What's a decent region-free DVD-ROM gonna cost me?

[Draven]

I would like a region-free player in my home, but I already have a Panasonic DVD Player which I love and I can't really afford to get another one.

So I thought I would put my brand-spankin' new Radeon 64MB and Santa Cruz sound card to the test and get a DVD-ROM.

I have read up on a few websites about which drives come region-free and which ones you have to update, but some of them sound like you actually have to have the drive in your computer to see if you can unlock it.

So the title of the post says it all...I don't want to break the bank, and would be totally willing to go with a lesser-known brand if it was decent. I would rather have one that was region-free to begin with, rather than messing with the firmware, but I am not opposed to that. Also, what would be the best software decoder to use with it? I have the ATI one that came on the install disc (that's what that is, right?) but if there's a better one, I would love to hear about it.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[snow patrol]

Well, I'm in the UK and I managed to get a region free 16X pioneer for 100 Pounds. The same store was offering the un-modded drive for about 80 pounds. So I guess they're going to charge you about 25% above normal price. Worth it though I suppose.

 

[Draven]

Which Pioneer DVD-ROM did you get? I see the DVD-115 and the DVD-105S on Pioneer's website. Are there any other options out there for me? Any that are pretty common?

 

[snow patrol]

I got the Pioneer DVD-105. It has to be modded to make it region free though...

 

[Draven]

A firmware update? How did you mod it? Like I said, I wouldn't be opposed to it, but I'm not an electrical engineer or anything

 

[snow patrol]

Didn't actually mod it myself - the store I got it from sells the modded one as well as the unmodded one (modded is slightly more, as I said in my original post)

 

[miniMUNCH]

I don't know about the Pioneer drives...but the 12X ASUS drive is region protected by jumper configuration...removing the jumper removes region protection. And you know what's funny? The jumpers I'm taking about are jumpers on the back of the drive labeled as TEST JUMPERS.

The 8X ASUS drive that I have is region unlocked to begin with...one of the many reasons I bought it.

 

[Comp10]

There is a large list of firmware updates here to make different DVD-ROMs region free, so I would suggest you look through the list of drives before deciding on one.

As for the best software decoder, yes the Radeon comes with a software decoder, and for the Radeon its the best one out there.

 

[Draven]

I appreciate the help. I'll look into those suggestions. Always appreciated...

 

[Doomguy]

The Toshiba 12x/40x 1402 can be made region free with cracked firmware.