New Philips Upscaling DVD Player DVP5982/37 1080P! and USB 2.0 Support?

[TBoneit]

Anyone else notice that Component and HDMI both connected the unit takes a very long time to turn on?

[bluemoss]

I have a Westinghouse 1080p TV and am trying to get the Phillips DVD player to output at 1080p. Currently it won't let me select the 1080p option. It stops at 1080i. I have the two connected with HDMI but I read something in the manual about having to use DVI to HDMI to use the 1080p option. Is that true, or has anyone been able to get 1080p out of just pure HDMI?

I have an external HD that was formatted to NFTS, and I already have numerous iso imaged movies, can I reformat half the HD to FAT without moving the images off the drive and moving them back. Also why does the drive have to be formatted as FAT?
Would I be able to view my iso images once the drive is re-formatted to FAT and I have the DVP5987?

Thanks

[Gareee]

Let me make a partial retraction.. the new firmware update reduces the packed bitstream playback issues.. it's about 50% "cured" but for 100% smooth playback, you do still need to unpack files.

I was watching it closer last night, and we still could detect "some" hoppiness. No where NEAR as bad as it was, but still not "right" like my old 642.

[racerboom]

Hey Gareee,

Would you mind doing a test for us?

Could you dl and play the following 4 test files here:

http://www.phunkyfish.com/article/5/downloads#packedtest

Which files, if any, do you get slight stutter using the new firmware?

Thanks in advance.

[Bib]

Help! Just got myself a 5980. Tried to use my Sandisc Cruzer Micro U3 4Gb USB stick and all I get is a "Device Not Supported" message

The gauling thing is that this self same drive has worked fine on my DVP5860 for the last few months. I didn't need to format it as it was FAT32 out of the box. I was under the impression the 5980 was exactly the same as the 5960 apart from the 1080p upscaling?

Can anyone help? I even bought another 4Gb Cruzer Micro feeling safe in the knowledge it would work on the 5980

[racerboom]

Anyone with an 5982/37 and the latest firmware want to help out with the packed stream test files?

[eastpower]

racerboom:

I've just upgraded the firmware and I've run your packed stream test files. The results are as follows:

2a_packed.avi - Ran smoothly. No problems with either video or audio
2b_packed.avi - Ran smoothly. No problems with either video or audio. (There may have been some very, very, slight video jerkiness but small enough that it could've just as easily just been in my head)
2c_packed.avi - Huge stutters. Video and audio for play for 1 sec than pause for about 8 secs then play for 1 sec...
2d_packed.avi - Audio was smooth. Video seemed slightly jerky though still watchable.

[fberfell]

I have an external HD that was formatted to NFTS, and I already have numerous iso imaged movies, can I reformat half the HD to FAT without moving the images off the drive and moving them back.

Yes. You would need software like Partition Commander 10.1 http://www.v-com.com/ or Partition Magic http://www.symantec.com

Would I be able to view my iso images once the drive is re-formatted to FAT and I have the DVP5987?
Thanks

An ISO image is generally regarded as a large single file representing the exact contents of a disc including the file system, directories, and contents. You cannot read, or mount, an ISO image with a DVP5982. You can play the contents of a DVD, i.e., VOB files ripped to an external hard drive if that is what you are wanting.

Interestingly to some maybe, the DVP5982 will play from start to finish the complete contents of a DVD copied to a folder. The >>| buttons even respect the chapter points. I could not navigate to the menu as it just flashed for a quick second when I selected the folder with the remote.

[fberfell]

Now what I want to know is: does the 5982 have the same issues and do they all get fixed with the 5982 firmware upgrade on philips' site? And is the USB connection still USB 1.1 and if it is, does it perform better? I've seen some links on here and some contradict each other, is anyone saavy enough to answer these questions? It would be amazing if someone could.

The confusion is/was the DVP5982 supports DTS through HDMI or Coax. But not both HDMI and Coax at the same time. These may have changed with the firmwares.

First, Digital Audio Ouput needs set set to All for DTS. Setup - System Setup - Audio Setup - Digital Audio Setup - Digital Audio Ouput - All

When Coax is used, HDMI audio must be turned off. Setup - System Setup - Audio Setup - Digital Audio Setup - HDMI Audio Setup - Off. Now you got Coax DTS.

When HDMI is used for Surround Sound, you have to set it to PCM only. Setup - System Setup - Audio Setup - Digital Audio Setup - Digital Audio Ouput - PCM Only. Don't forget to go back up the tree and turn HDMI audio back on. Digital Audio Setup - HDMI Audio Setup - On.

Above is how mine worked out of the box. These may have changed with the firmwares.

