Playing DVDs Internationally

[Albert]

I recall in past there was a lot of discussion about how VCR tapes created in USA wouldn't play in FSU, and vice versa, without some conversion procedures.

I am wondering what is the situation with DVDs.

I recently bought my first DVD (yeah I know I am always way behind the times) which both plays and records.  It will record in either RW+ or RW-  or R+ or R- mode.

So my question:  Is there a problem with taking DVDs from one country to another same as with VCR tapes?  Or is there an International standard as long as you match up + or - with the type of player the other party has?

This DVD recorder will also very quickly and with little programming, copy a VCR tape onto a DVD disc in whichever format you wish.  If the DVDs play Internationally, this would seem a way to solve the different format problems of VCRs.  i.e.  Just copy VCR onto DVD.

What say those more knowlegeable, and with experience?

[dostogirl]

I recently bought my first DVD (yeah I know I am always way behind the times) which both plays and records.  It will record in either RW+ or RW-  or R+ or R- mode.

So my question:  Is there a problem with taking DVDs from one country to another same as with VCR tapes? 

Yes, there's a problem. Russian DVDs are of a different format (or region, that's how they call it). If your DVD is not a multy system one that plays all regions then Russian DVDs won't play on yours. You won't find multy system DVD palyers in stores (somehow they are considered illegal, that's what I was told in several stores here), but you can purchase them on-line. Like this one for example:

http://www.popularelect.com/DVP642.html

It plays All Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. and Plays PAL discs on any NTSC TV  and it's cheap!!

[ronin308]

dostogirl is correct.  With video tapes it has to do with format, on DVD it has to do with making it harder to "copy" DVDs.  At least that's what the manufacturers say.

A multi-region DVD player will eliminate the headache.  Of course the next one is DVD + vs DVD - for homemade DVDs as one won't play in the other recorder.

[catzenmouse]

[user=36]Yes, there's a problem. Russian DVDs are of a different format (or  region, that's how they call it). If your DVD is not a multy system one  that plays all regions then  Russian DVDs won't play on yours. You won't find multy system DVD  palyers in stores (somehow they are considered illegal, that's what I  was told in several stores here), but you can purchase them on-line.  Like this one for example:

http://www.popularelect.com/DVP642.html[/user]

It p[size="2"]lays All Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. and Plays PAL discs on any NTSC TV  and it's cheap!! [/size]

Actually I just bought this model at Best Buy for $60 with a $10 rebate  so $50 total. I've also seen this model at Circuit City and at Target.  It does play the Russian DVDs that would not play in our old model.

Ken

[Elen]

http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks.php
May be that will help somebody

[al-c]

The VCR tape incompatibility is a hard coded format one.  Russian PAL tapes won't play on U.S. NTSC machines, and vice versa.  The analog tapes must be converted to the other format in order to use them.

The DVD incompatibility is a software one.  With DVD players, you can't change the software so you are stuck with one, unless you get a region free one from wherever you get it from.

But it is much easier in the PC world.  You can get software for your PC DVD on the internet for region free operation.  Look in Google and you will find it rather quickly.

Once your PC DVD achieves region free status, you can copy her Russian DVDs and burn them back to a format that will play on your U.S. DVD player.

As for her PAL VCR tapes, she should copy them to PC DVD before she leaves Russia, and, once here, you can Americanize them for her on your PC DVD with your region free software.

 

[Turboguy]

Actually Russian tapes are Secam not Pal but there is little difference between Secam and Pal.

[Bruno]

Actually Russian tapes are Secam not Pal but there is little difference between Secam and Pal.

 

Just the color... a Secam tape in a Pal machine give a black and white film... but almost all European machine are PAL B/G SECAM... and a big part of the modern one accept NTSC...

[dostogirl]

Actually I just bought this model at Best Buy for $60 with a $10 rebate so $50 total. I've also seen this model at Circuit City and at Target. It does play the Russian DVDs that would not play in our old model.

Ken

Wow, may be I should check the sotres again

[Albert]

OK, thanks to all who responded.  I have been reading the manual for the new DVD player/recorder VCR player/recorder I purchased.  RCA model for $224 at Walmart.

First, let me say I was not looking at doing what many others were suggesting. i.e. getting it so a FSU gal could bring things here to play.  Rather, I was getting it (DVD) so that I could copy some items here in USA and take the DVDs to FSU for playing on machines there.

In this latter regard, I read some interesting things.  The manual talks about the different regional codes (1-6 I think), but then says that concern only applies to prerecorded DVDs that you buy with Hollywood movies on them, etc.  The manual says that when I make DVDs in RW + or - format, or in R + or - format, that they will play on DVDs around the world that can read + or -.  In other words, self made DVDs do not have the regional code problem.

Any comments on what I think I have read/learned?

[Bruno]

http://hometheater.about.com/cs/dvdlaserdisc/a/aaregioncodesa.htm

In order to preserve the financial integrity of the theatrical distribution of a particular film, it is not possible (under normal conditions) to have a friend in the U.S. send a DVD copy of the film to the country where it is in theatrical release and be able to play the DVD on a player there.

[/url] 

If you make a hard copy of a DVD film to a 2 layer  DVD ( original film are almost always on 2 layer disc ) the problem of zone is not resolved... but if you use your computer and convert the film ( divX or Xvid are supported by several player, some support wmv ) and store it on a single layer, it is not really a problem...

Second problem, American are lucky guys, for the zone 1, the regio codes system is not the only protection... Some American DVD have the RCE ( regional code enhancement )... this mean that the DVD can only be play on American machine... they don't play on multi zone of free zone machine :

Code: [Select]

http://hometheater.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=hometheater&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dvdtalk.com%2Frce.html

 

[Ste]

Every DVD I've bought in Russia has been Region 0. Most excellent copies!

