Neil Smalley

For all of you with multi-region DVD's bad news is ahead.

Mr.Cookie

BOLL@X

dowser

Sorry, bit dumb on this subject. Are they saying the code-free (as it's called here) players will stop playing disks using this new technology?

Neil Smalley

The key thing to remember is that nobody knows and, at the moment it's only on two disks(the patriot and the perfect storm).

The general consensus and speculation is that it will render players hackable from the handset(e.g wharfdale 750, samsung 807, proline etc etc) unable to play this type of disk.

Players that can have the region code manually entered and so look just like the proper region will be ok. E.g modified or chipped players

Both of these disks are only a few weeks away so we'll know soon.

Don't go out and buy a new player just yet. Just be aware that this is going on. Warner brothers are getting so much grief from this move on both sides of the atlantic so I doubt if it will continue for very long. This has nothing to do with piracy or protecting cinema releases etc, more to do with restricting free trade(IMHO).

E.g the R1 perfect storm is due out on Nov 14th. Over here it's Nov 20. R1 cost is 12 quid, R2 cost will be about 20. So by putting this protection on Warners are forcing us to pay an extra 8 quid for an identical disk.

Anyway rant over.

AWD

I think that it is to restrict free trade also.

I was in the US back in July and I bought 'The Matrix' for $11, and 'Romeo must Die' for $14. 'Romeo must Die' opens in cinemas in England this Friday.

We end up waiting months (if ever) to get a region 2 DVD, when the US versions come out far earlier, far cheaper, and usually with better extras on the DVDs.

The sheer difference in the number of region 1 DVDs compared to the region 2 DVDs is depressing enough.

I sure hope that the chipped players don't get scuppered by this new technology.

Rant over...

Bajie

When I bought my multi region player a while ago I was given a lifetime guarantee that the player would be updated whenever necessary.
I wonder if this promise will be upheld.

AWD

Bajie

Who gave you the warranty? The people who chipped it?

Bajie

Yes.
It is an American model Pioneer 606D (DTS) bought in the UK.
Their advert said "Multi Region for Life - free upgrades" or something like that.
I'll contact them when I'm home this weekend.
I'm upgrading and want a Sony 7700 next.
Know any good UK web sites where I can find one?

Jake

Even if this rumor is true it will only be a one off as it will be to much trouble for the film companies, plus as soon as the discs become available so will a chip for our modded players. Also check

Jake

The same thing happened with The Matrix.

AWD

The only place I know of are Techtronics who do it for £560 (multi-region). Have a look at

AWD

I saw one of the Sony 7700s at Live 2000 last month. Pretty impressive.

Good choice Bajie.

Jake

I got my Toshiba for £190 at

Bajie

Jake and AWD thanks for the links.
I won't ask Jeeves any more!
Have to decide between Sony 7700 and S735.
I know the newer models are getting very good reviews.

Bajie

Just been speaking with a friend about this.
If you buy an American machine, and then get it made multi-region, it won't affect you as the original code is Region 1.
Can anyone with an original R1 machine confirm or squash this?
I have had problems but these were with Lost in Space which was known.
I have The Matrix and have no problems at all.
Also, if you buy an R1 machine in the States [long way to go] it is substantially cheaper.

Neil Smalley

A few points

* The issue with the matix was that some players could'nt cope with the multi-angle 'white rabbit' feature and so jumped and skipped while playing those bits

* The DVD file website has reviewed the first RCE encoded disk

GavinP

Bajie,

Does your Pioneer 606 autochange the region ?

I've got one (along with my parents and brother) and all three I modified myself (only have to link two pins on the main board).

If you set the region manually, there is no way that a DVD can detect it is multi-region.

Thanks

Gavin

Shark

Guys

Thinking of getting my Sony 525 chiped by techtronics. Anyone used them? Are they ok?

Sorry Neil if this is off topic, but seems to be the place to ask.

Thanks in advance

David

PS - Bajie, you have a moded Terzo - am I right? If so long time no see.

Neil Smalley

I got mine from techtronics. Ordered on Friday got the player on the Wednesday. I also ordered some cables from them but they screwed the order up and seemed to take ages to get it right. For players they are very good(along with upgrade heaven) but I'm not so sure about aftersales. Some people say they are great, others rubbish. Saying that i'm very happy with the player

AWD

I am considering getting the Sony S735 as it sounds pretty good.

I am toying with waiting for the playstation 2 as it has DVD built in, although that might mean waiting for another 3-4 months.

Anyone know if the Playstation 2 can be chipped to be multi-region, or whether it will come multi-region as standard?

Bajie

PS2 will have DVD but it is not going to incorporate DTS, Dolby Digital or THX.
My playstation is chipped but now has trouble reading some of the discs I get from the US.
And, depending on the games you like to play, the UK strategy games are more difficult than their NTSC versions.
But fighting games are notably slower.
Use the Playstation as a Playstation!
I'm swinging, albeit reluctantly, toward the 735 also. Lovely machine, doesn't have an electronic eject mechanism like the 7700 though. Shame.
But it lets me save a little more for that plasma screen ...

Bajie

Gavin
I change region manually on the 606.
Even the wife can do it, so its really easy.
I noticed on some of the sites you could have auto, manual or both for region detection so maybe we need not worry so much.

Neil
What you say is true about the Sony. And the S7700 is almost a year old now. I need to see the 735 in the flesh now.

Shark
It is me! I'm in Holland but you will be seeing the car soon.

Now, who's gonna start a new thread on Home Theatre Amps then?

Markus

techtronics are execellent. I know a few people who have purchased lots of gear from them with no bother.
I've not purchased anything from them but I've asked them for advice when I was thinking of getting a DVD player and new AV amp and the support was astounding. Used thier ICQ and got a reply within a minute of sending the question. Amazing, nearly as good support as I offer my clients

If my wharfedale baulks at playing the RCE disks then I'll just send it to techtronisc with I think, 56 quid to get it mod-chipped.

AWD

mmmm..... plasma screen

What's the cheapest you've seen them for? I just can't bring myself to fork out over £3000 for a plasma screen - although they are very nice.

I saw HDTV on plasma screens in the US recently. Fantastic is all I can say.

Bajie

The best screen at the moment has to be the Fujitsu.
42" very quiet and it is possible to have it hanging from the ceiling ...
Six grand. But you really do need one.
Many of the more expensive models are using the Fujitsu screen.
T3 reckon the Marantz is best and thats ten grand.

Shark

Bajie,

Come back from holand with a plasma screen for me and I'll service your car FOC

David