[NTLUG:Discuss] DVD on a computer

[mike]

Three things look at the 'region code' in DVD technology: The drive, the 
decoder, and the disc itself. 

Drives:_______________________________

Generic DVD drives generally have a region code 'all' setting either set up at 
the factory or available to flash into memory. This is also sometimes called 
region 7.  (maxtech, BTC, etc.)

Name Brand Drives generally do not have a published "all' setting. (sony, 
Toshiba, HP, IBM, etc.)  I've heard rumours that some will support an all 
setting by using 3rd party flash programs. 

Decoders:___________________________

Hardware decoders available in the US are either hard set to region code one 
(and can't be changed,) or preset to region code one (and can be flashed to 
different regions a few times just like most name brand drives.)

If you get a software DVD decoder that's completely open technology (which is 
technically illegal to possess in the U.S. and may now be illegal in europe, 
it's been a while since i've researched this issue) then it will either 
ignore the region setting or allow a 'soft' region setting (in a config 
file).

if you pay for a software DVD decoder licensed to be used in the U.S. then it 
will generally require the hardware region setting to match the disc. (Thanks 
to the RIAA/MPAA). 

If you get a software decoder with your generic drive (that is primarily 
written in chinese with poor english support,) it will likely support region 
code 7 - all (but require a windows load to run.)

Discs:____________________________________

I've never bought non code 1 discs. (I stick with VCD's if i'm buying from 
overseas and avoid the whole issue.   Technically, non-code 1 discs are not 
licensed in the states and therefore not-quite-legal.  You get into 
possessory (having a copy) and commercial (trying to sell a copy) 
technicalities here, and i'm no lawyer.

I will say my first set-top DVD player says in it's documentation it is set to 
region 7 all, so it will play any region code.  It plays code 1 fine.  that's 
all the first hand experience I have with this.  My only working DVD drive 
went into my sister's computer 2 years ago, and i've had no reason to buy 
another drive.