LG BD300 BD-Live player with Netflix video streaming support - Page 16

There's a new firmware on LG's site dated 5/31/10, v816556. I don't know what changes there are in the new firmware but I downloaded it earlier today.

I initially tried to do the update via internet connect but got an error message. On checking the thread for the BD 5XX models, there was a post stating LG's servers are down for maintenance until Tuesday, 6/15.

I'm going to wait until I see the changelog before I do the update, just a little habit of mine on new firmware for any of my players.

Edit: looks like as of 6/14, LG's server is back.

Edit: 1. New firmware will improve the Playability of BD discs (Watchman, RATATOUILLE)

Mike T

Guys, I own a NAD t587, which is reportedly based largely on the LG BD300. It will not load Brothers Bloom or Brookly's finest. Anyone confirm if these titles will load on the BD300?

Hey Winston,

I've got Bklyn's finest first in my NF queue but it's showing long wait. If I get it before anyone else posts here, I'll let you know. Take care.

Mike T

Just finished watching Bklyn's finest BD, no problems on the BD300. One odd thing, it didn't have TrueHD or DTS-MA, just DD 5.1 and PCM 5.1.

Mike T

thanks mike.

help my memory - does the lg bd300's zoom function work on all blu rays?

Believe it or not, I've never used zoom on the player and lately it's been relegated to a seldom used bedroom player. But, I did use it tonight to watch Bklyn's finest and you got my curiosity going with the zoom.

I just tried The Dark Knight and Avatar BDs, zoom affected both. It would appear that it works on all.

Mike T

trying to determine if the NAD t587 is a re-badged lg bd300 or just based off of it.

also, how long is powered off eject time on lg bd300? trying to sort out it the Nad t587 is identical to lg bd300.

fyi posting this caused the mods to delete my post on the nad t587 thread and my signature with a link to my review. guess nad must be a sponsor!

Well, from power off and hitting eject, the tray opens in approx 3 seconds. From that point, it took approx another 18 seconds before it displayed the home menu.

Since I don't use this player much anymore, I didn't realize that's it's actually pretty quick. As for the power off eject time of 3 seconds, that's about the same as my 390. Btw, I bought the 300 at a warehouse closeout the end of last year for $25 bucks and it does very well for a bedroom player offering Netflix. I'm happy with it.

Mike T

OK, I think LG is pretending that this is no longer an issue. My BD300 (also manufactured September 2008) has recently stopped playing all SD DVDs. First call into LG..."We have no known problem with the BD300. Power cycle please. Still not working? You need to try a DVD lens cleaner." Just to humor them, I did. Second call to LG..."We have no known problem with the BD300. We will send you the secret .557 firmware" (that is not available when the player connects via software update) I know that firmware disc is unlikely to work because I received one from another BD300 owner, and my player can't read it, just like it can't read any DVDs...

There is no level 2 or 3 technical support... ugh...

How did the rest of you (in 2009 and 2010) get LG to agree to fix the hardware? They will not admit to me that there could be a problem, and they will not listen to the fact that many other people online have had this issue fixed by LG.

THEY ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY!

At this point, I'm unlikely to ever buy an LG again.

And it's over. Firmware DVD can't be read, because of course no DVDs can be read. Third call to customer service yields the same result - there is nothing wrong with your DVD player but you can send it in for service for $69 + shipping + something else... We extended the warranty from 1 year to 2 years, but since I'm at 2 years and 5 months, I'm hosed. They won't admit there's a problem that they fixed for others in 2009 and 2010. (Saw this on the myce.com forum as well...)

Never buy an LG again.

I uploaded firmware bd.8.16.561 last night...it replaces bd.8.16.556. There doesn't seem to be any changes...everything seems to work. There's still no Netflix support. I'm in Canada. Anyone else have this update?

Where did you get it? I only see 556 on LG's site.

I wish there was a way to get this update. The Blu-Ray player can't find an update greater than .556 here in the U.S. My Blu-Ray player is still bricked so that it won't play any regular DVDs, and LG will not help.

