[DogEyedBoy]

I've been using US Netflix on this player over my Xbox purely because it's quieter, but I recently noticed that various items on the Xbox Netflix display 5.1 and have the option to choose between 5.1 and stereo, while the Netflix app on this player doesn't. Is it a limitation of the hardware, or Netflix not keeping older hardware as up to date?

[silouette]

Just in case there is anybody who might be able to help.
I bought a 370, just over a year ago, but when I tried to use it for the first time( yesterday) with my amp/ tv etc. but it says no signal from the hdmi output.
Anyone encountered this. Afraid Sony told me it was out of warranty and to go and get it mended. Thanks Sony

[lamcom]

I have a S370 with firmware M03.R.623. Besides BD playing, I use the machine as media player to play downloaded movies (avi, mkv, mp4, etc) via the front USB . On occasions, some video files cannot be played with message "This file is corrupt or unsupported". I read through this thread about what file types & codecs that this player can play already.
My question is: if I installed the latest firmware 769, will it expands the codecs to supported from M03.R.623? If I do not want to install 769 as it introduces "copy protection", which firmware level that I should install and where to find it? Thank You.

[lamcom]

Originally Posted by b wings

I am an owner of this machine and so far I am very impressed with its capabilities. Do not ask about DLNA or Blu-Ray playback. I have not tried them. This are the results for playback of video files through USB 2.0 and DVD (finalized and unfinalized using nero xpress burning them as data) I hope this report help people that is looking for a good player.

-Plays *.avi files using Divx3, 4, 5, 6, and XviD. MP41, MP42, MP43, H264 and WMV9 are not supported.

-Supports MKV, MP4, m2ts, using h264 ONLY. As on .avi, XviD/DivX, WMV, etc. is not supported. However, supports MPEG4 (FMP4) only using the *.mp4 container.

-Supports embedded subtitles in the *.mkv container. Any of them, idx/vobsub, ass/ssa, subviewer, .srt (plain text). By using .avi you should put an external subtitle file using the same name as the file. With .mp4 is not supported. Styled subs are not supported. They show like .srt plain text subs.

-WMV: supports WMV7, and WMV9. WMA Pro is not supported. WMV8 is not supported. Lossless wma is not supported.

Audio: Any popular audio is played fine, except vorbis, flac, ape. He-aac and he-aacv2 is supported.

Dolby True HD and DTS MA 7.1 are NOT supported in the .mkv file container, you should mux them into a .m2ts container. This way the file plays the uncompressed audio.

-It plays h264 up to level High@L4.1. for higher levels you should change the level using h264 level editor. This way the file becomes playable.

-Supports 16 reframes on h264 SD content (DVD rips, etc) BD content should be encoded using a max of 4 reframes to be playable.

-No stuttering: it supports up to 40mbs of bit rate using USB2.0 or BD. Using DVD for playback results in a capped rate of 20mbps, because of the reading speed of the DVD standard. If you use a cable to connect your usb drive stuttering may appear too.

-Only FAT16/32 file systems are supported, multi-usb card readers and external HDD are supported.

It supports variable frame rate and 120fps encoded files.

WMA Std should be encoded at a rate of 192 kbps max. 256 or 2-pass 194 kbps is not supported. ADPCM audio is not supported.

Only *.jpg images are supported and sometimes thumbnails are available. PNG,BMP and others are not supported.

Multi-audio tracks are supported on *.avi, .mp4 and .mkv files.

-Supports *.WMV (wmv9) files encoded using any profile (LL, MP, SP, MP@ML) up to AP. Supports WVC and VC-1 encoded files.

*.avi encoded files should contain up to 2 war point GMC. 3 war points results in a file that skips most of the content.

MPEG1 and MPEG2 is supported, but VCD or SVCD is not. In order to play them, copy the *.dat files and then rename the files to .mpg. It does not support reading of *.iso files, you should copy your .vob s and rename likewise.

FLV Sorenson Spark codec is NOT supported. However, if you already have any .flv file containing the AVC h.264 codec and aac audio, (like those stored on Youtube and other popular video sites) you can use XMedia Recode to copy the tracks into an .mkv file. By doing this, the file is playable and you won´t lose any quality.

