Panasonic Blu-ray Players Report Trouble Streaming Netflix

A Growing Number Of Netflix Users With Panasonic Blu-ray Players Are Reporting Trouble Getting The Two To Work Together

Another strange bit of news about failure in electronics emerges, folks, as word about troubles with Panasonic Blu-ray players hits. Seems the trouble they’re having is in streaming content from Netflix, and worst of all, it’s not just one model, either, but several.

The reports are emerging from several different quarters saying that their Panasonic Blu-ray players, including the DMP-BDT210, aren’t streaming the popular movie service, but interestingly, aren’t reporting any other problems with the player. Blu-ray, no problem. DVD upscale, no problem. Even possibly other streaming services–the only problem being reported across a variety of models is with Netflix.

Some reports have emerged saying that Panasonic has released a firmware upgrade that’s geared toward fixing the problem, though no one’s reported whether or not the firmware modifications have actually done the job. And Panasonic itself isn’t saying much about the matter right now aside from the reports of the firmware upgrade.

This is something of a disaster; while Blu-ray players are clearly designed to play Blu-ray, and by extension DVD for the upconversion factor, the streaming is a huge and growing part of home theater in the first place. If Panasonic isn’t up to the job, it’s not going to do them any favors when people get to upgrading their components.Interestingly, one report came from someone with a Panasonic television and a Panasonic Blu-ray player who could stream Netflix through the television, but not through the Blu-ray player.

As is normally the case when something like this crops up, I’m going to open the floor up for you guys. Anyone out there got a Panasonic Blu-ray player that isn’t doing the job when it comes to streaming Netflix? Did you get the firmware update and have yet to notice a problem? Hit the comments section and fill us in on what’s going on in your home theater!

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  • 22 Comments / Add Your Response?

    1. Panasonic poops a big one says:

      This firmware update has jammed their servers and caused download time to be insane. Additionally some coder prick put in a subroutine to disable all OTHER internet content util you get the update in full. Catch 22 situation. This right before a major holdiay weekend (so they can avoid the 3 million calls ) has pretty much turned me off of panasonic faster that the speed on sound.

    2. meet2x4 says:

      Got the update no problem, still doesn’t fix the streaming blackouts that I experience with EVERY movie. That and very shoddy support for DLNA. Save your money and build a NICE HTPC for 500 with a blu ray drive. I agree with the above. Panasonic ALMOST had a customer for life out of me but there’s too many small problems to keep me from buying another one.

    3. I’m surprised more people don’t think about the HTPC concept. It’s got everything you need in one place and with a familiar interface. All you need is the speakers and the monitor / television.

    4. me says:

      It’s not just Panasonic…. We have Insignia and it’s doing the same.

    5. Best Buy’s house brand is giving you trouble? Now that surprises me, really. I don’t hear much about them, good or bad.

    6. Greg Haynes says:

      My Panasonic BD 65 just started this nonsense yesterday. I thought it was a Netflix problem because You-tube and the other streaming services work. I’m off to replace my player with one that works. It will not be a Panasonic.

    7. Ben says:

      My Panasonic DMP-BDT110 has problems with Netflix. It will start to load a movie, the red bar gets to about a quarter way and then just stays there until I get a message that I cannot connect to Netflix, yet it will still give me other titles to choose from. Internet connection to bluray player is wired and plenty fast enough. Some titles will play, but most will load a quarter of the red bar, then just hang until a message pops up. There is no error code. Just a message.

    8. netf@#ked says:

      just signed up for netflix so I could stream movies for my kids but my Panasonic btt370 does not want to play ball. I can choose the title and hear the audio but just get a black screen instead of the video. Firmware is up to date.

      Guess I wont be extending Netflix past my free trial.

    9. Alison says:

      Same issue here. Just got a new Panasonic DMP-BDT210 from Amazon today, upgraded Firmware to v1.7 and Hulu will play finebut no Netflix which is why we bought it. Just loads a quarter of a movie and freezes. So frustrating!!

    10. Camille says:

      My player is a new DMP-BDT110 and my problem is intermittent flashes of black during Netflix playback, which I understand is a dropout when it adjusts video quality. Firmware is up to date. Very annoying.

