Region Free Blu-ray player recommendations

[Rizor]

Originally Posted by takeasneededforpain

Hi Guys,

Bluray collecting newbie here and I'm looking into FINALLY taking the plunge very soon and buying a multi-region Bluray/DVD player (even though I'm more concerned about playing Blurays from other regions).

I came across this one on Amazon.ca and wondered what you guys think of it??

http://www.amazon.ca/SONY-BDP-S1100-Multi-Region-Player/dp/B00BSYR4QU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405169185&sr=8-1&keywords=multi+region+blue+ray+player

If that player isn't all that great, what would you guys suggest instead??? Ideally I was something totally region free that'll play Bluray and DVD's and that's as easy as pie to both setup and use as I'm not very tech smart.

Budget wise I'll spend up to about $250-300 Canadian.

I bought one of those models off 220-Electronics and it's been great so far.

[takeasneededforpain]

Originally Posted by Rizor

I bought one of those models off 220-Electronics and it's been great so far.

How long have you had yours???

Another thing that scares me is what if I spend $250-300 on a region free player and it dies or breaks in less than a year. If I'm gonna invest my money into one of these I want something that will last a few years.

[Spire]

Tried looking around for an answer, so sorry if I missed it elsewhere, but does having a region free player guarantee PAL playback, or just no region restriction? Just trying to make sure. Didnt know if better players only could read/ouput PAL to an NTSC tv.

[iamandaling]

I've purchased an Orei region free blu-ray player from BombayElectronics a little over 3 years ago and it's still going strong. I was a little skeptical at first, because I had never heard of that brand and it was about $110 when I got it. And I'm glad I bought it, because I have so many region locked blu rays that I've been able to watch

[wzollinger1]

Originally Posted by Spire

Tried looking around for an answer, so sorry if I missed it elsewhere, but does having a region free player guarantee PAL playback, or just no region restriction? Just trying to make sure. Didnt know if better players only could read/ouput PAL to an NTSC tv.

Unfortunately, having a region-modified player doesn't of itself guarantee PAL compatibility.

[SilverBlade]

has anyone tried this player?

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00JOOFC4C/ref=s9_simh_gw_p23_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=A3DWYIK6Y9EEQB&pf _rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0M3AEV6D8VGTW2T9Q1TY&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p =1687860482&pf_rd_i=915398

..or one with the HD-MOD ICOS installed on it?

[TheRingshifter]

I was wondering about buying a region-free blu-ray player to play region-A discs in the UK.

I know of the sites 222-electronics, Bombay Electronics and world-imports... 220 seems OK and is my current choice but they charge a LOT for shipping ($80=about £50).

I was wondering if anyone knew anywhere better to buy in the UK? I know about multiregionmagic but they are VERY expensive... it's still cheaper with the £50 shipping from 220-electronics!

There is also the other option of buying a US player and just using two... I'm wondering how viable this is? Will it require and special equipment?

[Mansinthe]

You will need a voltage converter. They are around 10-15gbp at amazon.
Im using two players myself.

Way cheaper and region free discs work on both players.

You can get every region a player you want.
I would suggest a sony S3100 or 5200 etc

[TheRingshifter]

Originally Posted by Mansinthe

You will need a voltage converter. They are around 10-15gbp at amazon.
Im using two players myself.

Way cheaper and region free discs work on both players.

You can get every region a player you want.
I would suggest a sony S3100 or 5200 etc

Weren't people saying Sony didn't handle the NTSC -> PAL conversion very well? Hmmm... it is seeming like this is a better method though.

Also, for getting a voltage converter, do you have any recommendations? I noticed this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mercury-651-...tage+converter

But it says this: "These transformers are not suitable for constant use and cannot be used for more than an hour at a time."

[Mansinthe]

I have a sony myself. Works great with ntsc dvds.
Blurays are 24p...

For the converter i use such a cheap one since 3 years now.

[Ilordmaul]

I have the Sony BDP S6200. Great player, plays everything I have ever put in it. Any locked region, NTSC, PAL etc.... Highly recommended

[Ilordmaul]

Also has a built in voltage converter...

[Iain-]

Originally Posted by TheRingshifter

Weren't people saying Sony didn't handle the NTSC -> PAL conversion very well? Hmmm... it is seeming like this is a better method though.

Also, for getting a voltage converter, do you have any recommendations? I noticed this one:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mercury-651-...tage+converter

But it says this: "These transformers are not suitable for constant use and cannot be used for more than an hour at a time."

You might find something more appropriate here:
http://www.tacima.com/tacima_products.html

[Mansinthe]

most of these coverters are for 95-100 watt.. bluray player only needs around 25 watt at most.. i think you wont run into trouble if you use a cheap converter for such a player.

works fine for me since years with a panasonic bdt210
but i wouldnt use a cheap converter on a oppo for example.

and i do actually prefer the way may sony S3100 upscales DVDs over the 3 times more expensive pana bdt210. (ntsc and pal)

[TheRingshifter]

Hmmm... I think I want to go with an all-in-one for convenience's sake. Sony's S5100 and S5200 are both the same price on Bombay Electronics. Which is better? And is it pretty good? I think I'd go with the 5200 since it's newer and I can't find anything saying it's particularly bad or anything.

[SixSpeedSamurai]

Are there any cheap ones out there anymore? Seems like a lot of them are older models at this point. I'm looking for one that is smart wifi, Hulu Plus, Netflix. I don't need PAL conversion or anything like that. Just basic ability to play all region blu-rays.

[PuppetMasterBlu]

Originally Posted by SixSpeedSamurai

Are there any cheap ones out there anymore? Seems like a lot of them are older models at this point. I'm looking for one that is smart wifi, Hulu Plus, Netflix. I don't need PAL conversion or anything like that. Just basic ability to play all region blu-rays.

Well some of those blus from other regions have trailers, menu systems and special features all in PAL. Unless you have a tv or projector that can accept PAL. Even then some american blu-ray players won't output PAL.

[SixSpeedSamurai]

Originally Posted by PuppetMasterBlu

Well some of those blus from other regions have trailers, menu systems and special features all in PAL. Unless you have a tv or projector that can accept PAL. Even then some american blu-ray players won't output PAL.

It's just for the kids room. To watch at bed time. I have a modded S790 in the family room for full feature viewing.

Some of the Disney steels I have from Zavvi are region locked and it would be nice if they could watch them in their room.

[THGhost]

I live in the UK and have recently bought a Toshiba SD3005KB after my Philips DVP3880 started scratching my discs. Works great so far, a lot quieter than the Phillips. Perfect for watching region 1 cartoons on. But since I've been purchasing a lot of region A Blu-rays lately (play them on my PC), I'm thinking of buying a region free Blu-ray player.

Any good players you can recommend? Just a Blu-ray player, I don't need the DVD part of it. Plus the Blu-ray/DVD prices make me shudder.

Already done some searching. Anyone tried THIS player before? Do feel free to correct me if the player's no good. It plays DVDs as well but it's a very good price.

[Coogans Bluff]

Looking to get region free blu-ray player here in the UK, seen the Panasonic DMP-BD81EB-k for £159.99 free shipping on eBay, anyone used this and if so is it plug and play or do I need anything else?