Have you thought about how you’ll keep yourself entertained at home overseas? If music and movies rank high on your list, you’ll need to consider that your current home theater system probably won’t work abroad.

Expat Home Theater Systems Combat World Conversion Conflicts Abroad

Welcome to the confusing world of voltage conversion, foreign video conversion, DVD region codes and Blu-Ray region codes. Click on these links to understand how this world coding system can impact your ability to play your favorite media. For example, a DVD disc from Region 1 (USA and Canada) won’t play on a DVD player from Region 2 (Europe and Japan.) And there are a total of 6 regions worldwide. The good new is, there’s a simple solution to all the confusion.

Multisystem, Region-Free Home Theater Systems Solve The Problem

The best home theater systems for expat living are multisystem and region-free for use worldwide. They’re manufactured by top brands like Panasonic, Pioneer, Yamaha, Sony, Samsung, Klipsch, LG and Bose. But they’re not available through most retailers. The model choices and brand selections may be limited (if you can find them at all) in your foreign expat destination. Specialty retailers’ online stores typically ship worldwide. And in many cases, shipping may be free.

Modern home theater systems require at least one display device and a sound system. Sounds simple, right? But CEPro, a leading trade publication for professionals involved in the custom electronics business, cites these 6 Hot Home Theater Trends for 2016:

6 Hot Home Theater Trends

1. Multiple Screens: Gives you more than one viewing option in a media room.

2. Hybrid Space: Includes family room, game room, media room in a single space.

3. Social Networking: Post social network updates while watching television.

4. Networking Media: Internet-connected Blu-Ray Players, Gaming Consoles, Apple TV and other.

5. Floor Standing Soundbar Speakers: Fills your room with the clearest audio.

6. Value: Get high performance, feature-rich components at a lower cost.

The typical expat living scenario may not call for multiple screens. But the trend for creating a "hybrid space" seems pretty spot on, wouldn't you say? And free-standing speakers and soundbars accommodate your flex space better than built-ins. Not to mention you get much higher quality sound from your speakers when they're not enclosed.

Once you've agreed how to configure your media room, you can focus on how to configure your home theater. Regardless of the sizes and numbers of screens and speakers you choose, there are a few standard features you should make sure you include for the best electronic experience abroad.

5 Top Standard Features In Home Theater Systems For Expats

1. Region Free Coding: Plays Blu-Ray DVDs, Standard DVDs and CDs from anywhere in the world.

2. Multisystem support. (Supports NTSC, PAL, SECAM)

3. 110-240 volts 50-60 hertz

4. USB input (Play media from external devices, like your phone or camera.)

5. HDMI Output (Connect HDMI compatible devices, like a Blu-ray player.)

Add Smart Features For The "Most Flexible" Media Experience

• 3D Blu-ray Playback: View 3D movies with special 3D glasses.
• Wifi Built-in: Avoid the cable clutter with wireless connectivity.
• Internet Streaming capabilities:  Stream from Youtube, Netflix, Amazon, Vudu, Picasa, Pandora and a multitude more apps.
• Bluetooth capabilities:  Stream audio wirelessly from your cellular phone, tablet, computer or any other Bluetooth compatible device.
• Networking Capabilities: Connect external streaming devices like Apple TV or Fire TV. Or gaming consoles like Xbox or PlayStation

"By 2019, more than 50% of TV households in Japan, the US, the UK, France and Germany will have smart TVs [ according to IHS]," writes a Broadband TV news correspondent.

Add Surround Sound & Ultra HD 4K For The "Ultimate" Media Experience

The butter on the popcorn? Powerful multi-channel surround sound speakers and Ultra HD 4K simulate a live cinema, coliseum or auditorium experience. Home theater systems are “giving way to soundbar/subwoofer systems because they offer an easy way to fill a room with audio,” says Peter Tribeman of Atlantic Technology, an audio engineering company. And according to TechRadar.com, “4K Ultra-High Definition will define the future of television.”  

When you invest in electronics for expat living, it only makes sense to invest in technologies that are here to stay awhile. Likewise, investing in region-free multi-system components is like buying global insurance. You can take your investment anywhere you go. 

