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 looked on the DVD HACKS Web site, but they currenty do not have any hack codes for my Panasonic DVD Player DMR-EZ47V (US Version). Would appreciate help with the codes in setting it into a region-free player. Thanks,
In regards to unlocking region code restrictions, SPECIFICALLY for a multi DVD player that apparently is marked as an ALL REGION player, but fails to play U.S. DVDs and simply spits out, "Wrong Region" when a disc is put in. The player is a Konzert multi player, model MD-680. The instruction manual actually shows region 3 (I'm guessing since it was made in Korea) AND region ALL right below that. It used to play any U.S. DVD, but has suddenly stopped accepting them and instead mocks me by saying, "Wrong Region". Help?
Hah! It's just like cheat codes from the video games!
I have bought a new Samsung BD-C7500, I need to reset to multiregion, help me.
If anyone has any suggestions or knows a code can you please email me on
newserp@fibertel.com.ar
Regards
Ernexzto
Hello, I'm in Canada and I have an RCA DRC6000 VCR/DVD combo player. Does anyone have the code to make it region free. I get lots of videos from the UK. It seems to me from searching the web that RCA is a difficult one to crack.
Thanks jayjay W
Thank you so much for the help. I went to the reccomended website to see how to hack mine it worked first time. I was about to buy a new player if it wasnt for you. I have a bunch of Man United Dvd's i can watch now. Thanks again.
Hi,
I am hoping that you can help me, please. I just bought an Envizen ED8890A Portable TV/DVD player. It was supposed to be region free but it is not; it is Region 1. It is a very cool unit and I would like to watch PAL DVDs from Great Britain. Can anyone help me unlock this unit, please? Is this something that will be difficult for me to do? I would be forever grateful for the help. Thank you so much.
For PC-DVD see:
www.infopackets.com/news/hardware/2003/20031030_reset_dvd_region_country...
Good luck
Thank you for this incredibly useful website. Cheers
How do i unlock my Sony DVP-SR500H , there are no hacks available on the website above. any idea how i can do that?
I have a symphonic WF104.Please help me make it region-free
I also have a Symphonic WF 104 DVD player and there are NO codes for it on videohelp. I have the original remote control. Any ideas?
Hi, can you please help me to make my dvd player region free,I own a Pioneer DV-383 and have not been able to make the switch.
I will greatly appreciate your help.
Mike.
I bought a RCA DVR8052N DVD recorder from Value City before they went belly up. Would anyone have the instructions to make DVD's region free on it?
i have a dvd soniq recorder and i don't how to change it to dvd free region so it can play all regions can anybody help me please
thanks Eva
How can I hack my insignia nd-ldvd26q ?
I have a memorex2016blk 'a' that I want to make region free. does anyone have detailed instructions please? everything online talks about a 'clear' button on the remote which isn't there. I'd really appreciate some help!
Hi everyboby
I am looking for the multiregion hack for my European HR550 (blue-ray HHD).
It is supposed to be similar model with HR570/HR558/HR559.
Thanks in advance
Christos
does anyone have region free hack for panasonic dmp-bd65 player
Hi Paul, but there's no info on my remote, what do I do?
Hey GGNIN,
Well, it's a toughie. If the device isn't listed, it may not have a remote hack. I would search on the internet as a whole for a hack for your machine. You may find one hiding in a Google Groups forum for instance. Be prepared to do some digging. You may also need to update firmware on your device.
Hope that helps!
HI DO ANY BODY KNOW HOW I CAN MAKE MY SONY DAVDZ330 TO MULTI REGION
Does anyone have the code for MAGNAVOX MDV3000/F7? Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
I have a Scott car DVD player DRX 950. Do you have the code to make it all regions? Thanks. Leco
I have a LG Home theater HT356SD can anyone help me with the code to make it region free
Anyone have the code for a Samsung P241? Going from Region 1 to region-less.. Thank you!
