A question for Ronald.

[strapped for cash]

Hi Ronald.

I'm just wondering if you've used firmware updates to enable Region A Blu-ray playback on the Denon DVD-2500BT?

This sounds a relatively easy operation, but I've read elsewhere that after so many switches the player will automatically lock.

In other words, can I start looking at Criterion Blu-rays, or am I doomed to put up with the sometimes inferior transfers and soundtracks pushed on the European market.

You may not know the answer, but I thought you'd be a sensible person to ask.

 

[Ronald Archiebald]

Strapped For Cash,

My Denon is currently a Region B player. I have never felt the need to mod it to play Region A blu-rays simply because I don't own any discs from this region.

I understand that doing so will inevitably cause a problem with the player reverting back to a previous firmware update and hence will end up with the player shutting itself down (it wil probably go bonkers inside!) - just not worth the hassle, if you ask me!

Hope that helps in some way.

Ronald

 

[strapped for cash]

Thanks Ronald.

I was concerned that constant firmware switches wouldn't do the player much good. I'll live, but there are several Region A discs I'd love to watch.

I'm eager to get my hands on the 2500 now to see how it performs.

 

[Ronald Archiebald]

Strapped For Cash,

What have you got now to compare it with?

Ronald

 

[strapped for cash]

I own a Sony BDP-S370 and a PS3, though I may sell the 370, since the PS3 replicates most of its internet functions (and to be honest I never use them).

 

[bigboss]

As far as I'm aware, it is not possible to play blu-rays of different regions without a hardware mod. You cannot make a region B player play region A blu-ray discs just by a firmware update.

It's possible with DVD playback, not blu-ray.

 

[strapped for cash]

I've not heard of this before either, but there's a thread on the subject on another forum. Region 1 owners can do the reverse, apparently.

I assume it's only possible with the DVD-2005. Anyway, if there's even a remote chance It'll damage the player, I'll not take the risk.

EDIT: just had another look at the thread and this is true of three early Denon Blu-ray models. It's caused problems for some users, though, so I'll play it safe and not bother.

 

[bigboss]

That's interesting! Can anyone confirm this? I thought blu-ray mod was purposefully made difficult to prevent piracy.

 

[Anonymous]

I had a 2500 which I bought from TLC broadcast (don't think they are around any more) it was region free for both DVD & Blu ray and came with a CD Rom in case it ever lost it's ability to be region free.

I got a very good offer for it so I sold it, can't remember why, I should have kept it really!

 

[strapped for cash]

That's interesting! Can anyone confirm this? I thought blu-ray mod was purposefully made difficult to prevent piracy.

Have you no faith in my abilities as a researcher, bb!

 

[Davo2008]

Hi, I own a 2500BT. Initially I got given a multi region disc that "sits on top of" your current firmware by Sevenoaks that makes it multi region for DVD. This has worked perfectly and I obviously have never needed to change it back as it's good for all regions.

Slightly less advisably, I got a serial number for a Region A machine and downloaded the firmware from Denon US. I can confirm that this made me able to play Region A blu rays. I was a bit nervous about this though and wouldn't try it again. Instead I bought the hardware-modded Oppo so don't have to worry about it.

In summary - Yes, you can legitimately play all region DVD. Yes, it's possible to pklay Region A blu ray without a hardware mod but it's strictly an "At Your Own Risk" scenario!

 

[Davo2008]

Hi, I own a 2500BT. Initially I got given a multi region disc that "sits on top of" your current firmware by Sevenoaks that makes it multi region for DVD. This has worked perfectly and I obviously have never needed to change it back as it's good for all regions.

Slightly less advisably, I got a serial number for a Region A machine and downloaded the firmware from Denon US. I can confirm that this made me able to play Region A blu rays. I was a bit nervous about this though and wouldn't try it again. Instead I bought the hardware-modded Oppo so don't have to worry about it.

In summary - Yes, you can legitimately play all region DVD. Yes, it's possible to pklay Region A blu ray without a hardware mod but it's strictly an "At Your Own Risk" scenario!

 

[bigboss]

That's interesting! Can anyone confirm this? I thought blu-ray mod was purposefully made difficult to prevent piracy.

Have you no faith in my abilities as a researcher, bb!

Just needed some first hand experience rather than anecdotal

 

[bigboss]

The reason I'm doubtful is because, most of the "region A" discs are actually region-free. The manufacturers never tell you that. There are some websites who test these blu-ray discs to check if they're region locked or not. My friend has the Denon 2500BT, & he never knew this! Even he bought it from TLC Broadcast, but the disc they provided made his player region-free for DVDs only (this was told to him by TLC Broadcast). They even said that it was not possible to make it zone free for blu-ray discs.

 

[micks_address]

Films from Criterion is what i'd be most interested in from Region A.. they are pretty much all locked to Region A as far as i'm aware. Does anyone know of a mode for the Panasonic BDT300 that would make it region free for blu-ray? hardware or software?

Thanks,
Michael

 

[Anonymous]

The reason I'm doubtful is because, most of the "region A" discs are actually region-free. The manufacturers never tell you that. There are some websites who test these blu-ray discs to check if they're region locked or not. My friend has the Denon 2500BT, & he never knew this! Even he bought it from TLC Broadcast, but the disc they provided made his player region-free for DVDs only (this was told to him by TLC Broadcast). They even said that it was not possible to make it zone free for blu-ray discs.

Yeh BB TLC told me it was multi-region for DVD only also, but I tested it with a couple of my friends Region A locked blu rays just to check and it worked fine. I also checked these where confirmed region A on www.movietyme.com

 

[strapped for cash]

markjaspi, did you have to switch the firmware back afterwards?