Cracking a DVD player to make it region-free

Does anyone know where i can get my dvd player 'decoded' so it can play all region dvd's? Or where can i get one that is already prepared.
I know the sw porgramms for my laptop but i just want my dvd player to do this.
Does Media Markt do this or can i get one there?
ANy suggestion welcome.

Thx.

G.

First think to check is that you cannot crack the software code on your existing player to make it multi-region!!!

This is often just a series of inputs on the remote. I cracked my German DVD Recorder to multi-region in 20 seconds once I got the code off the internet.

Post your model number here.

A good list under "hacks " is here:

http://www.dvd365.net/

I wanted this too, and when I searched the net for my particular model, the only solution seemed to be "renting" a special DVD (for 40 euros or such) which would re-program my player (and then return the dvd).

Not wanting to do that, I found a common code and tried it on my player, sure 'nuf, it worked.

No harm in trying:

Open dvd tray

On remote press "9" four times.

Then press "0"

Done.

on what brand machine was that? I will try the otherones tonight.

Cheers for the tips.

Goto google and type in the model # of your player and the word "hack"
or "codefree". Each model player has it's own codes and settings, even different models from the same company. The only way to get the correct info. is to search.

Bearing in mind that some players (mainly high-end, or brand names such as Sony) can't be soft-hacked and need a hardware modification (known as "chipping").

Hardly worth it these days when you can buy a a new codefree DVD player for under €35.

YL6

How do you get a laptop DVD player to play discs from other regions?

Whisper "I love you" into the open tray...

@STB
Get the model # and maker of the DVDROM and search google
for the model # plus "Regionfree".. There as firmeware upgrades
to fix these as well.. But if you Fook it up it's YOUR LOSS...

/Rant Mode On
Do people even know what a search engine is or how to use it anymore?
Oh yeah.. Let's just ask on TT so somebody else does the work for me..

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for helping, but at least try doing it yourself first...
This is how you learn...
/Rant Mode Off

What do you mean "do the work for you"? How long did it take you to write those 3 short lines? You didn't have to look anything up.

I agree with you that people should take their own initiative a bit more. I was about to launch into precisely the same rant last night because someone was asking if Lufthansa flies direct from Munich to somewhere or other. It's common sense to go to the Lufthansa website and look at the timetable. A more patient soul than me did that and provided the link.

But I would argue that this is different. I don't know if what I asked for is even possible, and even if it was, I wouldn't be sure what to search for. I decided that it was something which could be answered very quickly by someone who knows and could also be of interest to other people. That's why I posted, that's what happened, and I'm grateful to you for your response.

I agree with DK about the general laziness of people who could search themselves, but it's fools like him and me (I answered the Lufthansa question last night) who continuously provide the answers, so we become abused, usually without thanks. In this case, however, I don't think the answer was quite so obvious to hunt for, so STB has a point too.

What really riles me is people who see a public question raised here, then answer it privately, or worse start a discourse to solve a problem by PM.

You know who you are...

YL6

Just to set the record straight, i have been trying to find something without any luck before writting a few lines here. thank u for your support. (nothing wrong with sharing knowledge)

Of course, you never provided the name of the maker of your DVD player or it's model Number.. I you did I could have provided more detailed info.

As for being "obvious", its easy to plug words into google..
You are intrested in "codefree" settings on your model of DVD player, so type those bit of info. in and go... Hell Google will even correct you if you spell a word wrong...

Again, if you want more detailed info, you must provide us with the info. we need..
In this case the maker of the product and it's model #..

I have an entire list and I will post it if I can find it. I don't know which computer it is on. Most likely at work as I tend to open questionable files there first.
It has like 200 models on it and the codes. Will look tomorrow if I remember too.

Sony DVP-NS300 is the player i am talking about. After the comments here i browsed the internet found some codes and am now in the process of getting it sorted. (Dowloading Palm sw for Omni remote)
See, i am able to do something on my own and not have you go through all the trouble for me. Never the less you are not obliged to help out.

http://www.regionfreedvd.net/player/sony.html

Some sites seem to say the ns300 is already multi region but theres a crack anyway.

