What Are the Best Region Free 4K Blu-ray Players Available Going Into 2020?

Before we dive into which is the best, let’s first establish exactly what a region free 4K blu-ray player is. Blu-ray players utilize the new UHD 4K Blu-ray discs, often referred to as 4K Blu-ray discs, UHD Blu-ray discs, or Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. These same players will also work with Normal Blu-ray discs. Blu-ray discs around the world come in different ‘regions’. These include Region A, Region B, and Region C. Region Free or Multi region 4K Blu-ray players will play any of those region Blu-rays; as a result, you can purchase a disc from anywhere in the world and watch it on these specially upgraded Region Free Blu-ray players.

These devices also play Standard DVDs from any region. The standard DVD regions for different parts of the world are Region 1, Region 2, Region 3, Region 4, Region 5, Region 6, Region 7 and Region 8.

With all of that said, lets get down to the Best Blu-ray players for 2020.

 

Our Top Picks

The short answer is: it depends. It depends upon what criteria you are looking for. Do you want the absolute best Audio and Video quality, or do you want very good audio and video quality at a more moderate price? Below you will find our current favorite Blu-ray players and whom we feel they would best suit.

1. Sony UBP-X700 Region Free
   Sony’s UBP-X700 is the best region free 4K UHD players for many people In a small footprint, it packs cutting edge video and audio features. These include Dolby Vision, HDR10, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X. It will deliver excellent sound and video for most mid to high end residential home cinema’s. All the features packed with a very attractive price makes this our Favorite multi region 4K Blu-ray player at a fair price. If you own a Sony TV as well, that only adds icing to the cake as this player has unique features when used with Sony televisions.
2. LG UBK90 region free
   LG’s UBK90 region free Blu-ray player is not far behind Sony. In fact, some would say it’s even better. If you’re an owner of a LG OLED or other LG 4K TV then this will probably quickly move to your your Number 1 pick for a UHD region free 4K Blu-ray player. It boasts HDR10, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos. It also features 4K Streaming of Netflix, YouTube, and other streaming services. It’s really a toss-up between these 2 players when it comes to excellent players at attractive prices.

---

A little treat for reading this article: Also look at the LG UBKM9 4K region free Blu-ray player. This device is identical to the UBK90, but can be found at a lower price! LG made it for one of the big box retailers, but has now made it available to all. It makes a great alternative to other options if you seek an even lower price point.

---

Other Great 4K Blu-ray Player Choices

The Sony UBP-X700 and LG UBK90 are our top picks, but there are plenty of other high-quality options to consider. Some other 4K Blu-ray players we consider to be high quality include:

1. Sony UBP-X800M2 - This is a great player for those who do not want to compromise on Video or Audio.
2. LG UBK80 - The UBK80 is a great player with all the most desired video and audio features. It doesn’t have any streaming capabilities, but most televisions these days are Smart TVs regardless so you will likely miss out on nothing.
3. Sony UBP-X1000ES - This is Sony’s top-of-the-line model at a slightly higher price point. Despite this, it’s great for High end systems.
4. Pioneer UDP-LX500 - If you’re looking to spend a little more cash and just want the absolute best in Audio and Video, look into the Pioneer UDP-LX500
5. Samsung UBD-M8500 - If you have a Samsung TV and want to keep things simple and use the same remote, this is a great choice. Although Samsung is no longer making 4K Blu-ray players, these are the last ones they made. They have a fantastic build quality and excellent features for Audio and Video.
6. Samsung UBD-M9500 - The UBD-M9500 is similar to the UBD-M8500, but is a notable step up from the latter.

Shopping for region free 4K Blu-ray players can be intimidating, given the huge number of options available. This can be doubly true when searching for devices which will stand the test of time. The region free 4K Blu-ray players we have listed here are what we consider to be the best on the market, our personal recommendations. If you are interested in shopping for region free 4K Blu-ray players, visit 220-Electronics.com today to find the devices discussed here at unbeatable prices. If you have questions, the 220-Electronics support team can assist you with any problems you are having in regard to choosing a device.

