Blu Ray DVD Players

Fireplace · 19-10-2008, 23:24

Just bought a new HD TV and I'm now researching Blu Ray DVD players.

I currently have a DVD player that is Multi Region as I have a number of Region 1 discs. Don't buy that many now, but want to be able to play them if I buy a new player.

I believe that Blu Ray regional coding is different to conventional DVD players A,B,C,D etc as opposed to 1,2,3,4.

Any recommendations?

The TV I have bought is:

Samsung LE40A656A

Not particularly tied to any brand, just want a decent player that fits my needs and will be able to decode and output a decent range of audio as I want to eventually get myself a receiver and speakers.

Thanks in advance.

soulboy77 · 20-10-2008, 09:51

The region encoding (A,B & C) on Blu-ray DVD is down to the respective picture studios' individual policies.

Quote:

Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios have released their entire titles region free. Sony Pictures and Warner Bros have released most of their titles region free, but titles released by Warner's New Line division are region-coded. Lionsgate and Walt Disney Pictures have released a mix of titles that were region free and region coded. 20th Century Fox has released all but one of their titles region coded

The upshot is that if you are buying releases from the U.S. you need to check if it has region encoding applied or not.

If you also intend to play 'old' DVDs on a Blu-ray player then the region encoding works just the same as a 'standard' DVD player and you may wish to buy the Blu-ray player modified for multi-region for these. Note - when you see a Blu-ray player advert that says modified for multi-region that’s what it is referring to i.e. doesn't apply to Blu-ray discs playback.

Not sure what your budget is but Sony & Panasonic each do excellent ranges of Blu-ray players. I have the Sony BDP-S350, £190 on-line which gets excellent reviews.

Fireplace · 20-10-2008, 12:34

Thanks for the response, makes things a lot clearer.

I had already looked at the Sony player you mentioned, while I was online last night.

Anyone any recommendations for online retailers that sell players already modified for Multi Region. The retailer I bought my current player from is no longer trading.

Deacon1972 · 20-10-2008, 12:55

Some to get you started.

Hi Spek

http://www.hispek.com/P/Panasonic-DM...PBD30EGM).aspx

Superfi

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/4449

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/4578

Ebay

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/4449

For a more detailed search just enter the players model number followed by multiregion into Google, should throw up a few more results.

Fireplace · 20-10-2008, 14:34

Brilliant, thanks for the help.

skinj · 20-10-2008, 14:43

Panasonic BD30 has been replaced by the BD35 and is smaller with more features.

lawrenma2 · 21-10-2008, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinj

Panasonic BD30 has been replaced by the BD35 and is smaller with more features.

I see that the What Hi-Fi review gives it 5 stars and says pretty good as far as reasonably priced Blu Rays go, but do you think you would see the difference buying one at £600?

I fancied the PS3 as a Blu Ray player, but What Hi-Fi claim it's ok but not great.

Here's me thinking they're all much the same

soulboy77 · 21-10-2008, 17:04

The PS3 is still a good Blu-ray player, it just that the bar has been moved up by the new Sony & Panasonic Blu-ray models.

lawrenma2 · 21-10-2008, 17:15

So what difference would the Panasonic or Sony players have over PS3?

I'm also going to be buying a Blu Ray player this weekend, but not sure to choose between PS3 or standalone.

p.s, sorry for hijacking the thread OP!

bentlollipop · 21-10-2008, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulboy77

The region encoding (A,B & C) on Blu-ray DVD is down to the respective picture studios' individual policies.
The upshot is that if you are buying releases from the U.S. you need to check if it has region encoding applied or not.

If you also intend to play 'old' DVDs on a Blu-ray player then the region encoding works just the same as a 'standard' DVD player and you may wish to buy the Blu-ray player modified for multi-region for these. Note - when you see a Blu-ray player advert that says modified for multi-region that’s what it is referring to i.e. doesn't apply to Blu-ray discs playback.

Not sure what your budget is but Sony & Panasonic each do excellent ranges of Blu-ray players. I have the Sony BDP-S350, £190 on-line which gets excellent reviews.

It should be noted that your quote is slightly wrong as Warner have not released a single Bluray disc with region coding

paulr2006 · 21-10-2008, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawrenma2

I see that the What Hi-Fi review gives it 5 stars and says pretty good as far as reasonably priced Blu Rays go, but do you think you would see the difference buying one at £600?