EDIT: Seems pretty long winded, needing a special remote or something, fucking sony.

Wow, if you need to use a Pronto to manage the change, they cost around €200 (for the cheapest model) to start with ... Better buy a new player

Well I tired this last night for 1 of my DVD players, and well it just would not work ! Oh well. It appears I cannot change the region code for my DVD Burner.

Yeah I have a Sony DavS300, which requires me to solder a new chip onto the board. Time to buy a new DVD player, then again I still have my surround sound stereo sitting in the floor in a corner for six months now.

This site is usually pretty helpful

http://www.videohelp.com/

You can query your player under Lists -> DVD Players

As for the DVDROM/Burner side of the house, the hacks for them are much more common. If you still can't find the fixed Firmware for them
then consider getting one of the NEC drives (35xx or higher) There are
atleast 4 different Firmwares for each model. Each one removes/adds a certain "Feature" such a Region free,DVD Ripping Speed limit,Macrovision etc. The good things is that the price of DVD burners os very low and these drives can be had from most of the computer stores near Hbf for between 50-80 EUR

Of corse you can also bypass the Region setting using software susch as: DVDRegionfree & VLC (VideoLAN - It doesn't use RC's and plays everything)

@ Darknight ? Err... my DVD recorder, not a burner !

@ Pepper
"These machines go under many different names. DVD recorder, DVD writer, DVD+RW, DVD burner, to name but a few. The point is that you can write to the DVD disc to store data or record video. You probably have a general idea of what you intend to use it for; whether it's for video, TV shows, backups, or other."

Names

To close this item here is what i have done:

Used my Palm m505

The hack does work!!

Load Omniremote software on Palm.
http://www.pacificneotek.com/omnisw.htm

Create new category called dvd hack (use drop down in top right corner)

Create 5 buttons numbered 1 - 5.

Select Advanced>Database>export.

Check in Memo Pad on Palm. There should be an item:-
Category - DVD Hack

Synchonize the Palm with your PC and then open Palm Desktop.

Select Memo Pad and open the DVD Hack item.

On the right hand side of the screen you will see the five buttons with the default Hex codes below them.

Cut and Paste the following codes in place of the default ones as below:-

Button name-1
0000 0068 0000 0015 0060 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 01AE
Button name-2
0000 0068 0000 0015 0060 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 01F6
Button name-3
0000 0068 0000 0015 0060 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 01F6
Button name-4
0000 0068 0000 0015 0060 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 01C6
Button name-5
0000 0068 0000 0015 0060 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 0018 0018 0018 0030 0018 0018 020E

Resync the Palm again and check the new codes are there in memo pad.

Remove Palm from Cradle (OMNIRemote wont open whilst in cradle)

Open OMNIRemote and go to Advanced>Databases>Import Category.

It should then say IR Codes imported :5. Select OK

Then go to your DVD Player

Remove Disc and put in standby with DVD Remote.

Point Palm at DVD (I was obout 20" from the DVD with the palm).

Tap the buttons twice in order i.e

1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5

The DVD player came on and SUCCESS flashed in the Display.

Use the DVD remote to power the DVD off and then on.

Hack done.

Good Luck

It should be noted that the above hack is ONLY for the Model of DVD Player "Just G" has and will prob. not work on yours (Unless you have the same Model Player)

Wow, nice job JustG.

With most players, the 'hack' is simply a combination of key strokes on the remote to get into the secret menu, anyone could do it... but this one... this is a REAL hack!

You sure about that? We used to send the DAVS300's to a service centre, they'd plug it in and rewrite a line of code and viola, 5 minute job and it was done, cost to customer was €10. Cheaper than buying a new system

www.dvdpalace.de

in German, but works for most models/makes

http://www.dvd-palace-forum.de/board/index...?s=&act=SF&f=29

under technik and codefree.

