LG BD300 Won't play normal DVD after firmware update

picasso566

This thread is about the LG Blu Ray/HD DVD Player. Click here to see full specs

I got this player in December and I've played plenty Normal DVD, Blu-Ray Discs and streamed movies from Netflix. I was actually getting worried for a while there cause I was getting hooked.

About a week ago, after turning it on, the player gave a notification that a firmware upgrade was available. I installed the upgrade (mostly because I was hoping it would fix an issue with some streaming netflix movies). The firmware update installed an app which lets me watch Youtube content. Just what I freakin' needed! Youtube on my Pioneer KURO Elite Plasma! ROFL.

Anyway, it won't play any normal DVDs anymore. Even DVDs I played in the same player over a week ago. When I insert the disc, it says reading, then says Disc Error! Then it ejects the disc.

Anyone else have this issue? know a solution? I've heard that LG's support is a nightmare.

Thanks in advance,

Paul

radixsort

I have exact same problem. I called LG and they are asking 69$. I think it's software problem so I will wait till next update.

happy hopping

a dvd burner, is only $30. Almost all of us who upgrade to BD drive has a DVD burner. So why not use a DVD burner to do dVD burning and save the resource of BD-R to do only BD burning? that way, your bd drive lasts longer

whatsthedeal

I'm also having the same problem after the firmware update. $70 is ridiculous for a player that is only 3 months old (just out of their 90 day labor warranty) - no thanks. I am hoping that the new firmware update will fix the problem as well but I don't know how long it is going to take for the next one. It has already about 6 weeks since the last one...hopefully there is another soon. The rep I spoke with on the phone said downgrading the software was not an option.

radixsort

whenever I try to call them, call is routed to some nontechie customer support. I think we need to escalate this problem little more.

Another thing is LG has discontinued BD300. I am suspecting they might not put any efforts in fixing BD300 problems.

radixsort

dude, do you get what problem we are talking? Our blue ray player doesn't play DVD after firmware upgrade. We are still trying to play bought DVD and not ripped and burned.

whatsthedeal

Here is an article about the latest firmware update: http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/02/12...cess-included/

If you read the posts at the bottom, many people are having the same issue we are.

malegre

This is exactly what happen to me...i own 2 systems and both have dvd read problems...i sent 1 back 69+10 shipping... i think LG is ripping us off with this charge when it is a firmware problem...my units worked pefectly before update

maksimb

To all the people who have pad $69 to LG for labor charges withing one year of purchasing the drive -- you should try to get your money back..... They tried to rip me off the same way when I called the tech support with the problem (yeah, YouTube look really cool on my hi-end LCD TV ;-) but I just said no way and guess what? (remains to be seen if I actually get is fixed)

whatsthedeal

Hi everyone,

I was able to downgrade this morning to BD.8.11.480 by downloading the firmware from http://www.lge.com/support/software.jsp . I had to pick Canada from the list since the US link is not working. There is a firmware file that says (US ONLY) in the label at the bottom of the list. I put the ROM file on a USB flash drive and connected it to the BD300. It did not offer to update the first time, but it did when I disconnected and reconnected quickly after. So goodbye Youtube (boo hoo) and welcome back stability. Like maksimb, I refuse to pay for something they broke with a software update. My Netflix instant watch still works and I can watch movies again so don't hesitate to do the same.

dscooke

Thanks so much for this info. How did you download the file from your flashdrive to the BD300? I cannot find a USB port on the BD300. Thanks.

dscooke

I'm sorry for previous post. I found the usb port. (feeling stupid!)

twosheds

We tried the recommendation from "Whatsthedeal" yesterday, downloading the old firmware and reloading on the BD300, and the player still doesn't want to play regular DVDs. I'm wishing I'd just gotten the Roku box directly from Netflix and a separate Bluray player.

I think we all need to start inundating LG with e-mails and calls until they come up with a new update that will fix the problem.

Has anyone contacted the Better Business Bureau?

whatsthedeal

We definitely should bug them about this - it's unacceptable. I have not contacted the BBB yet...lets see how many people we can rally together on this (online petition?).

lilici

Did anybody try to play MKV files with new software update on BD300? BD 370 can play MKV files, so if BD300 with new update can open MKV files, it's not important to me if can't open DVD.

rabineitan

Hi, have you found a solution for this. I've seen a lot of people online with the same issue. Maybe we could pressure LG if you submit a complaint together.

whatsthedeal

I created this petition that I hope everyone will sign. It would be nice to know how many of us are actually having this problem.

http://www.petitionspot.com/petition...tedBD300owners
I also found this at ripoffreports....

http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/...Off0446155.htm

ssmug

I also downgraded to 11.480 and still can't play DVDs. LG customer service is pretending this doesn't exist, which is maddening.

Also, I swear LG delayed getting back to me after 3 calls just so I would be past the 90-day mark. I really don't want to pay them the $69 for something they broke, and would almost rather just buy a Roku just out of principle.

Maybe post the petition over at this thread on avsforum? There are probably people there with the same issue

radixsort

Could anyone raise the voice to someone important in LG? I am tired of calling customer service who neither accept there is such a problem nor provide any useful fix. We need to take some legal action to wake up LG.

twosheds

I signed the petition and logged a complaint on ripoffreport.com. Thank you so much for posting those links! Now I feel like I've done something to fix the problem.

We need to find out the name of the CEO of LG and each of us send him/her a letter (not an e-mail) with a full description of the problem. I saw a consumer advocate program that said that is the most effective way to get around the automatons in customer service.

twosheds

Let's all send a letter to the head guy:

Mr. Yong Nam
c/o LG USA Corporate Headquarters
1000 Sylvan Avenue
Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

Mr. Nam actually lives and works in Seoul, Korea. If you feel like sending him an international complaint, just google "LG Electronics CEO" and you'll get a link to the worldwide website with the address in Korea.

radixsort

I had very positive experience in my last call. Operator actually accepted this is LG's fault. He told me to send the unit and also told he has waived the $69 charge.

He says, firmware upgrade has screwed up things badly. This problem can't fix via another firmware upgrade. Unit needs to be manually fixed. I don't believe this crap, but I am happy that they are fixing the problem without charging.

huh-en

I finally had some luck with customer support using email, actually talking to them was useless. They said they would waive the service fee since this was a firmware issue. I used the customer support email form and I told them I wanted to know what they were doing to resolve this problem before I contact the BBB. I also included a link to this thread.

Good luck!

whatsthedeal

LG has offered to fix my unit free of charge _if_ (and only if) the problem was caused by the firmware update. If they find that the problem is from something else, they will charge me $70. It's not perfect but it's progress.

I wish everyone good luck in getting their units fixed.

radixsort

What I don't understand is, how can firmware update break thing so badly that it can't be patched in next firmware update.

I wish, I could talk to software developers in LG. This is ridicules.

On the other hand, I think this is massive conspiracy to eliminate DVDs and boost up Blue Ray Disc business. Think about it, who will benefit if all the DVD player in the world broke in a single day? All motion pictures, Blue Ray player manufactures are going to have huge profit.

Let's fight back against this. Please sign the petition
http://www.petitionspot.com/petition...tedBD300owners