1146 replies to this topic

[kbob]

Will someone please explain what a firmware update is. I gather that it's an update available from the internet, but how does it get from the internet to your Blu-ray player?

You have to download the updates, burn them to disk and then install them on the player.

Actually, in most cases you transfer the update from the internet/computer to a USB Flash Drive. The Blu-Ray players have a USB slot that accepts the flash drive and will update the firmware from that.

Much easier than burning to a disc!

[Arbogast777]

All 2.0 players have a port that connects them directly to the internet. All you have to do is click "download" and you're done. Very easy.

You can also have the player manufacturer send you the update on disc, which you can then insert into the player and it will begin downloading automatically and tell you when it's done.

I can't stress enough how unimportant these firmware updates are - these Bond releases were the first time I've had to update something in order to get a disc to play, otherwise I just ignore them. In the 1.5 years I've had Blu, I bet I've spent 5mins screwing with the firmware. Discs problems also affect standard DVD as well, as seen with the recent Alfred Hitchcock Premiere Collection. That was actually worse, as there's no way to fix it like with Blu.

This Bond debacle has really given the technology a bad name. At the end of the day it was fixed within a week, and I've greatly enjoyed watching everything in 1080p. Just my experience...

[tdalton]

You have to download the updates, burn them to disk and then install them on the player.

Which is quite a lot of trouble to go to. What if you don't have the equipment to burn something to disk (as I don't)?

Some of the Blu-ray players have a built-in Ethernet ports so that the firmware can be downloaded directly to the player. Some players have it, some don't, so it's something that one would probably want to look into when buying a Blu-ray player. I know that this is the case with the PS3 (yes, I know, it's not a standalone Blu-ray player, but according to most accounts it's still the best one on the market) and I also believe that there's a Samsung player that has this feature as well.

[trs007]

I agree with Loomis, you buy the technology and expect it to work with the media without the need for ongoing consumer "tech supported" upgrades. I understand the evolving media concept, but still. I've yet to make the plunge, although I did see an article that by Xmas, players in the states will be around $150.00. So, maybe then. I have literally gone though too much media changes over the years--Beta to VHS to laserdisc to DVD and now have MANY DVDS, so despite the clarity and brilliance of BR, not in a great rush for another round of media update.

[Peckinpah1976]

You have to download the updates, burn them to disk and then install them on the player.

Which is quite a lot of trouble to go to. What if you don't have the equipment to burn something to disk (as I don't)?

If I were to buy a Blu-ray player, I'd expect it to be able to play the darn discs, without my having to faff around on the internet and burn disks just to make the thing do what you'd expect it to be able to do in the first place. This seems a major drawback to me.

I agree entirely.

[BitNetMonkey]

Did a search on the forums and didnt see anything and thought instead of making a new post, would includ here.

Amazon has the blu-ray packs for cheap!
http://www.amazon.co...ASIN=B001DVVYEQ

PS3Fanboy.com has it posted, thought i would relay.

[DamnCoffee]

I wonder when the second wave will be coming.

[Shaun Forever]

I wonder when the second wave will be coming.

Was just about to post the same thing.

Would have been nice to have had OHMSS ready to watch on Christmas Eve, (a tradition of mine), but I doubt we'll see anymore until QOS is out on Blu Ray.

[DamnCoffee]

Yeah, come to think of it. Quantums DVD release will be the safest bet.

[DamnCoffee]

Dr. No BLU RAY Screenshots!
http://www.blu-ray.c...how=screenshots

Thunderball BLU RAY Sceenshots!
http://www.blu-ray.c...how=screenshots

Die Another Day BLU RAY Screenshots!
http://www.blu-ray.c...how=screenshots

WOW... Just WOW. Make sure you enlarge.(Special Thanks to SharpShooter)

[DamnCoffee]

Jesus christ!

Take a look at these From Russia With Love shots!

http://forum.blu-ray...p;postcount=900

[Goldfinger007]

Right..so..I SWORE I would not buy any of these movies on Blu-ray since I basically already double dipped them on DVD...first I got the Special Editions and then the Ultimate Editions...but then I started reading fantastic reviews and seeing screencaps on the internet and my mind started to get ideas...

The other day I was at a shopping mall and they were having this special offer which consisted of you buying anything at the store and then they returned 25% of your purchase in coupons...so my mom bought some stuff she needed and gave me the coupons ... I went to the DVD/CD section to see what new stuff they had and saw those shiny new Bond Blu-rays on the shelf...I couldn't resist so I bought Die Another Day, From Russia With Love and For Your Eyes Only...

And I can only say WOW! ... all of them look and sound fantastic but I was especially impressed with FRWL... didn't expect a movie from 1963 to look so eye popping on blu-ray. Those three blu-rays just trounce the UE DVD's...

I am not buying the whole collection again...I just want Goldfinger, Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and The World Is not Enough on Blu-ray and then I'll call it a day...I'm fine with the rest of the films on normal DVD...

Wow...I just realized that I haven't posted in a looong time...

[Peckinpah1976]

Invested in a new 42" Panasonic 1080p plasma-screen and a Sony Blu-Ray player last week; no issues with firmware etc and I'm pleased to say the Connery titles and CR all look and sound stunning. The standard DVD Ultimate Editions upsacle quite well though (OHMSS looks stunning, despite the colour correction issues), so I don't think I'll be replacing the entire series.

[Turn]

I'd still encourage anybody even thinking about the upgrade to do it. Especially if you are going to watch these over and over again.

It's like watching them again for the first time. Isn't that one of the best things you can say as a movie fan?

[Cody]

I was concerned, since my player's booklet doesn't have any mention of firmware updates. But I received the Bond Blus yesterday, tested them and they all worked in my player. Hurrah!

