DVDizzy Forum

Just wondering,

I wanted to purchase some of the amazing Internation DVDs (2-Disc Special Editions) such as Sleeping Beauty. Do I need another DVD player to watch them? Can someone explain the region thing?

Hmm, well you need a multi-region player and a PAL compatible TV to play Region 2 DVDs (European DVDs when translated into normal English), but if you're living in the US/Canada, I wouldn't even get most R2 Disney DVDs as they're pretty much the same as the R1 DVDs in terms of content.

Wonderlicious wrote:Hmm, well you need a multi-region player and a PAL compatible TV to play Region 2 DVDs (European DVDs when translated into normal English), but if you're living in the US/Canada, I wouldn't even get most R2 Disney DVDs as they're pretty much the same as the R1 DVDs in terms of content.

You don't need a PAL compatiable television (which I understand are VERY rare in America) if you get a DVD Player that can convert PAL to NTSC. A few are available. However, note, if you do get a Player than converts to NTSC, you will be missing out on most of the benefits of a PAL picture (because it will be a quick and crude conversion to NTSC).

Look at:
http://www.dvdoverseas.com/dvd.htm

for more information.

Just for your info since some regions can have the two TV systems (dependin' on countries), the regions and their respective TV system are (roughly):

1 - USA and Canada - NTSC
2 - Japan -NTSC
2 - Europe, Gröenland, Middle East, and South Africa - PAL
3 - Hong Kong, Indonesia, Phillipines, Singapore, S. Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, etc - NTSC
4 - Rest of America - NTSC
4 - Australia and New Zealand - PAL
5 - Africa, India, former USSR - PAL
6 - China - PAL
7 - The Lucky Seven
8 - Airlines, Cruises, and Spaceships
9 - Pepperland - Blu-meanies

and 0 is "all region" so could be PAL or NTSC dependin' where it's from.

see map <a href="http://hometheaterinfo.com/images/dvdwo ... f">here</a> for more clarity

As Netty mentioned, if you want to play them all, you not only need a region free player but one that does PAL and NTSC and if you don't have a multisystem TV that accepts both standards you'll need then a player that converts internally from one format to the other, and PAL discs (576 lines) will look no better than NTSC discs (480 lines) on NTSC tvs, and NTSC discs will look just like NTSC discs on PAL tvs

Of course some movies, editions/versions/supplements can be found only in certain Regions/Countries

Just make sure your equipment can play the disc before buying

If you use a computer to watch DVDs you need to have both the DVD-rom drive AND the dvd software region free. The software will probably take care of the PAL/NTSC thing. To watch 16:9 Widescreen PAL in full resolution you'll need at least a 1024 x 768 screen

oh and probably force weave.


(due to the analog source of the info this post can reveal limitations in accuracy for certain areas. If you have accurate info, share! )

Most dvd players nowdays you put in a code and it makes it multi region, you can find out if your dvd player is compatible and for the code on google or something.

Yeah you jsut need a stupid code taken form the net and you're done.
You gotta look for your player particulary, 'coz the codes vary.

In general, it's a very siple procedure such as :
1 - Open the CD drawer
2 - type Menu
3- type 123456789
4 - Enter '0' for 'Region 0'
4 - Close your CD drawer...

You see something like that.
However, some players are more complicated that others but most of the time, it's very simple.

I believe most US originated players don't have hidden hacks, because <strike>the US Studios have the US government too deep in their pockets</strike> sorry, I mean because of the Digital Millennum Act (and yes, I know I spelt Millennium wrong).

If you search the web you can find stores that sell region free DVD players, of all different levels of quality. I recently upgraded to the best available model from one company (I shall not advertise the place... lol mainly because I forget). It is compatible with my 16:9 HDTV with PAL and NTSC DVDs, and hooks up to my Dolby and DTS surround sound system. Now I get my pick of the litter for DVDs, and the quality is roughly the same (I'm one of those people that does notice the slight 4% PAL speed-up).