New firmware for 5990/37..Thanks to vb6rocod

[jagabo]

Was wondering if the 5990 has the capacity to play USB devices using the EXFat file sys with a firmware mod or would this require a hardware change?

That wouldn't require a hardware change.

[akrako1]

has anyone had aspect ratio problems playing mpeg video files via usb on the 5990? It plays every mpeg as 16x9, instead of using their appropriate aspect ratio. Any ideas if that can be fixed by firmware or if there is another way to work around the problem? (short of reencoding the mpeg to 16x9 w/pillarbox of course)

[jagabo]

Yes, the 5990 always displays bare MPG and VOB files as 16:9. I just use the AR control on my HDTV to force 4:3 when necessary.

[cal_tony]

I go to the setup menu and scroll down the video section to HDMI setup. Go to Wide screen format. Check Super Wide than go back and check 4:3 Pillar box.

For me the Pillar box setting is not saved when the unit is turned off so I have to use the above procedure each time the player is turned on for 4:3 movies. If the movie is a 16:9 it plays correctly.

Strange stuff?

Tony

[Techflaws]

From what I've read on the 5990 and experienced with my 3260, the players have problems with mpg AR. Even if properly flagged they get played back 4:3. I'd contacted Philips about it and send them a test file as requested but haven't heard from them since. Thus: no Philips for my next purchase.

[jagabo]

I'd contacted Philips about it and send them a test file as requested but haven't heard from them since. Thus: no Philips for my next purchase.

You actually thought they would respond?

I don't mind pressing the AR button on my remote to "fix" the image.

[Techflaws]

They DID respond asking for a test file. After that they didn't bother anymore.

[Information]

First, Tripper and VB6 Thank you!

I've found some odd issues with 4.1 that I've not seen in any other versions. With avi's played from a usb stick the video will slow and audio will go out of sync. Then the video will speed up, resulting in video and audio back in sync. I tried to duplicate in 4.0 and earlier but couldn't. This is using 4.1 with the volume patch applied to a 5992/37 U.S. model. Any ideas?

Thanks again

[vb6rocod]

First, Tripper and VB6 Thank you!

I've found some odd issues with 4.1 that I've not seen in any other versions. With avi's played from a usb stick the video will slow and audio will go out of sync. Then the video will speed up, resulting in video and audio back in sync. I tried to duplicate in 4.0 and earlier but couldn't. This is using 4.1 with the volume patch applied to a 5992/37 U.S. model. Any ideas?

Thanks again

This may be a coincidence... I don't think it's from new version... Try again this test, maybe was a bad day for your player...

[Wanderlustus]

Hey folks, I'm wondering if there's firmware out there to make the 5990 region free. A mate of mine is offering to send me the Blackadder series from the UK, but I don't know if I'll be able to make use of them. Thanks for your attention and any responses to my query.

[jagabo]

Hey folks, I'm wondering if there's firmware out there to make the 5990 region free. A mate of mine is offering to send me the Blackadder series from the UK, but I don't know if I'll be able to make use of them. Thanks for your attention and any responses to my query.

You don't need a firmware mod. You just press a few buttons on the remote. The instructions are given DVD Hacks section: https://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks/philips-dvp-5990/9370

[Wanderlustus]

Hey folks, I'm wondering if there's firmware out there to make the 5990 region free. A mate of mine is offering to send me the Blackadder series from the UK, but I don't know if I'll be able to make use of them. Thanks for your attention and any responses to my query.

You don't need a firmware mod. You just press a few buttons on the remote. The instructions are given DVD Hacks section: https://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks/philips-dvp-5990/9370

Many thanks, Jag'.

[Wanderlustus]

Man, that was easy. Damn, I love this player, and I sure as hades love this site.

[Tiernan]

I didn't have this problem with previous Philips machines (and thought it might be upconvert-related), but regardless of what media I attempt to play (from CD/DVD or USB drive), there is a 2-3 second delay between when the video shows up and the audio signal comes through the receiver. The sound is in synch when it DOES start, but the delay in the start is still very annoying. Has anyone else had this problem?

[jagabo]

there is a 2-3 second delay between when the video shows up and the audio signal comes through the receiver. The sound is in synch when it DOES start, but the delay in the start is still very annoying. Has anyone else had this problem?

