy-protection reasons, might not a similar step be taken to block playback of commercial BD discs on PCs in profile 1.1? It seems this might help prevent the content from being illegally copied in the first place, reminiscent of Sony's strategy with SACD.

Originally Posted by paidgeek
Blu-ray players were never supposed to support BDMV authored content using ordinary data type BD-R or BD-RE media. An exemption was made for a number of months so that available blank discs could be used for testing and other promotional activities; this exemption expired recently.

Consumers will be able to record their own authored movies using recordable media designed for this purpose (as specified by AACS). This media is designed to stop copies of copies of copyrighted material, something we can't prevent right now with the current media and drives.

Rest assured that Apple and other companies have been very vocal in the BDA to insure that consumers will have the ability to take full advantage of the movie specifications to make full featured discs if they so desire.
__________________
Sony Pictures BD Insider

As far as profile 2.0 they are discussing it.

So...we better not give up then.

I found & posted a link somewhere around here to an article which describes that some-or-all mfrs were supposed to cripple/kill the ability of BD players to play BD movies from recordable media. Yes, that's right, in effect relegating BD-R/5/9 movies to the dustbin, and limiting them to data-only.

I'll try to find that link again...

EDIT: Here ya go. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=11237686#post11237686) Not an article, but a post here in an "Insiders" thread.

This member, paidgeek, was very active for a while last year, and sounded quite authoritative, then disappeared. Maybe mfrs are just now getting around to disabling this capability!!!??!!! :eek:

So wait...i'm confused. What will happen when blu-ray burners come out?!? They're not going to allow us to use BD-R's? This doesn't make any sense. How does the machine know if what's on the disc is copy-protected or not?

Below is a copy of the letter I have mailed to LG. I sent it both to the executive offices and customer service. I adjusted the title (changed "president" to "customer service") and a few facts for the second letter, but the template remained the same. I made the letter long and "folksy" as I don't want to appear like a techie with special needs. Both addresses are listed above. Please consider copying and pasting my letter below, make a few changes, and mail off two letters, Thanks,'
Barry.



October 24, 2008

TO The President of LG: Please help?

I am a sad owner of the LG BH200 dual DVD player. I purchased this unit because of its wonderful features but also I wanted but one high definition DVD player, not two in my home theater rack. Although this all came true, I am terribly disappointed with my purchase.

Simply put, my LG BH 200 refuses to play far too many high def discs that I put into the drawer. I have successfully installed the June firmware update, but still so many discs don’t play, or have problems playing, that it is very upsetting. I know it is the player, not a defective disc, because I own a Panasonic Blu-Ray BD30, and a Toshiba HDA2, (each under $300.00) and all the discs play perfectly in those machines. (Please be aware that the LG BH200 cost more than the total of both these players)

I am aware that there is a long list of discs the BH 200 will not play: the list is on-line at the AVScience Forum, where there is a thread on that topic. People are upset, and the reputation of LG as an aftermarket service company is suffering greatly. Please visit this site and see if there is a possibility that you will be able to make a firmware update that will allow us to play most of these discs well. The place with the list of troublesome discs can be found at this URL: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1002769. Please consider a visit.

Each week two BR discs arrive from Netflix. They play fine in the Panny and Toshiba, but not on my LG! This week, “Discovery Atlas: China Revealed”, and “Discovery Atlas: Brazil Revealed” were the BR discs that would not play in the LG, but of course play in the others. I have not kept a list of the movies that wouldn’t play, but several were HD DVD and others were Blu-Ray NOT from Netflix.

Thank you for considering our situation. Any indication that you are working on the problem will raise our spirits. You see, the BH200 is the expensive deck and is used in my Home Theater, while the smaller less expensive ones are just plugged into TVs.
Thank you,

signed: your real name and address.

So wait...i'm confused. What will happen when blu-ray burners come out?!? They're not going to allow us to use BD-R's? This doesn't make any sense. How does the machine know if what's on the disc is copy-protected or not?Once again, what was stated by paidgeek was "Blu-ray players were never supposed to support BDMV authored content using ordinary data type BD-R or BD-RE media." Meaning home-made BR Movies on Standalone Blu-ray (movie) players. Blu-ray burners are built to allow PCs to store larger amounts of Data.

Not to store copied BR movies for playback on standalone BR video playback machines.

They can do it, i.e. change movie player firmware to not allow playback of home-recordable media of any kind. When I asked LG support when they would fix the AVCHD and BD-5/9 playback that broke w/June firmware, they said only "go back to April firmware if that worked for you" implying they were NOT going to restore AVCHD/BD5/9.

As far as profile 2.0 they are discussing it.

Are they going to fix all the disc playback issues too eg 4:3 content stretch, HDMI dropouts and lack of bit-streaming for legacy DD/DTS/LPCM codecs when decode to Multi-Channel LPCM is enabled?

