Converting Blu-ray player to multi zone

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Converting Blu-ray player to multi zone

jonesy

15 posts

Geek

#95100 27-Dec-2011 17:05

Hi all, I've got a cheapy little Philips Blu-ray player which works fine, The only grinch in the system is that I've got zone 2 music DVD's that I'd love to watch, but is not supported by my single-zone unit.

Now I've heard thru the traps that they can be "converted"to be multi-zone readers, but there are some risks involved.

Anyone here attempted/succeeded in doing this? Or do things turn pear-shaped once its done and then I'm in the poo with the missus?
Interested to hear your thoughts...

farcus

1626 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 437

#561898 27-Dec-2011 17:10

shouldn't be any risks involved. Should be as simple as inputting some kind of code to set it to region 0.

I'm surprised it is region locked. I though almost all players sold in NZ now were set to region 0 by the seller.
Last time I bought a DVD player (not blueray) it was region locked so I asked the retailer (Noel Leeming) about this and they gave me the instructions to set it to region 0.

jonesy

15 posts

Geek

#561900 27-Dec-2011 17:14

So region 0 is multi zone? I've seen some instructions on the web for changing but am always a little sceptical of what I read....
Just bought a zone 2 DVD this morning-came up with "format not supported"or similar text.

farcus

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+1 received by user: 437

#561904 27-Dec-2011 17:30

are you sure region coding is the problem?
As I understand it Blu-ray uses a different form of region encoding to DVD.
The regions are A,B,C
NZ is B I think.

seems the disc you are trying to play is probably a DVD (standard - not Blu-ray).

jonesy

15 posts

Geek

#561912 27-Dec-2011 17:37

Yeah, its a DVD, I only ever play Blu-ray that I've hired, so never any issues there. Seems that the DVD's are either zone 1 or 2.

I found these instructions öut there"so might give it a shot:

BDP2700/79 bought in New Zealand

1. Make sure there is no disc in the tray when you switch on.
2. Press "home" key on remote control.
3. Enter number "1389310" on the remote control. Wait 10 seconds
4. Switch off using Power Button on front display. Wait 10 seconds
5. Switch on using Power Button on front display. Will boot as normal but will be region free. (Try a DVD and see)

If I stuff anything up it'll be my balls hanging from the Xmas tree....

farcus

1626 posts

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+1 received by user: 437

#561918 27-Dec-2011 17:45

I doubt there will be any problems.
These seem like fairly standard type of instructions for changing region encoding.

xarqi

727 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 7

#561926 27-Dec-2011 18:07

I've got a Philips BDP2700 that I've made region-free for DVD by following similar instructions - no problems at all.

But then, I don't have a Christmas tree.

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

jonesy

15 posts

Geek

#561928 27-Dec-2011 18:10

xarqi: I've got a Philips BDP2700 that I've made region-free for DVD by following similar instructions - no problems at all.

But then, I don't have a Christmas tree.

Its always more exciting when the stakes are higher....

sultanoswing

818 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 160

#563665 2-Jan-2012 10:01

I can confirm that the following method worked on my Panasonic DMP-BD85 when it lost its multizone DVD capability after an official firmware update (grrrr@Panasonic for this!). This method should work for most players from the major manufacturers.

1) Basically, you need a Logitech Harmony remote (most models should work).
2) You use a special windows utility and the Logitech online software to enter a special Pronto/HEX command sequences into your Logitech Harmony.
3) Saving the sequence as an activity just like you usually would e.g. "Watch TV". In this case you could call it "RegionFreeDVD" or anything, really.
4) Point the Harmony at your player and start the Activity you have created.
5) Reboot your player and enjoy region-free DVD (NOT blu-ray).

The codes you need:
http://www.avforums.com/forums/blu-ray-dvd-players/885440-blu-ray-player-multi-region-hex-codes.html

Getting the codes into your Harmony remote:
http://www.avforums.com/forums/remote-controls/1510519-guide-getting-pronto-hex-codes-into-your-harmony-remote.html

... or you can take it back to the retailer and they should be able to multizone it for you, since it isn't legal to sell non-multizone DVD players in NZ (I believe).

EDIT: I can't see any HEX codes for Philips BD players on the site above - but you may have better luck searching. It may help if you could post the model number of the cheapo BD player you have.

jonesy

15 posts

Geek

#563670 2-Jan-2012 10:21

It worked! So I'm pretty happy with that.....COOL!

sultanoswing

818 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 160

#563686 2-Jan-2012 11:05

Great to hear! Satisfying, isn't it :)

I guess the Philips players are pretty easy to region-free compared to other brands. The instructions I posted above are hopefully helpful to others with a non-Philips player.