How to Upgrade a Blu-ray Player's Firmware?

Answer 1

You may be used to DVD players and VHS players that did not require any upgrades. All you had to do was hook them up, and that was it. Most quality Blu-ray Players, however, are not designed that way. Instead, Blu-ray players are actually designed more like computers in certain ways. For one, they contain software that can be upgraded.

These upgrades are designed to expand the capabilities and functionality of your player. In fact, some day, you will probably insert a disc that won't play on your Blu-ray player. At this point, you will be forced to perform what is known as a 'firmware upgrade.'

Basically, there are two ways to upgrade a Blu-ray player on your own. The methods available to you are to either upgrade your player using an Ethernet cable or using a CD.

If you have access to the internet, you more than likely can perform an upgrade using an Ethernet cable. First, retrieve an Ethernet cable and plug it into the port for the cable on the back of your player. Most models have such a port.

Next, plug the other end of the cable into your modem or internet router. Now retrieve the instructions to your Blu-ray player. Inside, there are likely to be instructions on how to upgrade your player using the Ethernet connection.

Initiating the upgrade using the cable will probably involve choosing certain options in an advanced features menu with your remote. Once the upgrade is initiated, the Ethernet connection will allow your player to contact the manufacturer's web server to perform the upgrade.

Secondly, you have the option of performing an upgrade using a CD. There are two ways to upgrade with a CD. You can either create the firmware upgrade CD yourself or have the manufacturer mail you one.

Most people choose to create the CD on their own due to it saving time and effort. To do so, visit the manufacturer's website. Search for the page for your particular Blu-ray player model. Once you have found it, there is likely to be links to download the software needed for the upgrade. All you will have to do is download the software to your desktop, burn it to a CD-R, and insert that CD-R into your player.

However, if you do not have access to a CD-R drive, you will probably also have the option of having the disc mailed to your from the manufacturer. Simply contact the manufacturer by phone. It is likely that they will be happy to mail you a firmware upgrade disc for free.