Blu ray players, their dvd playback and region coding

degeneration · Post by **degeneration** » 22 Apr 2008, 20:30

I'm possibly going to be a 1080p TV in the next few months or so and figure I might get a blu ray player as well, so that I can start getting films on blu ray (or at least the ones that are worth it).

So my questions are:

1) Are blu ray players backward compatable with DVDs?

2) I gather the region coding is different for blu ray discs, but how does it work for region coded DVDs playing on a blu ray player? I've got enough region coded DVDs from regions 1-4 that I'd want them ALL to play back without having to get a region free upscaling DVD player.

3) I assume blu ray players can upscale DVD playback?

If I thin of other questions, I'll ask as the thread goes on.

Cheers.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 22 Apr 2008, 20:59

1. Yes but most are region locked, www.avforums is a good resource here.

2. Yes there is only 3 BD Region code. Regions A and B are the important ones and AFAIK only EIV use Region B in the UK (I'm not aware of any Aussie or Mainland European companies that do) compared with a fair few which use Region A (America) and only distribute in America. Fox also use Region B coding but they release on Region A too, so it's no big deal.

Region Coding is "mostly" (important word) only an issue if you don't own a Region A Player, IMO. When Region Coding is used it tends to be Region A. I guess those who own Region B Players don't want any of the Region A locked discs.

Owning a Region A Player means using a Voltage Converter (in most cases) and in most cases makes warranty tricky, due to the number of Region A locked discs I am happy to take this risk.

See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray#Region_codes
See here for which discs are Region Locked (this is well worth bookmarking): http://bluray.liesinc.net/

3. Yes to 1080p - But as most are region locked and most USA Players cannot handle PAL, most still retain a separate DVD Player. In my case I will use my Upscaling DVD Recorder.

p.s - This is probably better in the High Def. Forum, which is being used for everything HD

.

Yi-Long · Post by **Yi-Long** » 22 Apr 2008, 21:31

I was thinking, PS3 supports Linux, doesnt it!?

So isnt there a linux-compatible region-free DVD softwareplayer, that you can run on your PS3, which will allow you to run region-free dvds!?

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 23 Apr 2008, 08:48

Region-free DVD playback? Maybe.

Multi-region BD playback? No, as Linux platform is detritus. There's no money in writing HTPC-geared programs for it.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 23 Apr 2008, 12:21

There are some SD DVD Region Free BD Players out there (via some form of hack, usually firmware). Personally I don't mind keeping my existing DVD Player. As it's a Hard Disk/DVD Recorder anyway.

degeneration · Post by **degeneration** » 25 Apr 2008, 15:28

What would happen if you played a DVD in a regular, non-upscaling DVD player on a 1080p TV? Would it work? Would the picture only be on a small part of the screen, or would the TV stretch the image to fill the whole screen? If the latter is the case, isn't the TV upscaling the image itself? if so, why do you need an upscaling DVD player?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 25 Apr 2008, 15:44

Watching a DVD on a DVD Player that cannot Upscale is the same as setting your Upscaling DVD Player to 576p or 480p, the TV does the Upscaling instead and yes it will fit the screen properly.

Why do you need an Upscaling DVD Player? Many say you don't and say it's just a marketing twaddle. Many also say that the Upscaling chips in DVD Players (except for those cheap supermarket brands) tends to be better than the Upscaling chips in TVs.

Going by talk on forums that seems to be true. I do know the Upscaler in my Pioneer DVD Player looks better than a Native image being upscaled by my Samsung TV.

When you buy a BD Player you'll be able to test this theory for yourself.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 25 Apr 2008, 16:12

I'd imagine that a 2nd hand or On Sale Oppo multi-region player wouldn't set you back too much. Oppo reportedly make some of the best DVD upscaling players around.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 25 Apr 2008, 16:17

While I'm sure that's true, you never see them compared against Top End DVD Players. So while I'm sure they're good I don't know how they compare against the Premium Priced Players, from the likes of Denon and Pioneer.

Denon in particular are known for giving the absolutely best hardware they can make/get their hands on. I'm sure Oppos are excellent but given their price point they must cut corners somewhere. While not "that" important they do buy in their remotes and menu layouts, the latter usually being really poor. Obviously it's just a menu though.

saltysam · Post by **saltysam** » 25 Apr 2008, 18:44

Romero has an Oppo i think,maybe he can give us his thoughts