LG's BD300 gets new firmware update, YouTube access included

by Darren Murph posted Feb 12th 2009 at 11:23PM

LG just gifted its multifaceted BD300 with HD Netflix support in December, and today it's blessing owners with one more goodie: YouTube access. The latest update brings the deck to version BD.8.16.537, and as mentioned, the most notable inclusion is YouTube streaming. Sure, it may not change your life, but it just might make your day. Give it a go and let us know how things look.

[Thanks, Kurt]

Filed under: Blu-ray, Players, LG

Tags: bd-live, BD300, firmware, LG, software, update, youtube

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Hawk @ Feb 13th 2009 8:19AM

I will have to update mine this afternoon and report back.

Neutral

CptDecker @ Feb 13th 2009 11:39AM

Honestly... who cares. Does anyone want YouTube on their DVD player? This was never on my DVD player wish list.

Neutral

EricC @ Feb 13th 2009 5:29PM

LG has confirmed that the "Verify presence on CptDecker's DVD player wish list" item on their project checklist was mistakenly verified as completed, but as it turns out someone simply spilled some ketchup on it. They will be issuing a public apology posthaste and the next firmware revision will have this feature removed.

Neutral

theedge @ Feb 13th 2009 2:24PM

That is great! I mean, how else do you get Youtube to your TV? I like showing videos on the big screen and I use my Wii to do it, a lot better than getting a bunch of people around my computer upstairs to see the "Jizz in my Pants" video....great for them to add value, especially in the new depression era.

Neutral

YouFaceTheTick @ Feb 14th 2009 12:34AM

Yeah, i miss the relevance of YouTube on any device. It's utterly worthless. Youtube is basically the craigslist of video.

Neutral

Matt @ Feb 14th 2009 12:43PM

Cool feature to show off to friends, not sure how often I'll use it, if ever. Annoying to have to search for things using the remote, but it wasn't available when I bought this player and now it is so I can't really complain.

Neutral

Alan @ Feb 14th 2009 11:26PM

Very cool! An easy way to get YouTube on my family room HDTV.

I will download the update shortly.

Neutral

YouFaceTheTick @ Feb 15th 2009 2:08AM

Why would you want youtube in your living room? I'm missing something here as some people seem to really think youtube has more than just videos of kids biting it on skateboards.

Neutral

Alan @ Feb 15th 2009 1:53AM

Just downloaded the update. It works flawlessly. Great job LG!

I think LG is one of the first companies (beside Apple via Apple TV) that make YouTube easily available on an HDTV. Please let us know if there are others.

And, please add your comments.

Thanks,
Alan

Neutral

Carl @ Feb 17th 2009 2:41PM

The PS3 and Wii can access a special Youtube for TV site (www.youtube.com/tv - only works on special browsers) that is pretty easy to use. Unfortunately, it seems all the videos using this site are in low quality, which kind of defeats the purpose of watching YouTube on a 50" screen.

Neutral

Greg @ Feb 23rd 2009 9:53PM

Just got the update 2-16-08. Yes, I guess it's kind of neat to have youtube on my blu-ray. I'd much rather have streaming audio. or access to other movie sites like blockbuster or hollywood to preview upcoming movies and log into my account to select movies to be sent to my home. Just my thought on it... As far as the youtube works it's pretty slick. I'm sure the higher your bandwidth the better. A couple videos had to buffer a little bit but that's probally due to my low bandwidth speed.

Neutral

Christopher Kendall @ Feb 21st 2009 6:08PM

My unit downloaded the 8.16.537 update without any prompting -- it wasn't an option. After installing this software upgrade, my BD-300 is no longer able to play regular DVDs, only Blu-ray. Recommend you wait until LG fixes this problem.

Highly Ranked

Michael Sullivan @ Feb 21st 2009 9:45PM

I also can no longer play standard DVD's. Only Blu Ray disk

Highly Ranked

Mike @ Mar 24th 2009 4:25PM

I ran into the same issue you experienced. Have you had a resolution yet? I called LG last night and the agent i spoke with knew nothing of this problem. She suggested a disc cleaner???? Blu-ray's play just fine...

Highly Ranked

Michael Sullivan @ Feb 21st 2009 9:47PM

Chris
Make sure you call LG and report this.
They are sending me prepaid shipping labels but I think I might just hope they fix the firmware if enough people call and bitch.

Neutral

Christopher Kendall @ Feb 22nd 2009 12:40AM

I spent 20 minutes on hold with them. Then called back and they said they had a huge volume of calls and would call me back in 30 minutes. They haven't yet. I think they are aware that the upgrade was defective, and will hold onto my unit until I hear from them. Since this can be fixed with another download, it shouldn't take long.

Neutral

Matt @ Feb 24th 2009 11:48AM

The update downloaded automatically for me too - the new feature is lots of fun. It works perfectly. Mine is not having any problem playing standard DVDs or BluRays since the update. Kudos LG - it's cool to get more features throughout the life of the product.

Neutral

MadAtLG @ Mar 4th 2009 5:24AM

I installed this update and cannot play DVD anymore. LG, you really need to hire a better QA staff.

Neutral

WTFLG? @ Mar 4th 2009 5:35AM

Low quality pixelated low resolution video upscaled to my 50" Pioneer KURO Elite Plasma is an awesome idea! Especially when I traded that for stupid DVD (Which don't play any more). Nice move LG

Neutral

Jason @ Mar 15th 2009 10:55PM

Same problem here - no more DVD playback since the update. :(

Neutral

Dustin @ Mar 20th 2009 10:16PM

Same problem with mine, as of new update there is no playback of DVD. Very annoying! Someone please let us know if they get there's fixed with some other update or something.

Neutral

Scott @ Apr 2nd 2009 8:56PM

I just upgraded. Starship Troopers BD wouldn't play before the upgrade, now it works! I popped a regular DVD in and the intro screen came up, so I assume DVD play works, but I'll try later.

Highly Ranked

GaryT @ Apr 13th 2009 8:01PM

DO NOT install 8.16.537! None of the new blu-ray discs will play with it. I had to downgrade back to 8.11 before they would play.

Neutral

WTD @ Apr 18th 2009 2:03PM

@GartT: How did you go about downgrading?

There is a thread about the problems many of us are having at cdfreaks: http://club.cdfreaks.com/f142/lg-bd300-wont-play-normal-dvd-after-firmware-update-267216/?utm_campaign=email_inactivity_090418&utm_medium=email&utm_source=inactivity_mail_twoweek#post2228084

Highly Ranked

Imlanman @ Apr 19th 2009 3:01PM

Same here, product was working great - now, not only will it not access the interenet, it won't even play most standard definition DVDs. WTF LG!

Neutral

Stormo @ Apr 25th 2009 9:58PM

Same problem. Upgraded software and now it won't play most DVDs. The only DVDs that will play are really cheap ones I have for my kids. This is irritating. I am getting very impatient waiting for a fix. I don't expect I'll buy another LG player if it takes this long for them to solve a known issue.

Neutral

MaxB @ Apr 26th 2009 11:40PM

Supposedly, you can send it in for a fix (just don't give LG $70 for labor when they ask for it if you biught yours less than a year ago...) Beats me why, but I guess you can't really downgrade (or can you?) without physical access to the device....

Neutral

WTD @ Apr 27th 2009 12:20PM

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. I refuse to pay LG for something LG 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.

Neutral

WTD @ May 4th 2009 12:32PM

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/petitions/cheatedBD300owners

Neutral

GXS @ May 9th 2009 4:22PM

YouTube access works great for my grandson's Thomas and Friends videos. Do you know if future software updates will include access to other video sites such as Hulu.com? Thanks.

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