Folks with BluRay issues.

Ok I got my machine today. Love it. The one issue (isn't for me as I have Ultra 9 already and took off the Dell version and installed the superior version..) is PowerDVD. The Dell version just plain doesn't work. It is NOT a hardware issue. It is completely software. So do NOT call tech support as they will not be able to help you. Dell's tech support.. even the XPS tech support is horrid.

Sadly this means your stuck buying PowerDVD or another DVD/BR player. But keep in mind.. PowerDVD is still the best when it comes to the full working version, especially with hardware decoding.

I played around for about an hour trying to get it to work with the Dell installed version and no matter what I did, it just plain wouldn't work.

Should it work? hell yes. Will Dell get it to work for you? no sadly. They will make you uninstall it, reinstall it, uninstall it, reinstall it, run "tests" etc. It's pointless.

This is just my findings. I can confirm 100 percent that it is not hardware. PowerDVD 9 Ultra plays everything flawlessly.

Edit: Some people have suggested getting the PowerDVD updates. It didn't work for me but do try it before calling Dell or buying an upgraded version.

 

You did the updates, right? For the included version? Could it have been your disc? Some don't play nice...

~Ibrahim~

 

Mine works fine. Dell media also works with the blu-ray player.

 

Yeah I did all the updates. I got fed up with it and just installed the version I paid for on my desktop.

I only posted this because of all the folks having issues with their blueray drives thinking it was hardware.

I tried a few Blu-Rays and none had worked. I'm going to go ahead and edit the top post to suggest trying the updates.

I did upgrade my drive firmware. The firmware was 1 generation old. I have the Blu-Ray writer.

 

The updates fixed it for me..

That's terribly unfair of Dell, though: if you had more time, I think you should've argued with them until you saw the opening scenes perfectly.

What happened when you tried to play it or what errors do other people get? It spit one at me for trying to use two monitors.

~Ibrahim~

 

I didn't get any errors, just would not play or even recognize that I put in a disc... Was rather odd..

 

Interesting...did you get a chance to try regular DVDs?

I'm leaning toward something about region codes, but I'm not sure...

 

You know, now I feel stupid. I didn't even think to try DVD's since I read everyone else having these issues, which is why I made this thread. I didn't even think of the region code.. I do know it should be default set but I now remember buying my desktop blue ray drive and having to set it. Odd thing is with PowerDVD 9 Ultra I didn't have to set the notebook drive.

My experience has not been good with Dell's tech support. Just last night I called as I was missing my transformers USB Drive which was a deal I got with my order. I got transfered to 6 different people, all transferring me to different people. I finally just gave up and hung up. Tried again later.. Same issue.

Does anyone remember when Gateway and Dell used to keep their tech support in the United States? You could understand people, they were smarter, more eager to help and you didn't get the run around. I had to ask a dozen times to have the out sourced people repeat things a minimum of a dozen times. I even had one hang up on me.

Now Dell wants you to PAY EXTRA to have US based tech support.

 

That's ridiculous.

Nah, it was just an idea. I didn't have to set my region code, either, but it was a guess.

For the Transformer's USB drive:

Call Dell and hit extension 216917x (x = 3, 4). Try both, usually one will get you the Jaguar Sales Team. Granted, they do Sales, but they're based in the US and are great people.

~Ibrahim~

 

Thanks man I'm going to try that tomorrow!

 

No problem. Hope it works out; they're supposed to be the best of the best.

~Ibrahim~