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    region free software for windows 7

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by chomper, Feb 9, 2011.

  1. chomper

    chomper Notebook Consultant

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    Is there any software you can download so you can play multiple region discs ? I know you can change the region on your PC drive, but can only do it so many times then it locks.

    whats my best option ?
     
    chomper, Feb 9, 2011
    #1
  2. JKleiss

    JKleiss Notebook Evangelist

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    use vlc palyer, im pretty sure its regionless
     
    JKleiss, Feb 9, 2011
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  3. chomper

    chomper Notebook Consultant

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    and VLC blocks the drive from checking the region coding on the disc ?
     
    chomper, Feb 9, 2011
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  4. JKleiss

    JKleiss Notebook Evangelist

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    "VLC is one of the free software and open source DVD players that ignores DVD region coding on RPC-1 firmware drives, making it a region-free player. However, it does not do the same on RPC-2 firmware drives."

    from wikipedia
     
    JKleiss, Feb 9, 2011
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  5. chomper

    chomper Notebook Consultant

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    Awesome ! it worked, THanks
     
    chomper, Feb 9, 2011
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  6. michael_recycled

    michael_recycled Notebook Deity

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    All DVD drives nowadays are RPC-2. If I understand the quote above correctly, then VLC cannot prevent the operating system (Windows) from changing the DVD region of the drive.
    That means, there is a high probability that you are stuck with the 5th region set by Windows. But according to the VLC FAQ (see below), this depends on the drive. Panasonic(Matsh*ta) are the worst here.

    Only workaround would be then to flash your drive with a RPC-1 or RPC-2 Autoreset firmware (if such exists). Such does not exist for Panasonic(Matsh*ta) drives.

    Here is a statement from the VLC FAQ, which explains somewhat more in detail:
    Michael
     
    michael_recycled, Feb 9, 2011
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  7. chomper

    chomper Notebook Consultant

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    I popped in the Region 2 disc in my HP DV7 drive, and selected to open what was on the drive with VLC, and no problems.
     
    chomper, Feb 9, 2011
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  8. olyteddy

    olyteddy Notebook Deity

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    You might check if these guys have a region free firmware for your drive.
     
    olyteddy, Feb 9, 2011
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  9. chomper

    chomper Notebook Consultant

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    so i will be stuck with a region 2 drive after playing a region 2 disc 5 times with vlc ? cause i just popped in the disc and opened up with VLC and nothing popped up saying region coding has changed. it just played normal like if i were just to pop in any region 1 dvd.
     
    chomper, Feb 10, 2011
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  10. michael_recycled

    michael_recycled Notebook Deity

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    This solely depends on your drive.
    Also, if you play 5 Region 2 DVDs in a row, there is only one region change aussumed your drive was set to another region before.
    You should be able to check the current region of your drive in device manager.
    And perhaps you are lucky, that your drive does "co-operate" with VLC.

    Michael
     
    michael_recycled, Feb 10, 2011
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  11. Pirx

    Pirx Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hmm, I just checked, and mine says: "Current region not selected". What does that mean? Am I region-free? I should say, it's possible that I never played a DVD on that drive, so maybe it will set a region once I pop in my first DVD?
     
    Pirx, Feb 10, 2011
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  12. chomper

    chomper Notebook Consultant

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    [​IMG]

    I never did pop in a DVD in my drive as well to set the region. the 1st dvd i popped in was afew days ago testing a region 2 disc with the VLC software. ive been playing blu rays before that.
     
    chomper, Feb 11, 2011
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  13. Pirx

    Pirx Notebook Virtuoso

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    So, that screenshot is new, meaning your player remained set to "no region selected" after you played that DVD? Cool!
     
    Pirx, Feb 11, 2011
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  14. chomper

    chomper Notebook Consultant

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    im guessing if i pop in a dvd again and not open it up with VLC it will set its region code for the 1st time.
     
    chomper, Feb 11, 2011
    #14