Confused about Region Coding... Please help

[siratfus]

It seems that people are ordering blu-rays all over the place. How do you guys know that it will play on your system? I understand we are Region A. So I'm wondering those who venture out to Amazon's international sites like Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom... Aren't those region B? Does International Amazon sites reveal the region coding in their product description? It seems even when I use the google translate, I can't find this info. Reason I'm asking is because I would like to get into steelbooks.

Please advise. Thank you for your time.

[unam9]

Originally Posted by siratfus

It seems that people are ordering blu-rays all over the place. How do you guys know that it will play on your system? I understand we are Region A. So I'm wondering those who venture out to Amazon's international sites like Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom... Aren't those region B? Does International Amazon sites reveal the region coding in their product description? It seems even when I use the google translate, I can't find this info. Reason I'm asking is because I would like to get into steelbooks.

Please advise. Thank you for your time.

try this site

http://bluray.liesinc.net/index.php?region=b

[hobgoblin]

Originally Posted by siratfus

It seems that people are ordering blu-rays all over the place. How do you guys know that it will play on your system? I understand we are Region A. So I'm wondering those who venture out to Amazon's international sites like Germany, Italy, France, United Kingdom... Aren't those region B? Does International Amazon sites reveal the region coding in their product description? It seems even when I use the google translate, I can't find this info. Reason I'm asking is because I would like to get into steelbooks.

Please advise. Thank you for your time.

There are a number of ways of determining if the title you are after is region-free or not:

• Have a look on Liesync.net

• See if you can find pics of the rear cases to see if the film is region free (AB and C). Sony usually are, as are Paramount and Universal.

• Alternatively, just ask around on the forums, you'll always find someone willing to help you out.

[Al_The_Strange]

Or this site:

http://www.blurayregioncodes.com/

I know off hand that 99.999% of Universal titles will be region-free. All of the CineAsia titles (a UK company) I've seen are region-free. All Criterion titles will be region-locked. Most TF1 titles (a French company) will be region-locked. Most other studios seem to be a hit-and-a-miss.

EDIT:

Both these websites seem identical. Huh!

[benzgrl]

Just to let you know the above site (http://bluray.liesinc.net/index.php?region=b) can take some time after a movie is released on Blu-ray to get updated. So you can also try following that particular movie thread on this site (usually a movie thread is created for an upcoming release on the Blu-ray movies - North American Discussion or on this Steelbook Discussion threads).

The members here are quite good and quick about confirming whether a movie release is Region Free.

Welcome to the Forum!

[roar]

Or buy a region free blu-ray player and don't worry about it at all

I understand that there are a number of options to go this route these days but the one I always hear about the most is the Oppo BDP-83. This had a software option and has a hardware option to make region free.

[Fan_Of_Gaming]

The way I do it is if I buy a steelbook from a foreign country (UK or Australia) I just buy the Canadian amaray and swap the discs out. I find that works best.

[richieb1971]

I find this sites reviews give you the region coding not long after release.

Universal/paramount and Warner are generally region free from anywhere in the world. Although some exceptions exist. Fox is the bad egg company. Disney is also a hit and miss company.

Watch out for the smaller distributors though, they are hit and miss as well.

It should be worth noting that sometimes the PQ, AQ and features will differ from your own American release. So make sure you know what your buying before laying down the cash.

[GreatGreg]

Originally Posted by Fan_Of_Gaming

The way I do it is if I buy a steelbook from a foreign country (UK or Australia) I just buy the Canadian amaray and swap the discs out. I find that works best.

If you're in Canada, you should just pick up the $50.00 Seiki from Walmart. It plays everything.

[Commander Bond]

Hi folks,

I'm a Brit living in Norway, (region 2). Unfortunately, my son has been watching a lot of region 1 (USA et al) movies. This means that my laptop has now "locked" itself to region 1 and is telling me that I cannot reset the player to region 1, even if I completely reinstall the operating system from scratch.

My blu-ray/DVD drive is an OPTIARC BD ROM BC-5500S.

How do I get around this problem? Are there any "hacks" which I can download, (and from where) to rectify the problem. I'm a 55 years olddinosaur when it comes to computers so if anyone is willing to give me idiot-proof, step by step instructions, it would be very much appreciated.

