Recently, something came to our attention and we decided it was time to write a blog on the subject. The problem we're encountering is an increasing occurrence of frustrated consumers who contact us asking about their "Region-Free Blu-ray Player". They're usually confused and upset about their new player because it won't play discs from other regions, or because it's not region-free like they were led to believe. In this post, we'd like to clarify a few things about Region-Free Blu-ray Players. Hopefully this will reach some consumers
before they make a purchase that leaves them feeling disappointed.
What is a Region-Free Blu-ray Player?
Region-Free Blu-ray Players are players that have been professionally modified for global flexibility and playback. This allows them to be used with any voltage (110 to 240 volts), with any TV (Pal/NTSC/Secam), and with Blu-ray discs or DVDs from any region in the world (Regions 0-8 and Regions A,B,C). They are very popular among travelers, people relocating overseas, or anyone who likes to purchase and play foreign discs in their home.
If a unit is not capable of the above, it is NOT a region-free player. At minimum - even if it doesn't feature the global TV compatibility and worldwide voltage - a region-free player must be able to play discs from any region.
How Do I Know if a Player is Region-Free?
Here's where things get confusing. It's very important to know that region-free players are NOT available in department stores or major retailers. Wal-Mart, Best Buy, or any similar store does not stock or sell region-free players - they never have and never will. Why? Because region-free models must be professionally modified with special software and hardware. This work can only be performed AFTER a player has left the factory.
Retailers of region-free players (such as ourselves) order the players in bulk from wholesalers or direct from the manufacturer. We order the same models that are stocked and sold by the department stores, with the only difference being that our units have been modified by our in-house electronics technicians. After the modifications are complete and the units are tested for functionality, they are ready to sell as a region-free unit.
Again, if your player has not been removed from the box and modified by a professional technician, it is not a region-free player.
Why the Confusion?
The reason why there is so much confusion surrounding this issue is due to simple misunderstanding. People interested in buying region-free Blu-ray players usually go online to research. When they perform a web search for "region-free blu-ray player", their search yields results for region-free players. When the consumer sees a specific model they like, they usually research the model a bit deeper to compare prices or local availability. This is where he problems arise.
When consumers discover that the same player (the same brand, same model number) is available at their local Best Buy or a similar store - and since they've already seen this model being sold as region-free by specialty retailers - they automatically assume that the player is region-free, which is false. The consumer will then purchase the model locally and discover that it's not region-free. This leaves many people confused, upset, irritated, and downright angry. Some even call the manufacturer directly to complain that the model is falsely advertised as region-free, which isn't true.
These people are simply confused because region-free versions of the exact same player
are sold by specialty retailers. What they don't realize is that 99% of the players for sale are normal, untouched, and have no region-free capability whatsoever. Honestly, it's an understandable mistake as this can be quite confusing. That's why we wrote this post!
How and Where to Buy a Region-Free Blu-ray Player
Now that you've read the section above, you know that these players can only be purchased from reputable retailers who specialize in selling the professionally modified region-free units. You also know that region-free players cannot be purchased in popular department stores because region-free players must be modified by a professional to achieve region-free functionality. So what can you do to ensure you're getting what you're looking for? It's easy - only buy your region-free unit from a retailer who specifically advertises their players as modified for global playback and functionality.
We hate to toot our own horn, but with over 35 years in the business, we are one of those trusted retailers. At 220-Electronics, we sell the real deal. We carry a large variety of models from the top brand names in the industry and they're all modified for region-free playback and use. Our players feature the highest quality hardware modifications to ensure a long lifespan and flawless functionality, every time. We offer a limited warranty and we back the original manufacturer's warranty as well. We offer the guaranteed lowest prices, and we ship globally to almost any country in the world.
Get Your Region-Free Blu-ray Player Today
Now that you've learned a little something, you might be interested in purchasing your own player today. Check out our complete selection of
region-free players here, and buy with confidence.
Due to the extra modifications performed to these players to achieve their functionality, the prices are slightly higher than the non-modified models sold in department stores. This is to be expected. However, our high volume of sales from customers around the world allows us to present you with the lowest prices in the industry. Don't be fooled or confused about region-free blu-ray players any longer. Get yours today and strt enjoying your region-free playback.
