Panasonic DMP-BD85 - Pandora problem

[xneox]

Hey all,

First time posting. I'll keep it short (I hope ).

I recently tossed my Samsung BD-P2550 to the curb because it would constantly freeze during BD playback. It would, however, stream Pandora flawlessly.

I've replaced it with the Panny BD85, but Pandora refuses to work. I log in...I see my stations...but as it's trying to load the first song, I get an error: "SERVER ERROR. We're sorry, there seems to be a problem on our end. Try again later."

I've tried again...and again...and again over the last month. I've worked with a Pandora service rep, and he says it's a problem with my device. Thing is, I've also got a TC-P50V10 that does the same thing. Both have the latest firmware available. Pandora works fine on my pc, and still fine on the crappy Samsung player.

Why is it not working thru VieraCast on my BD player AND my plasma?

[hydrogin]

I have the BD85 and a G20 plasma and am running all the Vieracast functions using the same accounts as I've got setup for my PC.

I've been in a few other BD85 forums but haven't heard of this problem before. Some blue skying ...

Have you been able to run any of the other Vieracast applications smoothly on either your BD85 or V10? For example, can you log on to your YT account and view a video on both your PC and the BD85? Or is this problem limited to Pandora? And are you using one Pandora account at a time, or the same account from multiple clients/boxes at the same time?

You haven't said anything about what your home network is like ... have you tried using a fixed IP address for your PC, making sure Pandora works on the PC, then removing your PC temporarily off the network, fix your IP to that same address on the BD85, then see if Pandora works on the BD85? That would at least remove some uncertainty about networking and perhaps provide you with more info to work with.

Another thing worth trying is setting up a second Pandora account to see if you can get the BD85 or V10 to use it.

[MrBoylan]

I've replaced it with the Panny BD85, but Pandora refuses to work. I log in...I see my stations...but as it's trying to load the first song, I get an error: "SERVER ERROR. We're sorry, there seems to be a problem on our end. Try again later."

A few questions:

1. Is this a free Pandora account or a premium account?
2. Is there any error code or numeric message associated with the error on the screen?
3. Does this happen when you connect via WiFi, wired network cable or both?

I've never heard of this and can't find anyone else reporting this same problem. Hydrogin's suggestions were good ones so take a look at those as well.

Also, I would suggest contacting Panasonic support. They might be of no help at all, but if you can log into Pandora from the player and from the TV, and your Pandora account works on other clients, then it does point to being something specific to VIERA Cast on your specific home network.

-CB

[xneox]

Thank you to both of you for your replies.

Another thing worth trying is setting up a second Pandora account to see if you can get the BD85 or V10 to use it.

As I read this, I kicked myself for not trying something so obvious. I set up a new account and it works fine. I'm waiting on Pandora to explain why. Thanks for the help!!!

[hydrogin]

I'm waiting on Pandora to explain why. Thanks for the help!!!

Hmmm, technically, you shouldn't have had to do that, but I'm glad it worked. I actually run Pandora off 4 different devices in our home (G20, BD85, WDTV, and PC) using the same account. But only one device accesses Pandora at any given time (not sure what would happen with concurrent logins).

If you get an explanation from Pandora, please post.

[xneox]

Hmmm, technically, you shouldn't have had to do that, but I'm glad it worked. I actually run Pandora off 4 different devices in our home (G20, BD85, WDTV, and PC) using the same account. But only one device accesses Pandora at any given time (not sure what would happen with concurrent logins).

If you get an explanation from Pandora, please post.

Yeah, I thought that was strange. I'll definitely let you know what they have to say, if anything. I've used that logon with this pc, my office pc, and the Samsung blu-ray player (never simultaneously), and never had a problem. The new logon works for the BD player and the TV. Go figure.

[xneox]

Ok, Pandora has been very persistent, and very willing to share their findings. Basically, they said it's a problem with Panasonic's implementation, and the fact that my account did not have quick mix set up. Here's his final email, word for word:

The issue turned out to be that the panasonic device was trying to play your quickmix station by default, which was undefined. When it failed to get a valid station, it exited.

I logged in on the web with your account and set the quickmix and now the login appears to work. Feel free to change your pandora password to something more secure now.

I will continue working with Panasonic to find out how this state can be reached how to prevent this issue in the future. Thank you for the report and assistance in finding this bug.

Best,

Vic Wong @ Pandora

[MrBoylan]

Ok, Pandora has been very persistent, and very willing to share their findings. Basically, they said it's a problem with Panasonic's implementation, and the fact that my account did not have quick mix set up. Here's his final email, word for word:

Thanks for the details on the issue. I'll see if my Panny contacts can reproduce the problem.

-CB

[MrBoylan]

FYI, Panasonic is aware of the issue but apparently this same problem effects other manufacturers' players as well, so it's not clear whether this will need to be fixed on the Pandora side or the VIERA Cast side (I'm guessing Pandora side).

-CB

[MrBoylan]

xneox,

Please try again with the original account. I believe it has been fixed on the Pandora side.

-CB