Avatar will not play. Blu Ray update help!!!??

Question

Ok I cannot get Avatar on Blu-Ray to play on my Sony Vaio VGN-NW150J. I'm using the WinDVD Blu-Ray disc player. When I attempt to play the disc a message comes up and says

"Yor Blu-ray player requires an update in order to play this disc"

What do I need to do? I can't seem to figure out what update I need or where to get it. Surely I don't have to buy something new, right?

Answer 1

I just got off the phone with Sony support (I have the VGN-FW560F) I was told there is an ongoing problem with 20th Century Fox Blu-Ray discs. "Avatar" is brand new and because there are constant Blu-Ray updates that are being developed this particular movie will not play at this time.

Sony is working on a patch for the movie now.



I will be calling back tomorrow as they are now closed. I was given a reference number and priority assistance when I call back tomorrow. I tried the standard def Avatar disc and it works just fine. So, will just have to wait for the patch for the blu ray version.



I hope this helps.



Update: Here is the explanation from Sony...

Posted: 04/19/2010



It has been discovered that the movie "AVATAR" in Blu-ray Disc™ format cannot be played on certain VAIO® computers. The issue is caused by an incompatibility between the WinDVD BD application by the Corel Corporation and the BD Plus encryption technology used on the AVATAR Blu-ray Disc™.



We are actively working on a solution and apologize for any inconvenience. Please check back soon.

Answer 2

There is a new update for the firmware, you can simply get it by going into the VAIO update section, or you can get it from the website here:

http://genesis.sony-europe.com/instranet/ccil_sony/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=43328&l=en_GB&m=VPCF11M1E_H

Answer 3

I cant watch this blu-ray so I wasted $20. but if I want I can go download a blu-ray torrent of the movie So what is the point of changing the encryption if it only gets cracked in a day or two

Answer 4

You need to upgrade your player. Most of the manufactures carry old upgrades. I have a Sharp BD-HP21 and I downloaded DVD_SOFT_HP21U_HP50U_PN9062300, that's the firmware update. Copied it on a pen drive, inserted the usb to the usb port (service port) behind the player. After the upgrade I was able to see the disc menu, but no playback was possible. I will try to return the Disc on Monday. I watched the movie at the theater, so there is no use on watching the regular DVD. I needed the Blu ray version. Hope this help. Go to your player mfg. and download the upgrades. Good luck.

Answer 5

you need to download the firmware from the manufacturers website. Then you put it onto a thumb-drive, and put it into the back of the blu ray player. follow the instructions from the website where you downloaded the firmware, and it will update. We JUST had the same problem and are now watching the movie just fine. (make sure you know the model- ours was BDHP210 i think. its on the back of the player.

Answer 6

This update does NOT work for Avatar according to the tech support guy I just spoke with. Corel (the maker of WinDVD BD for Vaio) and Sony are working on a solution and should have an update on the sony support site within two weeks! Just go get PowerDVD for $69 and voila! Youre watching Avatar

Answer 7

Give it a few days after the official release date and it will play, it just requires a firmware update which they will be working on as i type this.



Its not a big deal, Blu Ray movies sometimes use new anti piracy keys and sometimes new Java features and they require firmware updates to play.



Have patience and it will work. No point returning it and getting another copy as it will have the same issues, its not the disc and it will work once the firmware update kicks in.

Answer 8

Quote:

"Just ran into the same problem with my blu-ray player, a Sharp Aquous. I went to the Sharp web site (customer support site), and downloaded an updated version of the firmware for my player. Then, I copied the file to a thumb (USB) drive and updated the player using the update option from the setup menu. Most player have a USB port. I am now able to watch Avatar. Bottom line, you need to get the firmware update from the manufacturer of your laptop, Sony Vaio. Actually, here is the site you need to go:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNNW150J#div_pos_113

Select your operating system, and select WinDVD Software in the Sort Files by Type. There is an update for WinDVD dated 10/08/2010 that fixes issues with the Blu-ray players."











The problem which people have been describing, is that there IS no update for this.



The firmware updates for the drives themselves are very old, as most computer drives never need the firmware updated.



The problem lies in the Blu-Ray playback software that comes with Vaio laptops that have a blu-ray drive. There is no update that fixes this problem on a large number of newer Blu-Ray Discs.

The update you see from January does not address this issue, as people have posted.









With the release of Avatar, you can bet it will finally get fixed, however, since a lot more customers are going to be upset at their brand new movie not playing on their brand new laptop.











