joshd2012

Since the last one got locked, here is the new thread!

This isn't a versus thread, so feel free to compare this player to other Blu-ray players, but not to HD DVD players (if you are in the market for a Blu-ray player, it really don't help to talk about a player of a different format).

With that, there is a new firmware released, which Samsung has confirmed will:

Enhanced compatibility and performance with new BD-Java titles
Sharper picture with a modified noise reduction filter setting
Reduced Blu-ray disc load time by 4-5 seconds
Option to view 4:3 content on Blu-ray discs in 4:3 aspect ration
No video stuttering while viewing movies with DTS soundtracks
Fixes reversed speaker test tones in certain units
Changes hourglass icon to colored dots

So even if you upgraded your firmware a few days ago, there is a new one up (as of Nov 1st) that will replace your existing firmware to add the above features.

Mr. Cinema

My firmware was just updated 2 days ago. I checked the site and 10-26 is the latest date they have. That firmware includes the above fixes?

digitalfreaknyc

Please post where they have confirmed this.

ianholm

Thanks for the info. I will download this new one when I get home.

joshd2012

There is an email Samsung has sent out. Ref here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=744509

No one is sure how to tell the difference in the files, but it is changing some people's firmware. Worst case scenario, you waste a 2 cent CD.

Josh Z

There's a lot of debate on AVS about whether this is actually a different file than the one previously available or not. I don't recall anyone saying that they can see a difference in picture quality.

Mr. Cinema

When I go to Samsung's support site, I only see one firmware listed and it has a date of 10-26.

matome

The original firmware date on the site was 10/17, so something must have changed. I will try it when I get home.

bdhart

So it still won't pillarbox 4:3 material on regular DVD's, only on BD discs?

Mr. Cinema

Yep. 4:3 DVD's are still stretched.

darkside

Does it have a menu option for this? I know I was stumped a bit by this on my Denon until I noticed the option for Squeeze mode that lets you display 4:3 upscalled contect correctly.

Mr. Cinema

I looked and didn't find anything. It's strange that it presents 4:3 content correctly on a BD disc, but not on dvd.

Mr. Cinema

Well, I've had a chance to view T2 after the firmware update. Before, the image did look soft for a high-def format. It looked very close to the upconverted extreme edition dvd. After the firmware, I definitely saw a sharper picture. There is noticeably more detail in the faces. Combine that with the DTS fix and this player is starting to turn the corner regarding quality. I can't wait to see how X3 looks on this unit. I think with another update and another price drop will make this an attractive purchase for alot of people.

matome

Yep, the new firmware definitely did some changes and it looks like the NR filter was one of them. Also it seems you can force 1080p out now in instead of the option being grayed out (not sure why one would want to do that anyway). Even though I put the original FW from a few weeks ago, the machine took two of the three updates on this new one. It also seems to me that the load times have improved again as well I had to remind myself to redo my settings again, as they got reset.

ianholm

OK, I put the newest firmware on and I had to redo my settings again. What exactly does the "Black Level" option do?

Josh Z

Theoretically, it shouldn't have any effect at all on the HDMI or component outputs, but try it anyway and see if you notice a difference.