Are region free DVD players readily available?

[JOE29]

I'm thinking about getting one because there is a few movies that aren't available on my region 1 player that I have now. Can you get them anywhere? Do they cost more because they're region free?

[GHackmann]

Many inexpensive players can be made region-free with a few button presses on the remote.

I have a Philips DVP-642, which seems to be pretty popular for people who want region-free on a budget ($60-$70). It took about 15 seconds to make it region-free. There are some complaints about the PAL/NTSC conversion compared to more-expensive players, so keep that in mind.

[mbs]

First check to see if your current player can be modified (remote hack) to region free. Go here and check: http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks

If not, I'd get a Philips DVP-642. I have one and as far as a "cheap" player, I love it. It's a R1 player, but a simple remote hack (typing in a couple buttons with the tray open) will set it to R0 (region free). Cost me about $65 or so. Plays everything I have thrown at it (DVD-R, DVD+R). Also plays DiVX discs, though I have only done that once.

[warswift]

does it play vcd?

[meritocracy]

Yes, it does.

[Slowpc]

Only if the SD-4900 is still around.... I love mine here, and worth searching for. Region Free with just a cd-r and works great for everything I have tossed at it.

[warswift]

where can i get on? site?

also can you watch region free stuff on a ps2?

[GHackmann]

where can i get on? site?
Pretty much any electronics store will carry it. Amazon.com has it for a little under $60 if you prefer to shop online.

also can you watch region free stuff on a ps2?
There are mod chips and swap discs to make it region-free. I don't know if it's OK to discuss them on the DVD Talk board, since they're almost always used for piracy.

I'm not sure whether or not a modded PS2 will convert PAL video to NTSC.

[warswift]

thanks

[warswift]

theres some bad reviews on Philips DVP-642 on amazon.

[Slowpc]

The Action Replay / Gameshark devices are available to play other region dvds via the playstation 2. The action replay MAX has a lot of features, and one is the "Turn your PS2 into a multi-region DVD player and watch movies from other countries" feature. Quality is prob. not too good... but might be good to hold you over.

Best thing is... it is legal and available in many shops around.

[warswift]

you guys think this is a good price and good all region dvd player?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000A0AJH/002-2697952-9908864?v=glance&n=172282&n=507846&s=electronics&v=glance

[X]

I liked it better a month ago when it was $18 after rebate with free shipping. That was a good price and just about right for that player.

I don't think I'd pay much more than that though. I had to go through 3 of them to finally get one that worked right. They're even junkier than they were last year.

[warswift]

which one is the best for a all region dvd player then.

i want one that can play forever!

[Josh Z]

which one is the best for a all region dvd player then.

i want one that can play forever!

This really depends on your needs and your other equipment. What is your budget? Do you have an HDTV?

This is my region-free player:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/features/004343.html

[warswift]

mostly region 2 3 and etc. also vcd

my budget is around 100.

[mbs]

theres some bad reviews on Philips DVP-642 on amazon.

On videohelp.com the 642 has an 8.1 rating and the Cyberhome has a 6.2.

I wasn't aware of such failure rates of the 642 (as reported on amazon). Mine gets A LOT of use and I've had no issue for as long as I've had it (about a year or so, I believe). Based on the reviews at both sites, both players seem to have a good number of lemons being produced, so you may want to buy it in-store. Much easier taking it back if you happen to get a bad unit.

Like I said earlier, I love my 642.

[bboisvert]

which one is the best for a all region dvd player then.

i want one that can play forever!

If you're looking to spend less than $100, you're not going to see a ton of difference in overall quality. I'd go with the Cyberhome player on Amazon w/rebate...

[warswift]

Philips DVP642

i should just get this.

[asianxcore]

are there any region free players that upconvert 480p to 720?

[nemein]

are there any region free players that upconvert 480p to 720?


There's several... one of the favorites seems to be http://www.dvdtalk.com/features/004343.html

[mbs]

are there any region free players that upconvert 480p to 720?

Yeah, I think the Oppo is considered the best for this purpose. It was recently discussed here: http://dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=443684 and there is a DVDTalk review here: http://www.dvdtalk.com/features/004343.html.

I'm going to order one in the next couple days.

[warswift]

i think i might get this then

http://www.dvdtalk.com/features/004343.html

because everyone is talking about it.

[Josh Z]

Are my posts invisible in this forum?