Hello:
Does anyone know how to unlock Sony DVP-NS77H?
Many thanks!
Thanks so much...now I can watch my Merlin series three discs!!
Hi I just bought a LG HB906TAW 3d blue ray player I was wondering if there is a reigon free hack for this player
Can somebody tell me, how to make Sony DVP-NS915V region free?
Hi,
I recently bought the friday the 13th 8 disc dvd boxset (noty bluray). They are all region 2 (Pal) dics. I have a Samsung bd-d5300 bluray player, which is region 4. Now wierdly enough part 1+2 worked perfectly fine without any problems, but i have tried to play parts 3-8 and none of them will work. I have tried the region change techniques listed for my player but i don't seem to get any response and i have no idea why? It would be very much appreciated if there is any extra advice someone could give me or different code change technique i could try as i really want to try and avoid selling this boxset!?!?
Thanks SO much. I had bought some Amazon UK dvds which I realised after wouldn't work here in Australia and your site, which looked like the best google option,
yielded success first time! Catherine
Hi...... This top sequence did not work for my LG combo but i read on and discovered the one where you turn on machine open cd draw and pers 0000. this got me to the desired screen on t.v and the just had to change the region from 4 to 0
Thanks guys
How do you change a SONY DVP-SR200P into an all-region player? Tried the suggestions below, but none work; does not show which Region it is set to (Region1) and so, cannot change it. HELP!
I'm looking for a hack for the Sony DVP-SR200P. None of the codes I found work :(
DVD practiciners;
I just bough a Dodge Durango with A VES DVD and can't play any of my DVDs on it -- Any tips on how to unlock a vehicle built-in DVD players?
Thanks a million,
Sam
I have a TV with an integrated DVD player, is it still possible to hack it??
hi, do you know how i can decode a futuristix dvd player? many thanks mat
?
?
I tried it with my DVD player and now it is region free. Thanks for the info! :-)
Thank you!
I couldn't find my Canadian Toshiba DVD player in the list, but then noticed that the model number contains a "C" (possibly for "Canada"). So I checked for the model number without the "C" and found something fairly close... and the hack worked! :-)
I changed my Tosiba DVD to a universal setting by myself and I feel like a genius!! Thank you Paul Michael!
I went to the site to check my portable DVD player ( Philips PET741B/37), followed the instructions but it didn't work. The instructions indicated that i should
go to settings, then preference, then click next, next , next till i find the region and click zero.. there is no region under the preference.. it's just audio, subtitle, disc menu , parental and default..
Does this method also free up British-made VHS cassettes as well as DVDs?
Thank you.
Thank you, thank, thank you!! Living in Israel now (region 2), but I have a disc set from the US. Just bought a new DVD player here, tried to watch the DVDs, and got the infamous "check regional settings". Thanks to your post, I am now watching the DVDs
Thanks! now i dont need to buy another dvd player.. just hacked my own!
PEACE!
I moved to Europe from the US - this has a problem that got up my nose like you wouldn't believe. I'm still trying to get one of my machines region free - its a real pain having to keep two units (one region free and one region 2).
Hi I'm having trouble finding a code for my Panasonic DMR-EZ28EB, I've been on a few sites but so far no searches have given an answer. Can anyone help please
Thanks for the tip! I will try this tonight I have a new sony dvd player and I have the same problem as you did but the other way around! I want to watch some US shows region 1 dvd so i will try your tip. Thanks a lot
Please help I have an LG BD650 here in England and I want to unlock it as there is a DVD that is only for American how do I unlock
hello my name is javier iam from mexico and i have a sony DAV-TZ140 but is region 4 and i want region free thank you
Please and pretty please. i need help with LG DT733 model regional code hack. Just bought one and can't play region 1 dvd from the US.
I have the same problem, did you find a way to unlock your player?
Thanks for sharing this info. It works and really only takes a few seconds.
I play most DVDs on my windows 7 computer and it plays without regard to region.
