David Mackenzie
Ex Member
Hey everyone,
I bought the Panasonic S97 after it scored very highly on a DVD Benchmark site. The site claims that the original version of the player's firmware contained a lot of macroblocking issues, but now they are non existant:
I'm using Component and I HAVE noticed these on my player, so I'm assuming that I have the older firmware version. So I called Panasonic UK and asked them how to check what firmware version I had and how I might upgrade it if it needs upgrading. And what a surprise... they didn't know anything about it and told me that I wasn't allowed to check what version of the firmware I have because only engineers are allowed to enter the service mode. The only way it can be sent back to them if there's a fault. Yeah, great attitude. "If it works at all, it'll do, forget about improving it"
Then, I Googled around a bit and found comments like these:
Great... thanks Panasonic UK... so, my question to everyone is, does anyone know how to check the firmware version to see if I can improve the picture quality a bit? It seems to be players manufactured after April that have the new firmware (in the US/Canada that is) but mine on the back says it was maunufactured September 2004.
I bought the Panasonic S97 after it scored very highly on a DVD Benchmark site. The site claims that the original version of the player's firmware contained a lot of macroblocking issues, but now they are non existant:
Via component video, there were no signs of the macroblocking at all. And I mean no signs.
I'm using Component and I HAVE noticed these on my player, so I'm assuming that I have the older firmware version. So I called Panasonic UK and asked them how to check what firmware version I had and how I might upgrade it if it needs upgrading. And what a surprise... they didn't know anything about it and told me that I wasn't allowed to check what version of the firmware I have because only engineers are allowed to enter the service mode. The only way it can be sent back to them if there's a fault. Yeah, great attitude. "If it works at all, it'll do, forget about improving it"
Then, I Googled around a bit and found comments like these:
- With the new firmware (536) it improved
a lot the macroblocking.
- very satisfied by Panasonic Canada Service quick answers and service.
Great... thanks Panasonic UK... so, my question to everyone is, does anyone know how to check the firmware version to see if I can improve the picture quality a bit? It seems to be players manufactured after April that have the new firmware (in the US/Canada that is) but mine on the back says it was maunufactured September 2004.