Make Your DVD Player Region-Free in Seconds
As a Brit, I often want DVDs that I just can't find in the U.S. It's usually U.K. comedy shows, most of which don't take off over here for some reason. And DVD regions used to be a problem for me. But not anymore. (See also: The Best Blu-ray Players)
As I'm sure you know, DVDs are coded to a region of the world. Here's how it breaks down:
REGION 1 — USA, Canada
REGION 2 — Japan, Europe, South Africa, Middle East, Greenland
REGION 3 — S.Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Parts of South East Asia
REGION 4 — Australia, New Zealand, Latin America (including Mexico)
REGION 5 — Eastern Europe, Russia, India, Africa
REGION 6 — China
REGION 7 — Reserved for Unspecified Special Use
REGION 8 — Reserved for Cruise Ships, Airlines, etc...
REGION 0, 9, or REGION ALL — Discs are uncoded and can be played worldwide
So, here in the U.S., we're Region 1. In the U.K., discs are Region 2. Region 1 discs won't play in region 2 players, and vice versa. Or so I was told when I first moved here 6 years ago. But that's not true. Region coding can, in most cases, be removed from your DVD player using a simple remote-control code that unlocks the player.
Why do we have region codes?
I'm no expert on this, but I turn to a man who knows more than I do. Robert Silva from About.com had this to say about the subject.
"Movies are released in theaters in different parts of the world at different times throughout the year. That Summer blockbuster in the U.S. may end up being the Christmas blockbuster overseas. If that occurs, the DVD version of the movie may be out in the U.S. while it is still showing in theaters overseas.
In order to preserve the financial integrity of the theatrical distribution of a particular film, it is not possible (under normal conditions) to have a friend in the U.S. send a DVD copy of the film to the country where it is in theatrical release and be able to play the DVD on a player there."
So, in a word, money. However, since the massive surge of the Internet, file sharing and release dates in countries around the world coming closer and closer together, it's fairly ridiculous to have region coding. In fact, many players are now code free. But, if yours isn't (and most aren't) you may be able to unlock it in a matter of seconds...right now.
Enough background...how do I unlock my player?
The site I have used for the last few years is called VideoHelp.com, and they have a section of the site dedicated to DVD hacks. It's a simple search engine. Just take down the name and model number of your DVD player, and if a hack exists (there are thousands out there) then just print out the instructions, take your remote control and program your DVD player. And there you have it. You can now play disks from Japan, England, Australia, anywhere you want!
Here's the best part.
You don't need an expensive player. In fact, the easiest players to unlock are at the cheaper end. I bought a Phillips DVD player (DVP642) for $40 from BestBuy a few years ago, unlocked it in 10 seconds and watched a bunch of British comedy the same day. Yesterday, I upgraded that player to a DVD player with HD capability for the impending HDTV we'll need to buy. I checked out VideoHelp found the following region hack:
- Power on.
- Open tray.
- Push the info on remote once (with supplied remote). You will see numbers.
- Press 9 for multi-region. Keep trying until you see the number 9 appear in upper left corner.
- Power off.
- Power on.
That was it. A nice new upconvert DVD player that plays any DVD. So, if you do have a DVD player that you'd like to convert, you can try it. The site does WARN that any action you take may invalidate the warranty, so try it at your own risk. All I can say is that I've never had a problem. Best of luck.
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I own a pioneer dv-386 dvd player. Can anyone help me - i need to change the region settings.
Thanks
HI, HOW CAN I CHANGE MY TOSHIBA HD-A30 PLAYER TO BE REGION CODE FREE, PLEASE HELP THANKS.
Hello guys
Does anybody know how to unlock the SONY DVP-SR200P?
I brought it to Brazil and it is a bitch - will not play
any local DVDs - nada, zippo.
Thanks
RB
por favor si sabes como poner multiregion este dvd explicame como...gracias
please i need code this dvd transform to multizone
how i make this change ?
how can i change the region on my toshiba lap top., i can't play dvd cd on toshiba dvd player
HI EVERYBODY, I HAVE THIS SONY BLURAY PLAYER BDP-300, HOW CAN I CHANGE IT TO REGION FREE CODE , PLEASE HELP THANKS.
HEY GUYS, CAN ANYONE HELP ME OUT ON HOW TO CHANGE THIS MY BLU RAY PLAYER TO REGION FREE, THANKS.
yes you need to set it to region zero then it should play most dvds in didderent region formatsher
Does anyone have the code to make this sony region free? Couldn't find it. Please please help!!!!!!