MOV and QT Quicktime is not supported. RMVB or RM files are not supported.

Chapters stored in the *.mkv container are supported. By pressing FF on the remote, the file skips to the next chapter.

An AAC file containing 5.1 channels is supported. PCM 24bit *.wav files are not supported. Only 16bit ones.

Header compression or Header stripping *.mkv files (muxed using latest versions of mkvtoolnix or mkvmerge) are not supported. The player freezes and then reboots. To avoid this, download any version of mkvmerge but be sure you are using any version below 3.x. 4.x versions use this muxing mode by DEFAULT.

Zoom option is not available at all. Either video or pictures are shown in its original size.

Gues that´s all, for now. Any questions about supported features on this player is welcomed.

I am new to the forum, and I enjoyed reading your findings. Quick Question: Does your findings varies between firmware levels? I have a S370 with firmware M03.R.623. Should I install a later firmware level to bring in more codecs?

[shoestring25]

no because it will add cinavia copy protection

[ode]

I just signed up to a trial with Netflix UK.

If I was to use unblock.us would I still be able to use my existing UK account with the US selection?

Is anyone trying this?

Thanks

[-gonzo-]

Originally Posted by ode

I just signed up to a trial with Netflix UK.

If I was to use unblock.us would I still be able to use my existing UK account with the US selection?

Is anyone trying this?

Thanks

Nope, only works if you have a US Netflix account.

[b wings]

Originally Posted by lamcom

I am new to the forum, and I enjoyed reading your findings. Quick Question: Does your findings varies between firmware levels? I have a S370 with firmware M03.R.623. Should I install a later firmware level to bring in more codecs?

The response is NO, and by reading on Sony’s website the firmware only improves the following:

Sony eSupport - BDP-S370 - Support

File Description UPDATE Blu-ray Disc™ Player Firmware Upgrade
6/28/2011
Release Date 6/28/2011
M03.R.769
Version M03.R.769
37.65 MB
File Size 37.65 MB

This utility upgrades the Blu-ray Disc player firmware to version M03.R.769 and provides the following benefits:

Improvements over firmware version M03.R.742:
Updates BRAVIA® Internet Video to be compatible with YouTube® online service changes.
Adds the capability to play 1080/60p/50p video files produced by Sony® cameras.
Improves BD-ROM playability.
Improves HDMI™ connectivity.

Benefits provided by previous updates and included in version M03.R.769:
Resolves an issue where an unnecessary warning may be displayed when playing some discs.
Adds support for inputting non ASCII characters (Chinese etc) to the player from other devices (iPhone®, iPad®, etc.).
Improves compatibility to enhance interactivity with some BD-ROMs.
Adds support for DLNA® content
Note: The BDP-S270 does not support DLNA functions.
Improves router connectivity.
Enhanced Gracenote™ Entertainment database browser features:
Adds new features such as Related Information Browse and Contents Search to improve your Blu-ray Disc™ movie database.
Enhanced photo slideshow:
Adds new visual effects and music to add to your photos when they are displayed on a TV.
Improved Compatibility:
Adds compatibility with DTS® Neo:6® to convert the audio into 5.1 or 6.1 channel format.
Resolves an issue where video streamed over the Internet may be displayed at SD (Standard Definition) instead of HD (High Definition) even when using a high speed Internet connection (10 MBps or more) and watching video that is provided in HD.

So in sum, you are NOT getting any new codecs, and in my honest opinion they won’t add codecs, conversely, I think they even can remove them (because of patents). A proof of this is the fact that this is the last model with Divx support, newer models play Xvid only. I cannot really tell you what will happen if you upgrade, in fact I want your help to report if any codec is missing after upgrading.

In my exceptional case, over 50% of my files are unplayable, but by using tools you can turn them playable (without re-encoding). Did you read a post by me giving links to those tools? By doing so, over 80% of my files are playable. That means 20% is really impossible to turn playable, and they should be re-encoded. But by re-encoding to MKV (AVC/AAC) you will loose almost no quality.

If you have more questions reply here or send me an MP, I’ll be glad to answer any question.

[Music Fan]

Originally Posted by b wings

If you have more questions reply here or send me an MP, I’ll be glad to answer any question.

