DVD players inside computers

russnet · Sat 29 Jan, 2005 01.05

This could be a stupid question but tried my research and ulitmately failed

The DVD player that sits inside the PC Tower, does anyone know if it's multi region are whether it only plays one type of region only. I bought myself a new Dell PC last month so not sure of the make of the actual player but if anyone knows then it would be appreciated.

SteveL · Sat 29 Jan, 2005 10.52

Go to System Properties in Control Panel. Click on the Hardware tab at the top, and then Device Manager. Under DVD/CD-ROM drives, right-click on your DVD drive, and select Properties. It should tell you which region the drive is under the DVD Region tab.

If it says Region 0, then it's region free. If it's set to a region, don't try changing it on that page as it'll run down the number of changes before the region can no longer be changed at all.

You can google for a way to unlock your DVD drive model; or PM me the manufacturer/model info if you can't find anything and I'll look for you. I'm not sure about the legality so I wouldn't go posting it on the public forum.

russnet · Sat 29 Jan, 2005 11.23

Thanks for the info. I had a look in the properties and it's currently set to region 2. I do have the option to change it but it's limited to 4 changes before it renders itself buggered.

cwathen · Sat 29 Jan, 2005 12.17

Considering how cheap DVD drives are these days, it's more than viable to have multiple drives installed, each set to a different region.

russnet · Sat 29 Jan, 2005 12.58

True, ulitmately I want to buy a DVD from the States but as a one off purchase and I'm probably unlikely to get other region DVD other than the main one for this country. Personally, I don't really want to spend the cash for a one off to be honest. Not that I'm being tight or anything

edward · Sat 29 Jan, 2005 16.35

Is it a Samsung by any chance? Most DVD Drives can be flashed with modified firmware that makes it universal.

russnet · Sat 29 Jan, 2005 18.23

Unfortunately not sure at the moment but I find out later tonight when I get back from work at the poor time of 2am. Samsung does ring a bell though.

Big Brother · Sat 29 Jan, 2005 23.45

I've only changed my drive region once and it was a long time ago and the drive has since broke and been replaced. I do however remember when I changed it it went from 4 to 3.. duh however I remember a number of months later after I'd done a complete format & re-install of Windows that it showed 4 chances to change it.

A fault? I don't get why people would want to change it anyway, I only did it for shits and giggles. Boy it was fun times. :roll:

russnet · Sun 30 Jan, 2005 00.44

Basically, I just want to view a DVD that I want to buy from America. But I won't be buying many DVD's that need the other regions so I don't want to do anything that ends up causing more grief to be honest.

Anonymous · Sun 13 Feb, 2005 23.06

Well depending on the software used to play the DVD they usually change the region for you, but if you play a DVD that region for a certain amount of times it sticks to that region.