Once again, what was stated by paidgeek was "Blu-ray players were never supposed to support BDMV authored content using ordinary data type BD-R or BD-RE media." Meaning home-made BR Movies on Standalone Blu-ray (movie) players. Blu-ray burners are built to allow PCs to store larger amounts of Data.

Not to store copied BR movies for playback on standalone BR video playback machines.

They can do it, i.e. change movie player firmware to not allow playback of home-recordable media of any kind. When I asked LG support when they would fix the AVCHD and BD-5/9 playback that broke w/June firmware, they said only "go back to April firmware if that worked for you" implying they were NOT going to restore AVCHD/BD5/9.

What do you lose out on by going back to that firmware?

What do you lose out on by going back to that firmware?Well, I just got the BD "For Your Eyes Only" and it doesn't play. Other than this one disc it's worked flawlessly.

I suppose, given how easy it is to change fw, I could burn-to-latest to watch the newest discs, and then burn it back again to April 2008, but that'd be a helluva thing to have to do very often wouldn't it.

I dunno, maybe someday I'll buy another BD player just for homemade discs, or get another BH200 and have one for these & one w/latest fw? Yuk. :p

Was there any update between April and the June?

Was there anything important that the June update accomplished that I should worry about getting rid of?

1. No.
2. Check out the Change log in the first post of the Mini-FAQ, in short No.

Are they going to fix all the disc playback issues too eg 4:3 content stretch, HDMI dropouts and lack of bit-streaming for legacy DD/DTS/LPCM codecs when decode to Multi-Channel LPCM is enabled?

The 4:3 distortion stretch to 16:9 screen bothers me quite a bit. I hate it...

However what are the HDMI dropouts? I don't see any. What is the failure signature?

Is it really an issue for DD/DTS to go over LPCM? I bit stream everything.
LPCM -> LPCM doesn't work?

Ooops, wrong thread, sorry.

I just got one of these and tried to update the firmware. It appears the LG service page is down. Anyone else have this problem?

I just got one of these and tried to update the firmware. It appears the LG service page is down. Anyone else have this problem?


NM...seems to be working now.

Hey, all - so it's been awhile since I posted. I've been traveling a lot due to work and haven't had much time to sit and watch movies on my BH200, much less stay on top of firmware issues.

I was saddened to hear of LG's decision to not offer the BD-Live update. While I am one of the people that don't care too much about that functionality, I still think it's a bad decision on their part. My biggest concern though is this: if they aren't offering this update, what happens next? Are they going to abandon the BH200 all together? There are still some major bugs and disk issues that NEED fixing.

I just sent LG customer service the following via e-mail.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello,

I'm inquiring about a firmware update for the BH200 SuperBlu HD DVD/Blu-ray player. As per a previous LG press release, the BH200 was to support Blu-ray Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) with a future upgrade. However, based on what I'm reading from other users on the AVS Forum, that is no longer going to happen and instead a $75 rebate check is being offered.

I would like to confirm if 1.) the firmware update has, indeed, been cancelled and 2.) what I need to do to receive my rebate check for the inconvenience? I'd also like to know if there are plans to continue supporting the BH200 with firmware updates for disk incompatibility issues as well as other known bugs? Seeing as how the lack of BD-Live support is so disappointing, I certainly hope other basic firmwares upgrades will continue to be released, just as Toshiba continues to offer updates for their HD DVD players.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll let you know what I hear back from them.

-C.

Hey, all - so it's been awhile since I posted. I've been traveling a lot due to work and haven't had much time to sit and watch movies on my BH200, much less stay on top of firmware issues.

I was saddened to hear of LG's decision to not offer the BD-Live update. While I am one of the people that don't care too much about that functionality, I still think it's a bad decision on their part. My biggest concern though is this: if they aren't offering this update, what happens next? Are they going to abandon the BH200 all together? There are still some major bugs and disk issues that NEED fixing.

I just sent LG customer service the following via e-mail.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello,

I'm inquiring about a firmware update for the BH200 SuperBlu HD DVD/Blu-ray player. As per a previous LG press release, the BH200 was to support Blu-ray Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) with a future upgrade. However, based on what I'm reading from other users on the AVS Forum, that is no longer going to happen and instead a $75 rebate check is being offered.

I would like to confirm if 1.) the firmware update has, indeed, been cancelled and 2.) what I need to do to receive my rebate check for the inconvenience? I'd also like to know if there are plans to continue supporting the BH200 with firmware updates for disk incompatibility issues as well as other known bugs? Seeing as how the lack of BD-Live support is so disappointing, I certainly hope other basic firmwares upgrades will continue to be released, just as Toshiba continues to offer updates for their HD DVD players.

Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll let you know what I hear back from them.

-C.

Well-written e-mail. I'll be interested to see what they say.

Thanks Casey.

Does anyone know why the other thread has been locked?

Does anyone know why the other thread has been locked?

The purpose of the thread was to rally the troops to try to get profile 2.0, and it seems clear that LG has firmly made up their mind. So, I guess you could say the thread is no longer needed.

