I've got an old Sony region 2 DVD player which I had chipped to play 
region 1 discs.   I'd like to replace it with a machine that has two 
digital tuners a hard drive and a DVD recorder along with the ability to 
play region 1 discs. Does anyone know if Sony are still locked to region 
2, if so is there a firm that will chip it to play any region, or any 
other reputable make to fulfil my requirements?   Thank you for any 
replies.
-- 
Clive.

"Clive."  wrote in message 
news:Dvga6fmnbaUHFwFu@yewbank.demon.co.uk...
> I've got an old Sony region 2 DVD player which I had chipped to play 
> region 1 discs.   I'd like to replace it with a machine that has two 
> digital tuners a hard drive and a DVD recorder along with the ability to 
> play region 1 discs. Does anyone know if Sony are still locked to region 
> 2, if so is there a firm that will chip it to play any region, or any 
> other reputable make to fulfil my requirements?   Thank you for any 
> replies.


I think so far you still can't get all of those features in a single box.

The sonys have one analog and one digital tuner

-- 
Alex

New laptop - Sig missing

Clive. wrote:
> I've got an old Sony region 2 DVD player which I had chipped to play 
> region 1 discs.   I'd like to replace it with a machine that has two 
> digital tuners a hard drive and a DVD recorder along with the ability to 
> play region 1 discs. Does anyone know if Sony are still locked to region 
> 2, if so is there a firm that will chip it to play any region, or any 
> other reputable make to fulfil my requirements?   Thank you for any 
> replies.

Most previous replies on this group have indicated that there is no such 
beast available off-the-shelf at a price that most people would consider 
reasonable.

You *can* get expensive kit that does all the above (check out 
http://www.reel-multimedia.com/rmm-english/avantgarde-features.html - it 
handles up to 4 DVB tuners, 320Gb hard disk, Gigabit ethernet, wireless 
connectivity, DVD drive, USB, HDMI, surround sound) - over £1000 for the 
off-the-shelf model which you can add to and customise further!

Or you can build your own machine using something like windows XP (media 
center edition) or mythTV (http://www.mythtv.org/)

Also bear in mind that some people would say if you want a twin-tuner 
freeview PVR and DVD burner, buy two boxes.  That way you can get the 
best of both worlds instead of being lumbered with a sub-standard combo 
box.  Also, if one breaks, you haven't lost the whole kit while it's 
being repaired or risk replacing a box that actually has a significant 
component still working.

I'd be suprised if any DVD player needed to be chipped to become 
multi-region these days.  Most just need a very specific combination of 
key-presses to turn them from one region to another (or multi-region). 
There's no way manufacturers want the hassle of creating different 
hardware for different markets.  In some countries it's not even 
possible to buy one that isn't multi-region - their public just wouldn't 
buy a region-restricted box and the retailers make them multi-region 
before they're sold.

If you do decide to go for a freeview PVR with a separate DVD 
player/burner, I recommend the Topfield TF5800.  I've got one and I love 
it.  Many others on this group love their humaxes.  I've never really 
felt the need for a DVD burner yet so I can't comment on this.

Cheers,

Ian.

Ian wrote:
> I'd be suprised if any DVD player needed to be chipped to become 
> multi-region these days.  Most just need a very specific combination of 
> key-presses to turn them from one region to another (or multi-region). 
> There's no way manufacturers want the hassle of creating different 
> hardware for different markets.  In some countries it's not even 
> possible to buy one that isn't multi-region - their public just wouldn't 
> buy a region-restricted box and the retailers make them multi-region 
> before they're sold.
> 
Clive,
Just as a follow-up ...
See http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/info/multiregion/ for multi-region 'hacks'
Ian.

"Ian"  wrote in message 
news:13l3cet2rt2hbaa@corp.supernews.com...
>> If you do decide to go for a freeview PVR with a separate DVD
> player/burner, I recommend the Topfield TF5800.  I've got one and I love 
> it.