On USB 1.1 or 2.0, it doesn't matter. For all practical purposes when playing a DivX file off a DVD that reaches the performance level of high bitrate, decompression, multi-channel sound, or whatever where the video starts to get jerky or PQ suffers, if you copy the file to a USB device and try to play it, it will likely not play at all or definitely play with worse consequences. Maybe it's USB 3.0? Whatever it is you cannot play MPEG-2 content at anywhere near the rates you could off a DVD. Whatever it is it's not fast enough. Then again nothing ever is, is it?

[fberfell]

Anyone with an 5982/37 and the latest firmware want to help out with the packed stream test files?

I have latest firmware and did a before and after comparison within about an hour of each oher. I saw no difference. Ditto me on the results eastpower wrote, and put me down for same before or after latest firmware.

[jagabo]

I've just upgraded the firmware and I've run your packed stream test files. The results are as follows:

2a_packed.avi - Ran smoothly. No problems with either video or audio
2b_packed.avi - Ran smoothly. No problems with either video or audio. (There may have been some very, very, slight video jerkiness but small enough that it could've just as easily just been in my head)
2c_packed.avi - Huge stutters. Video and audio for play for 1 sec than pause for about 8 secs then play for 1 sec...
2d_packed.avi - Audio was smooth. Video seemed slightly jerky though still watchable.

Just out of curiosity I ran the files through my 5960 with the official _37 firmware.

2a_packed.avi, 2b_packed.avi and 2d_packed.avi were all a little jerky -- a small jerk 2 or 3 times a second. 2c_packed.avi had problems like you described but not as bad. The video and audio would play for a while, halt for a while, etc. I ran all of them on both a USB thumb drive and a DVD+RW.

I then use MPEG4Modifier to unpack (and remux obviously) the four files. All four played smoothly.

To rule out any kind of VBR audio issue (three of the four files had VBR MP3 audio, the other, 2b, had AC3 audio) I converted the audio to 192 kbps CBR Lame MP3 with VirtualDubMod. 2c_packed.avi was now only as jerky as the others, a few small jerks per second. Note that this remuxed the original video (keeping it packed) and reencoded the audio.

I then use VirtualDubMod to simply remux the video and audio from 2c_packed.avi. The file played with only the small jerkiness of the other files.

So what's unusual about 2c_packed.avi? GSpot indicates that the audio is muxed differently. The audio is interleaved in 72 ms chunks (1.7 frames) whereas the other three are muxed in 40 or 42 ms chunks (1 frame, 40 or 42 depending on whether the video was 25 fps or 23.976 fps). VirtaulDubMod's hex editor with RIFF chuck tree viewer confirms the odd multiplexing in 2c_packed.avi.

Note that 2a and 2b don't have a lot of movement so it'shard to see the jerkiness at times. Watch the background when the picture pans.

[racerboom]

eastpower and fberfell,

Thanks for testing. I've been considering an upgrade to the 5982 for the 1080P upconversion. But for what it's worth, do you guys see any difference between the 1080i and 1080p output on your 5982?



jagabo,

I am using the FSwed 5960/37 firmware that supports packed bitstream, and they play files a, b, and d without problems. Not sure what features you lose with the hacked firmware over the official though.

[nWo34Life]

Help! Just got myself a 5980. Tried to use my Sandisc Cruzer Micro U3 4Gb USB stick and all I get is a "Device Not Supported" message

The gauling thing is that this self same drive has worked fine on my DVP5860 for the last few months. I didn't need to format it as it was FAT32 out of the box. I was under the impression the 5980 was exactly the same as the 5960 apart from the 1080p upscaling?

Can anyone help? I even bought another 4Gb Cruzer Micro feeling safe in the knowledge it would work on the 5980

Can someone please answer this question? I'm kind of in the same predicament....

[fberfell]

eastpower and fberfell,

Thanks for testing. I've been considering an upgrade to the 5982 for the 1080P upconversion. But for what it's worth, do you guys see any difference between the 1080i and 1080p output on your 5982?

No I see no difference. Just as some background here and because I like to post about myself I force the 5982's HDMI upconversion to 720p and keep it there. That's what my eyes like for a 32inch LCD TV set placed 12 - 14 feet away. YMMV. I have had my 5982/37 for almost a month. Upscaling 480p DivX files is what I bought it for.

Be sure to consider the source material of what you are upscaling to 1080x. The 5982, within the Home Theater DivX Profile has a 720x480 limitation and one must two-pass encode and tweak the heck out of each individual video input to make upconverting worthwhile.