I don't often post, but I've been following the issues regarding the BH200 closely.

I don't have a BH200, but I do own the BH100, and if they're dropping support for the 200, it pretty much goes without saying that support for the 100 will be dropped as well.

So far, it seems pretty clear to me that LG has no intention of upgrading the BH200 to handle BD-Live. However, what's unclear is whether they intend to fix playback issues such as what is occuring with the James Bond discs.

Last year, the first BD+ discs came out from Fox (Silver Surfer, Day After Tomorrow, etc.) and it took LG nearly a month to get out a firmware fix. Most of the other CE's were quicker in fixing the problem. One could argue that LG wanted to do it right rather than quickly. And I'll somewhat go along with that argument since the James Bond discs are the first ones that my BH100 has had a problem with since then.

However, I've seen no official word on whether LG intends to offer a firmware fix for the James Bond issue, either for the BH100 or the BH200. Last year, even though it took a month for the fix to show up, LG was very clear that a fix was coming for both machines.

I'm speculating a bit here, but I'm not overly confident that LG will be providing a firmware fix for the James Bond issue, as they've been quiet on the issue. What that means for me is that I have no idea whether or not current or future releases will work in my player. This is something that should concern not just us LG owners, but owners of Blu Ray players in general. At some point, nearly all CE's are going to want to drop support of discontinued models, as there's no money in firmware fixes.

At this point, I'm not overly hopeful that a firmware fix is forthcoming in regards to the James Bond issue, either for the 100 or the 200. I suspect I'll be out shopping for a new player relatively soon. And, trust me, if I do end up buying a new player it will not be the BD300.

I just watched Hulk last night, and it had audio drop out issues. How can LG get away with not even providing updates for Blu-Ray releases on a $900 player that is less than a year old?

I just watched Hulk last night, and it had audio drop out issues. How can LG get away with not even providing updates for Blu-Ray releases on a $900 player that is less than a year old?

I suspect that there's nothing in their contract with the BDA that requires LG to provide fixes for new releases on discontinued models, and as it stands LG considers the BH200 to be discontinued.

LG's attitude seems to be - "We aren't going to fix it, buy a BD300 instead!" Well, if I've got to go out and buy a new player, it isn't going to be a BD300!

I live in germany and the player didn´t come out here.... Isn´t it a thing of law? Did anybody ask an advocat in this matter? Several DVDs playable on the most player do not work on the BH200 - this is a not working product characteristic .....

I live in germany and the player didn´t come out here.... Isn´t it a thing of law? Did anybody ask an advocat in this matter? Several DVDs playable on the most player do not work on the BH200 - this is a not working product characteristic .....

Well, that's kind of the big question. LG receives no money for offering firmware updates to fix playback issues, mostly newer Blu Ray releases.

LG could argue, I suppose, that the BH100 and BH200 worked with all current releases when they were discontinued and that playback of newer Blu Ray discs is not guaranteed.

A great deal depends on the contract that LG signed with the BDA. If the BDA contract requires CE's and movie studios to provide legacy support for discontinued models, then LG will provide a firmware update for both the 100 and the 200 for the current James Bond playback issue along with any upcoming issues that may arise in the future.

However, I would be surprised if there is any such language about legacy support in the BDA contract. My best guess, once your CE abandons support of your model, you'll either be shopping for a new player or unable to watch some/all new releases in the future. One could call it "planned obsolecense."

The whole question is this, is LG dropping legacy support for the BH100/200? If they are, then current owners who are interested in new releases would be best off shopping for a new player. If they are going to continue to support their legacy machines, it would be helpful if they would come out and at least say so. The silence from LG on the whole issue of legacy support for BH100/200 has been deafening.

"At some point, nearly all CE's are going to want to drop support of discontinued models, as there's no money in firmware fixes." - The Doc

While there maybe no money in firmware fixes, there is money in creating brand loyalty. The first DVD player I purchased in 1999 still plays DVD's from 2008. I still upgraded to newer players because I wanted newer features - Denon DVD-1200 (progessive scan), Denon 1920 and 2910 (upconverting) and all these DVD players are still in use today. I purchased the BH 200 because I wanted an all in one stand alone solution eventhough I had a Toshiba A35 and PS3. Other manufacturers, Panasonic, Pioneer, and Sony are still releasing firmware for their G1 players.

Like others in this thread, I have felt it necessary to purchase an additional BD player, the Panasonic BD35. Besides being BD live ready, which IMHO currently adds no real value, it does not offer any additional features over the BH200 except Panasonics reputation for timely firmware updates.

"At some point, nearly all CE's are going to want to drop support of discontinued models, as there's no money in firmware fixes." - The Doc

While there maybe no money in firmware fixes, there is money in creating brand loyalty.

That's what LG seems to be losing sight of. Apparently creating brand loyalty is not very high on LG's list of priorities.

I bet (for disc issues) the question that LG is asking themselves before issuing a 'fix' for a specific disc is:

1) Was the disc authored to BD specs or not?
If the disc wasn't authored to BD specs, they probably feel no reason to fix their player to play discs authored out of spec.

