Samsung BD-C5500 and Netflix Activation

drinternet,

The firmware updates aren't exactly "snuck in", since you have to choose YES to perform a firmware update when they do become available.

Keep me posted - I do know that on occasion, refreshing the unit after either being completely powered off (power strip) or restarted may occasionally require you to re-activate the unit, but when you say 5 times, do you mean over a period of a few months? Or is this in the last week or two?

--HDTech

HDTech,

Thanks for the reply. The software, or more technically correct, the firmware, has been updated at least twice since installation and I have never been asked for permission. I know that's what the manual says, but it hasn't happened for me, yet.

I never power the unit completely off. Yesterday, Friday, I re-activated 6 times. Once, during playback of an instant view movie. The network is fine (Roadrunner) and my computers had no problems. My router is also always on.

This morning I received an email from Netflix explaining that they were experiencing technical difficulties that may have interfered with movie viewing. I know that they are significantly expanding their "instant view" capabilities, so that may have caused the problem.

Regards,
The Doctor

drinternet,

Okay, I think I see what's happening here.

There are two kinds of udpates. One is Firmware, which should give you a prior version number and a proposed new version number, which you should be able to select.

The other is updating the currently installed apps, (like Vudu, Netflix, YouTube, Facebook, etc) that DO automatically update. Those are changes by the widget owner, and no, there is no way to be prompted, or stop them from loading once they start. While those are updates to the individual widgets, they're not the firmware updates.

Thanks for the information from Netflix. They are a valued partner, and the service is usually extremely reliable overall. That may explain it.

--HDTech

I am the original poster and thought I'd post again with an update. Before, almost every time I turned on the player and clicked on Netflix it asked me to reactivate. I tested something to see if had anything to do with the way I was accessing Netflix.

On the Blu-ray player, there are two Netflix icons. The first one is on the main screen after turning on the player. Ignore that one and click on the "Internet@TV" icon and wait for the "starting" message to go away. Now that you are in the main "Internet@TV" screen, you can click on the Netflix icon under Recommended Programs.

Entering Netflix in this way seems to fix the activation issues that I was experiencing.

I hope this works for others.

I have an HT-C5500 system, the firmware is up to date and other aps are definitely accessing the wired ethernet connection. I've also signed up for an account with netflix.ca. There is a netflix icon from the main Interntet@TV screen, but when I pick it the screen goes blank and nothing happens. They only way I can get back to the menu is to open the CD tray and close it! What am I doing wrong?
Thanks!

dhdesigns,

I don't know if Netflix is ready with the HT-C5500 in Canada. Unfortunately, I have to refer those questions to the Samsung customer service center in Canada.

--HDTech

Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
The samsung web site clearly states that this device IS netflix ready in Canada:
http://pages.samsung.com/ca/netflix/English/

There is another discussion board on this topic. I have been fighting with Samsung Canada for answers and as of yet nothing. It seems as though there is some sort of firmware problem?

I suggest calling Samsung Canada and letting them know that you have a problem and that this isn't something that only you have been dealing with. They need to look into it and the more people call the better.

http://ct.cnet-ssa.cnet.com/clicks?t=603487309-8f970412e358fbf2adb6481a078ca741-bf&brand=CNET-SSA&s=5

I will definitely try this, thanks. I was asked to reactivate twice today and started to notice something. It is happening when the unit turns itself off from inactivity. I paused something, left the room and came back. It was off and I was logged out. So I tried this a few more times to test it and it did it every time. It does it on other occasions, but this is one.

I received a software upgrade this a.m. for the Samsung HT-C5500. Of course, as soon as it was finished and powered back on, it asked if I was a Netflix customer. Different screen, though. Hope they fixed some things...

Hi,
Was it an automatic upgrade?
I will look for it when I get home tonight!
Thanks

Well, I have finally determined that the reactivation issue is due to software upgrades. Today I received a new upgrade for both the blu-ray player and Netflix. After the upgrade was completed, I had to enter the activation code again. I hadn't had the issue for about a month and then the upgrade happened. One they figure out this bug, all should be right with the world.