topic Re: dvd region code in PCs & Accessories

dvd region code

dugge — Fri, 24 Sep 2004 22:56:10 GMT

Hi everyone!

I hope you can help me on this (and that nobody minds me asking this):

Why does a portable computer have a regional code lock for dvds? It just doesn't make sense to me: when I travel to USA I want to be able to rent out a dvd and watch it on my VAIO (vgn-a115m) and when I'm back in europe I want to play my own dvds again. Obviously, changing the region code of the matshita uj-820d is not an option because it is limited to five times.

I tried "dvd region + css free" but it does not work well. The movie hardly plays at all...

cheers on any help,

johann

Re: dvd region code

kee-lo_ — Sat, 25 Sep 2004 00:38:25 GMT

Try a program called VideoLAN: http://www.videolan.org/
Apparently it can play any region DVD.

Re: dvd region code

Twisted-Rizla — Sat, 25 Sep 2004 07:54:21 GMT

I agree with Kee-Lo. Video Lan has played everything I've thrown at it. Well worth the free download.

Re: dvd region code

TygerTyger — Sat, 25 Sep 2004 11:04:16 GMT

A good example of where the consumer suffers at the hands of the pirates.

Re: dvd region code

kee-lo_ — Sat, 25 Sep 2004 15:12:54 GMT

As long as the program is used legally I don't have a problem with it.

Re: dvd region code

TygerTyger — Sat, 25 Sep 2004 16:21:53 GMT

I meant the fact that you can't change the reigon or change it more than a few times in most cases is to discourage pirates, but it ends up being a real pain for the consumer.

Re: dvd region code

kee-lo_ — Sat, 25 Sep 2004 16:31:26 GMT

Totally agree.
But then again the pirates usually work around it.

Re: dvd region code

TygerTyger — Sat, 25 Sep 2004 21:06:27 GMT

Argh matey, we do.

Re: dvd region code

kee-lo_ — Sun, 26 Sep 2004 16:14:56 GMT

Hehehe I bet they do.

Re: dvd region code

dugge — Tue, 28 Sep 2004 14:56:24 GMT

thanks guys, video lan was a pretty good hint and i wouldnt have found it through google... the result is better then what other software has achieved so i could play one scene of "waydowntown", but it was a random success i believe because it did not work again and even just selecting a different chapter did not work.

thanks anyways and ill try with a different region 1 dvd when i get hold of one...

cheers,

johann

Re: dvd region code

dugge — Tue, 28 Sep 2004 15:10:37 GMT

I meant the fact that you can't change the reigon or change it more than a few times in most cases is to discourage pirates, but it ends up being a real pain for the consumer.

i disagree on this. the dvd regions have been introduced to create artificial markets. the aim was to make sure that a distributor, say sony europe, can be sure that they have their market to themselves and are not disturbed by an american distributor. this is especially important in europe where hollywood movies often get released after they have been in america.
also, dvd regions do not discourage pirates at all, because these people mainly focus on copying dvds available to them in their country anyway. they would not order dvds from overseas to copy them, and if they did, this would be to earn money by reselling copies. if that is the case, they sure have means of getting around regions.

just to make sure: i can understand the companies using dvd regions on blockbusters for example, but it is a pain in the ass when a movie isn't released in a certain region or with fewer features (eg. original language, surround sound...)

cheers,

johann

Re: dvd region code

kee-lo_ — Tue, 28 Sep 2004 15:26:19 GMT

just to make sure: i can understand the companies using dvd regions on blockbusters for example, but it is a pain in the ass when a movie isn't released in a certain region or with fewer features (eg. original language, surround sound...)

I agree, I hate it when they dub films, like they do in France, yack

Re: dvd region code

TygerTyger — Tue, 28 Sep 2004 16:27:40 GMT

i disagree on this. the dvd regions have been introduced to create artificial markets

True indeed. It does beg the question however, why allow you to change it at all?

Re: dvd region code

kee-lo_ — Tue, 28 Sep 2004 16:29:38 GMT

In case you migrate

Re: dvd region code

robpaxton — Tue, 28 Sep 2004 16:35:41 GMT

Yes, region coding was built in to protect distribution markets. DeCss encryption is the bit that was designed to stop piracy.

Re: dvd region code

TygerTyger — Tue, 28 Sep 2004 19:30:02 GMT

I guess we are still waiting for something that actually does stop piracy. Wonder if they will ever get something together that really is unbreakable.

Re: dvd region code

kee-lo_ — Tue, 28 Sep 2004 19:57:29 GMT

I doubt it, people are always hacking, it's life.
Tehn again no one has broken ATRAC yet have they?

Re: dvd region code

TygerTyger — Tue, 28 Sep 2004 19:59:00 GMT

I'm sure that the second it became essential that nobody broke ATRAC someone would do it lol.

Re: dvd region code

Foxhound — Sun, 17 Oct 2004 19:52:57 GMT

The DVD codes are useless against piracy. All pirate copies I've seen have no region encoded in them, hence the play in all machines. So in a way Sony and Co. promote piracy.
If they speed up release times between the continents IMO would discourage pirates.