If the disc was authored to BD specs, then they will probably feel obliged to issue a 'fix' for their player.

So the question is, were the Bond (and other movies) issued to BD specs? If not, the studio should issue a replacement, if so, the CE manufacturer should issue a firmware update.

My 2 cents. If you caused the problem fix it. Period.

(There in lies the problem with BD, the 'spec' is a moving target)

So the question is, were the Bond (and other movies) issued to BD specs? If not, the studio should issue a replacement, if so, the CE manufacturer should issue a firmware update.
Bond was due to an authoring error (a corrupted .jar file, I believe), so ultimately MGM should send out replacements...but you don't see that anything, do you? :-\

FYI-got a reply today. No mention of firmware to correct disk errors.

-----------Reply to Customer Inquiry------------
Dear Scott, Thank you for your email regarding the LG BH200. LG has provided several software upgrades for the BH200 that enable powerful new functionality including BonusView and audio performance improvements. However, LG is not planning a firmware upgrade to activate BD Live functionality in the foreseeable future. As a consumer electronics leader, LG is committed to its customers and we are offering $75 cash back for any inconvenience this has caused. In order to receive your $75 check, please submit your name, address, daytime phone number, serial number and a copy of your sales receipt to: customerservice@lge.com ATTN: BH200 Rebate or fax to 256-774-8668 If you have other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us again either via email, or by calling our customer service division at 800-243-0000 at your convenience. Virginia Q. E-mail Administrator Customer Interactive Center LGEAI This communication is confidential, intended only for the named recipient(s) above and may contain trade secrets or other information that is exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication by anyone other than the named recipient(s) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify us by calling 256-772-0623. Thank you.

I may use the money towards a PS3 or perhaps a Panasonic 55.

Anyone from Canada having any luck with this yet?



FYI-got a reply today. No mention of firmware to correct disk errors.

-----------Reply to Customer Inquiry------------
Dear Scott, Thank you for your email regarding the LG BH200. LG has provided several software upgrades for the BH200 that enable powerful new functionality including BonusView and audio performance improvements. However, LG is not planning a firmware upgrade to activate BD Live functionality in the foreseeable future. As a consumer electronics leader, LG is committed to its customers and we are offering $75 cash back for any inconvenience this has caused. In order to receive your $75 check, please submit your name, address, daytime phone number, serial number and a copy of your sales receipt to: customerservice@lge.com ATTN: BH200 Rebate or fax to 256-774-8668 If you have other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us again either via email, or by calling our customer service division at 800-243-0000 at your convenience. Virginia Q. E-mail Administrator Customer Interactive Center LGEAI This communication is confidential, intended only for the named recipient(s) above and may contain trade secrets or other information that is exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication by anyone other than the named recipient(s) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify us by calling 256-772-0623. Thank you.

I may use the money towards a PS3 or perhaps a Panasonic 55.

FYI-got a reply today. No mention of firmware to correct disk errors.

-----------Reply to Customer Inquiry------------
Dear Scott, Thank you for your email regarding the LG BH200. LG has provided several software upgrades for the BH200 that enable powerful new functionality including BonusView and audio performance improvements. However, LG is not planning a firmware upgrade to activate BD Live functionality in the foreseeable future. As a consumer electronics leader, LG is committed to its customers and we are offering $75 cash back for any inconvenience this has caused. In order to receive your $75 check, please submit your name, address, daytime phone number, serial number and a copy of your sales receipt to: customerservice@lge.com ATTN: BH200 Rebate or fax to 256-774-8668 If you have other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us again either via email, or by calling our customer service division at 800-243-0000 at your convenience. Virginia Q. E-mail Administrator Customer Interactive Center LGEAI This communication is confidential, intended only for the named recipient(s) above and may contain trade secrets or other information that is exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication by anyone other than the named recipient(s) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify us by calling 256-772-0623. Thank you.

I may use the money towards a PS3 or perhaps a Panasonic 55.
Now thait is settled, the issue of a general FW upgrade comes up. Did you read that letter to mean that no general firmware update will be forthcoming, or do you think that it was not addressed? thanks.

I've got 2 BH200's and from my testing it seems that unless the BH200 is connected to a HDMI v1.3 TV they exhibit sync probs. The unit in my games room is connected directly to a 2008 model Sony LCD TV and never play's up at all, everyhting works perfectly inc 24p.

The unit in my lounge connected to a HDMI v1.2 Marantz AVR -> a DVI-D (HDCP) Pioneer Plasma plays up on almost every disc. I will get at least 2 audio dropouts per movie and occasionally a video dropout as well.

I thought my lounge room unit (both Jan '08 units with latest FW & Driver) was the problem so I swapped them over and proved to myself that LG have not done their HDMI homework as the issues continued in the lounge and all was still perfect in the games room!!! :(

double post. :p

These continual reports of sync problems makes me want to put this player up on Ebay. What a lemon it has become. My player adequately functioned on the first sitting using my Onkyo receiver but who knows what the future holds.