Region free Blu-ray players are not particularly common; we at 220-Electronics modify ours personally to play discs from around the world. There are some really good reasons to seek out a region free Blu-ray player, despite their lack of mainstream sales. Today we will be discussing some of the reasons one might desire such a device, and the benefits of having one. Just as a note for those unfamiliar with this topic, the Blu-ray region codes are as follows:

• Region A: North America, South America, U.S. Territories, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and other areas of Southeast Asia
• Region B: Europe, Africa, Middle East, Australia, and New Zealand.
• Region C: Asia (except for Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and other areas of Southeast Asia)

Typically, discs will only work on devices in a set region based upon where the disc was purchased. Region free devices bypass this, allowing discs from any region to be played on the device.

Play Foreign Blu-rays

This one is really notable for fans of foreign films, foreign dramas, anime, and independent films. These tend to be more niche releases which are, by proxy, often unavailable outside of their respective regions. As a result, one much import these Blu-rays in order to own them. Unfortunately, they are not going to be natively playable on a standard Blu-ray player from outside of said region.

While this may not effect most individuals, it is a notable problem for collectors. If one has (or is starting) a notably sized collection, having to collect Blu-ray players for multiple regions can be a pain- and expensive. Instead, a single region free player can solve this issue at a lower price point.

Traveling for Work or Fun

There are many individuals whose jobs require movement around the world on a regular basis. Doing so can be stressful and, at times, rather dull- hotel rooms can only be so interesting. As a result, some have taken to bringing along video game consoles or their own Blu-ray players. This is where things get interesting- if one has a collection already, this is not an issue, but if one wants to purchase new films while abroad they cannot use them. Over the course of a multi-month trip, this can become a notable concern.

With a region free Blu-ray player, travelers can rest easy, knowing that any film they purchase will work with zero hassle. If a job sends you to Europe one month and Asia the next, their Blu-ray player will function in precisely the same way as before. Relaxation and one's favorite films, as well as newly purchased ones, are within arm's reach when one brings along a region free Blu-ray player.

Moving to Another Country

Relocating internationally is perhaps the most obvious reason to seek out a region free Blu-ray player. Movie collectors might have massive collections, owning hundreds of films on Blu-ray; upon moving, suddenly they have to have two separate players to appreciate their current collection while accruing more. Being limited to the films one already owns is something no movie buff would desire. The ideal situation would, naturally, be to purchase new films from the country one has moved to, and to play them on the exact same device as one's old films.

This is where region free Blu-ray players come in. By taking one when moving, you can keep your entire Blu-ray collection and enjoy it without fail! On top of that, you can purchase new Blu-rays without concern as to whether or not they will work; with a region free player, any disc you buy should work.

Conclusion - Considering Region Free Blu-ray Players

Ultimately, there is some serious appeal to owning a region free Blu-ray player. The reasons one might purchase one are likely fairly obvious. Moving, traveling, simply collecting films- these are all reasons why an individual might seek out a region free Blu-ray player. If you are interested in one yourself, 220-Electronics.com is the best place to purchase one. The Blu-ray players from 220-Electronics have the option to be custom modified to support Blu-ray regions A, B, and C. Modified players from 220-Electronics are simple to use, requiring only the flip of a switch to move between regions and play any Blu-ray in the world. Incredible customer support and fantastic prices only sweeten the deal. If you need assistance, contact support at 220-Electronics.com today and they will guide you along the way!

The Sony UBP-X1100ES, the successor to Sony's highly successful UBP-X1000ES, is finally here. While it is not radically different from its predecessor, it does manage to have updated features which are well worth the cost. Sony has a clear vision for the new UBP models, and they have been highly successful at maintaining it thus far.

What's Is the Sony UBP-X1100ES?

