Pioneer Blu-ray players 2011 - BDP-140/BDP-440/BDP-LX55/BDP-53FD - Page 52

Nevermind. Got most of my answers from Google Translate... :-)

Folks:

Just wondering if anyone has installed and tested more features of this activation free firmware on the BDP-140. I see some people have, but what is tested is not clear or scattered across multiple posts. If someone could update this thread with any verified results, it is much appreciated. TIA.

Specifically:

1. Is any remote 'button code' required for region free BD and DVD playback, or is this native in the code itself (ie just pop in and play)?
2. Do FLAC files play properly without renaming to .MP3?
3. Do BD and DVD ISO's play properly?
4. Is Cinavia disabled (it appears this was introduced in v1.17 update - can anyone confirm or deny Cinavia in 1.17?)
5. Do SACDs - stereo and multichannel - play properly via HDMI?
6. Do SACD ISOs play properly?
7. Any support for DVD-A?
8. Any additional comments on MKV playback (with or without DTS 5.1 and DTS-HD or other 7.1 channel formats)
9. Does the modified firmware need any default language reset? If so, on what screen? LOL cannot read Chinese/Mandarin!!
10. Is it correct to assume that the firmware needs to be renamed to BDP_140_SP.bin before attempting to install it?

Lastly - where can one find older official versions of Pioneer BDP-140 firmware (v1.08 and others)? It does not appear to be available on Pioneer's website.

Thanks!!!
Edited by mpansare - 1/28/13 at 7:45am

1. For BD - yes - very simple combination. For DVD - you set it once ton region 0 and everything plays fine
2. Flac - ok
3. With 56 3BD ISOs I had problem with one - The best of 3d. It stops on 26 sec but if you ff it in advance it plays fine
4. No Cinavia on BDs and DVDs
5. No problems with SACD
6. NO SACD ISO! No player in the world can do that
7. No original DVD-A (as there are no keys of course) but not original work fine. You need bdp-450 for this.
8. Mkv only with profile below 5 (profile 5 is not standard profile to start with). But some profile 5 mkvs can work with simple profile change
9. The menu will be in Chinese but changes to English with 2 clicks of the buttons
10. Most archives have the correctly named bin inside so you don't need to change anything
The original 1.08 fw is not available - may be only from some gurus who managed to create a damp

In general 4.03 preactivated CFW works very well.
DVD isos won't play, but dvds will play from the VIDEO_TS folder on an external HDD.
Some flac files wouldn't work until reencoded with Freac.
The title doesn't appear onscreen when playing MP3 files - a very minor niggle.
I would highly recommend it.

Folks - Thanks for the information - much appreciated!!!

I tested multiple media files from a USB drive with the activation free CFW 4.03. As borland and isherwood3 mentioned above, everything works; I tried FLACs, MKVs, BD ISOs, DVD-A, and multichannel FLAC, as well as SACD 5.1 discs.

However, there is a problem - If I play non-standard MKVs or other non-standard DVD (video_ts) folders (which my Oppo plays with no problems), the player will play the audio portion, but no video is displayed. At that point, I lose the Pioneer GUI completely (media gallery, setup menu, any menu that is natively displayed from the player itself); only the Pioneer logo displays on the screen. The only way to recover is - remove the USB drive, pop in a standard DVD or BD shiny disc; once the player recognizes it, it begins to display video again and GUI access is restored. If I power down and power up again (without inserting a std disc that has video on it - not a CD), the GUI is not restored. BTW, I was on v1.08 before I updated to v4.03.

Thanks for any suggestions.

I have no clue what do you mean when you say non standard DVD folders or mkv. I have no probs with playing normal DVDs from folders. With mkvs it can be bad rip or wrong profile. Mediainfo? Pioneer is a bd player and not a media player. Of course oppo may or may not play these files but it's irrelevant. My dune smart plays more containers and codecs than oppo. This is a reason why I keep pio for 3d bd isos and dune smart for everything else including exotic formats. Oppo was castrated under the pressure from the Hollywood studios and without 3d bd iso playback is not an option for me any longer.

Sorry - I should have clarified. I have some PAL DVDs ripped in video_ts folders. For some reason, these folders do not play on the Pio and the GUI disappears. I also tried converting one to MKV, same result - will check mediainfo tonight. Oppo - I hear what you're saying. I have it with the last stable version of ISO enabled f/w. I know about the Dunes as well.

