LG BH100 Combo Player Quick Review - Page 10

I watched 'Children of Men' a couple of nights ago. I had no problems.

You're correct that it sounds like our units are behaving the exact opposite on the analog outputs. I wonder if there's a user setting for the analog output level? It sounds like maybe your unit is overdriving.

I'm sending you a PM.

I use the analog outs as well and find i have to turn my volume setting way down as well. I wonder what the Voltage out is from the analogs in real measuments not from what the specs say. Rutgar what manufacture date is yours? maybe it has to do with that, the december models seem to be a bit different that the later models. just a thought.

Athanasios

My unit is a February 2007 build. Last night I connected the digital audio link as well, in order to compare. On my unit, switching between analog and digital has no difference in loudness.

I have the February build; same lot as Rutgar. I know someone with a January build; I could try that one or a different unit (if they haven't already sold out on them).

I had changed some audio option from 48 to 96Khz (not sure what this was supposed to do), maybe I'll switch back and see what happens; maybe there's some high frequency noise as someone alluded to. It took a while longer and at higher volume levels but I did get DD+ and DTS HD HR to trigger the protection circuits as well, but at least I was approaching "lose my hearing" volume levels.

Could be the amp's protection circuit is "oversensitive" to noise from the player ?, BH-100's analog output is clipping ? or my room is too big (26x19) to expect the amp to handle high volume and high transients ? But than again, I haven't had many issues with high resolution SACD and DVD-A audio with a different player.

BTW, even at "reasonable" listening levels, I'm growing quite used to uncompressed/lossless audio.

I set my unit to 96Khz. But I believe your receiver has to be able to handle the higher bit rate. But I don't believe that has anything to do with the analog out (maybe someone can chime in on this).

Like I said, the volume levels are practicly identical between my analog out vs. my digital out, when I switch back and forth.

Oscar, does everything appear to operate correctly when you're using the digital coax out (amps, etc.)?

I wouldn't expect the 48/96Khz to have an influence other than for the digital audio PCM stream over HDMI, Coax or toslink. It's a long shot but it might have screwed up the internal decoding for the player.

I'm using coax (I could use optical) for digital audio to the (non-HDMI capable) preamp/processor for DD/DTS decoding. The HT continues to work normally (and loudly) for DD/DTS applications via the digital. I need the BH-100 analog audio outputs for DD+, TrueHD, DTS HD MA, and uncompressed LPCM and that's where the issues come in (though much less so with DD+ and DTS HD HR). I tried swapping cables and analog preamp "multichannel" banks but that didn't help.

For "normal" listening levels, there isn't an issue. But I (and I suspect a lot of HT nuts) like it loud on action sequences. Having the amp kick out as soon as you hear the aircraft engines rumble on "Flyboys" is most annoying.

Okay, I think I'm getting confused. Let me make sure I've got this straight... You're saying that the problem IS the same, no matter whether you use the analog or digital output?

No. I have no issues with the digital coax output to the pre/pro. The digital link will only support DD/DTS and a limited PCM bit rate (2 channel 24/96 for DAD audio works). The digital link will not work for DDplus/DTS HD or uncompressed 5.1 LPCM. I'd need an HDMI-capable receiver/prepro for this (and I'm not even sure any current units will support DTS HD MA decoding); such a unit I don't play on procuring anytime soon; maybe never.

I.e. DDplus, DTS HD (MA and HR), TrueHD, and uncompressed 5.1 PCM are only available to me via the BH-100 analog outputs. This is where I have issues.

My current thinking is the hi-end audio industry still has the "jitters" over how to properly implement (if possible), the high resolution audio bit rates allegedly supported by HDMI. IF I only have one source for hi-rez audio, I can forgo the need for a new pre/pro and continue to use an analog multichannel preamp coupled with a good HD movie source player using it's analog outputs. Eventually, I'd want to replace the LG with a 7.1 analog output, truly balanced, tubed Super-universal player (but this will never happen nor would I be able to afford it).

I was really close to purchasing the LG combo player, but as I read this forum I realized that the HD-DVD implementation might be lacking, so I decided to save some money and simply get a PS-3. If I find some must-have titles only available on HD-DVD, I can go out and buy an HD-DVD player and I will still have payed less than the current cost of the LG. At least this way I can start enjoying Blu-ray titles.

The second generation will have this feature. The service port on the back is a RJ-45 connector....................

How do you know this?


Athanasios

I know they are disabled on this generation.....

LG Posted Firmware Update By CD on Web:

LG has posted a new firmware update (later than January build) that can be installed on a DVD and will update your firmware.
The new firmware version is BH01070308A/PKG114.
This firmware is described as "...improvement of performance."
Quote: "Applying program for March MP." I can only guess that this might mean a "March" firmware upgrade.