Sony's UBP-X1000ES was an attempt at stepping into the market of high-end Blu-ray players for audiophiles and other enthusiasts. Prior to this, a company named Oppo had dominated the enthusiast Blu-ray market. They stopped creating Blu-ray players a few years ago, leaving a gaping hole that someone had to fill. Sony chose to take up this role, as did companies such as Pioneer.

The Sony UBP-X1100ES was thus constructed with the enthusiast in mind. Outside, the device features a high-end, rigid chassis intended to prevent vibrations and interference that would reduce audio and video quality. On the inside, the UBP-X1100ES supports nearly any file format for audio, video, or images that you could possibly desire. In addition, it features HDR10 and Dolby Vision, as well as Hybrid Log Gamma HDR. Native 4K UHD support is also included, and the device does a fantastic job at upscaling full HD images to 4K. Built-in WiFi and streaming support are welcome features, including native 3D streaming.

Region-Free Features

The UBP-X1100ES' region-free features are phenomenal, allowing one to use it with any voltage, on any TV in the world. Blu-ray discs and DVDs from around the world function perfectly. This is great for individuals who have moved to other countries or collect foreign films. The worldwide voltage feature requires nothing more than the press of a button to shift between 120 and 220 volts, giving you the ability to use your UBP-X1100ES in North America, Africa, Asia, or Europe with no need for obnoxious voltage conversion. Its internal Pal/NTSC conversion offers compatibility with nearly any television. This Blu-ray player will be ready to go as soon as you remove it from its box! This feature is only guaranteed for devices purchased from 220-electronics.com, as they are modified by a team of experts. Any UBP-X1100ES purchased from other locations will almost certainly lack these region-free features.

Other Features

The Sony UBP-X1100ES has some other features that are quite nice. People often neglect 4K UHD Blu-ray players due to their lack of 4K televisions. In this case, Sony has specifically designed their device with these people in mind. Not only will the UBP-X1100ES output a crisp, beautiful 4K UHD HDR image on intended TVs, it will work on non-4K televisions as well! While the image output will not actually be 4K, it will produce an image rendered in 4K and then downscaled to full HD. This produces a gorgeous image when compared to standard HD. While not as perfect as the image of 4K Blu-rays on 4K televisions, it is a nice bonus and allows those who want better image quality to receive it without replacing their TV.

Support for BT.2020 color spaces was also a nice addition. BT.2020 provides a substantially wider range of colors than traditional TV signals, and drastically alters the natural qualities of colors output from video content. "Bravia Mode" is an additional mode they have added to encourage customers to purchase Sony televisions as well. While not a necessary feature, when using a supported television this device will output even smoother, higher definition video. While a nice bonus, it is in no way a necessity; it mostly serves as a small wink to those who own multiple Sony devices.

Conclusion

Overall, we have found the Sony UBP-X1100ES to be a fantastic device capable of delivering on the promises made by the company. As always, the region-free version of this player is not available in retail stores. You can purchase one today from us at 220-Electronics.com, ready to play region A, B, and C Blu-ray discs. Contact our expert support team if you have any questions or concerns, or if you are making the move from Oppo and want to discuss the changes with someone before purchasing.

Oppo, a Chinese company renowned for its high-quality Blu-ray players which emphasized audio/visual fidelity over all other features, was hailed as the market's king in years past. Following a massive boom in their smartphone sales, Oppo ultimately stepped out of the Blu-ray player market and redoubled their efforts on the former. This left a gaping hole in the industry, as they were the leaders when it came to the development of high quality, top-of-the-line Blu-ray players for audiophiles in particular. UDP-LX500

Now, Pioneer has stepped up to produce a Blu-ray player in the same vein as Oppo's. The Pioneer Elite UDP-LX500 is a fantastic Blu-ray player for those who seek only the best in audio and video content. Whereas most companies in the industry continue to push streaming and other auxiliary services, Oppo (and now Pioneer) are bringing forward devices which offer only the best in audiovisual interfaces.

