Blu-ray and DVD Players/Recorders

[LossAngeles]

Ok, while I know this player is a whopping 9 months old, I see it's still offered (not discontinued) and currently selling at Best Buy. http://www.insigniaproducts.com/products/dvd-players-recorders/NS-WBRDVD.html

So am I correct in assuming that a firmware update will be made to the Netflix software so it supports multi-channel 5.1 sound on Netflix streaming ?

I've read through many threads on 'older models' and no new updates. Seeing as this model is currently being sold I was hoping I could get a firm (no pun intended) answer for the NS-WBRDVD and Netflix streaming Dolby 5.1.

Thanks,

-Greg

[sscherr]

I want to know if this will be offered for the BRDVD3 as well.  It would be disappointing if Insignia will not support it since my player is only a couple of months old and can support dolby digital bitstreamed through the optical and HDMI ports for blu-ray movies.

Scott

[ChrisW]

Dream on................

[LossAngeles]

There is no reason to dream on. I'm actually encouraged because it's still on sale and not on their discontinued list of products. Secondly, I'm not asking for a new streaming service which is quite different than an upgrade of an existing one, this being Netflix.

So far Netflix has been pretty tight lipped about which devices they'll support after the PS2 rollout so there might not be much Insignia can tell us. But ya, call me optimistic that the netflix app might be updated since it's still on sale in stores =)

[wp34gsh]

I would have to agrre with ChrisW, seeing as insignia now has two new players out the wbrdvd2 and brdvd4 if anyone unit would get the upgrade it would be those, it simple business, they want to sell the new units and need to offer something more that the onld units, i was actually quite suprised the cinemanow update made it to the wbrdvd abnd the brdvd3. I would not expect to see 5.1 streeming on those units. not to say insiginia is wrong for that either/ back a couple years ago i had a samsung 1500 that was still for sale when samsung announced they would be providing netflix streaming, however they only added it to the newer models that were about to come out, they needed to sell those and if they added the netflix to the 1500 no one would have bought the 1600 model as it offered nothing new.

dont get me wrong i have been very pleased and happy with my insiginia wbrdvd player, but am not going to hold my breath for 5.1 netflix streaming, at this point in the game the ony updated ill expect are firmware for new bd discs that come out.

[LossAngeles]

People argue that Insignia can't make money off older players. Goodwill and word of mouth are great intangible assets so it behoves Insignia to add value to it's name / brand by providing product updates in this new era of content delievery.

There is also the Netflix subscriber base. If there are enough WBRDVD's out there streaming Netflix and their users savey enough to want 5.1 then Netflix will find a way to get it done with Insignia.

[sscherr]

Insignia should update the player.  Blu-ray players are upgraded all the time to be compatible with new discs and for other reasons.  The player can already output dolby digital plus bitstreamed over HDMI and dolby digital through the optical port for blu-ray.  Netflix supplies the software to Insignia and it is a simple firmware update, not a new streaming partner.

The Insignia people have been active on this board and helpful.  I am sure they will give us an answer soon.  If they do not upgrade the player's firmware, then they will lose me as a customer for future purchases.

Scott

[sscherr]

I forgot to mention that Netflix has announced 1080P streaming (available now for the PS3) and CinemaNow has announced DTS streaming before the end of the year.  These should be supported as well.

Scott

[Guille-INSG]

Hello all,

Welcome to Community@Insignia™!

I'm sorry to tell you that Netflix not having 5.1 won't be related to Insignia firmware, but will have to do to Netflix itself. As far as I know, they are working daily to provide even more options to their grate service, so I guess it will be no time since they can start offering such features.

For now you will need to take the best of the 2.0 offered and perhaps, if you are using an receiver, select Dolby ProLogic to get a 5.1 effect with the original stereo tracks.

If it was useful, and you liked it, Kudo it!

Thank you,
Guille
Insignia™ Support Team

[sscherr]

Guille,

Thank you for taking the time to answer this.  However, Netflix has just started broadcasting in dolby digital plus effective October 18, 2010, only available on the Sony Playstation 3 at startup.  However, they have indicated they will make dolby digital plus available to all of its partners (including Insignia) which will require a software update to the player.

The issue is whether Insignia will upgrade these players to allow them to handle Netflix's dolby digital plus stream.

Check out the Netflix press release for dolby digital plus.  We want to make sure that our players are upgraded to handle these streams.

Thank you,

Scott