If you do feel decide to tie the knot Ian then by all means don't be afraid 
to give us a shout, I'm sure that my partner Mr. Hummy would only be too 
pleased to be best man!;o)

>
> Cheers,
>
> Ian.
>

"Clive."  wrote in message 
news:Dvga6fmnbaUHFwFu@yewbank.demon.co.uk...
> I've got an old Sony region 2 DVD player which I had chipped to play 
> region 1 discs.   I'd like to replace it with a machine that has two 
> digital tuners a hard drive and a DVD recorder along with the ability to 
> play region 1 discs. Does anyone know if Sony are still locked to region 
> 2, if so is there a firm that will chip it to play any region, or any 
> other reputable make to fulfil my requirements?   Thank you for any 
> replies.
> -- 
> Clive.



for a good few years now it's been possible to make sony players region free 
with a service remote - note, not the remote you have - a service remote.
many dealers do it for you - my brother purchased a sony player from amazon 
and it came region free - it wasnt from a dealer either - it was from amazon 
themselves.



-- 
Gareth.

That fly... is your magic wand.
http://www.last.fm/user/dsbmusic/

In message , Ian 
 writes
>Ian wrote:
>> I'd be suprised if any DVD player needed to be chipped to become 
>>multi-region these days.  Most just need a very specific combination 
>>of key-presses to turn them from one region to another (or 
>>multi-region). There's no way manufacturers want the hassle of 
>>creating different hardware for different markets.  In some countries 
>>it's not even  possible to buy one that isn't multi-region - their 
>>public just wouldn't  buy a region-restricted box and the retailers 
>>make them multi-region  before they're sold.
>>
>Clive,
>Just as a follow-up ...
>See http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/info/multiregion/ for multi-region 'hacks'
>Ian.
Thanks for that link.
-- 
Clive.

"the dog from that film you saw"  wrote 
in message news:5rdtj7F140umdU1@mid.individual.net...
>
> "Clive."  wrote in message 
> news:Dvga6fmnbaUHFwFu@yewbank.demon.co.uk...
>> I've got an old Sony region 2 DVD player which I had chipped to play 
>> region 1 discs.   I'd like to replace it with a machine that has two 
>> digital tuners a hard drive and a DVD recorder along with the ability to 
>> play region 1 discs. Does anyone know if Sony are still locked to region 
>> 2, if so is there a firm that will chip it to play any region, or any 
>> other reputable make to fulfil my requirements?   Thank you for any 
>> replies.
>> -- 
>> Clive.
>
>
>
> for a good few years now it's been possible to make sony players region 
> free with a service remote - note, not the remote you have - a service 
> remote.
> many dealers do it for you - my brother purchased a sony player from 
> amazon and it came region free - it wasnt from a dealer either - it was 
> from amazon themselves.
>

You can also download remote control software for various PDAs that will 
emulate the necessary service remotes

-- 
Alex

New laptop - Sig missing

In message , Dr Zoidberg 
<AlexNOOOO!!!!!!@drzoidberg.co.uk> writes
>You can also download remote control software for various PDAs that 
>will emulate the necessary service remotes
Does anyone know where it's possible to get service remotes?   For years 
I was able to get items like service manuals etc. From Sony, but for a 
few years now they been account holders only.
Anyway thank you to everyone who has given me advice on this group. 
Unfortunately I live in a little town so there's no chance that I can 
check out a Topfield or Humax myself and most internet sites which want 
to sell only give you plus points and try to cover up the minus ones.
Happy Christmas and a good 2008 to everyone.
-- 
Clive.

Clive. wrote:
> Does anyone know where it's possible to get service remotes?   For years 
> I was able to get items like service manuals etc. From Sony, but for a 
> few years now they been account holders only.

Try CPC or http://www.semenedis.com/

> Anyway thank you to everyone who has given me advice on this group. 
> Unfortunately I live in a little town so there's no chance that I can 
> check out a Topfield or Humax myself  and most internet sites which want
> to sell only give you plus points and try to cover up the minus ones.

Don't think thats a valid assertion with those selling the popular 
Topfield or Humax models. There are plenty of opportunities and places 
on the internet where you can ask questions, examine opinions and read 
the instruction manuals etc. Topfield & Humax are currently at the top 
of the field of recent PVR's - nothing to cover up really.

Getting the same response out of a single knowledgeable individual in a 
shop is asking a bit much at times, but you can see the colour of the 
box, fondle the remote control, and imagine how it might look stacked 
against the curtains etc...

-- 
Adrian C

On Sat, 1 Dec 2007 20:18:23 +0000, "Clive."
 wrote:

>In message , Ian 
> writes
>>Ian wrote:
>>> I'd be suprised if any DVD player needed to be chipped to become 
>>>multi-region these days.  

>>See http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/info/multiregion/ for multi-region 'hacks'
>>Ian.

