DVD Regionality!

[iafergu17]

I currently own VGN-Fe11s notebook and while trying to play back one of my region 1 DVD's I must say I was surprised to see that software supplied wouldn't play back through media center. I tried loading up through WMP and a message said that I had to change my settings - the only problem with this is that it can only be changed 4 times, after this it is stuck on the region that was last set and cannot be changed.

I must say I'm extremely disappointed by this, this is supposed to be a notebook afterall, aren't they supposed to be designed for people that travel around? What happens to all those poor souls that buy a notebook thinking it is an ideal solution for their work and entertainment requirements, go out to New York and fancy buying a new DVD... but oh no, mess with your settings and you could be irreversibly spoiling your system!

Is there any way at all to make Vaio's region free like any number of cheap DVD players out there? Or is this just one in the wallet for big firms fighting a free global market?

[TheMackster]

Hey,

had the same problem with mine... seems to work fine with a little outside interference, from other software, found mine

http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=DVD_Region-Free

take a look

hope it helps

[Twisted-Rizla]

 Or is this just one in the wallet for big firms fighting a free global market?

Sums it up pretty well.

I think it is so European memebers are always guaranteed to have to pay more for their DVDs etc.

There are programs available (see Macksters post) but be aware that you risk invalidating your warranty if you go down that route.

[William]

You can 100% blame the film industry (predominantly USA) for this one. :smileygrin:

RPC-2 term is used to refer to PC's DVD-ROM drives that are built after 1st of January, 2000.

Before that date, virtually all DVD-ROM drives permitted the user to change the region code settings of the drive freely when necessary, thus allowing watching/using DVD-Video movies from all over the world. Those older drives are called as RPC-1 drives.

This was changed when the Motion Picture Association of America forced hardware manufacturers to implement a new technology, dubbed as RPC-2 in their drives, that only allows max. 5 changes in the region code.

[TomGl]

The thing that's always puzzled me about DVD regions is how do the companies justify it? What benefit is there to the consumer?

[William]

The thing that's always puzzled me about DVD regions is how do the companies justify it? What benefit is there to the consumer?

I am sure there is no benefit to the consumer.

Films (and then ultimately DVD's) are usually released around the world at different times.

Hence I used to to buy USA versions of DVD's that had not yet been released in the UK.

I have loads of USA DVD's but can only play them on my 6 year old SONY DVD player - which cost £500+ when DVD players first surfaced. I paid over £100 to get it chipped!

Now you can buy a DVD player almost anywhere for £30.

I was originally astounded by the quality of DVD's and was one of the first to buy a DVD player.

[Blencogo]

What benefit is there to the consumer?

Plenty if you are a US Consumer!

I think the official reason is something to do with having different release dates in different countries - but we can all see through that!

[frannys]

It is a meaningless restriction imposed by idiots who claim you dont have a right to buy your films from whoever you wish.

[kee-lo_]

It is a meaningless restriction imposed by idiots who claim you dont have a right to buy your films from whoever you wish.

Well said