Top Notch Devices – LG BD390 Blu-Ray Disc Player
Many devices and gadgets today either have a great set of features or great performance. It is quire rare to find a device that has both. The LG BD390 Blu-ray disc player does not only have a set of very impressive features, but also great video playback.
It is very common for Blu-ray players and HDTVs today to be able to stream online content. Nevertheless, there are barely any of such devices that come with built-in wi-fi capabilities. The LG BD390 Blu-ray disc player is one of such devices as it comes with built-in 802.11n wi-fi for viewing streaming online content. This model also has 7.1 analog outputs and online decoding for TrueHD and DTS HD sound formats.
The LG BD390 Blu-ray disc player also has 1GB of onboard memory. Once connected to the internet, you can view content directly from YouTube, CinemaNow and Netflix among the many options. On the front, you find a USB port where you can use it to view content directly from your pen drive or hard drive. The player was very easy to set up and the menu interface was also very user-friendly.
Most importantly, the video playback for Blu-ray and DVD movies were great. The load time was quick and the image quality was good even during fast action sequences. Currently, it retails for around just $265. It may be a little more expensive than usual, it is definitely worth the price. The combination of high-end specs, fast loading time and excellent video quality makes the LG BD390 Blu-ray disc player the top premium BD player in the market today.
By: Tim Pecunia
About the Author:
It is very common for Blu-ray players and HDTVs today to be able to stream online content. Nevertheless, there are barely any of such devices that come with built-in wi-fi capabilities. The LG BD390 Blu-ray disc player is one of such devices as it comes with built-in 802.11n wi-fi for viewing streaming online content. This model also has 7.1 analog outputs and online decoding for TrueHD and DTS HD sound formats.
The LG BD390 Blu-ray disc player also has 1GB of onboard memory. Once connected to the internet, you can view content directly from YouTube, CinemaNow and Netflix among the many options. On the front, you find a USB port where you can use it to view content directly from your pen drive or hard drive. The player was very easy to set up and the menu interface was also very user-friendly.
Most importantly, the video playback for Blu-ray and DVD movies were great. The load time was quick and the image quality was good even during fast action sequences. Currently, it retails for around just $265. It may be a little more expensive than usual, it is definitely worth the price. The combination of high-end specs, fast loading time and excellent video quality makes the LG BD390 Blu-ray disc player the top premium BD player in the market today.
By: Tim Pecunia
About the Author:
For more product info and customer reviews, visit LG BD 390. For reviews on other Blu-ray player models, visit http://dvd-planets.blogspot.com
Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-Ray Player
The Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player is stunning in design with its simple, light, slim black design. It will make a perfect fit in any room, regardless of your interior design. Currently, it is rated as one of the best Blu-ray players in the market thus far (as of 2009). The DMP-BD60 is said to be one of the first player in the market to feature both a USB port and an SD Card slot to allow viewing of photos and videos along with music (mp3 files) as well. It also has an Ethernet connection to allow the viewing of streaming content when hooked up to the home network. The DMP-BD60 can also access VieraCast to view content from YouTube and Picasa.
Performance wise, the Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player produces stunning image quality. The player also has on-board decoding of DTS-HD Master audio, Dolby TrueHD, and Dolby Digital Plus sound formats. The only shortcoming this model might have is that the operational speed has not been improved unlike competing models from Samsung and other brands. It also doesn’t have Wi-Fi capabilities. This player also plays DVD movies pretty well. The image quality of the DVD movies was also quite good.
Nevertheless, due to its superb performance in playing Blu-ray movies, the Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player can be used as a benchmark for other models in the market. The visual playback quality on this player is so good that it rivals other more expensive models in the market. I give this player 4 out of 5 stars.
By: Darius Zonta
About the Author:
Performance wise, the Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player produces stunning image quality. The player also has on-board decoding of DTS-HD Master audio, Dolby TrueHD, and Dolby Digital Plus sound formats. The only shortcoming this model might have is that the operational speed has not been improved unlike competing models from Samsung and other brands. It also doesn’t have Wi-Fi capabilities. This player also plays DVD movies pretty well. The image quality of the DVD movies was also quite good.
Nevertheless, due to its superb performance in playing Blu-ray movies, the Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player can be used as a benchmark for other models in the market. The visual playback quality on this player is so good that it rivals other more expensive models in the market. I give this player 4 out of 5 stars.
By: Darius Zonta
About the Author:
For more product info and reviews, visit Panasonic Blu-Ray. For info and reviews on other DVD and Blu-ray players, visit http://dvd-planets.blogspot.com
LG BD 370 Blu-Ray Player Review – What You Need to Know Before You Buy!
Blu-Ray is the latest revolution in the movie and home entertainment, world. Superior high definition picture an sound make Blu-Ray a very good format to convert your movie and TV collection to. But which Blu-Ray player should you buy? The LG BD 370 is a very popular choice at the moment. It boasts a whole host of great features and is very reasonably priced compared to all other Blu-Ray Players at the moment.
As Blu-Ray is still relatively new, there isn’t a great deal of the choice on the market at this point. But you don’t want to be left out of this high definition revolution, so you need to get a Blu-Ray player fairly soon.
The LG BD 370 has fantastic features at a very good price tag. It has features that you usually only find in the most expensive, top of the range models. The player is very fast to load Blu-Ray discs, so there is very little waiting time, which can be an issue with other models, even the more expensive ones.
One of the coolest features of this Blu-Ray player is that you can view movies using online services with an internet connection, so you don’t even need to have Blu-Ray discs. You don’t have to throw out your entire DVD collection either. You can watch DVD’s on the LG BD 370 and experience improved picture quality. The player actually improves the way that DVD’s look, making the picture sharper and making the whole movie look better.
There design is great too. The player is very sleek and stylish, so it looks great. All in all, a great player at a great price. If you are are seriously considering getting a Blu-Ray player, you should consider getting this one.
By: R Black
About the Author:
As Blu-Ray is still relatively new, there isn’t a great deal of the choice on the market at this point. But you don’t want to be left out of this high definition revolution, so you need to get a Blu-Ray player fairly soon.