Yes. There is no fix as far as I know.

[Ai Haibara]

It could be due to the indexing routine the 5990 does at the beginning of an AVI. You could always try remuxing one of the AVIs on which the problem is noticable into an MP4, and see if the problem persists.

[jagabo]

It could be due to the indexing routine the 5990 does at the beginning of an AVI. You could always try remuxing one of the AVIs on which the problem is noticable into an MP4, and see if the problem persists.

No, it even does it on commercial DVDs.

[Ai Haibara]

Huh. I hadn't really noticed... maybe. I know it takes a little longer than I'd expect to start playing a DVD, but didn't really think too much of it.

[jagabo]

For example, when you rewind a bit because you didn't understand what someone said. The video comes on but it's not until about 3 seconds later that the audio starts. So you miss what they said again.

[Wanderlustus]

For example, when you rewind a bit because you didn't understand what someone said. The video comes on but it's not until about 3 seconds later that the audio starts. So you miss what they said again.

I've noticed this as well. Thought it was just my machine, but apparently not.

[Ai Haibara]

Yeah, I just didn't think much of it. The rewinding bit has bothered me one or two times, but I've already developed the habit of cuing farther back than I think I should, so I can check.

[Wanderlustus]

Here's some info' a fellow posted on usenet the other day. Is he correct in this?

"The region code has nothing to do with the type of video you are
playing eg NTSC,PAL etc. It wouldn't make any difference what region
the DVD came from if the player can't play the video type.

Just thought I'd let you know that the ********* DVDs are
region free and would have played on your philips without making it
region free. The reason for this is your player will convert from
NTSC to PAL and visa-versa on the fly so you can choose ANY PAL
DVD and know it will play on your player."

[jagabo]

Yes, there are two issues. Region codes (just a number on the DVD that indicates what region players are allowed to play the content; this is what the hack is for; and not all DVDs are region restricted) and PAL/NTSC encoding. The USA version of the Philips 5990 can play both NTSC and PAL discs. The latter are converted to NTSC on-the-fly for output to the TV. Many DVD players in the USA will not convert PAL to NTSC and most televisions sold in the USA will not display a PAL signal.

[Wanderlustus]

Thanks Jag'. What I can't figure out though is I tried these same discs in a Samsung DVD P241 that isn't supposed to play PAL (as far as I could find out) and they work just fine. Think I gots some more larnin' to do . . . .

[jimboe]

Question for the gurus here.

I just bought an LG 50PQ30 PDP (it does 720p/1080i) and am wondering if it is worth it to get the DVP-5990 upscaling player (or any upscaling DVD player for that matter) to compliment this TV.

I curretnly have and old 480p progressive DVD player and wonder if I would notice a difference on DVD's using the Philips via HDMI vs my old 480p via component.

BTW: I bring this up because the DVP-5990 is on sale @ dell home for $49.99 w/free shipping.

TIA

[techsdc1]

I bought this player from bestbuy..But i dont see the option of pal in the tv type..i see only ntsc..
Please advise how to get the option on it..i have pal TV..

[jagabo]

The US version doesn't have PAL output.

[huykin]

I am using v4.0 of the vb6rocod firmware on my DVP5990/37 connected to a SD 4:3 CRT TV, and found that the "TV Display" aspect ratio option in video setup doesn't work. When palying MPEG2 or XVID videos with widescreen DARs, switching between the 3 options ("4:3 Pan Scan", "4:3 Letter Box" and "16:9") doesn't change anything.

In particular, I have SD PS MPEG2 files recorded by a Sony camcorder with 16:9 DAR (MPG extension, but probably VOB container). When I play those on a computer (say with MPC-HC), they play with the correct 16:9 DAR. But when I play them with the above setup, video is significantly cut on the sides AND significantly stretched vertically, and switching between "TV Display" options in the player setup doesn't do anything.

Any suggestions on making that setup option work? Is this caused by the mod firmware?

[Techflaws]

No, the original firmware does have AR trouble as well, Philips doesn't care.

[vb6rocod]

The US version doesn't have PAL output.

Use my firmware.... Have PAL, NTSC or Multi.