What is region code

Motion picture studios want to control the home release of movies in different countries because theater releases aren't simultaneous (a movie may come out on video in the U.S. when it's just hitting screens in Europe).

Also, studios sell distribution rights to different foreign distributors and would like to guarantee an exclusive market. Therefore they required that the DVD standard include codes to prevent playback of certain discs in certain geographical regions.

Each dvd player is given a code for the region in which it's sold. The dvd player will refuse to play discs that are not coded for its region. This means that a disc bought in one country may not play on a player bought in another country. Some people believe that region codes are an illegal restraint of trade, but no legal cases have established this. So far almost all Hollywood releases play in only one region. Region codes are a permanent part of the disc, they won't "unlock" after a period of time. Region codes don't apply to DVD-Audio, DVD-ROM, or recordable DVD (see below for more detail).

Multi region upgrades

We receive DVD based products such as DVD Players/Recorders and Home Cinema systems as region 2 from the manufacturer. The price listed on the page of the multi region product is the price that you pay. For your information we modify the software to multi region when you place an order. These products are modified at your request when you place an order for a multi region version of a product.

We are in the UK and our TV system is called PAL. Your TV at home is designed to playback PAL. If you buy a multi region product and want to play a NTSC discs (usually region 1 USA is the most popular) a compatible tv will be required. It is up to you to check that your television is compatible with NTSC before you purchase a multi region product . Most modern sets are compatible with NTSC but please refere to your TV user manual for more information. If a NTSC disc plays on your dvd player and on your TV you experience a black and white picture or other distortion on the picture, this means that the player is multi region but your television is not compatible with NTSC. The multi region upgrade we perform will be compatible with most DVD titles currently sold (discs form Region 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) however we cannot guarantee new release of software in the future may be incompatible with the multi region upgrade; in which case a subsequent multi region upgrade may be required. There will be an additional charge for this. This does not affect any other statutory rights you may have.

General guidance on settings

As a general rule when you buy a multi region product you need to ensure that you do the following:

• Use an appropriate connection to get the best out of your TV:
  
  
  • e.g. on most TVs a fully wired/RGB scart lead or scart lead . If you do not have a fully wired / RGB scart lead then it is recommended to purchase one from us when you buy your dvd product.

  • e.g. on Plasma/LCD TV try to get the best picture by usng either a Component video lead/DVI lead for Picture and audio leads for sound or HMDI lead
    

  
  
• When you connect your equipment, make sure that the settings are the same on both the TV and your product.

  • e.g. If you have enabled RGB scart output from your dvd player (1)make sure that you are using a scart lead that can handle the signal and (2) that you also connecting it to a scart socket on your tv that can handle the signal. (if in doubt check you tv user manual)
    

  
  

• Always consult your user manual and read it carefully when setting up your products.