Don't limit your entertainment choices abroad. Seek the advice of a region-free, multi-system electronics expert before you purchase. Request a free consultation online or call 220 Electronics at 847-640-9000 (International). Dial 877-578-0587 in the U.S.

View Our Multisystem/Region-Free Home Theaters.

View Our Multisystem TVs.

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.

The human race has made some truly remarkable steps forward from a technological perspective over a relatively short period of time. We can look back at what life was like 100 years ago and it's almost unimaginable. We can even take a look at we have today from just a mere 30 years ago and it seems like it'd be impossible to survive on a daily basis without the convenient (and often necessary) technology we have today.

 

Thanks to computers and communication, especially the internet, the world is connected in a much different fashion than it was just 20 years ago. Information is available at our fingertips, we can purchase products from practically anywhere on earth at any given time thanks to mobile technology, and we can communicate with others with ease, on seemingly endless platforms. It doesn't seem that impressive when you're living it unless you take a minute to remember what life was like before the internet boom. It'll often leave you wondering how we were able to complete simple tasks without specific technologies that we have today, and it might leave you feeling a bit nostalgic. However, there seems to be some things that will never change.

 

For example, the ability to watch a blu-ray disc. We have this fascinating technology which allows us to enjoy cinema in high-definition from the comfort of our own homes, yet we can only watch Blu-ray discs from our home country - foreign discs won't work. Additionally, we can't take our Blu-ray player overseas when we travel and expect it to work with either the foreign discs or with the foreign TVs. Of course, the reasons behind this are complicated; they are the cause of both political and financial interests and we won't get too deep into that right now. What we will say, is that although our technology is something to be revered, it can also be very limiting. For example, certain capabilities or features that should come naturally with a certain product or device don't, and for no other reason than because there is more money to be made by excluding the capabilities altogether. It's kind of a bummer that what is so great can equally be so limited when it doesn't really have to be.

 

Why aren't Blu-ray Players and Blu-ray discs utilizing a global format, along with TVs, so that any player can read a disc from anywhere else and be played on a TV from anywhere else? Why should we have to pay for technology that is self-limiting?! We don't like that idea, and we feel like it's not fair.

 

There is, however, another side to the story. Thanks to technology - yes, the same technology that limits our technology - we have the ability to circumvent the issues we see as being problematic with the technology in the first place. Sound confusing? It doesn't have to be. Back to the Blu-ray players. We've utilized technology that fixes the problem with Blu-ray technology, and our technology DOES allow you to play discs from anywhere in the world, on any TV in the world; and, the player will work at any voltage! Problem solved, no? Of course it is. But you might ask "how?". It's quite simple actually.

 

We have developed a professional modification procedure for Blu-ray players that allows them to play discs from anywhere, to work with any TV regardless of its color format and to work safely and properly at any voltage. It's a universal player, and there are names for it such as region-free, code-free, and zone-free. Best of all, it remains under warranty and still retains all the options and functionality that it would if you purchased it directly from your local electronics store. We're not talking about some special unknown brand of Blu-ray player here, either. We're talking about practically any player you'd like, from the top brand names. We have them, region-free and ready to ship.

 

The moral of the story is that technology isn't so bad after all, because wherever it's been limited, there's an alternate technology to make it limitless. For more information about purchasing your own region-free Blu-ray player, visit our website at 220-Electonics.com today where you can browse all of our products and shop at the guaranteed lowest prices in the world. 

The holiday season is in full-swing once again, and there's no shortage of craziness going on. From time off work and school, to vacations & travel, family gatherings and more, it always seems like the busiest time of year. At 220-Electronics, this is definitely our busiest time of year and one of those reasons is holiday shopping, but that's not all - it's also because of our holiday sales, where you can save even more cash over our already guaranteed lowest prices in the world!

 

From our Region-Free Blu-ray and DVD Players that are ALL on sale and come with Free Shipping to our MultiSystem TVs, there's surely no shortage of savings! We have specials on voltage converters, personal electronics, home appliances and more. It's definitely an event you won't want to miss, and regardless of your schedule, you can shop from the comfort of your own home and still guarantee shipping in time for the holidays. It really doesn't get any better (or easier) than that.

