Are they still going to produce further firmware updates for the S97, is there any plans to stop them?

Can someone please point me to the panel reset sequence? Thanks.

From the FAQ monster thread.

The reset sequence:
On the unit hold PAUSE + BWD-SKIP + OPEN for about 3 seconds. The display will display "initialization" or "int".

While initialization is being displayed, let go off all 3 buttons, then press and hold STOP + BWD-SKIP + OPEN.

The display will then display "reset".
Set your user settings.

From the FAQ monster thread.

The reset sequence:
On the unit hold PAUSE + BWD-SKIP + OPEN for about 3 seconds. The display will display "initialization" or "int".

While initialization is being displayed, let go off all 3 buttons, then press and hold STOP + BWD-SKIP + OPEN.

The display will then display "reset".
Set your user settings.

Please forgive my ignorance but what exactly does this do? All I know is that it helped one S97 owner eject his disc tray. Does it reset the whole player or just the display? Thanks.

ahh that's my reset sequence! =)

This procedure resets the player and flushes out the memory.

ahh that's my reset sequence! =)

This procedure resets the player and flushes out the memory.

Thanks Sango. It's good to know just in case I need it.

Hey, I live in Richmond, BC too.

Ken

Can I just ask, how often do these firmware updates appear for the S97?

Hey Ken,

The difference in the 540 and 360 is a reported hardware change. I don't think it's ever been definitivey established in this thread what the actual change(s) are. If I recall, the 360 started coming out with the April/May 2005 build. No idea why the change. I'm going off the top of my head but I think there was a change to PAL output with 360 and the zoom may have been slightly improved. I can't even say for certain that the 362 is equivalent to the 541 since I don't really know what the hardware changes are. I would think that it might be equivalent but I don't have the 360 line of S97.

I suspect at this point new, "off the shelf" units are mostly the 360 units.

Paul

Paul - Do you think it is worth explaining why there is a 360 line for this player now and how it relates to the 540 line? For example, is the 360 line from a particular build date and why did they create a 2nd line? You might also want to explain that the 541 firmware upgrade file also contains the 362 upgrade file (and that 362 is equivalent to the 541).

I don't know how many people have the 360 line but I think it is a bit confusing topic. This is just a suggestion but it would make the tread a bit more complete. Thanks.

Can I just ask, how often do these firmware updates appear for the S97?

It's been erratic.

The first one appeared in Jan 2005 (536) then it was quickly followed by (540) in Feb. then a few months later 541 sneaked in.

Paul

Thanks Sango. It's good to know just in case I need it.

Hey, I live in Richmond, BC too.

Ken

Cool deal. Well I'm not there now since I'm back at school at the UW.

The reset does come in handy if something corrupts in memory and the normal reset doesn't work. One of the cases is a firmware update on the older units where it can no longer play DVDs because the player's region has jumped from it's orignal region to another (including Region 0).

I'll probably be in Richmond in a few weeks for the weekend. One thing I'll do when I go back is play Badminton.

It's been erratic.

The first one appeared in Jan 2005 (536) then it was quickly followed by (540) in Feb. then a few months later 541 sneaked in.

Paul

Ah ok, so there is no telling when the next update will (if at all) appear next...?

Cool deal. Well I'm not there now since I'm back at school at the UW.

The reset does come in handy if something corrupts in memory and the normal reset doesn't work. One of the cases is a firmware update on the older units where it can no longer play DVDs because the player's region has jumped from it's orignal region to another (including Region 0).

I'll probably be in Richmond in a few weeks for the weekend. One thing I'll do when I go back is play Badminton.
Thanks for the scoop. Badminton sounds like a good idea...haven't played in ages.

Hey Ken,

The difference in the 540 and 360 is a reported hardware change. I don't think it's ever been definitivey established in this thread what the actual change(s) are. If I recall, the 360 started coming out with the April/May 2005 build. No idea why the change. I'm going off the top of my head but I think there was a change to PAL output with 360 and the zoom may have been slightly improved. I can't even say for certain that the 362 is equivalent to the 541 since I don't really know what the hardware changes are. I would think that it might be equivalent but I don't have the 360 line of S97.

I suspect at this point new, "off the shelf" units are mostly the 360 units.

Paul
Hi Paul,

Thanks for the summary. This should be good for new owners of the S97.

Ken

Thanks for the scoop. Badminton sounds like a good idea...haven't played in ages.

Awww!!!!! I play it for exercise. Plus I gotten my old (got one new) racket back which I sold 5 years ago which I regretted doing because I really liked it.

Awww!!!!! I play it for exercise. Plus I gotten my old (got one new) racket back which I sold 5 years ago which I regretted doing because I really liked it.
Badminton is a great sport. Glad to hear your got your racquet back...racquets are personal items.

I have a May 2005 build which came with 360. The other night I updated my machine to 362 without a hitch. So far I have not been able to see a difference visually. If anybody finds out if this build resolves any issues, let me know. Thanks Randy

I just purchased my S97S and it came with 362 firmware from the factory.

I just purchased my S97S and it came with 362 firmware from the factory.

I just bought (and received) a 97 from Onecall today and it also had the 362 FW. I assume this means it is perfect? :) What is the best auto mode(using HDMI) should we use if we only have USA DVD's? Sango you out there my friend?

Yes I'm still around. Not as much because of school.

Current s97s owners.. please help.

I love almost everything about the s97s. I just got my Panny Plasma (42PX50U) and need to upgrade from my Pioneer 626D. I can get the Panny s97 for almost a 100 dollars less, but the only thing keeping me from it the macroblocking. How bad is it with Panny plasma's (reputedly notorious) ? does the firmware upgrade help any? I am willing to live with it if it happens only sometimes if the overall picture is better. My second choice is the Sony DVP-NS90V which I got yesterday. If I can get a s97s for almost the same price, should I return the Sony and get the Panny? If I get the Panny, I will not be able to return it, so I cant test it out. Cant think of any other choice to match these two.

Macroblocking !!! :mad: :mad: :mad:

Is anybody using their s97 on a Panny HD plasma. Just hooked (via HDMI) mine up to a 50PHD8UK and it looks really bad. Tons and tons of glimmering pixels, no sharpness, jaggies, and general dullness. It's set to 16:9, tried 1080i, 720p, and 480 -- they all stink.

Am I doing something wrong? Or is this DVD player and bad combo with my display? Thanks

For comparison sake, I'm use to an Oppo on a Panny 42PWD8UK and have been please with those results.

keepsmyling: Depends on what you watch. I see macroblocking quite a lot when watching anime titles - character faces occasionally have pink squarish block in them, giving them an overly pink cast and it is very distracting at 720p and 1080i. Almost completely gone at 480p.

Anime tends to have problems with bad flagging and/or bad deinterlacing on most players, which is why I got the S97 - the Faroudja deinterlacing is superior. Unfortunately, the MB is pretty bad on anime titles, so I am usually forced to watch at 480p to avoid it.

If you don't watch much anime titles and don't watch much TV shows (recent DVD TV show releases are interlaced properly anyways) you could stick with the Sony and be happy. But I have never seen the Sony player myself.

By the way, this is on a Benq 8700+ DLP projector - it is not known for macroblocking with "normal" material when paired with an FLI2310 player like the S97 or Oppo.

Thanks for the response. I dont watch much anime titles and dont watch much of TV shows either. If 480p eliminates MB almost completely, I am wiling to watch those as 480p. I am planning to mostly use it for watching rental movies of all kinds. I hardly own any DVD's. Keeping that in mind, which one would you recommend: Sony or the s97s.

My main problem is that people with Panny plasma's seem to especially have MB problems with FLI2310, and I am trying to find out is it watchable? or do most of them end up getting a non Faroudja based player. I realize that the s97 has a better deinterlacer, but if the MB makes it unwatchable on my Panny plasma, then the rest becomes irrelavent I guess.

I have never seen the Sony, so I cannot offer a recommendation. The best advice I can give to you is watch a bunch of DVDs on your new Sony (animated titles, TV shows, live action movies, etc) and determine if you like it enough to keep it.

If you can afford the time and $$$, you could also pick up an S97 and compare it side-by-side with the Sony, and return the one you don't think is good enough.

I have both the Sony and the Panasonic DVD players in question here. I have a 56" JVC DILA. I went back to the Sony because it shows less macroblocking. In interlaced mode the Panny is unbelievable (in a good way), but then the video is choppy in movement. ( on my TV anyways) I'm thinking about Pioneer now, and I don't care if it has HDMI, I prefer a softer picture. (the Sony is almost TOO sharp to my liking, but I can live with it.)

I've read and searched and I'm not smart enough to figure out how to correct my problem.

My s97 will not play a dual layer dvd that I have burned using DVD Shrink. It will play single layers using the same program. At first it would play previews, then quit (it would go the STOP after the previews). Now it won't even read the disk. I've tried this with 2 different movies. Couldn't get to any menus. My computers (one is old Wn 98) will play the dvd's fine. My sons cheap Toshiba will also play the disks.

Would any of the firmware upgrades fix this? Where should I download the update? My current firmware is 85E536.

Thanks for helping (or thinking about this for me).

Cannon (not usually so technically challenged).

"My s97 will not play a dual layer dvd that I have burned using DVD Shrink. It will play single layers using the same program. At first it would play previews, then quit (it would go the STOP after the previews). Now it won't even read the disk. I've tried this with 2 different movies. Couldn't get to any menus. My computers (one is old Wn 98) will play the dvd's fine. My sons cheap Toshiba will also play the disks."


I had the exact same problem with my S97. The solution was to use AnyDVD and DVD Decrypter to read the entire disk in as an ISO file and then burn the ISO using DVD Decrypter. It solved my problems.

I had a similar issue with a single layer DVDs. I was buring my home video's onto DVD, but they wouldn't play on my old Sony DVD player, just the Panny. I tried two different burning applications with the same problem. I decided to purchase a new burner (mostly because I was tired of my 1x burner, and having 16x was awesome!) and switched to DVD+R (instead of -R) and now all of my DVD players recogonize the DVDs. In short, try a different burner, or different media, and see if it works better.

cannongjr,

It's not your burner and right now you can only buy DVD+R DL disks.

I have both the Sony and the Panasonic DVD players in question here. I have a 56" JVC DILA. I went back to the Sony because it shows less macroblocking. In interlaced mode the Panny is unbelievable (in a good way), but then the video is choppy in movement. ( on my TV anyways) I'm thinking about Pioneer now, and I don't care if it has HDMI, I prefer a softer picture. (the Sony is almost TOO sharp to my liking, but I can live with it.)


You can adjust the sharpness on the sony. Make sure you use the user setting and then change it to your liking. You can also adjust picture hue and a few others on the sony. I tested the samsung sony and panasonic and the sony was my best picture on my jvc dila.

I have a S97 with the July build and I have the 541 firmware upgrade. I burned Batman Begins (the entire disc) with a Fuji DL DVD and it plays fine. I used DVD Decrypter to create an ISO image (they call it "Read") and then the same program to burn it (Write). It may be the brand of DVD you are using but I cannot really comment anymore on this as I have only tried Fuji.

I hope this helps.

Thanks for the replies. I'll try these ideas and see if any work. I have been using TDK +r dual layers and Sony +r regular dvd disks.

Is anybody using their s97 on a Panny HD plasma. Just hooked (via HDMI) mine up to a 50PHD8UK and it looks really bad. Tons and tons of glimmering pixels, no sharpness, jaggies, and general dullness. It's set to 16:9, tried 1080i, 720p, and 480 -- they all stink.

Am I doing something wrong? Or is this DVD player and bad combo with my display? Thanks

For comparison sake, I'm use to an Oppo on a Panny 42PWD8UK and have been please with those results.

Not sure about widely reported macroblocking problem with Panny plasma but I really don't have an issue with it. I have 50PHD6UY (couple of years old now) and early S97 via HDMI-to-DVI blade feeding 1080i (1366x768 fixed pixle panel so no native either choice - internally, Panny seem to do 1080i better than 720p rescaling to fixed resolution). For the record, yes there is MB once in a while and almost all pink cast is gone thanks to firmware update. Pink cast bothered me far more than MB ever did with 528firmware (now running 540).

Sounds like your panel is two generation newer than mine so maybe they have improved the image generation soooo good that you see more details; hence more PQ issues. That said, jaggies and no sharpness along with dullness does not sound right to me. Have you considered using Avia or DVE to calibrate your display? Also, the source material makes a huge difference in PQ, including macroblocking. Batman Begins is an excellent video quality (I have not seen any MB with this DVD), along with SW Ep-III.

As for your 42PWD, isn't that EDTV? If so, there are two completely different variables that you are comparing to. 42 vs 50 (pixle count differs) and different DVD player. Have you tried using Oppo with 50 or Panny with 42?