The LG BD 370 has fantastic features at a very good price tag. It has features that you usually only find in the most expensive, top of the range models. The player is very fast to load Blu-Ray discs, so there is very little waiting time, which can be an issue with other models, even the more expensive ones.
One of the coolest features of this Blu-Ray player is that you can view movies using online services with an internet connection, so you don’t even need to have Blu-Ray discs. You don’t have to throw out your entire DVD collection either. You can watch DVD’s on the LG BD 370 and experience improved picture quality. The player actually improves the way that DVD’s look, making the picture sharper and making the whole movie look better.
There design is great too. The player is very sleek and stylish, so it looks great. All in all, a great player at a great price. If you are are seriously considering getting a Blu-Ray player, you should consider getting this one.
By: R Black
About the Author:
Pay attention to this next part closely: Find out where you can get the LG BD 370 brand new at the lowest price possible. Save time and money looking for the best deal and get it for the best price
Still not convinced that a Blu Ray player is for you? See why you should be buying a Blu Ray player in the first place with this page: how good is Blu Ray?
Panasonic Blu-ray Player – The DMP-BD60
Specifications: The Panasonic DMP-BD60 is currently (at the time of writing) one of the best BD player in the market. It has many of the latest features and a really impressive performance level. This Panasonic Blu-ray player plays a variety of BD, DVD and CD formats. Besides the usual AV connectivity, this model also comes with a USB port on the front, a Ethernet port (for connecting to the Internet) and a memory card slot. Like many of the latest BD players there are built-in decoders for Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD and Dolby Digital Plus audio signals.
Pros: The Panasonic DMP-BD60 has the VieraCast feature that allows you to access a variety of online content when connected to the internet. Once the device is online, you can view content from YouTube, Amazon Video on Demand, and Picassa. The BD video playback on this device was excellent, almost in par with some of the more expensive models in the market. DVD up-scaling was also pretty good.
Cons: It doesn’t have built-in wi-fi connectivity like many other high-end models in the market. The speed of the Panasonic DMP-BD60 was decent, but a little slower that its rivals. It also doesn’t support Netflix, a popular online video/movie rental service.
Overall: Despite its flaws, this Panasonic Blu-ray player still proves to be a pretty good buy. It is about $130 cheaper than some high-end models yet performs just as well in terms of video playback. At the time of writing, the Panasonic DMP-BD60 costs around $160 per unit. It is the perfect blu-ray player for anyone who is looking for a player that gives great value for the money paid.
By: Troy Richards
About the Author:
Pros: The Panasonic DMP-BD60 has the VieraCast feature that allows you to access a variety of online content when connected to the internet. Once the device is online, you can view content from YouTube, Amazon Video on Demand, and Picassa. The BD video playback on this device was excellent, almost in par with some of the more expensive models in the market. DVD up-scaling was also pretty good.
Cons: It doesn’t have built-in wi-fi connectivity like many other high-end models in the market. The speed of the Panasonic DMP-BD60 was decent, but a little slower that its rivals. It also doesn’t support Netflix, a popular online video/movie rental service.
Overall: Despite its flaws, this Panasonic Blu-ray player still proves to be a pretty good buy. It is about $130 cheaper than some high-end models yet performs just as well in terms of video playback. At the time of writing, the Panasonic DMP-BD60 costs around $160 per unit. It is the perfect blu-ray player for anyone who is looking for a player that gives great value for the money paid.
By: Troy Richards
About the Author:
For more reviews and product info, visit Panasonic BluRay Player. For reviews on other DVD and Blu-ray players, visit http://dvd-planets.blogspot.com
Know Your Blu-ray DVD Player’s Profile (Before You Buy Your Next DVD Player)
When buying a Blu-ray disc Player you will see a new feature that may be unfamiliar to you. It is called the Blu-ray Profile. It is an important feature you need to know because it is one of the main differences between blu-ray players and DVD players.
With DVD players there was a single hardware requirement but this is not the case for Blu-ray players. It may be confusing at first but it is easy but once you know what each profile means. And even though Blu-ray technology is rather recent, you will find it is moving forward at a rapid pace so the format is constantly changing and evolving. If you’re not careful you may end up with an “older” Blu-ray player.
So, what exactly is a Blu-ray Profile? Well, they are used to catalogue Blu-ray players and it determines the standard features and specifications of audio and video codec abilities found in Blu-ray Players. What a certain Profile a DVD player has tells you what set of features it supports. Blu-ray Profile 1.0 was the first set of features and functions labeled for discs and players. Then came Profile 1.1 and the latest is Profile 2.0 (BD-Live).
Now, any type of blu-ray profiles will play a blu-ray disc but with the different Profiles you get different extra features available to you.
Bly-ray Profile 1.0
The first Profile was 1.0, it has no extra features. You may also hear it referred to as “Initial Standard Profile” or “Grace Period Profile”. Being the first generation of Blu-ray players it meets the very basic standards and minimum requirements. It has 64 KB of built-in persistent memory. Local storage capability, Secondary video decoder, Secondary audio decoder and Virtual file system are all optional. But it would be rare to find any Profile 1.0 Blu-ray player with any of these features.
After Nov 27, 2007 all of Blu-ray players manufactured were required to support Profile 1.1. But you still can find Profile 1.0 Blu-ray players being sold. The Sharp BD-HP20U or the Pioneer elite BDP-95FD, for example, are still available. If you are someone who does not care for extra features and only interested in the movie, these Profile 1.0 blu-ray players maybe the right one for you.
Bly-ray Profile 1.1
Since Profile 1.1 is now the basic mandatory requirement of all Blu-ray players, these types are the most common. The profile 1.1 Blu-ray Players have 64 KB built-in persistent memory, 256 MB of local storage and a Virtual file system. But the main difference with Profile 1.1 blu-ray players is the addition of picture-in-picture function, also known as Bonus View. This is mainly use to show a smaller picture in the corner of the movie. Usually having a director or actor providing comments about the movie or a particular scene being displayed in the larger picture. A secondary video and audio decoders are required for the smaller picture. Most movie studios now apply this feature to all their standard releases.