Thanks, I have 2 questions (asked here some time ago) ;

Originally Posted by Music Fan

Does anybody know if ;
-44,1 khz support for waves on USB key came back with recent firmwares ?
I read a few months ago it disappeared with an old firmware but mine is even older. I don't remember if this meant that files in 44,1 khz were not played anymore or if they were played but converted in 48 khz.

-pop-up menus on AVCHD discs (made by multiAVCHD) work with recent firmwares ?
Pop-up menus works with AVCHD on USB key but not on dvd (they don't appear when clicking on "pop up" on the remote) with the firmware M03.R.623 and I'd like to install the M03.R.742 or M03.R.769 to test pop-up menus except if these firmwares don't bring back the support of 44,1 khz which I need (and if they don't bring pop-up support of course).

Thanks

[b wings]

Originally Posted by lamcom

I have a S370 with firmware M03.R.623. Besides BD playing, I use the machine as media player to play downloaded movies (avi, mkv, mp4, etc) via the front USB . On occasions, some video files cannot be played with message "This file is corrupt or unsupported". I read through this thread about what file types & codecs that this player can play already.
My question is: if I installed the latest firmware 769, will it expands the codecs to supported from M03.R.623? If I do not want to install 769 as it introduces "copy protection", which firmware level that I should install and where to find it? Thank You.

If you really want to know why a file is not supported, use mediainfo, analise the file and compare it to my report. If you are unable to find the problem, send me the mediainfo analysis and I’ll tell you what’s wrong with the file. I’m telling you this because I use the player mostly to play my rips downloaded from the internet. I barely view Original Discs (because in my case, Anime original discs are only available in Japan, so I’m obliged to download them off)
I’m waiting for your response. Regards, B-wings

[b wings]

Originally Posted by Music Fan

Thanks, I have 2 questions (asked here some time ago) ;


Thanks

About BD playability I have no idea. About wave I think you are referring to *.wav files. I really never played waV files because they are very big, I usually re encode them to AAC to preserve maximum quality so I cannot really tell you. But what I can tell you is that .wav files are in reality containers (as MKV) that means, it is containing encoded audio or lossless (in this case, wav contains PCM or LPCM or even ADPCM most of the time, but in a rare ocassion i saw a wav file containing mp3). Maybe that is the problem, you got an adpcm file contained in a .wav file. To really answer you, I need you to analyse it using mediainfo and then posting the analysis. Thanks.

[Music Fan]

I don't have any problem, read carefully what I wrote.
I read that wav in 44,1 khz couldn't be played anymore with a firmware which was not the last. I don't know if the guy who wrote that tried to play a wav from a cd or a wav "found" on the web.
I don't have this problem because my firmware is even older than the "problematic" firmware.
So I'd like to know if the last firmware can play wav in 44,1 khz and send it to the receiver in 44,1 khz (without conversion in 48 khz).

I'd also like to know if the last firmware allows to send 50hz videos in 50hz and not converted in 60 hz like with previous firmwares, thanks.
I'm not talking about dvd-video but files on USB key, hard drive and dvd-rom.
Because with dvd-video, there's no problem, 50 hz stays in 50 hz.

[b wings]

Originally Posted by Music Fan

I don't have any problem, read carefully what I wrote.
I read that wav in 44,1 khz couldn't be played anymore with a firmware which was not the last. I don't know if the guy who wrote that tried to play a wav from a cd or a wav "found" on the web.
I don't have this problem because my firmware is even older than the "problematic" firmware.
So I'd like to know if the last firmware can play wav in 44,1 khz and send it to the receiver in 44,1 khz (without conversion in 48 khz).

I'd also like to know if the last firmware allows to send 50hz videos in 50hz and not converted in 60 hz like with previous firmwares, thanks.
I'm not talking about dvd-video but files on USB key, hard drive and dvd-rom.
Because with dvd-video, there's no problem, 50 hz stays in 50 hz.

Really sorry about that. I thought you were facing those problems. In that case I cannot really help you because i didn’t upgrade the player from the day I bought it. In fact I ask for reports from users that upgraded and noticed changes, but it seems no one would do so. I will be searching for that problem over other threads and maybe come back with the answer. Thanks.

