What's your Region free player (US users)?
#1
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What's your Region free player (US users)?
Hope this stays in International forum, it is on point about HOW we view the non-Region 1 discs, what will work for us and what won't.
There are several options out there for players in the US (more than several, actually) and a poll won't work for this. I was wondering what make and model all-region player you decided on, and if it was modified (by some dealer) or just hacked - and your feelings on the decision. Also, if modified, where you got it and your review of the establishment.
I'm using the Toshiba 3900 ($80) with a remote keypress hack. The machine is wonderful, but won't play EVERY disc I have, it has no "resume" feature. It does a great job on PAL!
I liked the cheap price but wish I'd have bought a modified, guanteed machine that would play EVERYTHING.
Currently looking at the:
1) Philips 727 modded machine running anywhere from $119 to $249! I plan on asking questions about the mods.
2) JVC 600 modded - $199 to $399 (can you believe it?)
Best prices seem to be at theelectroniccompany.com, gandhiappliances.com, codefreedvdmart.com, samstores.com, affectstudios.com and 220-electronics.com.
Worst prices seem to be at dvdcity.com, dvdoverseas.com, zonefreedvd.com, etc.
Best/Worst place to buy?
Best/Worst machine for all regions?
Best/Worst deal?
There are several options out there for players in the US (more than several, actually) and a poll won't work for this. I was wondering what make and model all-region player you decided on, and if it was modified (by some dealer) or just hacked - and your feelings on the decision. Also, if modified, where you got it and your review of the establishment.
I'm using the Toshiba 3900 ($80) with a remote keypress hack. The machine is wonderful, but won't play EVERY disc I have, it has no "resume" feature. It does a great job on PAL!
I liked the cheap price but wish I'd have bought a modified, guanteed machine that would play EVERYTHING.
Currently looking at the:
1) Philips 727 modded machine running anywhere from $119 to $249! I plan on asking questions about the mods.
2) JVC 600 modded - $199 to $399 (can you believe it?)
Best prices seem to be at theelectroniccompany.com, gandhiappliances.com, codefreedvdmart.com, samstores.com, affectstudios.com and 220-electronics.com.
Worst prices seem to be at dvdcity.com, dvdoverseas.com, zonefreedvd.com, etc.
Best/Worst place to buy?
Best/Worst machine for all regions?
Best/Worst deal?
#3
DVD Talk Hero
I have a Malata 996 and a Cyber Home 500. The Malata is definitely better quality but the CH has worked very well too.
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I've got a CyberHome 500 as well. I have no complaints about it. Also I've had a Sampo and an Apex in the past (gee, I stick to the expensive brands, you can tell) and the CH is definitely the best. Anamorphic PAL and all that stuff work fine.
#5
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I have the JVC 602 and love it. No problems what so ever. I also have CyberHome 500 and have had no issues with it either.
I bought my JVC at jvbdigital.com and was happy with the service, but they are a bit more expensive then other places.
I bought my JVC at jvbdigital.com and was happy with the service, but they are a bit more expensive then other places.
#7
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I have a CyberHome 500. For other region discs, especially PAL formatted ones, it's been great.
I've had a few minor quibbles with playing R1 discs, though: every single Sony/Columbia disc with a commentary track gets stuck in a loop at the commentary disclaimer screen, and the only way out is to turn off the player. I have to start each of these movies via the scene selection.
There's also been some trouble with subtitles in a handful of R1 DVDs. It can't seem to display "partial" subs (i.e. only when a language other than English is being spoken) so they're either always on or always off. Mildly irritating in movies like Dances With Wolves and Rabbit-Proof Fence, where I have to manually turn them on/off during some scenes.
I'm very happy with the player overall, but I'm glad I kept my first DVD player as a backup.
I've had a few minor quibbles with playing R1 discs, though: every single Sony/Columbia disc with a commentary track gets stuck in a loop at the commentary disclaimer screen, and the only way out is to turn off the player. I have to start each of these movies via the scene selection.
There's also been some trouble with subtitles in a handful of R1 DVDs. It can't seem to display "partial" subs (i.e. only when a language other than English is being spoken) so they're either always on or always off. Mildly irritating in movies like Dances With Wolves and Rabbit-Proof Fence, where I have to manually turn them on/off during some scenes.
