What I can't answer is whether or not there are players that are region-free and will play back PAL video files as well.

Most can - I have two region-free players: a Malata (nice and affordable) DVD player, and I flashed my Denon 3910 with a region-free firmware. With both machines, you just tell the player what kind of tv you have - PAL or NTSC - and it will output on that basis.


---- A Woofer in Tweeter's Clothing... M60s, VP150, QS8s, EP350 Onkyo TX-SR702, Denon DVD-3910