Bly-ray Profile 2.0
Although Profile 2.0, also known as BD-Live, is not mandatory for new Blu-ray players, more and more manufacturers are beginning to producing these Profile types. The major different feature in Profile 2.0 is the ability of an internet connection, usually through an Ethernet port, and it is capable of interactive features when playing a blu-ray disc. Features such as movie-related games, blogs and other content. While movie studios are excited about this features and see it as the next “big thing” in home entertainment, so far interactive content has been not been all that spectacular or riveting. However, the possibilities to use this technology are vast and will surely improve.
The other technical details of Profile 2.0 are similar to Profiles 1.0 and 1.1. It has built-in persistent memory, Secondary video and audio decoders(for picture-in-picture), a Virtual file system and 1 GB of local storage. This large increase in storage from 256 MB that is in Profile 1.1 is to accommodate downloaded material from the internet. One thing you should be aware of is that some Profile 1.0 and 1.1 Blu-ray players have Ethernet ports. This is not for download extra content but for firmware updates.
When looking to purchase a Blu-ray players, you are most likely to come across all three Profile Types. So the question is, which one should I buy? Since the prices of Blu-ray Players are rapidly coming down, your best option would be the Profile 2.0 because it’s the latest and the most future proof of all the Blu-ray Players. But if you’re not interested in special features or interactive capabilities, than considering a Profile 1.0 or Profile 1.1 Blu-ray Player is a very reasonable choice and will save you some money. Besides, you still be able to enjoy all and future Blu-ray disc movies; you just won’t be able to download extra content.
By: Curtis Hoskins
About the Author:
With DVD players there was a single hardware requirement but this is not the case for Blu-ray players. It may be confusing at first but it is easy but once you know what each profile means. And even though Blu-ray technology is rather recent, you will find it is moving forward at a rapid pace so the format is constantly changing and evolving. If you’re not careful you may end up with an “older” Blu-ray player.
So, what exactly is a Blu-ray Profile? Well, they are used to catalogue Blu-ray players and it determines the standard features and specifications of audio and video codec abilities found in Blu-ray Players. What a certain Profile a DVD player has tells you what set of features it supports. Blu-ray Profile 1.0 was the first set of features and functions labeled for discs and players. Then came Profile 1.1 and the latest is Profile 2.0 (BD-Live).
Now, any type of blu-ray profiles will play a blu-ray disc but with the different Profiles you get different extra features available to you.
Bly-ray Profile 1.0
The first Profile was 1.0, it has no extra features. You may also hear it referred to as “Initial Standard Profile” or “Grace Period Profile”. Being the first generation of Blu-ray players it meets the very basic standards and minimum requirements. It has 64 KB of built-in persistent memory. Local storage capability, Secondary video decoder, Secondary audio decoder and Virtual file system are all optional. But it would be rare to find any Profile 1.0 Blu-ray player with any of these features.
After Nov 27, 2007 all of Blu-ray players manufactured were required to support Profile 1.1. But you still can find Profile 1.0 Blu-ray players being sold. The Sharp BD-HP20U or the Pioneer elite BDP-95FD, for example, are still available. If you are someone who does not care for extra features and only interested in the movie, these Profile 1.0 blu-ray players maybe the right one for you.
Bly-ray Profile 1.1
Since Profile 1.1 is now the basic mandatory requirement of all Blu-ray players, these types are the most common. The profile 1.1 Blu-ray Players have 64 KB built-in persistent memory, 256 MB of local storage and a Virtual file system. But the main difference with Profile 1.1 blu-ray players is the addition of picture-in-picture function, also known as Bonus View. This is mainly use to show a smaller picture in the corner of the movie. Usually having a director or actor providing comments about the movie or a particular scene being displayed in the larger picture. A secondary video and audio decoders are required for the smaller picture. Most movie studios now apply this feature to all their standard releases.
Bly-ray Profile 2.0
Although Profile 2.0, also known as BD-Live, is not mandatory for new Blu-ray players, more and more manufacturers are beginning to producing these Profile types. The major different feature in Profile 2.0 is the ability of an internet connection, usually through an Ethernet port, and it is capable of interactive features when playing a blu-ray disc. Features such as movie-related games, blogs and other content. While movie studios are excited about this features and see it as the next “big thing” in home entertainment, so far interactive content has been not been all that spectacular or riveting. However, the possibilities to use this technology are vast and will surely improve.
The other technical details of Profile 2.0 are similar to Profiles 1.0 and 1.1. It has built-in persistent memory, Secondary video and audio decoders(for picture-in-picture), a Virtual file system and 1 GB of local storage. This large increase in storage from 256 MB that is in Profile 1.1 is to accommodate downloaded material from the internet. One thing you should be aware of is that some Profile 1.0 and 1.1 Blu-ray players have Ethernet ports. This is not for download extra content but for firmware updates.
When looking to purchase a Blu-ray players, you are most likely to come across all three Profile Types. So the question is, which one should I buy? Since the prices of Blu-ray Players are rapidly coming down, your best option would be the Profile 2.0 because it’s the latest and the most future proof of all the Blu-ray Players. But if you’re not interested in special features or interactive capabilities, than considering a Profile 1.0 or Profile 1.1 Blu-ray Player is a very reasonable choice and will save you some money. Besides, you still be able to enjoy all and future Blu-ray disc movies; you just won’t be able to download extra content.
By: Curtis Hoskins
About the Author:
For a more information on Blu-ray and Blu-ray Players try this handy comparison guide:
Blu-ray DVD Players
Blu-ray DVD Players
Or try checking out the latest deals on Blu-ray Players here:
Best Blu-ray Deals.
Curtis Hoskins Copyright © 2008. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.
Features of Blu-Ray DVD Players
A good Blu-Ray DVD Player adds more value your home entertainment system. DVD movies look amazingly crystal clear, crisp and much detailed. Only HDTV offers a more realistic viewing experience at home. The Dolby Digital soundtracks on DVDs bring you theatre-quality surround sound. High-definition disc format is designed to enhance the viewing experience available from today’s HDTV’s. Blu-ray discs offers high-resolution video up to 1080p, as well as latest detailed surround sound formats. Blu-ray players can also play DVDs besides playing CDs as well. Blu-Ray DVD Player with Video Up Conversion can up convert DVD video to a resolution that can more closely equate with that of your HDTV.