 

What kind of items are we talking about? Well, literally everything. If you're looking to buy a Region-Free Blu-ray Player, you can pickup the Samsung BD-H5900 for just $199 right now (that's $100 in savings) and it comes with free shipping!

 

How about TVs? Looking to upgrade your home theater or purchase an extra TV for the bedroom? Do it with style! Get this 40" MultiSystem Samsung TV for just $495, or this impressive and stylish 60" 3D Smart TV with Wi-Fi by Sharp for just $1,770 right now!

 

If you already have a TV you like, be sure to check out our huge inventory of 220 volt home theater products and audio/video receivers - many are being offered at insanely low prices but only for the holiday season!

 

And if you're looking for something to help utilize foreign electronics overseas, we even have some huge savings on voltage converters and transformers, with 15% of our diamond series models! You can't afford to miss out on these deals.

 

We even have saving on kitchen and home appliances, like this Sharp Stainless Steel Microwave with Grill for just $135 (a $95 savings).

 

Whatever you're looking for, it's probably on sale and ready to ship before the holidays, but only of you order soon! Visit 220-Electronics today and browse our huge inventory while the prices are hot!

 

Even in the world of cutting edge electronic technology, sometimes it seems impossible to find two devices that are compatible. We have laptops and smartphones, wireless speakers, surround sound systems, cameras, audio devices, USB ports, HDMI ports, ethernet, charging devices, converters, wireless remotes and the list goes on and on. We have drawers full of chargers and cables, batteries, adapters and manuals. Often times we find ourselves having to purchase a device that allows us to properly use the device we just bought; it can seem like complete madness. Then, other times we find ourselves jumping with joy at the fact that our new purchase was so simple to use - just like it says on the box.

 

While we'd like to think that all this technology would make things easier, sometimes it seems like more of a hassle than it's worth. There are hundreds if not thousands of major electronics manufacturers - and let's face it - they're not all working together to make sure your devices are compatible. Surely you can mirror movies from your iPhone to your TV but it only works with certain TVs, and of course there's bugs and if you DO manage to figure it out, the phone usually disconnects from the TV once the screen locks. We've all been there where we just can't seem to achieve what we want.

 

Let's jump forward to Blu-ray and DVD technology. Aside from surround sound or hard to reach wires, Blu-ray and DVD Players are relatively easy to hookup and use. They come assembled, have a power cable connected and then require audio/video to be connected to your TV - not a huge chore. But what comes into play, and what we're going to focus on is the ability to travel internationally, relocate or utilize your Blu-ray or DVD player with foreign TVs and even play discs from other countries. This can cause some major headaches if your unversed in how it works. In fact, many people are unaware that this is nearly impossible without the proper technology.

 

Region-Free

Firstly, let's quickly discuss the fact that for reasons beyond our control, Blu-ray and DVD discs are embedded with a digital code called a region code. What this does is ensures that a Blu-ray Disc or DVD purchased in Europe will only work with a player that was also purchased in Europe. The same goes for other regions of the world - a North American player will only play discs purchased (and encoded by default) within North America. If you purchased movies overseas, either in person or online, the chances are they will not be recognized and will not play on your player at home.

 

For Blu-ray, there are 3 different regions - A, B, and C. For DVD, there are 9 different regions, 0 - 8. Discs from other regions are simply not compatible unless played with a player that was manufactured to be used in that region.

 

Luckily, there is a workaround. A Region-Free Blu-ray or DVD Player is a player that has been professionally modified (by a third-party, they cannot be purchased in retail stores) to play any disc from any region of the world. This allows you to travel with your player, relocate with your player or purchase movies from other areas of the world and actually watch them ON... your player! That's right. These units are basically guaranteed to play a disc from anywhere in the world - and that is a wonderful thing. But, there's more potential issues.

 

Worldwide Voltage

The next issue with traveling or utilizing foreign electronics is the fact that different areas of the world use different standard voltages. In North America, the voltage at your normal electrical outlet is 120 volts. This means that all players sold in the US (as well as all other electronics) are designed to operate at the standard 120 volts. Likewise, Europe and much of Asia operate at a standard voltage of 240 volts. Any attempt to simply plug in a 120 volt Blu-ray or DVD Player into a 240 volt outlet would be catastrophic, at least for your player. The voltage is far too high and would literally fry your device within seconds, if not instantly.

