EVER wondered what all this hassle and talk about what REGION is this DVD will it play on my system etc etc ?!? 
this information will help a little as to whats what !?
original article avail here > <a href="http://www.dvdadept.com/DVD_Regions.asp">dvd regions</a>
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DVD REGION information as follows
DVD Region Codes
DVD region codes is a provision in the DVD Specification that requires DVD players to be hard-coded to accept DVDs that is only meant to be played within one of six designated world regions. A Code 1 disc cannot be played in a Code 3 DVD player for example. This technique was developed to enable Hollywood companies to release movies at different times in different regions.
DVD regions are defined as:
Region 1 - 1: U.S., Canada, U.S. Territories
Region 2 - Japan, Europe, South Africa, and Middle East (including Egypt)
Region 3 - Southeast Asia and East Asia (including Hong Kong)
Region 4 - Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean
Region 5 - 5: Eastern Europe (Former Soviet Union), Indian subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, and Mongolia
Region 6 - Peoples Republic of China
Region 7 - Reserved
Region 8 - Special international venues (airplanes, cruise ships, etc.)
On some DVDs you will see Region 0 code, which means that these DVDs are "region free" and can be played on any DVD player.
Movies are released on DVD at different times around the world, typically America and Canada first, Australia and Japan 6 months later, and Europe 12 months after US release. In some instances, DVD movies are available for purchase in America and Canada before they are released in European cinemas.
According to OpenDVD.org, DVD players with region codes are illegal in New Zealand. Additionally, DVD regions are rumored to violate certain World Trade Organization laws.
What all this means to average consumer?
When you are buying movies on DVD or DVD player always check what region it is for. There are several companies that sell "code free" or "region free" DVD players, so you can buy one. If you are using your computer to play DVDs, you probably know that software DVD decoders allow you to change DVD region but, usually, limited number of times.
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this map shows the areas for each region in the world
this information will help a little as to whats what !?
original article avail here > <a href="http://www.dvdadept.com/DVD_Regions.asp">dvd regions</a>
*******************
DVD REGION information as follows
DVD Region Codes
DVD region codes is a provision in the DVD Specification that requires DVD players to be hard-coded to accept DVDs that is only meant to be played within one of six designated world regions. A Code 1 disc cannot be played in a Code 3 DVD player for example. This technique was developed to enable Hollywood companies to release movies at different times in different regions.
DVD regions are defined as:
Region 1 - 1: U.S., Canada, U.S. Territories
Region 2 - Japan, Europe, South Africa, and Middle East (including Egypt)
Region 3 - Southeast Asia and East Asia (including Hong Kong)
Region 4 - Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean
Region 5 - 5: Eastern Europe (Former Soviet Union), Indian subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, and Mongolia
Region 6 - Peoples Republic of China
Region 7 - Reserved
Region 8 - Special international venues (airplanes, cruise ships, etc.)
On some DVDs you will see Region 0 code, which means that these DVDs are "region free" and can be played on any DVD player.
Movies are released on DVD at different times around the world, typically America and Canada first, Australia and Japan 6 months later, and Europe 12 months after US release. In some instances, DVD movies are available for purchase in America and Canada before they are released in European cinemas.
According to OpenDVD.org, DVD players with region codes are illegal in New Zealand. Additionally, DVD regions are rumored to violate certain World Trade Organization laws.
What all this means to average consumer?
When you are buying movies on DVD or DVD player always check what region it is for. There are several companies that sell "code free" or "region free" DVD players, so you can buy one. If you are using your computer to play DVDs, you probably know that software DVD decoders allow you to change DVD region but, usually, limited number of times.
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this map shows the areas for each region in the world