Anyone know the code for these toshibas? THANK YOU!!!!!
i'm from the us, but living in italy for the year and i have all these american dvd's (region 1) that wont play on my region 2 dvd player. i've tried googling information, but can't find anything for this specific model (nortek ndvx 2106). can anyone help?
Can anyone help me with the codes to make my DVD player/writer region free?
My hyline audio 612 dvd player is not worker with my LG tv. I keep getting a meassage which says invald format. Do you have a unlock code for this player please.
hey anyone know how to hack a region 10 dvd player, cheers
Hi, I searched the database you have given for the above hack, but could not find it. I appreciate if you can give me the code for it. Many thanks,
anyone no the region ccode for the sony dvp sr200p the ones ive found dont work
hello,
please i need imformation for the compacibility enter the dvd player DRX-S7OU-R and the windows media player in ASUS PC 9OO. I CAN'T PLAY VIDEO
THANKS
Does anyone have the procedure and codes for making this player region free?
how do I get the code for toshiba SD-K531???????
I WANNA WATCH MY MOOMIN DVDS!
Please please help...
email nyatta11@hotmail.com :c
There are a few half-baked sites out there, but if you want to get the job done, send a quick e-mail to the team at www.dvdexploder.com - they'll sort you out in a flash.
People were telling me 'you can't unlock your Panasonic DMP' - well guess what? It's now region free thanks to these guys. I tapped in a simple handset sequence and I'm now watching cheap imported discs. Very nice!
I don't like being told when and where I buy my films, so problem solved. Thought I'd throw in my two cents. Down with region zoning!
We all want to unlock our DVD players, but Paul said he used a database to find the code for his player. Go search the database. And if yours isn't in there, chances are he doesn't know either!
I have tried all the codes that I can see and still nothing works.
Hopefully someone somewhere can find a code. Meantime still searching...
Set for US, need to be able to view British DVDs. Help with region code unlock.
I tried all the stuff listed above. Did not work. Don't have an info button, pressing 0000 does nothing, pausing and entering 314159.
Any help is greatly appreciated!!
Does anyone have an idea on how to get my dvd player
JCV VC XV-N370B multi region. I also tried the instructions from DVDEXPLODER but it's a waste of money doesn't work
Anyone have an idea how to un-lock this DVD player?
Hi,
How do i make my Sony RDR-VX515 DVD recorder region free ?
Thanks.
hi
how do i make my Philips DVDR3600 DVD Recorder region free
Any suggestion on how to unlock philips dvd dvp3126k to all regional player?
Hi All,
Does anyone know how to make this DVD region free? Thanks much!
HI
Does anyone know how to make JVC HR-XVC14 DVD VHS Combo Player Region Free.
Thanks
Hello, Can anyone advise me as to how to make my Sony BDP-S360 Blu-Ray DVD Player Region Free?. Thank you.
Hello guys
Does anybody know how to unlock the toshiba MD20Q42 to be region free?
thank you
vico
I am trying to make my dvd player region free does anyone no the code it is a Jvc xvsa602 Avcompulink I bought some kids cartoons for my boys from united kingdom and It wont play them thanks for your help
Does anyone know how to do the Toshiba D-R17DT?
I have been on to the DVD-HACK site and although it is listed there, they have no instructions.
I would be very gratefull for any help anyone can give.
Many thanks
Does anyone have the multiregion code for the Toshiba SD-P71SKE
Hello all, I have bought a new Samsung DVD, as yes I can't watch any DVD's, I used a unlock code that I got from a site and all was working well for a few weeks, then come Jan 1st, I went to watch a DVD and a message came up on the screen that said my DVD does not have a region code, I have tried numerous DVD's from all region's and none of them work.
I need to reset the region or do something, has anyone else ever had this trouble or seen or heard of it before.
If anyone has any suggestions or knows a code can you please email me on
lee.1976@yahoo.co.uk
Regards Lee
Hello all, I have bought a new Samsung DVD, as yes I can't watch any DVD's, I used a unlock code that I got from a site and all was working well for a few weeks, then come Jan 1st, I went to watch a DVD and a message came up on the screen that said my DVD does not have a region code, I have tried numerous DVD's from all region's and none of them work.
I need to reset the region or do something, has anyone else ever had this trouble or seen or heard of it before.
If anyone has any suggestions or knows a code can you please email me on
lee.1976@yahoo.co.uk
Regards Lee
I have tried every hack I can find. Does anyone know the actual code for the JVC XV-N670B?
