zbinks

There are a growing number of Blu-Rays that are technically region-locked, but can be unlocked without the use of an all-region/region-free Blu-Ray player.

The purpose of this thread is to identify discs that can be unlocked and the method used to do so.

Not all methods will necessarily work on all Blu-Ray players so it will be very important to mention the make and model of the Blu-Ray player as well as the method used to unlock the disc. Feel free to mention any other relevant information, such as internet connection or if there are any portions of the disc are not playable after being unlocked.

Example:



This is a UK disc that is technically Region B-locked. This method works on my Region A-locked Sony BDP-S370. My player is not connected to the internet. When the "region-locked" screen appears, pressing the top menu button on your remote will bypass the region-lock. Note: Some extras on this disc are either SD-PAL or 1080/50i and are not playable on my Blu-Ray player.

Note: I'm not sure if there's a thread already for this. I did a brief check, but came up empty-handed. If there is an existing thread, please provide a link and I will ask this thread to be deleted and/or merged.

cakefactory

On a totally unmodded Panasonic BDT-210 I've had no problem playing following Region B discs with nothing beyond pressing "top menu." In a couple of the cases I think I might have had to hit 1 and then enter instead of starting with top menu. All of them were 100% playable, though, special features and all.

Silent Running (Masters of Cinema)
Dressed to Kill (Arrow)
Lifeforce (Arrow)
Zombie Flesh Eaters (Arrow)
Creepshow (Second Sight)
Big Trouble in Little China (Arrow)

This one took some work, but can be played with the proper button sequence:

Mulholland Drive (Studiocanal)

EDIT: Here's what I found works for Mulholland Drive. If you mess the steps up you might have to eject the disc and put it back in before re-trying.

1. Insert disc, hit stop when the region warning comes up.
2. Press "3" on the remote and then "ok", nothing will happen, do it again, a display with languages should come up, choose anything. Hit stop again.
3. Press "1" on the remote and then enter. Nothing will happen, do it again, the movie should start.
(4). The movie should start, if it's not in english you can use the pop-up menu or the audio button to change it.

None of the extra features work, though, I think they're 1080i/50hz or something. Also, if you try and go to the top menu (the return button on the pop-up menu) it will kick you back to the region warning. On a good day, sometimes I can skip step 2 entirely and just do the 1/enter thing twice and the movie just goes, other days step 2 seems to be required. It's temperamental!

[REC] (entertainmentone) I can't confirm or deny, it gives the region warning if I hit play, but upon hitting the Top Menu button I just get an error saying the disc can't be played, cause it's 1080i/50hz. If your player can handle that it might be fine.

Retroj23

Good thread. Just tried my Optimum Amores Perros region B locked disc on my region A locked Panasonic DMP-BDT500 by hitting 1 then Enter then Top Menu and it worked

But I'm having problems with my French copy of True Romance. I tried hitting Top Menu plus hitting 1 and Enter but still nothing. If anyone here knows any button sequence that will work, it would be much appreciated. I have a region free player but my BDT500 has better audio output and would like to be able to play all of my blus on it

Alexander the Drake

There was a post a while ago which had a few different tricks that sometimes worked with Panasonic models. If anyone can manage to try them out on a DMP-BD50, please let me know.

Retroj23

You guys are gods among men!

If anyone has a Panny blu ray player try this method along with the other methods mentioned here and on other threads:
1. Press Stop during the region warning screen.
2. Press 2 and OK during the first blink of the "2" being displayed on the upper right hand side. You may have to do this twice.
My True Romance French blu started right afterwards. Cheers.

NoirFan

Other Arrow discs not mentioned yet:

The Stuff
Black Sabbath
Hell Comes to Frogtown
Hellgate
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Runaway Train
Spider Baby
The Killers
The Long Goodbye

theprestige85

Hmm, how about region locked A titles that can be accessed by a non region free region B blu ray player?

zbinks

If anyone is aware of any, feel free to post.

deadhatetheliving

Does this have to be for a certain BD player to unlock region be movies?

Must get bold movies if I can do this.

Blu-ray Neo

Great post!!!! This will definitely come in handy.

zbinks

I haven't tested this on other players, but I know there are people who've been able to unlock this disc this on other players, including the PS3.

Cortiz

Does this means I have to hit 1 and enter then hit the top menu, or just hit 1 and enter?

cakefactory

1 and enter made them start playing the main movie, top menu then took me to the main menu screen of the disc.

cakefactory

Duh, I have black sabbath/long goodbye and forgot, I wish I could sort collection by country/region.

JoeDeM

This is great info, it should be made a Sticky.

Lacenaire

If you have discovered a Region bypass trick, could you also please update the Region Coding information in the database. For example, confirm the title is Region A in the database then add a note on how you bypassed the coding and on what player.

Someone I believe already did this for Spider Baby, which is how I learned that it was playable on Region A.

Thanks in advance, it is very useful if the database itself is updated.

risky1975

Although i think we should specify that not all players work the same.. i have a Samsung as well as a LG and my hell comes to frog town does not work on either one of them ..my LG is region free so i can watch HCTFT but i think people should be cautious before buying ..

NoirFan

Are Panasonic, Sony, and Pioneer the only players that one can use the 'top menu' trick on?

zbinks

That's one of the reasons I ask in the OP that members mention the player used for unlocking the disc. Certain makes and models may not work the same as others.

avpjunkie

I tested all my region B locked blus on my Panasonic DMP-BD601 using the wait until can't play disc screen, stop, then top menu x 2 and they all worked!!!

The titles I tested are:
Rob Zombie's Halloween II UK Blu-ray (B locked)
Solomon Kane UK Blu-ray (B locked)
Bubba Ho-tep UK Blu-ray (B locked)
The Legend of the Lone Ranger German Blu-ray (B locked)

Thank you OP for giving me the heads up

Edit:
I just remembered that I have two more Region B blus that I will try at a later date
Army of Darkness (Director's Cut) German Blu-ray (B locked)
The Shadow German Blu-ray (B locked)

I will post my findings when I get the chance to test them