 

Again, we're going to deep the advantages of the technology behind a Region-Free Player - since they are made to play discs from any region, most are also modified to work at either voltage, from 110 volts to 240 volts. All you need to do is flick a switch on the back to set the proper voltage input and it can be used anywhere in the world. There is no need for an external voltage converter, although you might need a plug adapter since foreign electrical outlets vary.

 

Needless to say, you've already got a player that can play discs from anywhere in the whorl and can also be powered by any voltage in any country. That is cool! But still, there lies one more problem, and this one is with the TV.

 

PAL to NTSC Conversion

The last problem with trying to utilize a foreign Blu-ray or DVD player is that foreign TVs use different color and video formats and sometimes a different frame rate. This is determined by the electronic signal that is encoded digitally. The two most common standards are NTSC and PAL, and you probably wouldn't even know about them unless you're reading this.

 

NTSC is the North American standard format and it transmits 30 frames per second. Each of those 30 frames is composed of 525 individual lines. PAL is used mostly overseas, and with this format there are only 25 frames per second and each is made up of 625 lines.

 

A NTSC TV (basically any TV in North America) will not work with a player that is from another country where the format is PAL. The same goes for using a NTSC player in a country that utilizes PAL, since the TVs will all feature PAL formatting.

 

Generally, you'd need an external video converter that changes the signal from PAL to NTSC or from NTSC to pal so your player can operate with a local TV. Wow, this is really seeming to be quite a hassle. But again, we have good news as the vast majority of (but not all) Region-Free Players are equipped with internal PAL to NTSC converters which do all the dirty work for us. See? Technology isn't so bad after all. Just make sure you find a player that has the internal conversion before making your purchase.

 

In Conclusion

What we're seeing here is that Region-Free Blu-ray and DVD Players are a savior. They can save time, money, tons of headaches and offer a huge amount of flexibility by allowing us to watch a movie from anywhere in the world, on almost any TV in the world, at any voltage! Now that is what we call an accomplishment. We've also eliminated the need for a voltage transformer and external video converter completely. It's basically plug and play!

 

Naturally, as specialists in international relocation since 1979, 220 Electronics carries a wide selection of Region-Free Blu-ray and DVD Players. Best of all, we are able to guarantee the lowest prices in the world and we ship worldwide. You can shop from the comfort of your own home today at www.220-Electronics.com or just stop by to browse our large inventory. If you're concerned about using electronics overseas, we have all of the products and resources you could ever need.  

What are Multi-system, Multi-Region, Region Free and Code-Free Electronics?

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.

 

Multi-System and Multi-Region

When someone refers to "multi-system" or "multi-region", they're speaking of a device that can operate in foreign areas - usually because of its special voltage capability. Typically the device has been modified to operate at any voltage due to internal modifications. Common examples are TVs, DVD & Blu-ray Players, Stereo Receivers and other common items that might be taken along when moving, relocation or traveling abroad.

 

Aside from the modifications that allow the device to operate at any voltage, there are also other changes in some cases. There are 3 major video formats used throughout the world - these are PAL, NTSC and SECAM. In order to use another video component with the TV such as a DVD or Blu-ray Player, both units need to use the same video format. While compatibility can be accomplished via an external converter, the best models will come with internal video converters which is the easiest option.

 

Region-Free and Code-Free

While DVD & Blu-ray players could fall into the multi-system category, they are more commonly referred to as being "region-free" or "code-free". The difference in names is mostly due to the fact that these types of devices are not only designed for a specific voltage, but also coded to only play discs that originate from the player's native region of sale. While there are many reasons for this which we won't get into, these types of devices need to be unlocked in order to play discs from outside regions.

 

When utilizing a region-free DVD or Blu-ray player, there is no issue with voltage OR with playing discs from foreign countries. Some people purchase region-free or code-free players for traveling while others purchase them for the purpose of playing foreign discs in their native country - this is common with people who are collectors and enjoy watching foreign movies or those who purchase discs from overseas while vacationing or via the internet.