Incidentally, I'm sure that I'm not the only person who has been caught out on this problem. Manufacturer's should supply more info on the problem of switching region codes. Most of us are today, are buying our p.c.'s/laptops as part of our home entertainment system. It does not automatically follow that we are all completely clued up on things such as "Region Codes". Perhaps a fairer system would be to render the computer's blu-ray/DVD player useless for a period of say, 72 hours, rather than make it permanently unplayable.

I've only recently bought this computer for around £2,000, ($4,000) and do not wish to fork out money for a replacement, simply because of an innocent misunderstanding of how the system works.

My primary use of the laptop is as part of my overall home entertainment system.

Thanks,

Commander Bond

[bandapart]

Originally Posted by GreatGreg

If you're in Canada, you should just pick up the $50.00 Seiki from Walmart. It plays everything.

Do you have one of these, any problems with it?

I read they run hot and don't last long, others have had no problems so far.

Will they play G-1 Blu-rays?

[Tech-UK]

Originally Posted by Commander Bond

Hi folks,

I'm a Brit living in Norway, (region 2). Unfortunately, my son has been watching a lot of region 1 (USA et al) movies. This means that my laptop has now "locked" itself to region 1 and is telling me that I cannot reset the player to region 1, even if I completely reinstall the operating system from scratch.

My blu-ray/DVD drive is an OPTIARC BD ROM BC-5500S.

How do I get around this problem? Are there any "hacks" which I can download, (and from where) to rectify the problem. I'm a 55 years olddinosaur when it comes to computers so if anyone is willing to give me idiot-proof, step by step instructions, it would be very much appreciated.

Incidentally, I'm sure that I'm not the only person who has been caught out on this problem. Manufacturer's should supply more info on the problem of switching region codes. Most of us are today, are buying our p.c.'s/laptops as part of our home entertainment system. It does not automatically follow that we are all completely clued up on things such as "Region Codes". Perhaps a fairer system would be to render the computer's blu-ray/DVD player useless for a period of say, 72 hours, rather than make it permanently unplayable.

I've only recently bought this computer for around £2,000, ($4,000) and do not wish to fork out money for a replacement, simply because of an innocent misunderstanding of how the system works.

My primary use of the laptop is as part of my overall home entertainment system.

Thanks,

Commander Bond

What has he been watching, Blu-ray or DVD? If you are referring to Blu-ray, the correct terminology is Region A whereas DVD is Region 1. And what is your playback software, Cyberlink PowerDVD?

[tiger_qc]

Originally Posted by GreatGreg

If you're in Canada, you should just pick up the $50.00 Seiki from Walmart. It plays everything.

A $50 multi-regions blu-ray player?

[GreatGreg]

Originally Posted by bandapart

Do you have one of these, any problems with it?

I read they run hot and don't last long, others have had no problems so far.

Will they play G-1 Blu-rays?

So I have yet to set mine up, but there is a long thread in the Canadian Deals forum about the hits and misfires with this player.

Bottom line is that it is from Walmart. Even if they totally screw up, you can always go back for a return or refund.

Can't answer your question about G1 BDs though -- I don't have any!

[GreatGreg]

Originally Posted by tiger_qc

A $50 multi-regions blu-ray player?

I was at Walmart tonight and it's back up to $78.00.

It was $50.00 during Black Friday weekend. I'm sure it will be back down over Boxing Day specials.

I actually bought two -- one for me and one for my folks for Christmas. This is also so that I have something to play BDs on when I go home to visit at Christmas.

Tiger_QC ----> must own.

[tiger_qc]

Originally Posted by GreatGreg

I was at Walmart tonight and it's back up to $78.00.

It was $50.00 during Black Friday weekend. I'm sure it will be back down over Boxing Day specials.

I actually bought two -- one for me and one for my folks for Christmas. This is also so that I have something to play BDs on when I go home to visit at Christmas.

Tiger_QC ----> must own.

Wow a blu-ray player that plays any regions for that price!
It sure is a must own!

I am stucked with many region B steelbooks that I bought while I was a completist... I might want to get one and actually watch them instead of letting them rot sealed in a box under my bed.

Shoot me a PM if you see the price drop again.

Thanks,
Gui.