...there it sits, just looking at me...

[Brian Brandt]

When members respond to questions on this site, they often mention that some movie is available on DVD, but caution that it is coded for a particular region. On one occasion, before I cottoned on to this, I ordered a DVD from the UK.

I am in posession of a perfectly good DVD, and a shiney new DVD player, and there it sits, just looking at me, silently mocking my naive assumption that just because I paid good money for something and own it outright, I should be able to watch it wheresoever I choose.

I assume this has to do the Entertainment Industry's quest to squeeze every single penny it can from the public by invoking some arcane nuance of copyright law (but why, then, can I buy a book from the UK?)

What are your thoughts.

[DB7]

A multi-region DVD hack?

[Russ]

With the advent of multi region hacks and very cheap multi region players recent reports indicate that multi regioning will soon be as dead as the Dodo or should that be Betamax

[Steve Crook]

</div><div class='quotemain'>Brian Brandt: [snip] I assume this has to do the Entertainment Industry's quest to squeeze every single penny it can from the public by invoking some arcane nuance of copyright law (but why, then, can I buy a book from the UK?) [/b]

Just be thankful that the publishing industry isn't totally run by the accountants as well

Steve

[Brian Brandt]

Multi Region DVD Hack? Never heard of it, but I'll be on the lookout for it.

By the way, Steve, I AM an accountant (and a former Arthur Andersen one, at that, although at a twenty year remove), but I never came up with anything as miserly as region codes.

[Steve Crook]

</div><div class='quotemain'>Brian Brandt: Multi Region DVD Hack? Never heard of it, but I'll be on the lookout for it.[/b]

It's a way that some DVD players can be made to play DVDs from any region.

It only works for some players though.

With some it can be done by entering codes in with the remote control to set the region for each DVD. With others it is a permanent fix so that you just put in the DVD and don't worry about the region coding at all.

One of the members of our P&P group reported

</div><div class='quotemain'>I bought myself a CyberHome CH-402S DVD player, which appears to be the most current model. The CH-500 is discontinued and the only place you can buy one is used on the web. The 402S is apparently an update of the 402, which is also discontinued. In the U.S., most places like Radio Shack are elling the CH-402S for about $60. There are several incorrect software hacks out here, but here is the one that worked for me: 1.) open cd tray 2.) press the following keys to change the region code: 'Setup' '1' '3' '6' '9' followed by pressing 'left' arrow 3 times and 'right' arrow 1 time 3.) choose the new menu point 'version' 4.) change the 'region code' to 0 That works beautifully. FYI, the CH-402S plays more like a $300 machine than a $60 machine. On top of being an all-region machine, it's also just an unbelievably good bargain as a piece of equipment. Check out the user reviews at Amazon.com. [/b]

A google search should reveal any for your make and model of DVD player if they exist.

</div><div class='quotemain'>Brian Brandt: By the way, Steve, I AM an accountant (and a former Arthur Andersen one, at that, although at a twenty year remove), but I never came up with anything as miserly as region codes. [/b]

At a 20 year remove? Does that mean you've now got a worthwhile job? :)

Steve

[DB7]

</div><div class='quotemain'>Brian Brandt: Multi Region DVD Hack?[/b]

As Steve says above, type the make and model of your DVD player and the word 'hack' into Google.

If the remote control option isn't applicable you may have to create a cd to unlock the player.