US Blu-ray players and 50hz compatibility

[JAYSONE]

Thanks for the info OP, this information is priceless.

Especially considering that quite a few members here are importing blus from Amazon UK and the like and I'm sure the number is growing as time progresses.

Maybe you can get a forum moderator to make this thread a sticky?
This thread probably gets lost in the pages as it only needs updating when a new blu player is made or new insight is found.

OP, I added a link to your thread so I can easily reference it in the future; hope you don't mind.

[Omar]

Please help me i have a lcd lg lf 20 full hd and a blu ray toshiba bx 2000 i need to know if i can watch a blu ray pal region free, can somebody help me please.

[Iain1974]

Thanks for the list.

I wonder if any of the players on the list are region-free in the sense that they'll play both UK DVD's and Blu-Ray's.

I currently have a Sony BDP s300 but would like to be able to play my UK DVD's and import UK blu-ray's from amazon.co.uk - all on the same player. I would prefer a single player solution rather than having multiple units.

I appreciate any responses.

[RBBrittain]

Originally Posted by Iain1974

Thanks for the list.

I wonder if any of the players on the list are region-free in the sense that they'll play both UK DVD's and Blu-Ray's.

I currently have a Sony BDP s300 but would like to be able to play my UK DVD's and import UK blu-ray's from amazon.co.uk - all on the same player. I would prefer a single player solution rather than having multiple units.

I appreciate any responses.

The Momitsu & Sherwood will play all UK DVDs & BDs, as long as you do NOT update the firmware. (AFAIK, Sherwood has NOT released an updated firmware.) They will also convert 50Hz content to 60Hz if properly configured to upconvert everything to 1080p60.

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by Iain1974

Thanks for the list.

I wonder if any of the players on the list are region-free in the sense that they'll play both UK DVD's and Blu-Ray's.

The LG BD 370 can be made region-free for DVD via firmware. Region-free Blu-ray playback is much more problematic. The BDA really has the manufacturers locked down much tighter in allowing that function. The best solution is the hardware mod for one of the Oppo Blu-ray players. They are region-free for both DVD and BD with the mod, and contain the ability to convert PAL standards to NTSC.

[BLURAYSONYES]

This is new to me. What does this 50-60hz actually do or improve?

[4K2K]

Originally Posted by BLURAYSONYES

This is new to me. What does this 50-60hz actually do or improve?

A US Blu-ray player that converts 50hz content to 60hz (eg. the Samsung ones) means you don't need to have a 50hz compatible TV - it means 50hz Blu-ray titles (or titles that contain some 50hz content) will work when connected to any US HDTV - since all US HDTVs support 60hz, but not all US HDTVs/displays support 50hz.

A US Blu-ray player that outputs 50hz Blu-ray content at 50hz (like some of the Panasonic ones) will need a 50hz compatible display to watch it.

A 50hz compatible player and TV will play titles made in Europe and other countries that originate at 50hz (assuming region coding allows), some of which are encoded at 50hz or contain some 50hz content, in their original format (though most titles are encoded at 23.976p). A 50hz compatible player will play more titles than one that doesn't support 50hz.

[BLURAYSONYES]

thanks for ur explanation! I didnt realize its getting more complicated these days.

[nycomet]

The Sony PS3 is a miraculous BD player. I understand that in June a new firmware update will allow it to play 3D blu-rays to 3D compatible TVs.

It sure would be nice if Sony would include a firmware update to allow the PS3 to convert 50hz to 60hz internally. It practically does everything else.

Should we start a letter-wiring campaign?

[Arkadin]

when you use region free dvd player that has a PAL>ntsc converter you end up with dropped frames when you watch a PAL dvd on a 60hz display, and it is definitely noticeable.
sp I'm assuming when the players that output the 50hz at 60hz do this it causes a similar effect, is that correct?

[KFelon]

I finally tested my Red Cliff 2-disc UK import on my Insignia NS-BRDVD3 and had no problems watching the trailers, including the second trailer (Final Destination) which has been listed as un-viewable on most NTSC Blu-Ray players including the PS3. I'm not 100% certain if it is 50hz or not though.

[4K2K]

Originally Posted by Arkadin

when you use region free dvd player that has a PAL>ntsc converter you end up with dropped frames when you watch a PAL dvd on a 60hz display, and it is definitely noticeable.
sp I'm assuming when the players that output the 50hz at 60hz do this it causes a similar effect, is that correct?

Why would it drop frames? Surely it would only drop frames/fields if the Hz of the output is less than the Hz of the input (which isn't the case with 50 to 60Hz)? Surely converting 50Hz to 60Hz, if done in the simplest way will mean some fields are duplicated (shown more than once) and not dropped. Another way could be using interpolation.

[dfms23]

Originally Posted by RBBrittain

The Momitsu & Sherwood will play all UK DVDs & BDs, as long as you do NOT update the firmware. (AFAIK, Sherwood has NOT released an updated firmware.) They will also convert 50Hz content to 60Hz if properly configured to upconvert everything to 1080p60.

So if I get the Sherwood I will be good-to-go on playing 50hz content on my 60hz TV? Just making sure. Thanks

[shanomac316]

Anyone know if a Sherwood 5003 converts 50i to 60?

[dfms23]

Originally Posted by shanomac316

Anyone know if a Sherwood 5003 converts 50i to 60?

I believe in my research that it does. Not at home, though. Hopedully someone can confirm for certain.

[shanomac316]

Originally Posted by dfms23

I believe in my research that it does. Not at home, though. Hopedully someone can confirm for certain.

Id appreciate it if you could check later. thanks.

[amckinney]

On a related subject, anyone here know of current US displays that can handle 1080/50 content without it having to be converted to 60hz?

I've been looking at the Sharp displays (as I know they support PAL), especially the LC60E88UN.

It'd be cool if there were a list of 50hz-compatible TVs like the BluRay player list.

[Spence]

I have a Samsung BD-P1500. Is that the same thing listed above as "BP-1500?" I'm new to this site -- sorry in advance for the silly questions!!!

My manual lists the player as a BD-P1500. I'm anxious to do some importing (I'm already researching what releases are region "un-locked!").

Thank you for your help!!!

[4K2K]

Originally Posted by Spence

I have a Samsung BD-P1500. Is that the same thing listed above as "BP-1500?" I'm new to this site -- sorry in advance for the silly questions!!!

Yes, that was my mistake sorry. I wrote "Samsung PD-P1500" when I meant "Samsung BD-P1500". I'll fix that now.

[Spence]

Ok! Great. So, just for clarification, since I'm region A with a BD-1500, I should be able to play region free 50hz blu rays from region B? I'm interested in importing Rome and Wallander on blu.

Thank you so much again for all your help. This site is the best.