DVD/BR Player that will play the following ....

[DeathStalker77]

Ok, maybe I'm just asking for the world here, but I'll give it a shot anyway. I'm looking to upgrade my old Philips (which plays just about anything but x264/mkv). I'm tired of having to convert x264/mkv to Xvid. I'm looking for a Region Free, NTSC/PAL player that will play these without modifications. Also one that will handle subs in all formats (ASS, SRT, SUP, SUB/IDX).

I know zilch about BR players.

Thanks for any assistance.

[Ai Haibara]

You might look into the media players, like the WDTV or similar models (keep in mind the WDTV does not include a way to play physical discs (not sure about the other media players, like Popcorn Hour, etc.), so you may want to hang on to your DVD/BD players, just in case), as they're still more likely to play videos without any possible need to convert, than a DVD/BD player. It's true that there are BD players out there that can play a variety of MKVs, but they still may have problems with header compression, DTS audio, MKV profiles, etc. And I'm not entirely sure what kind of support any of them have for .ASS subtitles.

Of course, the best alternative may be to build an HTPC/media center system; that way, you probably won't have to worry about whether or not the hardware will play any of your videos.

[yoda313]

(keep in mind the WDTV does not include a way to play physical discs

Not OFFICIALLY. There was a hack for one of the models to run a usb dvd drive. But that might have just been to read files off the discs and not actual dvd video like a regular player.

However more to the point ai haibara is correct to point out even the players that do offer more playback support they won't have the same range and flexibility of something like a wdtv or popcorn hour. If you have a large collection from a variety of sources and formats a media player or htpc as ai haibara suggested is the more practical way to go.

You'll save time and frustration from having to try to force files to a specific configuration of a br player. The media players are much more flexible. Though a full fledged htpc would be the best option of all since it would play them without any issues at all - sans of course a perfect media interface - that might be one downside.

[johns0]

Most newer blu-ray player will play mkv but only srt format that's either imbedded or outside the file with the same file name through usb or data disc.Mkv can be 25fps or 23.976 so region free isn't a problem.

My sony bdp-s380 plays mkv with dts so most likely other players can do this as well.

[Moontrash]

the simple answer is yes there is one...it's an OPPO...thats if you wanna spend $500 on it

There also is a media player that can play from an external drive...it's called a Micca EP350...if you have an external dvd player it will plug right into the usb port and play right away. Same with an External Blu Ray. Has room for any size hdd and plays all formats. You can also take the sata and power cables from inside the unit and plug them directly to a pc Blu Ray burner/ROM and it plays fine that way to. It's far more stable than anything by Western Digital.

[DeathStalker77]

Well, I guess I'll just have to spend a bit extra and built an htpc - was hoping to avoid that, but oh well.

Thanks for the responses!