Momitsu Clones Multi-Region Blu-ray Players

[Cochise]

Originally Posted by The_Doctor

Since the Sherwood and others have surfaced as similar to the Momitsu and other higher end badges of these players and all seem to have the same region free ability, the big difference seems to be with the decoding of HD sound, internal VS external.

I'm wondering if this is a hardware issue, or perhaps a software issue?

In a way software would make sense to me, since the manufacturers would have to pay for rights to use the HD sound decoders and the players like the Sherwood are bottom basement in prices with wholesale cost around $50.

If it is hardware then the low end players would lack ability no matter what.

Any ideas?

I would say you could sum it up by saying Cost Factor. It is hardware, as it takes a powerful and expensive chipset to decode HD audio, especially DTS Master Audio (basing that on that several player models can decode THD but only bitstream MA). The software isn't so complicated as the chipset is doing all the hard work. But yeah, I'm sure they have to a license fee per unit to have the TrueHD and DTS Master Audio logos on the players and decoding capability.

[The_Doctor]

Sherwood BDP-5003


OKAY I took over it over to a friends to set it up and do comparisons, easy to do since it is small and the box it came in has a good handle.

Compared to the BH200 physically it is smaller, every so slightly. Besides of relatively cheap finish, the player runs like champ. Never judge a book by its cover and all of that

It however will not play AVCHDs either. On DVD +R at any rate. But the BH200 with the most recent Firmware (Yes the BD live one) wouldn’t play the AVCHDs I brought over nor the ones we later burned. I don’t know if there is something wrong with how we make the discs or the if the disc need to be DVD –R. (I have an order for DVD –r scheduled for delivery next week. I’ll check it again then.)

It boots up and loads faster than the BH200. Both the Bh200 and the BDP-5003 play BD-Rs.

PQ was great, very close to the BH200 and better in some instances. The BH200’s QDEO did a nice job.
AQ no difference that I could tell, but the Sherwood certainly played fine. The Magnavox we test along with it had a muted sound compared to the Sherwood (yes we were bitstreaming). I can see why some reviews praised the sound of this player.

DVD upconverting was decent I’d say. Probably better than the HD-A2 but not as good as the top end. Mediocre is the word. Not bad but not remarkable.

I did load the Momitsu firmware on it. It worked fine from what I could tell. Didn’t really have an chance to test it since the remote no longer works with the Momitsu firmware. I was able to go back to the Sherwood firmware by downloading it from Sherwood and loading it back.

Changing the region code is easy. Much easier than with the BH200.

Good player well worth the $50.

[TripleHBK]

It states in the manual that the sherwood will play most AVCHD disks but only on DVD-R. So hopefully you'll find the same thing when you get your disks.

[Jwilly019]

So the Sherwood can bitstream TrueHD and DTS HD-MA?

[The_Doctor]

Originally Posted by Jwilly019

So the Sherwood can bitstream TrueHD and DTS HD-MA?

Yes. It can not decode them internally but it can bitstream them to the receiver. Which is what I prefer.

[Jwilly019]

Originally Posted by The_Doctor

Yes. It can not decode them internally but it can bitstream them to the receiver. Which is what I prefer.

Good enough for me. Thank you.

[Guilty as Sin]

can anyone confirm this player converts pal? what about playing 1080i/50 bd's?
thanx...

[The_Doctor]

Originally Posted by Guilty as Sin

can anyone confirm this player converts pal? what about playing 1080i/50 bd's?
thanx...

the Sherwood BDP5003 did play a pal dvd on a NTSC TV, I didn't check to see if it was upconverting it as well.

I don't have any BDs so I can't test it although it did play the TOrchwood UK import Blu, but I don't think that one has any issues like you are looking for. Which movies have the 1080i/50 issue? maybe I can get them from my pal

[Guilty as Sin]

i just ordered the player and i guess the "max manus" bd is 1080i/50. before i order the disc i wanted to make sure the sherwood can handle it.

[The_Doctor]

I'd don't have access to that one.

Can anyone suggest another similarly encoded title?


**edit**
I found list of 1080i50 Blus and none of them are ones i can get my hands on. Sorry.

Although if the Momitsu will play them then it is a pretty safe bet the clone will too.

[Guilty as Sin]

well thanx for the help. i'm psyched to test this thing out. i ordered che, martyrs, and hardware from amazon u.k. and theres some great stuff coming out in the next couple weeks like ran, near dark, angel heart, and the elephant man. can't wait...

[johnnyknoxsvill]

I hope Amazon gets more of the VisionQuest players in.

[Guilty as Sin]

so i've had this sherwood for about a week and i've played martyrs, hardware, che, and the good the bad the weird all with no issues. i tried to watch in the shadow of the moon, the disc loads and the menu comes up, but trying to play the film, the extras, or jump to a scene just brings back the menu. does anyone have this disc or know what the issue might be?
thanx...
p.s. martyrs is easily one of the most disturbing movies i've ever seen.

[Splicer]

Originally Posted by Guilty as Sin

i tried to watch in the shadow of the moon, the disc loads and the menu comes up, but trying to play the film, the extras, or jump to a scene just brings back the menu. does anyone have this disc or know what the issue might be?
thanx...

I have this EXACT same issue with my adult porno flick on my HD DVD player...Interested in what your issue turns out to be...

[Mike171979]

Have you upgraded the firmware at the Sherwood website yet?