Is region 0 DVD player illegal?
2818jgy
Is selling modified region 0 DVD player illegal in USA?
How can I learn more about modifying the microcode?
Any advise?
Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
> Is selling modified region 0 DVD player illegal in USA?
> How can I learn more about modifying the microcode?
Tough to decide if it's legal. It might qualify as a "circumvention device"
under DMCA, though it doesn't actually help you copy anything. Pick a player
that's easy to modify, like the Oritron DVD100. (Just a few button presses
to disable region checking). There is a lot of information on the Internet
about how to modify popular players.
--
-- Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
Personal http://www.larwe.com/ Work http://www.digi-frame.com/
"Every crow has its prawn,
Just as every blight has its corn.
Like every doughboy thinks of glad, glad tongs
Every crow has its prawn."
(isn't that what Poison REALLY meant to write?)
jayembee
> Is region 0 DVD player illegal?
No. Region coding was something that the studios insisted
be encoded into the DVD spec, or they wouldn't get on
board and release their films in that format. It has no
legal force whatsoever.
> Is selling modified region 0 DVD player illegal in USA?
The player manufacturers are bound by contract with
the studios to not market players without region coding.
But it's not illegal for a third party to buy a player,
modify the region coding, and resell it. Or for a consumer
to buy a player, and take it to a third party to have it
modified. At worst, doing so will void any warranty that
comes with the player. But the Region Police will not
come and kick your door down, if that's what you're
worried about.
-- jayembee (jerry period boyajian at-sign eds period com)
"So what do you think? Alien?" "Yeah. I definitely ruled
out genetic mutation." "Too far from Jersey?" "Exactly."
2818jgy
where I can find more info? Thanks.
"Lewin A.R.W. Edwards" <la...@larwe.com> wrote in message
news:gTk87.84590$l%.12740672@typhoon2.gnilink.net...
David Z
> the studios to not market players without region coding.
Well Sony sell a DVD player here (DVP-NS300) which is multi-region right out
of the box. So thats obviously not a load of crap!
StoVoKar
one with R2. I have tested it with a R1 disk and it work fine. So mine is
regiofree from the factory...
"jayembee (Jerry Boyajian)" <nos...@newsranger.com> wrote in message
news:_Jl87.9300$ar1....@www.newsranger.com...
Werner Purrer
>
>Thanks Lewin, Can you tell me more about DMCA? What is the exact title and
>where I can find more info? Thanks.
The DMCA is a new law in the US which basically forbids to give
information about circumvention of digital copy protection and to
circumvent digital copy protection or to break encryption no matter how
weak it is. It has been used in the few months it has been existing by
the movie studios the MPAA and RIAA to harass people (Prof. Felten who
wrote a paper about digital watermarking in the proposed music copy
protection standard is one of them) who work on copy protection schemes
witih law suites and has led to one arrest of a russion guy in the US
who gave a speech on how to bypass the protection of adobe acrobat.
Basically what is going on is a prevention of free speech which has been
bought by the RIAA and MPAA for their own interests.
Werner
--
Memory Dragon
Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
Some areas (e.g. Hong Kong) are designated "international ports" and
regionless hardware is sold out-of-box there.
In practice if you want a region-free DVD player it is a simple matter to
find one. Only a monkey goes straight to the department store and buys
whatever is shown there. Smaller stores often have pre-modified equipment. I
didn't know any DVD owners back home who had region-crippled players.
--
-- Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
Personal http://www.larwe.com/ Work http://www.digi-frame.com/
Mike Harrison
wrote:
..but region coding is not copy protection or encryption
Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
> >information about circumvention of digital copy protection and to
>
True but it would take a lawyer to get one off the hook if MPAA claimed it
was a "circumvention device", I think.
MPAA and RIAA - nobody is less deserving of oxygen.
--
-- Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
Personal http://www.larwe.com/ Work http://www.digi-frame.com/
Werner Purrer
>
>Some areas (e.g. Hong Kong) are designated "international ports" and
>regionless hardware is sold out-of-box there.
>
>In practice if you want a region-free DVD player it is a simple matter to
>find one. Only a monkey goes straight to the department store and buys
>whatever is shown there. Smaller stores often have pre-modified equipment. I
>didn't know any DVD owners back home who had region-crippled players.
Actually about 80% of the DVD players sold in Europe are region free or
region switchable. This is a thorn in the side of the movie industrie
who wants to keep the DVD prices high over here. Their latest attempt is
to force the DVD manufacturers not to produce any region free players
anymore by revoking the DVD label if they do. Won´t help them very much
imho cause most of the DVD players sold over here except the cheap
chinese ones are post hacks. That means the hacks are done after the
player has been shipped from the manufacturer. It is done by companies
which have specialised themselves on hacked players.
Werner
--
Memory Dragon
David Z
> regionless hardware is sold out-of-box there.