These continual reports of sync problems makes me want to put this player up on Ebay. What a lemon it has become. My player adequately on the first sitting using my Onkyo receiver but who knows what the future holds.

I've played about 40 HD DVD's and 20-30 Blu-rays without a single video / audio drop out on my setup (BH200 -- Onkyo TX-SR605 -- Optoma HD72 projector).

I haven't bought the James Bond movies yet, however.

I've played about 40 HD DVD's and 20-30 Blu-rays without a single video / audio drop out on my setup (BH200 -- Onkyo TX-SR605 -- Optoma HD72 projector).

I haven't bought the James Bond movies yet, however.

+1

BH200---> Onkyo TX-SR705---> Panasonic 50PZ800U

Execpt:

American Gangster Blu-ray, audio drop-outs on branching points.
Aliens DVD, audio drop-outs.

That's good...I'm just nervous about introducing new hardware (receivers namely) into the setup, as it seems to be somewhat hit or miss. Hopefully, the bad reports are related to nothing more than defective players.

That's good...I'm just nervous about introducing new hardware (receivers namely) into the setup, as it seems to be somewhat hit or miss. Hopefully, the bad reports are related to nothing more than defective players.
Your right, sell your unit and try another player. Thanks for playing....

Ohh, so now I have to tow the party line to post here? Brilliant advice. Any owner has the right to be concerned based on the # of reports of HDMI sync problems and video dropouts. These aren't all that isolated.

Anyone from Canada having any luck with this yet?

I called the Canadian 1-800 number today. Given the big spiel about the Canadian and US branches being different entities, Canadians were never promissed profile 2.0 and how the BD300 is the player to buy, etc. I explained the initial global press release mentioned profile 2.0 and it was unfair not to include Canadians in the $75 refund offer. The CS rep promissed to call me back later today; it seems likely it will be another broken LG promiss as I live in BC and it is currently 7:00 PM Ontario time. I assume the head office is already closed.

I encourage all Canadians BH 200 owners to call 1-800-542-2623 and ask for the $75.00 refund. Perhaps I could start a Canadian refund thread so we can effectively update each other on our progress.

I'm annoyed by LG's refusal to make the BH200 BD-Live compatible as well, but like sivartk said, I have played innumerable blu-rays and HD-DVDs on my two BH200 units, and neither have exhibited video or audio dropouts running the April firmware. They also both play my home-made Blu-ray and HD DVD disks flawlessly. In short, I'm crazy about this player, and if LG wants to send me a $75 check to boot, then I applaud them.

For what it is worth, I have my one of my units hooked up to a new LG TV via an Onkyo 606 and the other is connected directly to a very old Samsung DLP 720p TV using an HDMI-DVI connector cable. The player works great in both set ups.

A different thread sounds like a good idea... I'm in Ottawa, so I'll give them a call tomorrow...


I called the Canadian 1-800 number today. Given the big spiel about the Canadian and US branches being different entities, Canadians were never promissed profile 2.0 and how the BD300 is the player to buy, etc. I explained the initial global press release mentioned profile 2.0 and it was unfair not to include Canadians in the $75 refund offer. The CS rep promissed to call me back later today; it seems likely it will be another broken LG promiss as I live in BC and it is currently 7:00 PM Ontario time. I assume the head office is already closed.

I encourage all Canadians BH 200 owners to call 1-800-542-2623 and ask for the $75.00 refund. Perhaps I could start a Canadian refund thread so we can effectively update each other on our progress.

I just watched Hulk last night, and it had audio drop out issues. How can LG get away with not even providing updates for Blu-Ray releases on a $900 player that is less than a year old?

I also got audio dropouts with Hulk last night. Newest driver and June fw. I was able to duplicate it in the same spot when Ed and Liv were driving to meet Mr. Blue. It sounded like they were stuttering underwater. It kept up until I paused and then hit play again, or hit stop and then play the disk again. Speaking of pause, with this same movie, when I hit pause and then play again in different parts of the movie, the audio would randomly drop out until I paused and played again???

I also noticed the screen flicker on the Home screen fairly regularly, so I just figured it might be a good idea to exchange while I could. This player was a Oct 2007 build that I just got 2 weeks ago at BB, so I returned it today for a Feb 2008 build which seems ok.....so far. Funny, for the first 2 weeks the '07 build exhibited no dropouts of any kind.

Btw, is your player an Oct '07 build?

Mike T

FYI-got a reply today. No mention of firmware to correct disk errors.