 

Audio/Visual Components

Pioneer truly went all-out when designing the Elite UDP-LX500. Every single aspect of the device has been constructed with only the best in mind, and the ultimate goal was clearly to produce the most fantastic audio and video on the market. They have achieved this through a few different methods.

One cannot discuss the UDP-LX500's unique features without first acknowledging its Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). DACs are devices which conver digital signals to analog ones. These are standard fare for audiophiles, but those on the fringes of the hobby might be confused by the idea. Digital audio, what one typically hears from Blu-ray players or computers, is inherently 'lossy'. It has a lower bit-rate, lacking detail and dynamic components which make music have depth. DACs convert digital audio to analog, providing sound waves that are smoother and audio of a much higher quality. The UDP-LX500's DAC is arguably the cornerstone of the device and is what immediately makes it similar to those made by Oppo.

 

Construction

Pioneer's "Zero Signal Terminal" technology is present in the UDP-LX500. This is a proprietary technology which aligns the device's AV receiver and the ground level. What results is a high-quality signal between the two, reducing interference and providing much clearer sound and video.

To add to this, Pioneer has introduced a unique method of construction with their Elite line. In order to keep the device sturdy and prevent vibration during playback, they have built a 1.6mm thick chassis reinforced by a 3mm steel plate. Together, they provide a real heft not found in typical Blu-ray players. Pioneer also made the decision to split the device's internal components into three "blocks". These divide the power supply, drive and digital processor, and analogue audio components. Separating these parts reduces magnetic and electrical interference between them, ultimately producing higher quality output. They have also split the internal circuit board into six layers, further reducing digital noise.

 

Region-Free

The Blu-ray player’s region-free features are phenomenal, allowing one to use it with any voltage, on any TV in the world. Blu-ray discs and DVDs from around the world function perfectly. This is great for individuals who have moved to other countries or collect foreign films. The worldwide voltage feature requires nothing more than the press of a button to shift between 120 and 220 volts, giving you the ability to use your UDP-LX500 in North America, Africa, Asia, or Europe with no need for obnoxious voltage conversion. Its internal Pal/NTSC conversion offers compatibility with nearly any television. This is a ready-to-go Blu-ray player that is equipped with everything you could possibly need out of the box.

 

Other Features

Much like Oppo's Blu-ray players, Pioneer has removed video streaming services from this device. Streaming features can lead to a large amount of electronic interference, along with taking up space that could be dedicated to hardware meant to improve A/V output. One can still play high-quality music files through a USB device, despite the lack of streaming.

Some other features of the Pioneer Elite UDP-LX500 are:

• Acoustic Damper Tray for Better Audio
• Detailed Disc Information On-Screen Display
• Jitterless Sound Transmission via Dual HDMI Output
• Low Latency Dolby Vision
• SDR/HDR Preset Modes for Optimal Display Performance
• Precision Quartz Lock System
• Two Channel Audio, Multi-Surround, Bit-Stream
• Plays Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, SACD, and Audio CD discs
• Front and Rear USB Ports for High Quality Audio Playback
• HDR10 Support
• No Radiation Holes, Reducing Sound From Internal Movement

As always, the region-free version of this player is not available in retail stores. You can purchase one today from us at 220-Electronics.com, ready to play region A, B, and C Blu-ray discs. Contact our expert support team if you have any questions or concerns, or if you are making the move from Oppo and want to discuss the changes with someone before purchasing.

-The 220 Electronics Team

Samsung is one of our favorite brands lately. They've done some impressive work in several areas of home electronics and their Blu-ray Players are right on par with the top brand names in home theater components. Their constant innovation and cutting-edge features make Samsung a real leader in our book, and that's why we wanted to share one of their products with you today - kind of...

