Wipro Campus Arena

When I said I would put in a post or two under the Sports & Entertainment category, most people who know about my blogging thought it will be only about movies and TV programmes and my views on them, but then Entertainment is a serious business folks and there’s more to it than just what we see so here goes, a post on something that will interest all us DVD watchers !

Digital Video Discs or DVDs are pretty much a household phenomena now and with DVDs come what are called ‘Region Codes’.

Those of us in India will pretty much be facing this message- Region Error when you try to play most International DVDs or DVDs purchased on Amazon.com.

The region code encoded in a DVD is to ensure that the DVD is played only in players enabled for the region in which the DVD is meant to be distributed. This is supposed to control the distribution of DVD and therefore piracy.

What region is your DVD ?
All you need to look at the back of the DVD case for a sign with the region indicated.

0-”playable in all regions”

1 -Bermuda, Canada, United States and U.S. territories

2- The Middle East, Western Europe, Central Europe, Egypt, French overseas territories, Greenland, Japan, Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland

3- Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea and Taiwan

4- Australasia, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, Oceania, South America

5- The rest of Africa, Former Soviet Union, the Indian subcontinent, Mongolia, North Korea

6- Mainland China

Or look for the words - For Sale in India only (or whichever country it mentions and you are in)

But then - DON’T WORRY !

If you have legally bought a DVD you have every right to watch it on your player.

All your DVD players come with preset region code. Ex: If you but a player in India it will be enabled to region 5.

How do we get this menu for your player ?

Well…
-Call up your Player Brand’s customer care and ask them for instructions and access codes. (They may ask you why and you would have to explain the whole scenario) They will the  guide you on this.

Follow the instructions to the T and Voila ! your DVD player will play almost any DVD from anywhere. (Why the ‘Almost’ ? I believe there are some enhancements in DVDs which do not allow them to be played even in region free players. Haven’t come across any so far, but will let you know if I do.)

And, of course, do not play pirated DVDs for they are the bane of the entertainment industry!