Dear strewie:
It sounds like you have run into a region code problem. Most likely
the DVD discs are coded for a different region than your DVD player is
allowed to play. Check your DVD player's manual to see which region
it is coded for. The disc's region code is typically displayed on the
back of the DVD disc box at the bottom right hand corner and on the
disc itself in the form of a number. The link below includes material
about possible solutions to your problem, including links to
information about region-free DVD players and methods for "hacking"
players.
I hope this information allows you to understand and resolve your problem.
Sincerely,
Wonko
"[1.10] What are "regional codes," "country codes," or "zone locks"?"
http://dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#1.10 "DVD Frequently Asked
Questions (and Answers)," DVD Demystified, March 21, 2004
"Motion picture studios want to control the home release of movies in
different countries because theater releases aren't simultaneous (a
movie may come out on video in the U.S. when it's just hitting screens
in Europe). Also, studios sell distribution rights to different
foreign distributors and would like to guarantee an exclusive market.
Therefore they required that the DVD standard include codes to prevent
playback of certain discs in certain geographical regions. Each player
is given a code for the region in which it's sold. The player will
refuse to play discs that are not coded for its region. This means
that a disc bought in one country may not play on a player bought in
another country. Some people believe that region codes are an illegal
restraint of trade, but no legal cases have established this.
Regional codes are entirely optional for the maker of a disc. Discs
without region locks will play on any player in any country. It's not
an encryption system, it's just one byte of information on the disc
that the player checks. Some studios originally announced that only
their new releases would have regional codes, but so far almost all
Hollywood releases play in only one region. Region codes are a
permanent part of the disc, they won't "unlock" after a period of
time. Region codes don't apply to DVD-Audio, DVD-ROM, or recordable
DVD (see below for more detail).
Seven regions (also called locales or zones) have been defined, and
each one is assigned a number. Players and discs are often identified
by their region number superimposed on a world globe. If a disc plays
in more than one region it will have more than one number on the
globe.
1: U.S., Canada, U.S. Territories
2: Japan, Europe, South Africa, and Middle East (including Egypt)
3: Southeast Asia and East Asia (including Hong Kong)
4: Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, Mexico,
South America, and the Caribbean
5: Eastern Europe (Former Soviet Union), Indian subcontinent, Africa,
North Korea, and Mongolia
6: China
7: Reserved
8: Special international venues (airplanes, cruise ships, etc.)
(See the map at <www.blackstar.co.uk/help/help_dvd_regions>.)" |