Currently, until the software is updated, the only workaround is to use different playback software, which unfortunately is going to cost money for anything decent.

Answer 9

My blu ray player is saying the same thing and the damn chat tech support cant even help.

Answer 10

Paint it blue...waste someone else's time jerk



VLC...doesn't play blu-ray



I have a VGN-NW350F with a MATSHITA BD-CMB UJ141AS or you may have an optiarc.

Mine will not play the blu-ray either, a firmware update isn't showing for my model at this time. Your updates are: http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNNW150J#div_pos_13 I am using Arcsoft Total Media Theatre 3.0.170 on Win7 x86

Answer 11

It could mean the disk drive (get the latest driver from Sony's site) or the program (check with WinDVD's site or download VLC).

Answer 12

Just ran into the same problem with my blu-ray player, a Sharp Aquous. I went to the Sharp web site (customer support site), and downloaded an updated version of the firmware for my player. Then, I copied the file to a thumb (USB) drive and updated the player using the update option from the setup menu. Most player have a USB port. I am now able to watch Avatar. Bottom line, you need to get the firmware update from the manufacturer of your laptop, Sony Vaio. Actually, here is the site you need to go:

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=VGNNW150J#div_pos_113

Select your operating system, and select WinDVD Software in the Sort Files by Type. There is an update for WinDVD dated 10/08/2010 that fixes issues with the Blu-ray players.

Answer 13

I had the same problem with the Sony Vaio laptop. The good news is, it's not your firmware.The laptop comes with WinDVD and after inserting Avatar, I got the same message. I did find a message at the Corel website that said they where aware of the problem and are working on it, but I can't find it now. Friends who have PowerDVD 9 also get the Red screen and the same message. I talked to a salesman at the store where I bought it and he insured me that PowerDVD 10 would work. $80.00 later and he was right. It now plays, but this sucks. Does this mean that every time Hollywood decides to upgrade copy protection, we are forced to buy the latest program. I wouldn't be suprised if Corel announces an upgrade that will work for WinDVD, but at a price.

Answer 14

Got the same issue on my Sony Vaio, just downloaded the latest version of PowerDVD 10.

There is a 30 days demo version and you can play your Avatar Blu Ray disc for at least 30days.

At least it will give time for Sony/WinDVD to solve the issue....

Answer 15

Sorry this is not an answer, but I have a sony vaio vgn-fw560f and I cannot get the blu ray to play either. I will return the disc tomorrow.

Answer 16

Ok ppl the avatar movie wont play you would see a error or system update,i watch half the movie then it stop playing so made a few calls left and right but no answers.... well i purchase my movie at walmart so i got the regular dvd movie with the bluray movie aswell for 19.00$ bucks yea they new what was happening what a RIPP OFFF!!! SO yes ppl it not gonna work just the regular dvvd will not the blu-ray , were the fun in that , blu-ray is the best way to go. so yes avatar will be release in nov ? with 3d view so ppl if you did get the sale take it back...

Answer 17

I just bought the Avatar blue ray and i experience the same thing, but enable for you to play the disc you must update your blue ray player even for your laptop also. I have been informed that you must go to the products manufacture website to download the update and create the disc to update your player.

Answer 18

Corel Windvd Update

Answer 19

So you will need a update, go onto the official site for sony and you will be able to get a software that will automatically update your site.

If it is for something like your blu ray dvd player you would need to

burn it into a dvd. Then insert it into your dvd player to get it to work.



Like my oppo83 it was very easy to update and such.



Thanks

Answer 20

well, we do are having the same problem. but i do have the VGN_FW390 model but I also have the InterVideo WinDVD Bluray disc player but also encountering same problem.. I already tried to upgrade the firmware on sony website its http://esupport.sony.com/ there you can clikc the software and drivers then type in your model number then click continue then select your operating system then just choose the software you want to update like this WinDVD software. but for me I already tried to update mine but still didn't work. it still can't play my bluray avatar but I do have HP laptop and sony Bluray player and they have no problem on playing it. anyways i already contact sony about this and they are already something about this matter.. so we will just have to wait i guess:(

Answer 21

My Samsung BD-P2550 will not play this, and I get the same message. I've tried to get another movie---Made of Honor to play but it will not even finish loading. Samsunng's firmware update is over two years old, and they have nothing newer to offer us loyal customers in the near future...this is so frustrating...

Answer 22

SharpUsa.com Undergoing maintenance... website been INOPERABLE for 18 hours since Avatar was released.

Answer 23

The reason it wont play is because you blueray player is not painted blue if you paint it blue it will work