View Full Version : RP82 Multi Region arrived today, Guess what!
Florida Phil
05-13-2003, 10:36 PM
I got a call from my wife to tell me that Fedex had just dropped off the Multi Region Panasonic RP 82 DVD player I bought on e-bay. Guess what, It does not play Region 2. I get sound, but the picture jumps all over the place. Now, Region 2 disks will have been recorded in PAL. My TV etc is of course NTSC. Have I got this all wrong? Am I assuming to much. I thought it would convert everything to the correct format like some of the other players advertised on the web. I think I have made a boo boo.
ebay item number 3022800567
At least if you did make a boo-boo, you shouldn't have any trouble getting rid of the player... it's in high demand... Perhaps someone here can help you, sorry I can't.
You could try calling a smaller Panasonic shop and see if they have a good service guy who can help - explain that you've just come to the country...
BTW, is the picture with the RP-82 the best DVD picture you've ever seen?
mikehbkwm
05-13-2003, 10:52 PM
maybe im missing something but because our tv's are NTSC is that maybe the reason why it wont display a pic. i dont know just thought id take a guess at it.................
Florida Phil
05-13-2003, 10:55 PM
Yea, maybe you are right. But, I would have thought that a so called "Multi region Player" would have done whatever was needed to play the desired DVD????
Florida Phil
05-13-2003, 10:59 PM
Originally posted by 57U
At least if you did make a boo-boo, you shouldn't have any trouble getting rid of the player... it's in high demand... Perhaps someone here can help you, sorry I can't.
You could try calling a smaller Panasonic shop and see if they have a good service guy who can help - explain that you've just come to the country...
BTW, is the picture with the RP-82 the best DVD picture you've ever seen?
Im no expert, but I watched a few minutes of Star Wars on my old Sony player, then plugged in the RP82, It looked amazing. So clear. I must say im a little dissapointed with the features on the remote. My old Sony has that beat hands down.
I guess I just need to learn to drive it.
kojak light
05-13-2003, 11:52 PM
I'll be happy to take that RP82 off your hands!
PM me if you want to unload it...
Thanks!
kojak
Phil. You need a video converter - built-in to the DVD player or external. See the following link. I found it and others by typing. NTSC + "Region 2" + DVD Player into a search engine. The RP-82 does not have a built in converter.
http://www.220giftcenter.com/dvd.htm
This site says it has the RP-82 in stock - don't know if that's true or not... I did add it to my shopping cart and got through several steps, so they may have it.... They even have a "version II" for $100 more...
Kojak let us know if you order one from this outfit...
Video Converter link below:
http://www.220giftcenter.com/cmd850.htm
More information on the subject...
http://www.polishfilm.ca/skok/auxiliar/dvd_syst/dvd_syst.html
You've got my curiosity up. Why would you want/need a region 2 DVD player. The obvious answer is to play region 2 DVD's. Other than that?
I've lead a sheltered life :)
Lee
Florida Phil
05-14-2003, 08:29 AM
Well, when you consider that only 6% of Americans have a passport, it's easy to see why you would ask that. I grew up in England and have many Region2 DVD's that I still like to see now and then. In the UK, you can buy DVD players that will play any region and work on any format TV for around $150. It seems it's only the US that has a bug up it's backside about this region stuff.
I looked at the site with the RP82's, not a bad prce, if they have them. Does anyone know if the Proggressive scan light on the front of the player should be on to let you know it's working etc. The manual is not clear on this. The converter needed is advertised at almost $300. When does it stop?
"It seems it's only the US that has a bug up it's backside about this region stuff."
Thanks for the reply. Its a sorry thing to have to say but that's not the only 'technical' bug we have up our backside :(
Lee
kevinw
05-14-2003, 10:08 AM
Light on is working...
mhdiab
05-14-2003, 10:33 AM
Phil - have you gone back to your seller asking for help on this issue? The fact is they are selling them as region free and not advertising if you need more things (I didn't think you needed this converter thing if your DVD-Player is region-free...). Anyways go back to your ebay seller - ebay has a warranty in $ value for getting parts of it back and a little bit of hassle and the seller might give you a great answer or tell you where to get the extra stuff for cheaper.
Even for Americans that don't travel (are you sure about the 6%??? being European myself I can't belive that but only 50% vote so why not...) - not complaining to much so don't get all upset now - I love to live here and there are just some small things that makes you laugh. Anyways, my point was that you can by region free from Asia much cheaper and kind of newer (can't go into that any further for legal reasons :) - and if you have a region free player then you can see those DVD's. The same thing applies for P2 which you can make region free and play tons of games that aren' released in the US
spaceman_spiff
05-14-2003, 10:45 AM
Originally posted by kevinw
Light on is working...
I roger that.
kojak light
05-14-2003, 11:14 AM
Having never seen a picture from any Panasonic DVD player,
can anyone tell me what makes the RP-82 so special.
I am seriously considering snagging one of these this morning, but am looking for some anecdotal information to help (speed?) me along in my decision-making...
Thanks!!
In his 10:59PM post last night, Florida Phil gave the answer to that exact question.
Originally posted by Florida Phil The converter needed is advertised at almost $300. When does it stop? Well, you can sell/return the RP82 and get one of the cheaper units that has the internal converter from the website link I gave you last night.
mhdiab
05-14-2003, 12:14 PM
I know people will tell Kojak that it scored highest of any DVD-player on the shootout test and that its chip is the best in the business and that Panasonic doesn't make their DVD players with the Sage Chip and that is why it is so popular. My question is - isn't the XP50 a newer version of the same rp82 and the only thing is that it wasn't out when the shootout happened? Is there any difference except for 150 bucks cheaper???? (if you can find it)
As well, as has been reported on this forum many times, certain players work well with certain TVs. I have not been able to pick up any trend - seems to be the luck of the draw...
