[Carly]

Anyone know if DVD’s purchased in the US will play on NZ equipment? Forgive my total ignorance on the subject, but I keep hearing about “Region I” discs and “Region II” disks. Does that mean they are different or that the release dates are different?

[clg]

My understanding is that most DVD players in NZ are codefree and they will play any DVD. You can also purchase codefree DVD players online so you should not have any proplems. Just make sure the voltage and TV system (PAL) are correct.

Chris

[Carly]

thanks very much!


:clap

[wayne]

Not too sure :clap about US dvd's working but region 2 europe work just fine

[RoadRunner]

SoCalGal took some US DVDs to NZ, bought a DVD player over there (region-free one) and it worked just fine!

[Radders]

We bought our DVD player over here - most can be made multi-regional, just say that you need one that is, when you are buying

[cornerofsilence]

I was told NZ was reion 4

regards
:raebanana

[debnjohn]

I was told NZ was reion 4

regards
:raebanana
Thats right.
From memory
Region 0 = no coding plays anywhere
1 = USA
2 = Europe
3 = Far East
4 = Australasia

Any 'cheap' DVD player will probably not have region coding built in. Or if it does it can usually be unlocked using the remote control (a quick 'Google' will give the required code).
In general it is only the big players (e.g. Sony, Pioneer etc) with a vested interest in Film Industry profits that slap a region code on their DVD machines.

John.

[Bubbles]

Yes John,
I agree with the Sony/Pioneer comment. But they too can still be cracked and made region free. :nice1

It can be a bit long winded sometimes, but still achievable


:exit

[ukiwibird]

Hi ya. I was recommended www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks to make your DVD multi region. Don't know if it works, but worth a look. Regards Trudy

[ErwinT]

If all else fails and you have a comp with DVD recorder it is quite easy to backup your own DVDs to a DVD+R. Most ripping programs have an option to disable the region code (make the disk itself region free). Examples could be http://www.dvddecrypter.com or http://www.dvdshrink.org/what.html , both freeware.

Since computer DVD players/recorders have region codes as well you might want to do this *before* you buy a new comp in NZ.

This whole region thing as I understand it is meant to prevent people from seeing U.S. DVD's of movies in Europe before the film is released in European theatres. Sometimes there's quite some delay between a release date in the US and Europe.

As with all copy restrictions or playing restrictions, it's a nuisance for the general public, and absolutely no hindrance whatsoever for the copy cats (who are the reason/target for all the copy restriction in the first place). Oh well...

[baboonworld]

I get sent NZ DVD's from my family and they work on our players

[richsadams]

Hi Carly and All :cool

I think you've gotten your answer, but if not or for anyone else, here's a short one...

US DVD's will play in NZ DVD players no problem...period (or "full stop" as they say here). :laugh

Howzat for simple?