 

It's advised that if you're using a TV that's not compatible with PAL, NTSC or SECAM, you should be sure that your video player is equipped with internal conversion. If not, you'll need an external video converter for compatibility.

 

Where Can I Find Multi-System and Region-Free Electronics?

220 Electronics is one of the world's largest retailers of professionally modified multi-system and region-free electronics. From TVs and Blu-ray players to stereo receivers, home theaters, and even 240 volt appliances, we carry the top brand names at the lowest prices, guaranteed. In business for over 35 years, our top priority is customer satisfaction and our low price guarantee. If you can find a product offered by a competitor at a lower price, we'll beat it by 10% of the difference. Check us out today at 220-Electronics.com where you can browse all of our products and learn more about finding the proper electronics for your needs.

 

While most of you are probably aware that there are portable Blu-ray and DVD players, you might not be familiar with the flexibility and benefits they offer. This is especially true for those of you who travel frequently or are living and/or working abroad.

 

First and foremost, people generally assume that a portable player is only useful for entertainment while flying, riding the train, etc. Due to their convenient size they come in handy in those situations, sure - but that's not the extent of it, especially for region-free portable models. For such a small package, these players deliver a powerful punch that can save time, money and wasted space, no matter how close or far you plan to travel.

 

So what do portable region-free players have to offer that makes them so special? Glad you asked!

 

Region-free players are equipped with HDMI (or RCA if non-hdmi) outputs. This is one of the most important factors, because it gives you the ability to take a Blu-ray player along with you anywhere in the world to watch movies on a regular sized TV screen. All you'll need to do is connect the HDMI cable to a TV and you're good to go.

 

Since the portable player is region-free, there's no worry about needing a voltage converter because the player is equipped with dual voltage compatibility. This makes it compatible for use in any country, regardless of the electrical voltage. Most models also have built in PAL/NTSC converters so there's no need to worry about the player being compatible with a foreign TV either.

 

And it gets even better - these players will play discs from anywhere in the world, regardless of which region the disc is from. If you're living in a foreign country or traveling abroad and trying to travel lightly, this is just another huge convenience. In a lot of foreign countries, movies are dirt cheap because the bootlegging laws are often non-existent or not strictly enforced. You can probably buy any movie you want for just a couple bucks from a street vendor and regardless of the region coding, it will play, guaranteed!

 

The benefits of having a region-free portable player lend huge advantages over a regular portable player, which is obvious. While regular portable players are only seem useful to kill time by watching a movie while you're in the midst of traveling, the region-free models offer new possibilities.

 

Watch any movie, on any TV, from anywhere in the world, guaranteed. And best of all, you can do it with a unit that takes up less space than a small laptop!

 

For over 30 years, we've been the trusted source for international relocation and global electronics. Check out our complete inventory of Portable Region-Free DVD & Blu-ray Players right now. We stock a huge inventory of the most popular brands and best of all, we offer them at the guaranteed lowest prices!

 

When it comes to Blu-ray players there's a seemingly unlimited amount of models to choose from, many with their own unique and impressive features that offer cutting-edge technology for your home theater. But how do you decide what Blu-ray player is best for your needs? Research. Read reviews, compare prices and options, then decide which features you can or cannot live without. Depending on the brand, the technology and the features, the difference in pricing can be drastic from model to model.

 

Today, we're going to review a very economical and relatively inexpensive Blu-ray player that's not only affordable, but highly functional. It's the Region Free LG BP220 - and it offers a big bang for your buck.

 

LG has a reputation for offering next-level technology that's reliable and highly usable. Considering this, the LG BP220 Blu-ray player has hit its mark perfectly by providing just the right combination of attractive options, flexibility and ease of use. As a player that falls into the "less than $150" category, we were very surprised with the overall quality as well as the capabilities it offers.

 

We'll begin with the fact that the BP220 offers the LG Smart TV experience. Using a simple and clean user interface you can connect to a variety of apps, movies and streaming media including YouTube, Netflix, Hulu PLUS, Pandora and more. Some services are free while others are paid, but regardless, you'll have endless audio and visual entertainment right at your fingertips. Setup is easy and although the model doesn't have Wi-Fi, a wired connection works flawlessly and gives you access to all your favorite services including the LG app store. It also has DMP, or DLNA capability, meaning you can connect and share media with other devices in your home.