[jyeager11]

Hi,

I am another unfortunate BDP-S370 owner suffering from the world turning to x264 and leaving XViD behind (of course, the BDP-S370 has never been able to read even SMALL x264 files from a USB stick, which has made my life hell lately, as more and more people are switching to that format when encoding video).

Back when I was using Vuze, the BDP-S370 was at least able to play files that were located in Vuze's download folder. However, since switching to uTorrent, I haven't been able to do that.

I'm sure if I were able to stream a x264 file (MKV, MP4) file from my computer instead of a memory stick, the BDP-S370 would be able to play it. But how do I do that?

How do I set up a folder on my computer that the BDP-S370 will recognize and play videos from?

Thanks!

[Music Fan]

It plays x264 videos on USB sticks !
In mp4, mkv and TS containers, you have the choice.

[Music Fan]

Originally Posted by Music Fan

Hi,
Does anybody know if ;
-44,1 khz support for waves on USB key came back with recent firmwares ?
I read a few months ago it disappeared with an old firmware but mine is even older. I don't remember if this meant that files in 44,1 khz were not played anymore or if they were played but converted in 48 khz.

-pop-up menus on AVCHD discs (made by multiAVCHD) work with recent firmwares ?
Pop-up menus works with AVCHD on USB key but not on dvd (they don't appear when clicking on "pop up" on the remote) with the firmware M03.R.623 and I'd like to install the M03.R.742 or M03.R.769 to test pop-up menus except if these firmwares don't bring back the support of 44,1 khz which I need (and if they don't bring pop-up support of course).

Thanks

I wrote it 5 months ago, could anybody take 2 minutes to help me please ?

At least for the 44,1 khz problem, because I know that only few people use AVCHD.
Thanks

[jyeager11]

Originally Posted by Music Fan

It plays x264 videos on USB sticks !
In mp4, mkv and TS containers, you have the choice.

I've never been able to view a MKV file via usb stick, and after trying with 2 separate MKV files, just assumed the machine couldn't do x264. But after you wrote that, I went and tried one - a MP4 file - and it worked. So it appears you're onto something here. I may have painted a picture with strokes too broad.

Are there types of x264 files I should avoid, then? I thought they were all the same. How do I know when an x264 file won't be readable by the S370?

[shoestring25]

it plays x264 files fine its the mkv container just change the mkvs to mp4s and they will play fine

[jyeager11]

Originally Posted by shoestring25

it plays x264 files fine its the mkv container just change the mkvs to mp4s and they will play fine

Wait, you mean by just renaming them? Or did you mean something more involved?

[shoestring25]

x264 is the video file in an mkv container you have to unpack the mkv container into it respective audio and video files then remux these into an mp4 container it takes a couple of mins with no loss of quality because your not reconverting

[jyeager11]

I've never done this before. Is there a walkthrough for this anywhere? Or is it easy enough that you can just tell me here? What tool do you use for this?

[Music Fan]

I don't have any problem with MKV, the Sony recognizes this container (and extension).
Excepted when its header is compressed, you can verify it with MediaInfo ("header stripping"). If you see that, you can remove this header compression with MKVMerge : file, options, mmg, and tick "disable header ...".
There will be no recompression of course, it's very fast.

[jyeager11]

Originally Posted by Music Fan

I don't have any problem with MKV, the Sony recognizes this container (and extension).
Excepted when its header is compressed, you can verify it with MediaInfo ("header stripping"). If you see that, you can remove this header compression with MKVMerge : file, options, mmg, and tick "disable header ...".
There will be no recompression of course, it's very fast.

So the proper method would be to run every MKV file I download in "MediaInfo" and check for header compression?

Does anyone know how to create a folder on my computer that the S370 can read from a network cable? I believe this would solve all problems.

[Fatti]

Originally Posted by jyeager11

So the proper method would be to run every MKV file I download in "MediaInfo" and check for header compression?

Does anyone know how to create a folder on my computer that the S370 can read from a network cable? I believe this would solve all problems.

If you use something like Serviio, the 370 will see it as a media server and you can view and play your files.

The only problem I find is that 1080p stuff suffers; no problem with 720p. Fast forward and rewind can also cause it to throw a wobbly but if you don't need to ff and rw, it works fine.