I do OK with VirtualDubMod Surround 1.6 w/Aud-X. Like another poster here I read somewhere in these forums, re-muxing fixes jerky DivX for me. I'll demux out the AC3 stream or VBR MP3 stream to CBR, then remux the file using the original video direct stream copied and muxed using direct stream copy of the demuxed AC3 or MP3. Sometimes I'll fast re-compress one or the other and use a slightly higher bitrate than the original file. This takes a very few minutes so remuxing for me can be a good first step.

This is my first HD-TV and first upscaling player. I am not an expert at any of this stuff, but I mess around, read these forums, find a method that works for me and stick with it. MPEG-4 modifier made my jerky DivX worse, not better. I'd wait for a sale and buy the 5982 were I you. Any short comings are fixed by, "Just what was I expecting for $50 US?"

[fberfell]

the DVP5982 will play from start to finish the complete contents of a DVD copied to a folder. The >>| buttons even respect the chapter points.

I am an idiot. The DVP5982 was navigating a folder on a removeable HDD. From one VOB to the next VOB just like it does with AVI files in a folder. Since each VOB from the original DVD started a chapter, I was thinking... well you know.

Three points for quoting my own post in a reply.

[fberfell]

Help! Just got myself a 5980. Tried to use my Sandisc Cruzer Micro U3 4Gb USB stick and all I get is a "Device Not Supported" message
Can anyone help? I even bought another 4Gb Cruzer Micro feeling safe in the knowledge it would work on the 5980

Can someone please answer this question? I'm kind of in the same predicament....

The Sandisc Cruzer Micro U3 4Gb will not work out of the box with the DVP 5982/37 (yes I see you mention 5980 which I do not have yet this forum speaks as if they are alike).

U3 in Sandisc Cruzer Micro U3 is the problem. U3 is proprietary technology and a portable computing platform. U3 contains hardware/software emulation of CD-ROM autorun functionality. This enables programs like Skype to run when the stick is stuck into a Windows box. If that's not what you want, return it to the place of purchase. Read here http://www.u3.com/uninstall/

Look for sticks that explicitly state they are a USB Mass Storage Device or use USB Mass Storage Device Class (MSC) data transfer.

[fberfell]

Is it any help that the directory names on a DVP5982/37 can be a total of 30 characters and all display on the top line of the contents page? Try this is on a removeable USB drive. It's different for CD's/DVD's. They sharpen up a little when you burn ISO 9660 Level 1 no Joliet and no relaxed restrictions.

This structure on a USB drive
E:\Smarter\Than\A\5th\Grader\S01E02.AVI
E:\Smarter\Than\A\5th\Grader\S01E03.AVI
E:\Smarter\Than\A\5th\Grader\S01E04.AVI

drive looks like

\Smarter\Than\A\5th\Grader

S01E02.AVI
S01E03.AVI
S01E04.AVI

on the display and the cursor is at the episode list to scrol up and down. Just a thought.

[Bib]

The Sandisc Cruzer Micro U3 4Gb will not work out of the box with the DVP 5982/37 (yes I see you mention 5980 which I do not have yet this forum speaks as if they are alike).

U3 in Sandisc Cruzer Micro U3 is the problem. U3 is proprietary technology and a portable computing platform. U3 contains hardware/software emulation of CD-ROM autorun functionality. This enables programs like Skype to run when the stick is stuck into a Windows box. If that's not what you want, return it to the place of purchase. Read here http://www.u3.com/uninstall/

Look for sticks that explicitly state they are a USB Mass Storage Device or use USB Mass Storage Device Class (MSC) data transfer.

Thanks. I have ordered another USB stick for my 5980. I wondered whether U3 was the problem. I just think it's strange that the 5960 has no problems with it and the newer model does

[thomem]

Is there a firmware upgrade that will allow the playing of DIVX YV12 on the Phillips DVP5960?

[MythSpell]

There's a new firmware on the Philips site released on Dec. 3rd. I just got one of these players, updated to this firmware, and tried the packed bitstream test file mentioned earlier. Played perfectly from a flash drive via USB. Edit: It plays "perfectly" in that there is no video or audio stutter and is therefore perfectly watchable. However, in doing some subsequent comparisons, in high-motion scenes, they do not look quite as fluid in the packed bitstream version as they do if you view the same file after it has been unpacked. But again, this is only an issue if you watch things using a highly critical eye. Many people wouldn't even notice this and even if you do, the file is still perfectly watchable.