I fancied the PS3 as a Blu Ray player, but What Hi-Fi claim it's ok but not great.

Here's me thinking they're all much the same

Firstly, you surely do not believe everthing you read in Whathifi do you? you don't think perhaps their reviews may be Biased towards advertisers? just my opinion of course! that said the BD35 should be a reasonable player but then so are almost all others available in that their is no discernable difference in picture quality. The one area it may score better in is SD playback. I have never liked the PS3 looks but you can't take away from the fact that it's a very good BD player & has many plus points as well (music storage etc). The new Sony 350 is also a very good stand alone BD player at a much better price than the Panasonic.

Fireplace · 22-10-2008, 11:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawrenma2

So what difference would the Panasonic or Sony players have over PS3?

I'm also going to be buying a Blu Ray player this weekend, but not sure to choose between PS3 or standalone.

p.s, sorry for hijacking the thread OP!

No problem at all.....

OranguMaTang · 22-10-2008, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawrenma2

So what difference would the Panasonic or Sony players have over PS3?

I'm also going to be buying a Blu Ray player this weekend, but not sure to choose between PS3 or standalone.

p.s, sorry for hijacking the thread OP!

A standslone will give more audio output options. I really doubt there is any difference in picture quality. I'd get the PS3 as it can do so much more.

soulboy77 · 22-10-2008, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by bentlollipop

It should be noted that your quote is slightly wrong as Warner have not released a single Bluray disc with region coding

That's the danger of using Wikipedia as an accurate source!

soulboy77 · 22-10-2008, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by OranguMaTang

A standslone will give more audio output options. I really doubt there is any difference in picture quality. I'd get the PS3 as it can do so much more.

Probably no noticeable PQ differences to us mere mortals!

If the OP is going to get a surround system eventually then I would opt for a standalone box as the audio output will be aprreciably better. But if you are a serious gamer than the PS3 represents better value as you are getting a games console and Blu-ray player in one.

19-10-2008, 23:24	#1
Fireplace Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Warrington Posts: 17	Blu Ray DVD Players Just bought a new HD TV and I'm now researching Blu Ray DVD players. I currently have a DVD player that is Multi Region as I have a number of Region 1 discs. Don't buy that many now, but want to be able to play them if I buy a new player. I believe that Blu Ray regional coding is different to conventional DVD players A,B,C,D etc as opposed to 1,2,3,4. Any recommendations? The TV I have bought is: Samsung LE40A656A Not particularly tied to any brand, just want a decent player that fits my needs and will be able to decode and output a decent range of audio as I want to eventually get myself a receiver and speakers. Thanks in advance.

20-10-2008, 09:51	#2
soulboy77 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herts Posts: 17,005	The region encoding (A,B & C) on Blu-ray DVD is down to the respective picture studios' individual policies. Quote: Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios have released their entire titles region free. Sony Pictures and Warner Bros have released most of their titles region free, but titles released by Warner's New Line division are region-coded. Lionsgate and Walt Disney Pictures have released a mix of titles that were region free and region coded. 20th Century Fox has released all but one of their titles region coded The upshot is that if you are buying releases from the U.S. you need to check if it has region encoding applied or not. If you also intend to play 'old' DVDs on a Blu-ray player then the region encoding works just the same as a 'standard' DVD player and you may wish to buy the Blu-ray player modified for multi-region for these. Note - when you see a Blu-ray player advert that says modified for multi-region that’s what it is referring to i.e. doesn't apply to Blu-ray discs playback. Not sure what your budget is but Sony & Panasonic each do excellent ranges of Blu-ray players. I have the Sony BDP-S350, £190 on-line which gets excellent reviews.

20-10-2008, 12:34	#3
Fireplace Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Warrington Posts: 17	Thanks for the response, makes things a lot clearer. I had already looked at the Sony player you mentioned, while I was online last night. Anyone any recommendations for online retailers that sell players already modified for Multi Region. The retailer I bought my current player from is no longer trading.

20-10-2008, 12:55	#4
Deacon1972 Guest Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 8,103	Some to get you started. Hi Spek http://www.hispek.com/P/Panasonic-DM...PBD30EGM).aspx Superfi http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/4449 http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/4578 Ebay http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/p...roduct_ID/4449 For a more detailed search just enter the players model number followed by multiregion into Google, should throw up a few more results.

20-10-2008, 14:34	#5
Fireplace Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Warrington Posts: 17	Brilliant, thanks for the help.