I've read and searched and I'm not smart enough to figure out how to correct my problem.

My s97 will not play a dual layer dvd that I have burned using DVD Shrink. It will play single layers using the same program. At first it would play previews, then quit (it would go the STOP after the previews). Now it won't even read the disk. I've tried this with 2 different movies. Couldn't get to any menus. My computers (one is old Wn 98) will play the dvd's fine. My sons cheap Toshiba will also play the disks.

Would any of the firmware upgrades fix this? Where should I download the update? My current firmware is 85E536.

Thanks for helping (or thinking about this for me).

Cannon (not usually so technically challenged).

CKNA did try to the attention that there is an incompatibilty with panasonic DVD players Do not use DVD Shrink. There is a problem how it rips DL discs. That is why it will not play passed DVD Menu. All Panasonic players behave the same if you use DVD Shrink. Use DVD Decrypter and DL discs will play perfectly.

Use DVD Decripter:
When you use Decrypter in ISO read mode it will give you 2 files. The ISO file and the MDS file. Create a folder on your HDD and choose that folder for Decrypter to write to. Use the MDS file when you go to ISO write mode.

It's not DVD Shrink's fault. The problem is with Nero that DVD Shrink uses to burn the DL disks.

Just got an S97. Build date is Sept 2005. Firmware version is 86H362 out of the box. That's 86H not 85H as mentioned in the first post. I'll be pairing this player with the HP MD5880N.

Looks like the letters are mixed around, I'm sure Paul will realize it soon enough.

Good catch utexas. Thanks! It's been corrected on the first post.

Paul

Ok, Folks.
Let me get this straight... To get rid of the pink on my, sep.04 - 854528 S97 DVD player in the United states, I have to download the file on the first post ( http://www.mechwollier.de/pana_s97/DVDPUPDT.FRM ), Write it to a CD, Put said CD in my player, and select yes and wait 5 min or so?

Yup pretty much that. 5 minutes is an approximate, just watch the screen and let it roll =).

No problems with the 528 firmware then? That is kinda confusing on the first page.

Sweet it worked, Thanks, This player rules!!! (For those whoare borke)

The 528 is where you the huge MB issue since it was the intial release.

Just got an S97. Build date is Sept 2005. Firmware version is 86H362 out of the box. That's 86H not 85H as mentioned in the first post. I'll be pairing this player with the HP MD5880N.

I have the same set-up. 1080i over HDMI=tons of Macroblocking. I watched Million Dollar Baby last night and there was tons of MB. When MB is not present the picture is great. I'm not sure what I'm going to do.

I also have the 86H362 firmware straight out of the box. I'm hooked to a Toshiba 52HMX95 via HDMI. My combo suffers horribly from MB. Has anybody found any certain brightness/contrast combo that seem to sooth the MB issues?

I just got my S97 yesterday from a US distributer--I live in Canada. The build date is September 2005 and the firmeware is 86H362. I have one DVD that's PAL with region 0, will a new firmwear update ever come out that returns PAL supprt to this machine? Why did they remove it?

No unforuantely it doesn't.

You have to obtain the S97s which have the 85E series firmware to have PAL support. 86H series do not have PAL as it's a different firmware.

It's been erratic.

The first one appeared in Jan 2005 (536) then it was quickly followed by (540) in Feb. then a few months later 541 sneaked in.

Paul

I don't see a seperate link for 541. Are the 2 files the same with different firmware versions? That is are 541 and 362 the same file? I need 541, so I would hate to load 362 on older unit!!

The 541 also contains the 361. Don't worry the hardware will decide which firmware to select.

I would like to know how the PQ is on the S-97 in component ,since i have a panny plasma and there seems to be mackro problems via HDMI. Thank you.

With component it does a very good job. Have you tried HDMI, what makes you think you'll have MB on your plasma?

fyi, I don't experience any MB via my Sanyo Z2.

I just got a Sony LCD kdf-e60-a20...with my Panny s97 v541, the MB is back via hdmi...non-existent via component....

HDMI seems to eliminate the edge enhancement inherent in the s97, produces slightly more detail and sharper edges on movies, text etc, but with MB and a greenish tint-hue-cast thing on some background etc, I dont think i'll use hdmi fulltime..Please advise guys....Thanks

Bladerunner

Anyone here have a Panny 97s connected to an Infocus 4805?

Hows is the image? any MB?

How do you rate PQ in component vs hdmi with s-97

Anyone here have a Panny 97s connected to Panny AE900U?

Hows is the image? any MB? any problems?

crebive, vtgt, and phd8uk....this is the firmware thread for the S97s, you might want to post to the regular S97s brain dump thread...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4569192#post4569192

Two quick questions guys
1)Can I use this firmware update to european models which have also scart output?
2) Can I find the european manual somewhere online?

Thanks in advance

Two quick questions guys
1)Can I use this firmware update to european models which have also scart output?
2) Can I find the european manual somewhere online?

Thanks in advance
1. Don't know.
2. Just go to your local Panasonic website and go to the product page. It's there (at least on the Swedish and UK one).

How do you rate PQ in component vs hdmi with s-97

Check the other threads, as this is not really for the Firmware thread. I found HDMI to be more "digital" with a slight grainy feel. The component was a more pleasing and theatre/film like picture.

How do you rate PQ in component vs hdmi with s-97

I concur with pkrash, HDMI while giving the appearance of a cleaner, clearer picture causing me eye fatigue when compared to the less etched smoother, but less clear looking, component output.

HDMI out at 480P has edge enhancement sharpness activated which gives the illusion of a more focussed picture but has it's drawbacks. I see significant aliasing on diagonal lines which causes a twittering artifact which is not pleasing to the eye. The added sharpness also appears to significantly alter the gamma from the midrange on up making the entire picture appear brighter and this is what I believe is causing the eye fatigue which no amount of gamma changes at eh PJ seems to resolve properly. Also no amount of altering sharpness in the the dvd player or projector reduces the effect of the so called "enhancement"

I use both outputs depending on movie and/or mood as both can display a great picture with the right DVD, they both have their advantages and disadvantages but think I'll be changing players soon for something more natural looking over HDMI 480p.

If I get a new S97 can I rollback to an older firmware? I must have PAL and NTSC support. Its about the only reason I am considering this upconverting dvd player. It seems to be the best one with hdmi and 720p.

BTW I don't care if the dvd player converts pal to nts or nts to pal my display will handle both I just need the player to play them.

Newer firmware does not block the use of PAL, the newer hardware does. If the player comes with the 360 or 362 firmware, there is nothing you can do to play PAL. The older players with the 526-541 firmware can play PAL. The older firmware does not work on the newer hardware.

Two quick questions guys
1)Can I use this firmware update to european models which have also scart output?

I have used this firmware to update my european newer hardware model S97 (360 to 362 firmware) with no problems. I never used scart, i only use HDMI so i cannot comment whether update does anything to scart or other analog outputs. Atleast there has been no problems with PAL DVDs after update. If you decide to do update YOU DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Aka, the half answer is yes, the S97 with 541 can output PAL to that TV. You need to find out if your TV can accept PAL, which I doubt. Ask in the display forum.

Thanks for the reply. I guess this player gets knocked off the list. I might just have to buy 2 dvd players instead of 1.

Thanks for the reply. I guess this player gets knocked off the list. I might just have to buy 2 dvd players instead of 1.


Lol, true!

I have used this firmware to update my european newer hardware model S97 (360 to 362 firmware) with no problems. I never used scart, i only use HDMI so i cannot comment whether update does anything to scart or other analog outputs. Atleast there has been no problems with PAL DVDs after update. If you decide to do update YOU DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK.
I don't use SCART, but Component video works fine for me on my upgraded European player.

Last time I tried RGB over SCART it worked too.

Does anyone know if there has been an update to the 362 firmware? I am having serious MBing issues and am wondering if a newer version would help. My display is a Toshiba 62HM195.

Ive been looking around the thread and there where some settings that worked really well but my machine hasnt saved them has anyone got any good picture settings for this Thanks

How do I know what firmware I have on mine, and build date?

How do I know what firmware I have on mine, and build date?Did you read the 1st post?

Could I use this firmware with my S77 since they are so close to the 97? I have a ton of macroblocking, espcially lately after a power disconnect. Or is there somewhere that has firmware updates for the S77? I've been looking and haven't found firmware for the 77 yet.

From what I've heard no, the internals of s97 are just not the same.. If you want to try for me be my guest :P I'm guessing since the s77 is a cheaper player panasonic won't be releasing firmware updates or it's actually as good as it's going to get. Don't take this post as putting down the s77 as that's what I have too (and the mb unfortunately) and I'd love a firmware update to help things out. And I don't know if I'm 100% correct on this but I think the s77 is NA/Europe only and s97 firmware updates seem to come from Japan?

From what I've heard no, the internals of s97 are just not the same.. If you want to try for me be my guest :P I'm guessing since the s77 is a cheaper player panasonic won't be releasing firmware updates or it's actually as good as it's going to get. Don't take this post as putting down the s77 as that's what I have too (and the mb unfortunately) and I'd love a firmware update to help things out. And I don't know if I'm 100% correct on this but I think the s77 is NA/Europe only and s97 firmware updates seem to come from Japan?

S77 is NA only. S97 updates actually came from Europe not Japan.
New S97 is the same inside as S77 but firmware is coded for S97 so it will not load on S77. And before it is asked, there is no way to trick it.

Thanks a lot for the info, well that is kind of sad to hear. Anybody have some tips on perhaps some setting that would reduce the macroblocking. When i first got it, it didn't seem to be too terribly bad except on badly compressed movies, but after a power outage it seems to have gotten much worse. I didn't really have much in the way of user settings before though so I don't really know what changed. I am using it with a 57" Toshiba HD, forget the model number at the moment. I use the HDMI output usually at 1080i as it doesn't seem to get any better at other settings.

Hi, :)
Can anyone inform me what the pixel drop problem is, i've tried finding some about it but I only found solutions.
Yesterday I got back my S97 from the repair center because I had a problem with the 750p signal. There was some sort of vertical band on the rigt side of the screen. (Maybe this IS the pixel drop problem.)
I use the S97 on a PT-AE900 projector and am very pleased with the quality except for that problem with the 750p signal over HDMI.
I've send it back twice cause the first time the repair center simply told me they couldn't locate the problem. Now the second time they reported some vague message about resetting the machine so I was not quite sure whether they really repaired something.
Got home and tried it and the problem was gone, then I remebered this thread and checked the firmware. Before I had the 86H360 firmware and now it says: 86H364 which I have not seen before on this thread so maybe someone is interested to know about this new firmware!!

I was using a Tosh 57hx81 with my s97 (no hdmi input) I upgraded the s97 firmware to version 540 and it reduce the MB to almost completely gone except for rare scenes like in Ice Age, the cave scene where the tigers attack, some scenes in Master and Comander but for the most part this is gone....Your may need to use component to not see this at all. I recommend you upgrade your firmware for starters.

I now use the s97 with an lcd from Sony (e60a20) and the MBshow up thru hdmi sometimes but never thru the component.

IMHO, the biggest benefit of hdmi from the s97 is that it gets rid of the edge enhancement that is ineherent with this dvd player. I find it tolerable but on movies that have more edges i switch to hdmi. I use both inputs depending on the quality of the dvd specificallly.

Hello:

I Have a doubt with the firmware version of my new Panasonic s97. The firmware of this dvd player is 364. Must I updated it to a most recently firmware? or this is the latest version available.

thank you.

Interesting - I seem to have acquired a new (from a B&M store) S97S with the 528 firmware (just checked). I am gonna have to check this firmware thread and see what could make this player better.

When I asked the salesman about firmware (having read up here for a while - wanted to make the best decision), he said that this *must* have the most recent firmware.... but then he spent several minutes looking for the player that was new in another box. Maybe it was not as "new" (not used, but in time sitting on the shelf) as he thought.

So far, I have yet to see any macroblocking when mated with my Syntax LT37HVS LCD TV @1080i. Seen some lip sync issues that were resolved by pausing and restarting, but no other problems yet. Dunno of I should worry about newer firmware.

Interesting - I seem to have acquired a new (from a B&M store) S97S with the 528 firmware (just checked). I am gonna have to check this firmware thread and see what could make this player better.

When I asked the salesman about firmware (having read up here for a while - wanted to make the best decision), he said that this *must* have the most recent firmware.... but then he spent several minutes looking for the player that was new in another box. Maybe it was not as "new" (not used, but in time sitting on the shelf) as he thought.

So far, I have yet to see any macroblocking when mated with my Syntax LT37HVS LCD TV @1080i. Seen some lip sync issues that were resolved by pausing and restarting, but no other problems yet. Dunno of I should worry about newer firmware.

