Problem with Panasonic BD player

[njedpx3]

I am encountering a strange problem with my Panasonic DMP-BD30K it has basically quit reading BD discs, get an unable to read or something like that error. It plays standard DVDs and music CDs fine. I thought it was a Netflix problem at first and kept sending DVDs back. But then I tried one on the Media Game room PS3 and it read fine.

My firmware is way behind because when I burn a CD it isn't able to read it. Firmware is at level 1.6 and the current level is 2.9 I have contacted Panasonic two ways and one response was I need to send in the DMP-BD30K in for repair and the second was they were going to send me 2.9 firmware. Upon contacting them today, they said wait until I try 2.9 firmware before sending in.

Has anyone else gone through this? Do you think is really the problem, being behind in firmware?

Thanks ahead of time .

Forest Man

P.S. connection is HDMI to AVR then HDMI to monitor.

 

[jostenmeat]

Has anyone else gone through this? Do you think is really the problem, being behind in firmware?

Hmm, sounds like it could be more serious than that, but you really never know, and upgrading FW would be my first advice as well. I just gave my BD30 to a friend as a gift very recently, and I updated the FW for her convenience, but I am afraid I already threw away the disc. I would've sent it to you, if you desired.

P.S. connection is HDMI to AVR then HDMI to monitor.

I think it will most likely be an absolute waste of time, yeah nm, I was going to mention trying different ports, but that seems dumb to me, ok nm.

I thought I was bad about updating FW, but you're making me feel better about it now. I do think 1.6 was the bare minimum, IIRC, as it might be the update that fixed the -5 db LFE cut.

Sorry man! I hope FW might be a miracle cure . . .

 

[njedpx3]

Hmm, sounds like it could be more serious than that, but you really never know, and upgrading FW would be my first advice as well. I just gave my BD30 to a friend as a gift very recently, and I updated the FW for her convenience, but I am afraid I already threw away the disc. I would've sent it to you, if you desired.



I think it will most likely be an absolute waste of time, yeah nm, I was going to mention trying different ports, but that seems dumb to me, ok nm.

I thought I was bad about updating FW, but you're making me feel better about it now. I do think 1.6 was the bare minimum, IIRC, as it might be the update that fixed the -5 db LFE cut.

Sorry man! I hope FW might be a miracle cure . . .

Jostenmeat,

Thanks for the response. I am thinking maybe it is time to update, what did you replace yours with ?

Thanks,

Forest Man

 

[jostenmeat]

The BD60.

I said this recently at another forum:

The BD60 is slightly shorter than the BD30, significantly less deep, seems beefier (possibly heavier), tray is centered rather than on the left. It is also quieter, and is consistently quicker to play than the BD30 by 2 seconds when skipping tracks. (I was running them side by side, both loaded with UP simultaneously).

Well, seems like a great player to me, and I hope that my more than stellar experiences with Pana bdp's holds up.

Another thing I've noticed since then is that it seems to run cooler as well. My two favorite things, in order, from the above quote is the faster response of various commands (not blazingly fast, but definitely faster than the BD30), and the quieter operation (didn't bother me with normal use, but I do like it nevertheless).

Man, around black friday, UP + Monsters Inc + Cars + BD60 = $135 IIRC.

 

[highfigh]

Is it possible to do FW updates via the ethernet port?

 

[highfigh]

The BD60.

I said this recently at another forum:



Another thing I've noticed since then is that it seems to run cooler as well. My two favorite things, in order, from the above quote is the faster response of various commands (not blazingly fast, but definitely faster than the BD30), and the quieter operation (didn't bother me with normal use, but I do like it nevertheless).

Man, around black friday, UP + Monsters Inc + Cars + BD60 = $135 IIRC.

I saw it on Amazon for less than $129 two days ago.

 

[jostenmeat]

Is it possible to do FW updates via the ethernet port?

There is no ethernet port on this model. You have to use CD.

 

[just-some-guy]

i have yet to update my BD35 . but it is working well. though the slow operation is a little pita.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

My firmware is way behind because when I burn a CD it isn't able to read it. Firmware is at level 1.6 and the current level is 2.9 I have contacted Panasonic two ways and one response was I need to send in the DMP-BD30K in for repair and the second was they were going to send me 2.9 firmware. Upon contacting them today, they said wait until I try 2.9 firmware before sending in.

Has anyone else gone through this? Do you think is really the problem, being behind in firmware?

Until the firmware is updated, you have to blame that as the problem because updating is the first step you need to take in the troubleshooting process.

My 2 cents.....You don't have the correct CD-burning software for the job and that is why you are failing. I had the same problem!!! My computer didn't have a program that worked......woah, the frustration.........That first CD-burn was a pain in the keister!! I probably wasted 10+ discs before I downloaded a free program from the web..........LOL

After the free download, updating firmware was "easy peasy"

google........ "free cd burning software" and the solution to your problem will present itself. My apologies because I cannot remember the exact program I downloaded. With that said, any number of them will work perfectly well.

I did a quick google, and this was top of the list....
http://www.nch.com.au/burn/
This probably wouldn't be a bad place to start....

get that firmware updated.....good luck!!

 

[jamie2112]

I do not have this player but have read on a few forums that the firmware update is a fix.Like I said don't know for sure but I would wait for the cd before sending it out Forestman...........

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

Wow.....I found it!! Who'da thunk I bookmarked the page!? It was hidden under an obscure tab, so I didn't remember bookmarking the site.

LOL

http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=download
I downloaded a quick/easy/small program from here......... Ever since, burning updates is a simple.

Why wait for a disc every time you wish to update when you can quickly and easily burn the updates yourself?

my 2 cents....

 

[just-some-guy]

hmmm. perhaps i should burn my updates ....

 

[Adam]

BN, thanks for mentioning the CD writing software. There's a reason why the default Vista CD-burning software won't work. Per the Panasonic firmware update page:

2.About the CD-R writing software:
If you are creating the firmware update disc on a Microsoft Windows PC, we recommend using the standard Windows XP writing application.

* BD Firmware Update Procedure (PDF)

The firmware update disc requires to be created with ISO9660 format. In case you are creating the disc on a Windows Vista PC, Windows Vista standard writing application does NOT support ISO9660 format. Please create with a supporting writing software.

When using writing software, please follow the operating instructions provided for the writing software. Please be aware that "packet-writing" is not supported.

Forest, you can go to this page here for the latest firmware updates for the BD30.

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

Thanks Adam.

I can appreciate nj3's pain because I have been there myself!! My first firmware update was a very frustrating process. The good news is.......once we figure it out that first time, future updates are easy and painless.

Nowdays, this is a process that everyone must understand because nearly everything HT related we buy requires updates. Hell.....I just performed a firmware update on my HT-receiver for Gods sake. (via USB flash drive)

fun stuff...LOL


PS
My computer is XP based, and it wasn't equipped to burn the necessary updates either.