h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm looking to replace my old DVD player as it's showing signs of being on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I'm looking at multi-region as I have some region 1 DVDs I'd like to watch again in the future.

I haven't looked very far yet, just a brief web search, which offered up amazon as one of the first hits. Looking at the players they offer, they clearly state multi-region and all that, then there's a little disclaimer which states DVD players sold by amazon.co.uk play only UK region 2 discs.

Is there an issue here? I'm wondering if I'm doomed to failure before I begin because of some law - does anyone know anything about this?



Deb

As far as I know, all DVD players are capable of playing multi-region, but they are locked down before being sold in the UK. There's nothing to stop you downloading the unlock code from the internet and unlocking them so that they will play all disks.

Arrr thats an easy one. all DVD players have multi region capability. they don't manufacture these things to each region. all you need to find is the hack code for your make/model to unlock it.there are plenty of sites out there try this one http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/info/multiregion/

They ( all DVD players) have a secret page where you can change it.

Hmm. I did see various sites offering unlock codes. Is this a similar thing to when a mobile phone is locked to one network & you can get it unlocked to accept sims from any network?

guys.

Deb

How about buying a blu-ray player which, I believe, are DVD region free without unlocking - check first though.

Ooh, my mum has a blu-ray player. I'll have to try one of my region 1s at hers. Thanks for the tip!

Deb

I think all DVD's should be multi-religion! Its time to stop prosecution

Ooooops MULTI-REGION

"Restricted from playback due to regional locking" (or words to that effect) said my mum's blu-ray player. Ah, well, it was a nice thought.

It looks like I'll have to go down the "buy any old DVD player & get the unlock code" route, which doesn't appear to be illegal. I hope.

Deb

Bad luck...I know some blu-rays are automatically multi-region.

The old DVD remote hack has always worked for me on DVD players...however make sure you gte one that can be hacked. Sony ones can't be hacked....however you can get a Sony multiregion:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/dvd-players/sony/dvpsr150-mr/sony-dvpsr150-mr

Richersounds are a cheap and excellent shop - wouldn;t really shop anywhere else for electical stuff like that.

Thanks Alfster. I have a Richer Sounds local to me and that's not a bad price at all.

for the advice folks

Deb

if I buy a multi-regoin Blu-ray player, does that mean I can (living in Region 2 as I do) play old Region 1 DVDs also, or does it only apply to blu-ray discs?

(woefully under-informed about this kind of thing)

http://www.michaeldvd.com.au/articles/regionalcodeenhancement/rce.asp

Hi

Really this is not meant to mess with your head, but back in 2000, the Mel Gibson film "The Patriot" was the first film issued with all new RCE coding. This (as far as I understand) was the all new solution to Regional Code avoidance. This (at the time) would not play on my DVD player, but would work fine on a Laserdisc player. I think that by now this is no longer a problem, but have attached the address above so you can read up on it..........just in case!

Sho - It's Mrs G to you!



I think it might only apply to DVDs - Blu-rays are far less ergin locked.

Have a look at the blrub and it should say multiregion or region free DVD playing.

So for your question if you buy a mutilregion/region free Blu-ray player you should be able to play region 1 DVDs.