LG Blu-ray BD550 - Avoid it

[terence_fdes]

LG currently has an offer that bundles the above player free on purchase of LG 47LE4600 LED TV. I just concluded the deal today in Mumbai for 66.5k - after exchanging my old 29" tv & then deducting the cost of the blu-ray player..... see my other thread for LG 47LE4600.

Of course it did play ONLY Region C blu-ray discs exceptionally well. But how many of us have a library of BD's already at our homes?

REJECTS MANY DVD'S
I tested several of my original dvd's [all made in india] on this player and it kept rejecting many of them. I have a collection of almost 300 films & was interested in checking out the "upscaling" quality. IT IS A PITY NO ONE IN INDIA OFFERS REGION-FREE BD players.... [I may have to check out sherwood now].

Reason I refused the free Blu-ray Player lg BD550 - most of my DVD's were thrown out [Excel-Home Video; BIG Home Video] - what played were Moserbaer; Walt Disney Studios DVD's. Region Not Supported. This was a big dissappointment. No point in bringing it home to realise that 70-80% of my DVD's not playing.

I am surprised that no one else reported this earlier.

 

[venkatcr]

Almost all BR players have a simple way of entering a code that will make then region free for DVDs.

Cheers

 

[CANDUU]

Do u mean some crack code mr.venkat sir.is it not illegal does ur site encourage discussions about hacking and cracking ?

 

[venkatcr]

This is not a crack code. This is a set of codes that you have to enter on the remote control. These are facilities that most manufacturers offer, albeit quietly.

Cheers

 

[Kittu]

Hacking - Only if u do it on other peoples property without them knowing it.
Cracking - Since you paid for it - u can rip it a part ...

So nothing illegal here

 

[CANDUU]

Hacking - Only if u do it on other peoples property without them knowing it.
Cracking - Since you paid for it - u can rip it a part ...

So nothing illegal here

@kittu
The terms "hack" and "hacking" are also used to refer to a modification of a program or device to give the user access to features that were otherwise unavailable, such as by circuit bending. It is from this usage that the term "hacking" is often used to refer to more nefarious criminal uses such as identity theft, credit card fraud or other actions categorized as computer crime.

courtesy wiki......


no more arguments ,lets be on topic....

 

[Kittu]

@kittu
The terms "hack" and "hacking" are also used to refer to a modification of a program or device to give the user access to features that were otherwise unavailable, such as by circuit bending. It is from this usage that the term "hacking" is often used to refer to more nefarious criminal uses such as identity theft, credit card fraud or other actions categorized as computer crime.

courtesy wiki......


no more arguments ,lets be on topic....

Please enlighten me on the topic ? and who started it I was just adding an element of fun to the hack and crack words not going by the definitions...

So lets sleep on it.. and Back to LG550BD performance.

 

[RetinalNV]

The very simple fact that unlocking region code DOES NOT void warranty suffices to explain the gravity of the situation.

Even my philips refused 90% of the DVD's bought at Reliance till we had it unlocked.

 

[mathan]

LG currently has an offer that bundles the above player free on purchase of LG 47LE4600 LED TV. I just concluded the deal today in Mumbai for 66.5k - after exchanging my old 29" tv & then deducting the cost of the blu-ray player..... see my other thread for LG 47LE4600.

Of course it did play ONLY Region C blu-ray discs exceptionally well. But how many of us have a library of BD's already at our homes?

REJECTS MANY DVD'S
I tested several of my original dvd's [all made in india] on this player and it kept rejecting many of them. I have a collection of almost 300 films & was interested in checking out the "upscaling" quality. IT IS A PITY NO ONE IN INDIA OFFERS REGION-FREE BD players.... [I may have to check out sherwood now].

Reason I refused the free Blu-ray Player lg BD550 - most of my DVD's were thrown out [Excel-Home Video; BIG Home Video] - what played were Moserbaer; Walt Disney Studios DVD's. Region Not Supported. This was a big dissappointment. No point in bringing it home to realise that 70-80% of my DVD's not playing.

I am surprised that no one else reported this earlier.