I'm very happy with the player overall, but I'm glad I kept my first DVD player as a backup.
#10
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The player i'm using now is a Daewoo DVG-9000N. It has played every. single. disc. i've put in. The only one thing that annoys me about it, is that it's not programmable for DVDs. Other than that...this thing is solid. It's region-free by remote. And i've had no problems with PAL.
I have a backup player - the Cyber Home CH-DVD 500. Haven't used it. It's still in the box. Once [or whenever] the Daewoo dies, that's when it'll be called into service.
I have a backup player - the Cyber Home CH-DVD 500. Haven't used it. It's still in the box. Once [or whenever] the Daewoo dies, that's when it'll be called into service.
#11
DVD Talk Gold Edition
I have a Malata N-996 and a Cyberhome CH 500.
The Malata is my primary player. I bought it modified from avdeals.
I have encountered two discs that the Malata won't play "Chasing the Deer" (it will play the trailer and the accompanying music video, but not the feature) and "Scottish Battles" both from Cromwell Films ( a third disc from Cromwell, "The Bruce", plays without any problems). Both of these disc play fine on the Cyberhome (which I bought off the shelf at Best Buy and used an easy remote hack).
The Malata is my primary player. I bought it modified from avdeals.
I have encountered two discs that the Malata won't play "Chasing the Deer" (it will play the trailer and the accompanying music video, but not the feature) and "Scottish Battles" both from Cromwell Films ( a third disc from Cromwell, "The Bruce", plays without any problems). Both of these disc play fine on the Cyberhome (which I bought off the shelf at Best Buy and used an easy remote hack).
#12
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Originally posted by hellboyy
The Philips DVD727. Does PAL to NTSC OOB, region-free by remote.
Jim, I answered your query at the HTF Forum. The 727 need no mod.
----------------
Noel
The Philips DVD727. Does PAL to NTSC OOB, region-free by remote.
Jim, I answered your query at the HTF Forum. The 727 need no mod.
----------------
Noel
#14
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i've finally unpacked my CH-500 (after having it for well over a year) and am loving it! My only gripe is w/ the arrangement of the buttons on he remote - i guess i'll have to get used to the controls before i can use it w/ the lights out. If only there were a standard button/control configurations on all remotes....
#16
DVD Talk Legend
I use the Cyberhome 500 and have no problems.
Edit:
I no longer have it and am in the market for a new one. The player had too much of a red push for my liking.
Edit:
I no longer have it and am in the market for a new one. The player had too much of a red push for my liking.
Last edited by Bill Geiger; 01-21-04 at 07:45 PM.
#17
DVD Talk Legend
My main player: pioneer dv-434
http://www.movieimporters.com/pioneerdv-434.html
I think I payed a little under $250 for it a few years back.
It plays any and everything I've thrown at it. I also have two cheaper players I picked up at RadioShack for under 50 bucks each... those are good little players for the price too.
-k
###
http://www.movieimporters.com/pioneerdv-434.html
I think I payed a little under $250 for it a few years back.
It plays any and everything I've thrown at it. I also have two cheaper players I picked up at RadioShack for under 50 bucks each... those are good little players for the price too.
-k
###
#18
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I have a Cyberhome 402 (I believe is the serial). Either way, it has worked flawless for me and for the price, I can't complain. However, I only use it for import titles. For regular NTSC / R1 / R0 DVD's I have a Pioneer five-disc player, that also works fine.
#22
I have a couple of Daewoo 3000n's. They're pretty decent players, though they don't do anamorphic PAL correctly (though it's definitely watchable). They're both all-region and macrovision disabled. One is connected directly to my Panny DVD recorder and the other I use for my non-R1 discs.
#23
Banned by request
For all who have posted your model of player, who is happy with the PAL/NTSC conversion of their player? I have a Norcent DP1600, which is a very good player, but the PAL conversion has somehitng to be desired. Also, anyone have a model that disables Macrovision?
#24
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I've been using the MALATA DVP-520 primarily; haven't had any problems so far. I'm not really crazy about the remote's button layout & it doesn't disable Macrovision, but these are only minor quibbles.
#25
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
I've got a CH 500 and a Toshiba 3900, very happy with both. I think most PAL/NTSC conversion problems can be solved by having a TV that does its own 16:9 enhanced mode for letterboxing or a wide screen TV.