Customer Reviews

PHILIPS - All Region Hi-Def 1080p Up-Converting Multi Region DVD Player with USB. Plays PAL/NTSC DVDs(Model DVP5990)With Remote.

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I am writing this short "review"--let's call it a Public Service Announcement--so you can make your Philips DVP5990 DVD player Region-Free. This works with either suffix (DVP5990/F7 or DVP5990/37) and probably any other variation; perhaps these denote what retail channel the box was sold through, or maybe it is simply a firmware reference. In any case, I will not elaborate on the technical aspects of this model, other than to say it is already a great value for the fifty to sixty dollars it usually sells for. I also cannot speak to the virtues of any particular vendor here, but whatever you do, DO NOT pay a premium to some company for a "Region-Free" DVP5990, because all they will be doing is what I tell you below. (Or, as at least one person has reported, you might pay more simply to get a piece of paper with the same instructions to do it yourself!)

This unit is HDMI-compatible and even includes a USB port on the front panel. It also plays just about everything and that's even before you make it region-free. Although the manufacturer will not admit it, the hardware in these DVD players is manufactured to play all regions, and a (very flimsy) layer of protection is then added depending on where the product will be sold. USA = Region 1, Europe = Region 2, etc.

Many DVD players can be easily returned to the default Region 0 (= PLAY ALL) setting simply by entering a hidden code on the remote, and this DVP5990 is no exception. I will make it super easy for you below. Make sure the DVD tray is empty before you start. And obviously you will need a non-Region 1 DVD to actually test that it works in the end.

(Step 0: Turn on the DVD player but make sure the tray is empty, i.e., don't put a disc in.)
1. Press "Setup" on the remote.
2. Using the right arrow (">") on the remote, move over to "Preference Page". You do not need to push "OK".
(Please note that if a disc is in, you will not be allowed to access the the "Preference" menu.)
3. Press 1,3,8,9,3,1 in that exact order on remote. (Again, you do not need to push "OK".)
4. Region Code screen will be displayed. (It will almost certainly show Region 1, unless someone has already made the change for you.) Press the up arrow ("^") once to select "0".
5. Press "Setup" on the remote.

I suggest to repeat Steps 1 through 3 to confirm region setting.

Congratulations, you now have a region-free player as it was designed in the Philips factory! You can now play discs from around the world, many of which are cheaper or quite simply available for sale when other versions are not. Wouldn't it be nice if everything in life were this easy?

P.S. Same code works for many models across the Philips range.


[DISCLAIMER: Whether or not you believe the scare tactics that this may void your warranty is up to you. And don't mess about with other settings unless you feel comfortable doing so.]

This is NOT a special multi-region version of the Philips DVP5990--it simply IS the DVP5990 with printed instructions for making it region-free by punching numbers into the remote. These instructions are available for free on the Web and in the Amazon review for the Philips DVP5090, so there's no need to pay a premium for this "special" DVP5090. The advertising is very misleading, and Amazon should stop selling this as a unique version of the DVP5990.

Item was received on time and in good condition.
It plays DVDs and CDs from all zones as the title indicates! Good quality.
Model is slim and chique.
(Note that this works with 120-240 v adaptor, great to use in the americas and if you plan to travel abroad with this to other parts of the world also)

I received this unit today. Amazon brokered this sale on behalf of VOLTAGE-CONVERTER-[...]. The unit was not functional. I called Philips support and they were very very helpful. I initiated a replacement exchange, but when they looked up my model & serial # they discovered that I had been sold a unit that was out of warranty. So then I had to provide proof of purchase (2 days ago) in order to qualify for a replacement. I have no quibble with Philips at all. But I am disappointed that Amazon shipped this unit with no marking on the outside of the box that it should be handled carefully. I am also rather disgusted that I was sold a unit that was out of warranty.

So watch out.

I've looked for a region-free DVD player for a long time, finally I found it at Amazon.com. It can play all kinds of discs without changing any setting. The memory function is very helpful. It starts playing at the very spot where it stopped the latest time when you turned off the machine. It really save the time that you don't need to search the place you wanted, especially when you watch the drama series. I hook the DVD player to my Sony Bravia 46 inch LCD TV. It switches the TV input automatically to DVD player, when the DVD player starts loading disc; it takes 3 seconds of delay though. The HDMI port is a plus, only one cable completes the connection. The price is also very affordable, I recommend this product.

I ordered this a few months ago, because I wanted to be able to order/play DVDs from amazon.uk--things that haven't been released here (and may never be). The player and my first shipment of PAL DVDs arrived on the same day. We hooked it up, I followed the instructions to reset the region, we popped in a DVD, and I held my breath...and then whooped with delight when it worked! Yes, I realize that this is just a "regular" DVD player and that there are codes you can find online to make (almost) any DVD player region free. I don't care. I love this machine! In fact, my son and two friends are planning to order one after seeing mine (and hearing me gush). One of the best--and most satisfying--purchases I've made in a long time.

Poor quality electronics. One year down the line from purchading the Phiilips up-scaling DVD player, it's stopped reading DVDs of any type and I'm back on Amazon looking for a new player. I don't recommend this product.

The Philips DVP-5990 works great, just as advertised, that is after you enter the "hack" that is included. I had read reviews referring to the hack and others that said the product worked fine right out of the box. In reality, both are true.

What you have to realize is that you are essentially buying the hack, because the player itself can be purchased at any local electronics retailer. The end result is that you get around the products limitations programed into it by the manufacturer.

The instructions for entering the hack are easy and really don't take more than five minutes to complete, and once that is done it will play dvds from any region in the world. So far I have only used it for regions 1 and 2. But, as of yet I have no complaints. Overall I would say it was a good purchase. After having advised any prospective buyer about what was detailed above, I would recommend it.

I received this order very quickly, set it up with an HDMI cable on my 42 inch plasma. First test I did was grab some of my downloaded tv shows in DivX format and load them on a 4GB thumb drive. I plugged the drive into the player, pushed the USB button and it loaded all my DivX files like clockwork. I bought this unit because of the price because my main DVD/DivX player (which is the Pioneer DV-48av)is in my bedroom. This DVD player does an excellent job of up converting standard DVD's and the operation of both the file playing and DVD playing seems to be smooth so far. I haven't tried to play MP3's or pictures on it yet but I'm sure it would be fine for that also.

My husband and I enjoy British TV comedies, and they're hard to find on US Zone DVD; so, I figured I'd get a DVD player that played all zones..and this does it without a hitch!