Sony BDP-S3700 Multi System Region Free

[CluelessInSeattle]

I live in Seattle, so I have access to the Scarecrow Video collection which includes foreign DVDs, some of which are in PAL format. Up to now I've been using an old hand-me-down DVD player, but I'd like to buy a new player that can play Blu-ray, foreign region DVDs and PAL format DVDs.

The Scarecrow store sells a Sony BDP-S3700 player which I understand has been modified so it is region free and can play PAL DVDs. They are asking $199 for it.

I'd like to support the Scarecrow Project and buy this player from them, but am uncertain whether this player would be my best choice.

I'm an old guy with serious chronic health problems and don't expect to live that many more years, so it's unlikely that I'll ever start collecting 4K or Ultra HD discs. All I need is a player for playing my collection of old DVDs and the occasional odd format DVD or Blu-ray disc that I might borrow from Scarecrow or order from amazon.com.

Scarecrow doesn't have a demonstration model of this player set up in their store, so I'm not able to "try before I buy." Do any of you have experience using the modified Sony BDP-S3700 Multi System Region Free player? If so I'd be grateful if you could tell me if you think this player might be a good choice for me.

[CluelessInSeattle]

I guess I'll just go ahead and buy this beast and hope for the best.

Fingers crossed.

[Strontium Dog]

My Sony BDP-S3700 Region-Free Player arrived from Multi System a couple of days ago and it's working great. It's my first region-free player, and I only have a few Region2/Region B DVDs and Blu-rays, but it has played them just fine. It streams Netflix just fine as well.

The one thing I've run into with this player and my previous Sony Region A-only player is, when I play a DVD of an older TV show or movie that uses the 4:3 aspect ratio, the picture stretches horizontally to fill my HDTV screen. So I still use my old Sony DVD (R1-only) player to get around that problem.

But newer DVDs of shows or movies that are at the 16:9 aspect ratio don't have this problem, and they look great on my new player.

Good luck with whatever you decide to buy!

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Strontium Dog

The one thing I've run into with this player and my previous Sony Region A-only player is, when I play a DVD of an older TV show or movie that uses the 4:3 aspect ratio, the picture stretches horizontally to fill my HDTV screen.

There's an option in the menu:

Set-up>Screen Settings>Screen Format>Full/Normal

Screen Format
Full: Select this when connecting to a
TV with a wide mode function. Displays
a 4:3 screen picture in 16:9 aspect ratio
even on a wide-screen TV.
Normal: Changes the picture size to fit
the screen size with the original picture
aspect ratio.

You'll have to check your TV's settings to see if there's an option for 4:3 material as well.

[Strontium Dog]

chip75, THANK YOU for the very helpful advice! I adjusted the settings on my TV and Blu-ray player. No more horizontal stretching when I'm playing a 4:3 DVD, streaming a 4:3 show on Netflix, or watching one of the few cable channels that I receive only in standard def.

Looks like I can retire my DVD player at last. Thanks again.

[chip75]

Originally Posted by Strontium Dog

chip75, THANK YOU for the very helpful advice! I adjusted the settings on my TV and Blu-ray player. No more horizontal stretching when I'm playing a 4:3 DVD, streaming a 4:3 show on Netflix, or watching one of the few cable channels that I receive only in standard def.

Looks like I can retire my DVD player at last. Thanks again.

You're very welcome, mate.

[u2fan01]

Is this the same as the one the OP was referring to:

http://www.target.com/p/sony-blu-ray...0/-/A-14463546

[Chiefy]

Originally Posted by u2fan01

Is this the same as the one the OP was referring to:

http://www.target.com/p/sony-blu-ray...0/-/A-14463546

Yes, but that's the regular unmodified player you can buy most anywhere that sells Sony electronics.

[Win Slow]

Can anyone tell me the difference between this player and the Sony BDP-S5500 ?

I need a region free player and just trying to be cost conscience where i can.

[Win Slow]

Well i see one is 3D and one isn't so i guess that answers that lol