My only real problem at this point is it recognizes my external FAT32 200GB HDD but with the problem of showing lots of weird non-existant folders inside of every folder of the root directory and not even wanting to play files in the root directory itself. Someone else who had this same problem posted it was resolved by completely reformating the drive using SwissKnife. Alas, at this point I don't have enough space anywhere else to offload the 180 gigs worth of files on the drive to be able to do a full format. And I don't even see a way within SwissKnife to even try to do a conversion of any sort to see if that would work. If anyone has any ideas about this please let me know. Otherwise, I hope the new firmware above helps some people out.

[jlhopes]

I'm looking into buying this player, and I would just like to confirm that it does play VBR MP3 files (audio only). I bought the Pioneer DV-400V and was surprised to find that it will only play CBR. It looks like the Philips does, but I just want to be sure. Does anyone know? Thanks!

[MythSpell]

I'm looking into buying this player, and I would just like to confirm that it does play VBR MP3 files (audio only). I bought the Pioneer DV-400V and was surprised to find that it will only play CBR. It looks like the Philips does, but I just want to be sure. Does anyone know? Thanks!

Yes it does. Just tested it using a very high average bitrate (~256Kb) VBR MP3 audio file and it played perfectly - off a USB flash drive in case you're curious.

[dr_Fear]

Hi to all.

I recently purchased this amazing DVD, and I'm very pleased for the picture quality and sound fidelity, but I have one question:
I live in Colombia, obviously my native language is spanish. When I play avi files with .srt subtitles, it shows strange characters when it comes to hyphens (áéíóú) and the letter 'ñ'/'Ñ'. Which one is the character codification that I should use to display the proper characters? UTF-8 or ISO?

Thanks in advance, and sorry for any grammar mistake, my english is not so good.

DrFEAR

[InfiniteReality]

I have had the 5982 for a while and have had no complaints apart from the remote control design and the slow speed it takes to read discs.

I recently updated the firmware, and unfortunately I didn't wait out the full 5 minutes for the upgrading. I powered the unit off, and now it won't do anything? I know it wasn't smart, but does anybody know what I should do? Will a factory reset work? I don't even know how to do that.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Any anyone please have an answer for the above question? After reading about the firmware upgrade I decided to do it. I'm not idiot when it comes to computers or electronics, but some how I screwed up. I followed the directions just like they said, left the tray open and waited...and waited...and waited... The instructions said it'd take 3-5 minutes to do, well after about that time the TV went black, CD tray was still open, display said LOAD. Figured it'd was still upgrading so I left it like that for an hour and came back, still the same situation. At this point I didn't figure anything was going to happen so I unplugged the DVD to reset it. I know it says not to do this, but after over an hour of waiting it should have easily had enough time to upgrade it with the two 2KB firmware files.

Is there anyway to reset the DVD player for it to work again? Or some how try to upgrade the firmware again or will I have to send the DVD player in for repair already?? Any help is VERY MUCH appreciated!!!

[soyezvrai]

I have the same problem. I waited about half an hour and gave up. Now it's dead without even the standby power LED lighting up. Dumb, not to have a boot loader in ROM. Called support, but no help there other than exchange which I'll do at BB tomorrow. The thing is I need the upgrade because I have sound problems (no sound over HDMI). I've tried all the menu options. It miraculously started working at one point but a couple of days later the HDMI sound went away again. There aren't many menu options and I tried them all 500 times along with various combinations of TV, DVD power up etc. so it's not that. The update instructions say to copy the files to a CD (with a bunch of whacked out options like slowest write speed and 31 character file name which I don't have as an option. Anyway, it seemed to take it but after opening the tray it just sat forever. The thing is there where two bin files: DVP5982_37.bin and DVP5982S_37.bin. I copied both. I saw someone said only use the non-S version, but the Philips site did not say that so I put both on the disk. Perhaps that was a bad move. You'd think the thing would know better or the site would indicate something if you were to end up with this stupid result. Not surprisingly the phone support is "experiencing higher than usual call volumes."

[soyezvrai]

There's a new firmware on the Philips site released on Dec. 3rd. I just got one of these players, updated to this firmware, and tried the packed bitstream test file mentioned earlier. Played perfectly from a flash drive via USB. Edit: It plays "perfectly" ... I hope the new firmware above helps some people out.

Did you copy both files (DVP5982_37.bin and DVP5982S_37.bin) onto the CDROM to do the update? How long did you have to wait after it opened the tray? I copied both files and waited 30min and now the player is dead dead dead.

Thanks, in advance,

Michael

[InfiniteReality]

That's the same thing that happened to me. I know it's definitely nothing I did, a monkey should be able to do the firmware update. I waited an hour for mine and nothing....same as yours, no standby light, just completely dead. The part that sucks is that no one local carries it here and I threw away the box, so I have to order another online from Circuit City, swap them and return the broken one for a refund. Time well wasted there, not to mention when CC ships something, there's no packing or anything. It's shipped in the manuf. box.

