Tips and Tricks for Sony S370 BDP

[chandanbs]

Hi folks,
I know there are always tips and tricks threads in all forums.. . I thought why not have a tnt for our affordable Sony BDP 370 player..which is such a wonderful player which plays cool mkvs downloaded from net and upscales dvds to such a fantastic quality (i just loved band of brothers dvdset played with this beauty..)).

My first trick:

1. How to play subtitles on a mp4 hd movie?
Trivia: Sony S370 BDP doesnt show subtitles with mp4 files even if a same named .srt file is present in the same folder.

Ans:
download the suitable .srt file for this mp4 file;
open the mp4 file from the tool "mkvtoolnix gui".;
also add the .srt file using "add" option.;
now for each items in the "Tracks chapters and tags" section, click the item and then select "Extra options";
In this option, click "Compression" option, and set it to "none";
do this to all the items in the "tracks chapters tags" section;
Now, click the "Start Muxing" to create a new resultant file called filename.mkv file.
This filename.mkv when played on sony bdp, shows up added subtitles ...
I know this would take around 5 mins on a i3 core laptop, but its worth doing if you are addicted to watching subtitles for all downloaded flicks.. ..

 

[chandanbs]

Tip # 2
Always update BDP firmware to the latest version.
You can update on a RW CD also but make sure you set option "write disc at once" and not track by track, and disable multi session option.
Current latest version(M03R742) details:
Improvements over firmware version M03.R.695:
Improves BD-ROM playability.
Benefits provided by previous updates and included in version M03.R.742:
Resolves an issue where an unnecessary warning may be displayed when playing some discs.
Adds support for inputting non ASCII characters (Chinese etc) to the player from other devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.).
Improves HDMI connectivity
Improves compatibility to enhance interactivity with some BD-ROMs.
Adds support for DLNA content
Note: The BDP-S270 does not support DLNA functions.
Improves router connectivity
Enhanced Gracenote Entertainment database browser features:
Adds new features such Related Information Browse and Contents Search to improve your Blu-ray Disc movie database.
Enhanced photo slideshow:
Adds new visual effects and music to add to your photos when they are displayed on a TV.
Improved Compatibility:
Adds compatibility with DTS Neo:6 to convert the audio into 5.1 or 6.1 channel format.
Resolves an issue where video streamed over the Internet may be displayed at SD (Standard Definition) instead of HD (High Definition) even when using a high speed Internet connection (10 MBps or more) and watching video that is provided in HD.
----I just did update my BDP with this latest version using RW CD.

 

[mgdelhi]

But the latest firmware on Sony India website is still 695.

The last firmware on Sony Global website is 742, but will not void the warranty and this for region-1 (US) models, will it be fine for Region-3 models ?

 

[chandanbs]

This firmware update was available on European sony site. Yes its not available on Indian site. But the upgrade went fine.

 

[arnab_d]

This ones pretty simple and obvious perhaps.. but here goes.

If you have hooked up the S370 over HDMI to your AVR and If you want your AVR to do decoding of motely assortment of Audio formats (DD/AC-3, DTS, DD+, DD-THD, DTS-MA etc.) and not the Sony BDP, then you need to set the following options under "Audio Settings" in BDPS370
BD Audio Mixing -- OFF
HDMI -- Auto

You may want to do this if your AVR is a decent one with HDMI 1.3+ support.. rather than let the Sony decode and send LPCM streams over to the AVR...particularly if you have BluRay with the HD audio formats in it...

 

[arnab_d]

Tip # 2
Always update BDP firmware to the latest version.
You can update on a RW CD also but make sure you set option "write disc at once" and not track by track, and disable multi session option.
Current latest version(M03R742) details:
Improvements over firmware version M03.R.695:
Improves BD-ROM playability.
Benefits provided by previous updates and included in version M03.R.742:
Resolves an issue where an unnecessary warning may be displayed when playing some discs.
Adds support for inputting non ASCII characters (Chinese etc) to the player from other devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.).
Improves HDMI connectivity
Improves compatibility to enhance interactivity with some BD-ROMs.
Adds support for DLNA content
Note: The BDP-S270 does not support DLNA functions.
Improves router connectivity
Enhanced Gracenote Entertainment database browser features:
Adds new features such Related Information Browse and Contents Search to improve your Blu-ray Disc movie database.
Enhanced photo slideshow:
Adds new visual effects and music to add to your photos when they are displayed on a TV.
Improved Compatibility:
Adds compatibility with DTS Neo:6 to convert the audio into 5.1 or 6.1 channel format.
Resolves an issue where video streamed over the Internet may be displayed at SD (Standard Definition) instead of HD (High Definition) even when using a high speed Internet connection (10 MBps or more) and watching video that is provided in HD.
----I just did update my BDP with this latest version using RW CD.

