It would depend on what's coming down the pipe. This is still fairly early in Blu's lifespan, so maybe something that I'll be geared up for but can't play will come along. Most of what I want on BR I can get in my own region, whereas I have a few out of region DVDs, but that could change.
Mr. Sylvester! I am honored!
The region mod is very easy to install, with no soldering or any potentially warranty-voiding changes.
Define "very easy." (You then do.)
You unplug a few cables from the mainboard, connect them to the mod, then connect the mod to the mainboard.
Does this require a screwdriver or any knowledge. I'm not a dummy when it comes to electronics, but I'm clumsy in general, and I just would want to be VERY, VERY careful with something that cost me $500 plus. I don't suppose there's an idiot-proof video that tell how or somesuch?
If you ever need to send the 93 to Oppo for warranty service (which I did due to a faulty capacitor on the mainboard), simply remove the mod before sending it in. You can get a cheaper mod that connects to the rear USB port if you want, the downsides being the loss of that port and the need to boot the player twice (once to start it, then a reboot after you've switched the region). The internal mod lets you start the player in region A/B/C by pressing 1/2/3 on the remote to power it on.
So unlike a DVD player, there isn't a "one size fits all" kind of thing you can do? Even with a mod, you've got to manually switch it? But it'll play all DVDs? Kind of annoying, but workable. Sounds like the Blu-Ray folks have made this a hard thing to circumvent :p. At least it sounds like it's fairly simple to change.
The 93 is more expensive than most players on the market, but its video playback is reference and its build quality is solid. And Oppo's customer support is second to none. They had my 93 back to me in less than a week for that warranty repair. Good luck getting that from Sony or Samsung.
It's SIGNIFICANTLY more expensive. With the mod, that three or four weeks pay for me. It sounds like it's just about the baddest BR player on the market (though it doesn't look something that'll ever go on sale). If I'm sure that it's as good as its rep, I'd be willing to pay, but if it's that much, I'm hoping it'll do everything and a few things besides.
