PC DVD drive region code

MetaDFF

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Mar 2, 2007
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To my understanding all PC DVD drives have a fixed number (5) of changes that are allowed before the drive is locked to a specific region. I was wondering, how does the drive determine the region to lock itself to? Is the region determined from the DVD discs that are inserted into the drive? (I suppose that is the way stand-alone players work correct?)

I know in Windows device manager you can manually set the drive region in the DVD drive's properties. I was just wondering if inserting a disc from a different region will result in a change in this region setting.
 

oynaz

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May 14, 2003
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To my understanding all PC DVD drives have a fixed number (5) of changes that are allowed before the drive is locked to a specific region.
This limitation can be removed from most drive by a simple firmware upgrade.

Is the region determined from the DVD discs that are inserted into the drive?
Yes

(I suppose that is the way stand-alone players work correct?)
No, the manufacturer sets the region code (if they want to).

 

ForumMaster

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Feb 24, 2005
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Originally posted by: oynaz
To my understanding all PC DVD drives have a fixed number (5) of changes that are allowed before the drive is locked to a specific region.
This limitation can be removed from most drive by a simple firmware upgrade.

Is the region determined from the DVD discs that are inserted into the drive?
Yes

(I suppose that is the way stand-alone players work correct?)
No, the manufacturer sets the region code (if they want to).

true. i have a Sony DW-Q30A drive which is actually a Lite-On drive. it found some software that can reset the counter. i can change the region code as many times as i want.

we bought a dvd/vcr player. i searched on the net and disabled the region code.
 

MetaDFF

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Mar 2, 2007
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Originally posted by: oynaz
Is the region determined from the DVD discs that are inserted into the drive?
Yes

So that means by inserting a disc that is not in my region into the DVD drive it is going it immediately and automatically make the region change and reduce the number of changes by one?
 

ForumMaster

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Feb 24, 2005
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Originally posted by: MetaDFF
Originally posted by: oynaz
Is the region determined from the DVD discs that are inserted into the drive?
Yes

So that means by inserting a disc that is not in my region into the DVD drive it is going it immediately and automatically make the region change and reduce the number of changes by one?

nope. you just won't be able to play it and windows will tell you so and offer you the ability to change it.
 

oynaz

Platinum Member
May 14, 2003
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...and you normally have 5 changes before the drive locks.

But just disable the feature.