Well I did conatct LG support. They said they had no info about the release and wouldn't find out. I have no idea where the firmware is downloaded from.

You can manually download them from here:
http://www.lg.com/us/support/product...roduct-profile

.561 confirmed for me that it fixes DVD playback that broke on .556.
A prompt appeared on my LG bd300 to update, not a manual firmware upgrade.

I just used Live Chat to get my drive repair process going. Here is a transcript:

Chat Transcript
Time of chat: 6/24/2011 11:45:08 AM
Length of chat: 00:17:00
Your name: Guest
Chatted with: Stephanie

10:45 AM Notice: Guest opened session with Stephanie.
10:45 AM Notice: Chat for site: LG Electronics
10:45 AM Notice: Chatted from URL: http://www.lg.com/us/support/index.jsp
10:45 AM Notice: Please provide your first and last name.: David Nedde
10:45 AM Notice: Please provide your home telephone number.: XXX-XXX-XXXX
10:45 AM Notice: Please share your email address with us: XXXXX
10:45 AM Notice: Requested Service/support information: Video Product
10:45 AM Notice: Please input the model number of the product about which you would like to inquire.: BD300
10:45 AM Notice: Please input the serial number of your product if available.: 810XXXXXXXX
10:45 AM Stephanie: Hello Guest. Welcome to LG Electronics! How may I provide you with excellent service today?
10:47 AM Guest: Hi, the drive stopped working on my Blu Ray player. The device is out of waranty, but it is my understanding that there is a known issue for devices that were manufactured between September 2008 and November 2008, and that LG would repair the drive at no charge. My unit was manufactured in October 2008.
10:47 AM Stephanie: I would be happy to help you with that.
10:48 AM Stephanie: What is the exact issue with your unit?
10:48 AM Stephanie: Is not reading any disc?
10:49 AM Guest: If I put in a dvd or blu ray disc, I can hear whirring and clicking from the machine for about 30 seconds, then the display says "bad disc" and ejects the disc. I have tried several discs in the machine. These same discs load fine in my other LG blue ray player.
10:50 AM Stephanie: Ok, we will take care of it for you, I apologize.
10:50 AM Stephanie: May I have your full name and address?
10:51 AM Guest: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
10:51 AM Stephanie: May I have your home telephone number?
10:51 AM Guest: XXX-XXX-XXXX
10:51 AM Stephanie: May I have you dealer and date of purchase please?
10:51 AM Guest: Amazon.com, December 9, 2008
10:52 AM Stephanie: Thank you!
10:52 AM Stephanie: Please hold , while I create your case.
11:00 AM Stephanie: Your case number is XXXXXXXXXXXXXX, you will need to put the copy of your receipt inside of the box, outside of the box your case number in 5 different places, and the labor and parts fee is waive
11:00 AM Stephanie: Please make sure to package your unit securely to avoid further damage. Please do not include any accessories as we are unable to return them. Those include remotes, cables or books. We also recommend you use a tracking method when sending in your unit for repair.
11:00 AM Stephanie: We will send you the shipping labels by email in 2 business days

Shipped my player out with pre-paid postage and got it back in a few weeks. The player works fine now. Thanks LG!

Hey otown47 - I have the BD300 and I'm in Canada also. I just installed firmware BD.8.16.567 (downloaded from http://www.lg.com/us/support-product/lg-BD300) but I still don't have a Netflix menu option. Were you able to get the Netflix Streaming menu option to appear on your Canadian model?

I'm also interested in getting this to work in Canada. Early on I did see the Netflix option for this player. But I think it was taken away with a firmware update. LG should bring it back as I believe the Netflix feature was used to sell the box.

Could we just use a US version of the firmware to get the app back? Or is the player identifying our location via the Internet?

I contacted LG support Canada and got this response:

Unfortunately the BD300C does not support Netflix. Netflix only became available in 2011 on select models from LG.

It's hard to say if not having Netflix is a hardware limitation or software restriction. I tried to figure out how to enter service mode on this unit but was unsuccessful.

TallGuy, why not try the USB stick upgrade option as is documented in the user manual for the firmware upgrade (Option 1) from LG's website?