The Pannys seem to have "good press" though...
kevinw
05-14-2003, 12:55 PM
The XP50 is a near perfect replacement for the Rp82. Alas the XP 50 is discontinued also and the price will go up as supply diminshes..
mhdiab
05-14-2003, 01:17 PM
Thanks Kevin - Yeah I am really not sure if you can get a better picture than what I am getting of the XP50 - truly happy with the purchase (ok HD-DVD) will probably be better :)
The thing is that I got my XP50 last week at Tweeter for $250. It was sold on 6ave.com for 225 about 3-4 weeks ago (sorry they are out and not getting more). The Xp-50 is also sold new on ebay often with some receiver that you can probably get about 100-200 bucks for, but they go as a pair for less - two days ago 355 for the set- so I really don't see why some people are spending up to $400 now for the rp82 when the XP50 is pretty much the same and a newer model - yeah it will get more expensive, but it isn't :) (yes I saw 57U's link and it is 339 and that is probably worth it, but on ebay right now people have been spending much more.
Also the XP30 seems great except for lacking the DVD-A, but it goes for right around $200 which should be almost a steal
kevinw
05-14-2003, 02:49 PM
If I wasn't such a cheap bastard I would have gone for the XP50 just for the DVD-Audio and Faroudja chip. I settled for the RP62 with the Faroudja for 99 dollars.
Florida Phil
05-14-2003, 05:05 PM
Originally posted by kevinw
Light on is working...
Kevin, then the picture must be amazing when the Prog scan is working, cos, as yet the light has not been on when I have played a DVD. Am I supposed to use a special cable or something? Am I doing something wrong. I love the look of this player and hope to get things sorted out so I can keep it etc. I am waiting for the seller to contact me back. I guess I can claim back my payment through Amex.
As for the 6% passport thing, yes that's true. I know for a fact. Another useless piece of info is, only 6% of the continental US is developed. Even with all the major city's etc.
There may be a menu item that lets you choose between interlaced and PS. There may also be a mechanical switch on the back for i or PS. Check the operating manual.
You should be using half decent component video cables. See the FAQ on Cables & Connections.
jl1252
05-14-2003, 06:36 PM
i am not certain, but wouldnt florida phil need a PAL capable tv if the R2 dvd is rec'd in PAL? i dont think it is the dvd players fault, it is decoding the DVD. he's trying to output PAL on NTSC tv. or am I way off?
jl1252
Read my post of 12:07AM today - all is explained there in a couple of helpful links (the first and the third link).
Florida Phil
05-14-2003, 06:57 PM
Thanks for the set up tip. I have now "enabled" PS. Im no expert, but the picture quality is amazing. I just pooped Star Wars in and it's like you are there. I did use the the right Monster cables etc.
Regarding the comment about a PAL TV, I am sure you are right. My only challenge with that is, I thought that a so called Multi Region Player would have all that converting NTSC to PAL stuff built in. So, I have learned an expensive lesson. None of the other Multi Region players advertised on the web seem to have PS facilities. It looks like I will have to buy the Converter mentioned above. I have decided to keep this DVD player and put this all down to experience. Thank you all so much for you help.
spaceman_spiff
05-15-2003, 10:04 AM
Originally posted by jl1252
i am not certain, but wouldnt florida phil need a PAL capable tv if the R2 dvd is rec'd in PAL? i dont think it is the dvd players fault, it is decoding the DVD. he's trying to output PAL on NTSC tv. or am I way off?
jl1252
I dont know if that is true. I have used my US NTSC camcorder in other countries where PAL is the standard, I used composite connections and they work fine on PAL TVs.
Someone else can chime in. I might be wrong.
kojak light
05-15-2003, 10:40 AM
I have decided to pass on this unit. A $350 player is just not in the cards for me right now. I'm getting the RP-62 for about $130 and that should do me very well, at least until The Next Big Thing comes along (HD-DVD?)
kevinw
05-15-2003, 11:04 AM
Kojak-
Make sure the RP62 does not have a B in the serial#. The last model run did not have the Farudja Chip instead they have all in one comba that became the S35..
Ratman
05-15-2003, 02:50 PM
Originally posted by Florida Phil
I just pooped Star Wars in and it's like you are there.
No wonder! Pooping in your DVD player can't be good! :D
Couldn't resist!
How's that for sarcasm Kevinw!:p
kevinw
05-15-2003, 03:00 PM
I passed up saying anything cause I know how bad of a typist I am...LOL
kojak light
05-15-2003, 03:29 PM
I'm getting mixed messages concerning the ability of the RP62 to play DVD-R discs.
Does anyone have any first hand experience with this?
Thanks!
kojak
kevinw
05-15-2003, 04:06 PM
Mine plays all the cds I make from all the MP3's I get from Kazaa. Sometimes it glitches but by and large it is fine.
I have thought about using my old Phillips for playing music. It never had a problem.
Eventually I am going to hook up an older computer for MP3 storage and play back directly through the receiver.
kojak light
05-15-2003, 04:21 PM
I was really more concerned with DVD-R than CD-R...
I just bought the TV series "Nowhere Man" on DVD-R (Ritek discs) and I hope the discs will be compatible with the Panny...
nathanlane
01-17-2004, 03:08 PM
I just thought I would mention a region-free DVD player that also has the video converter to play PAL as well.
I keep it as a spare player for when I need region-free.
It's the Cyberhome 500 and sells for $69 or less.
It's progressive scan also. The region-free part is a simple hack using the remote.
