Why are DVD's region encoded?

[Dragnov]

It's a shame that I have to resort to buying ummm "less than authentic" DVD versions because they don't have an official Region 1 Encoded version.

 

[Feldenak]

$$$

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Why are DVD's region encoded?

to screw the consumer..?

 

[Dragnov]

Originally posted by: Feldenak
$$$

Yeah but to me it seems they are losing money. I certainly would've bought the official DVD's if I can freakin watch em.

 

[notfred]

Get one of those DVD players that you can unlock the region on.

 

[Hanpan]

Because differnt regions enjoy different release dates for films etc.

Of course in the end it all comes down to $$$$.

 

[dawks]

They release them at different times in different places.. ie, a movie could be out in theatres in North America for months.. along with the release of the DVD here, before its even hit theatres in Britian.

I think 8 Mile didnt come out in Britian till like 4-5 months after it was released here..

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: Hanpan
Because differnt regions enjoy different release dates for films etc.

Of course in the end it all comes down to $$$$.

beat me to it

 

[Kaervak]

Sometimes it has to do with syndication rights.

 

[screw3d]

Am I correct in saying that it's basically useless since a lot of players can defeat the region coding..esp DVD-ROMs?

 

[bubbadu]

Originally posted by: marvie
Am I correct in saying that it's basically useless since a lot of players can defeat the region coding..esp DVD-ROMs?

Pretty much.

-Bubbadu

 

[Luagsch]

here in switzerland it's a big c*cksuck now. retailers aren't allowed selling region 1 dvds anymore (it's a law!!!!!). they lose tons of bucks to the online-vendors who still sell region 1 stuff.

fvckin stupid sh147 gevernment.. (but else it's ok😉 )

 

[KenGr]

It's about a lot more than release dates and versions. It's part of a marketing plan similar to the way prescription drugs are marketed.

Think about it. The marginal cost of producing a DVD movie is way under $1.00. You can sell a lot in the US/Europe for $20.00. If you lowered the price to $10 you would sell more but not twice as many. So the price stays at $20.

In China you can't sell any significant number at $20 because people don't have the money. But if you can control the pirates, you can sell a bunch at $5 and make a fortune. This all works fine as long as people don't start buying the $5.00 Chinese version and shipping it to the US to sell it at $10. That's why region coding exists.