Blu-ray players and DVD Dual Layerss

[Jackpine]

I am in the market for Blu-ray player, and was wondering if there are any that can play DVD+R dual layer disks? I know that the Sony BDPS380 and BDPS580 can play Standard Definition DVD+R disks, but not dual layers?

Does anyone know of Sony has plans to possible update firmware in the near future to allow playing of DLs?

Also, are there any other manufacturers that anyone knows who make Blu-ray players that can play dual layers?

Thanks!

[fritzi93]

What makes you think they don't? Early DVD players were hit-and-miss, like my Apex, may it rest in pieces. Until you brought this up, I assumed all Blu-Ray players could play DVD+R_DL discs, whether DVD-Video or BD9/AVCHD. Never heard different, although some early models got bad firmware that caused weird problems on occasion. I should think this is a non-issue with current players.

That's assuming the disc was burnt successfully with ImgBurn, with the proper file system and is not defective in some way. And there's the rub, for many people. They use crap discs, they use something besides ImgBurn, they don't verify the disc.

Anyway, my two Sony BDP-S360 BD players were good with DVD+R_DL, out of the box, and the firmware is different on each. And I have no plans to "update" them either.

Now, if I'm wrong, please show me. I just did a search (under "DVD players" over there <--, filtering the results for "Blu-Ray Disc"), and out of 399 players, many not reviewed, I could find only one that (supposedly) *won't* play DVD+R_DL. But with no explanation in the review.

[Jackpine]

The reason is that I said that the Sony BDPS380 and BDPS580 can play Standard Definition DVD+R disks, but not dual layers is that yesterday I contacted the Sony Live Support Chat Line from their website. I told the technical rep that when I viewed the specifications for both of these Blu-ray players, the clearly indicated that they are compatible with DVD+R and DVD-R media, but there was no mention of DVD+R_DL. He checked his info and told me that these two players do not play dual layer media. I was hoping that he was wrong!

fritzie93: I believe you when you say that your BDPS360 plays dual layers. Out of curiosity, would it be possible for you to check you spec sheets and see what it says? Maybe the models that I was looking at just aren't set up at the moment to play DLs. I don't know.

By the way, I fully agree with what you say regarding burning these disks properly. I use ImgBurn, verify after each burn, and use quality disks.

Thanks for the input.

[fritzi93]

Okay, I got out one of my manuals. On page 60, under "Playable Discs", and excluding Blu-ray Discs and CDs, it says:



DVD VIDEO

Discs such as movies that can be
purchased or rented

DVD

DVD+RWs/DVD+Rs in +VR mode or
DVD-RWs/DVD-Rs in video and VR
mode, including 8 cm discs (single
layer) and DVD+R DL/DVD-R DL
discs

DATA DVD

DVD-ROMs and DVD+RWs/DVD+Rs/
DVD-RWs/DVD-Rs containing MP3
audio tracks* or JPEG image files



That's verbatim, and I double-checked. Notice how it's aimed at, um, lets say people not very interested in technical specs. "Discs such as movies that can be purchased or rented"? Well, yeah.

Like no-one might burn DVD-Video to a blank. No, of course not. Not even home movies authored to DVD-Video. (Leaving aside backups). But just because the manual doesn't say so, doesn't mean it can't.

Forgive me if I seemed brusque about this. I sympathise, but manufacturers seem to think that giving useful information beyond a bare minimum reveals trade secrets. Manuals can be remarkably uninformative.

[EDIT] Unfortunately, those models you mentioned have not been reviewed on this site under "DVD Players" at left. But I'm thinking the rep you talked to doesn't know squat and just read from the same page in the manual I quoted above. I'd suggest you go ahead and buy whichever you prefer and test it immediately with a known good disc. Take it back if it doesn't play, but I bet it will. Good luck.

And one more thing, I play BD9 backups on mine all the time, no problem.

[johns0]

My sony bdps 350 plays dual layer + with no issues.The reason the reps say they don't play dual layer dvds is they don't know.

[Noahtuck]

The reason the reps say they don't play dual layer dvds is they don't know.

Yep!!!

Most phone reps/techs, etc. are nothing more than hired phone monkeys and really don't have a clue......