The signal remains digital as it propagates through digital video connections to your compatible high definition TV for seamless transfer. Blu-Ray DVD Player is too good at playing music CDs that you’ll no longer require a separate CD player. A multi-disc DVD changer allows you to maintain several discs ‘on deck’. Select from carousel models that hold a cluster of discs or larger mega-changers with space for up to 400 discs. They also have handy memory and search functions that help you to find the disc you want. You can save a lot of shelf space by just storing your CDs and DVDs in a mega-changer.
Combo players are ideal for people trying to bridge the gap between their VHS and DVD collections. At cheap prices, these popular 2-in-1 components provide all the familiar features of a VCR, with the spectacular movie and music quality of a DVD player. Make use of the timer to record TV shows to VHS, enjoy crystal-clear DVD movies or you can jam to your collection of audio CDs all with the help of one simple component.
Blu-Ray DVD recorders provide tape-free recording easily with all the functionality of a DVD player. Record your favorite sitcom just at the click of a button or back up home movies on robust, high-quality DVDs. With a variety of write-once and re-writeable formats available in the market, it is easy to find the right disc for the right task.
Portable Blu-Ray DVD Player provides home entertainment on the go – just right for frequent travelers, or those with young, edgy passengers on long family car trips. Solid and lightweight, a lot of Portable Blu-Ray DVD Player also provides dual headphone jacks, allowing more than one individual to witness the show. Besides, rechargeable batteries having features like cigarette lighter power adapters & car mounting kits make some portable players really car-friendly.
By: Victor Thomas
About the Author:
The signal remains digital as it propagates through digital video connections to your compatible high definition TV for seamless transfer. Blu-Ray DVD Player is too good at playing music CDs that you’ll no longer require a separate CD player. A multi-disc DVD changer allows you to maintain several discs ‘on deck’. Select from carousel models that hold a cluster of discs or larger mega-changers with space for up to 400 discs. They also have handy memory and search functions that help you to find the disc you want. You can save a lot of shelf space by just storing your CDs and DVDs in a mega-changer.
Combo players are ideal for people trying to bridge the gap between their VHS and DVD collections. At cheap prices, these popular 2-in-1 components provide all the familiar features of a VCR, with the spectacular movie and music quality of a DVD player. Make use of the timer to record TV shows to VHS, enjoy crystal-clear DVD movies or you can jam to your collection of audio CDs all with the help of one simple component.
Blu-Ray DVD recorders provide tape-free recording easily with all the functionality of a DVD player. Record your favorite sitcom just at the click of a button or back up home movies on robust, high-quality DVDs. With a variety of write-once and re-writeable formats available in the market, it is easy to find the right disc for the right task.
Portable Blu-Ray DVD Player provides home entertainment on the go – just right for frequent travelers, or those with young, edgy passengers on long family car trips. Solid and lightweight, a lot of Portable Blu-Ray DVD Player also provides dual headphone jacks, allowing more than one individual to witness the show. Besides, rechargeable batteries having features like cigarette lighter power adapters & car mounting kits make some portable players really car-friendly.
By: Victor Thomas
About the Author:
You can find best selling Blu-Ray & HD DVD players, Sony, Pansonic, Philips, Pioneer, Samsung and all latest Blu Ray Disc players at bluraydiscplayers.org.uk.
Blu-Ray, DVD And Multi-Region, Codefree, Region Free Variations And Super-Human Vision
It gets rather complicated when trying to describe the differences between Broadcast systems and Video systems so let stick to those video systems found in VCRs, camcorders, DVD and Blu-Ray Disc players etc.
Those are the basic standards and none are compatible with each other. Sometimes the A/C Hertz are 50 MHz (220 volt countries) and sometimes 60Mhz (110 volt countries) and this changes the scanning results of an electron tube, LVD or Plasma etc. 60Mhz, used in the USA for example, renders the image smoother, virtually no discernible flicker. With line doubling and quad-doubling (100 and 220 MHz and then 200 and 440 MHz).
Line doubling actually interlaces the picture into a single scan that reveals the entire frame and doubling again increased the scan lines providing for an even finer resolution and there a better sense of reality to the human eye. Technically it takes the original two-field frame and creates a progressive scan (single non-interlaced frame) output. This produces a higher resolution picture both brighter and smoother.
Some 3rd party Line-quadruplers can upscale to resolutions: 1365×1024, 720P, 1080i 852×480, 1024×1024, 1024×768 and 1365×768 and even higher. When the newest technology in video images hits the world we will be seeing NHK images of more than 6000 lines, up from the maximum of 1080P today.
If they then begin to Line-quadruple an image like that who knows what the mind might achieve if plugged directly into the motherboard of the future. Perhaps an enlarging and enhancing of human vision will be needed in the order of 1,000 eyes, 360 degree views both laterally and longitudinally, 100,000,000 lines of resolution all far outpacing current human ability.
Back to PAL-NTSC for a moment.
These many video systems were created due to incompatible electrical standards such as the Hertz, due to economic exigencies and even political motivations (for example, a country didn’t want its TV to be seen by another countries citizens nearby lest they get “ideas”!
With the advent of DVD disc players Hollywood producers decided to take advantage of the new electronic potential inherent in this new groundbreaking technology to better market their movies.
With movies released in VHS VCR tape versions but in 5-6 different and non-competing systems the release of movies worldwide could be staggered according to best marketing practices so rake in as much profit as possible from every country. A movie released in April in the USA didn’t have to be released until the right time in South America and the idea of people in Argentina (PAL-N) wishing to buy the film from a US retailer was virtually a useless plan as the Argentine would have no VCR and no TV of the correct system to play and display the images with. PAL-N and NTSC simply do not display correctly on the wrong systems, even the speeds of recording and playback are different. This means an NTSC movie seen on a PAL or other standard would usually be in black and white, have terribly vertical scrolling problems, have a horizontal skew at the top of the picture and be in the wrong speed so even the voices were too fast or too slow. It’s a mess!
