Region-Free BD Player: Momitsu BDP-899?

[toddly6666]

Have there been any other reviews of this player besides at DVDbeaver.com?

[seymouru]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

Have there been any other reviews of this player besides at DVDbeaver.com?

From post #20 above...

http://www.videohelp.com/forum/archi...r-t366312.html

Originally Posted by cracksky

If I knew for sure this handled DVD+R DL discs then I would grab one.

It definitely does play DVD+R DL. I've tried DVD+R, DVD+RW, and DVD+RW DL (Verbatims), and they all played fine.

[cracksky]

Originally Posted by seymouru

It definitely does play DVD+R DL. I've tried DVD+R, DVD+RW, and DVD+RW DL (Verbatims), and they all played fine.

Thanks for that update!

[seymouru]

Originally Posted by cracksky

Thanks for that update!

NP. BTW, I just noticed that I listed it as DVD+RW DL, when I should have said DVD+R DL. Wishful thinking, I guess.

[toddly6666]

So how many people have this multi-region Blu Ray/DVD player? Besides the video quality of Blu Rays on this machine, how is the video experience of watching DVDs so far? NTSC and PAL dvds? When watching NTSC or PAL dvds on this Blu Ray player, is the video quality a lot better than your previous multi-region dvd player? Is there any thing disappointing about the video quality of this machine?

[Ted Kontos]

I just received mine late yesterday afternoon. The good: BDs looked stunning (only had a chance to try 2 or 3), load times pretty quick. The bad: This morning I popped a R2 PAL SD-DVD of La Dolce Vita in for a look-see. Disc is stuck in "loading" status and won't eject no matter what I do. I'm waiting to hear from hkflix/Momitsu. Very disappointing....

[cracksky]

I also received my player late yesterday from HK. After setting the DVD region to '0' and checking a dozen or so titles ranging from R1-R3 (without changing the code), I had no problems. The upconversions looked great. The few Blu-ray's I have looked fantastic. I checked several DVD-R's and DVD+R DL's and they all played perfectly.

No problems with any of my PAL discs. They all converted properly and looked MUCH better than on previous players (Phillips, Apex). My BD's are all Region A.

The only thing I haven't liked so far is having to go into the menu and switch out of 16x9 mode each time you want to watch a 4x3 product. Otherwise, it'll stretch it automatically to fill the screen.

I'm very happy with this so far.

[FYI - sometimes when a disc is stuck you can get it out by unplugging the unit then replugging]

[Ted Kontos]

Tried the unplugging/plugging many times. Thought that would do it, but it didn't. Just curious, what is your menu setting for resolution, HDMI Auto or 1080P? When I first got the player, it wouldn't convert PAL (It was set for HDMI Auto), but I read on another forum that the setting needs to be 1080P. That's what I did just before the stuck disc.

[manicsounds]

I'm thinking about getting this player, but I still have a Standard Def TV. (I know, I know....)
If I use the Momitsu on an SD TV, will it downconvert the 1080 signal?

[cracksky]

Originally Posted by Ted Kontos

Tried the unplugging/plugging many times. Thought that would do it, but it didn't. Just curious, what is your menu setting for resolution, HDMI Auto or 1080P? When I first got the player, it wouldn't convert PAL (It was set for HDMI Auto), but I read on another forum that the setting needs to be 1080P. That's what I did just before the stuck disc.

After plugging in the HDMI and turning on the unit I went to the menu to change the OSD to English. As I went through the other settings I noticed that the HDMI Auto option was already chosen for resolution so I kept that. When you watch a SD disc it wouldn't be 1080P, it would be 480P upconverted. I've already checked that (with my TV remote) as I've watched them.

Which forum said choose 1080P?

Edit: after looking at my PAL Creepshow disc I noticed that the resolution remained at 480P and I had to hit the fill button on my TV remote w/HDMI Auto set. I tried 1080P and it instantly upconverted to 1080P (I had to stop disc first though to change settings).

I read where there's a factory reset somewhere that may help with the drawer situation.

[PopcornTreeCt]

This player finally arrived today. After no luck getting the LG BH200 I went with this player.

Right now I'm watching one of my favorite movies of all-time: Leon

Looks absolutely gorgeous. Anyone have any suggestions for must-have Region B discs?

I feel like I belong to an exclusive club now.

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by PopcornTreeCt

Anyone have any suggestions for must-have Region B discs?

There are a few region-locked BFI discs that are unlikely to get HD editions on this side of the pond:

The Bed Sitting Room
Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning

Plus there's Pasolini's Trilogy of Life, which has been confirmed as an eventual Criterion release, but has no official release date as of yet.

The upcoming Network Red Shoes Blu-ray is a lock for Criterion, but there's ITV's disc of Brief Encounter to consider.