Today we've decided to take a quick look at the UBD-M8500, but we have to warn you that this isn't just any Blu-ray player. Our Samsung UBD-M8500 is region-free, and it's not available in department stores. Yes, you read that correctly. While the manufacturer's version is probably available at your favorite electronics outlet, it won't come equipped with the awesome capabilities that ours has. Thanks to some professional modifications, our UBP-M8500 is Region-Free, which means it works anywhere in the world, with any voltage, on any TV. Furthermore, it will play Blu-ray and DVD discs from any region in the world. There's no need for voltage converters and no need to worry about Pal/NTSC compatibility. It's a true plug-and-play universal unit ideal for travelers, anyone living overseas, or anyone with a collection of movie titles purchased from abroad.

No matter where you reside or what discs you're playing, the powerful and flexible UBD-M8500 is ready. This alone makes it an excellent buy, but there's a bunch of cool factory features that you should also take a look at, including:

• • Automatic DVD Region Switching
• • One-button Blu-ray Region Switching
• • 4K Ultra HD Resolution
• • Built-in WiFi
• • Internal Pal/NTSC Conversion
• • Streaming Media
• • DLNA Compatibility
• • CD Audio to MP3 Ripping
• • HEVC for 4K Streaming
• • Dolby and DTS-HD Support
• • Ethernet Port
• • Upgradeable Firmware
• • .... and more!

The Region Free Samsung UBD-M8500 is a great machine that can immensely improve your home theater experience. From sharing with multiple devices on your home network to 1000's of hours of streaming media from your favorite services, this Blu-ray Player does it all. You'll enjoy 4K Ultra-HD resolution on your 4K TV, plus the UND-M8500 will up-scale your non-4k discs to the highest resolution possible for the ultimate picture performance. It's jam-packed with the latest technology, but it's also an excellent performer featuring quick load times, fast picture processing and an easy to use interface.

Learn more about the Region Free UBD-M8500 today and get your own before they sell out. Remember, these specially modified units are not available in stores. As specialists in Region-Free and Multisystem electronics with over 35 years of experience, you can buy from us with confidence and join our thousands of happy and loyal customers from around the globe.

One of our favorites - and also one of our best-selling players right now - is the LG BP300. This region-free model is a powerhouse of features and flexibility with an extremely agreeable price (under $150), making it an excellent choice for your home theater. Let's take a closer look at the BP300, it's options, and capabilities to give you a better idea of what you're getting for your money.

Streaming Media and Wi-Fi

The Region-Free LG BP300 has Wi-fi built in, giving you the ability to not only stream media from your favorite streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, but to reach other devices on your home network using the DLNA feature. If you'd like to connect to your massive music playlist or movie archive from your laptop, the BP300 can do that - wirelessly. You can also quickly and easily share media libraries and file directories from any capable device in your home, including your tablet or smartphone.

Full 1080p, Plus Up-scaling

It's not 4k, but can you really tell the difference? Okay, of course you can tell a difference - but that doesn't mean 1080p doesn't offer an amazing picture. The BP300 has impressive picture quality, and it'll even improve the quality of your non-hd discs, such as your old DVDs. Just pop one in and LG's upscaling feature enhances and upgrades the resolution to near-perfect HD quality. It's a fantastic feature to have.

Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD

For the audiophiles, the BP300 gives you something to smile about. With Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD compatibility, you can be sure you're getting the best audio pushed to your surround-sound speakers. These multi-channel HD audio formats provide amazing clarity, depth, and intensity that put you right in the middle of all the action.

Simplink

Simplink allows you to easily connect to multiple devices from your Blu-ray player, controlling them all with one central remote. This allows you to easily and quickly choose between TV or surround-sound speakers, instant media playback (TV playback begins when connected device begins playback), and power-off/on features that turn your TV on automatically when a selected device is powered up. It's a great and highly convenient feature.

Region-Free Playback

The Region Free BP300 is not available in stores. Our units have been professionally modified for global disc playback and will play Blu-ray discs from any region (A, B, or C) and DVDs from any region (0-8). No matter where you are or where you buy your discs, they'll always play. This feature is ideal for movie collectors and anyone who watches or purchases movie titles from overseas.