[VEFF]

There's a new firmware on the Philips site released on Dec. 3rd. I just got one of these players, updated to this firmware, and tried the packed bitstream test file mentioned earlier. Played perfectly from a flash drive via USB. Edit: It plays "perfectly" in that there is no video or audio stutter and is therefore perfectly watchable. However, in doing some subsequent comparisons, in high-motion scenes, they do not look quite as fluid in the packed bitstream version as they do if you view the same file after it has been unpacked. But again, this is only an issue if you watch things using a highly critical eye. Many people wouldn't even notice this and even if you do, the file is still perfectly watchable.

My only real problem at this point is it recognizes my external FAT32 200GB HDD but with the problem of showing lots of weird non-existant folders inside of every folder of the root directory and not even wanting to play files in the root directory itself. Someone else who had this same problem posted it was resolved by completely reformating the drive using SwissKnife. Alas, at this point I don't have enough space anywhere else to offload the 180 gigs worth of files on the drive to be able to do a full format. And I don't even see a way within SwissKnife to even try to do a conversion of any sort to see if that would work. If anyone has any ideas about this please let me know. Otherwise, I hope the new firmware above helps some people out.

Thanks for the info!
Can you confirm the following please:
You tried all 4 test files and there are NO issues with packed bitstream playback on the 5982 with the new (Dec. 3) firmware?

I have been looking at getting the DV-400V mainly because of the posts on a hot deals site and avsforum etc. saying the DVP5982 doesn't play packed bitstream XViD clips.
Before I decide on the 5982 (mfr. refurbs with warranty can be had for $39.99 + $2.80 tax) which is a lot less than the $80 + tax for the DV-400V I want to make sure packed bitstream clips are no longer an issue.
Even if I use a 10% coupon at a local store and get them to PM Walmart, the DV-400V will still be ~$77 inc. tax, which is close to double.
I can afford it, but can't justify spending that much more for something that won't really be any better.

Thanks!

[fberfell]

I noticed burning a DVD with the following settings

ISO 9660 File System
ISO 9660 Level 2 File Name Length (31 character Max)
and
ISO 9660 Character Set

allows the DVP 5982/37 with December 2007 firmware to display file names not limited to the 8.3 (8 dot 3) format, providing

* only one dot (.) is allowed in any file name
* a file name cannot begin with a dot (.)
* a directory name cannot contain a dot (.)
* file names may be up to a maximum of 31 characters
* only characters allowed are ASCII Upper Case letters, digits, underscores ( _ ) and dots (.)

This is dependent on buring software that doesn't relax IS0 9660 restrictions automatically, such as adding the Joliet file system by default.

A dash (-) is not allowed. Whenever a disallowed character is present, the "dreaded 8 dot 3 file name with a tilde" ( FILENA~ ) replaces the file name.

Sticking to the above rules when burning results in more pleasantly formatted file and directory names for me.

[racerboom]

Thanks for the info!
Can you confirm the following please:
You tried all 4 test files and there are NO issues with packed bitstream playback on the 5982 with the new (Dec. 3) firmware?

I have some test results of my own to post now.

I currently own a 5960 running hacked firmware (avail on phunkyfish) which adds support for packed bitstream. It plays A, B and D of the test files from phunky fish smoothly, C is damaged on purpose and it begins to chop few seconds into the clip. The 5960 in its stock form stumbled and stuttered all over these files, but the hacked firmware works great.

I just bought a 5982 from a store which had 33.40 firmware from the factory. It stuttered slightly on all 4 of the test files. I went to Philips site and downloaded the Dec. 3 firmware and upgraded the player to 33.43. Ran the 4 test files again, and there was still a slight stutter in all the files. Light, but definitely noticeable over my 5960.

As someone had mentioned, there are two files in the Dec. 3 firmware update. I burned both of these files onto the CD-RW but I have no idea which .bin the player used to upgrade. I do not know if there is a difference between both bin files. I did, however, check my firmware on screen after the update to verify that I indeed have 33.43 now.

One other nuisance was that the U3 embedded Sandisk Micro Cruzer I was using all this time on my 5960 did not work on the 5982. It shows "Device not supported" on the 5982. I see this is a known problem a few posts up. All I want to say is that the 5960 does not have this problem. I use the U3 feature so I wouldn't want to remove that from my flash drive. On the flipside, my 500gb WD mybook works on both players though.

I am going to bring the 5982 back to the store.