Multi Region DVD player

[TopCat1]

I want to buy my husband a multi region DVd Player (on that also plays American DVDS), can anyone suggest a good one, under �100 Thanks in advance

[chazza]

Almost any DVD player can be converted (hacked) to be multi region, so don't spend big bucks on one just because it is multi region.

I have a a UMAX CHILI 2400 which i bought from www.svp.co.uk and it plays abolutely any format, and is an excellent machine, and it cost me less than �30.

If you fancy a DVD recorder, I would recommend the LiteOn one being sold in Tesco at the minute for about �70. Again it will play every region and any format you try.

[Catso]

To add to chazza's advice: it tends to be the cheaper, 'unknown' makes that are easily hacked. The pricier ones, from big names, are more robustly designed.

Pretty much anything you can buy in a UK supermarket will highly likely be able to be hacked. I'd suggest you search for the hacks (on the internet) before you part with your money though!

Most of the hacks are wierd series of key presses on the remote.

[Buenchico]

You can't 'officially' buy a multi-region DVD. For the reasons, see here (but note that the link to a recommended player is now out of date): http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Technology/Ques tion311653.html

You have to buy a region-coded player and then hack it. (It's easy to do. Normally you just have to do something like pressing a 4-digit code on the remote control, while the DVD drawer is open).

Even though dealers aren't meant to sell you multi-region DVD players, there's nothing to stop them providing you with the appropriate hack when you make your purchase. That's exactly what Richer Sounds do. They've got shops across most of the country or you can buy online. Their cheapest 'multi-region' player is currently priced at �29.95 but, if you want a well-known make, they've got a Sony model for �39.95:
http://www.richersounds.co.uk/productlist.php? cda=productlist&sgroup=FULLSIZEDVDPLAYERS

Chris

[Buenchico]

PS: If Chazza's information is correct (which I'm sure it will be) it looks as if some of the big retailers have given up the fight to do everything 'by the book'.

Chris