This is the original S97S with the original firmware starting with 5XX. The latest firmware I believe is 541 (I have mine updates to this). So you do not have the latest firmware. Also I am surprised this is a new unit as this version of S97 has not be produced for about a year I think.

John

This is the original S97S with the original firmware starting with 5XX. The latest firmware I believe is 541 (I have mine updates to this). So you do not have the latest firmware.Yeah, that's exactly why I asked him. Funny, these guys are known to be good B&M dealers (not a CC or FutureShop). But they must not read up on all of this stuff. They should be more educated than their customers.... but I have discovered that few employees of B&M stores (as well as many internet stores) have much knowledge anymore.Also I am surprised this is a new unit as this version of S97 has not be produced for about a year I think.I was a bit surprised as well. But everything inside was packed up as new. And the box had not been opened.

Looking at the box, I have a Nov 2004 date on it. So it must have been sitting there for a while (I bought it in Jan 06). Must be that there was nobody else in Ottawa that was looking for this player, and instead went for some of the cheaper ones or the "flavor of the day" players.

In ways I am happy to have this vintage of product - we know all of the bugs,and they have been addressed (as much as possible) by firmware updates. There are few surprises left.

Hey folks,

Recently i bought an Panasonic PT-AE900E. This is the same as the PT-AE900U but has a scart instead of a second component input.
As i am from the Netherlands, we have region 2 and Pal.
The more i read forums, the more i get scared because of the MB and bad edit detections...

Does anyone has the DVD-S97 connected to this beamer either by component or HDMI?
Are there any dvd-players with less problems?

Thanx... Michel1973

I bought my pana s97 one week ago and with manufacturing date "January 2006" and firmware "86H364". Anybody knows something about this version of firmware? can i get downgrade to a 86H362 version of firmware?

I bought my pana s97 one week ago and with manufacturing date "January 2006" and firmware "86H364". Anybody knows something about this version of firmware? can i get downgrade to a 86H362 version of firmware?
364 must be the newest firmware. I believe that S97 normally only allow to upgrade, not downgrade (at least with default fw file). Why would you want to downgrade?

Anybody know what is fixed in 364 and where to get it?
I have 362 and it is quite OK, but zoom functions suck big time.

364 must be the newest firmware. I believe that S97 normally only allow to upgrade, not downgrade (at least with default fw file). Why would you want to downgrade?

Anybody know what is fixed in 364 and where to get it?
I have 362 and it is quite OK, but zoom functions suck big time.



because in some films I see many MB as for example in ICE AGE. In this film I can see a lot of MB in the sky and I had read that with 362 version, Mb Enhance almost was not perceived.

364 must be the newest firmware. I believe that S97 normally only allow to upgrade, not downgrade (at least with default fw file). Why would you want to downgrade?

Anybody know what is fixed in 364 and where to get it?
I have 362 and it is quite OK, but zoom functions suck big time.

Check this thread out (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=463025) for the information on the different firmware and fixes. I believe you cannot go back to a previous firmware version.

John

Hello all

I am a Swedish guy and have a S97 (Bought in Sweden) and started to read this threed yesterday and doesnt come clare at all what firmware I can use to my DVD so I was hoping that someone could help me out here.

My firmware is now: 86H362

Is that the latest or are there any newer and if so, where can I download it? Also, can I use the firmware 85E536 that is posted here?

Really greatful for answers

Regards
Stefan

My firmware is now: 86H362

Is that the latest or are there any newer and if so, where can I download it? Also, can I use the firmware 85E536 that is posted here?

Seems that 364 is the latest, but where to get it or what's fixed in it is unknown. I couldn't find any information about 364.

536 is for older revision hardware, you can't use it. Firmwares that begin with 3 are newer hardware versions.

Michel1973 -- Welcome to the AVS Forum!

You shouldn't have to worry with the AE900. The S97 should work just fine. It is also one of the few upscaling players that puts out a good 480p signal over its component outputs (comparable to the older RP82 and RP91 players that were the "best" when they were first released).

I haven't read any MB complaints with the AE900 - S97 combination, using the HDMI connection -- I'm guessing that the 720p setting would be the best, but you should try 1080i as well.

I just picked up a 2nd S97 yesterday. When I checked the FW version via the setup menu it displayed as version 000001. I believe the manufacture date was Oct 2005.

When I check the version of my other S97 it displays as 85E540. So I'm pretty sure I'm checking it correctly.

I've searched the 2 long S97 threads for mention of this version and couldn't fine any. Can anyone provide any insight to this version ?

Thanks

Answer to my own question above. It appears that getting the version# via the setup/display menu doesn't work the same in the newer build of players. When I got the version# via the setup/display menu it displays as 000001. When I use the front panel/remote key method it displayed as 86H362 on the front panel.

In my older S97 I got the correct version# regardless of which method I used.

Close to purchasing this player. Whats the latest firmware version? Should the retailer be able to tell me which version is on their player? Planning to purchase online.

Close to purchasing this player. Whats the latest firmware version? Should the retailer be able to tell me which version is on their player? Planning to purchase online.No, the retailer won't be able to tell unless the open it. See the first post for the latest firmware.

Just got my player last night from OneCall. Firmware version is 86H364. Build date December 2005.

So far I LOVE THIS PLAYER!!!! It's nice to have quick response to an open or close, Play, Main Menu, Chapter change, etc. And the picture quality is great! Also, it plays discs better than the Samsung DVD-V2500 I had. I tried playing a disc the other night with the Samsung, and it said it was unreadable (there is some kind of major smudge or abrasion on it thanks to my teenage son). The exact same disc played just fine in the Panasonic.

So far, I am ONE HAPPY CAMPER. Also, I am probably one of the few using the component outputs (to a Yamaha LPX-510 projector through a Yamaha RX-V2400 receiver).

Noob here (Hi all!),

I received my s97 a month ago and there are problems. I've tried reading through the threads, but I am not absolutely sure I have the same problems as the others, so here goes: (and thanks for the ear!:)

Firmware Version: 86H362
All HDMI
720p

- My DVD's seem to be dictating the aspect ratios after starting...and again after starting from the DVD menu. I only watch widescreen versions and am having to constantly reset the aspect....and this after every DVD! I've read the manual several times now and I would think that setting it once would work (on the SETUP and on the ZOOM)

- It seems that every DVD tries to start with the green element missing (the screen result is pink). If I stop and restart the disc, it comes back up properly. I wasn't sure if this was the same "pink" problem as mentioned with the earlier firmware versions.

- Just started getting U70 errors. I've replugged the HDMI cable several times but it seems a temporary (seconds!) fix. Crappy factory cable?

When it plays, it looks great....I just have to make it plug-n-play for the fiance' :P

Sorry if this is somewhat off topic, but does anyone know if this player comes in black? Thanks.

The unit comes in silver only. However, there was a black one which was shown during the CES before the unit was available for release but it looks like black was aborted.

Seems that 364 is the latest, but where to get it or what's fixed in it is unknown. I couldn't find any information about 364.

536 is for older revision hardware, you can't use it. Firmwares that begin with 3 are newer hardware versions.

Here you can get the 364 Firmware (The Link was supplied by KinoJoe in a German Forum):


vvv.mechwollier.de/DVDPUPDT.FRM

(Please use w instead of v)

I have tried the update myself and sucessfully upgraded my S97 from 362 to 364. It is to early to tell the effects of the update (MB etc.) , I only updated the player an hour ago.

arwi.

Arwi,

I'd be interested in what you found after doing the update.
Please post back your findings.

Thanks

Here you can get the 364 Firmware (The Link was supplied by KinoJoe in a German Forum):


vvv.mechwollier.de/DVDPUPDT.FRM

(Please use w instead of v)

I have tried the update myself and sucessfully upgraded my S97 from 362 to 364. It is to early to tell the effects of the update (MB etc.) , I only updated the player an hour ago.

arwi.
Is there anywhere a list what has been fixed in 364 firmware?
Is this version for PAL or NTSC players, or is it suitable for both (i have PAL)?
Could you provide link to that German forum?

Please let us know how new version works.

I just updated the firmware and it works fine with the 97S both old and new version.
I am not sure what changes were made. Be sure to reset all settings after you do the update. You can download the file at the following link and burn it as a usual data file, not an image file. It takes about 3 minutes to update

http://www.mechwollier.de/DVDPUPDT.FRM

If anyone has information on the changes please post.

I just updated the firmware and it works fine with the 97S both old and new version.
I am not sure what changes were made. Be sure to reset all settings after you do the update. You can download the file at the following link and burn it as a usual data file, not an image file. It takes about 3 minutes to update

http://www.mechwollier.de/DVDPUPDT.FRM

If anyone has information on the changes please post.
Can you check if zoom function works any better than before and is there still EE (too much sharpening) in 720p mode?
Shapening causes strange looking edging in DVE test patterns, if you look at closely those BTB patterns with 20/40/60/80/100 IRE.

Can you see pixel drop issue with 720p? (i know it was fixed in 362 but i'm hoping it is not back with new version).

To save people from having difficulty trying to view their firmware numbers by using the onscreen method.

Use the - PAUSE" + "OPEN" on unit and press the "7" button on remote method to display the firmware. This is also posted on the first page (which Paul included my method). It will work on most Panasonic models.

After applied the new firmware, the version shows as 85E542 on my S97.

There are two hardware versions of the 97S. The firmware will update to the specific hardware. That is the reason why two different versions will show with the firmware update depending on the hardware.

After applied the new firmware, the version shows as 85E542 on my S97.

I assume the link above my intial post about the firmware versino was used to flash yours.

Strange, I could not get it to work on my S97. It saids "FAILED" and my unit stays as 541. I'll have to look it sometime tonight.

Hello everybody, I'm new here.
I'm using a S97 + JVC HV36P38 CRT TV via component.
I have just flashed the new firmware and so far everything seems ok. My player was originally the 536 version, then I updated it to 540 in an attempt to get rid of the damn pinkness, but nothing changed. And guess what? The new 542 firmware didn't fix the pink bug.
Fortunately I don't notice any MB problem.
I have noticed one great thing, anyway. If I change the color option from 0 to -1 most of the pink cast disappears (Not all, but most of it)!! I can show you some nasty pics of the beginning of vol.2 of the "Crest of the Stars" anime series R1 if you're curious of the difference :p Anyway this "feature" worked for me with the 540 too.
I have yet to check if there are some improvements in its performance. I have a PAL DVD of videoclips by Queen (in particular "The Invisible Man") where the deinterlacer fails miserably... the poor deinterlacer of the tv can handle it without (great) problems...

EDIT: The player is still multiregion after the update.

Thanks for the field report Bonex!

Interesting - I wonder if dialing down the color for Sin City will also help the magenta/pink cast in the black and white scenes?

I just used the file to update from v362 to 364.

All user and other settings reverted to defaults.
I reset them to those recommended in the S97 braindump and did a quick DVE check.

The display is a Panasonic TH-50PX500U using the cinema setting for DVD.
The connection is via HDMI at 1080i.

BL was off a just a bit requiring a slight decrease in the display's brightness setting.

Macroblocking--Using Lawarance of Arabia (SuperBit) the macroblocking in some of the sandy colored backgrounds is now almost unnoticable, ditto smokey areas--not nonexistant but darn near. That's good.

Maybe, just maybe there is the slightest loss of definition, but no bets.

There was however a pink cast to some blowing sand scenes that I do not remember seeing before. Reducing color level helped. Let me note though that I sometimes see pink highlights or tints in material on cable, even clouds on HD.

I was pleased with the overall performance (DVD PQ and audio and CD audio) before and am even more so now. The S97 still has my vote.

Maybe, just maybe there is the slightest loss of definition, but no bets.

This doesn't sound good if it turns out to be a fact. I think i'll wait for more reports about new firmware before flashing mine, because flashing back to older version isn't possible.

Can you check DVE resolution patterns if they show any loss of definition? Also if possible, please check if DVE BTB patterns (those with 20/40/60/80/100 IRE in the middle) show any edging in 720p mode? Mine with 362 fw shows edging in those 3 bars.

Big Lebowski and all,

I have v540 on my s97 connected to a Sony lcd e60a20. The MB is all but gone via component as well as the pink issue however there is some very mild edge enhancement which seems to be inherent to this , still amazing, dvd player.

With HDMI, player set at 1080i, the edge enhancement is all gone and no pink issue...but...there is a grainier feel to the picture, the MB does come back and there seems to be purplish blotching in some darker patterns like, grey clothing or the landscape in opening battle scene in Gladiator.

Also, there is a greenish push via hdmi in the overall pic that manifests at various severity depending on source material. Like a push that is most seen in flesh and sky. ?????

I seem to have settled in to component full time since I lowered the contrast 2 clicks and reduced the edge enhancement further. The picture via component does seem to be more vivid, have more life, truer color with no push, zero noise, almost equal sharpness even tho it may crop a few pixels.....