Ste

[LatinSwede]

I bought a bunch of Russian DVD movies in Odessa.  They all play fine in my Wal-Mart purchased  player.  I doubt if mutli systems are illegal in the US.  Video tapes are a no go fur sure.

There is a little kiosk on Deribovskaya, where  I bought these cheap DVD's with 4 in one.  Another one had 7 on it.  They are all double sided, and probably knockoffs.  You really need to watch out for bootlegged movies and music.  The movies I got like Spyetsnaz and Bymer are legit, because I bought them in proper stores.  Look for the hologram stucker that says "Conrtol Marka in cyrillic.  DVD's & Cd's are dirt cheap for an American.  I always come back with a high stack.

[Ste]

I bought a bunch of Russian DVD movies in Odessa. They all play fine in my Wal-Mart purchasedplayer. I doubt if mutli systems are illegal in the US. Video tapes are a no go fur sure.

There is a little kiosk on Deribovskaya, where I bought these cheapDVD's with 4 in one.Another one had7 on it. They are all double sided, and probably knockoffs.You really need to watch out for bootlegged movies and music.The movies I got like Spyetsnaz and Bymer are legit, because I bought them in proper stores. Look for the hologram stucker that says "Conrtol Marka in cyrillic. DVD's & Cd's are dirt cheap for an American. I always come back with a high stack.

To be honest I dunno which are legit are which aren't except Nadia assures me the legit ones are very expensive. The hooky ones we bought are perfect copies, with hologram etc but really cheap - like 2 quid for a CD, 3 quid for a DVD. And we bought them in 'proper' shops, some in a huge computer shop in Chel, some in the supermarket.

I reckon the legit ones and hooky ones are exactly the same, except they arrive in the shops via different doors, ie official door or back door.

Either that or the bootleggers have access to production-plant DVD presses.....

Ste

[andrewfi]

Albert, that is right. If you burn your own DVD it will normally be burned as region 0 (region free) and should play on anything. But, a friend bought his machine over from the US and it will not play region free discs. I can not imagine that a machine bought here would be like this as almost all machines are either supplied region free, convertible with a remote control hack or adaptable at service centres and the like.

[BC]

A few, DVD players like the one in my laptop will play any region.. but only for a limited number of dvd plays (like 5 times) then gets 'stuck' on the last region played. Cracks are available for most models..

[Bruno]

A few, DVD players like the one in my laptop will play any region.. but only for a limited number of dvd plays (like 5 times) then gets 'stuck' on the last region played. Cracks are available for most models..

For PC DVD players, take a look at :

http://thepiratebay.org/search.php?q=DVD+Region+CSS+Free

Choose a torrent with enough seeder and you will have the right software in a few minutes for a free zone PC

For house DVD player, take a look at :

http://www.emdir.org/dvd-unlock/

Use the search field for your model... DVD unlocking (or hacking) is a process where you press a sequence of keys on your players remote control to convert your previously region locked DVD player to a region free player which enables it to play DVD's from around the world.


Example of result :

Code: [Select]

Philips DVP 5106K



1 - Make sure there is no disk in the player
2 - Press EJECT on the remote or on the player. The eject icon has to be visible on screen for the hack to work!!!
3 - Press MENU (System) on the remote
4 - Press the RIGHT button on the remote until you get to the PREFERENCES screen
5 - Now enter the sequence 135566 with the remote control
6 - Now "Region Code" should appear
7 - Select the 0 (multiregion)
8 - Press MENU (System) on the remote to exit the setup screen
9 - Press the power button on the remote to set the player on standby, this saves the new setting.
 

[START2]

Just received a cd from Ukr. that has my in-laws 40th wedding anniversary on it. It was originally filmed on tape then burnt to a cd. I can't get it to play on my dvd player. A message pops up that says error. I tried it on my pc and can hear the audo but no video. I have a compaq presario pc. What do I need to do to make this work?

[Bruno]

[user=297]START2[/user] wrote:

Just received a cd from Ukr. that has my in-laws 40th wedding anniversary on it. It was originally filmed on tape then burnt to a cd. I can't get it to play on my dvd player. A message pops up that says error. I tried it on my pc and can hear the audo but no video. I have a compaq presario pc. What do I need to do to make this work?

Install the Klite mega codec pack :

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_Lite_Mega_Codec_Pack.htm

If you are not able to play it with this, the CD is corrupt... these codec pack is able to play everything... use the "BSplayer" or the "media player classic" in the pack.

 

[START2]

Bruno,

Thanks a bunch. I've been away all weekend and just got back so I'll try this tomorrow after work. I think the codec might work.   DAR

[START2]

Never could get codec to load. Don't know why.  I talked to Ken(Catz) on saturday and went to best buy and bought the Phillips model 642 DVD player. $60.  Cheap but plays all regions. Cd of the in-laws 40 anniversary played great. Ken, thanks for the movies. I see why Val and Elena liked the one about the guy who gets drunk, ends up in a diff city and meets this great gal. Wish it was in english. Val says many Ukr/Ru women watch this before the new year. I think it translates to Ironic Destiny. Thanks for the cartoons too!!!!!! Haven't seen the other one yet. Will catch it later.

[catzenmouse]

Hey Darryl! Glad you like them. Look at it as helping to improve your Russian! I enjoy watching them just for the story and to get a taste of the life our ladies have lived.

We'll send along a few more as I get a chance to make copies.

Big Hello! To Valentyna from us.

Ken