Warswift, the Oppo is a great region-free player if you're watching on an HDTV. If you have a standard-defintion TV, the Philips is half the price and you won't see much difference in quality. The Oppo is designed primarily for HDTV owners. You really need to have a DVI or HDMI input on your TV to get the full benefits of the Oppo player.

[warswift]

i bidded on a Philips DVP642 Progressive Scan DVD Player
and won for 55.96 is that good?

[joshd2012]

My Cyberhome is still kicking ass. It plays everything I can throw at it. $40 at BB.

[Slowpc]

warswift , i would say , not too bad. If you are running on a SD tv ... region free it and have fun!

[warswift]

just a regular tv.

[Teisco]

I have the Cyber Home and the picture is dull and not as bright or colorful as my Sony NS775v. The problem is my Sony will not convert to other regions as the Cyber Home will. Now, does the Phillips have a nice bright colorful picture or does it compare with the Cyber?

Also, I would get a 720 player but my monitor only has one DVI input and my pc is using that. Is there such as thing as a DVI switcher or splitter?

[mbs]

Is there such as thing as a DVI switcher or splitter?

Yeah, but unfortunately they run around $300+. At least the ones I found last time I looked did.

[Spiky]

Starting to come down.
http://www.digitalconnection.com/products/video/dmsr201.asp

[Spiky]

Hah!! I knew there was a cheap one somewhere, finally found it again. No idea as to quality.

http://www.markertek.com/SearchProduct.asp?item=DVIAB%2D1&off=73&sort=prod

[Teisco]

$38.98 is cheap, wonder if it will pass HDTV?

[look4sheep]

Samsung 841 is another one to check out, at least according to AVSforum. Does SACD and DVD-A and can be hacked to be rid of HDCP problems. Just another alternative to look at since it'a regular TV you got.

[visitor Q]

My Cyberhome is still kicking ass. It plays everything I can throw at it. $40 at BB.

You are one of the lucky. I went through two of them before I gave up. For the price of another DVD, I had 100% better luck with the Philips 642 .. in that, it was just as easily made region free and worked for more than two weeks. I got sick of the cheap make up of the Philips and overly bright light and went online for a Malata. Haven't had a problem since.

Though, if the Cyberhome was more of a hit than a miss, I would have stuck by it for the $25 spotted for it. Too bad. You get what you pay for some times.

[compulsive dvd]

I have a Pioneer dvr 310s that came region free, but after I sent it in to Pioneer to be repaired, it's locked to region 1. Any idea how to change it back?

[Giles]

I want to buy a Malata portable player, preferably - any thoughts?

[CheapBastid]

I'll chime in with a warning about the Philips 642. It is a wonderfully flexible player but it is a cheap player, slow startup, slow menuing, unresponsive remote. Mine is dying a slow death and I've been looking for a step up in quality with similar flexibility. As I have a CRT HD set I'm not going to see much of the value in the Oppo player and from what I understand it's not really that much of a step up (if at all) in quality over the Philips.

I'll ask again if there are any suggestions on what to get to replace my dying Philips.

[d2cheer]

Many inexpensive players can be made region-free with a few button presses on the remote.

I have a Philips DVP-642, which seems to be pretty popular for people who want region-free on a budget ($60-$70). It took about 15 seconds to make it region-free. There are some complaints about the PAL/NTSC conversion compared to more-expensive players, so keep that in mind.


I own two of these and have been very pleased... however with my widescreen TV it does not work so well. I have a Jaton for that, on regular TV's the Philips works great.

[Shagrath]

I'll chime in with a warning about the Philips 642. It is a wonderfully flexible player but it is a cheap player, slow startup, slow menuing, unresponsive remote. Mine is dying a slow death and I've been looking for a step up in quality with similar flexibility. As I have a CRT HD set I'm not going to see much of the value in the Oppo player and from what I understand it's not really that much of a step up (if at all) in quality over the Philips.

I'll ask again if there are any suggestions on what to get to replace my dying Philips.

I'm in the exact same boat as you. The upconversion probably won't make much of a difference since it has to be converted back to analog once it gets to the TV. I've thought about still getting the OPPO, due to the fact that it'll play so many formats, but have also been thinking about that Samsung 850 or 950 for about the same price.

[CheapBastid]

My current thinking is to either make a Home Entertainment Computer or just get another cheap Philips when they go on sale and plan on replacing it in a year.