[Bondian]

After my recent Birthday, I have been lucky to own three "Bond on Blu". Namely, Live and Let Die, Dr. No and From Russia With Love. Have only had the time to watch Live and Let Die (my favourite Bond), and it didn't just blow me away, I nearly soiled my pants at the sheer quality and new experience this edition gave me. The "Ultimate Editions" were great, but the Blu-Ray are amazing. And this is from a combination of a PS3 and an analogue 'Panasonic Quintrix' television.

I'm gonna wait until after Christmas to watch the other two.

Question for the purists. Is the sound on a HDTV as good as an analogue? Reason why I ask. My TV has a sub woofer and produces some amazing treble, mid-tones and bass, and for my retiring eyes the picture is superb. So, is it worth my purchasing a HDTV when I can get the wonga?

Cheers,

Ian

[Bondian]

I'd still encourage anybody even thinking about the upgrade to do it. Especially if you are going to watch these over and over again.

It's like watching them again for the first time. Isn't that one of the best things you can say as a movie fan?

Hell, yeah. Even on my 12 year-old Panasonic analogue, the experience is amazing.

[eddychaput]

Bond fans in Canada: Future Shop and Best Buy will be selling the volumes 1 and 2 for 30$ each instead of 60$ on December 26th (I don't know if the special price will last a few days or if it's really only for Boxing day).

Happy hunting.

[Blofelds Cat]

At last!

Never Say Never Again to get the full high-def treatment in March (in the US at least)

http://www.highdefdi...this_March/2422

[DLibrasnow]

Hi BC

This piece of (very exciting) news is already being discussed in this thread:

http://debrief.comma...showtopic=52950

I can't wait to listen to the commentary.


Great to see you here

[DLibrasnow]

I've picked up all 6 individual releases (£14.99 Each) and I'm very impressed. Dr. No & FRWL are simply stunning. Thunderball slightly less so, but still fantastic. Tonight I'll be having a double bill of LALD & FYEO and then I'll tackle DAD. It's been a few years since I sat down with Brosnan's much-maligned final outing and I'm looking forward to re-visiting it on Blu-ray.

Will be interested to read your opinions.

I had already decided I'd only be purchasing FYEO, FRWL and TB (when they are released here in Aust in f-ing November). But the comments about DN have me now considering getting that one as well.

All of the James Bond Blu-rays are stunning

After my recent Birthday, I have been lucky to own three "Bond on Blu". Namely, Live and Let Die, Dr. No and From Russia With Love. Have only had the time to watch Live and Let Die (my favourite Bond), and it didn't just blow me away, I nearly soiled my pants at the sheer quality and new experience this edition gave me. The "Ultimate Editions" were great, but the Blu-Ray are amazing. And this is from a combination of a PS3 and an analogue 'Panasonic Quintrix' television.

LOL Put as only Bondian can

[Qwerty]

[Moderator's Note: Topics merged]

[Qwerty]

*** CBn OVERVIEW ***

James Bond On Blu-ray: An Overview

CommanderBond.net's round-up of all the latest news

*****

[Mr Teddy Bear]

http://images.blu-ra...678_2_large.jpg

Some images are best left in standard definition.

[DamnCoffee]

98v2Q3C2PY

Moderator note: Usual provisions regarding Bond films.

[DLibrasnow]

Blu-ray Increases Market Penetration
Posted January 30, 2009 03:25 PM by Josh Dreuth

In the most recent issue of Home Media Magazine, new Nielsen First Alert data is now reporting that Blu-ray sales represented 17 percent of the home video market for the week ending January 25th, a new record for the high definition format. The previous record of 16 percent was reached only a few weeks ago, and makes for some very impressive results for the month of January.

Source: http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=2357

[DamnCoffee]

OMFG.

The Spy Who Loved Me, Licence to Kill, GoldenEye and Diamonds Are Forever are up on BluRay.com

[DLibrasnow]

OMFG.

The Spy Who Loved Me, Licence to Kill, GoldenEye and Diamonds Are Forever are up on BluRay.com

I see them listed on their catalog but without a release date. They regularly do that for movies on which there is no official word. They also have a page for "Guns of Navarone" though no BD release is yet on the books for the Alistair MacLean classic.

Unless there is a thread on there I missed.

[eddychaput]

Blu-ray Increases Market Penetration
Posted January 30, 2009 03:25 PM by Josh Dreuth

In the most recent issue of Home Media Magazine, new Nielsen First Alert data is now reporting that Blu-ray sales represented 17 percent of the home video market for the week ending January 25th, a new record for the high definition format. The previous record of 16 percent was reached only a few weeks ago, and makes for some very impressive results for the month of January.

Source: http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=2357

That's interesting stuff, but why do you keep posting those updates? We know Blu-Ray is making its way into more and more homes, it's no secret.

[DLibrasnow]

Blu-ray Increases Market Penetration
Posted January 30, 2009 03:25 PM by Josh Dreuth

In the most recent issue of Home Media Magazine, new Nielsen First Alert data is now reporting that Blu-ray sales represented 17 percent of the home video market for the week ending January 25th, a new record for the high definition format. The previous record of 16 percent was reached only a few weeks ago, and makes for some very impressive results for the month of January.

Source: http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=2357

That's interesting stuff, but why do you keep posting those updates? We know Blu-Ray is making its way into more and more homes, it's no secret.

Well evidently some people don't as we have posters here on CBn who claim that Blu-ray will never overtake DVD, despite all evidence to the contrary. This report shows that Blu-ray is well ahead of where DVD was at a similar point in the earlier formats lifetime.