5 year old Sony won't read dual layer discs?

[pieman777]

My first DVD player, a Sony DVP-S560D, will read all my single layer discs but only a few of my dual layer discs.

If this is a design flaw (player technology too old) does anyone know of a firmware upgrade? Or is it time to move on?

BTW, spent an hour on the phone with Sony...what a waste "...we don't do that."

[SeeMoreDigital]

Has it never been able to read any dual layered discs!

I've got some NTSC DVD9 discs going back to the beginning of DVD. Before even the invention of the DVD clip case - ie: mine are in a standard CD case!

Granted, there were problems with some DVD9 titles but most were cured with an player firmware upgrade... So yes, an firmware upgrade might well work.

Cheers

[JamesAnthony]

Firmware won't fix any hardware limitations of a device - which seems to be the problem here.

If you're desperate to use this player, your only hope is to take your dual layer DVDs convert them to VCDs and suffer the agony of waiting plus the added bonus changing discs midway through a movie.

Ooooor... pick up a new DVD player for a low price and save a lot of needless effort.

;)

James

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally posted by JamesAnthony
Firmware won't fix any hardware limitations of a device - which seems to be the problem here.

If you're desperate to use this player, your only hope is to take your dual layer DVDs convert them to VCDs and suffer the agony of waiting plus the added bonus changing discs midway through a movie.

Ooooor... pick up a new DVD player for a low price and save a lot of needless effort. I'm sorry James but I disagree. When the first batch of DVD players came out the disc technology and DVD authoring techniques had not been sorted out. This lead to many reported faults!


I personally flashed dosons of PAL/NTSC players so they would cope with the early dual layered NTSC titles such as Waterworld. That said, I have never heard of a player that could not spin any DVD9 disc!

Welcome to the forum James

[Doom9]

DVD-9 was part of the specs from the very beginning, but since very few discs were available for testing when the first players were made, it is likely that very old players have certain issues playing discs that might never have been tested for.

I have no idea how to find a firmware for a standalone player though.. if sony won't help you, do a couple of searches on google, and if that comes up empty, I'd consider buying a new player.

[SeeMoreDigital]

Originally posted by Doom9
I have no idea how to find a firmware for a standalone player though.. if sony won't help you, do a couple of searches on google, and if that comes up empty, I'd consider buying a new player. There is an DVD player site somewhere that's able to provide lists of most players specifications (quite useful) but I can't remenber/find the link!

If you get really stuck I will have a look at work to see if we've got any old Sony firmware updates.

Cheers

[pieman777]

doom9...you are truly a wealth of knowledge. The rest of you are huge helps. Thanks so much for pointing me in the right direction.

More testing needed to answer the "all dual layered discs" question.

On a seperate note...

I have learned a great deal from your site, and a friend of mine (a Vietnam Vet, poet, photographer) who has a spongy brain when it comes to computers and digital imaging, audio etc. finally saved up his pennies and splurged on a DVD burner. After three attempts, many calls to me for questions, and some frustration, he finally authored his first DVD (that plays on a VERY cheap Home-Theater-in-a box) a compilation of poems, music and stills he has taken over the years.

Anyway, thanks for the access to the site, the info to improve my knowledge, and in turn the ability to answer the questions of my friend. I am infinitely grateful.

This site ROCKS!

[JamesAnthony]

Originally posted by SeeMoreDigital
I'm sorry James but I disagree. When the first batch of DVD players came out the disc technology and DVD authoring techniques had not been sorted out. This lead to many reported faults!


I personally flashed dosons of PAL/NTSC players so they would cope with the early dual layered NTSC titles such as Waterworld. That said, I have never heard of a player that could not spin any DVD9 disc!

Welcome to the forum James

My bad...

I didn't do my homework first - :(

I'm new to the whole firmware scene and I assumed that it's existance was for the Mpeg4 technology.

I did however do some research on that particular Sony machine. Judging from the amount of problems people have had with it, and it being 5 years old, I reckon it's time to put it on the high shelf...

Cheers for the welcome!! I'm a proud owner of an Elta 8883.

James

[SeeMoreDigital]

I've remembered the web site. It's VideoHelp (http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php)


Cheers

[Mr Whippy]

You could try the Sony' calibration procedure (I own the 500) never had any problems with DL before or after the calibration.

Make sure that the DVD player is turned OFF and in the standby mode with the
little red LED glowing above the on/off button. To enter the test mode,
press Title, Clear, and Power on the remote. This will produce the following
menu:

Test Mode Menu

0. Syscon Diagnosis
1. Drive Auto Adjustment (Calibrates DVDs and CDs)
2. Drive Manual Operation (Calibrates DVDs and CDs)
3. Mecha Aging (Allows auto repeat mode for testing)
4. Emergency History (Shows the number of hours on your machine)
===>>> *** 5. Version Information (Shows FILMWARE version) *** <<<===
6. Video Level Adjustment. (Test pattern)

Exit: POWER Key.

The Sony 330, 530 and 550 players have the ability to automatically
calibrate the playback functions of DVDs and CDs. (This could conceivably
save a trip to the repair facility for calibration.) If you are willing to
accept any risks which may be involved in executing this procedudure.

Select 1) Have a CD, single layer DVD, Dual layer DVD (all in mint condition, no scratches) at hand. Insert the discs as prompted.