-----------Reply to Customer Inquiry------------
Dear Scott, Thank you for your email regarding the LG BH200. LG has provided several software upgrades for the BH200 that enable powerful new functionality including BonusView and audio performance improvements. However, LG is not planning a firmware upgrade to activate BD Live functionality in the foreseeable future. As a consumer electronics leader, LG is committed to its customers and we are offering $75 cash back for any inconvenience this has caused. In order to receive your $75 check, please submit your name, address, daytime phone number, serial number and a copy of your sales receipt to: customerservice@lge.com ATTN: BH200 Rebate or fax to 256-774-8668 If you have other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us again either via email, or by calling our customer service division at 800-243-0000 at your convenience. Virginia Q. E-mail Administrator Customer Interactive Center LGEAI This communication is confidential, intended only for the named recipient(s) above and may contain trade secrets or other information that is exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication by anyone other than the named recipient(s) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify us by calling 256-772-0623. Thank you.

I may use the money towards a PS3 or perhaps a Panasonic 55.

I received the same exact email today in response to my last email sent this past Friday. It just mentions Live but makes no reference as to whether LG will continue to support this player and address some of it's issues. In my return email today, I asked if we will be getting any fw update to address said issues.

Btw, is any of this rebate info useful for our friends in Canada?

Mike T

I have the february 2008 build and my Hulk also had the drop outs on the trip to Mr. Blue. However, if I rewind and do it again it doesn't do it at the same exact spot. Is the rebate available to everyone? Even so, I would rather forego the rebate and have them just provide the updates that make this player work. The whole point of the combo player was to be safe with either format no matter what turned out. LG was happy to charge a premuim for this product, but now wants to stop supporting it less than a year after release?! It's a Blu-Ray player and as such it should play all Blu-Ray movies properly. Heck, even Toshiba put out an update for all their players and they officially dropped the format. LG is just being cheap and totally disregarding its customers. Next time buy a Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, etc DVD player, TV, phone, etc! In this day and age this type of service is unacceptable. Perhaps LG is trying to move back to their cheap Goldstar roots.

I inquired about the $75 rebate earlier today (without having made any prior complaints) and it was willfully offered. The rep said it would arrive in 7-10 days.

Ohh, so now I have to tow the party line to post here? Brilliant advice. Any owner has the right to be concerned based on the # of reports of HDMI sync problems and video dropouts. These aren't all that isolated.

Are you also thinking about dumping you Samsung 5000? It seems to have it fair share of problems as well. At least for some people.

John

maybe coding a custom firmware would be the answer to all our troubles no ?
i know some coders done it for HD-DVD players

Are you also thinking about dumping you Samsung 5000? It seems to have it fair share of problems as well. At least for some people.

John
The silver lining on the 5000 is that NO problem is systemic. It's all down to specific disc-related issues. So no, the BH200 is first up at the chopping block if and when I decide to start pawning off these players.

EDIT: I will even admit this systemic problem is apparently not evident across the board on all BH200 players. The percentage affected sounds akin to the defective problem of FOX discs failing to load on the 5000 (which required a replacement/repair). Otherwise the "benefit" of owning either play over the other has dwindled considerably.

Well for what it is worth I sent an email about the problem discs asking for a firmware update as well as inquiring about the BD Live (hoping for the $75 dollar check). Personally I could live if the player doesn't have BD Live. I'd rather have it than not, but if we're not getting it I'll take my check. One thing I don't know if I would accept would be if they stopped supporting the player altogether and did not fix problem discs. Hate to play the hateful web consumer, but it would definitely impact my willingness to purchase another LG consumer electronic. I'm actually considering using the $75 check to purchase a second Bluray player for the bedroom.

I have the february 2008 build and my Hulk also had the drop outs on the trip to Mr. Blue. However, if I rewind and do it again it doesn't do it at the same exact spot. Is the rebate available to everyone? Even so, I would rather forego the rebate and have them just provide the updates that make this player work. The whole point of the combo player was to be safe with either format no matter what turned out. LG was happy to charge a premuim for this product, but now wants to stop supporting it less than a year after release?! It's a Blu-Ray player and as such it should play all Blu-Ray movies properly. Heck, even Toshiba put out an update for all their players and they officially dropped the format. LG is just being cheap and totally disregarding its customers. Next time buy a Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, etc DVD player, TV, phone, etc! In this day and age this type of service is unacceptable. Perhaps LG is trying to move back to their cheap Goldstar roots.

With my '07 build, rewinding or chapter skipping didn't correct it. I had to stop and then restart the movie, go to that same spot and it was fine. I've only tried the movie with the Feb '08 build twice and had no problem. I've even tried multiple pausing and playing in different parts of the movie and so far it's holding up. Btw, the '08 player has the Apr fw as opposed to June. The 200 although an overall good player, is very quirky. I have Shooter on HD and sometimes it works in 24/p and sometimes it doesn't??? Maybe this player gets lazy sometimes and starts to fall asleep. LOL

About the rebate, it should be good for anyone in the U.S., you may as well get something from LG. Send them what they asked for and take the money.....who knows, you may be able to get a BD-Live player for around $75 at BF time........but not an LG :p

Mike T

Hi there,

I live in Germany and it seems LG wouldn´t pay to "outs of USA" - would somebody help me if I scan the invoice and the serial number to receive the money?

