System information

Evan Knoble – KNOBLE ARTS

Unlock Your DVD Region Code

What are "regional codes" or "Country Codes"?

The movie studios want to control the release of films in different countries because

theatre releases do not occur simultaneously (a film in the U.S. can come out on

video, while in Europe just before coming to the cinemas). In addition, the studios

sell distribution rights to different foreign distributors and would guarantee them an

exclusive market. Therefore, they have demanded the inclusion in the DVD standard

include codes to prevent playback of certain discs in certain geographical

regions. Each player is given a code for the region in which it is sold. The player will

refuse to play discs that do not have the code in this region. This means that a disc

bought in one country, perhaps on a player that was bought in another can not

play. Some people believe that region codes are an illegal restriction on trade, but

this view has been confirmed in any court proceedings.

Region codes are for the maker of a disc completely optional. Discs without region

lock on any player can play in any country. It is not an encryption system, there is

only one byte of information on the disc, which tests the player. Some studios

originally announced that only their new releases would have regional codes, but

until now it encompasses almost all Hollywood releases play in only one

region. Region codes are a permanent part of the disc, it does not turn freely after a

certain time. Not affected by regional codes are DVD Audio, DVD-ROM and

rewritable DVDs (see below for more details).

There are seven regions (also called zones), each was assigned a number. Players

and discs can often be identified by the region number, which is emblazoned on a

globe. If the CD is playing in more than one region, it has more than one number on

the globe.

1: USA, Canada, U.S. Territories

2: Japan, Europe, South Africa and the Middle East (including Egypt)

3: Southeast Asia and East Asia (including Hong Kong)

4: Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, Mexico, South America

and the Caribbean

5: Eastern Europe (former Soviet Union), the Indian subcontinent, Africa, North

Korea, and Mongolia

6: China

7: Reserved

8: Special international sites (airplanes, cruise ships, etc.)