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.
When you’re in the market for a new Blu-ray player it can be rather complicated to find something with all the features and options that you’re looking for. Whether you want a basic player for simple Blu-ray disc playback, or something with various audio outputs that can connect to your state-of-the-art sound system, there are literally hundreds of options to choose from. Shopping at your local electronics or department store means you’ll only get a limited selection of brands and models. On the other hand, shopping online can often be overwhelming because there’s so many choices, making it hard to decide what’s best for you - especially when you start thinking about warranties and other factors. Luckily there are electronics retailers like us who specialize in Blu-ray players for all applications, from basic models to high-end audio/video machines.
At 220 electronics we offer an enormous variety of Blu-ray players from the brands you trust including Sony, Sharp, LG, Yamaha, Oppo, Harmon Kardon, Denon, Panasonic, Pioneer, and many more. Not only do we carry the latest and most popular players out there, but all of our players are region-free. This means they’ve been specially modified to work with any voltage (110 to 240 volts), play discs from any region of the world, and work with any TV thanks to internal PAL/NTSC conversion. It doesn't get much better than that.
Our large selection includes everything from 1080p Full HD players to the newest 3D and 4K Ultra-HD smart players packed with the latest home theater teachnology. Our convenient website makes it easy to browse and compare features to find exactly what you’re looking for, as well as something that fits within your budget. Furthermore, we ship to almost any country in the world and our guaranteed low pricing ensures that if you find a lower price on the same model... we'll beat it!
Check out our complete line up a Blu-ray players today and buy with confidence. With over 35 years in business, we’ve served thousands of satisfied customers. We hope that you’ll join them and gain the benefits of low pricing, an excellent selection, and customer service that’s second to none. When you’re ready for your next Blu-ray player, you know where to go - 220 Electronics.
LG is up against some fierce competition when it comes to Ultra-HD Blu-ray players, but there are two models that stand out for us - the UP870 and the UP970. These two models are somewhat basic, but in the world of 4k Blu-ray they're affordable, reliable, easy to use and they're less expensive than many of the competitor's models. With a simple but clean design, they fit in well with any home theater to power your 4K TV with Ultra-HD disc playback. Furthermore, the models we sell are region-free which gives them additional capability over the models sold by LG or in major department stores. They've been professionally modified for region free playback (plays blu-ray discs from all regions and DVDs from all regions), feature worldwide voltage (works with 110 - 240 volts without a voltage transformer), and are equipped with internal Pal/NTSC conversion (these players work with any TV from any country without expensive video converters). They're truly global players that can play any disc, on any TV, from anywhere in the world. This makes them an excellent choice for travelers or anyone who likes to purchase foreign film titles. Let's take a quick look at some of the features of these players.
4K and 3D Disc Playback
Enjoy your favorite movies and TV series on Ultra-HD in the finest resolution available. Rich colors, deep contrast and HDR support make for an amazingly realistic home theater experience. If you have a 3D TV, you'll be glad to know that the UP870 and UP970 both support 3D disc playback.
1080p and 4k Upscaling
If you have older DVDs that aren't Full HD, these players will upscale them to near HD quality. For non-4K Blu-ray discs, they will upscale to near 4K quality. This means that whatever you're playing will be shown in the highest resolution possible.
Audio Support
Both models support a wide range of audio formats for playback, as well as your home theater setup. This includes LPCM, Dolby True HD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital, Dolby Atmos, DTS, DTS-HD Master Audio, FLAC, AAC, WMA, MPEG 1/2 L2, MP3, and more.
Video Support
The UP870 and UP970 play practically any video format you can imagine. Support for all major/popular formats includes MPEG-1, MPEG2 PS/TS, MPEG4 AVC (H.264), SMPTE VC1 (VC-9), H.265, MKV, Xvid, AVC Rec, AVCGD, M4V, WMV, 3GP, MP4, MOV, FLV, VOB, TS, DAT, and more.
Web and Streaming Content
You have 2 options here, depending on your needs. The UP870 doesn't feature Wi-Fi or streaming media. If you already have a Smart TV, then this really isn't an issue because you already have access to streaming content. The UP970 has built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and streaming media access (including 4k streaming), but is limited to Netflix and Youtube. Both players do feature a rear Ethernet port for a more stable connection.
Inputs/Outputs
Both models are equipped with a frontal USB port that allows you to plug in a storage device or smartphone/tablet for playing media. The UP870 has a single HDMI output, while the UP970 has dual HDMI outputs. Both players also have an optical audio output.
If you're ready to get into 4K Blu-ray, both of these players are a fair choice. The Region-Free version of the UP870 and the Region-Free UP970 are not available in stores. If you're searching for global functionality and unlimited playback, plus the ability to use your player with any TV at any voltage, these LG machines will do it. Just don't forget to buy from a trusted retailer who specializes in Region-Free players.
It's been awhile since 4k technology was first introduced on the market, but it wasn't until last year that the major brands began releasing their 4k Ultra-HD Blu-ray Players. As soon as they hit the shelves, specialty retailers began selling modified, region-free versions of these popular 4k Blu-ray machines to a specialized market of travelers, movie fans and anyone looking for a universally compatible movie experience.
If you're living in Europe and looking to play discs from anywhere in the world, look no further. All you'll need to accomplish this feat is a 
Region Free Blu-ray Players make a world of difference when it comes to watching your favorite movies. They're perfect for traveling, living in a foreign country, or for those who simply enjoy watching foreign cinema. These professionally modified players are the same brands and models available in department stores, yet they're capable of playing foreign discs from any region in the world - something the department store models cannot. They also feature dual voltage, which means they're perfect for traveling or anyone who is moving and/or living abroad. You can use our region-free players from anywhere in the world, with 120 or 220 volt electricity, to play discs from anywhere in the world. It's that simple.
