LG BH200 Firmware Update

[vlanza]

Hey everyone,

For those who may own the LG BH200, there is a new firmware on LG's support site. Strangely, it is named the same as the old firmware, but make sure you get the one listed toward the top of the list, it has a file size of 38,054k. Once installed there is also the option to do an internet update of some sort.

This update allows for TrueHD AND DTS-HD MA pass-thru bitstreaming for those with newer HDMI receivers that have built in decoders.

It also activates an ethernet update feature.

Several other fixes are included such as elimination of audio/video drop-outs some people have been having, removal of the green line visible during SD-DVD viewing and possible inclusion of full 1080p/24 support (unable to confirm at this point).

I was watching the following thread to see if the update would ever come:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...926099&page=29

I posted the particular page where the fix is confirmed and installation is discussed. Of course if you are interested you can read the whole thread.

It looks like the LG just became the best game in town for dual players.

Later

[DCSholtis]

Your URL is busted here is the correct one:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...926099&page=29

[vlanza]

Thanks for the heads-up. It should be fixed in my post now.

[vinnie97]

Here's a tidy breakdown of the thus far confirmed fixes: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1009104

[Blacklac]

The spec sheet right off LG's site indeed says TrueHD (2 channel). For audio, that player is basically useless without a receiver that can decode all formats. Unless those specs are wrong. Core only for DD+, DTS-HD, DTS-MA. Atleast it will pass 7.1 PCM.

[JAC35]

Originally Posted by Blacklac

The spec sheet right off LG's site indeed says TrueHD (2 channel). For audio, that player is basically useless without a receiver that can decode all formats. Unless those specs are wrong. Core only for DD+, DTS-HD, DTS-MA. Atleast it will pass 7.1 PCM.

from the AVS thread...

I've tried the Matrix and 300 HD DVDs in TrueHD over SPDIF, and they do indeed get downmixed to DTS 5.1!

1. It's definitely DTS 5.1. All 5 speaker lights are on on my Denon 3805. It used to be 2.0 before the firmware update.
2. I can't confirm how the player constructs the DTS signal, but as I said above, it's a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 source output as a DTS 5.1 stream.

In the LG menus, it's Audio -> SPDIF -> DTS Re-Encode.

[Centauri]

So... Does this update set the BH200 above the UP5000?

[JAC35]

Originally Posted by Centauri

So... Does this update set the BH200 above the UP5000?

Good question! It for sure cleans up the issues that people had that's for sure! Some on the board were suggesting this is the most complete Blu-ray player of all!! The Sammy has the Reon chip for up converting however IIRC.

[Mobius]

This is great to hear. Doesn't this player have all the hardware required to be profile 2.0? Might have to consider this down the road.

[DCSholtis]

Originally Posted by Mobius

This is great to hear. Doesn't this player have all the hardware required to be profile 2.0? Might have to consider this down the road.

According to page 7 of the manual yes its 2.0 ready after a software update.

[vlanza]

The main advantage of the Samsung 5000 at this point is the Reon upscaler and the analog outs.

From what I understand, the BH200 and the 5000 share the same basic chip from Broadcom that does most of the magic. LG chose an upscaling chip from Marvell, the QDEO chip, instead of the reon. I am understand the reon is supposed to be the bees knees for upscalers, but I have many positive reviews for the QDEO chip also. I think individual implementation and software programming of each chip will make the biggest difference between the two.

I was trying to read up on the 5000 and it looks like it has its fair share of problems. All the folks on that forum are talking about the LG update as the holy grail sign that they will get a firmware update soon. The suggestion was that Broadcom does the basic programming and each vendor tailors it to their product. Don't know if that is true or not, but makes some sense to me.

I would have to say that right now, the LG looks like the better deal. It has the hardware for profile 2.0 (which I understand the Samsung does not, correct me if I am wrong plz) and only needs a firmware update to activate.

I would like to get one, but I am still paying on my receiver! Oh well, time will only bring the price down.

Later

[vlanza]

I can also add that I have had a bit of personal experience with the 5000, my father-in-law purchased one a while back. He is very unhappy with its performance. He experiences dropouts, freezes and sometimes the disks won't load (a power cycle takes care of it). He is tired of firmware updates that don't do enough and not being able to watch a movie without wondering when the player is going to crap out.

I thought it might be a hardware problem, but the problems are just too sporadic and not reproducible.

With all that in mind, I personally would stay away from the Samsung 5000 at this point. It doesn't have a future (Samsung has cancelled the 5500 and rumors abound that they are dropping the 5000 in next couple of months) and neither does Samsung's support of HD-DVD. Once this model is gone, they are out of the HD-DVD market. LG on the other hand has indicated that they are going to continue supporting the BH200 (and I have hear that a BH300 is coming out in the future), and have proved it with a huge firmware upgrade.

I am done pontificating for now.

[JAC35]

Originally Posted by vlanza

I can also add that I have had a bit of personal experience with the 5000, my father-in-law purchased one a while back. He is very unhappy with its performance. He experiences dropouts, freezes and sometimes the disks won't load (a power cycle takes care of it). He is tired of firmware updates that don't do enough and not being able to watch a movie without wondering when the player is going to crap out.

I thought it might be a hardware problem, but the problems are just too sporadic and not reproducible.

With all that in mind, I personally would stay away from the Samsung 5000 at this point. It doesn't have a future (Samsung has cancelled the 5500 and rumors abound that they are dropping the 5000 in next couple of months) and neither does Samsung's support of HD-DVD. Once this model is gone, they are out of the HD-DVD market. LG on the other hand has indicated that they are going to continue supporting the BH200 (and I have hear that a BH300 is coming out in the future), and have proved it with a huge firmware upgrade.

I am done pontificating for now.

I would have to agree with this!! The LG seems to be the best dual format option!

[mgdurand1@cox.net]

I have to agree with the last post. I returned by Samsung BD UP5000 and got the LG BH200 a week ago, trusting that LG would make good on their firmware promise (Samsung's 2 previous firmware updates simply did not do the trick - audio dropouts galore, video issues, playback issues). The LG initially had audio dropouts as reported on various forums. After I did the latest firmware update (3/18/08), it plays everythiing I could throw at it - including the Star Trek HD-DVD set which had a number of problems on the Samsung. No audio dropouts and everything seems to be AOK. Will report back if any issues discovered, but it looks like a winner.

[rded]

Is this player profile 1.1 and able to output 1080/24p?