Hello everyone.
I am interested in getting a code-free DVD player (since ive got dvds from all over...!). I visited Saturn last week and was 'politely' told by the salesman that they had no such players in stock. However, when my german colleague spoke to him(in german of course) he said that they were no longer allowed to sell them but some of the players in stock could be made code-free, and once again they were not allowed to tell us which ones!!Huh!!??!!
Well, anyways, I'm pretty crap at stuff like this and would be very grateful if someone could help me..My budget is about 100-150 euros.I've mainly got DVDs from UK and some from India and god-only-knows where else.
Okie dokie.
Thanks a ton
Love
D.

They never have been "allowed" to be sold, but many places do. Even if they are not sold as code free most players, especially the cheaper ones can be simply modified to be code-free by a couple of "secret" menu commands available on the internet near you. Choose the player that takes your fancy, check the internet to see if can be changed, then buy.

Alternatively buy this one for €34.90 and is advertised as codefree from Netonnet in north Munich.

YL6

Hello, here is an internet site which says how to crack a lot of DVD players to make them region free. http://www.dvd-sucht.de/codefree.php only in german though.
I have recently purchased a Philips DVP 3010 and have no trouble at all playing Region free. It costs around 70-90 euro.
It is also possible to buy code free dvd players by Conrad, the brand is Cyberhome. They cost around the 30 euro mark. But i haven´t tried them so I can´t say if they are good or not.
Xoro is also another brand (code free), but also can´t say how good they are.
The philips dvd player which I mentioned above can be purchased just about anywhere.

We recently sold quite a few DVD region free players that had been wrongly delivered, ie wrong model number.

I can try to get some more sent if needed. They were CMX (commex) 3000 models, region free and good quality. Full specs on request, price depends on quantity. (Last time we sold them for something like €85, I believe).

I have one if you need to see it, and it is linked into our surround sound via optical cable. (SPDif)

Here is what you should do. Go to Karsadt in Munichner Freiheit. They sell one model that plays all codes. The brand is Xoro. Best part is. The DVD player was on sale for $29.99! Plays all my US and Euro DVDs.

That's a lie.

It's not illegal to sell code-free dvd players. In fact in several countries there is talk that selling region-coded dvd's and players is an unreasonable restraint of trade. I have heard, in fact, that region-coding is illegal in NZ. Maybe someone could confirm that?

It's not illegal, but there is an "industry agreement" not to. That's why the big boys (Panasonic, Philips, Sony) don't produce them (but they can often be electronically modified) and why the cheaper (Chinese, Korean) makes, who care less for "agreements" do...

YL6

I bought a codefree Yamaha DVD player from Net on Net and they seem to have some others, as well as recorders on their website. Net on Net
Plus they have a shop in München.

Net on Net comes recommended by me as well. I borrowed my neighbors DVD and the tray got stuck. Since I got it stuck I took it to Net on Net to get it fixed and then bought myself one. 35 euros. All region free AND it plays Mpeg movies that I burned onto cdr. The 50euro version would also play DIVX movies but I didn't opt for that.

Slightly off-topic, what was your experience with their repair service? I have a DVD-writer to return for repair (my problem, not theirs) - their responses to attempt to fix the problem via email have been outstanding, but have come to nothing, so now I have to take it into them to fix...

YL6

Well in NZ, and I'm sure the laws would be somewhat similar in most western nations, it is illegal to SUPPLY dvd players region free, but not to sell them. ie Sony cannot, by law, supply a retailer with region free players, but the retailer can have them made region free and then sell them no probs at all.

@Hazza, wish that was the case but it's just like it is in Oz

Actually the big retailers don't really give a shit about the agreements either which is why a lot of them can be made region free without too many problems at all...

Here's an article. It's a bit old, but it makes the point.

One reason I can think as to why Saturn don't want to sell region-free DVD players is that they also sell DVD's. If you had a region free player, then you wouldn't have to pay the rip off Saturn DVD prices and could order your DVD's from overseas instead...