1. Go to the lge home page, support, and search for bh100 downloads.
(note: I am not allowed to post the link by this forum. The LG web pages are flakey).
2. Download the ROM package, the .bin file, and the PDF instruction. READ IT, PRINT IT, AND FOLLOW IT! (yeah, I am shouting)
3. The ROM and .bin files are zip files, and the instruction is a .pdf file. Unzip the zips.
4. Rename the ROM file according to the instructions.
5. Copy that renamed file and the .bin file to a blank DVD (NOT a CD of course).
6. The DVD disk label can be whatever you wish.
7. Make sure the two files burned to the disk are in the root directory of the DVD.
8. Shove the new disk into the BH100, hit play, follow the instructions, and follow the fun.
9. BE PATIENT! Obviously one must not interrupt the update process.
10.When the update is complete the BH100 will spit out the disk, and it will shut down.
11.The update is NOT completed until #10 has occured.
12.Put in a movie and watch TV.

Note: During the upgrade you will see progress of the update on the BH100 screen (not the TV)

The reason that I posted the instructions here is because whoever wrote these instructions seems to have a real problem grappling with the English language.

Finally as people know, I emphasize that this upgrade is easy, but it is NOT for the faint of heart. I would assume that any deviation from the instructions, any file corruption, or any interruption of the update process might sink the good ship LG BH 100 necessitating a return to the factory. I take no responsibility for any problems; All I have done is rephrase the instructions.

I did it. It works. As of yet I have not seen any differences in performance, but I just completed the upgrade a short time ago. And no, it does not add HD-DVD features or audio specifications. I have been told that these would be HARDWARE upgrades if ithey ever were to occur.

Good luck!

Wow! I'm glad I have a February build (so I believe I already should have this firmware version installed).

I don't have a DVD burner in my PC. I do have a stand alone DVD Player/Burner, so I suppose I would be able to copy the files to that if I had to.

Rutgar, do me a favor. Please check your February firmware version and post it here. I think that the one that I posted is a later version. I presume that you know how to check your version, but if you don't, here is the drill:

With your remote go to Setup>TV Aspect>Select 16:9> then hit 1 3 9 7 1 3 9>Enter.

This will show you your firmware version on the TV. Sure, copying the files to a DVD with a burner is the way to do it. However I don't know how you can do it with a stand alone burner. I don't know how you can get the files onto the DVD!

Thanks!

My version is different from the one you posted.

BH01070115A/PKG114

Looks like this is older than the one you posted about. That is, if a larger number means a later version.

Thanks for the info. I've managed to avoid having to burn DVDs. What DVD format did you use (e.g. DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R) ? Will it matter for the LG ?

thx

Larger number = later version. You might want to consider the upgrade.
Thanks for posting the February build. The February build is the SAME as the January build.

I would love to post the link, but until my fifth post, I was not allowed to do that... something about spam... I don't know how that would prevent spamming (spammers should be skinned alive); if I wanted to spam, all I would have to do is wait until I had satisfied the fifth post limit!

Furthermore the links are quite unstable from LG, at least for what I was trying to download. I got lucky.

So, it appears that the firmware is being upgraded often, at least for now; January is older than December, February is the same as January, and my downloaded build is later than February! Maybe we should start a "Firmware of the Month" thread?

Gee, it sure is fun being a beta tester....

All I can find for the BH100 is a 2 page product description PDF. Is it possible they removed it ? Or do I just need to reload the page multiple times ?

I can't find it either.

Frank, you have enough posts now to do a link.

No, it has not been removed. I don't know what web site you tried to drill down to get the upgrade files, but there are several ways to get to it, SOMETIMES. This is part of the "instability" of LG web sites. Sometimes they just hang; other times they give a "Sorry, we are doing maintenance" messages (not very helpful). Reloading the page will not get you there. Perhaps you went to an overseas site which might not have the upgrade. This upgrade is specifically for U.S. versions of the BH100.

I would suggest doing a Google search LG, and visit some of these sites. Sooner or later, hopefully, you will be able to get to a site that has the upgrades. Trust me, they are available on the web, no snipe hunt here. Some of the sites just have the files, and not the home page that gives the instructions for renaming the ROM file and copying the files to your upgrade DVD. In that case use my original post instructions for that part. The .pdf file will have very good upgrade instructions.

Specifically, the file that needs to be renamed is:

LG_BH_LX100001BN.ROM_pkg114_070308A_bh100_7412_1GB_wo_rt.
(This file is in the .zip LG_BHLX100001.zip and must be extracted)

Rename the extracted file to LG_BH_LX100001BN.ROM.