Well, I forgot to mention that I'm in Australia and the player is being sold
by Sony Australia, and we are not what you'd call an international port...
Werner Purrer
>
>Well, I forgot to mention that I'm in Australia and the player is being sold
>by Sony Australia, and we are not what you'd call an international port...
Nope OZ and NZ have declared the region protection for illegal. Same
could happen over here in Europe soon. The EU is looking into that
matter currently.
Werner
--
Memory Dragon
Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
I'm from Australia too, originally. If you look in the classifieds section
of many newspapers you will find advertisements for "zone free DVD". If
you're in Melbourne, go to Box Hill. Just near the Box Hill railway station
there are many stores selling zone free DVDs. In general, Asian stores
selling LD and DVD movies will sell region free DVD hardware. I bought my
Toshiba 1st-gen DVD player there, it was actually a Japanese unit. Came with
the 240-110 stepdown.
Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
Not surprising. I don't even remember what region covers Aus (6 I think?)
but whatever - the local releases had poor audio, fewer special features,
longer delays till they reach market, ..... I only bought a couple of
local-region DVDs while I lived in Aus; I bought mostly region 1 :)
Glenn Shaw
>
> > Nope OZ and NZ have declared the region protection for illegal. Same
>
> Not surprising. I don't even remember what region covers Aus (6 I think?)
Australia and New Zealand are in Region 4, IIRC.
Glenn Shaw
Indianapolis, IN USA
David Z
kbps dolby digital 5.1) , and in some cases we get DVDs first here.
Example: Terminator: Special Edition, Buffy , Friends, Jackie Brown, Dick
Tracy, Predator 2....etc. etc.
"Lewin A.R.W. Edwards" <la...@larwe.com> wrote in message
news:LmA87.160379$pH2.2...@typhoon1.gnilink.net...
Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
> kbps dolby digital 5.1) , and in some cases we get DVDs first here.
And what languages would that be in?
Australia was a second or third-echelon market, that may have changed in the
two years since I left home. Anyway, the whole concept of region coding is
criminally stupid.
simon
small fee.. multi-region.. although there was a warning that they are about
to do something with the region codes.. to stop all this multi stuff.. so an
older multi-region DVD might stop working...(this was from a shop).. their
advice was to hold off the purchase so the new cracks can come out...
Simon
"David Z" <bz...@bigpond.net.au> wrote in message
news:Kpz87.68870$Xr6.3...@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
simon
you first have to decode it hence encription.. remember this is US law.. and
sucking a d..k is not sex :-)
"Lewin A.R.W. Edwards" <la...@larwe.com> wrote in message
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Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
about
> to do something with the region codes.. to stop all this multi stuff.. so
an
> older multi-region DVD might stop working...(this was from a shop).. their
There are some disks that don't work properly in a multi-region DVD. They do
it like this: Imagine the disk is region 1. The startup sequence (the stupid
FBI warning and other stuff you can't skip when the disk boots) contains a
sequence like this:
Check if this player can play region 2. Yes? -> CRASH
Check if this player can play region 3. Yes? -> CRASH
Check if this player can play region 4. Yes? -> CRASH
Check if this player can play region 5. Yes? -> CRASH
Check if this player can play region 6. Yes? -> CRASH
Anonymous
manufacturers like Sony, Philips etc would offer region-free players to capture
more potential buyers.
David Z
"Anonymous" <some...@somewhe.re> wrote in message
news:3B656AA0...@somewhe.re...
Anonymous
Mike Harrison
wrote:
>It is illegal, so in most cases it is done secretly. Otherwise major
>manufacturers like Sony, Philips etc would offer region-free players to capture
>more potential buyers.
Rubbish - it's just against the terms of the license they need to make
DVD players. I'm sure the manufacturers have not tried too hard to
make players modifiable, as this would clearly not be in their
interests.
Atlantis
asked whether I wanted a multiregion or not. I obviously wanted the
multiregion model. The person in the store called Pioneer and ordered me
one. Pioneer (unofficially) make region free DVD players from the factory.
My player still came with a valid Pioneer warranty, because it had been made
region free at the factory.
"Anonymous" <some...@somewhe.re> wrote in message
news:3B6591D4...@somewhe.re...
David Z
"Anonymous" <some...@somewhe.re> wrote in message
news:3B6591D4...@somewhe.re...
Anonymous
company could have legal trouble by the MPAA. But I don't dismiss the
possibility for other countries...
Anonymous
Europe, Australia and other countries there should not be a problem, as this is
via a representative usually, not directly.
David Z
into one, buy a DVP NS300 which is multi-region right out of the box...
Is that not buying direct from the manufacturer?
