Sony FMP-X1 4K media player

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4K Video Format Finally Has a Content Source in Sony’s FMP-X1 Media Player

By Michael Heiss July 3,2013

To start, the FMP-X1 is only compatible with the two most recent Sony 55- and 65-inch XBR x900A models. Hook it up to anything else, even Sony’s own 4K-native VPL-VW1000ES projector or the 84-inch flat-panel set, and it simply won’t work. Sony reminds us that there is a different server bundled with the XBR-84X900, but if the display is anything other than the two X900A models, then you are just out of luck.

In terms of content acquisition, storage, and control, be reminded that this is a Sony-specific product only presumably using the eyeIO codec, although it is possible that others might be useable at a future date. It is also a “download and store-only” product and service. Content is not streamed, but downloaded to the internal 2TB hard drive, so expect it to take about nine hours to download any new content not already on the drive. A rear-panel USB connection is available to connect additional hard drive storage and there is also a USB 3.0 port on the front surface.

...................As for the question of the installation, itself. Clearly any custom firm that will provision this sort of product will need to be there to do some of the physical and other connections, but be forewarned that Sony is requiring that “in-home premium activation” be performed by them, presumably through third parties who have received the requisite training. If that is NOT you, and that is likely to be the case, you have no choice but to schedule the installation with this additional outside firm. Precise details on what this “activation” involves were not available at press time.

With all of the caveats aside, including the use of this 4K content server currently being restricted to not just one brand’s displays, but to specific models only within their product line, the availability of the FMP-X1 this month is an important step forward for 4K/UHDTV. Again, while somewhat limited on both content availability and device compatibility, it certainly does answer those who claim that 4K is a format in search of content. This is only the first of what one can expect of many such devices to come as time moves forward. With Sony leading the charge here as a proof-point on 4K content distribution it is a safe bet that other and more open services and devices from the likes of Netflix and others are going to follow sooner than later.

http://www.residentialsystems.co ... -media-player/84773

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r32

Sony the competition is getting tougher

Just posted in a Press Release by Samsung with the release of their new F9000 55, 65 and their 85 inch UHD panels to dealers.

"Samsung promises future-proof performance with its exclusive Evolution Kit with interconnect permitting next generation HDMI connection as well as HEVC 4K codec capability allowing purchasers to keep up with improvements to UHD as new features become standardized and implemented."

post by thestewman, avs

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My name is Dave and I work for the Home Entertainment and Sound Group at Sony. I have worked in the Home Audio and Video group for over 8 years and have worked very closely with Amy, the past product manager for projectors at Sony. I do support Projectors and want to officially communicate to all of you what I can. I cannot commit to maintaining a full dialog with this forum so please understand that I may not be taking questions or replying.

Before I make any official statement, I want to thank you for your purchase of what I think is an amazing product and your support and appreciation of the product is noticed and very much valued. I have long been reading your comments and am aware of the confusion around the FMP-X1 4K Media Player and the VPL-VW1000ES. We are still working on our plans and will announce when we have all the pieces in place. All of that being said, I am sure you want to know Sony’s official policy about a 4K Media Player working with your VPL-VW1000ES projector, so here it goes:

"Thank you for your comments. As a valued customer, we want to respond directly. As you know, the VPL-VW1000ES projector was designed based on the industry standards in existence at that time. Still cutting edge, the VPL-VW1000ES displays both unsecured 4K video and upscales HD video to an amazing image.

The new Sony FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD media player is the only device that provides native 4K movies and TV programming to customers, and uses the latest industry standards to deliver content securely. While our newest 4K Ultra HD televisions incorporate these standards, earlier products such as the VPL-VW1000ES will require an update.

Please be assured Sony will meet your expectations to provide a path for you to enjoy 4K content from a media player compatible with the VPL-VW1000ES. Details of our program to work with a 4K media player will be announced and implemented as the Video Unlimited 4K download service is finalized and launched later this summer."

I also wanted to offer to any of you that may be going to CEDIA the opportunity to come to the Sony Booth and introduce yourself to us. I do look forward to meeting some of you. Thank you for your time and we will communicate again when we have more details to share.

Edited by Sony Dave - Today at 6:37 am

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1359018/sony-vpl-vw1000/5070

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友網流傳某HK用家已經收貨, 希望佢可以成功開通 :question2:

r32

Surgery was a success here. It was this pair of tech's first go-round.

Remove back, insert board, close tv, update software, plug in X1, update player, play.

Sony part # A 1952947A





source : http://www.avsforum.com/t/147306 ... d/690#post_23530262

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"So I had my surgery today, WITHOUTsuccess. The board in the TV was successfully updated and the firmware updates to the TV and X1 were also successful. However, when the techs tried to view something from the X1, they could only see one or two previews. Every time they tried to view a movie the X1 would just restart and go back to the main menu.