Worldwide Voltage

This player - unlike the models sold in department stores - is professionally modified to work anywhere in the world. It works with any voltage from 110 to 240 volts, so it can be easily and safely used at any time, no matter where in the world you are. There's no need for a voltage converter, even if you take it overseas!

The Region-Free LG BP300 Blu-ray Player has plenty of other features and capabilities. To learn more about this popular model - including all the technical specs - click here. You're getting a really nice value for your dollar with this one, and you'll be a happy camper if you pick one up. We're selling these at the guaranteed lowest price and we'll ship anywhere in the world. You can't ask for a better deal!

Two of the latest Region Free Blu-ray Players we're carrying from Sony are the BDP-S1700 and the BDP-S3700. These players are jam-packed with features and are completely ready for universal use. They'll play Blu-ray Discs from Region A, and DVD Discs from any region (0-8). They also feature worldwide voltage so they can be used anywhere in the world with electricity from 110 to 240 volts, and internal Pal/NTSC/Secam conversion which so they are compatible with any TV. There's no need for voltage transformers or video converters - these are plug-and-play, fully universal Blu-ray Players. If you want to play Blu-ray Discs from regions B or C, there is an option to upgrade your purchase for an extra $40. Both models come equipped with automatic DVD region-switching and 1-button switching for Blu-ray.

Region-Free BDP-S1700 ($99 w/Free Shipping)

• Not Wi-Fi Equipped but Features Ethernet Port for a Solid, Fast Connection

• Full HD Streaming (Over 300+ apps)

• Non-HD Upscaling to 1080p HD

• 7.1-channel Audio with Dolby® Digital TrueHD and dts® 2.0+

• Coaxial Output

• HDMI Output

• Frontal USB Input for easy Media Playback

• Compatible with Nearly all Audio/Video Formats

*$140 with Regions A, B, and C Blu-ray upgrade

Region-Free BDP-S3700 ($115 w/Free Shipping)

• Built in Wi-Fi

• DLNA Compatible for Easy Wireless Media Sharing

• Sony Entertainment Network (Over 300+ Apps & Streaming Services)

• QuickStart for Super Fast Disc Loading

• Sony Sideview (Smartphone Remote Control App)

• 7.1-channel Surround Sound

• Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio

• Coaxial Output, HDMI Output, Ethernet Port

• Frontal USB Input for easy Media Playback

• Compatible with Nearly all Audio/Video Formats

*$155 with Regions A, B, and C Blu-ray upgrade

Both of these players are equipped with all sorts of playback features, simple and clean user interfaces, and much more. If you're in the market for a good quality non-4K Blu-ray player, look no further. We offer the guaranteed lowest prices and we ship to nearly any country in the world. See our complete inventory of Region Free Blu-ray Players today and shop with complete confidence. With over 35 years in business and thousands of satisfied customers around the globe, you can't go wrong with 220 Electronics.

It's been a long time in the making, but Samsung has finally released the world's first 4K Blu-ray Player. Prior to its release, the only 4k available in Blu-ray was an up-scaling option that many manufacturers offer - a higher resolution than 1080p HD, but still not true 4K resolution.

 

With the release of the Samsung UBD-K8500 several weeks ago, there is finally something to play the growing number of 4K Blu-ray titles that have been released lately. Also, something to pair with the 4K TVs that have been on the market for well over a year. We're finally able to experience true 4K Blu-ray in all its glory, which is great news. In addition, there are plenty of other great features packed into the UBD-K8500. It's on the cutting edge of technology from every aspect, and definitely something you'll want to pick up if you're interested in experiencing home cinema like never before.