"Anonymous" <some...@somewhe.re> wrote in message
news:3B66C469...@somewhe.re...
jayembee
>> "Anonymous" <some...@somewhe.re> wrote
>>> It is illegal, so in most cases it is done secretly. Otherwise
>>> major manufacturers like Sony, Philips etc would offer
>>> region-free players to capture more potential buyers.
In order to secure the studios' cooperation (without the
studios releasing movies, DVD players wouldn't be useful
for anything but as a doorstop), the players agreed to add
region coding to the player spec, and to not distribute
players without region coding (though, apparently, in
countries where region coding has been made illegal,
the manufacturers are doing just that).
There is, however, no legal force behind region coding.
Justin
Anonymous wrote:
> This sounds weird. I am sure if something like that happened in the States, the
> company could have legal trouble by the MPAA. But I don't dismiss the
> possibility for other countries...
>
Again, showing your ignorance. The MPAA is not related to the cartel that licenses
DVD players.
2818jgy
Can they conspire to do this? Anti-trust?
Spehro Pefhany
> Some areas (e.g. Hong Kong) are designated "international ports" and
> regionless hardware is sold out-of-box there.
Isn't there another twist to this? ISTR reading of limited region
switching where the player would be disabled if you switched between
regions more than a fixed (small) number of times. Could be wrong, from
memory.
Best regards,
--
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
sp...@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com
Contributions invited->The AVR-gcc FAQ is at: http://www.BlueCollarLinux.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Mike Harrison
<sp...@interlog.com> wrote:
>In sci.electronics.design Lewin A.R.W. Edwards <la...@larwe.com> wrote:
>
>> Some areas (e.g. Hong Kong) are designated "international ports" and
>> regionless hardware is sold out-of-box there.
>
>Isn't there another twist to this? ISTR reading of limited region
>switching where the player would be disabled if you switched between
>regions more than a fixed (small) number of times. Could be wrong, from
>memory.
>
>Best regards,
I think this applied to PC based systems, to simplify distribution, so
they could ship the same package worldwide
Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
> > regionless hardware is sold out-of-box there.
>
> Isn't there another twist to this? ISTR reading of limited region
> switching where the player would be disabled if you switched between
> regions more than a fixed (small) number of times. Could be wrong, from
Mike is right; this applies to PC DVD-ROM drives, so they can make one
product for all markets. EEPROM counter, most "2nd gen" drives have this
feature, and there are firmware hacks on the web for most of those drives
too ;)
Anonymous
Representantive in Greece and ask for a region-free player, that I can also buy
one without any issues, but I doubt this is possible in USA.
Anonymous
contracts with MPAA to lock their players. In most of the countries they don't
give a damn, but in USA I doubt any manufacturer could officially sell
region-free players. That's what I'm trying to say...
jayembee
>> In order to secure the studios' cooperation (without the
>> studios releasing movies, DVD players wouldn't be useful
>> for anything but as a doorstop), the players agreed to add
>> region coding to the player spec, [snip]
> Who are these "players" -
For "players agreed to add", read "player manufacturers agreed".
Jesse Staton
Where in the US (Midwest) can I purchase a DVD Player that is region free?
I'm looking for model numbers and store names.
Thanks
Jesse
Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
> I'm looking for model numbers and store names.
Oritron DVD100
ebay (you might also find them at ubid, egghead, etc)
Estimated cost ~$60-$100 max
Modifiable for region free operation and VCD playback using special button
sequence on remote. (You want to be able to switch back to region-locked
mode easily, some disks are protected and won't work on all-region players)
--
-- Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
Personal http://www.larwe.com/ Work http://www.digi-frame.com/
"Close, but no banana" still means no banana!
2818jgy
Is this region code also restrict DVD-ROM inside laptop and desktop
computers?
What happened if I carry my laptop to Europe, will I be able to watch DVD
disc movie from Europe (another region?
Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
> computers?
> What happened if I carry my laptop to Europe, will I be able to watch DVD
> disc movie from Europe (another region?
Older DVD-ROM drives had no real protection. The region coding was done in
the hardware MPEG decoder card. Since desktop PCs can now comfortably
decompress/decrypt DVD data entirely in software, newer generation DVD-ROM
drives have the region coding in hardware. When you install the software,
you are asked what region you're in (or it takes it from the first disk you
play). You can only reset the region a limited number of times, typically
around 5.
--
-- Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
Personal http://www.larwe.com/ Work http://www.digi-frame.com/
Anonymous
players and DVD-ROM drives, both in desktop and laptop computers. In essence in
every device capable of playing DVD movies (hence in Playstation and XBOX as
well). But don't worry! You can make your laptop DVD-ROM drive (and any other
DVD-ROM drive) region-free by upgrading its firmware. The firmware is a small
program that guides the drive's electronic and mechanical elements. It makes the
drive work and recognise the formats it's supposed to read (DVD-ROM, DVD-Video
and almost all CD formats). Somehwere in the code there is embedded the region
check. It checks how many times you change the region and after 5 times it locks
to the last change. But if you find another firmware that ignores the region
changes, then you should be able to change the region as many times as you want
and in essence have a multi-region drive. This is the first step (unlocking the
hardware, i.e. the drive) The next step is to hack the software you are using to
watch the DVD movies, so it allows unlimited region checks. But even if the
softwrae locksa, you can remove it completely and reinstall it. Of course this
is inconvenient, so some utilities such as DVD Genie let you change the region
without reducing the counter, so they let you unlimited changes.