For me it played almost all DVD's and also MKV files. I've already mentioned this in another thread. http://www.hifivision.com/blu-ray-d...k-recorders/14363-ordered-lg-bd530-usa-4.html There is always a region free blu-ray discs that can be bought. I mostly don't watch DVD's since most of the movies I watch through WDTV Live media player. LG BD550 plays the Blu ray discs exceptionally well. A firmware update might be required for playing the MKV files through the USB port since after I updated the firmware I was able to play all MKV files. DVD upscaling is reasonably good with this player but not exceptional. The prices has further gone down now to around Rs.5,900/- making it one of the most cheapest player.

 

[drkavint]

LG currently has an offer that bundles the above player free on purchase of LG 47LE4600 LED TV. I just concluded the deal today in Mumbai for 66.5k - after exchanging my old 29" tv & then deducting the cost of the blu-ray player..... see my other thread for LG 47LE4600.

Of course it did play ONLY Region C blu-ray discs exceptionally well. But how many of us have a library of BD's already at our homes?

REJECTS MANY DVD'S
I tested several of my original dvd's [all made in india] on this player and it kept rejecting many of them. I have a collection of almost 300 films & was interested in checking out the "upscaling" quality. IT IS A PITY NO ONE IN INDIA OFFERS REGION-FREE BD players.... [I may have to check out sherwood now].

Reason I refused the free Blu-ray Player lg BD550 - most of my DVD's were thrown out [Excel-Home Video; BIG Home Video] - what played were Moserbaer; Walt Disney Studios DVD's. Region Not Supported. This was a big dissappointment. No point in bringing it home to realise that 70-80% of my DVD's not playing.

I am surprised that no one else reported this earlier.

the worst thing u can get in ur life time is lg product..iam suffering with my 50" TV AND DVD PLAYER.... BE HAPPY FRIEND UR TV IS ATLEAST O.K.... IAM FACING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY DVDS... GOT MORE THAN 400 MOVIES, HALF OF WHICH DOESNT PLAY OR PLAYS ONLY HALF... INITIALLY I THOUGHT HARDWARE PROBLEM AND GAVE SERVICE 5 TIMES IN 8 MONTHS.. THEN REALIZED IT IS CODEC PROBLEM.. UNIVERSAL TO ALL LG <NEW> 2010 PLAYERS.. TECHNICIANS DON'T KNOW..HORRIBLE SERVICE.. IT PLAYS ALL LOCAL TAMIL, TELUGU, HINDI DVD WELL.. PROBLEM IS WITH ONLY ENGLISH DVDS.... I HAVE LEARNED TO LIVE WITH IT, BY PURCHASING ONIDA DVD PLAYER.. WAITING FOR ONIDA BLURAY.....

 

[terence_fdes]

Almost all BR players have a simple way of entering a code that will make then region free for DVDs.

Cheers

That's interesting. So whats the code for unlocking the region on the LG-BD550 and does it ACTUALLY WORK. If this happens - I may yet go back and try getting this player for the same price that was deducted from my LG47LE4600 purchased yesterday!!

I rejected the free offer by LG since I actually tested 9 DVD's and it played back only 3.

And I care too hoots about cracking/hacking in this case as the "region-code+blocking" is a medieval thought process propagated by companies to protect rights. About 10-12 years ago, same was the case for all DVD players that were available - UNTIL the chinese bombarded the world with their region-free players [note: Mitashi etc].

I own almost 80% original DVD's [rest 20% pirated copies were brought years ago]. It really bugs me that I cannot play them on todays "BDP's".

I am looking at an option "Sherwood BDP-5004" - which users claim to be "region-free".

 

[terence_fdes]

For me it played almost all DVD's and also MKV files. I've already mentioned this in another thread. http://www.hifivision.com/blu-ray-d...k-recorders/14363-ordered-lg-bd530-usa-4.html There is always a region free blu-ray discs that can be bought. I mostly don't watch DVD's since most of the movies I watch through WDTV Live media player. LG BD550 plays the Blu ray discs exceptionally well. A firmware update might be required for playing the MKV files through the USB port since after I updated the firmware I was able to play all MKV files. DVD upscaling is reasonably good with this player but not exceptional. The prices has further gone down now to around Rs.5,900/- making it one of the most cheapest player.

Dude are you talking of the BD530 - ordered from US thats OK for u now via a firmware update for DVD playback - then also quote - "I mostly don't watch DVD's since most of the movies I watch through WDTV Live media player". So the problem with 550 remains naa.