[Mickactual]

This is the only BDP on the market offering all the options I want, but I know nothing about this company Momitsu - and I'm wondering how long a lifespan this will have. I'm also not too keen on mail ordering it, but I haven't seen it in any stores.
Has anybody seen this at any brick and mortar retailers, or is it a mail order only deal?
That being the deal, can anybody recommend an internet retailer selling this who is both reliable and offering a good price?

[PopcornTreeCt]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

There are a few region-locked BFI discs that are unlikely to get HD editions on this side of the pond:

The Bed Sitting Room
Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning

Plus there's Pasolini's Trilogy of Life, which has been confirmed as an eventual Criterion release, but has no official release date as of yet.

The upcoming Network Red Shoes Blu-ray is a lock for Criterion, but there's ITV's disc of Brief Encounter to consider.

Thanks, may have to check out Brief Encounter.


EDIT: After watching Leon Blu-ray, I then put on a PAL 1.33:1 disc. After using the 1080P resolution trick I got it to play. But then it was stretched so I had to go back into the settings and select 16:9 PB. Is there anyway to set it up so the player will play different aspect ratios without me having to change it?

[NoirFan]

I forgot about the BFI Blu-rays of Salo and Red Desert as well. Check out this thread for all things BFI related: BFI releases for 2009

[cracksky]

Originally Posted by PopcornTreeCt

EDIT: After watching Leon Blu-ray, I then put on a PAL 1.33:1 disc. After using the 1080P resolution trick I got it to play. But then it was stretched so I had to go back into the settings and select 16:9 PB. Is there anyway to set it up so the player will play different aspect ratios without me having to change it?

Doesn't seem to be. It's one of the flaws I can live with for 4:3 presentations. Unless there's a secret menu somewhere...

Even when I had mine on HDMI Auto and tried watching an NTSC 1.33:1 disc, it still automatically stretched the image until I changed it to 16:9 PB.

[PopcornTreeCt]

Originally Posted by cracksky

Doesn't seem to be. It's one of the flaws I can live with for 4:3 presentations. Unless there's a secret menu somewhere...

Even when I had mine on HDMI Auto and tried watching an NTSC 1.33:1 disc, it still automatically stretched the image until I changed it to 16:9 PB.

Okay, I did some testing last night and I think you can leave it at 16:9 PB. I tried some widescreen movies and they weren't affected and 1.33:1 movies played at the appropriate aspect ratio.

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by PopcornTreeCt

Anyone have any suggestions for must-have Region B discs?

Hold on to your wallet, these are among the Blu-ray titles coming from Optimum in the next three months:

The Grifters, La Haine, Near Dark, Belle de jour, Contempt, The Elephant Man, The Go-Between, The Ladykillers (1955), and The Lost Honor of Katherine Blum.

Maybe I should have invested in a Momitsu after all....

[nitin77]

thats some lineup!

[Ted Kontos]

Originally Posted by PopcornTreeCt

Okay, I did some testing last night and I think you can leave it at 16:9 PB. I tried some widescreen movies and they weren't affected and 1.33:1 movies played at the appropriate aspect ratio.

I found that to be the case as well. In addition, PAL extras on an import BD also play in their correct AR, which is great! A similar setting to Oppo's WS/Auto (I think that's what it's called). And thus far, a very very good player!

[nitin77]

hows the 1080p upscaling for dvds? especially for PAL discs.

[pro-bassoonist]

If one has a Region-Free Blu-ray player and one has not yet bought Carlotta's fantastic releases of Fellini's Casanova and Godard's One + One, one has not yet experienced one of the best distributors currently releasing on Blu-ray.

I would also add Cedric Klapisch's Paris and Pascal Laugier's Martyrs.

Pro-B

[Ted Kontos]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

If one has a Region-Free Blu-ray player and one has not yet bought Carlotta's fantastic releases of Fellini's Casanova and Godard's One + One, one has not yet experienced one of the best distributors currently releasing on Blu-ray.

I would also add Cedric Klapisch's Paris and Pascal Laugier's Martyrs.

Pro-B

One will be buying these, starting with the first two! Thanks again, Pro-B!

[Ted Kontos]

Originally Posted by nitin77

hows the 1080p upscaling for dvds? especially for PAL discs.

I've only tried a PAL copy of Fistful of Dollars and it looked very good. I'm using an Oppo 983 for my multi-region SD DVD, but based on what I saw, I would not be adverse to using the Momitsu instead. When I get some extra time, I'll try some more critical comparisons.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by Ted Kontos

One will be buying these, starting with the first two! Thanks again, Pro-B!

Hello Ted

Also take a look at Deux jours a tuer.

Ciao,
Pro-B