 

In the Audio/Video area, we felt that the BP220 did quite well, often exceeding our expectations of quality. The player uses full HD 1080P playback, plus 1080P up-scaling which dramatically increases the picture quality of non-HD DVD discs. Blu-ray playback and quality was wonderful and it's truly hard (if not impossible) to differentiate from that of a much more expensive device. We used it in combination with a 55-inch LG smart TV and it performed very well, serving up a crisp image with deep colors and great detail.

 

Of all the discs we threw at it, it didn't fail to play one. It literally plays everything including DVD-R, DTS-CD and CD-R's. It also fully supports the most popular video formats such as MPEG2, MPEG4, MKV, AVCHD, M4V, 3GP, FLV, VOB and more. HDMI 1.4 and a video enhancement feature lends additional options, making the movie experience even more enjoyable.

 

As far as audio, we found no reason to say that the LG BP200 falls short. It comes equipped to support Dolby Digital(Plus), Dobly True HD and DTS 2.0 digital output. It features dynamic range control for configuring surround sound to your exact preferences while providing a theater-like experience in the convenience of your own home. Although this player might not feature the highly advanced audio options desired by the expert home audio buff, it is more than capable of high-performance sound delivery.

 

The BP220 also has the following input/output features:

 

• - Composite video out
• - HDMI out
• - Audio L/R out
• - Digital Audio Out
• - USB 2.0
• - LAN

 

Seeing as the model we tested was a region free player, it has advanced capability and convenience that come included for the price, making it a truly unbeatable deal.

 

The region free LG BP220 has worldwide voltage capability that allows it to work with a 110 volt or 220 volt power supply. This means you can use it anywhere in the world without the need for a voltage converter, making it ideal for those who travel abroad or have more than one home. Additionally, the region free playback feature lets you watch Blu-ray discs and DVD's from anywhere in the world without having to worry about region codes. It's perfect for people who buy movies when traveling or those interested in watching foreign films without complication. If that's not enough, it uses built-in PAL/NTSC conversion to ensure compatibility with any TV regardless of the color format. This region free player can be used to play any disc, on any TV, from anywhere in the world - we truly cannot express the coolness of these features; they genuinely make it a universal Blu-ray player.

 

overall, we've found nothing we didn't like about the BP220. It's stylish, smooth, highly functional and delivers a professional quality viewing experience for an amazing value. The added bonus of region free options really do make it an unbeatable deal and there's no arguing over that. LG has done very well with the BP220 Blu-ray player and in our expert opinion, the spot it has earned in homes around the globe is very well deserved.

 

Visit www.220-electronics.com for more detailed information on the region free LG BP220 Blu-ray Player. 220-electronics has over 30 years of experience in international electronics service and sales and offers a huge inventory of 110 - 220 volt electronics and appliances.

 

Blu-ray new releases for this week of February 25, 2013

This week we have quite a few interesting titles being released on Blu-ray. From Barbie to Silent Hill 3D, there's a bit of something for everyone and we're guessing there's at least one title on this list that you'd like to own. No, this week isn't at exciting as last week, but hey - it's the end of the month, and a short month at that, so let's make due with what we've got. There are over 40 new releases on Blu-ray this week (which you can see in the list below) and while we'd love to do a write up on each, that'd be a bit excessive. We will however, mention a few of the ones that caught our eye.

 

On the 26th, the quirky and quite controversial Holy Motors will be released. Some say it defies explanation, others say it's utterly hilarious and inspiring. We say you should watch it and then make your own judgements. The film is actually very unique and bizarre, offering a nice change of pace from the typical and predictable movies that have came out as of late. It is most definitely a must see for any true fan of cinema.

 

Also being released on the 26th is 500 MPH Storm, brought to you by Indy Entertainment Studios. If you like thrillers and disaster films, this one should right up your alley. When a weather experiment goes bad, a rash of massive hurricanes tear through North America. Even worse, the hurricanes are about to merge together into a "hypercane" that threatens the whole continent and everyone living within. Kind of scary, but we can't think of a better way to watch this one than in the comfort of your home in high-quality Blu-ray HD.

