Progressive scan on a DVD player

[Pikman]

I'm looking to get a new DVD player, and was wondering if Region 2 DVD's can be played in progressive scan on a DVD player and TV that only support NTSC progressive scan?

Also, is progressive scan solely reliant on the hardware or do you also need progressive scan compatible DVD's?

[bash]

no, unless the region 2 dvd is NTSC, which is unlikely because r2 is europe/uk. Also dvd's dont have to be special in order to output PS, just your dvd player and tv/plasma/projector. Usualy component cables are used but I think a VGA cable can also be used.

[Lyris]

Also, is progressive scan solely reliant on the hardware or do you also need progressive scan compatible DVD's?

It's the hardware. Just about all movies (save for very early or badly mastered discs) are actually stored at 23.976fps on the disc as far as I'm aware and the 3:2 pulldown (interlacing) is added by the player.

Region 2 also includes Japan but really the question is "can PAL DVDs be played in progressive scan...", in your case the answer is no - both the player and TV need to support PAL Progressive.