Comments on: DVD Beaver

DVD Beaver

dobbs — Sun, 08 Feb 2004 21:37:16 -0800

Have a region free DVD player? Just love movies? DVD Beaver reviews DVDs and compares releases from different countries so you can be sure you're getting the best print/audio available.

By: RavinDave

RavinDave — Sun, 08 Feb 2004 22:20:32 -0800

Yeah, this region-to-region crap has always stuck in my craw. I'm told the R1 versions of "Ragtime" deleted Elizabeth McGovern's brief nude scene (which was more humorous than erotic, iirc), but those scenes are on every other release. I also read that all the "Taco Bell" references in "Demolition Man" were changed to "Pizza Hut" in !R1 releases. Bizarre. There has been more than one occassion that I have sought out an Asian bootleg on ebay, rather than buying the version of a given movie at BestBuy simply because I knew the official R1 was mangled.

By: kickingtheground

kickingtheground — Sun, 08 Feb 2004 22:30:40 -0800

Very cool, thanks.

By: Samizdata

Samizdata — Sun, 08 Feb 2004 23:01:27 -0800

Well, I do think that about clinches it. I'm going to go pick up one of those Apex cheapies for my upcoming (as soon as we find a house) NOC room. That way I can chill and watch what I want during the quiet times...

By: kablam

kablam — Mon, 09 Feb 2004 07:07:46 -0800

Apex may no longer be as cross functional as it once was. The Cyberhome CH-DVD 300 is taking its place, though, thank goodness. Radio Shack may have them, but they are a pop item. It is the next best thing to the late lamented Apex 1100W. CD-R, CD-RW, audio CD, DVD+R, DVD+RW, SVCD, VCD, MP3, MPEG, JPEG. They're progressive scan with S-Video outputs, and DTS audio. If you perform a little ritual detailed at regionfreedvd.net, they can supposedly play any DVD regardless of region code. The best part, they are only $50-60.

By: dobbs

dobbs — Mon, 09 Feb 2004 07:53:14 -0800

I originally found the site because I am going to get a Canadian Malata release and wanted to see what I was missing on the discs. The Malata are apparently pal/ntsc region free out of the box. Only C$80, which is about 60 american. Not sure if you can buy from outside Canada though.

By: SisterHavana

SisterHavana — Mon, 09 Feb 2004 09:47:28 -0800

Please tell me I'm not the only one who looked at the name of the site and initially thought it was about something else... Yes, I am in seventh grade. ; )

By: adamms222

adamms222 — Mon, 09 Feb 2004 10:19:19 -0800

My Sony DVD player is not region-free, but I think it can be by "unlocking" it somehow. Does anyone know of a good reference point with instructions to do this? (My assumption being that those who would click on this post might have some insight)

By: dobbs

dobbs — Mon, 09 Feb 2004 11:34:38 -0800

adamms222, there was a link somewhere in Ask that led to a site that listed all hackable dvd players (you hack them with the remote). The url definitely had the word hack in it. I've searched Ask and Google but for the life of me could not find the site (it was an excellent resource and I can't believe I didn't bookmark it). I know the post was from before new years, but that's all I can remember. I have a Sony and my particular model (DVP-S550) is not hackable. Maybe you'll have better like finding it on Ask than I did. If you do, please post it here or email me.

By: gluechunk

gluechunk — Mon, 09 Feb 2004 12:50:59 -0800

adamms222, here's one list http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvdhacks, although there might better lists out there.

By: adamms222

adamms222 — Tue, 10 Feb 2004 10:35:52 -0800

Thanks gluechunk and dobbs... The procedure, aside from requiring me to buy a PDA, seems really damn complicated. Props to Sony for not making it easy.... the bastards.