No such thing as PAL/NTSC for BD, all are 1080p/i.

We are in the same region as US:



REGION A REGION B REGION C

So you can buy any BD from US, region lock or not you should be able to play it if your player is from the same region.

There are also many BDs from Region B that is not region locked. Warner almost never region locked their titles, Paramount/DreamWorks/Universal sometimes, while Fox almost always locked.

That is true for DVD only, not BD. Even that if you're playing NTSC using local DVD players which is not region locked, shouldn't be a problem because our local TVs are mostly multi-system. What will make the difference is the player itself, certain DVD players from US can output NTSC only, not both.

Like my BD35 which was bought directly from US, for BD no problem at all. But for DVD, even though the title is not region lock, I still can't play it if the DVD is PAL. The BD35 can only output NTSC for DVD , I don't know why.

But let me emphasize again, NTSC/PAL is only for DVD. If you see PAL/NTSC logo on the BD cover, it probably for the menu or bonus features only.

Note: I've been buying DVDs from US for almost 10 years, no problem whatsoever playing on my local player and TV.

This post has been edited by aiman04: Mar 16 2009, 09:23 AM

I don't know, you have to check the specs for the BD player. See if it supports PAL DVD, which my Panasonic BD35 cannot. But I never watch DVD on my BD player, trying to minimize the lens usage. I bought a separate multi-system region free DVD player for DVDs.

But if you only watch DVDs bought in US (NTSC), no need to worry right? Unless you plan to buy DVDs from UK (PAL).

There's one more extra step. The player will decode the HD audio codecs to LPCM, and then use it's own DAC to convert it to analogue and sends out all the channels individually to the receiver. The only thing the receiver will do is amplify it to the speakers.

This way you only use HDMI to send the HD video direct to TV. Very useful for old generation receivers without HDMI (but with multi-channel analogue in).

My BD35 is noticeably gives noticeably better PQ than my PS3. Much better blacks also.

***Run!!*** I'm biased? Yes! Placebo effect? I don't care!

---

Added on May 20, 2009, 8:57 amJokes aside, the most significant improvement is the AQ. How is this possible? Two different methods of processing. The PS3 uses software to decode the HD audio tracks to LPCM, but the BD35/60 sends the tracks untouched (bitstream) and then the receiver is the one that does the decoding using the chips onboard, not software. So, ultimately it's between the PS3 and the receiver, not BD35/60.

The fair way to compare PS3 and BD35/60 is when the BD35/60 does the decoding itself, not bitstream. This way I can agree the difference is minimal to me.

This post has been edited by aiman04: May 20 2009, 08:57 AM

Yup, minimal. But I tried a few scenes from 2-3 movies only.

But bitstreaming, definitely better. My Onkyo does much better job than both PS3 and BD35. Plus, by bitstreaming, the PCM inteconnect jitter effects should be eliminated.

Told you guys so. Since I bought the BD35 I've never watch BD using my PS3, at all. Instead the PS3 is just for downloaded HD 3D animation movies for my kid only, and sometimes he plays the games also.

The most significant improvement is the HD audio bitstream, definitely much more defined, better dynamics with details and clarity you've never heard before. But of course, with bitstream it depends on your receiver also.

Htkaki, your BD60 is local ones right? Does it support 1080/50Hz ? Some region free UK BDs use 50Hz, so it won't play in my US player (even our local PS3 actually).

Yup, the Jacky Cheung concert is one of them. Also the MU Champions League Final. Since most TV in Malaysia supports 50Hz, it's possible that the local players supports 50Hz too, I hope. TVs in US doesn't support 50Hz, they're not multi-system (NTSC only, standard definition PAL is 50Hz also).

Do give your FR when you get the BD60. And congrats for getting it too.

Anybody need an IEC to Figure 8 adapter?

Been on my table a long time already. I'm not using it, brand new unopened, bought directly from UK. Offer me.

Bro, maybe you can put something under the IEC/adaptor to hold it. I read in one forum, one member's BD player terminal broke because the IEC/adapter was too heavy.

Good price. Do they ship to Malaysia, how much the shipping cost?

My BD35 the original power cord, the figure 8 connector is slightly flattened at one side so it'll always be attached correctly. BD60 should be the same?

But the player's terminal can still accept an all-rounded figure 8 connector like the adapter. You have to test which is correct by looking at the PQ/AQ. If it's not good, just reverse it.

I've always been curious about it. When the BD35's figure 8 connector got a flatten side (can't connect if reversed), I thought there must be something to it. Finally when I read the manual of the IEC-Figure 8 adapter, it just confirms it.

Manual for the adapter la bro, not BD35.

It's not in the BD35 manual because the connector design prevents it from connecting wrongly.

The original BD35 power cord connector can only put face up only (so to speak). The design prevents it from connecting face down, meaning you'll always connect it correctly.



The normal figure 8 connector can still be used on the player (but need to test face up or down for correct connection).

I don't know if BD60 is the same.

And by that time I guess we'll still be talking about the same thing, waiting for the price of the new purple-ray disc Ultra-HD player to come down. It'll never end eh?

I will be seriously looking at downloading when

1) there is lossless audio track on it, half the wonder of BD is the lossless audio.
2) there is lossless audio track on it, half the wonder of BD is the lossless audio (it's really that important!).
3) PQ on par with BD and must be 1080p only.
4) must be legal and not too expensive, must be very cheap because of the physical harddisk for storage.
5) my internet connection speed is satisfactory.
6) I no longer have space for my physical disc collection.

Usually to get that price locally, it will only happen when the discs are pressed locally. Look what happened to DVDs, I only buy Region 1, Region 3 is just crap.

Hong Kong has already started pressing their own BDs. US titles that were pressed in HK has lower bitrate and only use BD25. I've seen one with my own eyes, it was I, Robot.

However, for HK's own titles like Red Cliff, Ip Man, etc the quality is excellent though, just as good as US discs.

Yeah, agreed. Kind of frustrating when you pay for your BD, then someone just take it and rip to their collection for free. I don't mine to let them borrow a day or 2 to watch, but when they rip it and own it it seems unfair.

And even though those illegal downloads have nothing to do with my own BDs, it's still unfair to us in general. So piracy not only affect the studios, but us as well who pays for original.

If it's local edition, the DVD should be for Region 3, only BD is Region A.

Don't think he can compare as his receiver doesn't have HDMI. It will only sound different if you use cap ayam analogue cable. Analogue signal very vulnerable to noise and interference, better spend more on analogue cables than HDMI.