Region-free Sony Blu-ray player available

A German website – www.DVDPlayer.de – sells modified “region-free” versions of the Sony Blu-ray players BDP-S300 and BDP-S500, making it possible to play both Region A (North America, Central America, South America, Korea, Japan, South East Asia) and Region B (Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australia, New Zealand). The region code can be switched by using the remote.

There is no word on whether the stand-alone machines can play as well Region C (Russia, India, China, Rest of World).

The machines are said to behave like "genuine" US and/or European players. Karsten Becker, owner of the business, claims that official firmware updates can be applied to the players without further modification.

It has been suggested that these modifications may really be necessary in the long run as code-free Blu-ray discs have already been released by major studios like Warner.

The BDP-S300 retails for €489; the price for BDP-S500 is subject to negotiation.

Story filed 11 April 2008

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