Considering this All Region Blu-ray player... Opinions please.

[MovieManiac1965]

Hey guys and gals... I am looking to get myself an ALL REGION Blu Ray player. I dont need 3D and thought this one looks pretty decent for the price. If anyone has experience with this particular player or want to recommend one in this price range please chime in. Im not sure how the ALL REGION features really work on this player. If you know that please comment too. I heard with some players you need to input what region you want from the remote each time you want a different region. It would be nice if you just put the movie in and it figures out what region it is on its own and plays the movie. Thank you in advance for any help on this.

Here is what Im considering at the moment:

Sony BDP-S1200

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231285175920...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[phelings]

I'm in the UK but we have similar machines here . It looks fine although I've yet to see any player where changing Bluray codes is automatic . It usually involves pressing a few keys only though . DVD is automatic.

I couldn't see a reference as to whether the mod is hardware or firmware based.
But it looks like a good buy although I'd go for Panasonic if you can find one for a similar price

[cueman98]

I've bought a different player from him, the mods he uses are firmware based, so don't use the manufacturers firmware updater if you get one, you could loose the region free.

[Kryptonic]

I would order one through 220 Electronics or Bombay. I've ordered from both and they really are terrific. I have a Sony S3200 from 220 that's super easy to change region coding on.

[JoeKryten]

This ebay seller lines up with two other Illinois based sellers with their own on-line stores: Bombay Electronics and 220-Electronics, both of which sell it for $139 region free as well.

With their Sony players, Bombay states on the product pages that their players are guaranteed to be compatible with Sony's firmware updates so that they do not lose their region-free capability.

With the region-free Sony players, you do not have to do anything special to play any region's DVDs. For Blu-Rays, you have to turn on the player by briefly holding either the 1, 2, or 3 key (for Regions A/B/C). I usually hold the button for a few seconds, long enough to see a light flashing inside the unit. When I release the button, the player powers up set for the specific region.

The player will remember the last Blu region used, so if you watch a region B disc and then turn the player on later using just the power button, Blu-Ray playback will still be set for region B. No big deal after a few times using it, just press 1 to turn it on set back to region A.

I know Bombay accepts PayPal and I would be surprised if 220-Electronics doesn't. But if you want to use eBay for other reasons, I'm sure that seller is fine as well.

If you do use 220 or Bombay, make sure to select the region-free modification option on their websites. They actually post a lower price for the player, but add $40 to the price to make it region-free. In any case, the player box will come opened as they have to modify the unit's hardware to make it region-free.

[MovieManiac1965]

Thank you for the responses I appreciate it.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by JoeKryten

This ebay seller lines up with two other Illinois based sellers with their own on-line stores: Bombay Electronics and 220-Electronics, both of which sell it for $139 region free as well.

With their Sony players, Bombay states on the product pages that their players are guaranteed to be compatible with Sony's firmware updates so that they do not lose their region-free capability.

With the region-free Sony players, you do not have to do anything special to play any region's DVDs. For Blu-Rays, you have to turn on the player by briefly holding either the 1, 2, or 3 key (for Regions A/B/C). I usually hold the button for a few seconds, long enough to see a light flashing inside the unit. When I release the button, the player powers up set for the specific region.

The player will remember the last Blu region used, so if you watch a region B disc and then turn the player on later using just the power button, Blu-Ray playback will still be set for region B. No big deal after a few times using it, just press 1 to turn it on set back to region A.

I know Bombay accepts PayPal and I would be surprised if 220-Electronics doesn't. But if you want to use eBay for other reasons, I'm sure that seller is fine as well.

If you do use 220 or Bombay, make sure to select the region-free modification option on their websites. They actually post a lower price for the player, but add $40 to the price to make it region-free. In any case, the player box will come opened as they have to modify the unit's hardware to make it region-free.

My S3200 from 220 Electronics is even easier - just push yellow (A), blue(B), or red(C) on the remote with the tray open. I can't enough good things about them. Both accept Paypal.

[MovieManiac1965]

That S3200 is looking pretty nice. I just may pull the trigger on that one. I noticed Bombay states that Firmware upgrades will not affect the ALL REGION functionality of the unit but 220 Electronics doesnt have that notice on their page. Could the player from 220 be different in respect to Bombay's? I'm thinking not but I might have to call and ask just the same.

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

My S3200 from 220 Electronics is even easier - just push yellow (A), blue(B), or red(C) on the remote with the tray open. I can't enough good things about them. Both accept Paypal.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by MovieManiac1965

That S3200 is looking pretty nice. I just may pull the trigger on that one. I noticed Bombay states that Firmware upgrades will not affect the ALL REGION functionality of the unit but 220 Electronics doesnt have that notice on their page. Could the player from 220 be different in respect to Bombay's? I'm thinking not but I might have to call and ask just the same.

I'm pretty sure I've already updated the firmware since buying my S3200 and the region free functionality remains the same.

[MovieManiac1965]

Thank you for the reply. I'm definitely going with the S3200 region free. I guess my only decision now is which seller to purchase it from. Bombay or 220 Electronics. They both seem pretty excellent.

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

I'm pretty sure I've already updated the firmware since buying my S3200 and the region free functionality remains the same.

[schan1269]

I don't see anything in that listing saying "firmware mod"...but doesn't say "hardware mod" either.

I'd ask. But, considering WI, 220 and Bombay all sell that one for a comparable price...and hardware modded...should be hardware.

All of my multi-region BD players are LG from Bombay. 9 of them now.

[schan1269]

Each time I bought, I sent an email on a bulk price. I've bought for friends as well. I've bought at least 15. Always "whatever was $140-ish". 10 are from Bombay. 3 from 220 and the other two WI.

I've only had one with issues. An Orei, that Bombay swapped...told them it was bad...got an RMA within 4 hours of them being open the next day. Sent my email around midnight. Had it at 1pm.

Bombay seems to be the one that haggles the best. One order was 5 LG. Two 330 and three 530. They priced them where the total was under $600. WI and 220 were both over $650.

[MovieManiac1965]

Received my Sony BDP-S3200 Multi Region player from Bombay and I absolutely love it. Thank you Kryptonic for suggesting it. Also the transaction with Bombay was flawless. Great company to deal with. Fast FEDEX shipping too.