As some (most?) forum users may have noticed, a region free* version of the 2.5(01?) firmware was recently hacked/leaked in Australia, originally on the DTV Forum, and is being discussed there and for instance on the UK AV Forums.
I can confirm it works for my European HD-XE1 (after first updating to the official 2.5 firmware).

This just as a FYI, I suggest detailed discussion on where and how to is kept to existing threads on the two forums I linked to (or elsewhere). Discussing details/providing d/l links might be unwise on a US based forum.

*The region free firmware reportedly does not work with all/any RCE-coded discs.

G68, 558, F80.