220electronics - mostly all old discontinued models

[mar3o]

I've been looking at 220electronics for a region-free player since my Seiki is failing, and I'm very disappointed at what I'm seeing there. Virtually all their payers are very old, discontinued models. I went through every model under $250, and there is apparently only 1 option I would even consider - the Sony BDP-S6700, from 2016. That's the most recent model I see listed. There are 11 other units listed under $250 and they are all 2011 - 2015 models! One LG model that they list as "NEW" is a 2012 model, long discontinued.

I'm sorry, but I"m not dropping $160-$250 on a player manufactured 5-6 years ago, with none of the latest streaming services, and 0 firmware support.

I hear them mentioned a lot, and I'm surprised. I was expecting to see a lot of newer 2016/2017 models, but that's obviously not the case. They do have the Sony x800 UHD player listed - for $450!! Note that the retail x800 is now $199 from Amazon/Best Buy!

I don't know what to do at this point. I thought I would have better options than this. My old Seiki no longer recognizes some newer discs, and of course there is 0 support for that old player, which is why I do not want to buy an older player.

Any suggestions?

[Clark Kent]

Check eBay? I believe there are newer modded players on eBay.

[mar3o]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'd be scared I think buying a player from Ebay. I wouldn't know who to trust. I thought 220 was a well-known and trusted shop, since I hear them mentioned a lot, but I don't like the high prices they're charging for long-discontinued models.

[Clark Kent]

A lot of reputable shops have their wares on eBay, even 220electronics. Just check the feedback carefully for the seller.

[halloween5309]

in many cases a discontinued model may be better, ebay is great, your purchases are protected

[Rory]

Originally Posted by mar3o

I've been looking at 220electronics for a region-free player since my Seiki is failing, and I'm very disappointed at what I'm seeing there. Virtually all their payers are very old, discontinued models. I went through every model under $250, and there is apparently only 1 option I would even consider - the Sony BDP-S6700, from 2016. That's the most recent model I see listed. There are 11 other units listed under $250 and they are all 2011 - 2015 models! One LG model that they list as "NEW" is a 2012 model, long discontinued.

I'm sorry, but I"m not dropping $160-$250 on a player manufactured 5-6 years ago, with none of the latest streaming services, and 0 firmware support.

I hear them mentioned a lot, and I'm surprised. I was expecting to see a lot of newer 2016/2017 models, but that's obviously not the case. They do have the Sony x800 UHD player listed - for $450!! Note that the retail x800 is now $199 from Amazon/Best Buy!

I don't know what to do at this point. I thought I would have better options than this. My old Seiki no longer recognizes some newer discs, and of course there is 0 support for that old player, which is why I do not want to buy an older player.

Any suggestions?

Change your attitude.

I've bought two Blu-ray players "modified" to be all-region from 220, a Panasonic DMP-BD91P-K and a Sony BDP-S1700. Off the top of my head, I can't say when they were originally released, but it was a few years ago.

Both work fine. I've had the Panasonic the longest, well over two years now. It has Wi-Fi, though I don't use it because I have other streaming devices, BUT it told me just around three or four months ago a firmware update was available, so I updated. Player still works great and plays everything.

[rdodolak]

I'm not sure what the issue is. For example, even though the Sony S1700, S3700, and S6700 players are 2016 models they're still the latest Blu-ray player models.

[Bandit Tajomaru]

I bought a s6500 from them and my player is still going strong. They even fixed it for me when I lost region free capabilities because I updated the firmware via the USB port.

[Rory]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

I'm not sure what the issue is. For example, even though the Sony S1700, S3700, and S6700 players are 2016 models they're still the latest Blu-ray player models.

Yeah, I only bought the Sony S1700 a couple months ago. It doesn't have wireless streaming but I have it hooked to a Sony led smart TV.

And 220 does have excellent customer service. Call and talk to them. They might get the player you want.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

I'm not sure what the issue is. For example, even though the Sony S1700, S3700, and S6700 players are 2016 models they're still the latest Blu-ray player models.

It wasn't those models I was referring to. The LG BP325 is listed as new but it's a 2012 player. The Sony BDP-S5100 is from 2013. The Sharp BD-HP35U is from 2011.

I appreciate the input. It does sound like they offer good customer service. I was just expecting to see more newer models in their lineup. I agree that sometimes older players may actually be better, sure. But when we're talking 2011 or 2012 models, I think that's getting a bit out of date.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by Rory

Change your attitude.

I've bought two Blu-ray players "modified" to be all-region from 220, a Panasonic DMP-BD91P-K and a Sony BDP-S1700. Off the top of my head, I can't say when they were originally released, but it was a few years ago.

Both work fine. I've had the Panasonic the longest, well over two years now. It has Wi-Fi, though I don't use it because I have other streaming devices, BUT it told me just around three or four months ago a firmware update was available, so I updated. Player still works great and plays everything.

What attitude? Please. I was voicing a concern.

I will say I can understand that if a shop like 220 ends up with lots of modded players, each one that they spent time and money on, obviously they need to sell them. They can't throw them away. I get that. I did not intend to sound so harsh on them.

But from a consumer's point of view, some of these players are 6+ years old, and still sell for over $150. I would think at some point the players that don't sell would get discounted to get newer players in stock. Why do they mod so many players if they get stuck with years worth of stock? This is an honest question. How come they don't just do a few at a time or do made-to-order, and just say it takes a few days to fill the order?