Bladerunner

Lebowski and company--I'll give it a more complete shakeout tonight, including using 720P. I won't be able to do it any sooner than about 8PM PDST.

After sending last night's posting I watched a bit of Blackhawk down, because it does not have the EE of L of Arabia. The colors are less saturated than in L of A and the balance is different, but I did not see any pink in the dust or smoke.

Is there anywhere a list what has been fixed in 364 firmware?
Is this version for PAL or NTSC players, or is it suitable for both (i have PAL)?
Could you provide link to that German forum?

Please let us know how new version works.

Hi Big Lebowski,

this is the thread of the German forum where KinoJoe posted the Link:

vvv.hifi-forum.de/viewthread-48-6210.html

(Sorry for the vvv but in the initial 5 postings I may not submit URLs in this forum so this is the only way to publish the link).

I watched a movie tonight (my wife's choice : Curley Sue -- awful picture with a lot of MB and pink/green edges, I can't see any improvements there, but I'll have to try the -1 option and 1080i instead of 720p)

I

arwi

PS I have no clue if the fimware works for NTSC players; I have a PAL player

The firmware will work for both PAL & NTSC. There are two hardware versions of this player. The earlier version will play both PAL & NTSC the newer version will only play NTSC in the US.

I assume the link above my intial post about the firmware versino was used to flash yours.

Strange, I could not get it to work on my S97. It saids "FAILED" and my unit stays as 541. I'll have to look it sometime tonight.

I used the one provided by arwi. http://www.mechwollier.de/DVDPUPDT.FRM

Yup, same link I used. Well I burned it to a CD-RW that time I did it. I'll try a CD-R when I get home and try it out.

I used the CD-RW too. I set disc type as ISO level 1, ISO9660, mode1. Thats the setting working for me on CD-RW disc.

Did you use Nero?

Updated from 362 to 364.

- Didn't affect the pink, so still have to stop and restart disc.
- Still have the sporadic U70 error...after endless cable positioning.
- Discs still dictate their own (and incorrect) aspect ratios.

Do any of you 16:9 viewers have to constantly set the aspect or is there some permanency option I am missing?

<//might be shopping for another player....grrrrr>

Ok, I've had a chance for a more thorough test.

The display is a Panasonic TH-50PX500U using the cinema setting for DVD. Normally connected via HDMI at 108Oi

Oddities-- the brighter (center) bar in the pluge now shows some vertical lines interior to bar. Their visibilty is very sensitive to brightness settings. I do not remember seeing these lines before.

Black level setting on the S97 works in both HDMI and component. The manual implies it does not.

The good:
Marcoblocking seems reduced but only in good source material.

Using DVE, differences I thouhgt I had seen between 1080i and 720p are far less noticable. I don't believe images are less crisp and nothing I saw in the DVE reference tests suggested any big change from the prior firmware, except maybe 720 looks better than it did. I still give the nod to 1080i because it seems a bit better with actual video rather than test patterns, but this might be display more than player.

I don't see any added edge enhancement. I have sharpness dialed down on the display anyway,

In the DVE space shuttle launch and orbit scenes the smoke is not tinted nor blocked. During the climb out some of the hazy stratus do show a little blocking.

No pink highlights or tints are seen, except one (more nearly blue than pink) in the bay open segment in orbit and that might be in the original film. So it maybe that what I saw in LofA was peculiar to the disk or a result of my hasty calibration.

The bad:
I screened Freaky Friday, a rather poor, transfer and the green walls in the kitchen (seen early in the film) were alive; I have not seen the DVD before so I can't compare, but the motion on the door trim was distracting.

My conclusions:
Nothing is way better.
Images are not softer.
The 720p output is better than before.
Macroblocking is reduced but not gone.
Nothing seems worse, but PQ is different somehow. I suspect that will fade as I grow used to it.

Recommendation: If you are not bothered by MB with good quality DVD, don't do this update. If the quality of 720p is supremly important it may help. As to pink tint, that seems more a result of picture settings than the update itself.

Did you use Nero?

Yes, Nero 5.5.

Trekguy when you post stuff that compares 1080i and 720p it is imperative you tell us what kind of display you have.

Just installed 542 on mine, it is a MASSIVE improvement w/ MB for me. I have the s97 connected via hdmi -> DVI @ 720P to my sammy HLN467 and it is now a superb picture. I'll agree that some detail has been lost over 541, but considering the MB reduction, I'm happy. Highly recommended.

Can you point out a scene from a DVD that would demonstrate the massive improvement in MB?

Thanks!

Oddities-- the brighter (center) bar in the pluge now shows some vertical lines interior to bar. Their visibilty is very sensitive to brightness settings. I do not remember seeing these lines before.

Thanks for testing.
Can you confirm if you saw any edging in those 2 bars on (or 3 bars if black level is set too high) both sides of large bright bar in DVE title 12 chapter 9 to 13?

I have fw 362 and there is definitely edging in those small bars, but i don't remember seeing any vertical lines in that center bar. But i can see some vertical lines in title 12 chapter 14 (reverse gray ramps).

Just installed 542 on mine, it is a MASSIVE improvement w/ MB for me. I have the s97 connected via hdmi -> DVI @ 720P to my sammy HLN467 and it is now a superb picture. I'll agree that some detail has been lost over 541, but considering the MB reduction, I'm happy. Highly recommended.
Can you tell more about detail lost? How noticeable is it?
Have you got test disk like DVE to point out exactly how much detail is lost?


Is there anybody who has direct contact to Panasonic to get a list what's been changed in the new firmware?

Hi,

I've looked around a lot and it seems the only way to make this player region free (without soldering) is to use a 'special remote' to trigger the region free update.

Questions:
- Is there any other way to get the region free hack?
- The remote seems to work only once? But can you update 2 units at the same time?
- Is there a place to get the IR code sent by this remote?
- Any chance to get an alternative solution anywhere?

I am sure I am not alone on this boat, this player would be perfect if it could play my old collection of R1/R2 discs :(

Regards,
Marco.

As to the amount of detail lost, it's hard to quantitate. I do have DVE/Avia and will check that out tonight to see if there has been any resolution loss. It's not so much that a lot of detail has been lost, but rather the pic quality has become more 'film like'. For instance, I watched some of 'A Touch of Evil' (old B&W flic) and there was virtually zero MB. I didn't notice any pink tint, but then again I'm not the best person to look for that as my color vision in that range is weird.
With V541, I would see MB in literally EVERY scene that had a dark spot in it. it was really bad in scenes that had starfields because rather than twinklie stars on a black b/g it was stars on blue/black. Now it's back to twinklie black! I would say don't let the 'percieved' loss of detail hold you back from u/g if you currently have a MB problem.
I'll get around to checking out DVE tonight.

Trekguy when you post stuff that compares 1080i and 720p it is imperative you tell us what kind of display you have.

Good point. It was in my first message and I've added it to my second, but I should have it each of them. For the record and given the cost, for the foreseeable future, my display is a Panasonic TH-50PX500U. I using the display's cinema setting (modified) for DVD. The connection has been via HDMI at 1080i.

Second thoughts after watching far too many DVE screens, each one at 480p, 720p and 1080i. When I first set up the S97 the 1080i setting seemed the clear winner- crisp, good black levels, realistic color, and less overscan than at 480p. 1080 seemed, I thought a bit sharper than 720. HDMI seemed to bring out slight and subtle color variations, such as rust stains on a white ship in a medium distance shot.

Now after two days with the new firmware. The colors via 720 and 1080 are still more lifelike than at 480. 480p still has more overscan. On DVD video I can see no difference between 720 and 1080, none.

On DVE however there are still subtle differences. On the screens that have progressively more closely spaces b/w lines across the screen, at the smallest spacing there are differences. It varies a bit but there is some shading that appears between the most closely set lines; the lines are still distinct but a shading appears between alternate pairs. I don't have any idea what that means. The delay in switching resolutions is a bit long so I had to keep going back and forth and I think I was getting brain fatigue. So I could see differences, but nothing dramatic like seeing lines at one resolution and not at another.

Likely I lack the experience to know whether a particular DVE chapter should look one way or another, that is whether what I see matters. If someone could supply or point me to an image of what I should or shouldn't see I would be glad to check it out.

I have the sharpness dialed down on the display and I did not see any differences in edging or ringing between 720 and 1080--but there is some at both. What I noticed was that at 480p there was no ringing at all on the same screens.

I cannot see macroblocking in the video sections of DVE, I just can't. I did not see any before the upgrade either.

L of Arabia had MA in some of the tan and black on tan and black scenes- the living desert if you will. It clearly has less now.

I am not at all certain what causes MA, but I see very similar instances on my PC. I have a Dell Ultra 19" (1280x1024) driven by an Nvida 6600GT card, via DVI.

DVE looks good. A Windows HD video clip of an IMAX film is almost artifact free. An mpeg2 download of a poor transfer of a 1930's b/w film is unwatchable when shadows, walls and men's coats come alive. A cheaply done DVD or one of those fast fading 1070's color movies shows many artifacts including macroblocking.

That exactly parallels the experience with the DVD player and the plasma display.

In any case after some more time with the upgrade I can see some differences between 720 and 1080 on DVE but not with regular material. The pink tint issue is not in my case at least in the player. Macroblocking is reduced.

I left it set to 720p. The mail guy just brought Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I will do a bit of A/B tonight and send a report if I see anything new.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire-

From titles through the first scene with people it is all CGI. It is all dark and heavy on blacks and dark greens--MB is clearly evident. It can be seen now and again throughout the movie, but not distractingly so. It is visible if you look for it in some but not all frames with clouds, smoke, mist or fog. It can be made somewhat worse or better by varying black level, brightness, gamma, and noise filters--different combos get different results.

720 vs 1080 is a toss up. I really do think that is change from the older version.

Someone commented earlier that the picture is more film like, and I think that describes it very well. Other than a slight change in the brightness level on the display, and some experimenting with BL lighter vs darker, all other display setting were unchanged.

The vertical lines inside of the above black pluge bars in DVE are definitely there. That remains the only artifact I can see in DVE.

Would I do it again? There are trade offs in the upgrade- the differences I saw before going cycling through the resolutions are far less obvious. The more film like look is good to my eye at least. The amount of macroblocking may be down, but as with another poster, what is there in dark blacks, greens and grays, seems to have picked up a purple cast. I was happy with it before and didn't use 720. The MB trade off seems to be quantity for hue. Purple is not my favorite color.

trekguy, thanks for the detailed reports!

Hello from france! :)

your comments on this update are really surprising. I've done the update (85E542) and tried it on some few tests. My S97 feeds in 720P (pal source) a sanyo Z4 ISF calibrated, though, I haven't checked the other outputs... but, in this mode I haven't lost details at all, it's the opposite! My picture is proofer and homogeneous, it's a real progress!
Despite this progress on PQ, macroblocking isn't solved and i still can see some in special sequences.
Concerning pink tint, i haven't seen such an artefact. You can check the article from cine4home, the rvb graphs on the s97 outputs are perfectly flat... If you see pink tint, your screen or projector is probably guilty.

Pink/magenta tint is most noticeable when using HDMI/DVI - perhaps worst when in RGB mode and at 720p and 1080i.

I know it is not a fault of the projector - mine is ISF'd and there is no pink/magenta tint at all when using two different upscaling DVD players through DVI - a Momitsu V880 and an HTPC. Also, the tint is gone when the S97 is set to 480p.

I have not tried the new firmware - I am still on 541. Imagine my surprise when everyone in Sin City had a magenta cast to them! Yuck!

It seems the problem is very important on yours. But why haven't you ISF'd all your video chain, including the pana? My ISF tech doesn't calibrate a projector without its source.
Have you read the article on cine4home.de? Sorry if I can't put the direct link but I'm new here and the rules are here. The article is in german but you can translate... the color rendering of dvd players is developped with: denon 1910, 3910, pana S97, etc... The article explains the new firmware (540 at this date) solve the pink tint problemn and delivers a perfectly flat rgb graph. Perhaps there are still diferences between european and us versions of the S97?

Grayscale bars in DVE displayed on the S97 are correct I think - no tint (it has been a while since i last checked). Only when I play a movie with black and white scenes like Sin City that the tint is noticeable (at 720p or 1080i) - ISF'ing the S97 would make no difference in that situation.

That article you mentioned probably only tested with grayscale patterns, not moving video.

It could be a difference between the different regions like you said though.

Another thing is that I have 541, not 540 - so a good guess would be that 541 reintroduced the bug that 540 doesn't have. I never had the 540 version - and it sucks that I cannot downgrade to it. :(

So, is v. 542 out? I currently have v.540 and resisted the temptation for v.541 Worthe the upgrade to v.541 or v.542 (if out)?

