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Region Free & Code Free DVD Player Information
What is a Code free DVD player?
A Code free DVD player is a DVD player that is capable of playing DVD discs from around the world. DVD discs are encoded into 6 different regions. Normal (meaning non-Code free)
Why are there different DVD Disc regions? Motion picture studios in the USA wanted to control the release of movies around the world using DVD region codes.. Movies are released on DVD at different times around the world, typically America and Canada first, Australia and Japan 6 months later, and Europe 12 months after US release. In some instances, DVD movies are available for purchase in America and Canada before they are released in European cinemas. Due to the high quality of DVD and the movie release system used by Hollywood, 6 regions were establish to prevent people from watching Region 1 movies before they were released on Regions 2-6.
DVD Region Locking is a system used to control which DVD movies play on which DVD Players. The regions are broken down as follow:
What does this mean to the end consumer?
- Region 1 - The U.S., U.S. territories and Canada
- Region 2 - Europe, Japan, the Middle East, Egypt, South Africa, Greenland
- Region 3 - Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong
- Region 4 - Mexico, South America, Central America, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Caribbean
- Region 5 - Russia (okay, former Russia), Eastern Europe, India, most of Africa, North Korea, Mongolia
- Region 6 - China
This means that movies from Region 1 (USA & Canada) WILL NOT play on a DVD player regions 2-6. Effectively Region 1 discs play only on Region 1 DVD players, Region 2 discs play only on Region 2 DVD players and so on.
TV Systems and Code Free DVD Players
TV systems can be broken down into 3 categories:USA & Canada & Japan use the NTSC television system, the majority of Europe - with the exception of France, use PAL. If you purchase a PAL European DVD movie you will not be able to watch the movie unless your television can play PAL. A further example would be purchasing a NTSC movie and trying to watch it on a PAL only TV - this will not work.
- NTSC
- PAL
- SECAM
If you do not own a multisystem TV you can however use a Region Free DVD Player with a built in PAL to NTSC and NTSC to PAL converter which will enable you to watch different system DVDs. We offer a complete range of DVD players with these built in converters, for more information and specifications please visit our DVD player selection index.
If you would like to see a complete breakdown of all the countries with their respective codes please click here to view our table of TV systems from around the world.
I currently have a DVD player. How do I know if mine is Code free?
If you purchased your DVD player at any large electronics chain store like The Good Guys or Circuit City, then you have not purchased a Code free DVD player. If you're still unsure, simply attempt to view an overseas DVD to see whether it will play or not.
How do you tell what region code a dvd disc is?
The Region Code is usually specified on the back of the individual DVD packages, either with a Regional Coding logo of a globe with the region number superimposed over it, or specifically spelled out. For example, while currently-released New Line and Warner DVD titles use the globe logo & number scheme, MGM/UA titles state: "This disc has been encoded for Region 1: The United States, U.S. Territories and Canada." In the cast of Lumivision's discs, they are labelled "Available worldwide," which means that the discs contain no regional coding and will play on any player in any country.
Can I modify my own DVD player to be Code free?
It is possible, but unless you're an engineer, it's not recommended. Far too many people attempt to do this and end up damaging their DVD players. Also, by attempting to modify it yourself, you void any manufacturer's warranty.
What is macrovision? Macrovision is a form of copyguard protection encoded into DVD discs that prevents people from making illegal copies. A standard DVD player contains a special Macrovision-enabled digital-analog conver chip that is activated when a DVD is played. The activated chip applies copy protection to the analog output and causes copies made on most VCRs to be substantially degraded.
Do your DVD players process copyguard protection? No, most of our Code free DVD players do not process copyguard protection. As a result, you can safely make backup copies of yor DVDs without worrying about a distorted recording. Please check the dvd player specification to see if the player is macrovision free if you are looking for that feature.
Disclaimer: We do not recommend or condone the act of breaking copyright laws.
Is it legal to use or own a Code free DVD player? Yes, it is legal. You are legally allowed to own a Code free DVD player, but you can not use it for illegal purposes. Please check your State and Federal copyright laws for details.
Can I play CDs in your DVD players? Some of our DVD players do have the ability to play CDs. Consult the specifications on each model to find one suitable for you.
Can your codefree DVD players play CD-Rs or CD-RWs? A CD-R and CD-RW is basically a recordable CD. However, whether or not a DVD player capable of playing a regular CD can play a CD-R depends on the quality of the CD-R. Some CD-Rs recorded on higher quality CD burners can play perfectly. However, if you used a lower quality CD burner to make your CD-Rs and CD-RWs, then there's a chance they won't play. Also, a CD-RW (as opposed to a CD-R) have lower light reflection, so CD-RWs are even less likely to play. There's basically no guarantee that a CD-R or CD-RW will be playable.
What is RCE?
Recently, the Motion Picture Association of American (MPAA) has developed a new system called RCE (Regional Code Enhancing) which will be included on almost all new region 1 DVD releases. This new technology was created to prevent consumers with Code free DVD players from watching DVD discs purchased in North America. From now on, most region 1 DVD discs will be including this technology. As such, you may find in the future that some DVD discs bought in the United States will not work on your Code free DVD player. Currently, there is no word on whether or not this technology will be included on other regions.
Most of our DVD Players can play RCE discs but you will have to change the region with the remote control on most DVD players, see the individual DVD player specifications for more information.
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