Geographical boundaries are only physical, but thanks to technology, it is very easy to be permanently connected to any part of the world. If you use Blu-ray discs, you will know that they are often regionally encoded for rights protection purposes. The aim is to control possible fraud between audiovisual content that has different rights depending on the country in which it is viewed. However, this has changed thanks to multi-zone Blu-ray players. If you want to discover the best models you can find this year, read on!
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Multi-zone Blu-ray players: meaning of the concept
First of all, it’s interesting to look at what a multi-zone or multi-region Blu-ray player means. As the name suggests, it is a medium that provides full compatibility regardless of the region in which the discs are encoded.
As we have already mentioned, DVD and Blu-ray discs are usually regionally encoded to protect the rights of use and playback, which can be a problem if the device that is going to play them does not support this encoding.
The advantage of this type of device is that you can avoid this obstacle, and it will allow you to watch any disc free of regional encoding.
Buying guide: keys to choosing the right multi-zone Blu-ray player
In this section, we have selected five examples that offer good value for money and are highly satisfactory in terms of performance. To make it easier for you to choose, we look at the most important features of each one.
1) SONY BDP-S1700: simple, economical and functional
We start with the simplest multi-zone Blu-ray player of the five. Although it has some important shortcomings, such as WiFi connection, it is a very easy-to-use, efficient model with a large digital storage capacity of up to 1TB. It is also the most economical, being the only Sony to cost less than 200 euros.
It uses TRILUMINOS technology, thanks to which the intensity of red, blue and green colours is increased to give a more lifelike feeling of natural colours.
The sound is Dolby TrueHD, which is characterised by its high quality. On the other hand, it has a storage capacity of up to 1 TB.
Via a USB port, you can connect the player to your TV and share photos, videos or any other media file.
Despite the disadvantage of not having WiFi connection, it should be noted that this model has the quality guarantee of Sony, a benchmark brand in this segment.
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2) Dynastar LG BP-250: PAL and NTSC compatibility for all TVs
The second model we are analysing is from LG, and it is a relatively simple player as well. It can play any Blu-Ray A, B and C, as well as standard DVDs, from regions 0-8. In other words, for all regions that are part of the DVD encoding.
In this case, the playback quality is Full HD, i.e. 1080p. It can be connected to the TV thanks to the HDMI input and the 1.82-metre cable included.
It is also compatible with PAL and NTSC technologies with full conversion so you can play any DVD or Blu-ray on any TV.
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3) Sony UBP-X800M2: Netflix linking and DSEE HX system
We continue the comparison with another of the three Sony players, which, as you can see, is a benchmark brand in this area of consumer electronics. In fact, the UBP-X800M2 is the most complete of our selection, and you’ll see why.
It’s a 4K UHD player complemented by high-resolution audio. This is thanks to the addition of DSEE HX, which reproduces sound with more clarity. Compatibility is no problem here, as you can play videos of virtually any format, via USB or your home WiFi network.
On the picture side, it plays with High Dynamic Range (HDR), a technology that is more refined than the standard (SDR), and gives the picture much more brightness and colour intensity.
You can also stream content directly from Netflix for playback, thanks to the wireless connection with dual-band MIMO technology.
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4) Archgon Star UHD 4K-Ultra HD: compatible with M-Disc technology
The fourth model we are looking at is the cheapest of the five multi-zone Blu-ray players, with a price tag of less than 160 euros. However, it is extremely versatile, as it is compatible with MAC, Windows and Linux systems, allowing you to synchronise it with all kinds of devices.
It has a very elegant design with an aluminium casing, which reduces the risk of overheating. It also supports M-Disc technology, allowing you to save and store data whenever you want.
It plays content in 4K UHD, and installation is very easy. The portable drive also supports an ultra-fast Hi-Speed USB 3.0 port, USB 2.0 and USB 1.0, and works with a USB port.
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5) Sony UBP-X700B: capable of playing most formats
Now, it’s the turn of the Sony UBP-X700B, an earlier model than the Sony UBP-X800M2 but equally recommendable for its good price.
In this case, playback is 4K UHD, and the signal is HDR10, which keeps the colours much more intense. It is capable of playing CD, DVD and Blu-Ray, which is the vast majority of formats.
On the other hand, it is also capable of streaming 4K video thanks to Wi-Fi with MIMO technology. And to avoid mixing audio and video, it has dual HDMI outputs.
Finally, when it comes to sound, it integrates Dolby Vision, to recreate a much more engaging immersive experience. It also has a few interesting features, such as automatic shutdown and parental control.
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Multi-zone Blu-ray players – our verdict
Now that you know how the five models we’ve reviewed differ, it’s time to make your final decision. We know it’s not easy, but it’s important to properly identify your needs, as this will help you prioritise.
If, for example, Ultra HD resolution is important to you, you will have to rule out the LG and Sony BDP-S1700 models. On the other hand, if your top priority is economic criteria and you don’t want to spend more than 200 euros, you won’t be able to choose Sony’s two most advanced players.
On the other hand, if we go by technical issues and issues related to quality and functional sophistication, the best of the five is the Sony UBP-X800M2. On the downside, it is the most expensive. To be fair, if it is beyond your budget, the Archgon model is not a bad choice.
However, the Sony player is the most complete, not only because of its Ultra HD playback capability and DSEE H sound technology, but also because it maintains the vividness of its colours in a very realistic way and can be connected via WiFi.
Still, the final decision is entirely up to you, but you can rest assured that any of the five models is a safe bet.
What are the codes for each region?
Another important issue that you should be familiar with is the regions we are referring to. In this sense, there is an internationally defined classification, so that each region encompasses a specific geographical area.
As you know, DVD and Blu-Ray encoding has traditionally been done to protect the rights of reproduction in each country, to control fraud and to regulate illegal viewing and copying. Here’s how these regions are set up.
Blu-ray: region codes
The region codes for Blu-ray Discs are:
A: North America, South America, US Territories, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and other areas of South East Asia.
B: Europe, Africa, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.
C: Asia (except Japan, Korea, Taiwan and other areas of Southeast Asia).
DVD: codes for each region
Here is the standardised encoding for DVDs:
- Region 0: unofficial, but if you see it, you should know that it means it can be played in regions 1-6.
- Region 1: Canada, United States and US territories.
- Region 2: Europe (except Russia, Belarus and Ukraine), Egypt and the Middle East, Greenland, Japan, Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland.
- Region 3: South Korea, Macao, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
- Region 4: Australia, New Zealand, Central America, South America, Caribbean and Pacific Islands.
- Region 5: Afghanistan, Africa (except Egypt, South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho), Eastern Europe, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, Central and South Asia, Mongolia and North Korea.
- Region 6: China.
- Region 7: reserved for unspecified special use.
- Region 8: International events, such as the playing of films on an aircraft.
Ranking: Most popular multi-zone Blu-ray players
Amazon is the most important platform for the sale and distribution of products. For this reason, it is interesting to take a look at the best-selling models in order to compare user reviews and make a final decision. These are the most successful multi-zone Blu-ray players:
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