My 2 cents. 542 provides definite macroblock improvement. Tested it on Incredibles, Nemo, and Emperor's New Groove. New Groove showed the most improvement but is still not perfect.

I cannot speak to the pink tint or any of the other problems mentioned on here because I never really noticed all the other problems as much as the macroblocking.

Mike

Where can I get the 542 firmware?

The firmware link is below.

http://www.mechwollier.de/DVDPUPDT.FRM

Use Nero or another burning program. It is not an ISO file so burn it as a date file and finalize the disk. Insert and follow instructions on the 97.

will update my player soon and report back

Me too. Thanks RWESTLEY.

Great, looking for some feedback on what v.542 does.

My initial observations going from 541 to 542. Immediately noticed an under scan problem with sending 480p/720p via HDMI to my panel. This leaves a black bar of about ¾ inch at the bottom of the screen when viewing 1:85:1 DVD’s. Needed to reposition and resize the image to correct. Sending 1080i was not a problem at all. As far as image quality goes (at 720p), image seemed a bit smoother to me with less edge enhancement while still showing excellent detail. I think I noticed slightly better noise reduction as well using the +2 setting. Definitely noticed a reduction of pinkish tint though not entirely eliminated. Didn’t see any macro blocking in my minimal viewing thus far, but had not noticed much previously. I spent even less time viewing 1080i but when doing some a/b comparisons I felt that 720p was slightly more crisp. So far it seems to be an improvement over 541, but if I could, I would probably go back to 540 which seemed the best for me

My initial observations going from 541 to 542. Immediately noticed an under scan problem with sending 480p/720p via HDMI to my panel. This leaves a black bar of about ¾ inch at the bottom of the screen when viewing 1:85:1 DVD’s.
Usually 16:9 display's are 1.77:1 or 1.78:1 so if DVD material is 1.85:1 there should be black bar on the top and on the bottom of the image unless image is overscanned.

So question here is that is your display native ratio really 1.85:1?

Any further test reports on the new firmware? Anyone else braved the upgrade? I've never been convinced the updates since v.528 to 536 altered anything but the amount of MB, to be honest.

Any further test reports on the new firmware? Anyone else braved the upgrade? I've never been convinced the updates since v.528 to 536 altered anything but the amount of MB, to be honest.

Omen,

A year ago, I upgraded from 528 to 536. With that, I did notice a big decrease in MB and the pink tint was gone however, there was also a decrease in detail and sharpness after my adjustments. The connection was component cable to a Toshiba 57hx81 rptv crt.

I ordered another unit , upgraded from 528, to 536 to 541 and KABOOM.....the MB was completely gone, pink tint still gone BUT the detail and sharpness came back. I returned the unit w/536.

November brought a monitor upgrade to a Sony LCD KDF-E60-A20... Thru component cable the picture is still awsome and actually better even though you lose some black level. The better convergence and corner to corner sharpness combined with co hot spot win hands down .....BUT...hdmi????

HDMI with the s97 gives me SLIGHTLY sharper edges and text, eliminates the edge enhancement inherent with the s97 but adds greenish push to black, a purple ish digital noise to dark things like a charcoal suit and it re-introduces the MB. That was with 3 different brands of hdmi cable.

I love the idea of 1 connection but I am not convinced that HDMI is better than component at least in my setup. I will happily continue using these expensive MONSTER component cables until somebody tells me how to eliminate those HDMI bugs.

S97/v-541 with component to LCD rpt...absolutely awsome.


Bladerunner

Oooooo,
I can't wait to run home and install 542. I was never really satisfied with DVD Quality and wanted a more film like look. It appears (from what I have read) 542 may have the answer.
Is anybody using the "Enhanced" HDMI Picture setting in the S97? Just wondering.

Any further test reports on the new firmware? Anyone else braved the upgrade? I've never been convinced the updates since v.528 to 536 altered anything but the amount of MB, to be honest.

I upgraded to 542 and can't really see any obvious difference. It doesn't look any worse and I feel better knowing I have the most recent firmware that must have fixed some kind of problem they found. :)

One thing I did notice is that when you check the firmware version now, it flashes the version on the screen (in the upper right corner) for a couple seconds as well as on the players display. I am not sure if it did that before 542.

Thanks for the reports guys. The thing is, I've only ever used my S97 with displays that've never shown any hint of MBE or pink tint, so I really don't know whether to even bother with this latest update. What concerns me is that Panasonic are having to compromise other areas of the image in order to hide the visibility of MBE...

From my experience, 528 to 536 was a definite improvement. Although the picture wasn't as sharp as 528 as some have noted, it was much cleaner and less processed looking to my eyes. Noise and EE were reduced, providing a much more natural image. The pic from 528 was artificially sharpened to give the impression of being more defined, IMO. However, I've not noticed any difference on my displays going from 536 through 540, and onto 541. The only area it could be improved further for me is if Panasonic could just get rid of the very last bit of edge enhancement via. HDMI...

Thanks for the reports guys. The thing is, I've only ever used my S97 with displays that've never shown any hint of MBE or pink tint, so I really don't know whether to even bother with this latest update. What concerns me is that Panasonic are having to compromise other areas of the image in order to hide the visibility of MBE...

From my experience, 528 to 536 was a definite improvement. Although the picture wasn't as sharp as 528 as some have noted, it was much cleaner and less processed looking to my eyes. Noise and EE were reduced, providing a much more natural image. The pic from 528 was artificially sharpened to give the impression of being more defined, IMO. However, I've not noticed any difference on my displays going from 536 through 540, and onto 541. The only area it could be improved further for me is if Panasonic could just get rid of the very last bit of edge enhancement via. HDMI...

Omen,

I had to correct this. My s97 is on v540 firmware. Its' been a while since I really looked. That produced a definitive sharpness back to v528 levels without introducing noise and the original level of EE.

I'm convinced that HDMIs' biggest benefit is the almost total reduction in the players EE which makes edges and text appear sharper but, I'll take the sharp, smooth accurate color of component now until hdmi is purified.

Bladerunner

I did the 542 upgrade yesterday and used Spiderman 2:SuperBIT as my test source. The underscan problem JAV2 spoke of, is present on mine also @ 720p. 480p/1080i are fine. I also noticed less pink colored noise. I use a +1 MPEG NR anyway. I have my player forced to 1080i and my TV's Scaler, descales to 720p until Panasonic corrects this.

I did the 542 upgrade yesterday and used Spiderman 2:SuperBIT as my test source. The underscan problem JAV2 spoke of, is present on mine also @ 720p. 480p/1080i are fine.
Can you please specify aspect ratio of this film and your display device?

You know that if source material is 1.85:1 and display device is 1.78:1, you will have black bars on the top and on the bottom of the image, unless your display or dvd-player is overscanning image?

If both dvd-player and display device are showing 0% overscan, then image will fill out whole screen only when source material and display device have both same aspect ratio (like 1.78:1>1.78:1 or 1.85:1>1.85:1 (i believe 1.85:1 displays are very very rare))

Sorry, I should have known better.

Panny PT-50LC13 (50" LCD RPTV)
2.40:1 Spiderman 2:SB
2.35:1 Mr. & Mrs. Smith

I tried more movies as well as Avia and DVE. Apparently my vertical setting got changed. My wife saw me fiddling with it and she mentioned her sister and new boyfriend came by earlier to watch a movie and he attempted to "Improve" my settings. If there is one thing I hate, its when someone screws around with my settings without me knowing. He used my remotes, my TV, my recliner. Probably pee'd in my toilet, drank my Coke's........

My friend I understand you. My wife always rearranges the furniture, moves the sofa around with the surround speakers.

vhato, so are now saying the new firmware did not cause an overscan problem for you?

I can't reproduce it. I hadn't watched a DVD in a month or two before hand, but assumed my settings on the TV were left alone. I fired up the DVD Player, install the update, then noticed I was filled at the top of the screen, but a black bar at the bottom. I was tired so went to bed. Logged in here, read the messages about the underscan issue and assumed that was my problem. I tried some DVD's of different ratios, then DVE and Avia. My wife saw me fiddling and tgold me my sis-in-law's knucklehead BF was screwing around with my settings, but she wasn't gonna say anything if I didn't notice (because I would have gotten pi$$ed). When she told, I looked at the position menu on the TV and my verticle was off to the point my screen was pushed upwards.

Talk about timing. So no, no UnderScan I can see caused by 542.

I'm a bit confused...I realize that there were two hardware releases of the S97, one with the 300-series firmware, the other with the 500-series. My unit has firmware version 362 currently installed.

Now, do I patch with the 542 firmware? Somebody mentioned that the 541 release contains BOTH the 300/500 series firmware patches in one file. I am assuming it's the same with the 542 release.

Has anybody tried going from a 362-->542? Any improvement? MB is present on my box, and I randomly experience video dropouts for a few seconds via HDMI.

Regards,
Keoni

I read the same thing. The 500 series firmware contains the 300 also. The 300 series players are newer, for what it is worth.

Don't be silly, if you have the 300 series you get the 364 updated

I just received a S97 with firmware 528. It will be connected to a plasma Pana 42PA50 thru component.

What is the best firmware for component connection to a standard definition (not HD) plasma display?

Thanks a lot!

Andrea

I just received a S97 with firmware 528. It will be connected to a plasma Pana 42PA50 thru component.

What is the best firmware for component connection to a standard definition (not HD) plasma display?

Thanks a lot!

Andrea


That is a great question. This thread has concentrated on HDMI and Faroudja FLI-2310 chip by accident. Using Components bypasses both of these, so many of us wouldn't know.

That is a great question. This thread has concentrated on HDMI and Faroudja FLI-2310 chip by accident. Using Components bypasses both of these, so many of us wouldn't know.

Macroblocking, overscan, pik cast are related only to HDMI or to component as well?

I read some posts about firmware 528, saying that it's not so bad if the display doesn't show macroblocking.

Andrea

That is a great question. This thread has concentrated on HDMI and Faroudja FLI-2310 chip by accident. Using Components bypasses both of these, so many of us wouldn't know.The component outputs do still use the FLI-2310 for deinterlacing.

Hi all,

The link above to the new 364/542 firmware does not work anymore. Does anyone have a different link or can possible email the FW.

Best regards

//Robert

The component outputs do still use the FLI-2310 for deinterlacing.

Mmmmm... The conclusion is?

Shoild I stay with the 542 firmware or should I upgrade to 536, 540, 541, 542?

Thanks!

Sorry, but I need answers!

Andrea

Eurofriend - It still works - I just tried it.

Mmmmm... The conclusion is?

Shoild I stay with the 542 firmware or should I upgrade to 536, 540, 541, 542?

Thanks!

Sorry, but I need answers!

Andrea

vtube,
As has been mentioned in previous posts in this thread, you can only upgrade your player's fw. If you have the latest version of fw, which I think is 542, that's all you can have until a newer version comes out. You cannot downgrade your fw.

vtube made a mistake in the last post. The user has Firmware 528.

vtube,
As has been mentioned in previous posts in this thread, you can only upgrade your player's fw. If you have the latest version of fw, which I think is 542, that's all you can have until a newer version comes out. You cannot downgrade your fw.

Sorry, I made amistake, I have the 528 version.

So you would say that the last 542 should be the best for my setup in component?
Thanks!

Andrea

Sorry, I made amistake, I have the 528 version.

So you would say that the last 542 should be the best for my setup in component?
Thanks!

Andrea

That's a difficult question to answer because nearly everyones setup is different. From what I've read in this thread and others is that things as simple as cabling can influence the final display. And even though your individual pieces may be the same as others, in the end, it's your eyes that will be the judge. Not someone elses.

The way I approach these decisions is by what I see on my display. If I saw artifacts like macroblocking or pink-push or others I would update the FW. If I didn't see any then I would leave it alone.

There are others in this thread who always like to push the envelope and they will update FW just because the newer FW is available. Nothing wrong with that either. In real life I deal with Computer HW and SW all the time. FW upgrades are always a decision that needs to be addressed. I have found that FW upgrades are not always the best road to travel. Unless I know it will fix a problem that I have, I will wait. I generally let others try them out and then make a decision on whether to go with them or not. Lots of folks here, do the same.

So, bottom line is that if you think you have issues that the FW can address, do it. If not, leave it alone.

So, is the 542 firmware going to be added to the 1st page? Has there been any negative effects for anyone going to 542? I'm currently running my player in 480p through HDMI because I can't stand macroblocking. I have 541 by the way.

I'm getting really annoyed with the macroblocking in this player. So much so that I'm about ready to sell it and get something else. I've had it for about a year now and its just downright annoying. At first it didn't bother me so much, but now I look at it more and more and its driving me crazy.

