Question about region free DVD players

[F1nut]

I need a region free (0-6) DVD player that will do PAL and NTSC with an built in video converter. I don't need or want Blu-Ray or HD capabilities.

I'm looking for suggestions and/or any knowledge one may have concerning these region free players, price isn't a concern.

[dkg999]

I think the Cambridge 540 is. I remember my manual and setup menus having both formats listed.

[F1nut]

Thanks. Do you know if it has the built in video converter?

I checked their website, it mentions that it plays PAL/NTSC, but nothing about the video converter. If your manual doesn't say anything about it, I'll contact them.

[dkg999]

OK, not sure if I understand what you are looking for, but the manual says:

TV Type: The DVD player can be set for either a European PAL television or for an NTSC unit. Alternatively AUTO will allow the DVD to adjust automatically, following the TV format of the DVD disc.

The manual doesn't have a lot of information in it.

[Polk65]

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks

Search for a model of your liking and read the comments. Some play NTSC and PAL discs by default. Others can be unlocked with a code sent by the remote or a service disc.

[F1nut]

Ok, apparently some DVD players can play both PAL/NTSC, but need an external video converter to be viewed on either type of TV system. Others play PAL/NTSC and include the video converter. I'll contact Cambridge, thanks again.

[F1nut]

Interesting link, I'll give it a good look. Thanks.

[Polk65]

Here's another. Tick the Multisystem PAL/NTSC box on the lower right then the search button up top.

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdplayers.php

[okiepolkie]

The Cambridge 540 has been replaced wite the DVD87 and
DVD89, which are both region free players. I know a couple guys at tech support if you need any help.

[F1nut]

Thanks Zach. The only thing I need to know is do they include the video converter.

I've found a bunch of players, but hardly any of them say anything about having the converter built in, very frustrating.

[Toka78]

I recently bought a Toshiba SD-K760SU player for mother so she could watch some BBC programs that aren't available on DVD in Region 1/NTSC...while the manual makes no mention of any conversion (legal issue?), it played a Region 2/PAL DVD with no problems. Also, the following link has some players listed which mention a built-in converter (can't vouch for the vendor, FWIW):

http://www.regioncodefreedvd.com/dvdorig.html

[okiepolkie]

I'll email them in the morning to see if they can shed a little light on the subject.

[Ferres]

I think most current dvd players can do both pal and ntsc. You just need to select a proper output source if you're using older crt TV's. If it's a flat panel type it won't matter anymore, it should support both.

Regarding region coding, there are players, probably a lot of them that has a kind of cheatcode to bypass the region locks. This requires the open tray thing.

[Billm57]

I need a region free (0-6) DVD player that will do PAL and NTSC with an built in video converter. I don't need or want Blu-Ray or HD capabilities.

I'm looking for suggestions and/or any knowledge one may have concerning these region free players, price isn't a concern.

these guys rock..the website shouts schlocky outfit but they do a good job..
my player from them is going on 3 years now..they do a good job

[Billm57]

I need a region free (0-6) DVD player that will do PAL and NTSC with an built in video converter. I don't need or want Blu-Ray or HD capabilities.

I'm looking for suggestions and/or any knowledge one may have concerning these region free players, price isn't a concern.

these guys rock..the website shouts schlocky outfit but they do a good job..
my player from them is going on 3 years now..they do a good job

www.220-electronics.com

[F1nut]

LOL....I found a few more "shouts schlocky outfit" sites. They all seem to be around the Chicago area, which is interesting. I wonder if they are all related somehow?

I found this Pioneer DV-696AV-S unit that looks pretty good, going to call them tomorrow as I have a few addtional questions. It appears from my research that the Pioneer unit above is very popular in England and "Down under."

http://www.samstores.com/details.asp?ProdID=6700

[PolkWannabie]

The Oppo 981 while not an out of the box region free unit has a cheat from the remote detailed by the manufacturer to remove the restriction ... I think the 970/971 have this as well but am not positive ...

It is also PAL & NTSC capable ...

[F1nut]

I was looking at those too. I saw that they all are PAL & NTSC capable with the converter built in, but it didn't say anything about region free, so thanks for that info about the cheat. The 970 seems to have what I'm looking for, but that yellow display....ugh.

[PolkWannabie]

I have never seen or used the 970 ... but I have had ( and sold ) the 971 in favor of the 981 I have now ...

It is IMHO a decent inexpensive upscaling DVD player w/CD, DVD-A & SACD capabilities ... and it has a more pleasing blue display & black face ...

[dudeinaroom]

Hey f1, I had a cheapy apex dvd player that would do both, and if you switched it from ntsc to pal the screen would get all messed up, so that might work for ya. Good luck

[F1nut]

PW, I agree that it seems to be a nice unit, but it's really designed for 50" or larger sets and only uses HDMI. That doesn't work for me at this time. Thank you for your help, I really do appreciate it.







dude, The reason your screen got, "all messed up" is because the Apex didn't have a video converter built in.

[TroyD]

What's the deal? You find a bunch of Malaysian midget porn DVD's at the Flea Market or what??

BDT

[F1nut]

Nah, I let Sean grab those.

[TroyD]

Gold, Jerry, GOLD

K. Bania

[Roy Munson]

The Oppo 971 can be made region free by doing the following:

1. With no disc in the tray and using the remote
2. Press Setup on remote control to access the setup page
3. Enter 9210 on the remote
4. A secret menu will pop up
5. Select 0 to 6 in region code (0 is region free)
6. Press Setup on remote again to exit

You're done!

[Billm57]

LOL....I found a few more "shouts schlocky outfit" sites. They all seem to be around the Chicago area, which is interesting. I wonder if they are all related somehow?

I found this Pioneer DV-696AV-S unit that looks pretty good, going to call them tomorrow as I have a few addtional questions. It appears from my research that the Pioneer unit above is very popular in England and "Down under."

http://www.samstores.com/details.asp?ProdID=6700

not sure..I can only vouch for the one I left the link for..my JVC i got from them a few years ago plays anything I throw at it region wise and plays PAL flawlessly..I will probably pickup the Pioneer upconverting one from them in a couple weeks..139 bucks...

[Danny Tse]

I believe the Oppo players are indeed region-free. Go to avsforum.com and look into that 100 page thread.

Have you check the Philips 642? This is a $50.00 DVD player that should play any disc you have.

[steveinaz]

All Denon's can be region free as well with a firmware upgrade.