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DVD-related computer advice, and please keep it simple!

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

07:45 / 14.05.02

Being something of a Catweazle when it comes to computer stuff, I could do with some help.
I use my PC to watch DVDs, but PowerDVD has this weird feature which means it can only change region five times before it locks. Is there any way round this, and if so, where would I find it? I did a couple of searches, but it's all gibberish to me.

Bear

07:51 / 14.05.02

PowerDVD is a bastard - I had the same problem mines stuck on Region 2 now I wish I'd let it set to Region 1.

Anyway it depends on the version you have, if its an older version you might be lucky. Do a search for DVD Genie its a little program you install and you can pick any region using it. But it doesn't seem to work on the newer versions (I think I have 3.1)

There are more complicated methods but it means going into you registry, I had a look at the instructions but it was a little too complicated and I didn't want to mess anything up.

Best bet is to get some new DVD software from someone, or maybe there's another program out there?

Mystery Gypt

07:56 / 14.05.02

for the curious... can you explain what this problem actually is? they design software that doesn't work? why? how?

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

08:32 / 14.05.02

Apparently it's something to do with licensing and copyright... and not at all connected with the fact that once it's locked you have to buy a new copy of the software to rectify it. Oh no, that's just coincidence.

mondo a-go-go

10:12 / 14.05.02

does this happen on windowsXP too? i haven't tested my dvd region-wise, but i'd like a workaround before i do, to prevent lockage...

Dee Vapr

12:30 / 14.05.02

It's a hardware problem - most of the main brand DVD-r drives have firmware on them that means you can only change the region a small number of time before it locks and then it can be only changed by the manufacturer

you appear to have these drives, as opposed to a nice multi-region one.
nasty.

there's a small piece of software that can check this for you, ill post it up later when i find the link

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

15:43 / 14.05.02

That would be much appreciated, Dee... and yeah, kooky, mine's XP. It hasn't locked YET, but I wanna find out before I run out of changes!

Dee Vapr

18:19 / 14.05.02

The drive region info utility is here. It should be able to tell you exactly what's going on w/r/t yr drives.

I meant dvd-rom earlier on not dvd-r btw I was in a rush, it was the end of my lunch break at work...

The Strobe

20:34 / 14.05.02

Right.

It's nothing to do with PowerDVD. It's a feature inherent in the drive, the hardware itself - 5 changes and that's it.

You can get around this by updating the firmware in the drive, there are sites on the web with suitable region cracked images - though be warned, if the firmware knackers, you have a junked DVD drive.

Try looking for DVD-Genie; it's something to do with region free. Basically, newer drives needs their firmware flashing; older ones can be genied. Or something like that.

Or, alternatively, drop another £50 on a SECOND DVD drive and lock that to Region 1. Voila. 99% of the movies you want to see, apart from all that anime, are yours.

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