Until the Japanese VCR (and at one time even Sony’s BETA) makers came out with Multisystem VCRs!
Most could only play the tapes from various standards but to display them you’d also need a TV that was multisystem as well, or 2 TVs, or even 3 each being of the appropriate system you were outputting from the VCR.
To get around the need of buying a multisystem TV Panasonic came out with the incredible AG-W1 model which had a built-in digital converter which could play, record and convert to/from all of the world five current systems. It was $4,000 but was a great device producing excellent results, albeit not for broadcasting purposes.
Many people got around having buy the AGW-1 (and its subsequent progeny AGW-2 and AGW-3) by buying a Planet Omni Tenlab Digital systems converter at a fraction of the cost of the AGW-1 and using it with a multisystem VCR. In this way the image quality was the same or better and the price when way down to the consumer.
Soon AIWA came out with the much cheaper MX-1 converting multisystem VCR which wasn’t a digital type but used analog converting methods which are much inferior, then Samsung, GoVideo and a few others. Samsung was the actual manufacturer for the Panasonic AGW-1 and 2 and under their own brand they came out with a wide variety of models such as the SV-3000W, SV-5000S, SV-7000W (with the unique French Secam-L tuner built-in).
Planet Omni still has some of the Panasonic, Aiwa and Samsungs left for sale. None have been made for 2-3 years and with the death of the VCR they never will be made again. People worldwide with old home movies should consider having them transferred to DVD discs which can also be converter from PAL to NTSC or NTSC to PAL. All countries using any system but those two will find that their tapes can be converted to PAL and will display perfectly on their TV even if the TV isn’t strictly PAL.
People in an NTSC country can utilize converting services such as Planet Omni’s and convert tapes or DVDs to PAL or visa-versa to NTSC rather than buying PAL-NTSC DVD recorders (which exist) and a TENLAB converter.
Since the Hollywood producers were rather OK with the incompatible VHS video standards worldwide it was a new problem with DVD disc movies.
As all SECAM countries are also PAL countries as far as their TVs being multisystem go and the same for PAL-M (Brazil) and PAL-N (Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) countries, this meant that DVD movies only had to be either NTSC or PAL and they could be seen worldwide.
This wasn’t very good for Hollywood filmmakers however as too many countries could then buy discs from another country and see movies straight from their first release on disc which sometimes predated even the movies official theatrical release in theaters. This meant that a citizen of a PAL country such as Italy could buy a new movie from a New Zealand (PAL) source and see the movie (with subtitles if needed) perhaps months before the film was actually released theatrically or on DVD in Italy. This infringed on the natural markets of established theater owners and retailers in Italy.
Generally when a European country gets a movie on DVD it is also available at the same time in other Euro countries, but not always. But then an English speaking person in Australia could buy the movie from a UK source and see it in English on his PAL TV.
Again, not very good for business men and bean counters.
So a new technology was embedded into each Hollywood movie shipped out to the various countries around the world. This is called REGIONAL CODES.
They divided the world, as best as they could, into 6 regions based on film release protocols.
These regional codes are built-in to both the DVD players and the DVD movie discs as well.
6 regions, 2 video standards (PAL-NTSC) making things fairly complex.
For example, Europe is PAL and REGION 2 but Japan is NTSC and yet is REGION 2!
This means that a Japanese DVD disc would play on a Japanese DVD player fine but even though it is REGION 2 it would not play on a European PAL TV even if you took the Japanese DVD player to Europe, raised the voltage from 100V to 240V and then tried to play it. The disc would spin, the player would play it but the TV could not display it…UNLESS the TV was also an NTSC multisystem TV.
So how to get around these video standards and regional codes?
The invention of a REGION FREE DVD player (aka Codefree, code free, regionfree, all zone, universal, all region etc). But is that against the law and how can it be done? What does it mean?
By licensing agreement no manufacturer of DVD players are permitted to make a region free player. Each must be set to a specific region. They can be PAL-NTSC both but the REGIONAL CODE must be specific to a certain region. The USA is Region 1… and here are all of them:
Region codes and countries
Region code Area
0 Informal term meaning “worldwide”. Region 0 is not an official setting; discs that bear the region 0 symbol either have no flag set or have region 1-6 flags set.
1 Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, United States and U.S. territories
2 European Union, Albania, Andorra, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, Faroe Islands, French Guiana, Georgia, Greenland, Guernsey, Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Isle of Man, Israel, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Oman, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City State, Yemen
3 Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Taiwan
4 Caribbean, Central America, Oceania, South America (except French Guiana), Mexico
5 African countries not explicitly included in other regions, Indian subcontinent, countries included in the former Soviet Union, Belarus, Mongolia, North Korea
6 People’s Republic of China (except Macau and Hong Kong)
7 Reserved for future use (found in use on protected screener copies of MPAA-related DVDs and “media copies” of pre-releases in Asia)
8 International venues such as aircraft, cruise ships, etc.[1]
ALL Region ALL discs have all 8 flags set, allowing the disc to be played in any locale on any player.
ALL Region ALL discs have all 8 flags set, allowing the disc to be played in any locale on any player.
So is it against the law to modify a DVD player and make it CODE FREE?
No, it isn’t at all. Many places such as PLANET OMNI have been selling them for years. The quality of the modification rarely varies, it is generally a perfect mod so that any and all DVD movies will play but you’ll need a PAL-NTSC TV or a video standards converter to see both PAL and NTSC DVD movies.
Remember that a DVD movie is NOT a DVD-R or DVD+R disc even though it may be a movie that has been recorded.
Most DVD Codefree players will play most DVD-R & DVD-RW, DVD+R & DVD+RW homemade discs.
99% also play CD discs for regular music playback and many play a wide variety of other formats such as MP3, WMA, DVD-Video, Video CD, DVD-Audio, SACD, CD, audio CD-R & CD-RW, WMA, & JPEG and JPEG and Kodak JPEG.
So, a REGION FREE DVD player can play all regions and both PAL and NTSC discs, IE every known type of DVD movie on earth, but what if you don’t have a PAL-NTSC TV or a video standards converter?
Besides the fact that you can buy those items there are also CONVERTING Region free DVD players.
