Sub £20 Multi-region DVD player

MSE_Martin · 31 October 2006 at 5:47PM

November 2006

DVD player prices are plummetting. Whereas previously you could burn a hole in your pocket forking out for one, the cost is now rock bottom, plus at this price they make great Christmas gifts or an extra for another room.

The Cheapest Deals

£17.97 Multi-region player. Amazon is offering a Compacks DVD6972 Multi-region 2 Channel* DVD Player for £17.97. As it's over £15, delivery is free. When ordering Amazon automatically click the first class option which costs extra, make sure you change it to FREE supersaver delivery!
£17.84 single region, plus ClubCard points. Tesco has its Value DVD player* for £17.84, and you get 17 Clubcard points (worth 4p each if redeemed on Tesco ClubCard Deals) so that's effectively £17.16. Yet, this isn't a multi-region player (although if you read below, some techie MoneySavers think it can be easily made into one)
£17.89 single region. Argos is offering an Alba DVD62 DVD* player for £17.89. Again it isn't a multi-region player but techie MoneySavers may be able to make it into one). This is available online and you can arrange to pick it up in store to save on postage and packing.

What is multi-region?

Every DVD has a regional encoding, a number that corresponsponds to whether it is designed for Europe, the Americas, Asia etc. The aim of this is it allows DVD producers to control distribution and prices across the world.

In other words you can't play a USA DVD in a European player. Thus you can't buy it early or cheaper over there, you have to wait until its launched over here.

Multi-regions are machines that by design or accident, allow you to play the DVDs of any region. I say by accident, as in some cases its simply a result of the fact that the players are mass produced and then assigned a region later, yet by inputting a simple code in the remote control you can switch the region at will.

Let me stress there is NOTHING illegal about multi-region players, you can buy DVDs anywhere and watch them on any player. This is an attempted technological lock out by big movie company interests, and we shouldn't let them try and bully us.

Martin

PS. If you spot a cheap DVD player worth of mention, please report it below, just click reply

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ukmonkey · 21 November 2006 at 8:51PM

It's worth noting that a lot of DVD players can be made multi region simply by searching Google for the make and model of the DVD player and the words "region unlock","region free", or words to that effect.

Just thought I'd point this out, in the spirit of moneysaving, so that people don't think that they have to replace their existing players simply to view non-region 1 DVDs.

Hope this helps.

BaileyB · 21 November 2006 at 8:59PM

If you can find it the Cyberhome CH DVD 401 from Whsmith for £17.50 is really worth it. It was £69.99 to £34.99 to £17.49.

It plays everything. Inc DIVX

ilikewatchingtv · 21 November 2006 at 9:43PM

The Tesco value DVD that Martin links to is actually a re-badged Technika DVD-1030 model, it can be easily unlocked to play any region DVD's by following the following instructions (this will not void your warranty).

Press the Open button on your remote control to open the drive tray
Press the Setup button on your remote control
Press the Next button on your remote control
Press the Next button on your remote control
Press the Next button on your remote control
Press the Next button on your remote control
The currently selected region should be displayed on the onscreen display
Using the Left button on your remote control, change the region to 1 for region 1, 2 for region 2, and so on, or 255 for multi-region playback
Press the Setup button on your remote control

[EDIT] - This was taken from http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/info/multiregion/hackable.asp - I have no connection with the website but found it really useful when I bought a tesco value DVD player last week and needed to make it multi-region. Many other models of DVD player are also listed on this site.

doublekite · 21 November 2006 at 10:22PM

Does the Compacks model play DVD+R discs?

Who makes them?

Jon_C · 22 November 2006 at 3:04AM

For anyone who's picked up an HD-ready TV and who wants a DVD player with HDMI connection, the cheapest source that usually has stock (although not at the time of writing) is probably https://www.svp.co.uk.

The UMAX MI220X is £51.99 and can also play back MP4 and DIVX files. Although other retailers are stocking this for slightly less, an HDMI cable is included in the bundle from SVP.

I don't have one of these myself but am very tempted to get one when they come back in stock. I emailed SVP and they said this would be next week.

Other users say this is multi-region out of the box.

Link to product and user reviews: http://svp.co.uk/products-solo.php?pid=1222

scrimping_steff · 22 November 2006 at 8:43AM

I actually spotted the compacks one about 2 weeks ago , and it is absolutely fine, until I came to play my free dvds out of the telegraph this week and found they played but had no sound? They are fine on my PC so obviously the player.

Also Hacks are fine and that one above does work, but I found dvd players die within about 6 months of doing the hack. Better off getting the compack, which by the way came within 2 days I think. Free postage as well.

ashmit · 22 November 2006 at 9:12AM

Thanks for this - our DVD player has been on the brink for ages. It'll be a nice surprise for my hubby for Christmas to have one that works properly

budget_barbie · 22 November 2006 at 9:25AM

Mr_Kennedy wrote:

If you can find it the Cyberhome CH DVD 401 from Whsmith for £17.50 is really worth it. It was £69.99 to £34.99 to £17.49.

It plays everything. Inc DIVX

Is this one available online or just instore?

Sounds like a bargain to me but can't find one online?

BB

surfing-mtber · 22 November 2006 at 10:13AM

Please read all the reviews on the Amazon website regarding this DVD player.
Many people are satisfied, but a significant number have had problems, some even returning more than one model!
I thought I might take a chance as it is under £18.00.
Wrong!
Wouldn't recognize a disc right from the word go. Hopeless. (Many of the reviwers reported this).
Amazon returns were excellent though, absolutely no problems.
My advice would be to pay more and buy from a high street shop where someone knows what they are taking about.
Try Richer Sounds perhaps.
Hope this helps.
PS: If you can't face paying more, Argos sell a cheapie at undet £20.00.

Bhetala · 22 November 2006 at 10:40AM

From Argos:

Special Offer

Alba DVD62 DVD Player.

Half price scart lead when bought with this item.

£17.89

Sub £20 Multi-region DVD player

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