To update the firmware on your Harman Kardon BDS 570 , you can use a USB flash drive or a wireless network connection. Preparation Tips
Record Settings: The update will erase your system memory, including speaker distances and radio presets. Write these down before starting.
Time Requirement: The process typically takes less than 20 minutes and must be completed in one continuous session. Option 1: Update via USB (Recommended) Check Current Version: Press the Home button on your remote. Go to Settings (gear icon) > System > Information. Prepare USB Stick:
Download the latest firmware from the official Harman Kardon Software Downloads page.
Unzip the file and move the UPG folder to the root of a standard USB memory stick. Install Update: Plug the USB stick into the Navigate to Settings > System > System Upgrade.
Select USB. When the unit finds the software, press OK to begin loading.
Once complete, the unit will switch to Standby. Remove the USB stick. Option 2: Wireless/Network Update
Connect to Network: Go to Settings > Network > Wireless and connect to your Wi-Fi. Start Upgrade: Navigate to Settings > System > System Upgrade. harman kardon bds 570 firmware update
Select Internet. (Note: If this option is greyed out, you must use the USB method). Post-Update Reset
After any update, it is critical to restore the unit to factory defaults to ensure stability: Go to Settings > System > Restore Defaults and confirm.
Switch the unit to Standby, then turn off the main power switch on the rear panel for at least 10 seconds before turning it back on.
If you encounter issues where the unit does not work after an update, Harman Kardon recommends repeating the process with a freshly re-downloaded file.
Are you experiencing a specific error message or issue that prompted the need for an update? Software Downloads - Harman Kardon
Technical Guide: Harman Kardon BDS 570 Firmware Update Updating the firmware on a legacy Harman Kardon BDS 570 system is a critical maintenance task for ensuring hardware stability and resolving playback issues. This guide provides a structured overview of the update process, necessary prerequisites, and troubleshooting steps based on official Harman Kardon documentation. 1. Update Objectives Firmware updates for the BDS 570 series are designed to:
Enhance HDMI Compatibility: Resolve freezing issues when connected to modern television brands. To update the firmware on your Harman Kardon
Audio Optimization: Fix playback bugs, such as ensuring center channel output for Blu-ray discs with 6.1-channel audio.
System Stability: Address general internal flash memory errors and software-related performance lags. 2. Update Methods
The BDS 570 supports two primary methods for applying firmware updates: Requirements USB Method
FAT32 formatted USB stick, update file from Harman Kardon Support Offline systems or troubleshooting Online Update Active Ethernet connection Quick, automated updates directly from the server 3. Step-by-Step USB Procedure
Preparation: Download the correct firmware file and extract it to the root directory of a standard USB memory stick.
Connection: Insert the USB stick into the front-panel USB port of the BDS 570.
Navigation: On the remote control, press Home > Settings > System > Software Upgrade. Notes about model variations and age
Execution: Select USB as the source and follow the on-screen prompts. Do not power off the device during this process, as it may corrupt the internal flash memory. 4. Troubleshooting & Post-Update Care If the system becomes unresponsive or the update fails:
Power Cycle: Completely remove power from the unit for at least 10 seconds before attempting the update again.
System Reset: To clear residual software bugs after an update, perform a factory reset via Home > Settings > General Settings > System > Restore Defaults.
Re-download: Corrupted files often cause failures; ensure the download is fresh and the USB drive is not faulty. BDS 270/BDS 570 | Harman Audio
From AVS Forum and Reddit archives (2013–2020):
| Issue | Probable Cause | Solution | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | "Invalid File" Error | Wrong file naming or location. | Ensure the file is unzipped. Ensure the USB drive is FAT32. Check that the file matches the specific model number. | | Playback Issues (Netflix/YouTube) | App API changes. | Firmware updates cannot fix this. Apps on older devices often stop working because the service (Netflix) changes their authentication protocols. | | No Sound via HDMI | HDMI handshake issue. | Perform a "Hard Reset": Turn unit off, unplug power for 5 minutes, plug back in. |
The update takes between 8 and 20 minutes. The screen may go black, the display may flash “LOADER,” and the fans may spin up to maximum speed. All of this is normal.
Settings > System > Software Update > Via Internet.