    11. Andre says:

      I should have check reviews first. I have a Panasonic BDT110 that plays any dvd great. Netflix on the other hand sucks. Video will randomly drop at irregular intervals for a second or so, up to 20 times per movie. Audio never drops and only one movie has played start to finish. I have the latest firmware.I should have gone with my gut since the Panasonic IFE systems I install are always more problematic than those of other suppliers.

    12. Richard says:

      Just purchased a Panasonic BDT210. ATT DSL Elite service. Netgear Wireless N router. Player connected to home WiFi with no problems. Ran the firmware update which was required before Netflix could be configured. Netflix streamed OK but movies have several momentary blackouts. Quite annoying. I guess the firmware needs improving if that’s supposed to be the fix. Has anyone identified whether this is only related to WiFi?

    13. too soon? says:

      Maybe it was all just too soon. I have been reading that it is not just panasonic…Sony owners are upset, too. I would hazard to guess they are all using similar technology/chips/firmware/software whatever. I have a panasonic BDT-215P on wifi. Netflix gets up and streaming no problem, but it does that black out flicker thing often enough to be bothersome, but still watchable. Costco item, so the return is not an issue, just hoping panasonic comes up with a fix before I give up on it. Netflix streams on computer perfectly, and I also run Intel WiDi streaming Netflix from my computer to the TV with no issues.

    14. Sloppy says:

      I’m having issues with a Panasonic Blu-Ray home theatre system and NetFlix. using WIFI. Often don’t get sound with the picture or sound is badly out of sync with the picture.

      Can use it the way it is. I sure hope Panasonic is working on a fix.

    15. Steve says:

      I just bought the panasonic sc-btt770 home theater system. I’m having the same problems with netflix as everyone else. For me 95% of the time its no sound at all but great picture. The few times it did work it had the blackout flicker screen. I updated the firmware when I got it, about a week before Christmas. I’ve called panasonic. They said they would send my case to there escalation teem to review my complaint and to expect a call back within 48 hours. Its been a week and a half. I have yet to get a call from panasonic.

    16. MonaZ says:

      I purchased Panasonic BDT210 and connected it through wired Ethernet connection and HDMI cable to TV. I too have problem with Netflix streaming. The picture is always good but sometimes I do not get audio. A streamed movie would play audio one time but not the other time and them again later on audio would work. It is completely random. It happens on any movie or show being streamed. It is very frustrating.

    17. Irene says:

      I bought a Panasonic bluray and it played netflix right away with no prob and it worked for about 3 days. After this Netflix watch instantly has just stopped loading and I am unable to use this feature completely. :(

    18. Panasonic User says:

      Nope it is still not fixed as of 1/21/2012. I’ve heard that it isn’t just this player but the Netflix app causes it. Maybe true, maybe not, all we can do is hope for a fix in the near future.

    19. Mike says:

      Have been trying to find way to connect two HD tvs thru router-blu ray. Dont know if splitter in cable would allow tvs to access independently. Also am worried that my Panasonic brands might not actually work!

    20. Rob says:

      I have the BDT210. Netflix won’t stream at all as of 3/15/12. Netflix works on all my other devices (PS3, Wii, iPhone, iPad) but not on this device. I’m guessing it’s Netflix’s problem more than Panasonic’s. I tried a bunch of other apps including YouTube and Pandora and they all work fine.

    21. Frank M says:

      This unit was bought by my daughter from Amazon and given to me for Christmas.
      I did not sign up for Netflix until February.
      At times, while viewing a movie, the audio would stop then the picture would freeze.
      Some movies play with no problem. Some will start to play and about 30 minutes later the sound will stop and then a little later the video will freeze.
      Once the video freezes the only button which will work on the remote at this time is the power off. After depressing the power off, the unit will tell me to wait for power down. It takes about 3-5 minutes before the power is off.
      I turn power back on and reconnect to Netflix and resume the movie. It plays for about 30 – 60 minutes and the same thing happens.
      I Googled “DMP-BDT210 Netflix problem” and was surprised to see the number of people having this problem.
      I did do a firmware update and that did not help.
      The problem seems to be getting worse with every movie we watch.
      I have FIOS internet and their type N modem.

    22. RICK says:

      returned a panasonic bmp-bd75 br player last week on march 10/12 picked new one same kind today march19 and still have same problem it will just register player on account and then thats it.time to get a refund i guess the firmware update is pointless.well good luck to those unlucky folks like me that have to buy garbage that dont work.especially from a good name brand like panasonic.