Quoting Ace_of_Sevens:

Quote:
Refresh rate on 1080i is important as most US equipment can play 60 Hz, but not 50.

The HD specification has all of the various sizes and frame rates.  HD monitors and projectors, worth their weight, will handle all of the HD specifications.

My current HD/computer monitor won't handle 25 Hz frame rates, but the two players that I have, will convert 1080i25 to 1080i29.97.  I've not heard of a Blu-ray player that won't play region free HD media in a player meant for the U.S.

My newest BD player, a Samsung BD-C6500, will also play MKV files, via USB storage or streaming, has no issue with 720p25 H.264 video, even though 720p25 is not part of the Blu-ray/HD specification.  My first BD player, a Sony, also plays 1080i25 without any issues.

Neither player will play 576i25 DVDs (all region), even though the capability is obviously in the electronics. I'm guessing there is a separate DVD section of the electronics and it does what most of the old DVD players would do.  I had to buy a Panasonic DVD player to play 576i25 DVDs, as well as 480i DVDs.

So, if a player doesn't play all of the various rates in the HD spec, complain to the BD player's manufacturer.

With HD, we pretty much, for the first time, have a worlwide video standard.

We just need to get rid of the damn region crap.

Quoting Ace_of_Sevens:

Quote:
Playstation 3 won't, even if your TV supports it. I was under the impression a lot of SALs will play 50 Hz material, but won't convert it, so your TV has to support it. I don't have direct knowledge of this, though.

Ya, I read that in another forum (PS3 not playing 50 Hz).  SAL?  Did you mean SAP (Stand Alone Player)?