To find a new firmware for your drive go to:
See at the laptop section. But be careful, as this is for advanced users. Ask an
experienced firend to help, and consult us if necessary.
To get DVD Genie that hacks most software DVD players (PowerDVD, WinDVD etc) go
to:
So you don't have to worry. "Nothing is impossible", as the top hacker states in
the new movie "Swordfish" (very good by the way!).
Anonymous
previous reply.
Jesse Staton
> Modifiable for region free operation and VCD playback using special button
> sequence on remote. (You want to be able to switch back to region-locked
> mode easily, some disks are protected and won't work on all-region
players)
Thanks
Jesse
Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
news:3b69b463$1...@athena.netset.com...
> What is the code for the remote control or where would I find it?
If you get one, let me know, I have the code info at home (I keep the piece
of paper sticky-taped to the inside cover of the player, so I never lose the
magic!).
Russell Shaw
Anonymous wrote:
>
> So you don't have to worry. "Nothing is impossible", as the top hacker states in
> the new movie "Swordfish" (very good by the way!).
you've GOT to be joking, right?
Anonymous
two codes. The well known PLAY,2,7,4 etc switches the player to one region and
it has to be reapplied to change region. But rumors have ti that you can change
the region up to 25 times, so it is better to use the permanent multi-region
code, PLAY,1,5,9 etc. The rest I don't remember, but you could find them on the
Internet. These codes can be entered (depending on the Philips model and
firmware) via the device's own remote control. Otherwise, you have to use the
universal code that is applied with a special remote. This is the All4One number
6, if I remember well and the code is somewhat elaborate and could confuse
novice users. Luckily you on;y have to apply it once.
Anyone interested for hacking a Phlips stand-alone DVD-Video player, have a look
at the following sites:
http://regionhacks.datatestlab.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000795-6.html
http://www.dvdezone.com/ (in French)
http://www.home.zonnet.nl/jeroenverhaar/en/indexdvd.htm
http://www.electrouk.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/
http://www.ianc.net/philips/
The third link explains the PLAY,1,5,9 hack for models 95x and others. The last
link is the Philips Syndicate and explains the universal hack (with One4All 6)
along with other hacks involving using your Palm organiser etc.
Good Luck. For any other players, all you have to do is ask this newsgroup. A
little search in the Internet could also help...
Anonymous
Anonymous
drives) that do not have yet a region-free firmware they will eventually. As for the
software, this is the easiest part to hack for an experience cracker. So where is the
joke? Maybe you didn't like the phrase from the movie I used, but I have seen the
movie recently and I liked it, so I thought it was a good idea to use the phrase.
Jesse Staton
KLH DVD221
Samsung DVD611
Playstation 2
&
Oritron DVD100 (not working - lights up but the buttons/remote don't cause
any reaction)
All purchased in the US and set to region 1.
Any help on making any of these region free? (or even just region 4)
Thanks
Jesse
Lewin A.R.W. Edwards
> any reaction)
>
> All purchased in the US and set to region 1.
> Any help on making any of these region free? (or even just region 4)
The DVD100 is just a button press sequence. However you'll probably find the
reason it isn't working is one of the following two:
1. SDRAM or DRAM has failed.
2. Firmware is partly erased.
I've had problem 1 frequently! Problem 2 also, I think because the player
stores some preference info in the same flash device.
Jesse Staton
I think I understand what you just wrote.
Are these problems fixable by myself or should I take the unit to a shop?
Jesse
Lewin A.R.W. Edwards <la...@larwe.com> wrote in message
news:lQIa7.943$sN1.2...@typhoon1.gnilink.net...
Joseph Phillips
region and with the price of dvd-rom drives coming down, wouldn't it
probably be easier just to get seperate drives for each region that you buy
from. For me that would be two drives since I only buy R1 and R2 discs.
"Lewin A.R.W. Edwards" <la...@larwe.com> wrote
>> Is this region code also restrict DVD-ROM inside laptop and desktop
Jesse Staton
KLH DVD221
Samsung DVD611
Playstation 2
Oritron DVD100 (currently not responding to button presses)
All of these machines were purchased in the US and are Region 1.
Anyone have any suggestions for making any of these Region Free?
Any ideas on fixing the Ortitron that I can do myself?
Thanks
Jesse
Anonymous <some...@somewhe.re> wrote in message
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