I'm getting really annoyed with the macroblocking in this player. So much so that I'm about ready to sell it and get something else. I've had it for about a year now and its just downright annoying. At first it didn't bother me so much, but now I look at it more and more and its driving me crazy.

I use the S97 at 480p with HDMI and get no macroblocking (still a very nice picture though!). To me, I'd rather have a slightly less detailed picture than put up with macroblocking.

I use the S97 at 480p with HDMI and get no macroblocking (still a very nice picture though!). To me, I'd rather have a slightly less detailed picture than put up with macroblocking.

Yeah, I tried that the other day and macroblocking was just as visible as at 1080i.

I've noticed that layer transitions are much longer now :( As in, over 1 sec.

Yeah, I tried that the other day and macroblocking was just as visible as at 1080i.

It's somewhat display dependant. I guess I'm lucky with no macroblocking at 480p.

Yesterday I got my S97 upgraded at the Panasonic Headquarters in Mississauga. I was given the options to either bring it in, or ship it in. Since it's only about 45min drive ... down I went.

I would like to express my thanks to the folks at Panasonic. They are very friendly and knowledgeable.

I waited about 15 minutes for my player to be upgraded.

I will try to provide some impressions on the new firmware. My display is a BENQ8700+ projector (1280x720 DLP) projected on a 96" screen.

1. The pink/red/purple tint. FIXED :)
If you bring up the grey scale, this is esily seen. The worst disk I saw this effect on is on the Moulin Rouge THX optimizer. On the grey scale screen, a strong tint of red with the old firmware. The new firmware ... GONE! I noticed this also on the AVIA disk and DVE disk but it was never as pronounced as on the THX optimizer. There might be a little red in the low IRE levels, but I have to confirm this. The AVIA and DVE patterns are clean, while the red in low IRE is only on the THX optimizer on the grey scale/black level screen.

2. Macro-Blocking
This was never a huge issue with my player/display combination, but I did see the artifact occationally. I think the first time I saw it where it became distracting was with Collateral Damage. The new firmware reduced the Macroblocking significantly. I really had to go looking for it to see it. I still have to verify that this is not a problem with the disk itself.

Macro-Blocking is significantly reduced!

3. Faster Menue Navigation
With the old version, the menu navigation was a little slow. It's very fast now. I wasn't looking for this when I was testing last night, but a very nice bonus. Unfortunately, the 4:3 menu shrink issue (where the menue selections are not alligned correctly) is not corrected.

4. User Settings
This might be a benefit for those who don't read the manual ... but the firmware removed the step to save your user settings. I think this is a step backwards. Before, the player allowed you to save 2 individual settings, now there is only the system menu.

I preferred the original user setting format.

5. Sharpness
Sharness/ringing is still present in 720p and more so in 1080i. I didn't play too much with the settings to see if I can reduce it, but it is there.

Overall, this new Frimware is much ... much better than the original one.

If there is something someone would like me to test out, please let me know.

Cheers!
Mass
Will new firmware change PQ if i am using component cables.

Ok, I have to admit with this very latest firmware the macroblocking is down a ton from what it was with the previous version. It is still there but its not anywhere near as bad as it was before.

Interesting. I may have to upgrade. I see macroblocking in a lot of the anime i watch at 720p (Twelve Kingdoms comes to mind, among many others).

Can you list the titles where you noticed reduced macroblocking compared to 541?

Greetings Max. :) . I upgraded on the weekend and had to readjust my brightness/contrast settings. I'm curious if you and others do the same. I'm now back to using -3/+1.

Interesting. I may have to upgrade. I see macroblocking in a lot of the anime i watch at 720p (Twelve Kingdoms comes to mind, among many others).

Can you list the titles where you noticed reduced macroblocking compared to 541?

The one that I used to test was xmen 2. I noticed it over the weekend, I believe its chapter 29 (wolverine enters the room where he was changed) and there is a lot of dark scenes. Before updating it was a mess in the background, after the mess is a lot less...messy. Another good movie to check is panic room. Pretty much the entire movie. I upconvert to 1080i.

Greetings Max. :) . I upgraded on the weekend and had to readjust my brightness/contrast settings. I'm curious if you and others do the same. I'm now back to using -3/+1.

You have to reset your settings after every firmware update (for just about every product). They always reset back to factory defaults.

You have to reset your settings after every firmware update (for just about every product). They always reset back to factory defaults.

Yes I know Mike except this time rather than settting back to my old -4/3 setting the proper calibration was -3/1. The issue relates to a discussion of brightness/contrast settings last year and whether the s97 was not outputting the full signal at the lower settings. It appears to me that the the latest firmware has a broader signal but it would be good to get some other input.

I have been reading this thread to see what folks' experiences are regarding this upgrade, especially trekguy. I just spend an hour on the phone with various departments of Panasonic, and I finally got thru to someone who confidently claims the following:

The 86H364 upgrade (and whatever other upgrades may be included for the "other" hardware") is (they say) solely to fix the macroblocking issue. Panasonic has been paying attention to the complaints and are fully aware of them.

I grilled the person on the phone about what else it might change, and she insisted that it was only to address macroblocking issues. She confirmed that there was no path by which one could downgrade to 362 if one found something wrong after the upgrade: you're stuck with 364.

There is no "official" download site for the file; it is sent thru the mail to anyone complaining about MB.

My S97 has FW 362, and on my Sony 36XS955 big-CRT display, I have never seen MB with this player over HDMI, although it was really obnoxious on an S77 I had tested first. I returned that one immediately for the S97 and never looked back!

The image rendition over HDMI (480p) is very high-resolution, including fine textures, and I am worried that one of the means of suppressing MB may involve changing the way detail is rendered over HDMI, maybe for the worse. So I am reluctant to try 364. (I don't use 1080i upsampling because it is noticably less nuanced and detailed on my display, almost mushy!)

I do have a complaint about the HDMI image, and that is that vertical resolution is sort of "modified" from 480i/component, letting the TV do the reverse-cine progressive conversion (Sony "CineMotion"). Slightly curved lines that are near-horizontal show 2-line stairsteps if sharpness is set to normal or a little above, as if there is some averaging between lines. It's not a pure line-doubling, ruining the vertical resolution, but like a bit of line-to-line "crosstalk" at the 10-30% level. Superbly sharp animations like Monsters, Inc really show it up on nearly-horizontal lines. It is completely absent on the component/480i outputs.

I would be grateful if anyone has gleaned further insights about this FW upgrade after having lived with it for a while. I'm truly paranoid about making an irreversible change that screws thing up for me.

I would be grateful if anyone has gleaned further insights about this FW upgrade after having lived with it for a while. I'm truly paranoid about making an irreversible change that screws thing up for me.

Well I was about ready to trash this player and pick up something else because the macroblocking was just so horrible, but after the update its like a completely different player. I notice that much of a difference. I don't know about any of the other stuff you talked about but for me this upgrade has worked wonders.

Well I was about ready to trash this player and pick up something else because the macroblocking was just so horrible, but after the update its like a completely different player. I notice that much of a difference.What were your firmware versions before and after the update? And did you just use the file that has been referenced on this forum (a German site)?

Hello KenTech,

364 was sent directly to you through e-mail?

Hopefully, it will install on the first version of the player.

Paul

364 was sent directly to you through e-mail?The lady I spoke to at Panasonic said "mail." I'm guessing they do not assume you know how to make a CD-R of an e-mailed file, and they send you a CD via snail-mail with an instruction sheet.

The reason I am asking about fromer FW version before updating (above) is that I have V.362 now, and I have no trace of macroblocking. Which makes me want to understand: What role does the display play in this problem? Are people with FW 362 and certain displays still experiencing it?

Do any of these fw updates let you play PAL discs? I bought it in the hope of getting decent PAL progressive over component and it wont play my discs (either R2 or Region 0'ed PAL discs).

If not what can I do to make it play them?

Thanks.

The earlier S97s will play region 0 PAL discs but won't do PAL-to-NTSC conversion so you would need a PAL-capable TV.

So it's unlikely one made in December 2005 will play them?

I have a mutliregion tv so should be ok on that front.

Anyone have a link, on the net, to the 364 version of the FW?

The reason I am asking about fromer FW version before updating (above) is that I have V.362 now, and I have no trace of macroblocking.

If that's the case, why would you install an updated version of firmware that "only addresses macroblocking"?

Anyone have a link, on the net, to the 364 version of the FW?

Is the 364 version not included on the 542 update version for the older player?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7472380&&#post7472380

Is the 364 version not included on the 542 update version for the older player?

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7472380&&#post7472380

The latest are 364 and 541 and not 542, right?

The latest are 364 and 541 and not 542, right?

Not according to the link I posted and the comments above and below it.

If that's the case, why would you install an updated version of firmware that "only addresses macroblocking"?Because I don't always believe what I'm told. I am used to companies' listing what they think you should know about an upgrade and not discussing everything. I wouldn't be surprised if there are other, minor changes, a bit technical to describe, that are also included. But Panasonic is acting to resolve the most common user complaint: MB, and so they want to make sure you understand that they are trying to fix things. That it addresses macroblocking may be the truth, but it may not be the whole truth. I have minor complaints about the rendition of nearly-horizintal lines with 480p thru HDMI on my Sony set. Is it an issue that might be solved "accidentally" with the "macroblocking fix"? Who knows? I'm really pissed that Panasonic have not made the "upgrade" also work in the reverse direction, in case you don't like the changes. Too paternalistic for my taste, but it's also typical of Big Manufacturers.

The latest are 364 and 541 and not 542, right?

I had upgraded to 542, so the latest firmware is 542 for the older S97

What were your firmware versions before and after the update? And did you just use the file that has been referenced on this forum (a German site)?

I don't know what version I had before, but I've always kept up to date with whatever version is posted here. I used the file that was linked here and popped it onto a cd.

Is the 542 update supposed to be equivalent to 364? I am still not clear on that, despite all the posts I've read. :)

Anyways, I did install 542 from the link a couple of pages back in this thread. No ill effects so far - but I haven't tested for the pink blocks in Sin City yet. I haven't done any thorough tests of MB reduction - I'll have to grab one of my Twelve Kingdoms DVDs (anime series) for that test - the MB is very strong on the character faces in previous firmware versions.

542 and 362 are not equal or related, per se. The two revisions of the S97 had slightly different chipsets so they require different firmware. 542 is the most recent for Revision A and 362 is the most recent for Revision B. They usually pack them together so you only need to put one disc in either Revision and it will update it.

All right then....I'll ask once again. Does anyone have a link to the v364 FW ?

Page 54.

So it's unlikely one made in December 2005 will play them?

I have a mutliregion tv so should be ok on that front.



Someone on another forum told me that they stopped NA version being able to playback PAL source after mid-2005.

He wasn't sure though - anyone know if that is the case?

and if so why the hell would they do that?

Thanks! I'll give it a shot this weekend.

-T


Page 54.

Someone on another forum told me that they stopped NA version being able to playback PAL source after mid-2005.

He wasn't sure though - anyone know if that is the case?

and if so why the hell would they do that?
The revision A players could play PAL. The revision B players could not play PAL. Who knows why they do it. For one thing, they don't want you to be able to play DVDs from out of your region.

I applied the update to my regionfree S97 & it went fine. Still plays non-R1 & PAL discs.

Thanks! I'll give it a shot this weekend.Please! Would you look very carefully at a very fine (sharp, textured) DVD thru HDMI before you upgrade the FW, and then again after, especially in the darker areas. There are juicy textures, for example in Monsters, Inc and The Matrix. I'm wondering if the "solution" to macroblocking changes at all the way the player renders detail and texture thru HDMI. I would be very grateful if you would give your opinion on whatever seems to change -- and will the occasional stairstepping on nearly horizintal lines on HDMI (2-line stairstepping).

And what FW are you starting with?

Please! Would you look very carefully at a very fine (sharp, textured) DVD thru HDMI before you upgrade the FW, and then again after, especially in the darker areas. There are juicy textures, for example in Monsters, Inc and The Matrix. I'm wondering if the "solution" to macroblocking changes at all the way the player renders detail and texture thru HDMI. I would be very grateful if you would give your opinion on whatever seems to change -- and will the occasional stairstepping on nearly horizintal lines on HDMI (2-line stairstepping).

And what FW are you starting with?

KenTech,
Give me specific scenes in Monsters Inc that you're interested in and what you mean by "juicy textures". If you look at my sig you'll see what equipment I have. My Panny HDMI connects to my Infocus via a DVI connector. Not sure if this matters to you. Also, I have to say I have little complaint with my display quality. I have looked at films that other folks have seen MB in that I don't. Example is Master and Commander. In my case I find that I don't see MB that much. I have a couple of DVDs that I do see it. Example, Phil Collins - Serious Hits Live.

