DVD region codes on computer: do they "lock" at so

[donnarose]

Just got a DVD player for the family 'puter (yaayyy!!!!) and need to know if it stays region free or not. I remember hearing that you can chose the region 4 times, then they lock to the last region choice and you have to reset the dumb thing. Anyone out there know what I'm on about? Would DEARLY love to view my HKL discs here but it would not make me too popular if I locked it on region 2.

Tho the drive IS my birthday present........

[Yi-Long]

Happy birthday, man...

Yeah, usually, a dvd-player 'locks'. HOWEVER, it wouldnt be a pc if there were't some way to bypass the dvd-encoding, would it!?
I believe there are numerous programs available to make ur dvd-player region-free, although I cant seem to find the name of one at this point... (but I'm sure one of these other guys will help you out...)

[ReconFive]

Free trials for dvd region free software

Price for full version is US$40

I currently do not know of any free software that will override region code, but there are so many free trials out there that you can have it for a significant amount of time for free.

[EvaUnit02]

1. Go into right-click My Computer and select Properties.
2. Click the Hardware tab and open the Device Manager
3. Make note of the brand and model of your DVD drive.
4. Google the brand and model and search for region hack. eg "Liteon XXX-XXX" + region hack. You may find a program or a hacked firmware for the drive inorder to make it region-free. Some manufacturers release region-free firmware updates themselves.

If you don't know how to reflash a DVD drive's firmware, there's most probably instructions in the firmware update's readme/documentation. - Otherwise there's probably numerous "how to" guides on the net.

[Markgway]

Most drives and software have some kind of hack or program bypass. But some can be an arse to find and impliment. My old PC DVD-Drive was a bitch until I found REMOTE SELECTOR which worked a treat (with WINDVD) and it's FREE, Alas it doesn't work on my new PC because the software - the shitty POWERCINEMA - is incompatable and the copy of WINDVD I have is too old for my new PC. Groan. Thankfully I rarely watch films on my PC since we got our 16:9 TV - but still... one of these days I'll find a fix.

[Mordib]

with dvd drive prices so cheap now one solution is to buy two(or more) and leave one locked in one region, and one locked in the other. whilst that wasn't the original reason I ended up with 2 its now its main use.

[Unrealnils]

SPEAk to me on msn mate i have proggyu that doesnt matter with its locked or not it will play all dvds

[bradavon]

Just got a DVD player for the family 'puter (yaayyy!!!!) and need to know if it stays region free or not. I remember hearing that you can chose the region 4 times, then they lock to the last region choice and you have to reset the dumb thing.

What's puter mean?

Once they lock you CANNOT change them again. This changes the DVD drives BIOS to whatever the last region you used, so don't ever let it get this far. Personally I'd download a hacked firmware update and whack that one:

http://forum.rpc1.org/dl_all.php

But this has it's risks and could be to drastic for some so I'd also (which you'll probably need as well as) download and use:

http://www.slysoft.com/en/anydvd.html

Personally I use both.

The makers of 'AnyDVD' also have an older Freeware program called 'DVD Region Killer', it's not been developed for 2 years but does work most of the time:

http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=DVD_Region_Killer

It's not on their site anymore as it's been discontinued, try it first if you like and then upgrade to AnyDVD.

You could try AnyDVD or DVD Region Killer first and then maybe upgrade to a region free hacked firmware, this isn't for newbies though!

If it goes wrong you could destroy your DVD drive. I've run firmware updates many times. This one time I upgraded the firmware on my dvd drive as I've done before, it ran through perfectly but after the drive refused to read DVD period.

I contact Lite-on's Tech Support who in the end basically said you'll need to send it back (it was out of warranty). It was most weird as I've never had a problem before upgrading the BIOS. I merely mention it to make you aware there are ricks mucking about with the bios, especially hacked firmware upgrades not from the original maker.

I currently do not know of any free software that will override region code, but there are so many free trials out there that you can have it for a significant amount of time for free.

I think DVD Genie is free which is essentially the same as AnyDVD but AnyDVD nicely sits next to the system clock and can be forgotten about.

DVD Genie needs to be run each time or something:

http://www.inmatrix.com/files/dvdgenie_download.shtml

That said I'm sure DVD Genie isn't as full proof as AnyDVD. After reading a bit it's not. There is 3 levels of region protection:

1. Built into Windows
2. Built into your drive
3. Built into the DVD software you use

DVD Genie will only get around the last one. AnyDVD, DVD Region Killer (remember it's old) and also DVD Region Free will get around all three, and as long as they're running your drive will appear to be region free:

http://www.dvdidle.com/dvd-region-free.htm

I'm not sure if these programs can get around locked DVD Drives though! I assume they can, but may not.

I've not used DVD Region Free so couldn't say how it compares to AnyDVD.

In short give DVD Region Killer or AnyDVD a go and leave them running in your system tray. Job Done!

[grim_tales]

I think 'puter is just a shortened way of saying "computer" Brad

[Unrealnils]

dvd region free is the programe i used its been used a on a drive thats been locked to region 1 and i watch all dvds on it