Setting free my Sony Blu-ray DVD playback 

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Cover of the Pina DVD/Blu-ray

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Believe it or not, I bought my first Blu-ray disk not long ago. It was the evening we went to see Pina Bausch’s “Für die Kinder von gestern, heute und morgen” at the BFM.

Enthralled by what we’d just seen, I noticed books and the Blu-ray version of the movie were on sale after the show. I checked them out online when we got home and ordered my first Blu-ray disk, driving me to order a Sony BDP-S480 Blu-ray player alongside.

I thought it was a clever move: bring in a new multimedia player, get rid of the old one. Silly me. I almost fogot we lived in controlled world, and that DVD region codes were still alive and kicking. I realise we have switched to digital media and that the last DVD I bought was a long time ago. We rent (and rip), but I don’t buy anymore. My previous DVD player was region free, and I simply forgot about this whole issue when ordering my shiny new player.

Until I slipped my old “Buena Vista Social Club” region 1 DVD into it last night..

Silly me.

So I dug around and found the Sony BRP-S480 unlocking procedure that I’ve reproduced below. Use it at your own risk.

Currently playing in iTunes: Someone Like You by ADELE

Requirement: Until a dedicated code is researched using the player’s own remote, programmable OneForAll remotes can be used. These controllers can be purchased very cheaply from most electrical retailers.

Setting up the OneForAll remote control

Note: if your controller doesn’t have a ‘Magic’ button, use ‘Setup’.

  1. Press DVD
  2. Hold the magic button until the DVD button flashes twice.
  3. Press 0533 or 20533 or 1516 to set your controller to ‘talk’ to the DVD player (only this code works!)
  4. Hold the magic button until it flashes twice.
  5. Press 994
  6. Press Magic Key (don’t hold)
  7. Press 00189 (if your OneForAll remote uses 4 digit or 3 digit codes, use less leading zeros)
  8. Press 1 (this sets it to key 1 - it flashes twice)
  9. Hold the magic button until it flashes twice.
  10. Press 994
  11. Press Magic Key (don’t hold)
  12. Press 00255
  13. Press 2 (this sets it to key 2 - it flashes twice)
  14. Hold the magic button until it flashes twice.
  15. Press 994
  16. Press Magic Key (don’t hold)
  17. Press 00095
  18. Press 3 (this sets it to key 3 - it flashes twice)
  19. Hold the magic button until it flashes twice.
  20. Press 994
  21. Press Magic Key (don’t hold)
  22. Press 00221
  23. Press 4 (this sets it to key 4 - it flashes twice)
  24. Hold the magic button until it flashes twice.
  25. Press 994
  26. Press Magic Key (don’t hold)
  27. Press 00079
  28. Press 5 (this sets it to key 5 - it flashes twice)

Make your BDP player region free

  1. Use the Sony remote to bring the player out of standby, make sure there isn’t a disc in it;
  2. Press 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 on the OneForAll remote. The light will start flashing;
  3. Put the player back into standby with the Sony remote.

Next time you turn on the player it will be region free for DVD playback.

Addendum: apparently, this procedure also works for the following Sony Blu-ray players:

  • Sony BDP-BX1
  • Sony BDP-BX2
  • Sony BDP-BX37
  • Sony BDP-BX57
  • Sony BDP-BX58
  • Sony BDP-CX7000ES
  • Sony BDP-CX960
  • Sony BDP-N460
  • Sony BDP-S1
  • Sony BDP-S2000ES
  • Sony BDP-S270
  • Sony BDP-S280
  • Sony BDP-S300
  • Sony BDP-S301
  • Sony BDP-S350
  • Sony BDP-S360
  • Sony BDP-S363
  • Sony BDP-S370
  • Sony BDP-S380
  • Sony BDP-S383
  • Sony BDP-S470
  • Sony BDP-S480
  • Sony BDP-S5000ES
  • Sony BDP-S500B
  • Sony BDP-S550
  • Sony BDP-S560
  • Sony BDP-S570
  • Sony BDP-S580
  • Sony BDP-S760
  • Sony BDP-S770
  • Sony BDP-S780

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Comments and responses

  • 22 Feb 2012

    Simon Yap:

    what about the region codings for blu-rays a, b and c?

  • 22 Feb 2012

    Simon Yap:

    what about the region codings for blu-rays a, b and c? does this work to set the player free for blu-rays?

  • 12 Mar 2012

    Sorry, I have no idea how to set free the blu-ray region.

  • 15 Mar 2012

    It is very important to use the 0533 setup code to setup your DVD controller – even if this code doesn’t appear to work.
    Otherwise, the procedure fails. In my case, pressing on the number 5 powered the Blu-ray player on and off.. using 0533 did the trick.

  • 22 Mar 2012

    Lionel Pijat:

    Bonjour,
    Je viens d’acheter un lecteur sony 400 (Model BDP CX 960 J’essaye votre manip mais sans succès lorsque l’on fait la manipulation avec la “One for all”, le lecteur doit-être éteint ou allumé (je ne comprends pas la phrase Use the Sony remote to bring the player out of standby).

  • 22 Mar 2012

    @Lionel,
    Le lecteur doit être éteint lorsque vous faite la manip avec la télécommande One4All. Vous ne faites que programmer la télécommande.
    - Une fois la programmation terminée, allumez votre BD avec la télécommande Sony
    - Reprogrammez le lecteur BD avec la télécommande One4All
    - La lumière blue 24p se met à clignoter sur le lecteur (je ne sais pas si votre modèle en a une..)
    - Mettez votre lecteur en standby avec la télécommande Sony
    J’ai remarqué qu’il était essentiel de programmer la télécommande One4All avec le code 0533 pour que cela marche (S480)
    Bonne chance // david

  • 23 Mar 2012

    Version française:
    0. Mettre le lecteur en veille avec la télécommande Sony
    1. Presser DVD
    2. Maintenir le bouton Magic enfoncé jusqu’à ce que le bouton DVD clignote deux fois.
    3. Presser 000533
    4. Maintenir le bouton Magic enfoncé jusqu’à ce que le bouton DVD clignote deux fois.
    5. Presser 994
    6. Presser le bouton Magic (brièvement)
    7. Presser 001891 (programmation de la touche 1 - le bouton DVD clignote deux fois)
    8. Maintenir le bouton Magic enfoncé jusqu’à ce que le bouton DVD clignote deux fois.
    9. Pr Presser ss 994
    10. Presser Magic Key (brièvement)
    11. Presser 002552 (programmation de la touche 2 - le bouton DVD clignote deux fois)
    12. Maintenir le bouton Magic enfoncé jusqu’à ce que le bouton DVD clignote deux fois.
    13. Presser 994
    14. Presser Magic Key (brièvement)
    15. Presser 000953 (programmation de la touche 3 - le bouton DVD clignote deux fois)
    16. Maintenir le bouton Magic enfoncé jusqu’à ce que le bouton DVD clignote deux fois.
    17. Presser 994
    18. Presser Magic Key (brièvement)
    19. Presser 002214 (programmation de la touche 4 - le bouton DVD clignote deux fois)
    20. Maintenir le bouton Magic enfoncé jusqu’à ce que le bouton DVD clignote deux fois.
    21. Presser 994
    22. Presser Magic Key (brièvement)
    23. Presser 000795 (programmation de la touche 5 - le bouton DVD clignote deux fois)
    Terminé – la télécommande OneforAll est prête à l’emploi.
    1. Allumer le lecteur avec la télécommande Sony et attendre l’affichage de HOME
    2. S’assurer qu’il n’y a pas de disque
    3. Avec la télécommande OneforAll presser 1,2,3,4,5 (la lumière bleue 24p commencera à clignoter)
    4. Mettre le lecteur en veille avec la télécommande Sony
    5. C’est terminé, la prochaine fois que vous allumerez votre lecteur, il sera dézoné pour les DVDs

  • 12 Nov 2012

    Johnny K:

    Above does not work for me….
    programmed my all in one, which seemed to go just as outlined until the “ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 “ step. that only turns the DVD player off…
    no blue 24p light appears…
    0533 alternative only turns off the DVD player…
    seems pressing 5 is a turn-off so to speak….
    I am still not region free…..

  • 12 Nov 2012

    @Johnny K yes, I had exactly the same issue until I used the 0533 code.
    I know this is a bit cumbersome, but try using the other setup codes such as 20533 or 1516.
    What is your model? The above procedure worked for my Blu-Ray player, I’m not sure it works for DVD players (as you mention in your comment).

  • 16 Nov 2012

    Kristofer Gustafsson:

    Works great with a AFO URC-7140 as well.
    URC-7140 source-led doesn’t just blink twice in the beginning but stays on until you finish each set and blinks twice at the end.
    Made my Swedish DBP-S383 region free using this guide. You also don’t need the original remote to switch the unit on and off for it to work.(I used the powerbutton on the player)

  • 19 Nov 2012

    Thanks for the info @Kristofer

  • 13 Feb 2013

    patrick:

    hi there
    and how to make it with the original remote-controll ?
    i have a sony bdp-s780 (regio code 2; bluray A)
    my remote is an sony rmt-b112p
    can anybody help?

  • 08 Jun 2013

    Phil:

    Hello,
    Must set choice to DVD player “0533” and then program the keys as above; once unlocked then you can reset DVD player code to operate normally your sony player.

  • 30 Sep 2013

    Alex:

    Hello!
    Is it possible to paly both DVDs and Blu Ray Discs from other rgions?
    Thanks

  • 01 Oct 2013

    @Alex Err… I’m not sure. The unlock works for DVDs, but I’ve never tried Blu Ray Disks…

  • 07 Oct 2013

    Shikamaru:

    It works perfectly on my BDP S280, thanks a lot, now it reads everything (I’ve tested only DVD I hope that it will work for foreign Blurays too ..)
    Ca marche super bien sur mon BDP S280, merci beaucoup, maintenant mon lecteur lit tout (ou du moins les DVD, car je n’ai pas encore testé des blurays étrangers).

  • 24 Oct 2013

    Tony:

    my universal remote does not seem to support the 994 funcion. any other way to do the keymove?

  • 16 Nov 2013

    Sina:

    Same as Johnny K above, once I press 5 the BlueRay player just turns off (Sony BDP-S770).
    Using OneForAll COARC05G. It doesn’t accept 0533 or 00533, or 1516 or 01516. Tried with 20533, 21533, 20864, etc… with no luck. :(

  • 19 Nov 2013

    Paul:

    Hi,
    Thanks for this post.
    - Does this trick work for REGION 1 (American) Sony Blu-Ray players?
    Anybody has tested on Region 1 Sony players?
    I read it works only for Region 2 and 4 Blu-Ray players, so I’m not sure to order a One For All remote control to free my unit which is Region 1 (from USA)…
    - Does this procedure works for Sony BDP-S1100 ?
    Thanks a lot

  • 03 Dec 2013

    Sina I experienced the same issue until I used the 0533 setup code. Paul check the DVDExplorer Database for your model http://www.dvdexploder.com/dvdsales.htm As mentioned earlier, I don’t have access to Region 1 Blu-Rays and haven’t been able to try… Good luck.

  • 09 Dec 2013

    Anni:

    @Paul: Yup, it Works for BDP-S1100 and also there is no need to ‘ hard-reboot’ the DVD-player as I read on another website. Simply turn the player back on with the original remote and it id Region free.
    Btw, I used an OFA URC-7960 remote (if someone might feel the need to ask. ;) ).

  • 13 Dec 2013

    Martin:

    Hi,
    it worked for me on a BDP-S1100 Model with the code “20533” used in the first step….or one of the other “..533” codes, I don’t know for sure, read on…
    There was NO flashing of anything as described in the last step where you send the commands to the player. Neither on the remote (other than the one-time flashing that happens with every press of any button) nor on the player. However, it must have worked because I can play my region 1 DVDs now.
    Unfortunately I missed the opportunity to try and see if the DVD would have played with the player in its out of the box state. I do not know if what I did made it work, or if it perhaps would have worked anyways. I also cannot say if the “0533” or “00533” code already did the trick in my first two attempts because there was never any feedback (flashing) if the commands I sent were successfully received or not. I also did not try to play the DVD inbetween the attempts of the different initiall “533 codes”. I simply tried them one after another and was hoping to see the confirming flashing, wich did never happen. So after 3 attempts I simply put in the DVD and it played.
    Therefore I cannot say which initial code finally made it work.
    I used the One For All URC 3940 Slim Line 4 remote.
    Martin

  • 13 Dec 2013

    Martin:

    Uups, sorry…I got a bunch of errors and tried to repost. I didn’t realize that every time I did it actually went through…

  • 15 Dec 2013

    Craig Jones:

    Just tried this on my Sony BDP-S470.
    Worked first time; many thanks for posting!

  • 16 Dec 2013

    @Martin no problem – glad it worked for you :)

  • 27 Dec 2013

    Martin:

    After I hacked my BDP S-1100 successfully (see my previous post here) it now stopped working altogether. I plays DVDs for 5 minutes and then stops. The screen goes dark. After that happens, when I turn it off and on again, the screen goes dark right after the Sony/Blue-Ray bootup logo shows. When I leave it off for a while it wil start working again, but only for 5 minutes.
    Now I am not sure if it is simply broken without me having to do with it, or if what I did broke it? Does any one know if what we are doing to hack our players can actually brick them and cause what is happening to me?
    I have sent the player in to have it exchanged for a new one, it is still under warranty. But I am now a bit hesitant to hack the new player again…any thoughts?
    I was also wondering how one could reverse the region code hack? Is that possible? I am pretty sure it is possible, so the question should be does anyone know how?
    Martin

  • 31 Dec 2013

    Durwin:

    Confirmed as working for bdp-s4100 using 0533 code. Player displays message “OK” after pressing button 5.

  • 17 Jan 2014

    blustreet:

    Confirming it also works with BDP-S490 and URC7140! Same as above, blu-ray player displays message “OK” at the end, no need to restart at the mains.

  • 12 Mar 2014

    Orlin:

    works with code 0533 for BDP-S770 with one-for-all URC 7740

  • 13 Apr 2014

    Hugo:

    WE have a bdp-s5100 and a URC-7140 and it did not work.
    Our player is still only working for one region.
    We tried the 0533, the 000533 and also the 20533 versions of the code at the very beginning and none has worked.
    We saw no “OK” on the screen of the player or else.
    We tried also a code (1516 in our case) that would allow us to control the player with the OneForAll control, but the only thing we achieved was to turn the player ON and OFF by pressing 5…
    any suggestions?

  • 24 Jul 2014

    hmarx20:

    I have a BPD-BX2 and using the oneforall remote procedure (URC 7740) I have a couple questions:
    After inputting the 0533 I jumped right into the other steps and everything blinked on each step. My blu ray was on the whole time I did the code with the words Home showing on the display screen. I hit 12345 and the player started flashing blue. It says to put back in stand by. I have no idea what stand by is so I turned it off and back on. It didn’t work.
    Can you clarify what stand by mode is?
    When you hit 12345 is the blue flasing light what I’m looking for?

  • 13 Aug 2014

    siavash:

    Hi…
    is the universal remote compulsory? or can we do it with the normal sony player?
    thanks in advance

  • 14 Aug 2014

    @slavash unfortunately you need a universal remote…

  • 13 Sep 2014

    rwiggs:

    Brilliant, thanks, worked perfectly on my bdp-s4100 with the OneForAll URC7962

  • 15 Sep 2014

    BNM:

    I would like to unlock a Blu-ray and DVD for a BDP-S2600 in the U.S., but, since almost all the world uses PAL, what’s the point?

  • 27 Sep 2014

    dave symonds:

    Has this been confirmed to work with BDP S1100?
    I saw the post that did work then later was reported to have bricked the player!
    Any feedback would be appreciated before I try this!

  • 15 Oct 2014

    brassmonkey001:

    Thanks for this.
    I can confirm that the hack above works for a Sony BDP-S490 with a One For All URC-4170 remote.
    I have tried Region 1, 2 and 3 DVDs and now thankfully it will play them all!
    I disconnected the player from the mains and then plugged it in again just to check if it would lock again but it seems it is still region free.
    Now I will put in the correct code 1516 to enable the URC to control the player.
    Cheers!

  • 29 Nov 2014

    n6daf:

    I don’t understand the point of getting other regions of discs; most other discs won’t play, anyway, because they are in PAL!

  • 29 Nov 2014

    n6daf:

    I don’t understand the point of getting other regions of discs; most other discs won’t play, anyway, because they are in PAL!

  • 21 Dec 2014

    Nick:

    I used this on my s720 and confirm it works. It took a while to get there. I used an One for All URC-7140. Other models might have similar issues.
    When I press 994 the blue light blinks. a couple of times. Yiu need to wait for it to stop blinking before pressing the magic key again (between steps 5 and 6, etc.)
    I’m hoping I don’t face the same issues as Martin (post #26). Only hacked it today, but I’ll let you know if the machine dies on me.

  • 24 Feb 2015

    jbleezy:

    Has anyone tried this specifically with a Sony BDP-BX57 and AllForOne URC-7140 and had success? For anyone who is familiar with this combo I also ran a firmware update recently and I am not operating on the software version: MO4.R.789 – hopefully that means something to someone. I have tried every code sequence, sequence modification mentioned here and I’m still not able to unlock it. Does anyone know if resetting the DVD player to factory default settings is required before doing this hack? Any suggestions of line of thought are welcome.

  • 24 Feb 2015

    jbleezy:

    *correction to the above post…I am *NOW operating on the M04.R.789 software version. Figured it may help to correct this.

  • 23 Mar 2015

    No-Go:

    This hack is a no-go from the BRC-S570 Sony – using 0533 and 1516 produced zero results. No flashing blue light at the front of the player at any time. This is a US purchased, Region 1 player.

  • 23 Mar 2015

    No-Go:

    Correct – BDP S570 did not work.

  • 01 Apr 2015

    jqc:

    Unfortunately it does not seems to work with my SONY BDP S6200 – Canada and One4All URC7960
    All the process seems to go well until entering 1,2,3,4,5 … I have no acknowledgment and the player is still not zone free

  • 09 Jun 2015

    Marc:

    Use the Sony remote to bring the player out of standby, make sure there isn’t a disc in it;
    Press 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 on the OneForAll remote. The light will start flashing;
    Put the player back into standby with the Sony remote.
    Next time you turn on the player it will be region free for DVD playback.
    I don’t understand this procedure.
    Turn on Blu ray player
    then on 1forAll press 1 2 3 4 5??
    Do I have to press first the magic button?
    If I use 12345 nothing happen on the 1forAll remote.
    If I press the magic button only 1234 are accepted.
    Please explain better
    I have a model DBP-S3200

  • 11 Aug 2015

    Dbx:

    Success with a Sony BDP-S590 (region 2) and an All-In-One URC-7960 by following the instructions above!
    To those people with region-1 players (USA/Canada etc.) I’ve heard that this method can’t be used to make it region free though I can’t personally confirm this. Has someone with a region-1 Sony Blu-Ray player managed to make theirs region-free?
    To Marc:
    I agree it’s confusing as I didn’t understand it at first either, but I figured out that the first stage (the instructions with the magic codes above etc.) is all about programming the All-In-One. The next stage is actually transmitting those codes over to the Sony Blu-Ray player to make it region-free, so this is what you do after having programmed the All-In-One:
    1) (Using the Sony remote) turn the Sony Blu-Ray player ON (if it’s not already on)
    2) ensure that there is no disc inside
    3) Wait till the Blu-Ray player is ready (its display should read “Home”)
    4) (Using the One-For-All remote), press the following number buttons after each other: 1 2 3 4 5
    5) If I remember correctly there should now be an “OK” in the Blu-Ray player’s display
    6) (using the Sony remote) turn OFF the Blu-Ray player
    4) turn ON the Blu-Ray player, insert a different region DVD and enjoy your success!
    Hope this helps and good luck!

  • 01 Sep 2015

    Pete Wells:

    Cant even start the first instruction. Have aurc-7962 remote. Whre is the DVD button??? Thanks

  • 01 Sep 2015

    Pete Wells:

    Cant even start the first instruction. Have aurc-7962 remote. Whre is the DVD button??? Thanks

  • 18 Dec 2016

    I purchased a Sony S5200 Blu-Ray player in USA and a RCA URC RCR003RWD. I followed the instructions which came with the URC to program it for controlling my Blu-Ray player. The On-Off and several other keys are now working. However, the procedure to make the player region free did not yield any result. Any guidance will be most welcome and appreciated.

  • 06 Feb 2017

    david russell:

    Can someone help me unlock my Sony bdps1700, I was told/read it was non regional but alas the first UK disc I put in said those dreaded words, any help would be appreciated friends-thanks

  • 19 Feb 2017

    Appreciate:

    Thanks worked for Sony Blu ray BDP 1200 and All for one 7140

  • 23 May 2017

    jean:

    Anyone whith the process for unlocking the BDP S1500 ?
    My model code for the remote is 1516.
    I tried several times the 0533 procedure but nothing came with it.
    My model is region 2 for France

  • 13 Jun 2017

    Gino Muller:

    Any one managed to make region free the Sony BDP-A6000 with URC 7980 one for all remote control ?
    Already a problem with the first step (# 1, 2, 3)
    I am waiting for the second flash. It does flash one time, however waiting much longer it flashes three times quickly.
    Your help is appreciated.

  • 23 Aug 2017

    Debby Cruz:

    Does it work on a Sony BDP S6700 blu ray player ???

  • 07 Sep 2017

    Sony BDPS360 dear:

    I have the Sony BDPS360.
    I have used the 0533 code with my ONEforALL 7140 and the above Sony. The Remote works fine with the DVD player just nothing, no response, no “OK” when I hit 1,2,3,4,5. Unit seems totally unresponsive. Programming the buttons on the oneforall remote is easy enough and i get the flashes confirming the buttons are programmed OK.
    I have followed the instructions carefully as above and nothing happens when I point at my DVD player. It still will not play Region 1 when I try.
    My DVD player has no flashing light, or standby light. It has a quick start function I’m using that’s all.
    The one-for-all usually takes 4 digit codes to communicate with TV, Sat, Amp and DVD, so I would have expected 0533 code to speak to the DVD and do the trick (it normally uses 1516 for power on/off and communication).
    Does anyone have any better ideas, or something I’m missing please?
    I’m dying to watch my USA DVDs and just can’t!

  • 23 Sep 2017

    Raf:

    I’ve tested the 0533 method on the Sony BDP S1500 (Region 1 US player) and confirmed the remote hack does not work (at least with the following numbers) tested 0533, 1516, 2555, 2043, and 1070 also tried out
    1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 for final step. Placed my region 2 DVD discs and region B Blu-ray Discs. No response. Unless I missed something or there is another code the region one US players are non responsive to this hack.

  • 06 Nov 2017

    Randy:

    Am thinking about buying a 400 disk Sony BDP CX 960. I see a post in French regarding unlocking but I can’t read French. Are there instructions about unlocking a BDP CX 960 so it will play any DVD or Blu-ray region disk ? Regards , Randy

  • 09 Dec 2017

    Dominic:

    Hey all,
    Region hack worked beautifully on my BDP S350 IK version. Many thanks.
    But…
    The 24P light flashes all the time, even when there’s no disc in the player.
    Any ideas how to switch it off?
    Many thanks for any replies in advance.
    D

  • 18 Feb 2018

    Ger:

    Doesn’t work at all on the Sony S1700. Will only switch the machine off when I press 5. I have done everything as instructed. Tried all codes.

  • 03 Apr 2018

    Patrick Wallace:

    Doesn’t appear to work on Sony BDP-S6700. Programming the OneForAll remote appeared to go OK, with the right numbers of flashes at various points. But after bringing the Sony BD player out of standby and pressing 12345 on the OneForAll the green “on” light doesn’t flash, and afterwards Region 1 DVDs are still refused.

  • 10 Jul 2018

    Hello there! I just bought the ucr 7140 for my sony bdp-s370 player. I tried the above steps several times without and with some modifications, like code for dvd player. Nothing works. I tried it for 1,5 hours now. Did anyone make it work? I have a region 2 player and want to watch region 1. Thanks!

  • 06 Dec 2018

    André:

    I`m trying to get the BDP-S 1700 region free (for dvds). Anyone can help me? Thank you very much!

  • 25 Jul 2020

    Check out “[Sony Blu-Ray Players used for SACD ripping]( https://www.quadraphonicquad.com/forums/threads/sony-blu-ray-players-used-for-sacd-ripping.26078/page-24)”

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