Which budget blu-ray player?

[admin_exported]

I'm looking to buy a blu-ray player to suit my Panasonic TH37PX80 TV but can't afford to pay out masses of money for it. My max budget is £250 but ideally that will include a couple of blu-ray discs to watch on it!

I've seen the Sony BDP-350 for under £180 but I don't know if it will do multi-region DVDs as I've got a few American ones. The Panasonic players don't seem to start under £250 - are they better than Sony?

I was also told to get a PS3 rather than a blu-ray player but don't need another games console.

I don't have surround-sound speakers so don't know about the 7.1 that I've been reading about on the forum.

Any suggestions?

 

[mattjax05]

Hi - If you don't want a games console then scrap the ps3 option.

You can shop on the net a get the Pana bd35 for £220 and the Sony bdp-550 (next model up from 350) also for £220.

Both the Sonys and Pana are great players but I believe the order (best first) is Sony-550, Pana bd35, Sony-350.

 

[Pistol Pete1]

Hi allbee,

Have a look at the following link....... dvd multi regional too......

http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/4449

Hope that helps..........

 

[mattjax05]

You can get that player for £163:

http://www.idealo.co.uk/compare/964986/sony-bdp-s350.html

Sonys BDP-550 is £220:

http://www.idealo.co.uk/compare/965002/sony-bdp-s550.html

 

[Pistol Pete1]

Yes, but he wanted DVD multi regional usage, Matt.

What you have found, is not (please correct me if I'm wrong?).........

What I found is.........

 

[mattjax05]

Hi Pete, you're right.

This Sony-350 is multi region and only £185 - free delivery:

http://www.sselectricals.com/model-3983.html

 

[Pistol Pete1]

Hi Matt,

Nice one!!!

Good find.........(What a team!!)

Allybee13 ought to be well chuffed with that!!!!

 

[mattjax05]

Thanks Pete, so many companies, so many prices - all you need is a little time and it pays dividends.

Lets hope Allybee13 appreciates our time.......of course he will!

 

[Anonymous]

You can get the Sony BDPS550, MultiRegion, for £237 at RGBDirect (.co.uk).

 

[Anonymous]

Dont pay extra for multi region on the sony its remote hackable i did mine myself

 

[Anonymous]

Ps I think it should have had a five star review, It got four stars @ £350 ive not seen for that much anywhere generally it goes for around £250 and its DVD region remote hackable which the panny aint and that counts for somthing imo of course!

 

[Pistol Pete1]

Garethwd,

How do you use the remote to unlock the DVD multi region on the sony 350?

Or do you have to buy a special remote, like I've seen on ebay?

Thanks......

 

[Anonymous]

Ive got an old kameleon remote That i used

If you can borrow one or you have ove one its pretty easy to do

1. Press DVD
2. Hold the magic button until the DVD button flashes twice.
3. Press 0533

4. Hold the magic button until the DVD button flashes twice.
5. Press 994
6. Press Magic Key (don't hold)
7. Press 1891 (this sets key 1 - the DVD button flashes twice)

8. Hold the magic button until the DVD button flashes twice.
9. Press 994
10. Press Magic Key (don't hold)
11. Press 2552 (this sets key 2 - the DVD button flashes twice)

12. Hold the magic button until the DVD button flashes twice.
13. Press 994
14. Press Magic Key (don't hold)
15. Press 0953 (this sets key 3 - the DVD button flashes twice)

16. Hold the magic button until the DVD button flashes twice.
17. Press 994
18. Press Magic Key (don't hold)
19. Press 2214 (this sets key 4 - the DVD button flashes twice)

20. Hold the magic button until the DVD button flashes twice. .
21. Press 994
22. Press Magic Key (don't hold)
23. Press 0795 (this sets key 5 - the DVD button flashes twice)
Done - the remote is now programmed and ready to use

Quote:
1. Now to make your player region free use the Sony remote that came with the player to bring it out of standby and wait while HOME is displayed
2. Make sure there isn't a disc in the machine.
3. Now on the OneforAll remote press 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (The blue 24p light on the player will start flashing)
4. Put the player back into standby with the Sony remote
5. That's it, the next time you turn on the player it will be region free for DVD playback
If the blue 24p light doesn't flash then it hasn't worked, try a new set of batteries and start a fresh

If your really stuck and can get me your address somehow i can post you my remote as long as you send it back of course :-0
Maybe one of the moderators can help???

 

[Anonymous]

mattjax05:

Lets hope Allybee13 appreciates our time.......of course he will!

She certainly does, lol. Thanks guys.

I think I might go for that Sony 350 as it looks like a good piece of kit for the price. It's on Amazon for under £170, or £175 with the HDMI cable - I'm assuming it doesn't have one in the box.

I'm a bit confused as to whether I'd need to hack it or whether it's already multiregion though. The blurb on Pete's link says it's multiregion but there's discussion on the thread about unlocking it.

 

[Pistol Pete1]

Hi Ally,

Best bet if you need multi regional DVD playback built in is to buy what Mattjax05 found earlier......

http://www.sselectricals.com/model-3983.html

It will play any DVD's from round the world, straight out of the box. No HDMI cables will come with it, but I recommend going on ebay and buying the QED HDMI-P cable. Its about £23 + P/P (RRP £50 per metre)

 

[Pistol Pete1]

Hi again,

Actually that deal comes with an HDMI cable with it-but the QED HDMI-P will be a better cable, no doubt.

It's the one I use between my Sony 350, x box and amp to tv.

 

[mattjax05]

Hi Ally - forgive me for assuming a male status, no offense intended. Good luck in your purchase.