 

The player we sell here at 220 Electronics is a region-free model. If you're not familiar with that term, it means this player isn't locked to a specific region of disc playback. Most players only play discs from their region. For example, Blu-ray discs imported from Europe or Japan will not play on a North American player, and vice-versa. Region Free Samsung UBD-K8500 4K Blu-ray Player will play Blu-ray discs and DVDs from anywhere in the world, from all regions. On top of that, it features dual voltage. Since the standard voltage (electricity at the outlet) varies from continent to continent and often country to country, most players are no good overseas or in foreign countries. With our Region Free Samsung UBD-K8500, you can use it at any voltage. This means it will work in any country, or onboard your RV or Boat. It's a very flexible player that can be taken anywhere and can play any disc. Keep in mind, retailers do not sell the Region Free model and you won't find it in Wal-mart or Best Buy.

 

The UBD-K8500 is also equipped with 3D playback. If you own a 3D TV, you can watch 3D Blu-ray titles in the convenience of your home and experience that surreal depth that at one time was only available in theaters. While there's not an abundance of 3D titles out, there's surely enough to enjoy and more are being released each day. It's a great feature to have for anyone interested in the 3D experience.

 

One of the most important features for most people, including ourselves is Wi-Fi. The UBD-K8500 has it built-in so you can connect to the internet easily and without messy cables. (If you prefer to have a wired connection, it does feature an ethernet port for optimal speeds and the most secure connection.) Connecting to the internet and your home network opens up a world of possibilities with the UBD-K8500. From streaming media services like Netflix, Hulu and Pandora to its DLNA capability that makes it easy to share media from any wireless device in your home, it's something we have a hard time living without. You can connect wirelessly to the music or movies on your laptop and play them right on your surround sound or TV screen within seconds - that's a valuable feature all by itself. Furthermore, screen mirroring gives you the option of sharing your smartphone or tablet's screen on your TV for easily watching videos or sharing pictures. It's really unlimited what you can do. Any media, from any device in your home can be shared with this player. This really minimizes the need for cables, converters, discs, USB drives, etc. and makes life both easier and more enjoyable.

 

As far as handling audio & video, the Region Free Samsung UBD-K8500 does an excellent job. It handles a wide variety of popular video formats such as MPEG, MKV, WMV, AVI, and AVCHD and plays all major disc formats including UHD BD-ROM, BD-ROM, 3D-BD, BD-R, BD-RE, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, CD-Audio, CD-R, and CD-RW. It also handles popular audio formats such as MP3, WMA, AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, WAV, and OGG.

 

If you plan to use the K8500 with surround sound, you'll be pleased to know that the UHD-8500 features multi-channel (up to 7.1) high-definition audio decoding for Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, DTS HD High Resolution, and DTS-HD Master Audio. You're getting the world's best resolution of 4K Ultra-HD, plus world class audio to match!

 

Some other notable features of the Region Free UBD-K8500 include:

 

• CD to MP3 Ripping, which lets you turn your music CDs into digital MP3 files with the use of a USB storage device.

• Dual HDMI Outputs for optimal connectivity.

• Frontal USB port for easy access.

• Wi-Fi Direct, which allows you to connect to wireless devices via Bluetooth. This means there's no need for internet use to share & play files between devices.

 

Samsung really did a great job with this model. From 4K and 3D to a world of streaming and wireless possibilities, you'll have an endless source of entertainment and playback options. And thanks to its Region Free capabilities, you can take the player anywhere and play discs from all over the world. It's impressive to say the least. For more information or to get your own, Samsung UBD-K8500 Region Free Blu-ray Player. It's a solid choice for anyone who wants the best Blu-ray Technology available.

 

Updated: 01/31/2020

 

Now that 4k is really starting to explode in popularity, we feel that it's important for us to cover the basics about 4k UHD Blu-ray Players, including their region-free capabilities. As region-free specialists, it's our duty to get this information out there so consumers can make informed decisions about their purchases; more importantly, so they can be sure they're getting the product & features that they're looking for and expect.

