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UPDATE: Panasonic issues firmware upgrade to bring Viera Connect to Blu-ray players, recorders and systems

3 Oct 2011

Panasonic DMP-BDT310

Panasonic is releasing a firmware upgrade for its DMP-BDT110, DMP-BDT210 and DMP-BDT310 Blu-ray players that replaces the existing Viera Cast internet portal with Viera Connect. The BD upgrade will be available from October 5th.

A similar upgrade for all Panasonic's 2011 3D Blu-ray home cinema systems will be available from October 17th.

The company has confirmed that the addition of Viera Connect will also be available for its 2011 range of Blu-ray recorders.

Viera Connect is the latest version of Panasonic's cloud-based internet TV offering, and is an open platform allowing developers to create apps for it.

Users can use the IPTV platform to catch up on films and TV programmes, access social networking sites such as Skype, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, as well as watch music videos and play games.

However, it does not yet include BBC iPlayer on non-TV products. But Panasonic says: "We are currently waiting for approval from the BBC [for BBC iPlayer on Viera Connect], and it should be available very soon."

To get the update, you first need to check the firmware currently installed on your Blu-ray player. To do this:

1. Turn on the main unit.
2. Select "Setup" on "HOME MENU" by using cursor buttons on the remote control.
3. Select "Player Settings", then "Player Settings" items will appear.
4. Select "Others" on "Player Settings", then "Others" items will appear.
5. Select "System Information", then "Firmware version" will appear. (e.g. "1.42"). Make note of this version number.

Panasonic upgrade

If the version of the firmware installed on your player is lower than the newest version of the firmware available, download the newest version of the firmware by clicking on this link and copy it to a CD-R. Then follow the instructions on this page.

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Comments

hamiltonian Mon, 14 May 2012, 9:13pm

just upgraded to f/w 1.80.  BBC iPlayer is certainly present on the 'internet' menu.  Haven't tried it, though.

Andy Clough Fri, 6 Apr 2012, 10:22am

Good question jamesym. Off the top of my head I don't know if BBC iPlayer has been added to the BD players yet – I know it's already available on Panasonic TVs. I think you can now get Netflix though. Will need to check with Panasonic UK's press office, unfortunately can't today as we're all (supposedly!) on holiday. Will chase it up next week when I'm back in the office.

jamesym Thu, 5 Apr 2012, 8:57pm

Hi

 does anyone know if Panasonic are going to add 'Love Film' player

anytime soon?

Also BBCi player, ITV player etc.

 

Cheers

smbmetal Wed, 14 Dec 2011, 10:56am

Does anyone know if Panasonic are going to add 'Love Film' player anytime soon?

daveclaire77 Fri, 9 Dec 2011, 4:09pm

I bought a BDT110 last week after seeing the free Star Wars Blu Ray offer. I updated the firmware over the ethernet cable and now have viera connect. I must say although it's a great player I'm dissapointed by the connect services compared to Sonys Bravia Internet. BBC iPlayer would be great but what about 4 OD & ITV player too.

Come on Panasonic please catch up !!

Clare Newsome Wed, 19 Oct 2011, 7:56pm

As soon as we have news, we'll update this story.

msansford Wed, 19 Oct 2011, 5:30pm

Claire, Any news as to when the bbc iplayer/ viera connect firmware upgrade is going live?

Dodgypony Tue, 18 Oct 2011, 3:29pm

Thanks for the reply Andy, I've got a SC-BTT755, but no sign of the update yet. Do you know or are you able to find out when Panasonic are going to release the update? I've tried several times but each time I get the message that my firmware is the same & no update is available.

cottamweb Fri, 7 Oct 2011, 8:31am

Hi, read this and decided to check my gear out. I have a Pannasonic  BD65 Blu-Ray and a TX-L37V20 screen purchased in 2010. Both connected to home network via Ethernet

 

At lunchtime BD65 on selecting Viera Cast went straight into update and upgraded firmware to 1.40  but looks the same and is still Viera Cast. TV said no update.

 

At about 23:00 opened Viera Cast on TV and software update appeared from 2.703 to 2.710. took about 10 mins and requested power off/on. All worked well and now has Viera Connect. 5 screens for apps now available, Facebook (easy set up) and radio only notable additions at present.Looks like laid out for more apps to be delivered, iPlayer would be nice.

Will re-try the blu-ray again tonight

Andy Clough Wed, 5 Oct 2011, 3:21pm

Dodgypony

Panasonic hasn't mentioned ITV Player or any other services, for the moment it seems to be concentrating on getting BBC iPlayer up and running.

Dodgypony Wed, 5 Oct 2011, 2:04pm

Anyone know if ITV player etc are going to be added along with iPlayer assuming the BBC gives the green light, or even better that sky go is going to be made available? 

Clare Newsome Mon, 3 Oct 2011, 9:07pm

Bidgooj:

Story notes that BBC IPlayer is on its way... We'll update you when it goes live

bidgooj Mon, 3 Oct 2011, 8:49pm

I got the DMP-BDT210. I did not follow instructions above as firmware upgrade was performed via automatic notification over internet All worked fine with new layout, but why do the apps not match the TV vieracast apps? I.e BBC Iplayer??

chebby Tue, 4 Oct 2011, 4:27pm

Finally!

Now I have Viera Connect on my TX-L32D25B.

Looking forward to not having to use my Sony S370 for iPlayer any more (or any other external device).

bigrich Mon, 3 Oct 2011, 7:12pm

Our 18 month old Panny TX-L42D25B was updateed at the weekend and the new interface is a vast improvement

Amadeus1756 Mon, 3 Oct 2011, 5:13pm

Wow - that's great information - thanks Andy. It makes you wonder why they didn't say that they were intending to provide this functionality.

Will the recorders be able to record direct from iPlayer? (I'm not sure how this would work technically, but it'd be great if it did!)

thanks

Andy Clough Mon, 3 Oct 2011, 4:27pm

Just had confirmation from Panasonic, story amended: the upgrade will be available for all 2011 Blu-ray players, Blu-ray recorders and Blu-ray home cinema systems.

They're just waiting for final approval from the Beeb for BBC iPlayer on the BD players/systems, which should be added shortly.

And the Viera Connect upgrade for 2010 TVs was issued a couple of weeks ago.

alsina Sun, 2 Oct 2011, 5:29am

The Viera Connect update for 2010 model tv's was released 2 weeks ago.

bearwolfblade Fri, 30 Sep 2011, 9:13pm

There's no bbc iplayer at the moment but they have added shoutcast.radio

migroves Fri, 30 Sep 2011, 7:43pm

Anyone know if BBC iPlayer be available though Viera Connect on these players? I believe it is on Panasonic TVs with Connect

Andy Clough Fri, 30 Sep 2011, 5:21pm

I've emailed your questions to Panasonic's UK PR who is not around today, but will follow up on Monday.

msansford Fri, 30 Sep 2011, 5:14pm

Also, if they can upgrade from Cast to Connect on their blu-ray players, are they going to offer this firmware upgrade on their 2010 TV's? (Namely the TX-P42V20B)

Amadeus1756 Fri, 30 Sep 2011, 3:38pm

I wonder if this will be done for the top-of-the-range models - DMR-BWT800/700. Now they've shown that a Cast model can be upgraded to a Connect model, they're going to get some stick if they don't do it.