Playing the Optimum DVD's in the US

[Sam]

I'm really wanting to order some of these new sets since it's way better than what's available here so far. I've heard before, but shouldn't I be able to play Region 2's on one of my computers? I've heard that the region coding can be changed on those and the PAL/NTSC issue doesn't affect them. Also, if I had a region-free DVD, wouldn't my flat-panel TV's be able to play them? Isn't PAL/NTSC only an issue with CRT televisions?

[JohnSteedFr]

Well you can easily play DVDs from other countries on your computer, you'll notice a message saying that it's possible to change the region but the problem is that it's limited : after doing this a couple of times, you won't be able to change the region. So I recommend you to buy a region 2 player (on www.amazon.co.uk) (I bought a portable dvd player from America last month, it was hard to find one 'cause a lot of them were unavailable for the Non-US territories.

For the rest of your questions, I couldn't answer, i'm not a 'specialist'

[Timeless A-Peel]

I'm really wanting to order some of these new sets since it's way better than what's available here so far. I've heard before, but shouldn't I be able to play Region 2's on one of my computers? I've heard that the region coding can be changed on those and the PAL/NTSC issue doesn't affect them. Also, if I had a region-free DVD, wouldn't my flat-panel TV's be able to play them? Isn't PAL/NTSC only an issue with CRT televisions?

Yes, if you pop your DVD into the computer and it's not region one, a little box will usually pop up telling you it's the wrong region, and give you the opportunity to change it to region 2 so you can watch it. But, as Joris has said, your computer will only let you switch back and forth a set number of times before it becomes locked in its last setting, and you'll no longer be able to switch back.

However, I'm not big on watching stuff on my computer screen, so I found a hack for my DVD player years ago, and have been playing region 2 DVDs on both a flat screen and an older TV for years now with no picture or other problems. So if you manage to hack your player, or buy a region-free one, you should be good.

[Alan]

You could always do what I've done for DVDs - have a couple of DVD drives in your computer, Sam. Set one to Region 1 and the other to Region 2.

[oneknightsteed]

I'm really wanting to order some of these new sets since it's way better than what's available here so far. I've heard before, but shouldn't I be able to play Region 2's on one of my computers? I've heard that the region coding can be changed on those and the PAL/NTSC issue doesn't affect them. Also, if I had a region-free DVD, wouldn't my flat-panel TV's be able to play them? Isn't PAL/NTSC only an issue with CRT televisions?

Yes, if you pop your DVD into the computer and it's not region one, a little box will usually pop up telling you it's the wrong region, and give you the opportunity to change it to region 2 so you can watch it. But, as Joris has said, your computer will only let you switch back and forth a set number of times before it becomes locked in its last setting, and you'll no longer be able to switch back.

However, I'm not big on watching stuff on my computer screen, so I found a hack for my DVD player years ago, and have been playing region 2 DVDs on both a flat screen and an older TV for years now with no picture or other problems. So if you manage to hack your player, or buy a region-free one, you should be good.

If you do some hunting on line you can find some sites that will help you adjust your coding. You just need to know the brand name and model and you'll get instructions as to the code adjustment procedure. Mine was quite simple.
I had tried earlier to be a good samaritan. I found a site and tried to post it here, but the spam police stopped me! I have been well and truly warned!

[davidf]

Just play the DVDs with VLC. It doesn't care about antique region codes.

[oneknightsteed]

You could always do what I've done for DVDs - have a couple of DVD drives in your computer, Sam. Set one to Region 1 and the other to Region 2.

That sounds like a great idea! I'm not to computer savvy. Can you just add on or would that be designed into a specific computer system? Any ballpark on cost?

[Timeless A-Peel]

I'm really wanting to order some of these new sets since it's way better than what's available here so far. I've heard before, but shouldn't I be able to play Region 2's on one of my computers? I've heard that the region coding can be changed on those and the PAL/NTSC issue doesn't affect them. Also, if I had a region-free DVD, wouldn't my flat-panel TV's be able to play them? Isn't PAL/NTSC only an issue with CRT televisions?

Yes, if you pop your DVD into the computer and it's not region one, a little box will usually pop up telling you it's the wrong region, and give you the opportunity to change it to region 2 so you can watch it. But, as Joris has said, your computer will only let you switch back and forth a set number of times before it becomes locked in its last setting, and you'll no longer be able to switch back.

However, I'm not big on watching stuff on my computer screen, so I found a hack for my DVD player years ago, and have been playing region 2 DVDs on both a flat screen and an older TV for years now with no picture or other problems. So if you manage to hack your player, or buy a region-free one, you should be good.

If you do some hunting on line you can find some sites that will help you adjust your coding. You just need to know the brand name and model and you'll get instructions as to the code adjustment procedure. Mine was quite simple.
I had tried earlier to be a good samaritan. I found a site and tried to post it here, but the spam police stopped me! I have been well and truly warned!

Yes, that's what I did for both my players. There was just a certain series of buttons that needed to be pushed, and then I could play region 2 DVDs. The whole region situation is a bit ridiculous--how it can protect DVD markets when you can only buy a lot of shows in one region is beyond me. Naturally I buy region 1 copies of things when they're available, but A&E never got around to releasing, say, the other half of The Champions, so they didn't leave me much choice, did they?

[oneknightsteed]

Yes, that's what I did for both my players. There was just a certain series of buttons that needed to be pushed, and then I could play region 2 DVDs. The whole region situation is a bit ridiculous--how it can protect DVD markets when you can only buy a lot of shows in one region is beyond me. Naturally I buy region 1 copies of things when they're available, but A&E never got around to releasing, say, the other half of The Champions, so they didn't leave me much choice, did they?[/quote]

It is ludicrous! I believe it is an archaic precident that should be rescinded! (In other words, a dumb old rule that needs to be changed ) I too end up buying many of the hard to find movies and tele shows with Pat Macnee from the UK. Not to mention the new Optimum releases just for all the special features. More expensive, but one must do what one must!

[Macfly77]

Just play the DVDs with VLC. It doesn't care about antique region codes.

Seconded!
VLC works great on my Mac.
Also, a lot of DVD players are easily "hackable" and will let you watch any DVD on any TV, like my good old Philips DVP 642.