Hi all

First off, I have never had a DVD, and only ever used a portable about 3 years ago, while travelling in Germany.

I have heard that DVD's are grouped in to different world regions, and you can only play certain disks on the correct machines. I believe that any new machine defaults to the region of what ever the first disk put in to it is. Can this be re set, ? A friend of mine bought a new machine and played some disks brought back from the US. Then when he started buying local disks could not play them, and had to buy another machine....not very happyt about this.


Also does this region specific 'lock' happen on PC DVD players?. I remember about some chap a while ago 'breaking the code' and enabling them all to work?

I would like to but a DVD but want to make sure I get it right first time. Can you buy multi region DVD players in the same way you can buy multi region TV's (PAL/SECAM/NTSC ability)

Cheers

Neil

Most PC DVD drives do seem to "lock" onto the first region loaded, but in the case of PCs I think you're given up to 9 chances to make it right. For example, I had a real problem burning any DVDs on a DVD-R drive until after playing a movie (before, it would just crash and give random errors).

A lot of inexpensive home DVD players really just have a PC drive inside, so perhaps this still occurs, although it would have to be programmed to do so.

However, many brands of DVD players are set in firmware to a certain region and don't lock onto anything.

On the other hand, some "non-mainstream" brands offer complete, unhindered region changing, either via hidden or very open menus.

There are ways to make PCs take all regions, also. There is a large culture of all-region users since so many DVDs (or versions of DVDs) are only available in certain regions.

It's not only non-mainstream brands of DVD players that are all region. I have a Philips, a Denon, and a Malata that are all region-free. I would think 2 of those to be big names.

I owne a Pioneer Elite DV-45a DVD Player. You can go into the user menu and change the region with this player. And with all the other options it makes for one of the best DVD Player I've seen for the money. It list for $400.00 US. But a savie internet buyer can find it for a lot less.

OK, thanks for that guys, at least I know it is possible now,

Now, how much can I afford to spend.........

Gee, that's never been asked before!

If you have a Pronto remote Why don't you have a real dvd player. Anyone can afford one if thats what they want. I hope you didn't go out and buy some $59.95 DVD Player. Just remember... You get what you pay for.

This message was edited by TheaterInstaller on 04/11/04 23:42.

Region free hacks are alive and well for many DVD players, but this is not a hack forum. You can certainly google your way into one though.

Actually, for region-free use, there aren't too many of the "good" players that do this well. I have a region-free Denon 2900, an excellent player, but can't play PAL DVDs on my NTSC TV since the conversion circuit is SO bad. It is better in both my $70 Philips and $300 Malata, so those cheap models are a better choice in some ways for "other" region use.

If I ever get to having a PJ, this problem will go away and the 2900 will be the choice at my house.

Mr. J Thorstad

Let it be known. You have a $70.00 DVD Player. What were you thinking? The cost of a tank of gas cost more than your dvd player. Sure you have a Denon. But is it doing what you want?... Your own answer...NO. Their are many dvd player out there that can do what I'm saying. I just like the one I have. And my DV-45a is only one of many. I have a DV-09 that still kick butt to this day. Still waiting on my DV-59AVi. I've installed more of them than anyone. Mosly because noone can get their hands on them... Thanks to the Good Guys. And I've sold and installed about 12. If you think your Philip is all that then fine. It's your lose when it come to what the picture looks like. I only gave the advice that would fix the problem at hand. And you had to blast it... Well your answer wasn't that great I must say. Let's fix the problem buy adding a 2nd DVD player.... It dosn't work that way. Not everyone can install or setup 2 dvd player to their system. Get a clue. Find out what you want... Do your homework. Test and retset. Buy... Take home and install.. and enjoy

I'm not sure if you're being obtuse or facetious, so here's a reply that addresses both. For the record, I did not "attack" your reply. When it comes to "region-free", the high-end players are often woefully inadequate. Multiple TV systems, regions, VCD compatibility, etc. are not the purview of high-end players from name brand companies.

My Philips is attached to a 20" TV and replaced a dying Sony POS. It is not combined with my HT or the Denon and it was an upgrade to the Sony PQ. I was originally going to get the $150 Pioneer universal player for this TV, but ultimately decided I didn't need to play my high-rez discs at this location. Any other questions?

You seem to think it is easy to get ONE player that does EVERYTHING. Please name all the DVD players that can do what I listed above without hardware modifications. The Pioneers you listed cannot.

I'm sick of CUE, so most Pioneers are out of the running for my house, anyway. I agree they are very smooth, but their other issues are annoying. This is changing and the 59avi would have been a contender if it had been available when I purchased my Denon.

The GF left about a year ago with all the kit that I did have, Only now thinking about getting some new stuff, but cash short, certainly no more than about £800-1000 at the moment.
For that I need a TV, DVD and amp, CD player would also be good, but would the DVD unit be enough? I have enough speakers of various sorts that can be pressed in to service. What can I get for that sort of money?

Any one offer a shortlist?

You've really stepped into a totally different question.

I'd personally probably look at a low-end Denon, Onkyo, or Yamaha receiver. Then a 30" HDTV and something like the Pioneer 563 universal DVDp (with all-region mod). That could most likely be accomplished for under $1700 (£1000), although I think UK prices are higher which would make that more difficult. At this level just use the DVDp for playing CDs.

Ok cheers

Have not bought any HT/Music mags for a while now, so a bit out of touch.

Cheers

I am hopinng to get an unmodded Pioneer DV-Fb727 froim the US and have it modded over here in the UK. Has anyone on this list done the same ... and do you know if there are any problems associated with converting a region 1 unit to play region 2 discs? Techtronics say that if this machine has not got a PAL chip, it will only play back region 2 discs in blacka and white. Most US retaillers of modded players day that the modded 727 will only play NTSC discs on an NTSC system and PAL discs on a PAL system. I am confused ...

Bish