The techs spent a lot of time on the phone with a Sony tech person who seemed to think that the problem was related to our network setup. We have both the TV and X1 hardwired, but to a network switch which is connected to a router. The Sony tech seemed to think that a direct connection to the router was necessary ... i.e., the connect we had was not "fast enough". Luckily I was able to haul out sufficiently long cables to connect both the TV and the X1 directly to the router, but stlll no success. Then the Sony tech said that it might be that the ethernet cables used to connect to the router were too long (25').

Does this make any sense to anyone here? What role does the network play in my getting something on my X1 to play on my TV? I thought these movies were on the X1, not on the network!

Anyway, after 2.5 hours the techs gave up and told me that I would be getting a call soon from Sony techs, who were giving my problem "expedited support". (Yeah, right.)

I suspect I just have a bad X1 and would like to see another one on my doorstep ASAP!!

Is anyone else who is successfully using their X1 connected to the network via a switch (i.e., not directly from a router)?

BTW, after the techs left I am unable to even view the menu on the X1. I go to HDML 4 on my TV but don't see anything -- is there an on/off button on the X1 I'm not seeing? I tried rebooting but no luck."



"A second long day wasted with Sony tech support trying to get my X1 to work. When I hadn't heard back from them as promised, I initiated the call and was told that I had to have my TV and X1 connected directly to my router with a SHORT ethernet cable (the cable provided with the X1 kit). And that the router needed to be a newer one with the latest firmware.

So I went out and bought a brand new router, made sure the firmware was current, and reconfigured things so that the TV/X1 connected directly to the router (short cable). Same problems with the X1 continually rebooting.

I then spent a frustrating 3-4 hours on the phone with different tech support people who asked me to jump through repeated (inane) tasks of unplugging and replugging in the router, TV, and X1 (in various different sequences), with and without network connected, and with & without HDMI4 connected. Throughout the conversation I was put on hold numerous times while someone or something else was consulted. At one point the conversation went like this:
•Sony: Plug in the X1 and tell me what lights you see.
•Me (after a full 2 minutes of watching): I don't see ANY lights.
•Sony: Do you see any red lights?
•Me: No, I don't see any red lights. I don't see ANY lights.
•Sony: Do you see any white lights?
•Me: NO, I DON'T SEE ANY RED OR WHITE LIGHTS. I DON'T SEE ANY LIGHTS!

and so on. It was an unbelievable waste of time.

Finally, after the 2 tech guys spent 2-3 hours yesterday and after I spent 3-4 hours on the phone with them today, Sony determined that my X1 box likely needed to be replaced (duh!) and I was told that they'd call me back before 7pm to get my credit card information (so that they could send me a new one before I sent back the broken one).

When they called me back, Sony again put me on hold numerous times throughout the process of my giving them my credit card number, making what should have been a 30 second call into a 10 minute call.

I cannot believe that my "reward" for buying a Sony TV for $7K plus the media player was to have to endure hours and hours of testing (aka torture) before Sony would admit that my media player might have some problems.

Now, here's the kicker. I went to dinner leaving the TV on (set to HDMI-4) as well as the media player. When I left, the media player was doing its usual cycle of boot, reboot, reboot, etc.. But when I returned from dinner, the X1 menu was finally showing continuously (without rebooting) and I was able just now to start playing a movie without the dang thing rebooting again. (Note that right now the X1 is NOT connected directly to the router -- instead going through 2 switches and some 75 feet of cable). Sheez! I don't trust this X1 so will definitely replace it with the new one when it arrives."


post by love2lindty, avs

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"I'm not at all encouraged about Sony's desire to keep their early adopters happy.

After spending numerous hours with Sony tech support running their silly tests on my defective X1 (which even involved my purchase of a newer network router), I was told on Tuesday that I would get a replacement X1 player sent to me "right away" .... provided I first give them a credit card number (which I did). Later I thought that my original X1 might actually be working, but that was only a 10-minute dream before the player died for good.

When nothing had appeared by Thursday, I called Sony to ask when I might see the replacement. I was told that my order hadn't even been placed yet and that they could not tell me when they'd be able to place the order because the supply of X1's was now very low (with none available at all to the Sony tech support division).

But new X1's still appeared on Sony's website (where I bought my original X1 + expedited shipping), so I asked to be transferred to the sales division in order that this might be treated as a return of a defective player, and so that I could get a replacement X1 shipped out to me immediately.

After a couple of hours on the phone (being placed on hold repeatedly, and being sent up the chain to a higher level of so-called "customer care"), the upshot was that I could buy a new X1 at the FULL price of $699 and get a refund of my $499 purchase price when they received my return (after all, my coupon for $200 had already been used on the defective player!). OR I could return my defective player to them first and they would send out a new one (at $499) once the tracking number of my return was sent to them by Fedex (a process, they acknowledged, which could take 24-48 hours, at which time they'd likely be sold out).

I told them that this was unacceptable and that instead I'd just return the X1 and get my money back. (Sure enough, the X1 now shows as sold out on the Sony site, so I made the right decision.)

Bottom line: I'm still in the window of return on this TV and am not at all convinced that Sony will "future proof" this set, given how I've been treated both by tech support and sales during this X1 player fiasco."

post by love2lindy, avs