$150 - Panasonic DP-UB420K 4K - Region Free ??? (remote control "hack") - Page 4 - Blu-ray Forum

Snikt · 09-30-2022, 09:13 PM

Just curious what you think, if I already own this model, is there any reason to upgrade to the DP-UB820-K model? I have a Samsung tv, which supports HDR 10+, but no Dolby Vision.

I love this current player!

shinobipopcorn · 10-09-2022, 05:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snikt

Just curious what you think, if I already own this model, is there any reason to upgrade to the DP-UB820-K model? I have a Samsung tv, which supports HDR 10+, but no Dolby Vision.

I love this current player!

I upgraded for Dolby Vision. But I really hated that the 420 has no front screen; that little blinky light that's supposed to be an indicator did nothing for me. I had two other Panny players, both cheaper than the 420 and they had screens. I don't understand why this one couldn't have it. But the 820 does and it's great.

Noir Black Schwarz · 12-23-2022, 06:29 PM

I'm sorry, I'm confused as to how to get this player to play other region discs. I put the disc in there, it then loads to a screen with a message that says it can not play the disc, and that's it. The screen is locked. I can't hit Top Menu, I can't hit Stop, nothing works. I thought it was supposed to be when that message pops up, you hit Stop, and then Top Menu, but if the screen is locked, how do you bypass it? I also saw online a thing that said to hit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 and 0, but nothing happens that way either.

Am I missing something?

murphywmm · 12-23-2022, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noir Black Schwarz

I'm sorry, I'm confused as to how to get this player to play other region discs. I put the disc in there, it then loads to a screen with a message that says it can not play the disc, and that's it. The screen is locked. I can't hit Top Menu, I can't hit Stop, nothing works. I thought it was supposed to be when that message pops up, you hit Stop, and then Top Menu, but if the screen is locked, how do you bypass it? I also saw online a thing that said to hit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 and 0, but nothing happens that way either.

Am I missing something?

The trick doesn't work on every disc, unfortunately. Which disc are you trying to play?

hariseldon · 12-23-2022, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noir Black Schwarz

I'm sorry, I'm confused as to how to get this player to play other region discs. I put the disc in there, it then loads to a screen with a message that says it can not play the disc, and that's it. The screen is locked. I can't hit Top Menu, I can't hit Stop, nothing works. I thought it was supposed to be when that message pops up, you hit Stop, and then Top Menu, but if the screen is locked, how do you bypass it? I also saw online a thing that said to hit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 and 0, but nothing happens that way either.

Am I missing something?

Not all bluray region locked discs can be bypassed (Disney and a lot of Sony will not work). What Bluray disc/studio are you trying to play?

It also varies depending on the disc

It also doesn't always work the first time I try a disc, but the 2nd or 3rd time I insert the disc it works fine. You often have to try a couple variations

I tried a couple discs I had close by:
Nineteen Eighty Four (BFI region B) and Dark City (ARROW region B) -- inserted disc, and player went to Stop screen pretty quickly (no Incompatible Region screen), pressed TOP Menu once and the disc loaded immediately.

Oldboy (Arrow Region B) -- insert Disc, "This BD is not compatible with your player's region code" screen, press STOP, at the Ultra HD Bluray screen, press Top Menu and the 1st time I get the 'This operation is not available' in the upper right), but press Top Menu again and disc loads

Noir Black Schwarz · 12-24-2022, 03:29 PM

I was trying a DVD Region 2 disc I was given years ago of a Japanese horror movie called Sky High. I don't have any Blu-Rays until my Ju-On set arrives. However, I just picked this player up the other day and was trying to make sure it worked before that set gets here.

hariseldon · 12-24-2022, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noir Black Schwarz

I was trying a DVD Region 2 disc I was given years ago of a Japanese horror movie called Sky High. I don't have any Blu-Rays until my Ju-On set arrives. However, I just picked this player up the other day and was trying to make sure it worked before that set gets here.

The Top Menu trick only works for BD. I don't think there is an easy workaround for region locked DVD.
As far as I'm aware all locked Arrow's can be played

Noir Black Schwarz · 12-25-2022, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hariseldon

The Top Menu trick only works for BD. I don't think there is an easy workaround for region locked DVD.
As far as I'm aware all locked Arrow's can be played

All right, thanks. Bummer, but as long as it works for the Ju-On set, I'll be satisfied since that's why I bought it.

jacobsever · 01-03-2023, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CreasyBear

I've still yet to find a Region B disc that doesn't work. I've tried discs from Arrow, Eureka, Studio Canal, and Second Sight. All work flawlessly with the top menu trick.

Just got this player, and my Second Sight disk (The Strangers) did not work. However, a release from 101 Films (Prom Night) did.

Noir Black Schwarz · 01-08-2023, 04:52 AM

Does Second Sight's discs work? I ask because I've thought about getting their Hammer Films stuff.

hariseldon · 01-08-2023, 05:26 AM

I don't think you can know without trying.

Some studios are pretty reliable, some are hit or miss

I read several threads that suggest some Second sight discs do work, but the only SS discs I have are already Region Free so I can't confirm,

Noir Black Schwarz · 01-08-2023, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hariseldon

I don't think you can know without trying.

Some studios are pretty reliable, some are hit or miss

I read several threads that suggest some Second sight discs do work, but the only SS discs I have are already Region Free so I can't confirm,

Hmmm, that's tough to have to spend the money on a disc just to find out it doesn't work.

rabidgoatboy · 03-21-2023, 02:16 PM

I have this player and I have tried several discs. Arrow region Bs seem to work fine with the top menu hack. I have had no such luck with any 88 Films or Eureka discs. I just tried some of the older Asian collection titles from 88 and couldn’t get any of them past the region screen. The same goes for Mr. Vampire and several others I’ve tried from Eureka.