 

For horror fans, this week offers up Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, Zombie Lake, Oasis of the Zombies, and the incredibly low-rated Girls against Boys. Nothing too exciting in the horror area aside from Silent Hill.

 

There's quite a few retro releases that might interest classic movie fans such as The Red Menace (1949), Monsieur Gangster (1963), She Devil (1957), The Diary of a Chambermaid (1946) and Strangers in the Night from 1944.

 

On the kid's list for the week it looks like we've got Barbie, Scooby-Doo's Mask of the Blue Faclon, and Africa. Yipee!

 

The complete list for this week is right here:

 

Blu-ray New Releases for this week of February 25th, 2013

• 500 MPH Storm (Not Rated)
• Africa (2013 - Not Rated)
• A New Life (1988 - Rated PG-13)
• A Simple Life (2011 - Rated PG)
• Barbie in the Pink Shoes
• Battle Girls Time Paradox: Complete Collection (2011 - Rated TV-14)
• Border Run (2012 - Rated R)
• Chasing Mavericks (2012 - Rated PG)
• Chronicle of a Summer (1961 - Not Rated)
• Company of Heroes (2012 - Rated R)
• Diary of a Chambermaid, The (1946 - Not Rated)
• Dukas: Ariane et Barbe-Bleue (2011)
• Eagles: Farewell Live From Melbourne (2005 - No Rating)
• Eye of the Storm, The (2011)
• Girls Against Boys (2012 - Rated R)
• Heaven's Lost Property the Movie: The Angeloid of Clockwork (2011 - Rated TV-MA)
• Holy Motors (2012 - Not Rated)
• Hudsucker Proxy, The (1994 - Rated PG)
• Joshua Tree (1993 - Rated R)
• Lady for a Night (1942 - Not Rated)
• Master, The (2012 - Rated R)
• Monsieur Gangster (1963 - Not Rated)
• Mozart: La Finta Giardiniera (2006 - Not Rated)
• Nisemonogatari
• Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds: International Magic Live at the O2 (Rated E)
• Oasis of the Zombies (1982 - Unrated)
• Pfitzner: Palestrina (2009)
• Plain Clothes (1988 - Rated PG-13)
• Raven That Refused to Sing
• Red Menace, The (1949 - Not Rated)
• Rossini: Adelaide Di Borgogna (2011 - Rated Exempt)
• Sansho the Bailiff (1954 - Not Rated)
• Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon (2013 - Not Rated)
• She Devil (1957 - Not Rated)
• Silent Hill: Revelation 3D (2012 - Rated R)
• Strangers in the Night (1944 - Not Rated)
• Verdi: Il Corsaro
• Verdi: La Battaglia di Legnano
• Verdi: Luisa Miller
• WWE: Royal Rumble 2013 (2013 - Not Rated)
• Zombie Lake (1981 - Not Rated)

 

And remember, this is a list for the USA so if you want to see the movies early and you're from another country, don't order them unless you have a region free blu-ray player. Enjoy your week and enjoy your movies!

 

Are you an obsessive compulsive Blu-Ray Disc collector who just can't seem to get enough? Maybe you're a hardcore movie junkie with an international knack for good films who just happens to own a Blu-Ray Player? In either case, we have some excellent news for you; for the both of you.

 

For the OCD Blu-Ray Disc Detective: While you may think you've purchased every Blu-Ray Disc available today in North America; while you've scoured the local store shelves and relentlessly searched the internet looking for the lates release or that "oldie but goodie" to supplement your pristine collection - there's likely something you're forgetting.

 

For the Sofa-Ridden Film Afficianado: Although your impeccable tastes for quality filmography and rare cinema have led you to the deepest darkest corners of the internet in search of new downloads; Even though you thought you've attained a new level of acheivement by discovering an underground streaming video network where you watched the very first episode (and only copy in the world) of The Three Stooges that have been dubbed with Korean voice-overs... There's likely something you're forgetting as well.

 

"What is it?", you ask.