I'm currently running at v360 of the FW and will jump straight to v364.

btw, Monster's Inc and Nemo and Fantasia II all look great and have no MB. I have seen The Incredibles and that also looks great. The 10th Anniversary of Toy Story I have seen some MB. All of the Star Wars flicks look great. I know others have had MB issues or bleeding colors with the SW DVDs but not me. Lucky I guess, and that makes me somewhat hesitant to do this FW upgrade!! I still might chicken out. .. the more I think of it. ;)

Give me specific scenes in Monsters Inc that you're interested in and what you mean by "juicy textures". In Monsters, the walls and surfaces inside the plant are good, as when they are racing around in the hallways looking for the kid. Also excellent: When Sully is looking at the trash compactor thru the glass, the glass has a diamond-pattern wire reinforcement that is excellent for definition assessment. I think Monsters is the best ordinary-program test disk I have (well, maybe along with Matrix). Sully's hair -- how it tapers to fine tips -- and the artifact-free boundaries between light and dark areas (Mike's eyes). Check out when Sully puts the kid to bed; the wall will show up color banding, and the wall switch is a perfect small, detailed item with concentric circles that should be perfectly clear. Check out the trail of Cheerios and the newspaper Sully sets up for the kid's "bed." Not to mention that it's a delight to watch these scenes!

In Monsters, the walls and surfaces inside the plant are good, as when they are racing around in the hallways looking for the kid. Also excellent: When Sully is looking at the trash compactor thru the glass, the glass has a diamond-pattern wire reinforcement that is excellent for definition assessment. I think Monsters is the best ordinary-program test disk I have (well, maybe along with Matrix). Sully's hair -- how it tapers to fine tips -- and the artifact-free boundaries between light and dark areas (Mike's eyes). Check out when Sully puts the kid to bed; the wall will show up color banding, and the wall switch is a perfect small, detailed item with concentric circles that should be perfectly clear. Check out the trail of Cheerios and the newspaper Sully sets up for the kid's "bed." Not to mention that it's a delight to watch these scenes!

KenTech and others,

I upgraded the FW on my Panny this afternoon and it went well.

First off, the upgrade took less than 2 minutes to perform! Lot less time than the instructions ( which are in the first posts of this thread ) mentioned.

I did look at particular scenes within Monsters Inc for you both before and after the upgrade. I used these scenes for comparisons:

Ch. Time of movie ( viewed via Panny display )
14 32:44
18 41:16
19 43:49
20 45:36

I found little difference in what I saw before and after the upgrade.

You asked that I look at things like the walls and surfaces inside the plant.
They looked great both times. I looked for color banding on solid colored walls and for sharpness in the imperfections of the poured concrete type walls in the plant. - Never saw either issue before or after the upgrade.

I looked at the scenes with the cheerios on the floor.
Cheerios looked like, well cheerios! Well detailed and the edges looked normal.
Not fuzzy or extra sharp.

Looked at the scene where Sully puts Boo to bed.
The wall was free from banding. As far as the wall switch you mention...I don't see any concentric rings around that switch at all. There are a couple of rings that make up the physical look of the switch, but they look fine. Sharp and clean.

Looked at the Trash Compact scene you mentioned.
The diamond hatch of the wire-embedded window are very straight and sharp.

Looked at Mikes eyeball in a few scenes for banding or other artifacts and saw none. Looked at Sully's fur for loss of detail while moving or still. No difference.

I then put in "Day after Tomorrow" which is a DVD I have seen MB with.
Noticed a noticable drop of MB in scenes that I had just looked at before the upgrade.
I used the scenes near the end of the movie that are shot in the Public Library.
Lots of dark and/or dimly lit scenes. At first I thought that the MB images were just softer and was worried the once sharp regular scenes were also soft but no!
I replayed a few scenes just to make sure and didn't see any drop off in sharpness, just less MB! Really pleased with that!

I put in another disk I have problems with - Phil Collins "Serious Hits...Live".
This was recorded in 1992 and is 4x3 format. I have always seen MB in various scenes of this concert video. Mostly in the shots of the stage that show the trees behind the stage ( outdoor concert ) and also shots from the stage looking at the crowd as well as shots of the performers while playing against certain backdrops.
I was pleased to see a noticble drop in MB here too!

I also put in a couple Star Wars discs, "AotC" and "RotS". Never had issues with these disks and wanted to make sure they still looked good. Noticed no obvious change thru many different scenes. Real Happy with that!!!

All in all, the upgrade was positive for me.
I had considered not doing it because I wasn't sure it would make a difference worth the chance that I would lose some PQ.
Never happened and I reduced MB besides.

-T

MB SEEMS to be reduced when watching some anime the other day - but I can't be certain until I play my MB reference scenes from another anime I have in my collection.

Usually on closeup of anime character faces with a shade of pink on flesh really brings out the MB - but I saw none while watching Girls Bravo.

Have you checked resolution tests in AVIA or DVE to see if there's any chance after update?

Can anyone comment is zoom function any better after update?
Like when you watch 4:3 letterboxed material and let DVD-player to convert it to anamorphic for 16:9 display.

I upgraded the FW on my Panny this afternoon and it went well. , . . . I found little difference in what I saw before and after the upgrade.
. . . All in all, the upgrade was positive for me.
I had considered not doing it because I wasn't sure it would make a difference worth the chance that I would lose some PQ.
Never happened and I reduced MB besides.Thank you! I am very grateful for your detailed account.

I'm still in a quandry because I still do not see macroblocking on my direct-view Sony 36XS955 over HDMI 480p, even on some of the films listed as annoying that way. When I first tested the Panasonic S77, I was appalled by the MB in the early parts of Lilo and Stitch in the dark-blue backgrounds as the "ship" containing "experiment 626" comes floating into the giant space. Horrible. So I have seen what it can be at its worst. But when I brought the S97 home, none of this was visible. Then I hear of other folks, purportedly with the same 362 FW I have, complaining of MB.

I would love to know what role the display plays: If it is inherent in the signal coming out of the HDMI port of the S97, why does its visibility seem to depend to some extent on the display technology? I'm an engineer; I want to know why things work the way they do. It's in my genes! My Sony set has been tweaked for an extraordinary picture quality and resolution, and yet -- nothing.

I was hoping maybe there were some minor operational refinements I could take advantage of with 364, but maybe not. I guess you haven't detected any yet . . . and so I guess I can't make a case for my upgrading to 364 with its small risk. I will get Day After Tomorrow to try those library scenes.

Thank you! I am very grateful for your detailed account.

...I would love to know what role the display plays: If it is inherent in the signal coming out of the HDMI port of the S97, why does its visibility seem to depend to some extent on the display technology? I'm an engineer; I want to know why things work the way they do. It's in my genes! My Sony set has been tweaked for an extraordinary picture quality and resolution, and yet -- nothing.

...

Well, given that the player and discs are the same, the display technology definately has a big impact. I'm not sure on the "whys" and won't speculate. I'm sure there are more knowledgeable folks than I, that can do that.

fwiw, my display is a DLP front projection system. I'd be interested in hearing from others with DLP FP on what they have seen. Or not seen!

-T

KenTech, I almost never see MB when I use 480p. Only when I have the S97 output 720p is the MB very obvious on the older firmware versions.

I still haven't found the time to do more tests for MB. Heck, I haven't even tried Avia or DVE yet since the update.

I almost never see MB when I use 480p. Only when I have the S97 output 720p is the MB very obvious on the older firmware versions.Oops! Maybe that's why I don't see it: I never use upscaled video because it is not to my advantage to do so, and the Sony displays 480p as native. If I do try it, I find the resolution compromised -- not surprising, since odd-ratio resampling is not a free ride as far as information content goes. I'll try again with the 720p and 1080i to see if there's any MB.
I still haven't found the time to do more tests for MB. Heck, I haven't even tried Avia or DVE yet since the update.When you do play with Avia and/or DVE, I'd like to hear about it.
Well, given that the player and discs are the same, the display technology definately has a big impact. . . . unless we are discussing different output modes (i.e. upsampled or not), as Max just suggested. We'll see.

Oops! Maybe that's why I don't see it: I never use upscaled video because it is not to my advantage to do so, and the Sony displays 480p as native. If I do try it, I find the resolution compromised -- not surprising, since odd-ratio resampling is not a free ride as far as information content goes. I'll try again with the 720p and 1080i to see if there's any MB.
When you do play with Avia and/or DVE, I'd like to hear about it.
. . . unless we are discussing different output modes (i.e. upsampled or not), as Max just suggested. We'll see.


All of my viewing is with 720p coming out of the Panny via HDMI.
-t

All of my viewing is with 720p coming out of the Panny via HDMI.
-tAh. And today, following the advice from maxleung, I checked out a few disks using 720p and 1080i. I definitely saw macroblocking on Lilo and Stitch: in chapter 1 on the Mad Scientist's grayish lab coat (but not the blue background, which had been so extreme on the S77 I had tested). It was most obvious on 1080i, less so on 720p (which the Sony TV upconverts to 1080i), and absolutely absent on any 480 mode. Obviously part of the upsampling routine in the Genesis/Faroudja chip, and folks with big-display sets would be using those upsampled outputs, too. Hence the apparent "display dependency."

I'm still waiting for someone to say that they saw some other improvement, too -- disk handling, image rendition, etc. Anything?

Does anyone know of a new firmware for the Panny DVD S77????????


Rob

Hello all,

Please allow me to vent my Panasonic-induced frustration. Just got my requested firmware disc from Panasonic. I should have known when I ordered it, that it was going to be a longshot. The guy I spoke to seemed to have very little knowledge of the player, or firmware. I explained that I had version 362, and I needed version 364 which addressed the macroblocking issue. All this seemed to be greek to him, but he advised me that I would be receiving the firmware update in 7-10 business days.

Needless to say, I received what proved to be a useless disc today. Nowhere in the papers that came with it, nor on the disc itself, is anything specifying which version it is, or if it's 300 series, 500 series. I put the disc in the player according to the instructions that came with it, but it displayed none of the text that it was supposed to according to the instructions. It simply displayed CLOSE, and then GOOD. After that, it just sat there. It's supposed to cycle through several different text messages, and then when it's done, eject itself.

I called Panasonic to explain my situation. The guy I spoke to seemed to have no idea what I was talking about. He even informed me that there was no way to check what kind of firmware my player is running. After I told him how to do it, he simply stated that I received the correct firmware, and that I should take my player in for service! By the way, all this wonderful, useful information was peppered with about 100 UMMMMs and UHHHHs. I felt like I was dealing with Forrest Gump!

I called back after trying again with the disc, and about all I could get was, "We have another firmware disc on the way to you which should fix the problem." Guess I'll wait and see, but I'm not very hopeful.

Anyone else got any ideas? Am I correct that 364 is the latest version? My player is running 362.

Just go here
http://www.mechwollier.de/DVDPUPDT.FRM

it will download the update, burn it to a CD-R and walla. Old S97's get 542 and new S97's get 364. I could have SWORN it was mentioned several times in this huge thread that both versions are in the same file and the player determines which one it needs.

The first post needs to be updated with 542/364 link and info.

Just go here
http://www.mechwollier.de/DVDPUPDT.FRM

it will download the update, burn it to a CD-R and walla. Old S97's get 542 and new S97's get 364. I could have SWORN it was mentioned several times in this huge thread that both versions are in the same file and the player determines which one it needs.

I'm sure it was mentioned, thank you for the link. Honestly, I've been so close to postal today, I didn't look to hard for it. I'm in the middle of a ground-up home theater upgrade, and I'm also having some other issues that I'll save for the remote thread.

Thanks again,

Soon to be in HT nirvana!

OK, quick update after my rant. I watched some movies since my upgrade attempt. It appears that I actually did receive an upgrade. My display still shows the older version of firmware (362), but I noticed my picture was a lot darker when I viewed some familiar scenes. All my settings were also back to their factory defaults. I popped in AVIA and I had to increase my Brightness 10 points to get to the correct level where it was before! I then checked some of the more prominent macroblocking scenes, (X2-Two of a kind) is a great one, and it's fixed! YEE HAW!

I stand corrected Panasonic. My apologies.

I put the disc in the player according to the instructions that came with it, but it displayed none of the text that it was supposed to according to the instructions. It simply displayed CLOSE, and then GOOD. After that, it just sat there.
When your player gives this message, it means it already has got same firmware version installed. That's why nothing will be installed. I can't remember exactly if factory defaults were returned after that, i think they weren't.

Hi I'm new to replying but have read the thread end to end. I am from Australia (PAL) and I downloaded the 364 update from the site (had 362). The change i noted were that in the HDMI output the colouring became more defined and "true". When you switch between RGB, 4:4:4 and 4:4:2 it makes a real difference in quality. The only reason i bought it is that it had a good review for audio quality (Burr brown DAC's) and so CD's sound fantasic especially compared to the pioneer DV676A DVD player i had.