There have been a lot of misconception floating around the web regarding the idea that all 4k UHD Blu-ray Players are region-free. How did these rumors start and what are the facts? We're not sure exactly how they started, but let's take a closer look at the facts.

Also read our related article on the Current Best Region Free 4K Blu-ray Players!

What is Region-Free?

By default, most Blu-ray Discs and DVDs utilize a special region coding within disc. What this coding does is provide information that's read by the Blu-ray or DVD Player to determine if the disc is compatible with the player. Around the world, Blu-ray Discs and DVDs from specific regions are embedded with a code that is native to that region only. Likewise, most Blu-ray and DVD Players around the world are designed to only play discs that are encoded for the local region. For example, a Blu-ray Player sold in the United States is only setup to read and play discs sold in the United States. A Blu-ray Player from Asia is only setup to read and play discs sold in Asia. Attempting to play a disc from Asia in a Blu-ray Player purchased in the United States will result in an error message, and the disc simply will not play. The player is reading the disc, recognizing that it's from a different region and determining that the disc is incompatible.

The reasons for region-coding discs are many, but to keep it simple and understandable, the main reason for region-coding is that movies are not always released at the same times around the world. In some countries, movies are still being shown in the theaters while other countries already have them on Blu-ray. In order to protect profits and ensure that people aren't importing discs from overseas before movies are in theaters, the production and distribution companies (in conjunction with electronics manufacturers) developed region-coding.

Region-coding works as follows: Blu-ray discs feature 3 separate regions - A, B, and C. On the other hand, DVDs feature 9 different regions - 0 through 8. You can see a region-code map here for more information. The only discs that will play on your player are the discs sold in the same region where your player was bought; and the only way around this is to purchase a region-free Blu-ray player. But we'll get to that later.

Are all 4K UHD Blu-ray Players Region-Free?

No, and this is where the misconception and misinformation come into play. For some reason, manufacturers have decided not to code 4K discs by region. In other words, if you have a 4K movie title, it should play in any 4K player, regardless of what country the disc came from. However, this is only true for 4K discs. Any other disc, such as a non-4K Blu-ray or a DVD, will not play in the 4K player.

The rumors that have been circulating claim that all 4K UHD Blu-ray Players are region-free. This has created a lot of debate and confusion, and it also has many consumers deciding that they need to purchase a new 4K UHD Blu-ray Player so they can watch movies from anywhere in the world. Again, this could not be further from the truth.

A real region-free player will play any disc, from anywhere in the world. The ability of 4k Players to play any 4K disc does not make the player region-free. In fact, as 4k becomes more widespread on the global marketplace, the discs may very well be region-coded. For all we know, the only reason these discs aren't being coded as of yet is to help promote growth of 4K technology - nothing more than a marketing tactic. While we cannot verify the reasoning behind 4K being regionless, we can definitely assure you that a 4K Player will not play standard Blu-ray or DVD discs from any region.

Region-Free 4K, Blu-ray and DVD Players

The only way to ensure that you can play any disc - be it 4K, Blu-ray or DVD - from any region in the world is to purchase a Region-Free 4K Blu-ray Player. These units are not available in stores, and they're sold only through retailers who specialize in Region-Free electronics. These specialty retailers professionally modify their units and carry the same exact models as major retailers.

One of the biggest problems is that people will see a specific brand & model of Blu-ray Player being sold by a Region-Free retailer and assume that they can purchase that same model from Best Buy and it too, will be region-free. These people will then purchase foreign discs and attempt to play them, only to realize that the player is not region-free, leaving them in a state of confusion. The ONLY way to get a region-free model is to purchase one from a region-free retailer.

As specialists in region-free electronics and with over 35 years in the industry, we hope that this article was able to help clear up some of the confusion. While we'd hope that anyone who is looking to shop for a region-free player would purchase one from us, we're more concerned with spreading correct information. The bottom line is that there's only one way to acquire a true Region-Free 4K Blu-ray Player: By purchasing one from a reputable, region-free retailer.