Hi all,
I want to change my JVC UX-G68 to be multi region, can anybody help me with this? i have been soo frustrated not being able to play many DVDs
your comments or suggestions are highly appreciated.
How do you unlock the Panasonic BD 60
I changed the code as indicated. I followed the directions exactly and was able to change it to 9 region free. However, my region 2 DVD still won't play. I changed it to region 2. Still won't play. I changed it back to region 1 (which is the region I'm in), and now the player won't even play region 1 DVDs. It says "bad" every time I put one in. I am afraid to try the unlock codes on my other players, so I am just going to buy a region free player. It will be cheaper in the long run.
Can some body help me, I need to covert my Blue Ray into multi Region
Thanks
Can anyone tell me the code for Sony RDR-VX515. This is a DVD/Video Cassette Recorder. I Checked the list and they indicated they didn't have the code for this model.
Thank you
Hello, Can anyone advise me as to how to make my Sony BDP-S360 Blu-Ray DVD Player Region Free?. Thank you.
Can somebody please help me, I need to covert Sony DVP-NS710H/B into multi Region.
Thanks.
I have the same problem. Have you gotten some suggestion yet? If you have, please post and please cc: a copy to me at ster108@gmail.com. Thanks.
I have the same problem. If you have found out how to do that, please tell me how. Thanks
Can anyone tell me how to make my Panasonic DMP-BD80 Blu-Ray region-free? Thanks!
please help me, i would like the regional code to unblock my region 2 dvd player. that i can watch dvd's from all regions. thanks
HOW TO CHANGE OVER OR THE WEB SITE TO GO TO
Hi guys,
does anybody know if someone you can make
SONY DAV-HDZ273 regio free.
If it is impossible, I would like to know also ! :-(((
ANY ONE KNOW HOW TO GET MULTI REGIONAL ON A TOSHIBA SD490EKB??????????????
PLEASE ANYONE BEEN LOOKING FOR AGES NOW
Hi,
does anyone know of the hack for my Samsung HT-TZ522. Right nnow its Reigion 1 but i would like it to be Reigon Free. I have tried all of the other hacks i found but none of then seem to work. if you have any please contact me at
Jussi_69_jyrki_helsinki_vamps@yahoo.com
Thakyou.
Please help:-
I have 2 DVD Players that only play US discs.
They are a Toshiba - SD-V394 and a Sony - DVP 5560D.
I have searched a lot of the sites but cannot find anyone with the codes to unlock them.
Either one would be good.
I HAVE A TOSHIBA RDXV59DTKB2 DOES ANY ONE KHOW HOW TO MAKE IT REGION FREE
if anyone has a ps2 console get dvdxregion for ps2 will make it region free will make it play all region dvds
I am in the military stationed in the UK. I have a couple of Bose systems that I don't want to mess w/ but I do have a JVC combo unit that I wouldn't mind unlocking. Is there an unlock code for the JVC HR-XVC21UJ. I've been looking on line for weeks now and cannot find one for this particular unit. Thanks, Nick
I need help. My DVD player is a Symphonic SV2000 WV205. Do u know how i can make it region free?
I just recently bought a DVX-700 system. A Yamaha DVR700 is included but it only plays region 2 DVD's. I have many DVD's with other regions. Does anyone know how I can set the DVD player to region 0 so it can play all regions???
PLEASE HELP.
Thanks
Does anyone know how to make my pioneer dv-120K or DV-220K region free?
I have the same problem, I bought it region free but then it stopped working.
Have you found a solution?
Thaaaaaaaank u soooo much!
u made my day
now my daughter is sooo happy watching the new DVD
Hi all,
Can anyone help me find the unlocking code for my dvd JVC UX-AD8. Thank you!
I tried below and it didnt work for me.
After I entered the 00000 and Enter, it changed to 00001.
Any thoughts?...Thx for the help
With the DVD player turned off(stand by), press:
TOP MENU
CLEAR
POWER
Choose option 2 and after option 4. Type:
12450 [press enter]
00000 - Then press enter and power off
I tried this with my Sony DVP-NS57P and after I entered 12450 enter my dvd door kept opening and closing and it would not stop until I unplugged it. Can you help? Thanks.
We have purchased a car with a roof mounted DVD player XM1045CB. We are in Australia, PLEASE help me change the region so we can use it. Thanks
http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks
TRY THIS SITE FOR REGION CODES FREE
RUSS
could somebody tell my how to make my dvd player "region free"?
i have phillips DVP5990
How to I hack my new Sony DVP SR500H for multi region.
Kathy
hello kathy,
any successs...let me know
I have the same player, any luck??
help please, anyone?
