The Never Ending Quest for an All-Region DVD Player - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

Pirate · 04-17-2007, 02:07 AM

I decided to start a new thread since this seems to be, indeed, a never ending quest. I'm just looking for an all-region player that can handle native PAL.

Over the last month or so, I have bought and returned 4 DVD players. I’ve been through the following models and encountered the following problems with each.

Oppo 971H (I currently still own this player)
• DVI size issue. There is a border around the image and Oppo has no fix for this.
• Component limited to 480i.

Oppo 970HD
• Subtitle issues: Sometimes the subtitles were only partially shown.
• Vertical squeeze via HDMI: The image looked stretched when viewing via HDMI.

Yamaha DV-S5950BL
• Piss-poor video performance.
• HDMI looked “off,” similar to the issue with the Oppo 970.
• Bad NTSC-PAL conversion.

Samsung HD950
• Bad NTSC-PAL conversion.
• Sub-par video performance.

I've decided to keep this thread like a diary of failure! Up next is the Philips DVP5140!

Sehnzeleid · 04-17-2007, 02:33 AM

I had pretty horrendous image quality issues with the Philips DVP642.

I tried a Samsung out only to return it after it's damn stupid wafer-thin tray destroyed my copy of Finding Nemo. I can't see why manufacturers believe people like trays that are barely thicker than the disc itself.

***chlngr1970*** · 04-17-2007, 09:55 AM

You can thank the Studios for your never ending quest, PH. IIRC, it was the studios that demanded the coding to begin with. Keep at it...I'm sure you will find one some day

j

Pirate · 04-17-2007, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chlngr1970

You can thank the Studios for your never ending quest, PH. IIRC, it was the studios that demanded the coding to begin with. Keep at it...I'm sure you will find one some day

j

The coding has actually been the least of my problems. The image quality, player functionality, and ability to properly display PAL have been the real issues.

ganthc · 04-17-2007, 07:24 PM

The ps2 is a region free player. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Iguana Man · 04-17-2007, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ganthc

The ps2 is a region free player. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Oh Shit!

Pirate · 04-17-2007, 07:51 PM

That's what I love about you guys! You're so helpful.

Iguana Man · 04-17-2007, 07:51 PM

Have you posted this on any 'other' sites? Seriously.

Pirate · 04-17-2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Have you posted this on any 'other' sites? Seriously.

Yeah. AVS, HTF and HTS. Most recomended Oppo or players that can't handle PAL.

Iguana Man · 04-17-2007, 08:35 PM

Jesus...I find it hard to believe there isn't something out there that fits the bill after a simple 'hackjustment'.

Pirate · 04-17-2007, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Jesus...I find it hard to believe there isn't something out there that fits the bill after a simple 'hackjustment'.

Well, I'm hoping the Philips DVP5140 will be the one. Probably not, though.

***Wirehed*** · 04-17-2007, 10:56 PM

How about the Oppo DV-981HD?

Pirate · 04-17-2007, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seamonkey

How about the Oppo DV-981HD?

I called Oppo and asked if they thought the 981 would have the same issues as the 970. And they said: "the players have the same chipset, so, yeah, probably."

PunkMunkey · 04-17-2007, 11:46 PM

PirateHunter, Have you looked into the Pioneer DV-490...it's one of their less expensive models but it looks like it might have what you need...Upconverts over HDMI, supposedly does PAL/NTSC conversion, is region free from HKFlix...

Might be worth a shot fof just over $200 shipped. My region free solution before my OPPO was a Pioneer DV-578A that worked pretty well for the price. What's interesting to me is that I don't seem to have the subtitle problem with my OPPO 970 that you do (but I'm also running the original firmware that the player shipped with)...nor did I notice any HDMI "squeeze" issues? Then again my display is 50" vs. your projected image so a negligible problem on my smaller display may be exacerbated by your larger screen size.

Pirate · 04-18-2007, 06:47 PM

PM,

I actually ripped my R2 copy of Volver and removed the region coding. I then put it into my Pioneer ELITE DV-45a. Not only does the Pioneer look better than my Oppo (and that’s without the upcon), it looks better than some of my R1 stuff. The only problem is that the player is set to NTSC/PAL conversion and not PAL, so I notice the speedup. I’d have to mod my player somehow, which I’ve not figured out yet.

I don’t know if those Pioneers will look as good as my ELITE, but I’ll definitely consider them if the Philips doesn’t work out.

Thanks

tomdkat · 04-20-2007, 08:02 AM

Doesn't SVS make an all-region player?

Peace...

***chlngr1970*** · 04-20-2007, 03:40 PM

LOL!!!

j

Pirate · 04-20-2007, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Doesn't SVS make an all-region player?

Peace...

I hate you...

Pirate · 04-20-2007, 05:33 PM

Surprisingly, the Philips DVP514 may work out. The Component image looks solid and the native PAL processing is good. The player is not as good as my Pioneer or Toshiba A1, but it’s much better than the others (even the upcon ones). The Oppo 971H of course looks better via DVI, but, y’know, I can’t use that.

Iguana Man · 04-20-2007, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piratehunter

Surprisingly, the Philips DVP514 may work out.

While crossing my fingers, toes, and both of those Iguana you know whats...

I say:

Pirate · 04-20-2007, 11:44 PM

I still have some testing to do, but it's looking good so far.

mighty mint · 04-21-2007, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

While crossing my fingers, toes, and both of those Iguana you know whats...

Nipples?