I have a question... is there non-panasonic firmware available??? The reason i ask is i got a pioneer firmware from a site and it upgraded my div x to the latest, allowed me to skip fbi warning, etc and so i could put the disc in press close or play and movie starts. It also removed region issues and macrovision. I need/want this feature on the panny - its a cool feature. Anyone??

When you switch between RGB, 4:4:4 and 4:4:2 it makes a real difference in quality.
Which one looked the best? You were using same settings when you compared (fw upgrade reverts back to factory defaults)?
What's your display device?

Just go here
http://www.mechwollier.de/DVDPUPDT.FRM

it will download the update, burn it to a CD-R and walla. Old S97's get 542 and new S97's get 364. I could have SWORN it was mentioned several times in this huge thread that both versions are in the same file and the player determines which one it needs.

Is this really the 364 version (looks like the same link as the beginning of the thread) ??
Perhaps someone who has the Panasonic disk can post on this forum ?

Also has anyone who has updated to 364 version actually get the "display" to show that version ??

Thanks
Todd

Is this really the 364 version (looks like the same link as the beginning of the thread) ??
Perhaps someone who has the Panasonic disk can post on this forum ?

Also has anyone who has updated to 364 version actually get the "display" to show that version ??

Thanks
Todd

I just did my upgrade a couple of weeks ago by downloading the code from the above web site.

Yes, my display shows the correct variant afterwards.

I also had to reset my values to what I had them set to before due to the FW setting them to factory defaults.

-t

Also has anyone who has updated to 364 version actually get the "display" to show that version ??

Yes, the front panel/remote key sequence shows 364 for me.

Which one looked the best? You were using same settings when you compared (fw upgrade reverts back to factory defaults)?
What's your display device?

My TV is a SD LG Plasma with HDMI. Not a bad TV overall. But it supports all the modes. I switched without changing TV video setting. All DVD player setting are "flat". And yes the firmware reverts to factory defults - no biggy just write them down if you can't remember setting before you update firmware.

In 4:2:2 the colours seem washed out especially compared to 4:4:4.
4:4:4 seems to have more realistic colours and more closer to component output - I compare to component o/p because its the video interface we are trying to outshine with the all digital video output of HDMI. RGB seems nearly identical to component in colour but overall detail is somewhat lacking and so but at this point it is worse than component and so I think what's the point?

I have the panny outputting 576p both to component and HDMI at the same time (need to turn HDMI video out to off - which then turns off upscaling not Video output - how dumb is that!!! I emailed Panasonic about it and that was there response - i asked wouldn't it make sense to change the wording of the menu item???). This allows a quick change of TV input on a paused test scene.

So in short 4:4:4 is the best - i watched The Fifth Element last night and it creates a clear distinction between the modes. NOTE: with version 362 firmware - 4:2:2 and RGB (in most cases) looked better than 4:4:4 which technically is totally wrong and impossible!!!

To setup i used the THX disc from Terminator 2. Once i had the settings set i just played with a movie i know until it looked great. By the way i think the upscaler is crap!!!! I know everone wants HD but so far 720p makes it slightly less sharp than 576p and so the detail (and colour accuracy) declines. Also, 1080i, what's the point??? To me, 1080i output (PAL numbers of course) is a step backwards from 576p as it is an interlaced (SD standard signal) not progressive. How much better did DVD's get when most DVD players went from 576i to 576p??? So while the resolution jumps to 1980 * 1080 you only get interlace (every 2nd line drawn and then every alternate drawn seperately again to make up the one frame). Of course progessive draws all horizontal lines (576p, 720p) at the same time.

Anyone with aftermaket firmware??? I know i asked but though i'd ask again??

Is this really the 364 version (looks like the same link as the beginning of the thread) ??
Perhaps someone who has the Panasonic disk can post on this forum ?

Also has anyone who has updated to 364 version actually get the "display" to show that version ??

Thanks
Todd

You can check which version you have by pressing at the same time PAUSE + OPEN/CLOSE on the player and 7 on the remote. The display will show some numbers/letters - the last 3 on the right are the firmware version.

FYI - mine does show 364 and it showed 362 before the upgrade. I also downloaded it from the front of this forum. :) The only distinction i found between firmwares seems to be better HDMI output - so if are not using HDMI I don't think you will notice anything special with the upgrade. If you do, let us know....!!!

FYI, when I did my update, the player still shows the old 362 when I confirm which version is on it. However, the problem is solved, and I did have to reset to my former settings.

The only distinction I found between firmwares seems to be better HDMI output - so if are not using HDMI I don't think you will notice anything special with the upgrade. If you do, let us know....!!!

Since I only use HDMI output I went ahead and upgraded to 364 !!!
Looks like MB has improved but resolution may not be as sharp as before.
This is fine by me since I had switched to 480P to cure MB with some lost sharpness and a slight green tint to the grayscale (Vs pink for 720p).
Now there is not that much difference between 480p & 720P (720 is native to the Sharp LCD display).
720p still is better for my Sharp but I sometimes switch back to 480p & zoom on the display for LB 4:3 DVD's.

A good upgrade I must say !!!

P.S. The front panel now shows 364 !!!

When I used Panasonic supplied CD-ROM, the firmware upgrade did take place, but the front panel did not show 364 (it still showed 362; though settings went to default ones). I tried firmware link from Post # 1 of this thread. Still the same problem. Then I tried the link from Post # 1721 (by poster named vhato); and voila, it worked. The front display now shows the firmware version 364. The web-links in post 1 and post 1721 are not the same; "pana_s97" path is not there in the latter link. So, use http://www.mechwollier.de/DVDPUPDT.FRM and not http://www.mechwollier.de/pana_s97/DVDPUPDT.FRM if you want to get firmware 364 (and seems to have 362 if you want to revert back to it if you did not like 364 - I haven't tried reverting though).

I had noted down all my previous settings on firmware 362 and since the firmware upgrade reverted all settings to default, I needed to manually input the same settings as before. I have not done fresh calibration for new firmware (364) - I just kept the same settings/calibration as previous firmware (362).

I noticed no difference in component connection (480p) due to this 364 upgrade compared to 362. As for HDMI, I have set it to 480p, 4:4:4 color sampling (mine is an EDTV). I have yet to do some tests and arrive at conclusion, but colors were a tad richer on known scenes; no lack of sharpness like the previous poster noticed. I have yet to check for macroblocking, but I did not have it noticeable even with firmware 362 (despite Panny plasma). So, in summary, it's yet inconclusive exactly what 364 fixed, but atleast it did not have any adverse effects - seems like no harm in getting 364.

So you can actually upgrade the firmware on a DVD player?!?! How would you do it?

So you can actually upgrade the firmware on a DVD player?!?! How would you do it?

Here is a good step-by-step explanantion. (http://home.comcast.net/~home_theater_test/s97_85E540_firmware_upgrade.htm) The procedure is same; firmware number may be different.

As for HDMI, I have set it to 480p, 4:4:4 color sampling (mine is an EDTV). I have yet to do some tests and arrive at conclusion, but colors were a tad richer on known scenes; no lack of sharpness like the previous poster noticed. I have yet to check for macroblocking, but I did not have it noticeable even with firmware 362 (despite Panny plasma). So, in summary, it's yet inconclusive exactly what 364 fixed, but atleast it did not have any adverse effects - seems like no harm in getting 364.

The macroblocking was only on 720p/1080i upscaling !!
I agree, no harm done but MB is better.

Here is a good step-by-step explanantion. (http://home.comcast.net/~home_theater_test/s97_85E540_firmware_upgrade.htm) The procedure is same; firmware number may be different.Can you update any DVD player? Wouldn't you have to have an ethernet port to do so?

The macroblocking was only on 720p/1080i upscaling !!


This is somewhat display dependent. I remember few Panasonic plasma owners complaining about MB even at 480p with this player. Majority of other display owners, who had MB, had their displays set to 720p/1080 as you mentioned.

This is a superb DVD player for video and I am extremely happy. I have had owned Panny RP-82, Panny XP-30, Denon DVD-3910 and DVD-2910 at different stages of my HT experience in past; and S-97S stands at par with these players as far as picture is concerned (to my eyes) assuming the display is not prone to MB.

Can you update any DVD player?

This thread is about Panasonic DVD player Model # S-97S only.


Wouldn't you have to have an ethernet port to do so?

Prepros or receivers can have firmware upgrade through Ethernet (or via RS-232 port). Many DVD players, including Denons and Panasonics that I have owned thus far were all upgradeable via a CD-ROM.

Jigesh,

I have to agree. The S97 is amazing. Mine with firmware v540 is connected to a Sony e60a20 LCD. No MB or pink via component @ 480p which I use 99% of the time.

In my setup HDMI does produce slightly sharper edges, slightly more detail, slightly better depth and detail in the whites and blacks BUT....
-------the green push which I cannot tweak out, or the too frequent MB really tells me that hdmi is not ready for the prime time yet. I almost forgot to mention the digital artifact of purple blotchiness when looking at objects like a grey flannel/twead suit or other items that require accurate greys and blacks. It may be the fashionable connection but not truly the best.

I believe that marketing it as the single connection is the meat & potatoes of hdmi. I am hoping that hd dvd (blueray or HD) will succeed and handle all of the bugs, settle on a format or give us a truly great, reasonably priced, universal player. Only then will I replace this outstanding Panny. It may be sacriledge but, after a demo of hd-dvd, I see the superiority clearly and the potential is amazing and will look forward to the next "worthy" player in that format but I am quite happy now with the s97.

I have yet to see a home theater where the hdmi was the hands down superior connection. I have been lucky enuff to test my own player at specialy theater stores where it has been connected to LCD, DLP, Plasma, front projector and the old tube.

In my experience, the Panny's hdmi bugs manifested less on the smaller old crts but what good does that do? The component connection in all other configurations, in light controlled areas, seems to have the most accurate colors, punchier picture and little to none digital artifacts.

Bladerunner

In theory, if the display accepts native resolution via HDMI, it should give better rendition. However, many things, like it or not, turn out to be display dependent. Like the accurate greys and black requirement that you mention might be due to your LCD display which is not the best at that. I am still using both - component and HDMI connections. For my display (panny EDTV plasma) and calibration, component connection gives me subtle shades, probably more film-like; while HDMI gives me more vibrance and richness in colors. Day and night difference? Not at all. Which one would I consider more accurate? I don't know. HDMI, on the other hand, can reduce the number of A/D and vice versa conversion compared to the component connection, especially when using external video processors. Also, whether we like it or not, or whether it's better or not, the ease of use and convenience have always won broader acceptance in the consumer electronics area. The most recent example is questionable long-term future of hi-rez music (DSD and MLP).

Ah yes, ease of use. Component with audio , how mind boggling? LOL. I just want the best possible video I can get out of my display.

Now, my Sony LCD with HD (OTA or Comcast) is absolutely amazing. The blacks are deep, complex and inky. Picture is UBER vibrant, sharp and detailed. Day and night over dvd. That is why I look forward to the next step in dvd. I am confident that I'll be happy with dvd in hd whoever supplies it.

Dont be surprised if its a Panasonic that hits a homerun in the BENCHMARK....cant wait until this new format shakes out. For now I'd rather put those dollars toward a Carribean trip than spring for a 1st generation hd-dvd player.

Blade

Just go here
http://www.mechwollier.de/DVDPUPDT.FRM

it will download the update, burn it to a CD-R and walla. Old S97's get 542 and new S97's get 364. I could have SWORN it was mentioned several times in this huge thread that both versions are in the same file and the player determines which one it needs.

I downloaded the file, I think -- so now I have this DVDPUPDT.FRM file. How do I burn that to CD-R? Am I even doing it right so far? Please help!

I downloaded the file, I think -- so now I have this DVDPUPDT.FRM file. How do I burn that to CD-R? Am I even doing it right so far? Please help!

Just burn it at the lowest speed your CD-writing software permits. I used Nero and recorded at 8x. Then follow this. (http://home.comcast.net/~home_theater_test/s97_85E540_firmware_upgrade.htm)

Wow, can't believe it. It worked exactly like you said. Thanks!

I finally upgraded to 542 from 536 and MB in Master and Commander is nearly eliminated during the initial 'Fog' scenes, debated for several months prior to upgrading my S97 and everything appears to be fine. My SXRD 50" has been professionally calibrated on all display inputs, have never seen the pink-bug with this player.

scout

I still haven't gotten off my lazy butt to test the pink MB with the test discs I have, but when watching other anime (that I never saw before), things look fine. No MB to report so far.

I still haven't gotten off my lazy butt to test the pink MB with the test discs I have, but when watching other anime (that I never saw before), things look fine. No MB to report so far.
What about sharpness with new FW. Better, worse or no change?