Hi I jaust bought Toshiba BDX2000 BD player. Anybod can help to meke it region free? Please mail me
hey we are in the same boat. any luck to unlock region? bdx 2000player. please mail me if you did that... thanks...
i need help unlocking a Panasonic DVD-CV52. I looked around and keep finding things telling me to type "00F2" However, "F2" doesn't exist on my controller. Anyone have a way to hack my Panasonic DVD-CV52 with its remote?
Was wondering if anyone could help me out... i have a few australlian dvds but have a english dvd player. was just wondering if anyone knows the unlock code??? chees guys :D
I have 2 Dvd players, one is Sony DVP-FX930 and the other is SONY DVP-NC665P.
Can someone please tell me how to set it to code free. Thanks. Appreciate it.
I have 2dvd players. I want to set them to code free. Can someone help me please.
The model no is: SONY DVP-FX930 and Sony DVP-NC665P
Thanks, really appreciate it. Regards, Ruby
I have 2 dvd players and I want to set them to region code free.
Can someone please give me step by step instructions how to do it. Thanks.
The model no: SONY DVP-FX930 and SONY DVP-NC665P
I have a cyberhome dvd-69, twas working properly for quite sometime and now it wont read any dvds but cds only. Can somebody tell me what to do? Thanks
If you buy a combo DVD/VCR and convert the DVD, will the VCR also be converted? I have a Region 2 tape that I want to play in the US.
Any one know how to make a Sony BDV E570 region free
I have a very cheap Curtis DVD1041. I was unable to find a code for this. Has anyone been able to unlock this model. Please let me know how you did it.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Hi GUEST,
Try this Web Site it show "How To" for your Curtis DVD1041 ........... I hope it works for you :)
hi...
i'm from india and recently bought sony dvp-sr650p dvd player. need to make it region free. pls help. thanks!
I wish to replace my IDE HD in my pioneer DVD recorder do i need to format the new HD or can i plug & play the new HD?
i have sony dv 260 player i cannot activate changes my remote does not have info button whatelse can i do?
They did not have the code at their website for the sony SLV-D100 and when I googled for it lots of people have been searching for the code but nobody has it. Please help!
Hello ,
I had got few DVD from UK.thansk to this discussion i was able to unlock my dvd player to multi region,but the only prolem is i cant hear the audio now..can anybody provide any inputs.
all cable connections are ok
thanks
Hi there. Anybody knows how to track Panasonic SC PT170 and SamsungP270? I just bought a region 1 coded DVD, while I live in region 3. Need ur ifo so badly. Thx.
Can sombody help me get my "Rosen AV7500 Dual headrest DVD system region free?? ;)
Ive got one tip:
1) With NO disc in the DVD Drive
2) On remote control press:
EJECT-ENTER-0-1-6-7 (Do not use EJECT on the unit itself)
A Region Prompt appears on top-right of screen.
Enter Region 9 (on some versions you may have to enter 0 here)
The unit is now permanently REGION-FREE
But my problem is that the "Eject-button" is "Not active" on the remotecontrollers!!
Dear Sir,
As you had mentioned above, 0,9 were supposed to be ALL-REGION dvds. Unfortunately my (US) laptop couldn't seem to play it..but region 2 does! I'm a bit confused though, and I'd like to know how I could solve this..
Kind Regards
HOW CAN MAKE MY SONY DVD RECEIVER MODEL HCD-FX999W REGION FREE PLS I NEED HELP
HOW CAN MAKE MY SONY DVD RECEIVER MODEL HCD-FX999W REGION FREE PLS I NEED HELP
HOW CAN MAKE MY SONY DVD RECEIVER MODEL HCD-FX999W REGION FREE PLS I NEED HELP
Wondering how to change the region on the philips pd7010/93
Hi,
Does anybody unlock philips pd7010/93?
Regards
Philips 642K hack code not working [ 7-8-9 ok 0] can any one help
Oi have many dvd players connected to my bigscreen in my living room. I have a region free player as well but I don't want to spend more money for another one for my bedroom. I recently purchased a magnavox blu ray player NB500MGX and I would like to give my Chinese region free player a chance to just play in my bedroom. I was wondering if your codes work on blu ray players as well? If you can help me I'd sure appreciate it
Hey have a Logik L19LID648 dvd combi and i want to unlock the dvd player. I cant find code anywhere, does anyone have this player and has it already unlocked?
I need a hack to make my new LG DVX582H Region free....as in my collection I have loads of Region 1 and 3 DVDs. Thanks