I just can't imagine that it would be illegal to supply region free DVD players. As I already indicated, I think region coding actually enforces a restraint of trade. I looked to see if it has been challenged in any court, but couldn't come up with anything. I'm sure that a few countries would make region coding illegal if it was tested in court.

A few people on this board have asserted that it is illegal to sell/supply region free DVD players. Could someone please tell me under what law the supply of region free DVD players is illegal here (or anywhere else for that matter)? It can't be copyright. If you buy a legal copy of a DVD in the US, then it's legal here too...

It's a bit like trying to ban ordinary citizens from buying books in America and then reading them in England.

@Hazza,
You're making perfect sense and I completely agree with you. I just spent the last hour scouring the net to find info on this (specifically relating to New Zealand as this is the only area i have experience in) but was unsuccessful in finding anything.
I remember when working for Sony in NZ being told that the law prohibits the supply of region free dvd players to a retailer. This meant (as I was working in the Sony Showroom) that we, even though being a retail outlet, were considered by law to be a supplier, hence I could not sell a player region free. Once sold I could advise them on our partner group who was authorised to do PS1 & PS2 repairs and would re-write the software on their DVD player to make it region free, this would be done for a small fee (NZ$20 approx) and the warranty of the unit would remain intact.
Retailers who ordered supplies of DVD players and made them region free themselves would then be selling the DVD player with no manufacturer warranty, but the customer would be covered under the stores own warranty program.

I reckon there is no law...I'm not normally a conspiracy theorist, but I think in this case, it's in the interest of the businesses to have people believe that there is such a law.

It could be that there is some financial advantage given to DVD player manufacturers by the DVD manufacturers on the proviso that they don't sell region free players. This pressure is then passed onto the retail outlets.

If enough people tell you something is illegal, then eventually you believe it...

In this case though, I believe there is absolutely no basis in law and if challenged in court (I did the same search as you, Timmeh and it doesn't look like it's been done) I reckon that region coded dvd's could well be deemed illegal...

Very possibly, especially in Sony's case as they are also the biggest (or one of) movie producers, owning Columbia, Tristar, Universal and a handful of other studios, so it is most definitely in their interest to push that line.

Just a little note that I would like to add: Just because you have a region free DVD player it doesn't mean that you can play NTSC DVD's. Or rather it might play them but withou sound and colour.

We have a region free DVD player from Net on Net and we can put region 1 DVD's in and it will play them without an error but it can't handle the NTSC format.

Most Region 1 DVD will be NTSC.

Sure it aint your tellie which can't display NTSC?

No, because I have another DVD player that plays all my Region 1 (NTSC) DVD's perfectly on the same TV.

Don't confuse DVD regioning with TV format. PAL and NTSC are words and formats that are applied to DVD for convenience, and because of historical convention. There is nothing fundamental about a DVD of any region which makes it either PAL or NTSC. Most DVD-players are switchable between output format or work "automatically" in whch case they select the output format according to Region. Somewhere in the DVD player setup you should be able to force output to match your TV for all DVDs. See this discussion for more information.

YL6

A good article on the subject can be found here:

michaeldvd.com.au - PAL vs. NTSC

DB

Cripes.

Spend 40 Euros at Amazon like I did for this player:

CyberHome CH-DVD 401 DVD-Player

Then when you get it do this:

1. power on with your remote control
2. leave the drive empty and closed
3. use the "menu" botton
4. push digit 1 and then 9
5. you should see a menu to change the region code
5. do this with your "enter" key and go to 0
6. power off with the remote
7. power on again and your drive is region free

The player is smooth, quiet, excellent picture. Stereo only, not 5.1 but not bad for 40 clams

I case anyone has a Harman Kardon DVD player, changing region on those is quite easy:

1) Turn on without DVD in it - display reads "No Disc"
2) Press 3141592R - on the remote, where R is the number of the region you want. Display should say "Power on" now
3) Turn off and on again - insert DVD and watch movie.

The numeric code code is easy to remember if you have a calculator (or google) handy - it the first 7 digits of pi.