The file in update00.zip must be extracted. IT DOES NOT NEED TO BE RENAMED.

The .pdf file is an Adobe reader file that does not need to be extracted. Open it in Adobe reader and PRINT IT for reference.

Copy these TWO files (not the .pdf file) to the root of a DVD.

Slap your new firmware update disk in the player, and follow the instructions in the .pdf file. Excuse me, did I say "Read and print" the .pdf??? Heh.. follow the instructions exactly.

I don't mean to be so wordy, but I am not sure what the experience of the viewers on this thread regarding upgrading players, burners, etc. If you are experienced, the whole process of burning the files to a DVD and running it takes less than 1/2 hour. If you don't have any experience in doing this, you have a learning curve. If you are "nervious" about doing this, I would suggest finding a friend (close friend) to do it for you. I always take the dark side; you have a chance of ruining your brand new shiny BH100.

Oops! I forgot. I used a DVD-R disk.

Rutgar, every time I try to attach a link, it fails. I really hate to post dead or bad links.

Okay, thanks for trying.

Can anyone comment on exactly what issues the firmware update fixes?

use this site


http://us.lgservice.com/

click drivers

Athanasios

Ok Just updated my firmware. you can check wich version you have bye this remote control button sequence;

Setup-> TV Aspect-> select 16:9 -> 1397139-> Enter

it tell you all the system info, i was curious about two bits of info first the MAC Address, since it has an ethernet port i wonder what would happen if you added it to your network and put the mac:address into your router would you be able to get access to the player this way wich would lead me to wonder abut he next system info, the HDCP software it says YES does that mean there might be a way to hack it so it goes off? this would be great for legacy hdmi or dvi displays that dont have hdcp . Hmmm? Any hackers out there? not that i condone such things for copying i just want this new technology to be available to evryone with out having to go out and buy a new display.

Also i had problems with the movie Bable with audio drop uts through out the movie, cleaning the disk and usng a lens cleaner did not solve the issue, so i did the update, poped Bable in and went ott he scenes i knew had major audio drop outs...they were al gone !!!!!!! So this looks like one of the "fixes" this firmware update does.

Athansios

The newest firmware BH01070308A/PKG114 fixes HDMI audio problems or as LG puts it "improves stability". If you look at the firmware version it actually tells you the date it was released, the newest firmware was released on 03/08/07. LG names it 070308 depends on how you look at the calendar.

For those of you burning the firmware to dvd, if you do not burn the firmware correctly you will most likely just get a "cannot read disc error" when you try to update the firmware. There is a possibility you will toast BH100 if you do not burn the firmware correctly and you will have to send it to the factory for repair.

I know the instructions are a little hard to follow I will try to post better instructions tomorrow when I get to work.

i just recieved this e-mail from LG, has anyone else gotten it also? at the end they want an copy of your ID 1!1 think this is a for real?

here is the e-mail....

Dear, Mr. Athanasios

Hello, my name is Grace Park from LG electronics in South Korea.
I currently work at the Customer Product Usage department, and I am responsible for finding customer's opinion on product usage and points of improvements that we can make as a manufacturer to create better products in the future.

In order to create an upgraded and enhanced product with better services, our department hopes to learn more from consumers about how they find using this product. We would love to hear your opinion and listen to any praise or complaints that you may have about this product.

For our research we hope to conduct an online survey that is divided in three stages. Each stage will include around 10~20 questions.
Also, we would like to see if we could get few pictures of the product (BH100) location internal data analysis and compilation purposes.
And, we guarantee that it will not be used for any advertisement or public use.

The interview will involve mainly the following;
Reason for purchasing this product
How you decided to purchase this product versus some other available at store.
Satisfaction/Dissatisfaction about the product use.
Product Usage

In return for your participation of this study, we will compensate with an honorarium of $100 Best Buy gift card to show our appreciation.

If you are interested in conducting this survey, please send me a reply saying you are willing to participate and give us your precious time to conduct an interview.

Below is a quick summary of this study please read it carefully and I hope to hear from you soon.
Thank you for your time!

Sincerely,
Grace Park

Purpose : To hear customer's opinion about new Hybrid player BH100
Study Method: Online survey that is divided in three stages (At your preferred time)
One stage: around 10~20 questions
Honorarium : $100 gift card

To participate in this study we need : Proof of participation and copy of your ID


"Many people will walk in and out of your life but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart"
?Park, Sun Young (Grace)?

Athanasios

Even if that's NOT a scam, they do NOT need a copy of your ID to participate in a survey.

But, I'd say, it's a scam.

maybe they need the id so you dont try to get more than one girf card? I should call best buy about this offer.

Athanasios

Don't reply! Grace Park is an actress on Battlestar Galactica! It's definitely a scam.