Best regards

FYI-got a reply today. No mention of firmware to correct disk errors.

-----------Reply to Customer Inquiry------------
Dear Scott, Thank you for your email regarding the LG BH200. LG has provided several software upgrades for the BH200 that enable powerful new functionality including BonusView and audio performance improvements. However, LG is not planning a firmware upgrade to activate BD Live functionality in the foreseeable future. As a consumer electronics leader, LG is committed to its customers and we are offering $75 cash back for any inconvenience this has caused. In order to receive your $75 check, please submit your name, address, daytime phone number, serial number and a copy of your sales receipt to: customerservice@lge.com ATTN: BH200 Rebate or fax to 256-774-8668 If you have other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us again either via email, or by calling our customer service division at 800-243-0000 at your convenience. Virginia Q. E-mail Administrator Customer Interactive Center LGEAI This communication is confidential, intended only for the named recipient(s) above and may contain trade secrets or other information that is exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication by anyone other than the named recipient(s) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify us by calling 256-772-0623. Thank you.

I may use the money towards a PS3 or perhaps a Panasonic 55.

I sent in my info. Here's hoping I get the check soon.

Does anyone with multiple BH200s know whether we'll get multiple checks?

receipt? I have had mine for 8 months or so. Why won't a serial do ?

receipt is pretty typical of any rebate and in most cases warranty work. Not asking too much, I don't think.

FYI-got a reply today. No mention of firmware to correct disk errors.

-----------Reply to Customer Inquiry------------
Dear Scott, Thank you for your email regarding the LG BH200. LG has provided several software upgrades for the BH200 that enable powerful new functionality including BonusView and audio performance improvements. However, LG is not planning a firmware upgrade to activate BD Live functionality in the foreseeable future. As a consumer electronics leader, LG is committed to its customers and we are offering $75 cash back for any inconvenience this has caused. In order to receive your $75 check, please submit your name, address, daytime phone number, serial number and a copy of your sales receipt to: customerservice@lge.com ATTN: BH200 Rebate or fax to 256-774-8668 If you have other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us again either via email, or by calling our customer service division at 800-243-0000 at your convenience. Virginia Q. E-mail Administrator Customer Interactive Center LGEAI This communication is confidential, intended only for the named recipient(s) above and may contain trade secrets or other information that is exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication by anyone other than the named recipient(s) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify us by calling 256-772-0623. Thank you.

I may use the money towards a PS3 or perhaps a Panasonic 55.

No call or e-mail for me...I'll just fax my info to that number and see what happens.

Just call here and speak to customer service: (800) 243-0000

Mention the BD-Live rebate offer and they should fix you up (have your serial # ready).

Just call here and speak to customer service: (800) 243-0000

Mention the BD-Live rebate offer and they should fix you up (have your serial # ready).

Thanks! No mail-in needed. Smooth as silk.

Well-written e-mail. I'll be interested to see what they say.

Thanks ... as of right now (8:45 CST) I've yet to hear anything back from them. I was hoping to get a response from them either yesterday or today.

I just watched Hulk last night, and it had audio drop out issues. How can LG get away with not even providing updates for Blu-Ray releases on a $900 player that is less than a year old?

I bet (for disc issues) the question that LG is asking themselves before issuing a 'fix' for a specific disc is:

1) Was the disc authored to BD specs or not?
If the disc wasn't authored to BD specs, they probably feel no reason to fix their player to play discs authored out of spec.

[snip]

My 2 cents. If you caused the problem fix it. Period.

(There in lies the problem with BD, the 'spec' is a moving target)

Agreed. The moving target spec is one of the biggest issues with Blu-ray. While I was never never fully sold on either format and bought movies from both camps, I certainly thought HD DVD had it right from the beginning when it came to being "finalized." Releasing a product that was still in flux like the BD profile was just a bad, bad, bad decision from the customer service point of view.

That being said, I still think LG is 100% obligated to continue updating the BH200 to deal with bugs and disk compatibility issues, whether they consider it a dead product or not. Every major manufacture out there (Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, Samsung, Pioneer, etc.) continue to release updates for even their earliest Blu-ray players and we should expect nothing less from LG.

Just call here and speak to customer service: (800) 243-0000

Mention the BD-Live rebate offer and they should fix you up (have your serial # ready).

Thanks for posting the phone number. If I don't get a reply soon, I'll give them a call. That's easier than making a copy of my sales receipt anyway. But, I really want to wait and see if they address my question about general firmware updates or not before calling.

Again, I'll keep you all posted. Anyone have an idea based on their experience about how long I should expect to wait for a reply?

-C.

@ casey.christian

Based on my previous emails, response was from next day to 2 business days. They have been pretty quick. In my rebate email, I mentioned that I expected a fw update for the 200 in the near future.

Mike T

Just call here and speak to customer service: (800) 243-0000

Mention the BD-Live rebate offer and they should fix you up (have your serial # ready).

