Star Wars: The Force Awakens won't play in Panasonic SA-BTT370 Blu-Ray player (1 Viewer)

[MCTMike]

I have a Panasonic SA-BTT370 Blu-Ray player that was a hand-me-down from a family member. I've played DVDs on it, but never a Blu-Ray. I tried playing the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens Blu-Ray on it last week, and I got the UNSUPPORT message on the little display panel, and a message on the TV that the disc couldn't be read. I then rented last years Avengers: Age of Ultron from RedBox - same response.

I've tried playing the discs with a SD card in the front-panel slot - no good. I've tried disabling BD-Live, thinking maybe it was trying to download some unsupported web content - also no. I even disconnected it from the network altogether (by switching it to Wired connectivity - it's not connected to any network wiring.) Same response - the disc 'can not be read'.

It seems the device is up to date on the latest firmware - version 1.59. Its network connection works. I suppose it's possible it's a hardware problem, but I'm hoping there's an easier fix.

Panasonic wants 10 bucks just to answer my support call - do I have any better options?

 

[Jeff S in NJ]

How old is the player model? It may be "up to date" on the latest firmware, but that "up to date" may be the last firmware they released for it when they abandoned support for it. So "up to date" may not be "up to date enough".

Your only other option would be to buy a new player. We recently bought two Sony BD/streaming players for like $59/ea at WalMart. Save the $10 and put it toward a new player.

 

[Alf S]

I vote to buy a new player.

 

[Jason Charlton]

The firmware version mentioned is more than 2 years old (released in March, 2014). I think Jeff is probably correct in that newer discs simply aren't compatible with the older firmware, and you can't expect an update anytime soon.

Typically for all-in-one HTiB systems, we don't or can't recommend a replacement player since those HTiB systems usually don't have any HD or digital inputs at all. Many of them become doorstops if something stops working.

However you're in luck this time, since according to the online manual, that system has two HDMI inputs!

You should be able to connect a new BR player to one of the available inputs and be good to go.

 

[Matt Hough]

If it still plays DVDs but not Blu-rays, couldn't the blue laser simply not be working any more? I've had players that had that problem.

 

[atfree]

I have this same player (component of the SC-BTT370 HTIB), I watched SW:TFA without issue last night. Sounds like Blu-ray laser issue

 

[MCTMike]

I went with the 'new player' approach, connecting in to the HDMI in in the back of the HTiB box. Thanks for the recommendations, all

 

[Jeff S in NJ]

HTIB?

 

[MCTMike]

Home Theater in a Box. HTiB - it's lingo I picked up on another home theater equipment site.

Sorry about the confusion...

 

[Jeff S in NJ]

In a box? You mean like the old TV/DVD or TV/VHS combo units in one contained package?

Sorry, I'm confused.

 

[Chuck King]

In a box? You mean like the old TV/DVD or TV/VHS combo units in one contained package?

Sorry, I'm confused.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_theater_in_a_box

 

[Jeff S in NJ]

Got it.