PowerDVD recommends drive firmware updates?

bear_in_mind

Newbie Joined: Nov 24, 2017 13:31 Messages: 14 Offline

Solved by

Dec 24, 2017 15:50

Hi. I came across something strange a few days ago. I fired up PowerDVD 14 (UHD BD version, which I installed on a lark when I got one of my UHD drives) on my old HTPC. PowerDVD said that there was a firmware update for my drive, and it asked if I wanted to install the drive. I found this very peculiar. PowerDVD has never done this before, and besides, the drive (LG brand) is from 2010.

Has anybody else experienced this in the past? I find it very strange that this is the first time PowerDVD has ever asked if I want to update my drive's firmware. I think it's safe to assume this has to do with the drives out there (mostly LG brand, coincidentally enough) that can be used to rip 4K drives. I find this very sketchy, but for now, I'll live with it. I'll just warn Cyberlink, if this is some sort of attempt to plug the hole, that there's a huge difference between optional updates and forced updates. The latter is a huge no-no, and will result in a lot of people making noise if this ever becomes a thing.

Thanks.

QC2.0

Senior Contributor Joined: Apr 27, 2016 04:02 Messages: 610 Offline

Dec 25, 2017 05:52

BD drive firmware update aims to fix or enhance the drive compatibility with other software or disc reading/writing compatibility.
It is released by drive vendor but not cyberlink.
If all LG or other branded drives have or require new firmware to play new Blu-ray movies, I think there will not be a sketchy suggestion, but a confirmed webpage (e.g. FAQ) to suggest user update with very clear instructions.

In fact, I don't think cyberLink has the magic power to push the drive vendor for update on all model of drives.
It sounds not practical, and there is only sketchy suggestions available because not all of drives or all kinds of BD discs requires firmware update for playback.

fyi

bear_in_mind

Newbie Joined: Nov 24, 2017 13:31 Messages: 14 Offline

Dec 25, 2017 15:48

Quote BD drive firmware update aims to fix or enhance the drive compatibility with other software or disc reading/writing compatibility.
It is released by drive vendor but not cyberlink.
If all LG or other branded drives have or require new firmware to play new Blu-ray movies, I think there will not be a sketchy suggestion, but a confirmed webpage (e.g. FAQ) to suggest user update with very clear instructions.

In fact, I don't think cyberLink has the magic power to push the drive vendor for update on all model of drives.
It sounds not practical, and there is only sketchy suggestions available because not all of drives or all kinds of BD discs requires firmware update for playback.

fyi

Hi. Firmware updates are also released to plug DRM holes. A bunch of LG drives got a FW update this month that supposedly "enhanced compatibility" with newer discs. In fact, the update plugged a hole that allowed the drives to rip 4K discs. That reeked of Hollywood coming down on LG and demanding changes in response to the loophole. Considering the sneaky things companies have done in the past to promote their DRM (e.g., the rootkit Sony put on CDs years ago), I think it's a reasonable assumption to make that Cyberlink would also be told to push these FW updates. Maybe the forced update wouldn't fly but Cyberlink can certainly hound customers and misrepresent what's on the firmware.