| Re: Internet connection required on Blu-Ray Discs? [message #72367 is a reply to message #72364] |
Tue, 24 April 2012 18:50   |
FloydV
Messages: 124
Registered: November 2011
Location: Boise, ID
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| Wayne Parham wrote on Tue, 24 April 2012 18:40 |
Two different things:
1. Many BluRay disks have software that allows extra features to be accessed via internet. It's not a requirement, it's just an added feature. I never use it, myself. Not any particular reason, just haven't. These features are related to the disk.
2. Many BlueRay players (and most other devices these days, for that matter) have internet connectivity in order to automatically apply updates. It's purely a convenience. These updates are related to the player.
Just like most software programs for your PC will auto-update if you are connected to the internet, many devices will auto-update their firmware if they are connected. If not, you can usually manually update using some form of removable media. But the auto-update function is usually pretty painless.
I have run into flaky devices that I didn't want to auto-update because of the risk of bricking the device. But it's rare these days. Everybody but the worst novices does a pretty good job of implementing an algorithm that loads new firware into an isolated "sandbox" in device memory, then tests it before rolling it in. If anything goes wrong, it backs it out automatically.
Again, sometimes devices are made that don't do this well, but most times, they have that part down long before the device hits the shelves. They may not have the runtime firmware nailed down on day one, but they usually have the auto-upgrade feature working well. They depend on it pretty heavily, trying to rush stuff out.
Bottom line is, unless you have some really cheap knock-off device that you've had trouble with, I'd probably configure it to stay connected and obtain updates automatically. That way it will always have the most updated firmware and you won't have to mess with it.
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I have one of the first Sony BR players that was available. I think the firmware revision it started with was 2.x. It doesn't have an internet connection. I have manually updated many times to the current 5.5 rev. It's been a flaky device from the start. I think I will go with a Panasonic as a replacement. Their equipment gets good reviews and costs half as much.
What I would like to be able to determine is whether they are upgrading my player or just installing more copy protection. BR was definitely not ready for prime time when it was released. I find myself wondering if HD-DVD wouldn't have been a better product.
Floyd
He who joyfully marches to music rank and file, has already earned my contempt. -- Albert Einstein
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