As Richer Sounds told me today and confirmed by the above web site
Panasonics are difficult to crack.

Pity as I was about to buy one.

GrahamC

On 01/12/2007 20:13, the dog from that film you saw wrote:

> for a good few years now it's been possible to make sony players region free 
> with a service remote - note, not the remote you have - a service remote.

As far as my Sony TV is concerned I can use a longish key sequence to 
get into the set's service menu, or there is another key sequence which 
puts the remote itself into a service mode so that just one keypress 
will then put either of my TV's into the service menu.

Is it different for DVD players? I can't be bothered getting mine back 
out of its box.

In article , Graham C
 wrote:
> On Sat, 1 Dec 2007 20:18:23 +0000, "Clive."
>  wrote:

> >In message , Ian
> > writes
> >>Ian wrote:
> >>> I'd be suprised if any DVD player needed to be chipped to
> >>>become multi-region these days.  

> >>See http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/info/multiregion/ for
> >>multi-region 'hacks' Ian.

> As Richer Sounds told me today and confirmed by the above web site
> Panasonics are difficult to crack.

> Pity as I was about to buy one.


Don't know if this helps but ...

We have just bought a multiregion Panasonic DVD HD recorder - a
DMREX87EBK forabout ukp265, from RGB Direst 020 8924 0114. Excellent
machine! Was cheapest in comparison sites, plus good customer
feedback. Other non-multiregion suppliers were dearer.

RicherSounds started selling them a few days ago, at ukp300, but
don't know if they're multiregion (many they supply are).

-- 

                                     ____________________
     __                             /
    /   _ |. _  \    /_  _  _|     /      
    \__(_)||| )  \/\/(_)(_)(_|    /          Iyonix
  _______________________________/        RISC OS 5.13

-- 
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

On Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:43:10 +0000, Adrian C <email@here.invalid>
wrote:

>> Anyway thank you to everyone who has given me advice on this group. 
>> Unfortunately I live in a little town so there's no chance that I can 
>> check out a Topfield or Humax myself  and most internet sites which want
>> to sell only give you plus points and try to cover up the minus ones.

Ok, let's see if I can balance that a bit. I can't comment on the
Humax, since I've never used one (though I understand that they're
pretty good).

But I bought a Toppy a few weeks ago.

The Topfield is nothing special to look at. The front panel display is
pretty crude, too. For reasons beyond my comprehension, the user has
to connect the two tuners together externally with a short length of
coax (supplied) - there's no internal connection. Without this, I
think that the second tuner doesn't get any signal and therefore
doesn't work.

The operating system is nothing special out of the box. It works, and
does all that it should. And it's reliable (which is more than I could
say for my old PVR). But it's a bit clunky.

Where it really comes into its own, though, is that it allows the user
to upload their own applications, known as TAPs, to it. There's a
plentiful supply available ready-written (see www.toppy.org.uk). With
one or two of these in place - I use the brilliant MyStuff* - it
suddenly becomes a truly superb piece of kit. Obviously, there's a bit
of overhead involved in getting this set up. You'll need a USB cable
(not supplied) and a little piece of software set up on your PC in
order to upload your chosen TAP(s). With MyStuff (or something
similar) in place, you need never see the native GUI, and you can have
functionality not offered directly by Topfield.

*Free, though donations are invited. (Yes, I have made one.)

So don't get a Toppy unless you're prepared to put in a little time
getting it set up as you want it. If you are, it'll be well worth the
effort.

Oh, and that USB connection also allows you to copy recordings to your
PC (though they might need conversion to some other format before you
can do anything useful with them, such as create DVD Videos).

Peter.

The message 
from Peter  contains these words:

> On Sun, 02 Dec 2007 17:43:10 +0000, Adrian C <email@here.invalid>
> wrote:

> >> Anyway thank you to everyone who has given me advice on this group. 
> >> Unfortunately I live in a little town so there's no chance that I can 
> >> check out a Topfield or Humax myself  and most internet sites which want
> >> to sell only give you plus points and try to cover up the minus ones.

> Ok, let's see if I can balance that a bit. I can't comment on the
> Humax, since I've never used one (though I understand that they're
> pretty good).

> But I bought a Toppy a few weeks ago.

> The Topfield is nothing special to look at. The front panel display is
> pretty crude, too. For reasons beyond my comprehension, the user has
> to connect the two tuners together externally with a short length of
> coax (supplied) - there's no internal connection. Without this, I
> think that the second tuner doesn't get any signal and therefore
> doesn't work.

