Firmware upgrade for Sony BDP-S350
Robert Harley -- Sat, 12/20/2008 - 10:29
I've just upgraded the firmware in my BDP-S350, which, among other features, enables BDLive and converts Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, and DTS-HD Master Audio bitstreams to PCM for output on the HDMI 1.3 interface.
The "Network Upgrade" option is by far the easiest.
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?upd_id=3779&os_id=99&mdl=BDPS350
What is the advantage of converting bitstreams to PCM?
Len
You don't need TrueHD decoding in the receiver or controller. See my blog on this subject here: http://www.avguide.com/blog/read-buying-blu-ray-player
Does that upgrade essentialy make the bd-350 the same as the bd-550? Also Robert I sent you an e-mail asking for some personal reconmendations on my system. I have been checking my e-mails and have not got a response as of yet. Did you get the message?
Thanks
Cory Andrews
This is good if you have an HDMI compatible receiver but it does not decode the new HD audio formats itself.
The BDP-S550 has eight-channel analog output, which the S350 does not have. The 550 also has internal decoding of DTS-HD Master Audio.
I did not get your e-mail; could you send it again or post it under "System Building"?
Hi Robert,
In your post you say that the S350 update enables it to convert DTS-HD Master Audio bitstreams to PCM for output on the HDMI 1.3 interface. Where did you get this information? The update I see available on the Sony site states that it adds BD-Live functionality and solves minor compatibility and performance issues. I can't see anything related to DTS-HD MA decoding. Thanks for your help.
Will the BDP-S350 be able to read DivX contents ?
I got a really good deal on a new S350 from a co-worker who won it in a raffle. Very nice with the Samsung 46" LCD I bought the family for Christmas, and a huge upgrade from our previous CRT. My older (and cheap) Sony 6.1 home theater receiver doesn't have an HDMI input, so I went HDMI straight from the S350 to the TV for video, and use an optical digital cable from the S350 to the receiver for audio.
I burned a firmware update disc from the download at the Sony support site, which worked perfectly. In order to use BD-Live, I'll still have to figure out how to get it to talk to the wireless router in my house and get a USB flash drive that will fit in the narrow slot in the back of the unit. I'm not sure how worthwhile BD-Live is, so I don't want to put much money into the upgrade. Any recommendations for this additional hardware?
I've recently started doing streaming Netflix on my PC a bit, and I love Pandora, so at some point I'll either have to add a PC to the theater cabinet, or upgrade the player to one that will do streaming media. This one is great for now, though.
I wouldn't put too much effort into getting BD Live up and running until they develop some compelling applications.
Just brought home a S350 a few hours ago. My receiver does not have HDMI input so I will be using Coaxil for the audio. Can the TrueHD audio transmit over/out of the coax or only HDMI? If only HDMI, then do you recommend setting the S350 to DTS preferred or dolby preferred? (I scanned the manual and it said something about setting the audio options).
Thx.
-Deuce-
If you receiver has optical inputs then use those for the audio. That's what I am using with my 350 in the bedroom system since I don't see a need to upgrade the Rotel receiver I am using there. HDMI to Kuro and optical to Rotel.
Sheepherder
Shenandoah Valley, VA
I am already using both of the opticals for the DVD and PVR. Though I guess I could switch it around there is no notable quality difference between the optical and co-ax from what I read. Only diff might be TrueHD capability? Someone else has same question here...
www.avguide.com/blog/read-buying-blu-ray-player
I think where I need help here is about the TrueHD outputting to my rx which cannot decode HD audio only regular DD, DTS etc. In the manual p44 it talks about setting the DD and DTS to downmix PCM if Rx does not have decoder (well mine does) but it does not talk about setting it to PCM downmix for TrueHD (etc). Or is that the 48/96PCM setting??
esupport.sony.com/CA/perl/model-documents.pl
The TosLink optical and RCA coaxial SPDIF connnection cannot transmit high-res PCM audio or Dolby TrueHD bitstreams. You must use HDMI to get high-res (or tap into the 7.1-channel analog output from a Blu-ray player).
I'm not sure I understand your last question about the PCM output.
Thx. I guess my PCM output question is moot if the coax will only do "Regular" DTS. I will not select the "Downmix PCM" settings (p45 of manual) and let my rx decode regular DTS/DD from the S350 I guess.
Coax or TosLink will carry regular DTS and Dolby Digital, but not Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD, or DTS-HD Master Audio.
I just updated my S-350, purchase a memory card and i can't access bd live on any movie with bd live ,,all i get is no internet connection or not available in my area,,or need to update and last,, player not compatible,,, but the player is updated,,network diagnoctic shows correct and memory card shows ext on the front of the player,,, call sony but the same thing i know about nasa is the same thing sony reps know,,,what can be my problen with bd live?
You'll need to contact Sony technical support on that one, I'm afraid.
I will try again but is at least 1 hour and an half wating time and at the end nobody knows nothing...but Thank you very much
Hi!
I will try again but is at least 1 hour and an half wating time and at the end nobody knows nothing...but Thank you very much!
I have a sony blu ray, bdb s-350 it is hooked up to a sony 46' KDL-46VL130 with a hdmi cable then I have a optic cable (no hdmi) running from the t.v. to a onkyo TX-SR600 it is a 6.1 recever. All of the audio chanles are working but the sub is not.
I am sure the sub works because when i watch HD T.V. everything works as it should.
thank you
Check the audio settings of your 350. I had the same problem.
I had to ask a friend and he told me that I should change the settings and that worked.
I don't remember nor can see the exact settings now.
Do you think that the Sony BDP-S350 will eventually have the capability to stream Netflix?
I too would like to know the status/possibility of the BDP-S350 being able to stream Netflix movies.
How to change the area code of SONY BDP-S350 by using its own remote control? Any advise? Thank You
I'm not sure I understand your question about changing the "area code."
Thanks, Robert
Hi Robert, I think what the guy means is "Region Code" not the Area Code. I am also interested to know the answer, I live in France and I would like my sony player to be able to read American DVD using the shipped Sony remote control (or a new firmware). Is there a way to hack it without buying a "AllInOne" remote control?
tks
i whant to thank you for assisting me i came acros your web site and it was a success my blue ray player is working fine because of the down load im using bdp s 300
Thanks for letting us know our site helped you. We hope you'll stay with us and contribute.
Another Thank You to Robert for posting this information. I pondered long and hard about the lack of PCM HD Master Audio on the 350 and almost bought the 550 instead. Due to this upgrade I just saved over £100 !
my BDP - S350 is not reading region A Blue ray discs, is there a code to unblock it for all regions
i want to unblock my BDP - S350 as it does not read region A how can i do it?
Cant be hacked without a firm ware change. you have to fit a new chip , which is very difficult without precise soldering equipment, there is a company that will do it for £190 - ie dont bother.
Post new comment