Word of advice, plz ask the customer service rep if they are familiar with the BD-Live rebate. I spent 15 min on and off hold while a guy tried to figure out what the heck I was talking about. After his supervisor got me to the correct LG area it went as easy as 1, 2, 3... Well worth the time for $75. BTW you must know your exact purchase date, if you don't have the receipt. :)

Even though I told the woman on the phone my exact purchse date (since I had the receipt in front of me), she still said I had to e-mail/fax in a copy of my receipt for confirmation. I put one machine in under my mom's address, and the other under my current address so I can get checks for both of my BH200s

I went ahead and made the call since I didn't get a reply from my e-mail yesterday. Gave them the serial #, date purchased and where I purchased it. They said my check will arrive in 15 to 21 business days.

I emailed LG last night, got an email from them at 7am this morning.

Now if I can just find that darn receipt when I get home.

Even though I told the woman on the phone my exact purchse date (since I had the receipt in front of me), she still said I had to e-mail/fax in a copy of my receipt for confirmation. I put one machine in under my mom's address, and the other under my current address so I can get checks for both of my BH200s

I own three BH200s. Will they only give you one check per address?

I own three BH200s. Will they only give you one check per address?
It seems that way.

I have two, so I filed one with my work address and the other with my home. Used different phones as well (one cell, one home)

This may have already be posted, but how can I check if I have the latest firmware update for my BH200?

I have it connected via Ethernet. When I select "Software Update", it, searches for any new updates, and then I get a message saying "no update found. The current set is the latest version".

I would assume this means that the player has the latest firmware update, but when a new firmware update does become available, will I be able to download it via Ethernet, or will I have to download it from the LG website?

Word of advice, plz ask the customer service rep if they are familiar with the BD-Live rebate. I spent 15 min on and off hold while a guy tried to figure out what the heck I was talking about. After his supervisor got me to the correct LG area it went as easy as 1, 2, 3... Well worth the time for $75. BTW you must know your exact purchase date, if you don't have the receipt. :)

Even though I told the woman on the phone my exact purchse date (since I had the receipt in front of me), she still said I had to e-mail/fax in a copy of my receipt for confirmation. I put one machine in under my mom's address, and the other under my current address so I can get checks for both of my BH200s

Apparently it is a YMMV situation. I didn't have the receipt handy (buried somewhere in the house), and certainly couldn't remember the day I bought it, but called the 1-800 number anyway.

After getting re-directed to the right person, she just entered a "random" date for me, and only needed my serial number. She was reading off an instruction sheet and it says something like "name, address, phone number, and either the receipt or serial number is needed", clearly not both.

My cheque should be in the mail shortly... (I hope).

I guess it just depends on how you ask the question. I called to ask when the firmware update for BD-Live was going to be released, and kept just asking for that, not a partial-refund. And frankly, even though I'll rarely use BD-live if I ever get a player that supports it, I might pay a few more $$ for a player that did have it vs one that didn't. Not $75 though (everything else being equal).

IMHO, YMMV,

shinksma

Same here. I guess I have to wait for my check before calling and harassing them again for the 4:3 SD DVD fix. :p

Be thankful you're getting a cheque (sorry check ;)). There's no bloody chance we'll get one in Europe :D.

Be thankful you're getting a cheque (sorry check ;)). There's no bloody chance we'll get one in Europe :D.

If y'all spelled English words like legalize, color, and check properly, then you'd probably get one. (j/k)

Speaking of checks or cheques. :D Has anyone gotten one yet?

Mike T

Perhaps more importantly, has anyone had confirmation that their claim has been received? I emailed a pdf of my sales receipt, USA address and phone number earlier this week, and haven't heard anything... I can't help thinking it's in the "too hard" basket at LG.

When I sent in my claim the rep said it could take up to three weeks to get the check.

I made sure I got my case number so if I don't see the money by mid December I will start calling.

This may have already be posted, but how can I check if I have the latest firmware update for my BH200?

I have it connected via Ethernet. When I select "Software Update", it, searches for any new updates, and then I get a message saying "no update found. The current set is the latest version".

I would assume this means that the player has the latest firmware update, but when a new firmware update does become available, will I be able to download it via Ethernet, or will I have to download it from the LG website?

You are correct. If it connects to the LG server and it says there are no new updates, then you are current. If/when they have another update, you will be able to download directly to the BH200 via broadband connection.

...I emailed a pdf of my sales receipt, USA address and phone number earlier this week, and haven't heard anything... I can't help thinking it's in the "too hard" basket at LG.
I attached my receipt as a JPEG to the email but otherwise I did the same thing as you 4 days ago and to date I have not received any sort of acknowledgement that email was ever even seen by anyone. I guess I will have to call them next week otherwise risking that my email went into a large black hole... probably the same black hole that they have putting all the BH200 firmware updates into since June.

Called lg today to request rebate, they really didn't need receipt; just serial #. They had all my info in their database when I registered player. Said I should receive check in about 3 weeks. Very painless procedure.