 The seperate tuner inputs is "A Good Thing"(tm) since it allows you
some flexibility over how you decide to feed the antenna signal. One of
the problems with the loop through method is that the antenna out has
some slight gain in order to negate the losses that would occur in
'tapping off' a feed to the tuner circuitry.

 Ideally, this should exactly compensate for the insertion loss and have
a flat response over the whole of the UHF band. In practice, the
insertion loss is usually slightly overcompensated for since this offers
a net benefit in the vast majority of cases. It also mitigates the
almost inevitable slope in frequency response across the band,
particularly at the HF end where the 'gain' could well end up as a
'loss'.

 Looping through from the first tuner's output to the second tuner's
input will aggravate the slope in the frequency response plot. Using
either a splitter or seperate aerial amplifier outlets to feed the tuner
inputs directly, avoids this problem.

 There is also the possibility of feeding each input from seperate
antennas in a bid to overcome DVB-T reception problems in difficult
areas where a combination of the best muxes coming from two different
transmitters is the only way to recieve _all_ muxes reliably. In this
case, you'd probably need to  disconnect and reconnect the appropriate
antenna feed at appropriate stages in the multiplex scanning process, or
be prepared to hand edit the final channel list to delete any
weak/unreliable duplicates.

 Another nice touch is that the modulator section is entirely optional
and can be left out of the input chain if not needed or else used
'standalone' i.e the input remains disconnected with just the output
being used to feed another TV (for whatever reason) that does not need
to pick up off-air broadcasts (even more relevant once analogue
broadcasts have disappeared)

> The operating system is nothing special out of the box. It works, and
> does all that it should. And it's reliable (which is more than I could
> say for my old PVR). But it's a bit clunky.

> Where it really comes into its own, though, is that it allows the user
> to upload their own applications, known as TAPs, to it. There's a
> plentiful supply available ready-written (see www.toppy.org.uk). With
> one or two of these in place - I use the brilliant MyStuff* - it
> suddenly becomes a truly superb piece of kit. Obviously, there's a bit
> of overhead involved in getting this set up. You'll need a USB cable
> (not supplied) and a little piece of software set up on your PC in
> order to upload your chosen TAP(s). With MyStuff (or something
> similar) in place, you need never see the native GUI, and you can have
> functionality not offered directly by Topfield.

> *Free, though donations are invited. (Yes, I have made one.)

> So don't get a Toppy unless you're prepared to put in a little time
> getting it set up as you want it. If you are, it'll be well worth the
> effort.

 Don't be put off by that sage advice, the toppy is actually quite
usable 'as is' without any of the taps being installed. I don't doubt
the benefits of the various taps but I haven't felt the need to install
any since all my recording needs are served by my PC. The Toppy was
bought as a Christmas present for my missus to replace the VCR she had
been using almost exclusively as a time shifting device.

> Oh, and that USB connection also allows you to copy recordings to your

 That's the only disappointing feature in the box. It's good that there
_is_ a means of transferring recordings to a PC. What's disappointing is
that they chose cpu intensive USB2 over the more efficient ethernet
option.

 The relatively poor performance of the USB2 port is merely a reflection
of the fact that only a modest CPU performance is required to
simultaneously record two data streams whilst watching a third (live or
pre-recorded) with power to spare. The processing power provided in the
box is insufficient to allow the USB2 port to work at full speed, even
when turbo mode is invoked at the expense of ignoring remote control
input. An ethernet port would have provided a much faster transfer
option without any such need to invoke a turbo mode.

 Whilst the USB performance is poor by PC standards, It is my impression
that it's faster than that provided by the Humax. The transfer rates
over the toppy interface approximate to about 6 times real speed when
turbo mode is invoked. In the case of USB2 transfers between a PC and an
external hard drive, the performance is an order of magnitude faster.

> PC (though they might need conversion to some other format before you
> can do anything useful with them, such as create DVD Videos).

 There is a link on the toppy web site to such a conversion program,
it's called Mpeg_StreamClip. Not only is it useful for converting the TS
.rec files created by the toppy, but it nicely cleans the 'on- the-fly'
converted to PS mpg recordings created by my PC's TV recording software
(shrinking the files by about 1.5% in the process:-).

-- 
Regards, John.

 Please remove the "ohggcyht" before replying.
The address has been munged to reject Spam-bots.