I appreciate what they and other shops like this do. From somebody who has never bought from a shop like that before, I was just very surprised to see players so old going for almost the same cost as a newer 2016 model players.

[Rory]

Have you looked at bombayelectronics.com?

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by Rory

Have you looked at bombayelectronics.com?

Thanks for the suggestion. I have. Every player they sell is on 220, and the prices are identical.

[Rory]

I guess then there are only certain models that can be hardware modified to make them all-region and the parts and labor to do so are the same.

It brings me back to what I first said. You just have to decide how much you want to be able to view discs from other regions and accept what the situation is.

I think you're being too fussy.

[TM2-Megatron]

I've found that oftentimes, players designed in the last few years have shown decreasing levels of build quality. True, they may have more recent firmware updates, but they're put together like crap. At least earlier equipment tended to be a little more solid, and TBH even on my house's oldest player that hasn't had a firmware update in a few years (a Sony BDVE280 HTIB unit) I haven't hit a disc that won't play.

How many 2017 model Blu-Ray players are there, anyway? We've kind of reached the point in HD blu-ray technology where things have peaked, and further improvements aren't really going to happen (beyond new streaming services/etc for smart players); any new innovation is going to go into 4K blu-ray. Sony is still just listing the 6500 and 6700 on their site as current, instead highlighting their new UHD players. LG barely has anything, just one UHD player and one sad-looking blu-ray player. Samsung has a number, but as I heard they've dropped 3D playback from their newest players I immediately discount them now as I've been doing for their phones and TVs for years.

If you want the best, in both solid build quality and software functionality, get the Oppo UDP-203 and buy its region free mod separately.

[mar3o]

Yeah, the Oppos are way beyond my price range, but I agree with what you said about build quailty. You make a good point - newer players definitely tend to be cheaper in build quality, right down to the lack of a front display, just to save a few extra bucks. I just worry about disc compatibility (newer encryption, problem discs), but I guess it don't matter since companies don't bother updating players these days anyways, other than the new UHD players. My Panasonic blu-ray player hasn't received a single update since I bought it almost 2 years ago, and it was then a recent model.

The build quality is another reason I keep considering the modded Sony X800. Everything I hear says it's built like a tank (though sadly no front display). And it gets regular updates. I wish it had Dolby Vision support since my TV does - that's the one biggest drawback to that player. I have a feeling next year's model will, but then I fear they might follow Samsung and drop 3D next year. Hopefully they won't. It makes me nervous buying a 1st gen UHD player, too. Maybe next year will see improved features, but crappier build quality. I guess it's a balancing act, knowing which model to go with. We just don't have a ton of money to waste on mistakes, so I want to make sure we buy a player we won't regret. We did that with our previous Panasonic - it died in less than 2 years with moderate use.

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Yeah, the Oppos are way beyond my price range, but I agree with what you said about build quailty. You make a good point - newer players definitely tend to be cheaper in build quality, right down to the lack of a front display, just to save a few extra bucks. I just worry about disc compatibility (newer encryption, problem discs), but I guess it don't matter since companies don't bother updating players these days anyways, other than the new UHD players. My Panasonic blu-ray player hasn't received a single update since I bought it almost 2 years ago, and it was then a recent model.

The build quality is another reason I keep considering the modded Sony X800. Everything I hear says it's built like a tank (though sadly no front display). And it gets regular updates. I wish it had Dolby Vision support since my TV does - that's the one biggest drawback to that player. I have a feeling next year's model will, but then I fear they might follow Samsung and drop 3D next year. Hopefully they won't. It makes me nervous buying a 1st gen UHD player, too. Maybe next year will see improved features, but crappier build quality. I guess it's a balancing act, knowing which model to go with. We just don't have a ton of money to waste on mistakes, so I want to make sure we buy a player we won't regret. We did that with our previous Panasonic - it died in less than 2 years with moderate use.

The Oppo players are definitely built like a tank as well. Sony's flagship player, the BDP-S1, was supported with firmware updates for six years; not sure what Sony's support is like these days. In terms of the UHD players, it seems Sony left the front display to the UBP-X1000ES.

[mar3o]

Originally Posted by rdodolak

The Oppo players are definitely built like a tank as well. Sony's flagship player, the BDP-S1, was supported with firmware updates for six years; not sure what Sony's support is like these days. In terms of the UHD players, it seems Sony left the front display to the UBP-X1000ES.

Sad you have to pay $600 now for a front display. You used to get them on $50 VCRs and DVD players. I'll pay the $5 more. Just give me the front display, and an option to control the dimming in the menu. I'm always baffled at the things companies go cheap on.

[halloween5309]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Sad you have to pay $600 now for a front display. You used to get them on $50 VCRs and DVD players. I'll pay the $5 more. Just give me the front display, and an option to control the dimming in the menu. I'm always baffled at the things companies go cheap on.

looks like manufacturers would offer a deluxe model for those who want build quality and a led display

[chip75]

Originally Posted by mar3o

Sad you have to pay $600 now for a front display. You used to get them on $50 VCRs and DVD players. I'll pay the $5 more. Just give me the front display, and an option to control the dimming in the menu. I'm always baffled at the things companies go cheap on.

I think it's down to some marketing focus group nonsense, where they've been told that most people don't use AV racks and have the players on display on top of a stand and the bright LEDs are annoying them.