All-Region DVD and Blu-ray Player Advice

[TMDaines]

Sorry if this has been answered before, but do laptops/computers tend to be region free?

No. However there is software that allows you to play _most_ DVDs -- some of this software is free. (If you check out VLC -- be sure to get this ONLT from the official site -- as there are some spyware-infected versions being offered by shady download sites).

VLC still requires a region free DVD drive or software that will bypass region coded discs (AnyDVD for instance). It's easy to modify DVD drive firmware if you know what you're doing (http://forum.rpc1.org/portal.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is your friend). Alternatively just get hold of AnyDVD.

[Michael Kerpan]

VLC still requires a region free DVD drive or software that will bypass region coded discs (AnyDVD for instance). It's easy to modify DVD drive firmware if you know what you're doing (http://forum.rpc1.org/portal.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is your friend). Alternatively just get hold of AnyDVD.

At least under Linux, VLC plays almost everything regardless of a DVD drive's nominal region coding -- with no need to muck around with firmware changes.

[Hail_Cesar]

On a mac, vlc works for very few "R2" that won't play with dvd player but I haven't figured out how to play them all...

Anybody can tell me a good site to order Tv-dvd/BR players in canada?! Amazon.ca has almost nothing and Best-buy/futureshop sucks...

[TMDaines]

VLC still requires a region free DVD drive or software that will bypass region coded discs (AnyDVD for instance). It's easy to modify DVD drive firmware if you know what you're doing (http://forum.rpc1.org/portal.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is your friend). Alternatively just get hold of AnyDVD.

At least under Linux, VLC plays almost everything regardless of a DVD drive's nominal region coding -- with no need to muck around with firmware changes.

Oh, I wasn't aware of that. Interesting to know.

[unclehulot]

On a mac, vlc works for very few "R2" that won't play with dvd player but I haven't figured out how to play them all...

Anybody can tell me a good site to order Tv-dvd/BR players in canada?! Amazon.ca has almost nothing and Best-buy/futureshop sucks...

If you rip a DVD with Mac the ripper you can watch it from the files bypassing region coding...just disable autostart with the dvdplayer program or force quit. Works for me, at least.

[Drucker]

If MoC's Tashlin release wasn't enough to get everyone region-free, surely this is? I mean, lord

Literally shopping right now. Looking at the Sherwood that DVD Beaver recommends.

[knives]

If MoC's Tashlin release wasn't enough to get everyone region-free, surely this is? I mean, lord

Literally shopping right now. Looking at the Sherwood that DVD Beaver recommends.

Don't get a Sherwood.

[Drucker]

Gary from DVD Beaver is saying get the oppo. So I'll wait a few months I think and do it.

[Tom Hagen]

Okay, so what do all you smarty pants North Americans use for Blu player options? matrixschmatrix, you mentioned here or somewhere else something about melting a laptop down. Short of that -- or spending $400 for another machine -- what are my options?

[domino harvey]

My Best Buy Insignia has turned out to be an ace all region player for not much more than $100

[matrixschmatrix]

A computer with a $40 blu-ray drive and a copy of AnyDVD HD works very well for me- it's just that my desktop had a terrible videocard, and running and simultaneously decrypting a Blu was apparently too much strain for it. But you could put together a functional tower with more than enough power all around for significantly less than an Oppo or what have you, and there isn't the risk of new firmware putting the region-free aspect out of commission.

It's a strategy that works best if you already have a computer it works with and the means to hook it up to your TV/projector/whatever, though.

[Peacock]

Another option, perhaps not as good as Domino's, is to import a cheap UK Blu player, and buy a $15 transformer to attach to the plug; although then you still won't be able to play Region C Blus (are there any essentials though?). I know a friend who has done this and say it works fine, only problem was finding a model Amazon would ship to the US (many seem to be UK only)

[willoneill]

Here in Canada, I bought a Seiki 660 for 49.99 at Walmart. It's now my RB player.

[Finch]

It *is* a good price on amazon but I prefer making my orders through MoC's own website as well. Would be cool if you guys could take preorders for all new announcements as soon as the next monthly sale comes round.

[knives]

My Best Buy Insignia has turned out to be an ace all region player for not much more than $100

The Insignia is Blu free also?

[domino harvey]

Yep, just don't update your software-- all I had to do was upload via USB an earlier version (like Dec 2010-- so still very up to date on new titles) of their firmware available for download on the Insignia website and bam, super-easy region free Blus and DVDs. It's the WiFi model mfunk directed me to a few months ago, a search'll turn it up

[Titus]

I've been using a computer and I haven't had any issues yet -- though I haven't been using it for very long. I lost my old laptop in a tornado a couple of months ago and used that as an excuse to upgrade to one that was a capable Blu Ray player (with HDMI output). I haven't put much mileage on it yet, but it's worked like a charm so far (it even performs better with DVDs than my old Oppo, as well). Depending on the kind of PC/laptop you've currently got, adding a BD-drive might be the most cost-efficient option.

[swo17]

Yep, just don't update your software-- all I had to do was upload via USB an earlier version (like Dec 2010-- so still very up to date on new titles) of their firmware available for download on the Insignia website and bam, super-easy region free Blus and DVDs. It's the WiFi model mfunk directed me to a few months ago, a search'll turn it up

Just keep your receipt and use the player plenty during the 30 day return window to make sure you don't have a lemon. I had problems with two Insignias in a row, mostly audio related.

[Drucker]

How do you guys go about ensuring Pal works? Or do Region Frees make it possible to play Pal?

[Donald Brown]

Region free doesn't guarantee you can play PAL. If your monitor can't handled PAL, you'll need a player that can also convert PAL to NTSC. Not all players do this.

[mfunk9786]

Insignias do, FYI.

[domino harvey]

My Insignia also streams Netflix and Pandora. It does a lot for what it cost, no doubt

[mfunk9786]

I just found region free instructions for my non-WiFi model, seems too good to be true. Can't wait to go home and test.

[domino harvey]

I had to format the USB drive I used very specifically before it would take the file, but other than that, it was an e-z process and very convenient since my Sherwood and Oppo both died this year. What a dream to be down to only one player, like a normal human being!

[denti alligator]

Wow, do all the Insignia models on sale at Best Buy play region free? I'm tempted to pick one up to replace my Sherwood, which will die sooner than later from the sound of it.