In the today's world of Blu-ray technology there is an endless choice of players to choose from. Almost all of the popular electronics manufacturers offer their own respective models, from economical to the higher-end players and everything in-between. It's true that you get what you pay for, but there's something to be said for the lack of quality with most models. Cheap plastics, miniature remote controls and players that have a generic look and feel to them are among the most common on the store shelves. It seems that the electronics of 20 years ago with solid build quality, high-end components and long lifespans are almost non-existent nowadays.
There is one manufacturer, however, who manufactures Blu-ray players of excellent quality and performance; Oppo. Often considered "high end", Oppo's attention to detail and commitment to the highest quality audio & video performance cannot be denied. They consistently produce some of the very finest Blu-ray players available on the market today.
In the electronics world, devices are manufactured specifically for the area in which they're to be sold. From the device's labels and packaging to the default language and even retail price, there are many variations from country to country on what is essentially the exact same product. Additionally, these devices are manufactured to meet the specific requirements or regulations of these various countries, with one of the major factors being voltage compliance. Since different countries have different voltage standards (ranging from 110 volts to 240 volts) the electronics sold in any given country must be compatible with that country's voltage.
While many people have long known about the manufacturing practice of "region coding" (as well as the challenges that come along with foreign disc playback), there are still a majority of people who know little to nothing about it, or who are simply new to the whole idea. Upon performing a bit of research about region codes, they'll most likely stumble across some websites providing codes and software hacks for Blu-ray and DVD players which claim to give an ordinary player the ability to play discs from other regions (foreign-coded discs). While this is somewhat true, and while a good majority of those hacks will in fact work to some extent, they're still simply not much more than that; "hacks".
Although it's a common misconception that there's little difference between an "overpriced" region-free player and the "hacks" that can be entered to allow region-free disc playback, this actually couldn't be further from the truth. To clarify this confusion, we've provided some pros and cons, as well as some explanation of the differences between a true region-free player and region code software hacks.
Region-Free, or No too Region-Free
One of the biggest reasons that region-free players are preferred over software hacks is the fact that a real region-free player has been professionally modified. The internal hardware of the player has been altered to change how the system itself actually reads and interprets the discs. There is no forcing or tricking the player, and no "new codes" involved. The player has been modified and will continue to remain modified.
In many instances, the software hacks or "codes" that can be entered will work. However, there's just as many instances where they'll fail. The codes are often inconsistent, ever-changing and can vary from region to region or sometimes even from disc to disc, depending. It can be a major hassle, not to mention the time you'll spend scouring the internet for the newest codes and then trying to implement them. But aside from avoiding the endless annoyance of the software hacks and codes, there's still many more legitimate reasons that a professionally modified player is more beneficial.
The Cons of Software Hacks
• Most players have a specific, set number of times that they can be "hacked" or switched to another region. After that, the ability to switch regions will lock up, rendering the player useful only for whichever region it's been locked into. It's a very common occurrence for this to happen, and with no warning or chance to switch back to your native or default region setting.
• A good majority of the time, the "hack" you found online will not work after a software update. If you have no control over when your player updates, you could be stuck waiting for someone to post the new hack codes on a forum. Not only is this an inconvenience, but if your player updates while you're using another region setting, there's no telling if you'll ever find a code to change it back.
• Once a player has been hacked, the manufacturer warranty is null and void in most instances. Even if it's due to something other than region hacking, there is a good possibility that you could be left without a replacement or that you might be charged for repair instead of receiving a replacement.
The Pros of Hardware Modified Players
• Hardware modified players, when properly modified, will continue to work for the life of the player.
• Since a warranty on the region-free modification is generally provided by the company who performed the mod, there is no worry about the player being rejected by a manufacturer due to the modification.
• While some of the cheaper modifications have been know to fail to work after firmware updates, high-quality mods will continue to work, even after the updates. This means you can connect to the internet or wireless network without worrying about how updates will affect the player's functionality - something you can't always do with a hacked player.
When you spend your hard-earned money on a Blu-ray player, there is no reason to risk your investment just to play discs from another region. Why take chances with codes and software hacks when this is what region-free players are specifically meant for? If you're serious about watching movies from other regions, you need an efficient, secure and reliable way to watch foreign discs without risking the quality and functionality of your Blu-ray Player - with a hardware modified region-free player, that's what you get.
The Added Bonuses
Aside from the ability to play discs from various regions, region free players almost ALWAYS come with other added benefits. The most popular advantage is the addition of worldwide voltage capability and built-in PAL/NTSC conversion.
The worldwide voltage allows the player to operate at any voltage (110v-240v) which means it can be used literally in any country in the world. Just flip a switch on the back, depending which voltage you need to use it at. This feature is perfect for those who travel or live abroad.
The built-in PAL/NTSC conversion is another huge bonus for two reasons: Some foreign discs are in PAL format which will not work on an NTSC TV unless you use a video converter, and if you use the player in a foreign country, they might use PAL TV's and now your NTSC discs will not play. The built-in converter eliminates the need for a external converter, period.
More importantly, the combination of all the modifications is what counts. They go hand-in-hand, because a region-free player with worldwide voltage and built-in video converter ensures that you can play a disc from anywhere in the world, while you're in any location around the world, and from any TV. You cannot get that from a software hack. 