Some can convert a PAL DVD movie to NTSC and some can do both that and converter a USA NTSC disc to PAL.
And some can do both but if you ever get a PAL-NTSC TV you can turn OFF the conversion and then see everything, all DVD movies from all countries in all standards on any the TV in the ORIGINAL PICTURE quality. Again, on-line shops such as Planet Omni carry this type as well.
These Codefree, Converting players can be even the most advanced units with all the latest bells and whistles certainly including things like DTS STEREO, Dolby Digital, HDMI and DVI output, 5.1 and higher stereo channel output, Progressive scan and so forth.
But now let’s consider what this means as regards the Blu-Ray Disc players that are Multi-region.
As HD DVD is dead as a Hi-Def format we consider that Blu-Ray Disc players and movies on Blu-Ray discs are here to stay until the next leap into the future hits us which may happen around 2012 with the entry of the latest 6,000 Line Super-Hi Definition TVs, some 6 x more realistic and 3D appearing than Blu-Ray and 1080P technology.
As with DVD region Blu-Ray discs and players also have regions, called Region A, B and C.
These are non-compatible regions which include PAL-SECAM-NTSC and all other systems.
The beauty of a Region A or B Blu-Ray disc when played in a Multi-region Blu-Ray disc player via the HDMI output (that is a single cable combining all audio and video signals) is that the TV doesn’t have to be Pal-NTSC-Secam or anything specific at all. As long as the TV has an HDMI input all Blu-Ray Disc movies from Regions A and B will play in their full glory and, depending on the maximum resolution possible of each TV, in the highest quality possible. Pal and NTSC no longer exist in the HDMI world, the problems of Hertz, government controls and so forth, Gone with the Wind!
However, there are still Regions A, B and C.
For the Hollywood production companies these 3 Regions are still important, but not as once they were.
Do know that a Blu-Ray Disc movie output thru the regular component, S-Video or composite (A/V RCA cables) still requite the proper standard to view movies with, PAL for a PAL disc and NTSC for an NTSC disc. But in TVs there are no regions so any PAL-NTSC TV can display any PAL or NTSC DVD.
In the case of the Sony BDP-S300 multi-region version available now (110 volt version) you can pop in any Blu-Ray Disc movie from the A and B countries seen below and on any TV with an HDMI input you can see the entirety of any library.
The Sony BDP-S300 multi-region player has been highlyrated by many including reviews such as: “I am delighted with my Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray Disc Player. It has excellent audio and visual definition. The crystalline clarity of 1080p Blu-ray Disc movies and DVD upscaling brings your DVDs to the highest resolution possible. Purchase this product and you will not be disappointed.”
The Blu-Ray Disc Regions are as seen here:
A/North America, Central America, South America, Japan, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia.
B/Europe, Greenland, French territories, Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, plus all of Oceania.
C/India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mainland China, Pakistan, Russia, Central, and South Asia.
The future of Blu-Ray Disc type technology?
In January 2007, Hitachi previewed a 100 GB Blu-ray Disc, which has four layers containing 25 GB each. Unlike TDK and Panasonic’s 100 GB discs, they Hitachi claims this disc is readable on a standard Blu-ray Disc drive a firmware update is the only requirement to make it readable to current players and drives.
Many other iterations and variations of the Blu-Ray milieu are popping up including such novel notions as BD9 / BD5 Blu-ray Disc, AVCREC, Blu-ray Disc recordable, HD DVD/Blu-ray Disc hybrid discs, HD VMD/Versatile Multilayer Disc (new low-profile competitor) AVCHD, Digital Multilayer Disk – the successor technology to Fluorescent Multilayer Disc, Enhanced Versatile Disc (EVD), Forward Versatile Disc (FVD) – Taiwanese backed red laser format, Fluorescent Multilayer Disc, Holographic Versatile Disc – standards with 200 and 300 GB storage are under development 3D optical data storage – a next-generation technology expected to provide TB-capacity discs, Protein-coated disc, Tapestry Media, Ultra Density Optical LS-R – a “layer selection” technology allowing the stacking of very large numbers of DVD-like data layers in a single disc, Professional Disc for DATA (PDD or ProDATA) and much more.
Will there still be Regions? Who knows but there will always be a better genius to overcome them.
By: John Dulaney
About the Author:
Those are the basic standards and none are compatible with each other. Sometimes the A/C Hertz are 50 MHz (220 volt countries) and sometimes 60Mhz (110 volt countries) and this changes the scanning results of an electron tube, LVD or Plasma etc. 60Mhz, used in the USA for example, renders the image smoother, virtually no discernible flicker. With line doubling and quad-doubling (100 and 220 MHz and then 200 and 440 MHz).
Line doubling actually interlaces the picture into a single scan that reveals the entire frame and doubling again increased the scan lines providing for an even finer resolution and there a better sense of reality to the human eye. Technically it takes the original two-field frame and creates a progressive scan (single non-interlaced frame) output. This produces a higher resolution picture both brighter and smoother.
Some 3rd party Line-quadruplers can upscale to resolutions: 1365×1024, 720P, 1080i 852×480, 1024×1024, 1024×768 and 1365×768 and even higher. When the newest technology in video images hits the world we will be seeing NHK images of more than 6000 lines, up from the maximum of 1080P today.
If they then begin to Line-quadruple an image like that who knows what the mind might achieve if plugged directly into the motherboard of the future. Perhaps an enlarging and enhancing of human vision will be needed in the order of 1,000 eyes, 360 degree views both laterally and longitudinally, 100,000,000 lines of resolution all far outpacing current human ability.
Back to PAL-NTSC for a moment.
These many video systems were created due to incompatible electrical standards such as the Hertz, due to economic exigencies and even political motivations (for example, a country didn’t want its TV to be seen by another countries citizens nearby lest they get “ideas”!
With the advent of DVD disc players Hollywood producers decided to take advantage of the new electronic potential inherent in this new groundbreaking technology to better market their movies.
