Is Your HD Player Connected To The Internet?

[Pirate]

This was a suggested poll, so vote away.

["The Dude"]

I don't have my player hooked up to the internet. For the firmware updates, I've been getting discs from Toshiba. The PS3 isn't hooked up either. The firmware updates for that are either coming from the games or by burning a CD. So for me, there really is no point to hook them up.

[PunkMunkey]

I have two HD players...a PS3 which is connected via WiFi and an HD-A2 which is not connected at all...but I voted yes. I guess I got confused...Blu-Ray is HD isn't it?

Dammit.

Sorry for ruining your poll.

[MooglePorn]

My HD players are my Xbox 360 and PS3 which are both hooked up to the 'net 24/7 for online gaming, shopping and firmware updates.

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by PunkMunkey

I guess I got confused...Blu-Ray is HD isn't it?

Yeah. You're fine.

[dugpa]

I have an ethernet cable plugged into the back of my A1, but the rest of the cable is coiled up next to the player on the floor. I only plug it in to the hub (which is in another room) if I need to either do a firmware update or want to check out some interactive features on a disc (so far only with Heroes). I don't need to be tripping over cables running from one room to another.

[Pirate]

I wonder when we'll see WiFi standalones.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

I wonder when we'll see WiFi standalones.

Or, you can add wifi to your current standalone with ethernet port:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16833124015

(combine with a cheap switch and you can make your entire home theater/gaming system networked via the single bridge, up to 4 devices with ethernet)

[Toefur]

My PS3(wifi) and 360 (wired) are both connected, so yes. I've got an A35 on the way, but also another 50ft cat5e cable coming from monoprice. With the reciever and HTPC being connected that's 4 cables run across the room. I probably should look into getting a wireless bridge solution, but the old school networker in me still prefers the wires.

[SilentBob]

I really only have my HD-A1 connected for the updates and my PS3 for when i want to go online. My setup is such a pain in the ass to get to my net connection on my HD-A1 that i barely go near it at all. Although i woul like to try out some of the features one day.

[dugpa]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Or, you can add wifi to your current standalone with ethernet portcombine with a cheap switch and you can make your entire home theater/gaming system networked via the single bridge, up to 4 devices with ethernet)

Sorry, I'm not spending $100 just to download a stupid myspace quality quiz on which Hero I am most like. Unless they come up with some online content that's actually worth something, I'm not spending any money on a wireless set up for my gear. Besides, it's only a matter of time before hackers turn their attention to them. I can't wait till I have to have virus and spy software for my HT gear.

[ganthc]

I need to buy a new router, because I suspect the one we have in the house is garbage. My Wii and ps3 refuse to connect via wi-fi. If I could get that all working, I would consider getting a wireless adapter for the hd-a2.

But no, my hd players are not connected to the web. I burn updates for the hd-a2, and I use a memory stick to get the ps3 updates.

[chlngr1970]

I used powerline ethernet to run from my gigabit switch upstairs to my HT downstairs. All that runs through my new Linksys WRV-200 I got all the powerline ethernet stuff before I replaced my old wireless router, or I would have just got a wireless bridge.

Oh, I also have my Xbox 360, HTPC, and DirecTV HD DVR connected to the same 5 port switch that the HD-D1 is connected to.

j

[Sehnzeleid]

I only hook the players for firmware upgrades.

[Derb]

Nope, no ethernet cable hooked up to my HD-XA2.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by dugpa

Sorry, I'm not spending $100 just to download a stupid myspace quality quiz on which Hero I am most like. Unless they come up with some online content that's actually worth something, I'm not spending any money on a wireless set up for my gear. Besides, it's only a matter of time before hackers turn their attention to them. I can't wait till I have to have virus and spy software for my HT gear.

I can understand that, but I like the idea of networking gear when the features are available. With my setup (bridge + switch) I can have the XBOX 360, Integra DTC-9.8, HD-A35, and PS2 all hooked up to wireless internet without having to buy any proprietary wifi adapters for any of those devices. I would not worry about the idea of hackers attacking HT gear over an internet connection, it is a bit far fetched considering how most hacks on the net have worked in the past.

[videoworx]

Originally Posted by Ruined

I would not worry about the idea of hackers turning to HT gear, it is a bit far fetched considering how most hacks on the net have worked in the past.

Originally Posted by Ruined

I am curious to see what kind of nasties the trojan/malware writers can come up using BD+'s code-execution privleges.

Syntax error. Does not compute.

[ganthc]

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by videoworx

Syntax error. Does not compute.

See the difference is, I actually know my stuff and what technologies are or are not capable of I also clarified my original statement as I assume you misunderstood it.

Saying you can attack HT gear simply over an internet connection is like saying OMG there is going to be an XBOX Live virus! Which makes no sense because XBOXes don't sit there with open ports/servers allowing hackers to log on. Nor can XBOXes run unsigned code.

BD+, on the other hand, IS capable of running any type of code via BD+ Advanced Countermeasure. BD+ CAN run executables. BD+ WILL run in a PC environment via software like PowerDVD. XBOX will not. Same goes for HT gear - they use their own proprietary chips and software that will not work with viruses and whatnot, nor would there be any way to access them in the first place because they will not have open servers or ways to run executables. Executables have been the way virii and trojans have been delivered 99% of the time - BD+ allows executables, simply hooking your gear up to the internet does not.

Originally Posted by ganthc

Laugh it up, but we've already seen a slew of malware that exposed the flaws in Sony's similar rootkit technologies on numerous CDs they've released in the past. It's a real security risk whether you like it or not. Heck, a simple BD+ programming glitch could have bad consequences for your gear. Comparing BD+ allowing executables to hooking a player up to the internet is absurd, as they are completely different situations. The former is a real problem as it allows for rogue/malware executables, while the latter is what I'd consider "novice" paranoia/unrealistic. (i.e. not understanding how hacks work/how computers become vulnerable)

Realistically the worst you can get from hooking a player up to the internet is a Distributed Denial of Service attack if someone gets your IP address and doesn't like you. All this will do is basically bump you off the internet until they get bored and move on to someone else. I've actually had this done to me in the past in EfNet IRC channel control wars - not fun, but not a big deal either and there is no damage done to your computer.

With BD+ opening the pandora's box of executables that run without your permission, virtually anything is possible - a major security risk. Most of the security risks/bulletin we have seen in the past were due to exposing flaws in code/os/browsers that allowed the hacker to run executable code of their choosing - that is the key. And that is where the problem lies, as this can be exploited to cause big problems - or a simple glitch could theoretically do a ton of damage depending on how aggressive the executable is. BD+ gives the player the environment where running executables is possible and even encouraged. Dangerous ground, very simply.