04-17-2007, 02:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
Pirate Moderator Emeritus Loves Yellow Subtitles Join Date: Jun 2003	The Never Ending Quest for an All-Region DVD Player I decided to start a new thread since this seems to be, indeed, a never ending quest. I'm just looking for an all-region player that can handle native PAL. Over the last month or so, I have bought and returned 4 DVD players. I’ve been through the following models and encountered the following problems with each. Oppo 971H (I currently still own this player) • DVI size issue. There is a border around the image and Oppo has no fix for this. • Component limited to 480i. Oppo 970HD • Subtitle issues: Sometimes the subtitles were only partially shown. • Vertical squeeze via HDMI: The image looked stretched when viewing via HDMI. Yamaha DV-S5950BL • Piss-poor video performance. • HDMI looked “off,” similar to the issue with the Oppo 970. • Bad NTSC-PAL conversion. Samsung HD950 • Bad NTSC-PAL conversion. • Sub-par video performance. I've decided to keep this thread like a diary of failure! Up next is the Philips DVP5140! __________________ Early Adopting So You Don’t Have To.

04-17-2007, 09:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
*chlngr1970* Producer/Admin Tenacious "OB" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Spanaway Washington	You can thank the Studios for your never ending quest, PH. IIRC, it was the studios that demanded the coding to begin with. Keep at it...I'm sure you will find one some day j __________________ "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return" Christian, Moulin Rouge

04-17-2007, 07:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
ganthc Actor Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: "Vyenna", VA	The ps2 is a region free player. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! __________________ HOOK'EM!!! UT LONGHORNS - National Champs 2005-2006!!! http://ganthc.youaremighty.com

04-17-2007, 07:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
Pirate Moderator Emeritus Loves Yellow Subtitles Join Date: Jun 2003	That's what I love about you guys! You're so helpful. __________________ Early Adopting So You Don’t Have To.

04-17-2007, 07:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
Iguana Man Ex-BadHumor Man Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Jersey, USA	Have you posted this on any 'other' sites? Seriously. __________________ Get outside and have fun! Nacho Website Focus

04-17-2007, 02:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sehnzeleid Actor Join Date: Jul 2006	I had pretty horrendous image quality issues with the Philips DVP642. I tried a Samsung out only to return it after it's damn stupid wafer-thin tray destroyed my copy of Finding Nemo. I can't see why manufacturers believe people like trays that are barely thicker than the disc itself.

04-17-2007, 08:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
Iguana Man Ex-BadHumor Man Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Jersey, USA	Jesus...I find it hard to believe there isn't something out there that fits the bill after a simple 'hackjustment'. __________________ Get outside and have fun! Nacho Website Focus

04-17-2007, 10:56 PM	#12 (permalink)
*Wirehed* Producer/Admin NSFW Off 'the list' Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Sacto, Ca --Near Galt, home of LeVar Burton	How about the Oppo DV-981HD? __________________ The Order of the Zombie. The world's greatest zombie culture website. "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wagn'nagl dominos" In his house in R'lyeh, dead Cthulhu waits for the pizza delivery guy.

04-17-2007, 11:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
PunkMunkey Join Date: Jul 2002	PirateHunter, Have you looked into the Pioneer DV-490...it's one of their less expensive models but it looks like it might have what you need...Upconverts over HDMI, supposedly does PAL/NTSC conversion, is region free from HKFlix... Might be worth a shot fof just over $200 shipped. My region free solution before my OPPO was a Pioneer DV-578A that worked pretty well for the price. What's interesting to me is that I don't seem to have the subtitle problem with my OPPO 970 that you do (but I'm also running the original firmware that the player shipped with)...nor did I notice any HDMI "squeeze" issues? Then again my display is 50" vs. your projected image so a negligible problem on my smaller display may be exacerbated by your larger screen size. __________________ ...you left me feeling hopeful I'd never see your face again.

04-18-2007, 06:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
Pirate Moderator Emeritus Loves Yellow Subtitles Join Date: Jun 2003	PM, I actually ripped my R2 copy of Volver and removed the region coding. I then put it into my Pioneer ELITE DV-45a. Not only does the Pioneer look better than my Oppo (and that’s without the upcon), it looks better than some of my R1 stuff. The only problem is that the player is set to NTSC/PAL conversion and not PAL, so I notice the speedup. I’d have to mod my player somehow, which I’ve not figured out yet. I don’t know if those Pioneers will look as good as my ELITE, but I’ll definitely consider them if the Philips doesn’t work out. Thanks __________________ Early Adopting So You Don’t Have To.

04-20-2007, 08:02 AM	#16 (permalink)
tomdkat Official Forum Warmonger "Dial Tone" Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hayward, CA, USA	Doesn't SVS make an all-region player? Peace... __________________ My DVD Aficionado List "At last we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi, at last we shall have revenge!"

04-20-2007, 03:40 PM	#17 (permalink)
*chlngr1970* Producer/Admin Tenacious "OB" Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Spanaway Washington	LOL!!! j __________________ "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return" Christian, Moulin Rouge

04-20-2007, 05:33 PM	#19 (permalink)
Pirate Moderator Emeritus Loves Yellow Subtitles Join Date: Jun 2003	Surprisingly, the Philips DVP514 may work out. The Component image looks solid and the native PAL processing is good. The player is not as good as my Pioneer or Toshiba A1, but it’s much better than the others (even the upcon ones). The Oppo 971H of course looks better via DVI, but, y’know, I can’t use that. __________________ Early Adopting So You Don’t Have To.

04-20-2007, 11:44 PM	#21 (permalink)
Pirate Moderator Emeritus Loves Yellow Subtitles Join Date: Jun 2003	I still have some testing to do, but it's looking good so far. __________________ Early Adopting So You Don’t Have To.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode