I recently purchased this unit to replace a Sony 995 400 Disc Explorer that died after 16 months. So far, I love it. The picture is outstanding! The only problem is finding a multi region hack that will work with this model. I've located a compatible hack for several other models, including the DVD38, but none will work with the 48. Has anyone managed to get this working? The unit will handle PAL, but the region of the disc must be 0. I would rather not add another component and purchase a multi region player if it can be avoided. Are the remote hacks supported by the manufacturer at all? I've thought about sending an email to make an inquiry, but wasn't sure if this was appropriate. Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated!!

Have you checked here?:

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks

A compatible hack for this player has been located! The credit for this has to go to a member of the Video Help site. I have tried this and confirmed that it will work with the DVD 48. Here is what you have to do:

Region code hack posted by h_socolov, May 15 2008:

Here's how to make your Harman Kardon DVD 48 a multi-region player. With no discs inside, follow these steps with the remote:

1. Press the OPEN/CLOSE button to bring out the tray.
2. Press the CLEAR button.
3. Press the the following code: 1211
4. Press the SUBTITLE button.

Done. There will be no message of any kind on the LED display, but your player will know be Region 0, able to play any dvd from regions 1 to 6, PAL or NTSC. Enjoy. Cheers!!

Thanks to dsmith for the suggestion and to h_socolov for finding the hack. I hope it helps some of the other DVD 48 owners as well.

Thanks so much for info - truly appreciated!! I just updated my player and it works great. The DVD48 is a excellent player and I love the audio; only the inability to play region coded pal discs was a problem.

After some critical online comparisons, I notice this player is similar to the Yamaha DVD-S1700 which came out in December 06, and the Yamaha DVD-S1800, which came out in Fall 07. Between this HK and the two Yamahas, which one came out first? The only real difference is that the Yamahas' default password is 2580! Interesting, huh?

Does anybody know if these players use MediaTek, Zoran Vaddis, Panasonic Mia, ESS Vibrato, etc. for its MPEG decoder? I am pretty sure they all use DCDi by Faroudja for component output video processing.

Are these players capable of 480I via HDMI?

A compatible hack for this player has been located! The credit for this has to go to a member of the Video Help site. I have tried this and confirmed that it will work with the DVD 48. Here is what you have to do:

Region code hack posted by h_socolov, May 15 2008:

Here's how to make your Harman Kardon DVD 48 a multi-region player. With no discs inside, follow these steps with the remote:

1. Press the OPEN/CLOSE button to bring out the tray.
2. Press the CLEAR button.
3. Press the the following code: 1211
4. Press the SUBTITLE button.

Done. There will be no message of any kind on the LED display, but your player will know be Region 0, able to play any dvd from regions 1 to 6, PAL or NTSC. Enjoy. Cheers!!

Thanks to dsmith for the suggestion and to h_socolov for finding the hack. I hope it helps some of the other DVD 48 owners as well.

No LED display?

Is the process reversible?

I like the LED display....

can i do this for non region 1 dvd and reverse it back when i am done???

No LED display?

Is the process reversible?

I like the LED display....

can i do this for non region 1 dvd and reverse it back when i am done???

Sorry for not posting back sooner. I must have forgot to add this to my subscription threads. You may have figured this out already, but just in case I thought I'd get back to you. It will not show you on the LED on this model. I preferred the LED confirmation myself. This process is reversible. You follow the exact same procedure as for doing the hack to go back to Region 1. You can check the Region setting by hitting the Setup button and then entering 1211 on the remote. Just make sure the tray is closed when you want to check or it won't allow you into the menu. It will say 1 or Global by Area.

After some critical online comparisons, I notice this player is similar to the Yamaha DVD-S1700 which came out in December 06, and the Yamaha DVD-S1800, which came out in Fall 07. Between this HK and the two Yamahas, which one came out first? The only real difference is that the Yamahas' default password is 2580! Interesting, huh?

Does anybody know if these players use MediaTek, Zoran Vaddis, Panasonic Mia, ESS Vibrato, etc. for its MPEG decoder? I am pretty sure they all use DCDi by Faroudja for component output video processing.

Are these players capable of 480I via HDMI?

The Harman Kardon 48 Came out In October of 07 and I believe the Yamaha DVD-S1800 came out in August of 07. The Yamaha DVD-S1700 came out in December of 06, so it came out before both the Harman Kardon and the DVD-S1800. I am not sure what MPEG decoder these models use, but you are correct about the DCDi by Faroudja for component output. None of the 3 players support 480i via HDMI. Hope this helps!

There are no Herman Kadon dealerships where I leave and on a visit to dubai, UAE, I purchased a Herman Kardon DVD 37. Problem is I own over 2000 dvds that are not region 2, as is the UAE. Will the same process for decoding the DVD 47 work for theDVD 37? HELP

Sorry, will the same decoding the DVD 48 work for the DVD 37

There are no Herman Kadon dealerships where I leave and on a visit to dubai, UAE, I purchased a Herman Kardon DVD 37. Problem is I own over 2000 dvds that are not region 2, as is the UAE. Will the same process for decoding the DVD 47 work for theDVD 37? HELP

Here is the process for the 37:

Turn the player on and make sure that there is "no disc"
1. Press "SETUP" on your remote
2. Press "3141590" there 0 is region 0 (region free)
Menu disappear and your player is now region free.

I have a question regarding the Video Off feature (V Off on the remote). My setup is DVD48 to HK AVR-254 via HDMI, and then on to Samsung 46A650 panel. The indicator light on the DVD48 toggles lit red/unlit when using the remote button, but the video does not go off. I have not experimented further or checked with HK. Should this work with HDMI connections, or is this feature not applicable with HDMI connections? There are times when using the player for CD playback that I would prefer to turn the video off, but it isn't working for me via this feature.

Anyone using this unit with this feature working? What am I missing?

I have a question regarding the Video Off feature (V Off on the remote). My setup is DVD48 to HK AVR-254 via HDMI, and then on to Samsung 46A650 panel. The indicator light on the DVD48 toggles lit red/unlit when using the remote button, but the video does not go off. I have not experimented further or checked with HK. Should this work with HDMI connections, or is this feature not applicable with HDMI connections? There are times when using the player for CD playback that I would prefer to turn the video off, but it isn't working for me via this feature.

Anyone using this unit with this feature working? What am I missing?

That is interesting. Your question prompted me to check this out. That feature does not work on my unit either. I have mine connected through digital toslink to the receiver. This way, I just turn the TV off (or leave it off depending on the scenario). There are also digital coax and analog outs available for this purpose. I would connect one of these in addition to the HDMI and use that for CD. The only downside is having to adjust the HDMI audio setting on/off via setup and switching to digital out. According to the manual, video off is supposed to be available at all times over all connections. I would contact Harman Kardon and see if there is a firmware update or work around available.

That is interesting. Your question prompted me to check this out. That feature does not work on my unit either. I have mine connected through digital toslink to the receiver. This way, I just turn the TV off (or leave it off depending on the scenario). There are also digital coax and analog outs available for this purpose. I would connect one of these in addition to the HDMI and use that for CD. The only downside is having to adjust the HDMI audio setting on/off via setup and switching to digital out. According to the manual, video off is supposed to be available at all times over all connections. I would contact Harman Kardon and see if there is a firmware update or work around available.

My workaround is basically as you describe, in that I have utilized the other output connections on player and source inputs on receiver, then with harmony one remote have set up multiple activities for tv on & off, so my bases are covered for avoiding static screens/burn in issues. But I was curious if my unit was faulty or not. Sounds like the jury is still out, although yours seems to be in the same boat. I'll probably contact HK at some point to see what they say, not an urgent matter.

That is interesting. Your question prompted me to check this out. That feature does not work on my unit either. I have mine connected through digital toslink to the receiver. This way, I just turn the TV off (or leave it off depending on the scenario). There are also digital coax and analog outs available for this purpose. I would connect one of these in addition to the HDMI and use that for CD. The only downside is having to adjust the HDMI audio setting on/off via setup and switching to digital out. According to the manual, video off is supposed to be available at all times over all connections. I would contact Harman Kardon and see if there is a firmware update or work around available.

For the record per HK, Video Off only works with analog video connections.