Stoppo on Oppo
I finally popped for a multi-region Bluray player — a Sherwood BDP-5004. I just couldn’t cough up $500 for an Oppo. You’d never know it from the Amazon product description, but the Sherwood is a clone of the Momitsu BDP-899, and it plays all regions as long you tap out a six-digit code beforehand.
“For a multi-region Blu-Ray DVD player, there are several Momitsu clones that are sold in different countries under the different brand names. The one sold in USA is the Sherwood BDP-5004. While none of the Blu-Ray DVD players at this moment offer the ability to play different zone Blu-Ray DVD players just by putting another DVD in, this is the only one quality affordable Blu-Ray DVD player that allows you to play any Region regular DVD, and as well to play any Zone Blu-Ray DVD by putting a six digit remote control sequence before playing it.
“To change the code on Sherwood BDP-5004, make sure there is no disc loaded and enter 9735XY on your remote, replacing X with the Region code you want for DVDs (0-6) and Y with the Zone code you want for Blu-Ray Discs (1-3 -note that 1 stands for Zone A, 2 stands for Zone B, 3 stands for Zone C). There is no single Region-Free setting for Blu-ray discs, but you can change your player’s region coding at any time within seconds.
“For example, here are probably the only two codes you will ever need: 973501 , which sets the unit to Region Free mode for DVDs and Zone A mode for Blu-rays. This should be the factory default setting. And 973502, which sets the unit to Region Free mode for DVDs and Zone B mode for Blu-rays.”
“These are probably the only two codes you will ever need to use, but here are a few more settings just for your reference: 973532 -DVD Region 3, BIu-Ray Zone B; 973522 -DVD Region 2, BIu-Ray Zone B; 973541 -DVD Region 4, BIu-Ray Zone A, etc.”
I know the codes aren’t going to work exactly like they should. I know they’re going to play little infuriating mind-fuck and Zen-patience games with me. I just know it. The important thing will be to keep calm and stay calm when I call the Sherwood tech support guy, and just try to learn.
The aftermath of Jeff’s first phone contact with a Sherwood tech support guy is going to look something like this:
http://youtu.be/eAZJwvLJ53Y
How much did you wind up dropping on the Sherwood, Jeff? I’m somewhat interested in a multiregion BD player as well.
Discs are dead.
Good one, Prager. And likely quite accurate.
I love how Jeff has to frame this as an anti-OPPO item too, because he just can’t help twisting the nips of the dweebs, he thinks.
I bought something similar a few years ago, a LG region-free Blu model off Amazon that only cost me $250.
The bonus feature? It also plays HD-DVD. I picked up a bunch of those for way cheap like ($5 or less) through Amazon. With 600+ titles out there, a lot to choose from.
I’ve had a Momitsu-799 for over two years (from Ebay for around $150). Plays all the blu-ray Region B’s I’ve purchased. Plus the few PAL DVDs in my collection. So good luck with your 899 clone.
The code for my 799 is 8751xx (rather than 9735xx) where 875102 is Region B plus all 6 DVD regions.
I hope you noticed that May 10 update. Your monitor can handle 1080i50?
Discs are entering a niche, not dying. Certainly when you start talking about quad-layer BDs we’re still a while from having a digital delivery system capable of similar bandwidth levels.
The newest firmware on that Sherwood disables the multi-region capability. They won’t be offering tech support on that feature either since it’s not an officially advertised or sanctioned function of the machine.
@Pete – Yeah, I purchased mine in Dec ’09. Even then, word was out to avoid future updates. The Momitsu converts the PAL DVD’s signal to NTSC.
Uh-oh, Jeff…from the sounds of your knowledgeable commenters, maybe you should have sprung for that Oppo after all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubw5N8iVDHI
I think the word is that the Sherwoods can revert to an earlier firmware. That option should hopefully still be there if it’s needed.
I have the exact same model and am pretty happy with it. Sometimes it can be fussy about getting a disc to play, but once I finally get it to start, I never have another hitch the rest of the time.
It’s well worth the $100 or whatever it was I paid for it. I’ve imported dozens of Blu-ray discs from amazon.co.uk that show no signs of being released on these shores anytime soon.
I’m sure that from “1080i50″ on, the relevant film clip apropos Jeff’s state of mind would be Louis DelGrande’s demise in “Scanners.”
Hope it works out for you. After getting burned by a couple of “bargain” Blu players, I went Oppo a couple of years ago & so far its been bullet-proof. I’ll never skimpy on a player again – movies are too important to entrust to cheesy electronics…
You should have gone for the Oppo man…you really should have.
You should have gone for the Oppo man…you really should have.
Oops
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DVD?oh,old stuff
Thank you for taking time to share it with the readers, I am more than happy to have come across it. Keep up the good work.
vending machine companies
I keep miy sherwood as a dedicated Region B player, just put the code in once instead of every time you load a disc. I don’t have it connected to the internet and did not install any firmware.
Tip: there is no prompt for entering the code. Power the unit up, wait, wait until the display says init and completes the initialization, then type in the code and load your disc.
Use a known region B locked disc to test your system and you should be good to go.
Certain monitors will not be able to handle PAL video content.
@George Prager; Did you go to see the new print of ‘Possession’ that was shown at Cinespia earlier this month (is that what made you think of that clip)? I really wish that I had. I feel like a complete fool having posted about it elsewhere then failed to go myself. Was it terrific?
Discs will be niche in due time. I believe even the supplemental materials are available these days from Criterion Collection thanks to Hulu Plus streaming. It’s only a matter of time until streaming/digital downloads equal Blu-ray picture and sound quality.
AnnaZed: No, I didn’t see it there, unfortunately. I saw it on VHS about 10 years ago. Stayed with me.