I rip DVDs to folders as you know pio is not capabale to playback normal DVDs isos and all bds and 3bds i rip to isos. I use Anydvdhd for both and have never experienced any problems with folder or iso playback. With MKVs I have problems with 5.x profile as it's not standard format or with some badly ripped mkvs for example when mediainfo gives "unknown profile" or something like that. Good you kept old FW on your OPPO - I did not and was really pissed when could not get back to the old FW when upgraded.
If you want quicker USB HDD access and faster GUI on start up - disable DLNA. You can't playback isos via dlna anyway so why bother? This is just a hint.

Have noticed a problem playing DVDs from the VIDEO_TS folder - there is a short pause between each VTS (.vob) file in which the screen goes black & the Pioneer logo appears briefly. Is there a way of avoiding this? Also discs with a more complex Menu (eg extras) may be played with the chapters out of order.

Thanks all for sharing their experiences!

I got a few more questions:

- Does this custom firmware now show track numbers for eg normal audio cds?

- Some of my AVC files (in mkv container) play, others dont. What settings are recommended when muxing or which media info do i need to properly watch these videos?

- ANY idea how to get rid of the folder quantity restriction? I am streaming from my NAS and cant acces all files due to this restriction. Is it removed with the cfw?

Thanks for sharing!

Rufus

Does anyone tried free activation firmware for BDP-440? I have opportunity to buy an ex-display model for affordable price. Thanks in advance.

I'd like to be able to play files over a network share (either from a PC or server).

Does anyone know where I can get the CW v4.04? Or where can I purchase v5.01 and later?

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
Some remarks
1. It's only for BDP-450!
2. You have to activate it.
3. Yes, you can buy an activation code for 5.0X. Moneywise it doesn't make any sense.

I would install CFW 4.02 with activation as activation-free might have some software issues.

yes and no. there is one activation free which is absolutely fine but to be honest i have no 100% proof ref to this 4.02 CFW.. There is also activation free 4.03 CFW and I can have a look for the ref. The difference between 4.02 and 4.03 is that some people reported problems with sorting files on 4.03. If you have for example Series 1 folder with episodes 1-10 they may be shuffled in any order. With activation free CFW some people reported random power on/off problems, dvd tray button on DVD face not working etc...

@ borland
Thanks, Cap. I do know Russian... If I were you I wouldn't have installed CFW 4.03 on a BDP-140, as 4.02 is much better. I bought BDP-450 instead so I don't care

I've had 4.02 for several months before moving to 4.03. I don't really care which one is better as I only use my bdp-140 for 3d bd isos and this where they are absolutely equal. I use my Dune Smart for everything else except 3d bd isos. Why do you think 4.02 is much better than 4.03? Cheers mate!

Dunno, that was just my impression after having read a part of the thread about BDP-140/440/150. An alphabetic chaos is what 4.02 surely doesn't have. Are you from Australia? "Good day, mate!"

I am from "sunny" Manchester! I also have PCH A-400 which is a bit of crap compare to bdp-140. I've bought my Pio for 60 quid including delivery from the Richers Sound in Scotland. Real bargain for it does now. I've been thinking about bdp-450 now but not 100% sure if I need NFS and all hassle with the NAS ISO playback.

How would these players compare to a Dune HD Smart B1 unit for instance? I guess PQ and AQ would be the same? Currently running the Dune HD through a Yamaha AVR to the Sony VW95.

I have Dune Smart H1. The PQ on Pio is really good. Better or not compare to Dune Smart? It's subjective. On full HD - probably the same but depends on your TV. Some people with huge TV sets say pio is better. On AQ - depends how you get sound (HDMI, optical), your AVR.. Playing DVD-A (note you can't play the originals - you need bdp-450 for this) on BDP-140 smashes Dune Smart.

Hi guy,

I planning to buy pioneer bdp 140 and if i apply the above free hack firmware can my pioneer 140 blu ray player become cinavia free and able to play 3d blu ray iso files?

Thanks

yes. and you will loose all i-net services (youtube, netflix etc). but who needs them on bd player?

ok great and yes i dont need the crap i net services :P

I am sure its a " newbie " question but i need a little help

I have an old receiver capable of 5.1 DD/DTS (not hd) with optical input.
With BDP-140, can i still hear sound as DD/DTS if i buy blurays with hd audio like DTS-HD Master Audio or Dolby TrueHD ?

Yes, if you install CFW 4.02 or 4.03.

ok thanks.

If i am not mistaken for external subtitle
bluray disk = putting .srt to usb works
bluray folder = putting .srt inside folder works.

I am just wondering if this trick works also for dvd disks or dvd folders? Is there a way to use external subs for dvds?

Guys,

How about lx55? Do we have a preactivated/cracked cfw for it?