[b wings]

Originally Posted by Fatti

If you use something like Serviio, the 370 will see it as a media server and you can view and play your files.

The only problem I find is that 1080p stuff suffers; no problem with 720p. Fast forward and rewind can also cause it to throw a wobbly but if you don't need to ff and rw, it works fine.

The answer is NO. Not only Header Stripping but Level High@L5, Hi10P and bad encodes are the cause of unplayable MKV files. I even got some files encoded correctly (level L3.1) and the won’t play because they were encoded using Handbrake. So post your mediainfo analysis and I will tell you what is wrong with your file. And yes, by using a network files will play because they are re-encoded by your server program (to be playable). Other than the problems I described, I play fine ANY .MKV file from a USB Stick. So the unit plays MKVs without problems. Just check the file and be sure that is compliant.

[b wings]

Originally Posted by Music Fan

I wrote it 5 months ago, could anybody take 2 minutes to help me please ? image

At least for the 44,1 khz problem, because I know that only few people use AVCHD.
Thanks

By wav 44.1 Hz are you referring to .wav (uncompressed) music streams? Or encapsulated (muxed) in a file? and finally, 16, 20, or 24bits of resolution? This sites show that there is no problem with those files.

Sony eSupport - BDP-S370 - Support Information

My Doc's Got No Nodes: Playing 24-bit wav files from DVD-R on the Sony BDP-S370

Yes, you are right, few people play AVCHD discs, (In fact I never played one) so I am still begging someone to post a reply about a firmware upgrade. If not, I am reluctant to upgrade mine, due to some posts advertising loss of functions.

[Music Fan]

Originally Posted by b wings

By wav 44.1 Hz are you referring to .wav (uncompressed) music streams? Or encapsulated (muxed) in a file? and finally, 16, 20, or 24bits of resolution? This sites show that there is no problem with those files.

Sony eSupport - BDP-S370 - Support Information

My Doc's Got No Nodes: Playing 24-bit wav files from DVD-R on the Sony BDP-S370

Thanks, but I know that, I can play wav files in 44.1 khz with the firmware I have, but I'd like to know if the last firmware still offers it and if it doesn't convert it to 48 khz (because I read that a firmware between the one I have and the latest had problems with 44.1 khz, but the guy who wrote that was maybe wrong).
I'm talking about wav from cd (LPCM in 44.1/16).
Could anyone (who has the latest firmware) make a copy of a track from a cd (with EAC, Nero or any other program), put it on a USB key and play it on the Sony 370 ?
You can also convert a 44.1/16 mp3 (or Flac, Ape, MPC ...) to Wav.
I also need to know if the receiver gets 44.1 or 48khz , because I wouldn't like to let the Sony convert 44.1 to 48 khz. Thus it's a test to do with Hdmi or Spdif connection, not with analog output that I don't use.
My Denon receiver can show the input frequency, I guess most of others can also do that.
Thanks a lot !

edit : If it works with my firmware, you may ask yourself why I'd like to install the last firmware ; it's because it adds compatibility with 1080p videos in 50 and 60 hz (my firmware allows to play 1080p mp4 and mkv in 30 fps maximum), and I'd like to use it (some recent cameras film in 1080p50 or 60 and these mp4 files can be played by the Sony on USB key), unless I lose the 44.1 khz which I often use.

[mat060572]

Can I ask what settings are recommended for this player :

Output Video Format - Hdmi output - auto or 1080p - fed to LG 50PK590 (full HD plasma)

Video Settings • Picture Quality Mode:
Selects the picture settings
for different lighting
environments.
• FNR: Reduces the random
noise appearing in the
picture.
• BNR: Reduces the mosaic like
block noise in the
picture.
• MNR: Reduces minor
noise around the picture
outlines (mosquito noise).

I have opted for Theatre Room with non of the these options turned on.

Thanks - just not convinced this is upscaling as well as my Sony Ns76

[mentasm]

I believe the standard mode is the one to go for as the others colour the output. You don't want any of the other options turned on either.

[mat060572]

Originally Posted by mentasm

I believe the standard mode is the one to go for as the others colour the output. You don't want any of the other options turned on either.

Standard looks a bit 'standard (artificial)' to me. Kind of removes the warm cinematic colours that I use for the TV.