20-10-2008, 14:43	#6
skinj Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,206	Panasonic BD30 has been replaced by the BD35 and is smaller with more features.

21-10-2008, 16:39	#7
lawrenma2 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 3,772	Quote: Originally Posted by skinj Panasonic BD30 has been replaced by the BD35 and is smaller with more features. I see that the What Hi-Fi review gives it 5 stars and says pretty good as far as reasonably priced Blu Rays go, but do you think you would see the difference buying one at £600? I fancied the PS3 as a Blu Ray player, but What Hi-Fi claim it's ok but not great. Here's me thinking they're all much the same

21-10-2008, 17:04	#8
soulboy77 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herts Posts: 17,005	The PS3 is still a good Blu-ray player, it just that the bar has been moved up by the new Sony & Panasonic Blu-ray models.

21-10-2008, 17:15	#9
lawrenma2 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Scotland Posts: 3,772	So what difference would the Panasonic or Sony players have over PS3? I'm also going to be buying a Blu Ray player this weekend, but not sure to choose between PS3 or standalone. p.s, sorry for hijacking the thread OP!

21-10-2008, 20:46	#10
bentlollipop Inactive Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 101	Quote: Originally Posted by soulboy77 The region encoding (A,B & C) on Blu-ray DVD is down to the respective picture studios' individual policies. The upshot is that if you are buying releases from the U.S. you need to check if it has region encoding applied or not. If you also intend to play 'old' DVDs on a Blu-ray player then the region encoding works just the same as a 'standard' DVD player and you may wish to buy the Blu-ray player modified for multi-region for these. Note - when you see a Blu-ray player advert that says modified for multi-region that’s what it is referring to i.e. doesn't apply to Blu-ray discs playback. Not sure what your budget is but Sony & Panasonic each do excellent ranges of Blu-ray players. I have the Sony BDP-S350, £190 on-line which gets excellent reviews. It should be noted that your quote is slightly wrong as Warner have not released a single Bluray disc with region coding

21-10-2008, 22:11	#11
paulr2006 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nottinghamshire Posts: 1,098	Quote: Originally Posted by lawrenma2 I see that the What Hi-Fi review gives it 5 stars and says pretty good as far as reasonably priced Blu Rays go, but do you think you would see the difference buying one at £600? I fancied the PS3 as a Blu Ray player, but What Hi-Fi claim it's ok but not great. Here's me thinking they're all much the same Firstly, you surely do not believe everthing you read in Whathifi do you? you don't think perhaps their reviews may be Biased towards advertisers? just my opinion of course! that said the BD35 should be a reasonable player but then so are almost all others available in that their is no discernable difference in picture quality. The one area it may score better in is SD playback. I have never liked the PS3 looks but you can't take away from the fact that it's a very good BD player & has many plus points as well (music storage etc). The new Sony 350 is also a very good stand alone BD player at a much better price than the Panasonic.

22-10-2008, 11:37	#12
Fireplace Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Warrington Posts: 17	Quote: Originally Posted by lawrenma2 So what difference would the Panasonic or Sony players have over PS3? I'm also going to be buying a Blu Ray player this weekend, but not sure to choose between PS3 or standalone. p.s, sorry for hijacking the thread OP! No problem at all.....

22-10-2008, 11:50	#13
OranguMaTang Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 712	Quote: Originally Posted by lawrenma2 So what difference would the Panasonic or Sony players have over PS3? I'm also going to be buying a Blu Ray player this weekend, but not sure to choose between PS3 or standalone. p.s, sorry for hijacking the thread OP! A standslone will give more audio output options. I really doubt there is any difference in picture quality. I'd get the PS3 as it can do so much more.

22-10-2008, 12:12	#14
soulboy77 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herts Posts: 17,005	Quote: Originally Posted by bentlollipop It should be noted that your quote is slightly wrong as Warner have not released a single Bluray disc with region coding That's the danger of using Wikipedia as an accurate source!

22-10-2008, 12:32	#15
soulboy77 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Herts Posts: 17,005	Quote: Originally Posted by OranguMaTang A standslone will give more audio output options. I really doubt there is any difference in picture quality. I'd get the PS3 as it can do so much more. Probably no noticeable PQ differences to us mere mortals! If the OP is going to get a surround system eventually then I would opt for a standalone box as the audio output will be aprreciably better. But if you are a serious gamer than the PS3 represents better value as you are getting a games console and Blu-ray player in one.

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