Panasonic BW880 firmware

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Chainsaw

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Ultimate Geek
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#77705 21-Feb-2011 09:39

I caved and bought a Panasonic DMR-BW880 blu-ray/HD recorder. Pretty happy after 4 days with it.

I went to check it had the latest firmware. The unit reports that it has v1.33. I go the Panasonic site (http://panasonic.jp/support/global/cs/bd/download/bw880/nz.html) and it says v1.16 is the latest, dated 10/8/2010!

I was going to email Panny NZ but the Panasonic NZ web site is down, and was last night too.

Should I try it? Any other owners care to report what version they have?

P.S. Kinda weird - the firmware must be burnt to a CD, can't update vis USB or SD card. Dumb!

Dunnersfella

4100 posts

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#441880 21-Feb-2011 12:05

Just plug it into your network via Cat cable, then it'll auto-update to the correct NZ firmware over night.
Uploading the incorrect (overseas) firmware may play havoc with your machine...

Chainsaw

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#441898 21-Feb-2011 12:22

I haven't got a 20m cable!

wellygary

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#441900 21-Feb-2011 12:31

Chainsaw: I haven't got a 20m cable!

buy or build one :), they are not that hard to find

Dunnersfella

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#441906 21-Feb-2011 12:55

Buy / beg / borrow or steal a Panasonic Wifi dongle, connect it...
Wait for the update.
Sorted.

Or, drop it into the store you bought it from, ask them to leave it on overnight and do an update for you? I'm pretty sure you can't update 'on the spot', but instead have to wait until 2 in the morning etc.

Chainsaw

358 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#441912 21-Feb-2011 13:05

wellygary:
Chainsaw: I haven't got a 20m cable!

buy or build one :), they are not that hard to find

Jeepers! After buying the unit, PLUS a bloody HDMI cable (I thought I had one but didn't) not sure I can justify that for a oncer.

And not sure I would trust Harvey Norman to do a firmware update either! Not that they probably would anyway.

I'm currently corresponding with Panasonic NZ. Apparently 1.16 is the latest and they are not sure why my unit is showing 1.33!

It also seems someone is having a bad Monday: "We are aware the website is not working. It’s not just us and we are advised we are further down the queue than the hospitals etc."

Chainsaw

358 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 15

#441925 21-Feb-2011 13:24

Panasonic: "If the recorder is working as it should, I wouldn?t worry about it at all. The version it was shipped with would have been version 1.0."

Well if it was working as it should they wouldn't have updated the firmware would they?!

I'll stick the update disc in and see what the unit says to me. It does say in the manual that if the firmware is up-to-date it won't load the new one.

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

Dunnersfella

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#441972 21-Feb-2011 15:56

If it's working fine as is, what are you looking to achieve by updating the firmware?

Oh and why not take it to your router, plug in a small screen (whether it's a 22" TV or similar) and run the update?

Chainsaw

358 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 15

#442128 21-Feb-2011 21:50

Because updated firmware fixes things that were broken, or makes other things go better.

Easier to burn a CD and take it down there!

RingoTB

118 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#445338 3-Mar-2011 22:52

If the network cable is not long enough, temporarily move the unit closer to the router.

As people have already suggested, make sure the auto update via the internet is enabled, then (since you do not have a 20m network cable) unplug the unit and move it close to your modem/router. Plug in your short network cable, and leave the unit overnight. It should auto update if any firmware update is available. The next day, return it to it's normal position and check what firmware is being reported.

ilovemusic

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#445528 4-Mar-2011 15:05

Chainsaw: Because updated firmware fixes things that were broken, or makes other things go better.

Easier to burn a CD and take it down there!

Or it breaks things that weren't broken to begin with !

Seen that with several home theatre items.

The continual firmware updating of home theatre gear is a huge PIA.

As someone said if it works as is, leave it alone !