topic Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370 in Home Cinema, Projectors & Players

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

mudkipper — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 19:20:42 GMT

I have a BDP-S370 Blu-ray player and have updated the firmware to M03.R.694 but no sign of the BBC iPlayer. The unit was purchased from Pixmania selling into the UK market but it is a French unit. Could this be the problem? I would have thought that iplayer restrictions were based on ip address and as far as I can see the M03.R.694 firmware downloads from the UK and French service sites are identical.

Has anyone else had this problem or know what can be done?

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

Catmambo — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 22:50:48 GMT

I'm just checking with a colleague for you as i'd be interested to know also. Will feedback as soon as I have an update

Thanks

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

sonyihugs — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 22:34:30 GMT

I've just got mine from the same site and have the same problem, has anyone found an answer yet. If not I think it's going back !

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

Catmambo — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 23:36:12 GMT

The Tv's are definitely region specific - Freeview HD/DVB-T2 is a UK only technology and denoted by the 3 at the end of the model code e.g. 46HX903 - thus iPlayer is restricted to just UK models. However, still waiting for confirmation from a colleague who looks after Blu-ray who is currently in the US. Hopefully have an update tomorrow.

thanks

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

Catmambo — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:05:16 GMT

Just to confirm, iPlayer is actually locked out on European equivalent Blu-ray devices even if you are based in the UK and have the updated firmware. So maybe see if you can return it and pick up the device from a UK reseller instead to ensure current and future compatibility for UK IP services.

Thanks for raising this.

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

jowestw92 — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:32:02 GMT

I have just updated the firmware on my S370, no sign of Iplayer.

Regards

John

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

Catmambo — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 14:37:00 GMT

Which retailer did you buy it from?

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

pmk_mck — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:42:17 GMT

I got my S370 from play.com a few months back and iPlayer works just fine on it but it didn't appear when I first connected up the device to the internet, and I'm in the UK. The issue I had was due to the geographic boundary control implemented in the unit and the fact that my ISP was giving me a WAN ip registered to the republic of ireland (dont ask! 😉 ) You've no idea how much chew this caused with my Vodafone SureSignal!!!!

Anyway, the long and short of it is, that the ip address on the WAN side of your broadband router is used to pinpoint which country your S370 is being used in. So when the S370 calls home (has internet connectivity) it's told which services it can list. Unless your ip is registered as being in the UK then it won't show iPlayer. The reason for this is that iPlayer content is not licensed for playback outside the UK, so mechanisms are put in place to make sure that this is the case.

If you have the ability you 'move' your WAN address to different countries then you'll see 'other' services listed in place of iPlayer. http://www.speedtest.net/ will show you where it thinks your ip address is registered.

I had the opportunity to try my S370 with a WAN ip address registered to Luxembourg and it listed a totally different set of catch-up services. When back with a UK ip, it shows iPlayer etc.

I'm running M03.R.694 by the way.

I can't say that Sony don't put different firmware on devices intended for use in specific countries, but it would make the manufacturing processes very difficult. Though, i'm seeing posts on this forum where other uk based catch-up services are listed but not iPlayer...so maybe they do.

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

pmk_mck — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 23:45:00 GMT

One further thing. When I was trying to diagnose the S370 iPlayer issue with Sony I was given this response:

"The next thing to consider is that this BDP-S370 was not intended for sale in the United Kingdom and has been imported by the retailer, if this is the case there would be nothing that could be done to allow BBC iPlayer to be available on the product. I would recommend that you check with the retailer to establish where the product originated from."

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

Catmambo — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:31:27 GMT

Very useful post! Thanks

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

egg1973 — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 08:22:40 GMT

I have the same problem. My machine was delivered yesterday from Play.com,

Instaed of iPlayer I have a couple of what looks like german catch up channels.

Can the issue be resolved or should I return the machine?

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

Catmambo — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 12:55:58 GMT

Can you confirm the names of the channels as the UK devices feature Deutshe Welle and Tageshau, but they should both be at the very bottom of the list. iPlayer and Qriocity should be at the top.

Can you confirm you have the latest firmware and have re-freshed the content from the setup menu?

thanks

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

bobsony — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 15:06:33 GMT

Deutshe Welle and Tageshau are at the bottom of my list with Qriocity at the top. I have the latest firmware.

Can you advise - for the avoidance of doubt - how to "re-freshed the content"

thanks

Purchased from play.com

MO3.R.695

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

mudkipper — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 15:45:17 GMT

Both Sony and Pixmania have now confirmed that iPlayer can't be used on this unit.

From Sony:

"In response to your enquiry, I can confirm that your Blu-ray will not be able to receive BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom due to it being manufactured in France. This is because the software within the unit cannot recognise BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom."

From Pixmania:

"I have been reviewing your file and I am sorry that you are not satisfied with your product.

I would like to inform you that I have contacted our purchasing department and they have informed me that unfortunately the BBC iPlayer is not compatible with this product.

Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience."

I think my IP address is UK as I can see iPlayer on my Humax satellite box ok. Since I've had the Blu-Ray player for 2 months, don't have the box and can ger iPlayer on the other box anyway I'm not sure whether to go through the hassle of returning it now. I guess I might miss out on other future services though.

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

Catmambo — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 16:55:30 GMT

Just to be clear, its not becase the unit was manufactured in France, its simply because the UK software build is different to the continenal version to enable iPlayer. (iPlayer utilises a closed web browser in order to deliver iPlayer Bigscreen)

To do a system reset - go to settings on the Xross Media Bar and then down to the bottom option which should be resetting. Once in that menu, the bottom option is all settings. That should clear everything. Disconnect the device from the network before hand in case it decides to cache any of the icons also.

Indeed there may well be future services that utilise the browser so if you do have an option to switch it for a UK spec model then do. Don't forget iPlayer on the Blu-ray also offers HD service as well which not many other devices do yet - (including PS3!!)

thanks

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

bobsony — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 17:24:52 GMT

How does one determine what country it was manufactured in - my box says Malaysia

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

bobsony — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 18:43:27 GMT

But how is a consumer to evaluate this significant attribute?

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

Catmambo — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 19:37:56 GMT

It really isn't significant. The issue is only likely to impact grey market imports. If this affects your unit then best contact your retailer directly and get it exchanged either via them or another retailer for a UK spec model.

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

bobsony — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 10:50:47 GMT

So this limitation is a function of software loaded at the factory by Sony.

Clearly Sony must have some sort of arrangement with the retailer regarding where their products are sold - by definition the consumer, i.e. me. is not party to that. As it is the consumer who is directly effected by this arrangement, I woukld like to propose a way of progressing from the current situation.

Would you therefore consider making available a software upgrade - tied to the serial number of my player - which would alter the software loaded in the factory to enable iPlayer in the UK?

Can't see iplayer on BDP-S370

Catmambo — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 18:12:25 GMT

As mentioned - If you are having problems getting iPlayer and you have run through all troubleshooting steps, then best contact your retailer directly and get it exchanged either via them or another retailer for a UK spec model. Any Sony centre should be able to update your device and confirm iPlayer is working before you leave the store.