I need the advice of some Euros regarding buying online

rodekill · Wed 10/12/2003 05:17:01

So I have this friend who lives in Rome and I'd like to get her a DVD player, since the one she owns from here in Montreal is no good to her anymore. Problem is, I have to make sure it's compatible with your whacky regional thingor over there, so I figure the best bet is to order it from a store out there. So... help please. Any recommendations?

BOYD1981 · Wed 10/12/2003 05:39:36

why not buy a multi-region one? that way she can still watch all the DVDs she already has.

Moresco · Wed 10/12/2003 07:22:15

The make multi-region dvd players? Sweet... I really didn't know that cuz mine is only local US region & I don't plan on playing any imports on it anytime soon. Is there a catch?

Timosity · Wed 10/12/2003 09:17:18

You'll find a lot of DVD players have the ability to be multi-region even if they are not. I know that even some stores tell you how to do it.

It's usually like pressing some really strange combination of buttons on the remote control. you could probably look it up on the internet.

Gilbert · Wed 10/12/2003 09:18:49

Well, if a DVD player is not All-code (multi-region in your wordings), no one will actually buy it here.

Miez · Wed 10/12/2003 09:43:50

Quote from: Timosity on Wed 10/12/2003 09:17:18
You'll find a lot of DVD players have the ability to be multi-region even if they are not. I know that even some stores tell you how to do it.

It's usually like pressing some really strange combination of buttons on the remote control. you could probably look it up on the internet.

True - you usually need a "universal" remote. But be very careful; it's possible to terminally screw up your DVD player.
Still, Rode - I'd find a region free DVD player in your area and send it to Italy.

Las Naranjas · Wed 10/12/2003 09:45:39

hehe, Chinese manufacturers hate regions. Our DVD players are all region free since they're Chinese made.
That might be a spite thing, since the licencers of the DVD technology, who also champion regions, charge more excessive prices to the Chinese manufacturers to offset the less expensive machines they can make. Which in turn has led to the devlopment of the EVD, and here hoping Sony et al don't stop it getting out into the rest of the world.

Inkoddi · Wed 10/12/2003 13:52:08

But keep in mind that in America the power sockets are 110 V and in Europe they are 220 V...

BOYD1981 · Wed 10/12/2003 14:46:57

hmm, i thought it was 240v...

jetxl · Wed 10/12/2003 15:03:49

I work in a repair shop. There are ways to make a dvd player region-free, you have to press a button on the remote for 5 seconds and then type in a code, things like that, it's different for every dvd player.

Region 2 is for europe. region 1 in for noth-america.
we got ~220/240V. And plug-in sockets are diffrent shaped from america.
(Even diffrent from country to country)

Nostradamus · Wed 10/12/2003 16:48:06

Most DVDs today are multi region. At least those that sare sold in Europe.

About the different power sockets, that's no problem, adapters are easy to find in any local electricity shop.

Esseb · Wed 10/12/2003 19:43:24

There is also the small problem with different TV-signals. Since she lives in Europe her TV probably has no problem with NTSC signals if it's less than 5 years old but you never know. Your best bet is to buy it from a European online store and get it delivered to her which will save you the hassle of asking her what TV she has, getting a power adapter, and shipping the thing to her.

Unfortunately I don't know about any good ones that ship to Italy. This is probably what you were asking for but noone else seems to have been giving you recommendations so I thought I'd lead the conversation back on track.

As for the region thing, before you buy the DVD player google for it and see if it's possible to make it region/zone free. It's usually done by setting the player to region 0 with the remote using a "secret" menu. Pretty much all DVD players have this hidden option these days. European ones at least.

Edit, note:

US & Canada- NTSC
Western Europe & Australia - PAL
France & Eastern Europe - SECAM

rodekill · Fri 12/12/2003 00:43:53

I guess I better clear this up a little.
She's in Rome now and all of her electronics and stuff are still here (in fact, I'm taking over her apartment, so I'll be using them). I just need to order a DVD player online in Europe and have it delivered to her. The problem is that there seems to be no stores in Europe. I even think amazon.co.uk is fake, because it won't let me ship anything.
Do you guys have elves that make all your stuff for you or what?

BOYD1981 · Fri 12/12/2003 02:28:58

hmm, you could always brush up on your italian and try www.ebay.it or there's bound to be a few people that speak english and probably a few brand new unopened machines up for auction...

AGA · Fri 12/12/2003 05:53:18

Send me $200 on Paypal and I'll buy one and ship it to her. Really... I will... Â¬_Â¬

Miez · Fri 12/12/2003 11:29:18

Quote from: rodekill on Fri 12/12/2003 00:43:53
I guess I better clear this up a little.
She's in Rome now and all of her electronics and stuff are still here (in fact, I'm taking over her apartment, so I'll be using them). I just need to order a DVD player online in Europe and have it delivered to her. The problem is that there seems to be no stores in Europe. I even think amazon.co.uk is fake, because it won't let me ship anything.
Do you guys have elves that make all your stuff for you or what?

Amazon.co.uk is no fake - I've ordered stuff there. But ordering a British DVD player is not going to work in Italy - the plugs are different. Cheapest would be to order from some online Italian store. And they exist; for instance the "Expert" corporation has over 6000 shops all over Europe, in Italy as well: http://www.expert-italia.it/
Unfortunately their website is in Italian, so it would be great if some Italian forum member could step up...