 

[mathan]

Dude are you talking of the BD530 - ordered from US thats OK for u now via a firmware update for DVD playback - then also quote - "I mostly don't watch DVD's since most of the movies I watch through WDTV Live media player". So the problem with 550 remains naa.

No, I am talking about BD550 bought in Chennai. I bought this player mainly for watching BR region free movies. I shall probably upgrade to a region free player when the BR discs becomes more affordable like DVD's.

 

[sameersingh]

For me it played almost all DVD's and also MKV files. I've already mentioned this in another thread. http://www.hifivision.com/blu-ray-d...k-recorders/14363-ordered-lg-bd530-usa-4.html There is always a region free blu-ray discs that can be bought. I mostly don't watch DVD's since most of the movies I watch through WDTV Live media player. LG BD550 plays the Blu ray discs exceptionally well. A firmware update might be required for playing the MKV files through the USB port since after I updated the firmware I was able to play all MKV files. DVD upscaling is reasonably good with this player but not exceptional. The prices has further gone down now to around Rs.5,900/- making it one of the most cheapest player.

:clapping::clapping::clapping:

Need some information regarding the USB capabilities.
-Does the USB supports HDD?
- is there any FAT32 limitations? is there any filesize limitations?
- what about H.264 coded files?

Thanks in advance.

 

[mailalok]

:clapping::clapping::clapping:

Need some information regarding the USB capabilities.
-Does the USB supports HDD?
- is there any FAT32 limitations? is there any filesize limitations?
- what about H.264 coded files?

Thanks in advance.

BD550 plays everything(I tried m2ts, mkv(h264), mp4, avi..) maximum size of file I tried is 11GB mkv file with DTS 5.1 audio. I connected 1TB portable(2.5inch) usb powered hardsisk.
/A

 

[mathan]

:clapping::clapping::clapping:

Need some information regarding the USB capabilities.
-Does the USB supports HDD?
- is there any FAT32 limitations? is there any filesize limitations?
- what about H.264 coded files?

Thanks in advance.

It supports HDD. I connected a 320GB HDD without any problem. It plays H.264 coded files. Not sure about FAT32 limitations.

 

[sameersingh]

BD550 plays everything(I tried m2ts, mkv(h264), mp4, avi..) maximum size of file I tried is 11GB mkv file with DTS 5.1 audio. I connected 1TB portable(2.5inch) usb powered hardsisk.
/A

Fantastic!!:yahoo:

- Did you do any firmware upgrade? If yes, please provide the details.
- What abt availability and cost?

 

[sameersingh]

For me it played almost all DVD's and also MKV files. I've already mentioned this in another thread. http://www.hifivision.com/blu-ray-d...k-recorders/14363-ordered-lg-bd530-usa-4.html There is always a region free blu-ray discs that can be bought. I mostly don't watch DVD's since most of the movies I watch through WDTV Live media player. LG BD550 plays the Blu ray discs exceptionally well. A firmware update might be required for playing the MKV files through the USB port since after I updated the firmware I was able to play all MKV files. DVD upscaling is reasonably good with this player but not exceptional. The prices has further gone down now to around Rs.5,900/- making it one of the most cheapest player.

As you have both WDTV and BD550, can you please comment upon the quality of the video upscaling with regards to 700mbs files, 720P and 1080p....

I am almost in process of finalizing this BD player...ur comments will help me in crossing the last hurdle....
thanks...

 

[mathan]

As you have both WDTV and BD550, can you please comment upon the quality of the video upscaling with regards to 700mbs files, 720P and 1080p....

I am almost in process of finalizing this BD player...ur comments will help me in crossing the last hurdle....
thanks...

No doubt WDTV is the best. It would be better if you take some video files and try it before you buy.

 

[sameersingh]

No doubt WDTV is the best. It would be better if you take some video files and try it before you buy.

Ohh..so you mean to say only for the blu-ray BD550 is gud enough...

- is the difference between WDTV and BD550 huge? I may be able to chk BD550 in retail outlet...but it is not possible for me to compare the WDTV output as i (or any frnds) dont have one......

- ANy idea abt the chipset used by BD550 for upscaling?