HD/Blu Ray Player - NY

Kenpo

Hi, I'm thinking of picking up a player in New York.

My preference is HD, but I'm told Blu-Ray disks are multi-region. Am I better off sticking with Blu-Ray? Also, will the voltage be safe as Europe - ie can I just change the plug top or do I need a converter?

Final question: Does anyone have experience with reclaiming Sales tax on such items on the way back from America? Is it possible to do this?

Many thanks

K

8T8

There are two competing HD formats HD-DVD and Blu-ray neither one has a clear lead over the other so it's still not possible to say which will be the victor it could end up like the DVD+/- situation where no clear victor emerged and DVD burners eventually went multi-format. Both LG and Samsung now have dual format players but they are not cheap.

Blu-ray is not region free it is locked to certain regions vs HD-DVD which is region free. However certain Blu-ray movies are multi-region so all three region codes are covered and that means the discs will play however others are restricted to the region code in the player.

Take a look here on some region codes for Blu-ray movies.

Playstation 3 is probably the best Blu-ray player on the market so thats what I'd aim for if you plan on going Blu-ray. Not sure about the power situation with the PS3 but it comes with an internal PSU so I imagine the American ones are geared to the US power system so you will need a converter if using it over here.

Kenpo

Thanks for the help.

This what i'm thinking of getting - its a HD player:

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4137133

So you say all HD-disks are region free?

Thanks again

Karl

8T8

Thats a Toshiba HD-DVD player and yes HD-DVD is region free though supposedly some time in the future they are going to implement region codes.

Just so you know the Toshiba HD-A2 is the USA version of the HD-E1 which is the EU version and sells for €300 so add a power converter and anything else like tax you mention and what you save maybe 50-60 bucks ?

There are some special offers going around in the US with rebates that you mail in buy probably only apply to certain regions and residents.

Kenpo

With Sales tax added on, it works out around €202.

Also, J and R have a Macys branch (which offers 10% for all tourists) so might be able to get a bit more off.

Will the toshiba play standard multi-region disks or will it need to be unlocked for these?

Thanks for your help 8t8.

K

8T8

It will play any region free discs which are all HD-DVD's discs as far as I'm aware.

At some point though discs may come out with a region specified in the disc that wont play in it & the player cannot be unlocked in other words made region free itself.