Region Free Blu Ray Player?

[bugmenot]

Sorry if this has been asked before...

I live in Australia and the prices here for Blu Ray are a national disgrace. Is there anyway I can get a player to playback US & Euro BRD's? I know theres many region free blu ray's but I need a player to playback every US disc I put in it aswell as european/aussie BRD's.

[Frode]

The first players were region free out of the box, but RC got added with firmware updates. Other than that you're out of luck. I recommend just importing a PS3 or something instead.

[bugmenot]

Originally Posted by Frode

The first players were region free out of the box, but RC got added with firmware updates. Other than that you're out of luck. I recommend just importing a PS3 or something instead.

Ah yes, i was thinking of that, I have an eye on a Japanese model from play asia cause that's all their got, i heard PA are very reliable and the price is nice. Any objections to the 40GB JPN PS3?

[Kirsty_Mc]

Or build a Blu-ray HTPC, one drive a Region A, another a region B for example. That way you don't end up swapping HDMI cables or switching them as it's done in software.

This has the advantage that you can buy a BD drive anywhere and you get 5 chances to change the region code. One you'll leave at say region A, the other you'll set to say region B. The drives are becoming inexpensive if all you're looking for is a reader.

[seto]

Building a HTPC is a good route but it would be pretty expensive. You would need to get a graphics card that does HDMI out and there are very few to pick from and they aren't exactly cheap either.

If you are looking to build a all around system that can do everything via your television then build a HTPC. Otherwise, the cheaper option would be to get a second player.

[Frode]

Originally Posted by bugmenot

Ah yes, i was thinking of that, I have an eye on a Japanese model from play asia cause that's all their got, i heard PA are very reliable and the price is nice. Any objections to the 40GB JPN PS3?

Not really. The US one might be a bit better if you still watch DVDs and have some R1s you'd like to upscale. The JP PS3 is R2 for DVDs, but doesn't support PAL ones. HK/TW PS3s do support PAL, but are region 3 for DVDs - it might work better if there are any PAL SD extras on BDs, but I can't say I've come across any yet (most of my BD collection is US discs).