 

It's called a Region-Free Blu-Ray Player. Also known as a Multi-Region or Code-Free Blu-Ray Player, these convenient marvels of modern day technology allow playback of Blu-Ray Discs and DVD's manufactured from anywhere around the world.

 

"What do you mean?", you ask while scratching your head.

 

Well, contrary to popular belief (possibly due to a lack of interest or maybe because the ingenious idea just never crossed you mind), you can't simply take a Blu-Ray Disc purchased during a business vacation in Hong Kong back to the USA and pop it into the Blu-Ray Player at home. Well, actually you CAN pop it into the Blu-Ray Player but the problem remains that it isn't going to play.

"Oh, I see, it's because they speak a different language, right?"

 

No, language has absolutely nothing to do with it. The real reason the Blu-Ray Disc won't work in your player is because during the manufacturing process, the disc was enbedded with what's known as a "region code". A region code is an additional chunk of data that's been attached to the the original content of the disc. In turn, the disc player itself has been pre-programmed to recognize and play only those discs that are embedded with the codes originating from that specific region. For example, Blu-Ray Players purchased in North America can only play Blu-Ray Discs purchased in North America since the North American player has software that will only recognize and play a disc embedded with the North American region code (Region Code "A"). Additionally, things work the same way in the Europe/Africa/Australia/New Zealand areas (Region Code "B") and respectively for the Asia/China/Russia areas (Region Code "C"). Blu-Ray Discs from a specific region can only be played from a Blu-Ray Player from within the same region.

 

Now that you have all the information together, let's see if you (Mr. Disc Buyer) and you (Mr. Film Freak) can put the clues together - do you understand why this article is directed at the both of you?

 

The Region-Free Blu-Ray player dramatically benefits you both! Think about it...

 

For the Disc Collector: Nothing could be more exciting than stumbling upon up a whole new world of Blu-Ray Discs to purchase, right? Especially ones that none of your friends have. Although you may not speak German, I highly doubt you'd be able to pass up an alternative language version of your favorite film, right? I mean c'mon... even the text on the cover is in German! But hey, it's not just about language. There's plenty of interesting titles from Europe that you've never heard of, but the good news is that YOU CAN BUY THEM! Better yet, you can even watch them!! Well, as soon as you get yourself a Multi-Region Blu-Ray Player. You might just end up turning into a film afficianado, like Mr. Movie freak here.

 

For The Filmophile: I think you already understand. A Multi-Region Blu-Ray Player will allow you purchase unique, interesting, and very, very rare films from overseas and around the globe. The versions you can't get in the US. The versions where the ending was completely different due to political or religious reasons. The version that isn't the real version, but a Romanian replica version of the same movie with different actors and a different landscape. The possibilities are endless! And think about it, now you can actually own physical copies the best films ever produced, in the flawlessly high quality format of Blu-Ray! This means no need for streaming video via a remote server in Serbia to watch a low quality copy of that banned film you can't find in the US. Go to Google and order it from overseas! Order one from each country if you'd like! Who knows, you might just end up making impulsive disc purchases, like Mr. Disc Buyer there.

 

I'd like to mention to the both of you, that while all the focus here has been directed at Blu-Ray Discs, there is one final little bit of additional information for you. Multi-Region Blu-Ray Players also play DVD's from any region in the world! Yes, it actually doubles as a Multi-Region DVD player.

 

All in all, the world of geographical restrictions, language barriers, and movie-playing power has just been blown wide open for you to explore. I know, it's pretty intense - so take a deep breath, stand up, and go pour yourself a drink. When you sit back down wondering where you'll begin your search for foreign Blu-Ray and DVD's, don't forget that you need to buy a Multi-Region Blu-Ray Player first.

 

P.S. - We also have certain models of Multi-Region Blu-Ray Players that operate on both 110 and 220 volt standard power supply's. So, not only can you watch movies from another country, you can actually watch them in another country.

 

At 220-Electronics, the sales team has over 30 years of experience with overseas and international electronics. They carry high-quality Region-Free Blu-Ray players from all the brand names you love at super-low prices, as well as some excellent players that are less expensive from a few lesser known brands. Regardless, don't go purchasing the Blu-Ray and DVD's until you've bought the player - it'll be more exciting that way. Visit www.220-electronics.com right now.