With movies released in VHS VCR tape versions but in 5-6 different and non-competing systems the release of movies worldwide could be staggered according to best marketing practices so rake in as much profit as possible from every country. A movie released in April in the USA didn’t have to be released until the right time in South America and the idea of people in Argentina (PAL-N) wishing to buy the film from a US retailer was virtually a useless plan as the Argentine would have no VCR and no TV of the correct system to play and display the images with. PAL-N and NTSC simply do not display correctly on the wrong systems, even the speeds of recording and playback are different. This means an NTSC movie seen on a PAL or other standard would usually be in black and white, have terribly vertical scrolling problems, have a horizontal skew at the top of the picture and be in the wrong speed so even the voices were too fast or too slow. It’s a mess!
Until the Japanese VCR (and at one time even Sony’s BETA) makers came out with Multisystem VCRs!
Most could only play the tapes from various standards but to display them you’d also need a TV that was multisystem as well, or 2 TVs, or even 3 each being of the appropriate system you were outputting from the VCR.
To get around the need of buying a multisystem TV Panasonic came out with the incredible AG-W1 model which had a built-in digital converter which could play, record and convert to/from all of the world five current systems. It was $4,000 but was a great device producing excellent results, albeit not for broadcasting purposes.
Many people got around having buy the AGW-1 (and its subsequent progeny AGW-2 and AGW-3) by buying a Planet Omni Tenlab Digital systems converter at a fraction of the cost of the AGW-1 and using it with a multisystem VCR. In this way the image quality was the same or better and the price when way down to the consumer.
Soon AIWA came out with the much cheaper MX-1 converting multisystem VCR which wasn’t a digital type but used analog converting methods which are much inferior, then Samsung, GoVideo and a few others. Samsung was the actual manufacturer for the Panasonic AGW-1 and 2 and under their own brand they came out with a wide variety of models such as the SV-3000W, SV-5000S, SV-7000W (with the unique French Secam-L tuner built-in).
Planet Omni still has some of the Panasonic, Aiwa and Samsungs left for sale. None have been made for 2-3 years and with the death of the VCR they never will be made again. People worldwide with old home movies should consider having them transferred to DVD discs which can also be converter from PAL to NTSC or NTSC to PAL. All countries using any system but those two will find that their tapes can be converted to PAL and will display perfectly on their TV even if the TV isn’t strictly PAL.
People in an NTSC country can utilize converting services such as Planet Omni’s and convert tapes or DVDs to PAL or visa-versa to NTSC rather than buying PAL-NTSC DVD recorders (which exist) and a TENLAB converter.
Since the Hollywood producers were rather OK with the incompatible VHS video standards worldwide it was a new problem with DVD disc movies.
As all SECAM countries are also PAL countries as far as their TVs being multisystem go and the same for PAL-M (Brazil) and PAL-N (Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay) countries, this meant that DVD movies only had to be either NTSC or PAL and they could be seen worldwide.
This wasn’t very good for Hollywood filmmakers however as too many countries could then buy discs from another country and see movies straight from their first release on disc which sometimes predated even the movies official theatrical release in theaters. This meant that a citizen of a PAL country such as Italy could buy a new movie from a New Zealand (PAL) source and see the movie (with subtitles if needed) perhaps months before the film was actually released theatrically or on DVD in Italy. This infringed on the natural markets of established theater owners and retailers in Italy.
Generally when a European country gets a movie on DVD it is also available at the same time in other Euro countries, but not always. But then an English speaking person in Australia could buy the movie from a UK source and see it in English on his PAL TV.
Again, not very good for business men and bean counters.
So a new technology was embedded into each Hollywood movie shipped out to the various countries around the world. This is called REGIONAL CODES.
They divided the world, as best as they could, into 6 regions based on film release protocols.
These regional codes are built-in to both the DVD players and the DVD movie discs as well.
6 regions, 2 video standards (PAL-NTSC) making things fairly complex.
For example, Europe is PAL and REGION 2 but Japan is NTSC and yet is REGION 2!
This means that a Japanese DVD disc would play on a Japanese DVD player fine but even though it is REGION 2 it would not play on a European PAL TV even if you took the Japanese DVD player to Europe, raised the voltage from 100V to 240V and then tried to play it. The disc would spin, the player would play it but the TV could not display it…UNLESS the TV was also an NTSC multisystem TV.
So how to get around these video standards and regional codes?
The invention of a REGION FREE DVD player (aka Codefree, code free, regionfree, all zone, universal, all region etc). But is that against the law and how can it be done? What does it mean?
By licensing agreement no manufacturer of DVD players are permitted to make a region free player. Each must be set to a specific region. They can be PAL-NTSC both but the REGIONAL CODE must be specific to a certain region. The USA is Region 1… and here are all of them:
Region codes and countries
Region code Area
0 Informal term meaning “worldwide”. Region 0 is not an official setting; discs that bear the region 0 symbol either have no flag set or have region 1-6 flags set.
1 Bermuda, Canada, Cayman Islands, United States and U.S. territories
2 European Union, Albania, Andorra, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Egypt, Faroe Islands, French Guiana, Georgia, Greenland, Guernsey, Iceland, Iran, Iraq, Isle of Man, Israel, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Norway, Oman, Qatar, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, Swaziland, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Vatican City State, Yemen
3 Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Taiwan
4 Caribbean, Central America, Oceania, South America (except French Guiana), Mexico
5 African countries not explicitly included in other regions, Indian subcontinent, countries included in the former Soviet Union, Belarus, Mongolia, North Korea
6 People’s Republic of China (except Macau and Hong Kong)
7 Reserved for future use (found in use on protected screener copies of MPAA-related DVDs and “media copies” of pre-releases in Asia)
8 International venues such as aircraft, cruise ships, etc.[1]
ALL Region ALL discs have all 8 flags set, allowing the disc to be played in any locale on any player.
ALL Region ALL discs have all 8 flags set, allowing the disc to be played in any locale on any player.
So is it against the law to modify a DVD player and make it CODE FREE?
No, it isn’t at all. Many places such as PLANET OMNI have been selling them for years. The quality of the modification rarely varies, it is generally a perfect mod so that any and all DVD movies will play but you’ll need a PAL-NTSC TV or a video standards converter to see both PAL and NTSC DVD movies.