[m2mic]

I have the Sony BDPS580. I can confirm that it plays DVD-DL, BD-r's and BD-R DL. It can play any type I have thrown in it. It's a very good Blu ray player, it reads just about any type of files, MKV Xvid AVCHD m2ts, WHV, and some others I believe. And whats nice it has a USB port on the front so you can put some files on a flash drive and it will play them off that. It has the cross media bar like my PS3 does, but the media bar is a little sluggish and not as smooth as the PS3, but it gets the job done. Over all I love it and I would recommend it highly.

[Jackpine]

So there is no doubt that the Sony BDPS360 and BDPS580 can play dual layers! What messed me up into thinking that they can't is what the Sony live chat rep told me: "Sony Blu-ray players currently are not set up to play dual layer media. At some point in the future there may be a firmware update available to allow them to do so." What is further confusing is when I checked the on-line instruction manual for the BDPS380. It says:

Playable discs

DVD-ROM
DVD-R/DVD-RW
DVD+R/DVD+RW

Discs that cannot be played

DVD-RAMs
DVD Audio discs

So, the instructions don't say that it can play dual layers (in the playable list), it contradicts itself by not saying that it can't play dual layers (in the discs that cannot be played list). This is poor information.

Thanks to everyone who helped me with my question. I have my eye set on the BDPS580, and I will take one of my DVD+R_DLs into the store and have it tried out on the spot.

[jman98]

So there is no doubt that the Sony BDPS360 and BDPS580 can play dual layers!

Look. Let's not get carried away here. Yes, they SHOULD play dual layer discs fine, but I'm not going to bet my house that you or someone else can't use a piece of crap brand of DL media that it won't play or that you or someone else can't find a way to botch making the disc so that it won't play. For fewest problems, ONLY use Verbatim DVD+R DL discs and burn ONLY with ImgBurn (it's free). You do anything other than BOTH of those, you MAY have problems. You've been warned.

And by the way, Sony has LONG stopped being a quality brand and in my opinion you are flushing your money down the toilet by buying them. Your encounter with their "customer support" staff just proves this. You'd have to pay me before I'd use one of their BluRay players. LG, for example, offers some much better players for the money. And note that Sony hates its customers so they've been known to do things like make players that must be firmware updated on a regular basis or they'll refuse to play some discs. Sony hates you and thinks you and all customers are thieves, but if you want to support the most consumer unfriendly electronics manufacturer on the planet, that's your business.

[budz]

^^^Whoas! Calm down....I think the OP has gotten the msg now.

[Jackpine]

Just to be clear, my issue is not with different brands of dual layer media or how it is burned. I am simply asking if Blu-ray players will play dual layer media - period. The brand of media is not even part of the equation.

Regarding Sony, aside from the dubious information given to me by the Sony tech, I have had nothing but excellent experiences with Sony products, be they TVs, DVD players or cameras.

[fritzi93]

Well, I liked my first Sony BDP-S360 enough to get another one. Since they're the only Blu-ray players I've got, I have little basis for comparison, apart from viewing movies at friends' homes. Picture quality looks about the same as any I've seen and about the same as playing off my HTPC using TME.

As to forced updates, I just dunno. I confess I have Blu-Rays that I've never played. Not unless the extras sound interesting. I always make movie-only backups and play them. Yes, I hate warning screens, trailers and menus that much. Just hate 'em. So forced updates ain't happening here.

[budz]

Just to be clear, my issue is not with different brands of dual layer media or how it is burned. I am simply asking if Blu-ray players will play dual layer media - period. The brand of media is not even part of the equation.

Regarding Sony, aside from the dubious information given to me by the Sony tech, I have had nothing but excellent experiences with Sony products, be they TVs, DVD players or cameras.

You're definitely missing the point when you were given the advice to use only VERBATIM DUAL LAYER DVD+RL media. Basically if you want DUAL LAYER DVD+RL media to work correctly in any bluray/dvd player using quality media does make a difference. If you use crappy ass brands like RITEK then the likelihood of it being compatible in any bluray/dvd player will be questionable. First rule of thumb in burning dvd media is always use good quality media and 2nd is to burn with IMGBURN. As far as SONY goes they have broomsticks up their #$#$# ass & will tell any customer BS. Take it from a SONY Fanboy from the 80's.....SONY's quality control went sour long ago when they began to outsource to other countries to build their products. I own 2 PANASONIC Bluray players and they have no problems....their firmware upgrades are all about keeping up with the latest bluray movies if there are compatibility issues which are few.....Just my 2 freaking cents!