Rolling Ragu · 03-22-2023, 08:18 PM

I have been wanting the John Williams "Live in Vienna" BluRay for some time now. However, it seems to be available only as Region 2. I saw one reviewer comment that it worked in the US for him. I now came across this discussion that sounds promising. I already have a 420, so any confirmation that this disc works with the hack? I ordered already, so I will have an answer in a few weeks. Thanks.

Blacknapkins · 03-22-2023, 11:48 PM

Does the 420 play MUBI discs? I want Aftersun but not sure if it will work or not.

bhampton · 03-23-2023, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacknapkins

Does the 420 play MUBI discs? I want Aftersun but not sure if it will work or not.

What I've read is it's a standard blu ray locked to Region B.

I don't know if the 'top menu' method would work but it does for one of my Region B locked Blu Rays.

mjjckc · 03-24-2023, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacknapkins

Does the 420 play MUBI discs? I want Aftersun but not sure if it will work or not.

I received MUBI's Under the Silver Lake last week... top menu trick doesn't work for that disc, if it helps

Titan-of-Cult · 04-01-2023, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabidgoatboy

I have this player and I have tried several discs. Arrow region Bs seem to work fine with the top menu hack. I have had no such luck with any 88 Films or Eureka discs. I just tried some of the older Asian collection titles from 88 and couldn’t get any of them past the region screen. The same goes for Mr. Vampire and several others I’ve tried from Eureka.

Strange. I’ve only been able to do Eureka but nothing else.

Trekkie313 · 07-13-2023, 11:57 PM

I'm just now finding out my player is region free...

hariseldon · 07-16-2023, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trekkie313

I'm just now finding out my player is region free...

Partially region free unless it had a full mod done along the line

I've had near 100% luck with Eureka, Arrow, and Indicator discs. The locked Disney (Ratatouille 3D specifically) and most Sony will not play. Most newer Disney's are region free to begin with, but several of the older items are not.

Some discs even from the same company require a slight variation of the button pushes though I;ve forgotten the exact details for now.

09-30-2022, 09:13 PM	#61
Snikt Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Apr 2008 4K collection:206 Blu-ray collection:438 Trading Score:3	Just curious what you think, if I already own this model, is there any reason to upgrade to the DP-UB820-K model? I have a Samsung tv, which supports HDR 10+, but no Dolby Vision. I love this current player!

12-23-2022, 06:29 PM	#63
Noir Black Schwarz Expert Member Member since:May 2022	I'm sorry, I'm confused as to how to get this player to play other region discs. I put the disc in there, it then loads to a screen with a message that says it can not play the disc, and that's it. The screen is locked. I can't hit Top Menu, I can't hit Stop, nothing works. I thought it was supposed to be when that message pops up, you hit Stop, and then Top Menu, but if the screen is locked, how do you bypass it? I also saw online a thing that said to hit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 and 0, but nothing happens that way either. Am I missing something?

12-24-2022, 03:29 PM	#66
Noir Black Schwarz Expert Member Member since:May 2022	I was trying a DVD Region 2 disc I was given years ago of a Japanese horror movie called Sky High. I don't have any Blu-Rays until my Ju-On set arrives. However, I just picked this player up the other day and was trying to make sure it worked before that set gets here.

01-08-2023, 04:52 AM	#70
Noir Black Schwarz Expert Member Member since:May 2022	Does Second Sight's discs work? I ask because I've thought about getting their Hammer Films stuff.

01-08-2023, 05:26 AM	#71
hariseldon Blu-ray Count Top contributor Member since:Jul 2010 Location:Charlotte, NC 4K collection:- Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Digital collection:- Trading Score:185	I don't think you can know without trying. Some studios are pretty reliable, some are hit or miss I read several threads that suggest some Second sight discs do work, but the only SS discs I have are already Region Free so I can't confirm,

03-21-2023, 02:16 PM	#73
rabidgoatboy Junior Member Member since:Apr 2010 4K collection:197 Blu-ray collection:781	I have this player and I have tried several discs. Arrow region Bs seem to work fine with the top menu hack. I have had no such luck with any 88 Films or Eureka discs. I just tried some of the older Asian collection titles from 88 and couldn’t get any of them past the region screen. The same goes for Mr. Vampire and several others I’ve tried from Eureka.

03-22-2023, 08:18 PM	#74
Rolling Ragu New Member Member since:Mar 2023	I have been wanting the John Williams "Live in Vienna" BluRay for some time now. However, it seems to be available only as Region 2. I saw one reviewer comment that it worked in the US for him. I now came across this discussion that sounds promising. I already have a 420, so any confirmation that this disc works with the hack? I ordered already, so I will have an answer in a few weeks. Thanks.

03-22-2023, 11:48 PM	#75
Blacknapkins Power Member Member since:Feb 2017 Location:Pennsylvania Trading Score:72	Does the 420 play MUBI discs? I want Aftersun but not sure if it will work or not.

07-13-2023, 11:57 PM	#79
Trekkie313 Blu-ray Baron Top contributor Member since:Nov 2010 Location:Ohio Home Theater Gallery:2 4K collection:206 Blu-ray collection:1650 DVD collection:547 Digital collection:156 Blu-ray reviews: 5 Trading Score:59	I'm just now finding out my player is region free...

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