January 18, 2008 3:05 PM PST

Firmware fixes on deck for Samsung Blu-ray players

Posted by John P. Falcone

Samsung BD-P1400

On the way to the victory lap, let's do a firmware fix

(Credit: CNET)

Blu-ray may be coasting to a format war victory over archrival HD DVD, but it's still got some mopping up to do in the meantime--namely, improving player compatibility with some of the more popular movies already available. Samsung has begun rolling out firmware upgrades for all of its players to address issues that have plagued some users when watching Blu-ray versions of such favorites as Ratatouille, Spider-Man 3, Live Free or Die Hard, Blade Runner, and Pirates of the Caribbean 3. According to Samsung, the updates will be available as follows:

Samsung BD-P1000: new firmware (v1.4 available now) | CNET review

Samsung BD-P1200: new firmware (v2.1 available now) | CNET review

Samsung BD-P1400: new firmware (v1.5 available now) | CNET review

Samsung BD-UP5000: new firmware (v1.0 available now) | CNET preview

The latter three models can be upgraded directly over the Internet via their Ethernet connection once their respective update goes live. For the BD-P1000 (or if you don't have your player near a network connection), you'll need to go to the support page on Samsung's Web site, download a disc image to your PC, burn it to a CD or DVD, and then pop it in the player. Direct links are provided above.

One word of advice for Samsung: it would be nice to get a changelog on those support pages (or even an "info.txt" in the Zip file) that lists the date of the update, and exactly what issues it's addressing.

Update (1/25/2008): Despite some confusion on the part of Samsung's customer service (see comment thread below), it appears that three of the four firmware updates are now available as scheduled. I have added the new version numbers to the links above.

Update (2/05/2008): The fourth and final update--the BD-P1200 v2.1 upgrade--is now available, three days after the originally scheduled date.

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 19 comments (Page 1 of 2)
C'mon Samsung...
by DasUpstart January 18, 2008 7:05 PM PST
This update had better solve all the issues, playback, lipsync, 24fps stuttering,etc, otherwise it's another poor joke by Samsung, right up there with the the phantom update on Dec 11th. Alot of us have paid a fair bit of money for these units, don't fail us completely.
Reply to this comment
Burned once- I'd never buy another Samsung product
by computerlegalexperts.com January 20, 2008 7:58 PM PST
Last year, I bought a new Samsung flat-screen TV from a "Big-Box" store. Two weeks later, it died. I spent more time on the phone, trying to obtain service (TWO weeks) or trying to get my set back to me (it took SIX months). The "Executive Offices" were a sham. Every time they said that if the repair shop did not return my set, Samsung would ship a new unit. As the saying goes, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me! In my business, either you meet your commitments or you're out of business.
Reply to this comment
Confirm BD-P1200 FW release?
by shake and bake/mdabb January 21, 2008 8:42 AM PST
How's come no one from Samsung can confirm Feb.2 release date? I just called SS.Asked level 2 and no good. What's the deal CNET? SS said there is no ETA for any FW release.What am I suppose to believe? We (BD_P1200) owners need more info. Who's Right SS or CNET.To me credibility is on the line.I am tired of getting my panties in a bunch over this player.
Reply to this comment
Samsung Canada in the dark?
by DasUpstart January 22, 2008 5:07 PM PST
Well CNET, maybe they are just (continuing) to play dumb, but The CSRs at Samsung Canada don't know anything about these updates. I guess we have no choice but to continue to wait and see. One thing you are dead on for, is the need for a change/fix list with every release.
Reply to this comment
Samsung 1200 update
by PTRio January 23, 2008 9:34 AM PST
I am done with Samsung. Their customer service is deplorable. This FW update has been promised for two months now. And then what? Another two month wait each time a new release comes out? Not worth the time and effort. Wait another 6 months before considering buying Blu-ray and do not buy Samsung.
Reply to this comment
Check your sources CNET
by samsuck January 23, 2008 7:29 PM PST
Who told you feb 2nd for the bd-1200? Another reason people should not take any information on the internet seriously. Most the time it is just made up. John P. Falcone is irresponsible.
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Update Live Yet?
by hahndo February 1, 2008 11:05 PM PST
Hey folks, Just tried to see if the BD-P1200 firmware update for Feb. 2 was up yet--no dice. It IS Friday night, Feb. 1, but I heard that the others went up a couple of days early. Does anyone know if this is still (or actually) the next firmware update date? Cheers!
Reply to this comment
Surprise, Surprise
by draiken78 February 2, 2008 7:35 AM PST
Well my fellow 1200 owners. I'm sure you're about as surprised as I am (which is not at all surprised). It's now Feb 2nd and still no firmware update. Just another promise of the all elusive vaporware they've been supplying us with. What's that you say, it's not the end of the 2nd yet? If that's what you were thinking, then I have a feeling you will be upset when the dealine comes and goes. Their next step should be to post a new download on the update site dated Feb 2, 2008 while leaving the same October update download like they did on Dec. 11th. They should issue a recall on these lemons. Almost all 1200 owners now knew in their gut that even though all the other players would recieve their updates, the 1200 simply would not. It's the ever repeating cycle. 1. Eventually admit certain movies won't play. 2. Tell customers an update is coming. 3. Issue vaporware or leak an update date. 4. Fail to deliver as incompatable title list grows. 5. Repeat step 1. What a waste of the one of the potentially best players out there.
Reply to this comment
Told you so
by samsuck February 2, 2008 7:45 AM PST
Like I said before, don't publish nonsense. Not sticking up for them, but Samsuck has never said anything about the 2nd. They have no clue.
Reply to this comment
Okay, What's the Real Deal?
by hahndo February 2, 2008 12:01 PM PST
Like others, I'm wondering if today really WILL see the release of the firmware update for the PD-P1200. Heck, I don't know, call me crazy, but I'd actually like to use the thing for, wait for it, playing Blu Ray discs! :) Or not... and move on. What I'm trying to get at here is this: is there anyone here--the author of this blog, perhaps--that actually knows what the story with this is? Hell, I'd even be happy with definitive bad news as long as it's accurate; then we'd all know what the news was and could make our decisions from there. But this waiting around for a possible fix that might actually make our purchases work... well, it just keeps us in a limbo; I don't want to go out and buy another player only to find that a firmware pops up that fixes my BD-P1200 and renders my new purchase redundant and unnecessary.
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