Although most of us now use a streaming service like Netflix or Amazon Prime, physical media still has a place in many homes.
Whether it's a collection built in the pre-streaming era, or you prefer the security of owning the physical product, you'll need a player for your DVD and Blu-Ray discs.
However, DVD and Blu-ray discs often come region-coded. Luckily, region-free DVD and Blu-ray players, which allow you to play DVDs and Blu-ray discs from around the world, are plentiful.
The Sony BDP S3200 offers Blu-Ray and DVD playback plus streaming support. With the BDP S3200, you can stream from the likes of Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube. This makes it one of the best region-free Blu-Ray players available, especially as it comes with a built-in Wi-Fi connection.
Sony includes a front USB port for multimedia playback. Unfortunately, there's no display on the device. However, it does support Miracast technology, so you can mirror your smartphone's display to your TV using the S3200 player. The device comes equipped with HDMI Audio 7.1-channel output, too.
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Region-free Blu-ray and DVD playback
- Brand: Sony
- Region: Region-free
- Ports: HMDI, USB
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi
- Apps: Yes
- Access to many streaming apps, including Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube
- Support for Miracast to mirror your phone's display on your TV
- Released in 2013, so dated interface and patchy app support
For region-free Blu-Ray players, the LG BP175 clocks in around the price of a standard Blu-Ray player. You get region-free Blu-Ray and DVD playback and 1080p video. Additionally, the BP175 includes a front-facing USB port for digital content via external hard drives and flash drives.
The player also supports internet streaming services, including Netflix, Pandora, Spotify, Hulu, and YouTube. This is thanks to the device's wired internet connection via the included Ethernet port. As with most Blu-ray players, the LG BP175 uses Dolby audio technology.
- Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Digital audio
- Front-facing USB port for external drives
- Brand: LG
- Region: Region-free
- Ports: Ethernet, USB
- Connectivity: Ethernet
- Apps: Yes
- Supports streaming services, including Netflix, Pandora, Spotify, Hulu, and YouTube
- DVD upscaling
- Wired internet connection only
The Panasonic S700EP-K is an excellent region-free DVD player. Panasonic's player sports 1080p upconversion via an HDMI output. Onboard you'll find PAL and NTSC video signal switching. In addition to its HDMI output, there's a front USB port for playing video files.
Although the player appears affordable, that is partly due to its lack of Blu-ray support. It also doesn't come with a display on the front. While it excels at affordability, there's no internet connectivity available either. However, the S700EP-K is still a great value DVD player.
- Region-free playback
- Support for older video outputs, like Scart and AV leads
- PAL and NTSC video signal switching
- Brand: Panasonic
- Region: Region-free
- Ports: Front-facing USB, HDMI, Scart, AV plugs
- Apps: No
- Front-facing USB port for external media
- 1080p upscaling
- DVD player only, so no Blu-ray support
- Remote control is quite dated
If you need 4K upscaling and 3D playback, the Sony S3700E region-free Blu-Ray player is the best device available. It's loaded with a premium feature set. There's 4K upscaling and 3D playback, as well as built-in Wi-Fi. This player supports a wide range of media, too. Alongside Blu-ray discs and DVDs, you can play CDs as well.
To expand your options even further, there is a USB port on the front of the S3700E. The device comes equipped with Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD Master Audio for high-quality audio output as well. The Sony S3700 does sport PlayStation Now for playing games sans-console, and even supports the PlayStation DualShock 4 controller.
- 4K upscaling
- Internet connectivity via Wi-Fi or Ethernet
- 3D playback support
- Brand: Sony
- Region: Region-free
- Ports: Front-facing USB, HDMI, Digital Audio Output, Ethernet
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Ethernet
- Apps: Yes
- Integration with PlayStation Now for cloud-based gaming
- Equipped with Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD Master Audio
- Supports the PlayStation DualShock 4 controller
- Firmware updates modify and, in some cases, remove apps
If you value a front display with your region-free DVD player, then you should consider the Pioneer DV-2042K. Like the Panasonic S700EP-K, this player is also one of the best affordable DVD players. The device can remember where you left off, too.
On the whole, DVDs are an older format, so, surprisingly, the Pioneer DV-2042K supports other digital media, too. There is a front-mounted USB port. Using this, you can attached any USB storage and play your videos, display your photos, or even listen to MP3s.
The Pioneer DV-2042K supports HDMI, as well as the older RCA cable, too. If you connect via the HDMI output, then the player will upscale your DVDs to 1080p. There isn't an HDMI cable included, though, so you'll need to purchase one separately.
- DVD upscaling to 1080p
- Front-mounted USB port for external media
- Brand: Pioneer
- Region: Region-free
- Ports: HDMI, USB
- Apps: No
- Support for photo slideshows and MP3 playback
- Can remember last playback position
- No HDMI cable included
- Remote control is hard to use
FAQ
Q: Why Buy a Region-Free DVD or Blu-ray Player?
A region-free DVD or Blu-Ray player ensures complete physical media compatibility. For instance, DVDs from North America come encoded as Region 1 DVDs and Region A Blu-Rays. While Blu-Ray discs are more commonly released as region-free or all-region, not all Blu-ray discs are region-free. Moreover, most DVDs remain region-locked.
The problem is that a region-free DVD or Blu-Ray player costs a premium. A region-free DVD player retails for about the same price as a region-locked Blu-ray player. Yet the advantages outweigh the price jump. Frequent travelers can pick up a DVD or Blu-Ray from anywhere and are guaranteed it will play.
A region-free player is also an excellent investment for fans of foreign films and shows. Plus, you can purchase the cheapest copy of a movie or series, if it's less expensive in another country.
Q: Are DVD Players Still Region Locked?
Incredibly, most DVD players still only support discs from specific regions. If you need to play discs from around the world, you'll need to buy a model that explicitly states is region-free or multi-region.
Q: How Do You Change the Region on a DVD?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to change the region of a specific DVD. However, some DVD players allow you to switch between regions up to five times before it becomes region locked.
