Multi-region Blu-rays?

[forevermac]

I'm looking at getting my first Blu-ray player, but have no idea what to get. The only real criterion I have is to be able to play discs both from the US (Region A) and from the BBC (which as far as I can tell uses Region B).

I'd like to get one player that can play both, but I'd be open to suggestions for a player which is sold in both markets (or one which both regions A and B are sold in the US).

Also, seeing as this is my first Blu-ray player, are there any features I should try to get alongside this? I know of BD-Live, though I'm not sure how that's implemented in content terms. I have no interest in 3D content.

My apologies if this has been discussed before (I did a cursory search but found nothing relevant), I'm new and still working everything out.

Thanks,
forevermac

 

[fralexandr]

the problem with blu-ray regions are that they aren't enforced very well

as per wikipedia ""Use of region playback codes is optional for content providers..."[121] Some current estimates suggest 70% of available [movie] Blu-ray Discs from the major studios are region-code-free and can therefore be played on any Blu-ray Disc player, in any region"
"Among major U.S. studios, Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios have released all of their titles region-free.[123][124] Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. have released most of their titles region-free.[125][126][127] Lionsgate and Walt Disney Pictures have released a mix of region-free and region-coded titles.[128][129] 20th Century Fox and MGM have released most of their titles region-coded"

if you have netflix/hulu and don't have any other netflix/hulu boxes, you could look into a netflix/hulu ready bluray player
i'm not sure you'll be able to find a branded blu-ray player with multi-region support though you can probably go to the less reputable? places like china town or something that offer supposedly "region free" players...

http://forum.blu-ray.com/blu-ray-pl...-can-ps3-play-region-free-blu-ray-movies.html

 

[richardycc]

just don't buy Sony player.

 

[forevermac]

the problem with blu-ray regions are that they aren't enforced very well

as per wikipedia ""Use of region playback codes is optional for content providers..."[121] Some current estimates suggest 70% of available [movie] Blu-ray Discs from the major studios are region-code-free and can therefore be played on any Blu-ray Disc player, in any region"
"Among major U.S. studios, Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios have released all of their titles region-free.[123][124] Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. have released most of their titles region-free.[125][126][127] Lionsgate and Walt Disney Pictures have released a mix of region-free and region-coded titles.[128][129] 20th Century Fox and MGM have released most of their titles region-coded"

Thanks for the info on region playback codes. I've discovered the BBC shows I'm interested in aren't region-protected (thanks to this site). However, some are at 50hz. I found a list of 50hz US players here, and I know my TV can't take 50hz input (thanks Sony!). I'll be looking at reviews tomorrow for these players.