Multi-region Blue Ray player (both Blu Ray & DVD)

shas79 · 11-08-2009, 11:37 AM

Hi, apologies if this has been answered a thousand times already but I'm a bit confused. I'm looking to buy a Blu Ray player that will play multi-region DVDs and multi-region Blue Ray.

I thought that the Panasonic DB60 did this, but reading through various posts on the AV forum, it seems that it needs to be physically modified to do so?

Are there any off the shelf players that will do both, or at this stage do they all need to be modified?

If they all need to be modified, then can someone please recommend a player for me & the best place to get it modified (I live in London) - I'm basically just looking to get something that will play DVDs & Blue Ray disc's at a good quality at a not too hideous price!!

Could you also please recommend what sort of cable I should be looking to get, as I was told to get one that was gold plated, but have seen the prices vary from under £10 to near £100 so again am a bit confused (I'm quite new to all this so apologies if I'm asking a stupid / obvious questions!!)

Thanks!!

kingfats · 11-08-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shas79

Hi, apologies if this has been answered a thousand times already but I'm a bit confused. I'm looking to buy a Blu Ray player that will play multi-region DVDs and multi-region Blue Ray.

I thought that the Panasonic DB60 did this, but reading through various posts on the AV forum, it seems that it needs to be physically modified to do so?

Are there any off the shelf players that will do both, or at this stage do they all need to be modified?

!!

Hi.

Any idea on how much you want to spend on the player at all?
Cheers.

dec-pvr · 11-08-2009, 1:09 PM

Well there's an ALDI model that is discussed here that costs £119, but only if you can find one in a store near you. It is possible to change both Blu-Ray and DVD regions only by remote control (it can actually just be made DVD region free, so only need to change Blu-Ray region).

It seems to be considered ok for picture/sound quality but is obviously a budget model.

Alternatively you could look for the Panasonic BD-35, which apparently some Tescos are getting rid of for £99! It is basically considered the same A/V quality as the BD-60 but does not have any of the Viera Cast features (watch youtube etc on your TV). It is the previous model before the BD-60.

You could then get it modified by somewhere like here (they offer a while-you-wait service if you book it) or here.

It really does depend on how much you want to spend - you can get much higher-spec (more expensive) players chipped if you like, all according to your budget.

Alternatively these places also offer pre-modded players with their own waranty - but the price is obviously increased.

t72bogie · 11-08-2009, 1:19 PM

I got a Panny BD-55 multiregion on both, from Romford Home Theatre last xmas - it works great and im really pleased with it...they are not far out of london and of course they do ship them out

sapper · 11-08-2009, 1:28 PM

I personally would stay clear if the small brands from the likes of Tesco, Aldi etc,

Blu-Ray is a developing format and as such, players regualrly require updated firmware to play the latest titles.

As kF asked, it depends on your costs.

A highly rated player is the Oppo 83, - check the first post if you can for further information.

It is a truly universal Blu-Ray player that will play any known silver disc that is in production (other than HD-DVD and laserdisc!!)

So will play DVD, BR, DVD-A and SACD

Th e machinery is American but can be bought multi-region but does not require a step down power supply

More information can be found here http://www.avforums.com/forums/blu-r...l#post10016514

shas79 · 11-08-2009, 4:38 PM

Thanks for the thoughts all!

In terms of budget, as little as possible (isn't that what we all want!) but still want something that is decent quality, so I guess based on the models I have seen, a couple of hundred £'s, preferably nothing anything over £500.

I'm still a little confused though whether one can buy an off the shelf multi-region player, or whether you need to get it modified to do multi-region blue ray?

kingfats · 11-08-2009, 4:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shas79

I'm still a little confused though whether one can buy an off the shelf multi-region player, or whether you need to get it modified to do multi-region blue ray?

You can buy them already modded

did you mean that?

shas79 · 11-08-2009, 9:37 PM

Sort of - I guess saying it another way, when a player rolls off Panasonic or Sony or whoever's production line, is there a model that is multi-region player capable straight off the production line, or does that not exist & they all need to be modded by a third party? In which case, I'm guessing recommendations are the only way to know a decent source / place in which to buy them from / send them to to be modded?

kingfats · 11-08-2009, 9:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shas79

In which case, I'm guessing recommendations are the only way to know a decent source / place in which to buy them from / send them to to be modded?

One such place here.

Another player here but it's a bit over budget.

simonblue · 11-08-2009, 11:05 PM

Hi also you dont need to spent the earth,on a HMDI cable,some player come with a cable theyll do fine.
I when for the Oppo83 modder a great player

My mate got a good deal on the Panasonic BD 60 modder which he really please with.

confused88 · 12-08-2009, 12:06 AM

Its either one of the panasonic bd60, BD80 or the Oppo BDP83 with the latter being more expensive but perhaps not that much more.

How can you get though bluray discs from the U.S if you live in the uk? Amazon does not seem to sell any as of now.

kingfats · 12-08-2009, 5:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by confused88

How can you get though bluray discs from the U.S if you live in the uk? Amazon does not seem to sell any as of now.

Movietyme is one of the places.

dec-pvr · 12-08-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shas79

Sort of - I guess saying it another way, when a player rolls off Panasonic or Sony or whoever's production line, is there a model that is multi-region player capable straight off the production line, or does that not exist & they all need to be modded by a third party? In which case, I'm guessing recommendations are the only way to know a decent source / place in which to buy them from / send them to to be modded?

Sorry I guess I wasn't clear with my reply. Basically if you buy a pre-modded player - it has been done by a third party. Like those that kingfats recommended.

The only reason I was suggesting buying a player and then getting it modded was financial - it tends to be cheaper to get a player as cheap as possible and then find a reasonable price/place to get it modded.

The advantage of buying a pre-modded player is that they often offer a waranty for the whole player and modification. If you buy your own player, then get it modded, it's often only the mod that is covered by whoever has done it - the player will have it's original waranty invalidated by being modified.

I haven't used any place that mods players (my BD35 is still region B) so I cannot recommend them myself - I was just giving you some ideas of places/prices in my earlier post. However if you do a search through this forum, I'm sure you can find people's experiences of companies that offers mods.

Hope that is helpful?

shas79 · 12-08-2009, 11:27 AM

Ok I think all is clear now!!!

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts & replies - will go have a think & do some research about the best way to go / what to get!!

Thanks again!!

shas79 · 12-08-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by confused88

How can you get though bluray discs from the U.S if you live in the uk? Amazon does not seem to sell any as of now.

It's not that I'm going to buy them from another country right now, but I'm probably not far off moving to another country hence I'll end up with a collection from different regions.