Region A player for the UK

[Indiana Jonezzz...]

I'd like to get a player that can play region A discs in the UK, but the cheapest multi region one I can find is about £150 on Amazon UK. So I'm thinking it would work out a lot cheaper just to import a basic (but good) player from the US and take the customs hit. So should still work out well under £100. Am I right that all I would need is a step down transformer for the difference in voltage for it to work ok?

Any advice on this would be great or recommendations on cheaper multi region players if any are available .

[schan1269]

You only need a step down(just like with hair dryers, curling irons and everything else ever sold the last 125 years since electricity was discovered) if what you buy isn't "world wide voltage".

Almost all LG are WWV. Most Sony as well. Supposedly Panasonic are. The plaque on the back(which is required on everything, everywhere in the world...if it plugs into the wall) says the amp/voltage.

If it shows...
"110-240 50/60"


It works every where in the world. Be it a ...

Microwave
Hair dryer
TV
Gaming console
Refrigerator
Washer
Dryer
Dishwasher
Stove
Putt returner
Lamp

[phelings]

Originally Posted by Indiana Jonezzz...

I'd like to get a player that can play region A discs in the UK, but the cheapest multi region one I can find is about £150 on Amazon UK. So I'm thinking it would work out a lot cheaper just to import a basic (but good) player from the US and take the customs hit. So should still work out well under £100. Am I right that all I would need is a step down transformer for the difference in voltage for it to work ok?

Any advice on this would be great or recommendations on cheaper multi region players if any are available .

You get what you pay for.
Tesco and some other retailers have done cheap £60 players that can be hacked for multiregion but these have been mostly Toshiba models not made by Toshiba and there were playback issues on some discs unrelated to regions.

Its a lot less trouble buying one for £150 delivered in the UK with its backup warranty etc than it is importing one , paying delivery fees , ensuring voltage is correct etc.

What if it goes wrong?

Usually Sony and Panasonic models are available the cheapest.
TPS Multiregion offer a firmware modified player that will also disable UOP. £169 model includes 3 year warranty.

They seem to have more recent models than Multi Region Magic who offer a hardware modded player for a similar price.

If you buy a Panasonic player unmodified the TPS upgrade can be purchased on a disc for around £60 .That may be the cheapest option.

http://www.tps.uk.com/?tab_name=Pana...&choice_id=178

http://www.mrmdvd.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=159


Edit- Amazon have a Panasonic player for £49.99 . Check TPS upgrade also covers the most recent models and that's £110 all in . Piece of cake

I had a TPS player modified and it was great . I purchased a Bluray recorder from Richer Sounds with 5 year warranty and used the TPS disc which did the job in seconds.
I previously had a MRM hardware modded player which was also good but the TPS addition of disabling UOP/PUO was the clincher.
If the player ever needs warranty work the firmware update can be switched off then back on again when you get it back.

[xombi]

Older thread but for anyone looking at this it may also pay into looking at getting a region a only if you have a means of playing region b, eg console, and assuming your tv can handle it (and you may need a stepdown for the power also).

I found one on us ebay then searched for it on uk the customs charges were already included with the ebay international delivery program some sellers are part of, all told with the step down i have a brand new sony region a for over £50 cheaper than buying the player modded in the uk

[richieb1971]

So much easier importing a US model. The only downside is the room taken up by the extra player. But they are small nowadays. There is a Sony on Amazon.com for less than $50 brand new. Add £12 for UK customs (if caught) and about $20 shipping your player will cost about £60.

A cheap Maplins step downconverter and your done.

[Ragnarok]

Originally Posted by Indiana Jonezzz...

I'd like to get a player that can play region A discs in the UK, but the cheapest multi region one I can find is about £150 on Amazon UK. So I'm thinking it would work out a lot cheaper just to import a basic (but good) player from the US and take the customs hit. So should still work out well under £100. Am I right that all I would need is a step down transformer for the difference in voltage for it to work ok?

Any advice on this would be great or recommendations on cheaper multi region players if any are available .

The cheapest way is to multiregion mod a suitable local player yourself or have someone you know like a good friend do the fitting it free if you lack the skills.

Else you'll have to buy one pre modded, pay someone to do it for you, or get foreign player.

I literally just modded my own pioneer BDP 170 myself . A few years back I brought I did my old Panasonic BDP-80 with no issues, I brough the kts from rattlebyte.com and not had any issues.

[Geoff D]

Or you can buy a Panasonic DMPBDT120 or 220 for about £50 on eBay or Amazon and get the multiregion firmware for £60 from TPS.

[Ragnarok]

If they are actually available @ TPS. They have been unavailable for a while. I've been keeping an eye out for a friend with a DMPBDT120.

[Geoff D]

Really? Oh. Last time I went on there a month or two ago they were still selling it.

[nastiesexpert]

TPS upgrade discs have been unavailable for several months and they don't sell any Panasonic gear that is multiregion for Bluray at the moment (MR for dvd though).

I did email them to ask what the problem was but they didn't reply.
I used one of their discs on my bluray recorder so it would be nice to know the upgrade I need to get the smart tv features working again is available.

Is it true that one of their discs will only work on your specific player and not another unit of the same model owned by a friend?