spud1963

So when I first came to Canada I got a cheap 'multi region' DVD player, ok for a while then it stopped, I have recently thought about those region 2 dvd's I have. Looking at purchasing a new Multi Region player but it seems rather expensive and the cheap ones well lets just say the reviews are not good, two questions, can a uk dvd player work here in Canada, and if not any recommendations on a multi region player. Uk would seem ideal and my son is coming over next month!

Vulcanoid

Yes.

If you want a standalone unit, check the voltage requirements (if it will work on 110V - they should), and the image outputs (PAL, NTSC, etc) to see if they match what your TV can take in (ideally,both will be HDMI).

Alternatively, any computer DVD drive bought in the UK will fit a Canadian computer (whether added to a desktop's tower, or plugged into a laptop by USB).

My partner used his PS4 for Canadian region discs when he was in Britain, I brought my whole computer which plays British ones over to Canada.

BristolUK

The dvd drive in my Canadian computer tower and the one in my Canadian laptop both play UK dvds.

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Also, ordinary Canadian dvd players can be coded (via the remote) to play them as well.

spud1963

My Laptop plays two UK DVD's the rest it does not! I have checked the region detail, they are all region 2, no idea why, it does not like the all region DVD's either, they are fine on my Canadian player.

Vulcanoid

They should be firmware locked to region 1 (normally can change the region up to 5 times), and require a hack to get that out of them.

quiltman

We bought a Panasonic multi region player before we left UK and it's worked perfectly for 5 years. Cost £110 IIRC. It's 110/240 50/60Hz so would also work fine in Canada. Most players are multi voltage these days but as vulcanoid says, just check the rating plate.
It plays anything we throw at it via HDMI to the telly including downloaded TV programmes via USB or our grandsons cartoons from the SD card. It's wifi so can update it's software when necessary. The output can be set to be always PAL or NTSC - depending on the TV but our TV is a Panasonic and it senses the input and changes to match it. I think we bought it from RSC in Nottingham. They have branches all over so get your son to go look what's available unless you can find a cheaper one locally.

BristolUK

It probably feels it's protecting you from the content.

All I did was put them in and they played. I just remembered doing the same on my wife's a few years ago too.

quiltman

I just bought a local DVD player/writer for $30 to stick in my PC and now I have one for UK DVDs and the other for Region 1 and local bought DVDs.
(couldn't find a hack for my original player/writer!)
My DVD software allows me to copy a DVD , or convert a video file to DVD whilst also setting what region for the disc - if any! Means I can copy UK DVDs and make copies that play on local bought cheap DVD players for friends.

bats

We had a very cheap dvd player that didn't have and region codes. It was suppose to be NA but we could play UK DVDs.

quiltman

Same here. Many cheap chinese players are multi region by default but the problem is unless you know of a particular make you take potluck when buying.
My car DVD player , which I bought from China is multi region but there was no indication in the specifications! It inferred it was only NTSC. Mind you, it was supposed to be Android but was in fact WinCE! Not a problem once I sussed it out - couldn't get my android GPS program to work on it so emailed manufacturer who said no, its WinCE! Now GPS works perfectly here.

MarkG

Get one of these while they're on sale. It will play both UK DVDs and Blu-Rays.

Think I'm going to get another one to keep around as a spare.

Seiki Blu-Ray 4K Upconvert | Canadian Tire

Hurlabrick

Not sure of the legality of it, but there are plenty of 'hacks' to common DVD players to turn them from region specific to multi-region. Just google 'multi region dvd hacks' and look for the make and model of your dvd player. I have always done this on mine as I have a mix of region 1 and 2 dvds.

scrubbedexpat134

Just download the VLC media player app, it will play any format of DVD's. And its free

plasticcanuck

2-3 years ago I bought 4 Samsung multi-region DVD players. They were about $55 each from Amazon.ca. All still working just fine. I checked the Amazon site today and the price has gone up to $78 but still a bargain I think.

JGK

take a trip to the local big box store and note down some model numbers of the players.

check this site to see if there is a hack available and away you go.