Remember that a DVD movie is NOT a DVD-R or DVD+R disc even though it may be a movie that has been recorded.
Most DVD Codefree players will play most DVD-R & DVD-RW, DVD+R & DVD+RW homemade discs.
99% also play CD discs for regular music playback and many play a wide variety of other formats such as MP3, WMA, DVD-Video, Video CD, DVD-Audio, SACD, CD, audio CD-R & CD-RW, WMA, & JPEG and JPEG and Kodak JPEG.
So, a REGION FREE DVD player can play all regions and both PAL and NTSC discs, IE every known type of DVD movie on earth, but what if you don’t have a PAL-NTSC TV or a video standards converter?
Besides the fact that you can buy those items there are also CONVERTING Region free DVD players.
Some can convert a PAL DVD movie to NTSC and some can do both that and converter a USA NTSC disc to PAL.
And some can do both but if you ever get a PAL-NTSC TV you can turn OFF the conversion and then see everything, all DVD movies from all countries in all standards on any the TV in the ORIGINAL PICTURE quality. Again, on-line shops such as Planet Omni carry this type as well.
These Codefree, Converting players can be even the most advanced units with all the latest bells and whistles certainly including things like DTS STEREO, Dolby Digital, HDMI and DVI output, 5.1 and higher stereo channel output, Progressive scan and so forth.
But now let’s consider what this means as regards the Blu-Ray Disc players that are Multi-region.
As HD DVD is dead as a Hi-Def format we consider that Blu-Ray Disc players and movies on Blu-Ray discs are here to stay until the next leap into the future hits us which may happen around 2012 with the entry of the latest 6,000 Line Super-Hi Definition TVs, some 6 x more realistic and 3D appearing than Blu-Ray and 1080P technology.
As with DVD region Blu-Ray discs and players also have regions, called Region A, B and C.
These are non-compatible regions which include PAL-SECAM-NTSC and all other systems.
The beauty of a Region A or B Blu-Ray disc when played in a Multi-region Blu-Ray disc player via the HDMI output (that is a single cable combining all audio and video signals) is that the TV doesn’t have to be Pal-NTSC-Secam or anything specific at all. As long as the TV has an HDMI input all Blu-Ray Disc movies from Regions A and B will play in their full glory and, depending on the maximum resolution possible of each TV, in the highest quality possible. Pal and NTSC no longer exist in the HDMI world, the problems of Hertz, government controls and so forth, Gone with the Wind!
However, there are still Regions A, B and C.
For the Hollywood production companies these 3 Regions are still important, but not as once they were.
Do know that a Blu-Ray Disc movie output thru the regular component, S-Video or composite (A/V RCA cables) still requite the proper standard to view movies with, PAL for a PAL disc and NTSC for an NTSC disc. But in TVs there are no regions so any PAL-NTSC TV can display any PAL or NTSC DVD.
In the case of the Sony BDP-S300 multi-region version available now (110 volt version) you can pop in any Blu-Ray Disc movie from the A and B countries seen below and on any TV with an HDMI input you can see the entirety of any library.
The Sony BDP-S300 multi-region player has been highlyrated by many including reviews such as: “I am delighted with my Sony BDP-S300 Blu-ray Disc Player. It has excellent audio and visual definition. The crystalline clarity of 1080p Blu-ray Disc movies and DVD upscaling brings your DVDs to the highest resolution possible. Purchase this product and you will not be disappointed.”
The Blu-Ray Disc Regions are as seen here:
A/North America, Central America, South America, Japan, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia.
B/Europe, Greenland, French territories, Middle East, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, plus all of Oceania.
C/India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mainland China, Pakistan, Russia, Central, and South Asia.
The future of Blu-Ray Disc type technology?
In January 2007, Hitachi previewed a 100 GB Blu-ray Disc, which has four layers containing 25 GB each. Unlike TDK and Panasonic’s 100 GB discs, they Hitachi claims this disc is readable on a standard Blu-ray Disc drive a firmware update is the only requirement to make it readable to current players and drives.
Many other iterations and variations of the Blu-Ray milieu are popping up including such novel notions as BD9 / BD5 Blu-ray Disc, AVCREC, Blu-ray Disc recordable, HD DVD/Blu-ray Disc hybrid discs, HD VMD/Versatile Multilayer Disc (new low-profile competitor) AVCHD, Digital Multilayer Disk – the successor technology to Fluorescent Multilayer Disc, Enhanced Versatile Disc (EVD), Forward Versatile Disc (FVD) – Taiwanese backed red laser format, Fluorescent Multilayer Disc, Holographic Versatile Disc – standards with 200 and 300 GB storage are under development 3D optical data storage – a next-generation technology expected to provide TB-capacity discs, Protein-coated disc, Tapestry Media, Ultra Density Optical LS-R – a “layer selection” technology allowing the stacking of very large numbers of DVD-like data layers in a single disc, Professional Disc for DATA (PDD or ProDATA) and much more.
Will there still be Regions? Who knows but there will always be a better genius to overcome them.
By: John Dulaney
About the Author:
Multi-region Blu-Ray Players now available! REGION FREE DVD players/recorders and High Definition, HD DVD players,Advanced Optical players/recorders in Blu-Ray DVD players/recorders. A multi region (aka codefree, allzone) DVD player or recorder is capable of playing DVD discs from anywhere in the world, that is all 8 regions and both PAL and NTSC standards. http://www.planetomni.com has many. Many not only play them but convert from one standard to the other for showing movies on any TV on earth. There are also PAL-NTSC 110-220 volts DVD/VCR Combos for use worldwide. CODEFREE DVD / PAL-NTSC VCR combos and MULTISTANDARD VCRs will play 100% all known DVD discs including FRENCH DVDs. You can buy region free and region free converting DVD players and region free DVD recorders from http://www.mindlogic.com . Come with LIFETIME Warranties and ship worldwide. They also carry PAL-SECAM-NTSC TVs, PAL plasma, PAL LCD and PAL DLP multisystem TVs and multisystem converting and non-converting VCRs, voltage transformers, video standards converters & 140,000 other products. Tel. 877-327-5076, 925-686-9945