Does this firmware upgrade allow palying mkv files which has a Profile : High 5.1 in the media header.. so far that has not been possible and tools like tsMuxer is required to change the header to Profile : 4.1/4.0 to make these play on the S370.

 

[chandanbs]

Hi arnab,
I've not tested it yet. If you can provide me a sample, i can try it out....

Also, your valuable tips and tricks are welcome. Please continue growing our t n t thread..

 

[pavan]

Hi folks,
I know there are always tips and tricks threads in all forums.. . I thought why not have a tnt for our affordable Sony BDP 370 player..which is such a wonderful player which plays cool mkvs downloaded from net and upscales dvds to such a fantastic quality (i just loved band of brothers dvdset played with this beauty..)).

My first trick:

1. How to play subtitles on a mp4 hd movie?
Trivia: Sony S370 BDP doesnt show subtitles with mp4 files even if a same named .srt file is present in the same folder.

Ans:
download the suitable .srt file for this mp4 file;
open the mp4 file from the tool "mkvtoolnix gui".;
also add the .srt file using "add" option.;
now for each items in the "Tracks chapters and tags" section, click the item and then select "Extra options";
In this option, click "Compression" option, and set it to "none";
do this to all the items in the "tracks chapters tags" section;
Now, click the "Start Muxing" to create a new resultant file called filename.mkv file.
This filename.mkv when played on sony bdp, shows up added subtitles ...
I know this would take around 5 mins on a i3 core laptop, but its worth doing if you are addicted to watching subtitles for all downloaded flicks.. ..

Thanks a lot Chandan for this tip..It works nicely..

 

[deba]

When ever I have tried to play MKV Files downloaded from Internet with the 370 using a USB Flash Drive. I have always had aspect ratio problem as all movies played in the 16:9ratio even if the original aspect ratio is 2.35:1.

I have played with the 370 menu to correct the problem but it doesnt work.

How do you solve the problem ?

 

[bigdaddy24]

Hi Guys
Is there anyway to make this player region free?

Thanks

 

[mittal_v2002]

Does this firmware upgrade allow palying mkv files which has a Profile : High 5.1 in the media header.. so far that has not been possible and tools like tsMuxer is required to change the header to Profile : 4.1/4.0 to make these play on the S370.

I am also facing the similar problem with the files having profile: high5.1. I use tsMuxer to convert to profile High4.1, sometimes the resultant file is fine however some times it is not visually perfect. There is some pixalation added to the frames.. has anyone faced and resolved the similar issue ?

Cheers

 

[innsri]

guys,

I have purchased sony BDP-BX37 (same as 370) from US and have got that to Bangalore. I have following problems if any one can help me:
1) DVD and BD are US region locked and I am not able to watch other region locked DVDs (even english movies hired thru seventymm).
2) I downloaded Iron man movie in mkv format thru mediaget website (torrent) in hardisk. My BX37 is sensing it thru USB, but is not able to play. It gets hanged and goes OFF.

I know there are many of you who would have done enough research to tackle these issues. Pls let me have some suggestions.

Also please let me know free download sites through which mkv videos can be downloaded and played thru hardisk in BX37 thru USB.

 

[KDM]

1) DVD and BD are US region locked and I am not able to watch other region locked DVDs (even english movies hired thru seventymm).

Well, there's some truth to the phrase "be Indian buy Indian"
The S-370 in the US is strictly region locked mainly due to Hollywood requirements. Had you bought the set from here, it would be region free for DVD, right out of the box. :lol: Still, this thread might be relevant to your interests: Sony BDP-S370 region code - VideoHelp.com

2) I downloaded Iron man movie in mkv format thru mediaget website (torrent) in hardisk. My BX37 is sensing it thru USB, but is not able to play. It gets hanged and goes OFF.

I know there are many of you who would have done enough research to tackle these issues. Pls let me have some suggestions.

It's probably a corrupt/badly encoded MKV file.

Also please let me know free download sites through which mkv videos can be downloaded and played thru hardisk in BX37 thru USB.

Piracy is against the rules here.
BUT
For testing requirements here's a page that has 3 legal short movies in MKV format: http://www.divx.com/en/electronics/solutions/high-definition/divx-plus-hd/video
Scroll down to: DivX Plus HD Showcase. Those are legal to download/distribute for free.

 

[innsri]

Tnks.

I think I did a blunder purchasing it from USA.

I have tried playing many types of movie files thru hardisk, but am able to play only mkv format. Is there any limitation on the size of the file. In websites the file size of a HD movie with DTS is minimum 10 GB. Can these file sizes play in this blue ray thru hardisk (USB).

 

[sajjad4joy]

Tip # 2
Always update BDP firmware to the latest version.
You can update on a RW CD also but make sure you set option "write disc at once" and not track by track, and disable multi session option.
Current latest version(M03R742) details:
Improvements over firmware version M03.R.695:
Improves BD-ROM playability.
Benefits provided by previous updates and included in version M03.R.742:
Resolves an issue where an unnecessary warning may be displayed when playing some discs.
Adds support for inputting non ASCII characters (Chinese etc) to the player from other devices (iPhone, iPad, etc.).
Improves HDMI connectivity
Improves compatibility to enhance interactivity with some BD-ROMs.
Adds support for DLNA content
Note: The BDP-S270 does not support DLNA functions.
Improves router connectivity
Enhanced Gracenote Entertainment database browser features:
Adds new features such Related Information Browse and Contents Search to improve your Blu-ray Disc movie database.
Enhanced photo slideshow:
Adds new visual effects and music to add to your photos when they are displayed on a TV.
Improved Compatibility:
Adds compatibility with DTS Neo:6 to convert the audio into 5.1 or 6.1 channel format.
Resolves an issue where video streamed over the Internet may be displayed at SD (Standard Definition) instead of HD (High Definition) even when using a high speed Internet connection (10 MBps or more) and watching video that is provided in HD.
----I just did update my BDP with this latest version using RW CD.

With the new firmware M03.R.742, are subtitles playing for HD mp4 files??? or do we still need to convert it to mkv?

 

[sajjad4joy]

I installed the new version M03.R.742, but still the sub titles are not playing for mp4 files..... Any Other Method instead of conversion????

 

[KDM]

I installed the new version M03.R.742, but still the sub titles are not playing for mp4 files..... Any Other Method instead of conversion????

Just give me a few hours, I'll check it out and report back on the thread.

 

[Raghav]

A little off the track. But I have a S370 Region locked to A for BD and 1 for DVD. I had got it because English movies are mostly Reg A when released first. And Bollywood is Mostly All Region and not only C.

Are there many Reg C only BDs?

Also how do I make my player Reg free for DVD? This i had not bargained for. The Universal remote thing is a little complicated for me.

 

[KDM]

A little off the track. But I have a S370 Region locked to A for BD and 1 for DVD. I had got it because English movies are mostly Reg A when released first. And Bollywood is Mostly All Region and not only C.

Are there many Reg C only BDs?

Not too many. I've come across Quantum of Solace which is Region B/C And I'm sure some of the newer titles from Fox may be region coded for BD.

Also how do I make my player Reg free for DVD? This i had not bargained for. The Universal remote thing is a little complicated for me.

Without the universal remote hack, it's doubtful. There's an expensive and time consuming workaround:

Get a hold of a PC with DVD burner with the latest version of clone DVD and any DVD and use that to "back up" your DVD discs without the annoying region coding. :lol: Then they'll play like charm on your BDP.

 

[Deleted member 17547]

Question here: When i play movies thru USB, volume button do not work. Is there anyone who is also having some problem. I am not sure whether its a problem or what.