I have a Samsung BD B5100 Blue Ray player, With power on, tray open , pressing info nothing happens other than source top left of screen.
HDM12/DV1. can you help
Would this trick work with region 4 dvds? I'd love to get some dvds of kiddie shows from latin america?
Hi can someone please tell me how to make Panasonic DVD-S500 region free.
Thanks in advance.
Does anyone know how to hack an LG Blu-ray/DVD player, model BP#300, from Best Buy? I've looked at all the sites and every other model is listed but mine. I tried their codes and nothing works. TIA
Does any one know the unlock region free code for a SonyDVP-SR170. Please can any one help?
hi, everyone. if anyone know how to region unlock the Panasonic DVD-K520 or the pioneer dvd v550? thanks
I live in Australia and recently purchased an LG Blu-Ray Disc DVD Player HR925T/HR929T.
I can't remember (I did know once) how to make it possible for my LG to play Region 1 and Region 2 DVDs.
Maybe I should just program once for multiregion (Region 9).
Any tips would be much appreciated.
Derek
Region 3 Pioneer DVD receiver system X-HM20V-s change to multi zone or region 4?
I have a sony blue ray disk player and cannot play a disc I purchased from the UK. I did not know that I would have to buy a disc for a specific region.
hey guys
My dvd remote control doesn't have numbers -_-
anyone know of a way to change region code without?
If the purpose of region codes is to preserve the ability for summer blockbusters to be sold at different prices before a foreign release, then why is it that virtually all DVDs have region codes (like a 1950's Henry Fonda film), but most Blu-Ray discs don't (like Pacific Rim)? Wouldn't this theory predict the opposite?
I tried to hack my sony dvp-n425p and no luck. I am wondering if it can't be done in the USA. Any ideas?
Hi Paul,
found a hack(region codes) for Samsung E370 at video help. That did not work with my new player E370. No response to Repeat botton on remote. have they modified the software? please help.
I have a DAV-DZ270K Player, how do I convert It to region free?
I have a Samsung HT-E6730W Blu-Ray player that I cannot get the region code changed on. I have a skydiving video shot in the Netherlands and I cannot play it here in the U.S. The instructions I found online do not work about hitting the BD button, repeat, and entering the code. Nothing pops up on my screen to change the code. Am I doing something wrong or is there no hack for this player?
Hi - my problem is the remote disc player in my Mac - I can't get it to play different regions at all! Any clues please ? Thanks
Hi, someone help please. I have a Samsung BLU ray BD F7500 and require info on unlocking dvd player to region free
How about unlocking a Magnavox or an LG?
How about a hack for Panasonic DVD-RV32 & JVC HR-XVC17SU?
I've heard if you play a DVD in a computer six times, it will lock the computer on that region. So if I play a worldwide region dvd in a TV DVD player combined, will it lock on multi region? I live in region one and accidently ordered a complete set of dvd's from the UK region 2.
Hello guys
May be one of you had an experience unlocking build in car dvd payer
I have Honda Odyssey 2012 with build in dvd player - I do not know the make and Honda customer service cannot find it for me.
I'm in region 1 and need it unlock for region 2
Any advice - is there universal unlock code ?
thank you in advance
For everyone....I have a LG-2200N model dvd player region 1 ... I can't find an unlock code to play a video of Phantom of the opera I purchased from eBay. ..help ! Thanks in advance.
Can you please assist me to change my Panasonic HDD/DVD Recorder DMR-EH59 (same as EH49 / EH69) from Region 2 to ALL (Multi Region). Thanking you.
Please assist me with the procedure to change my Panasonic HDD-DVD Recorder DMR-EH59 (EH49 / EH69) from Region 2 to All Regions (0).
Thank you.
Hi everybody, I'm from México and bought a Sony DVD SR115, I'm trying to make it multiregion but I cant find a code.
If anyone could help me I really apreciate it my Mail antoniomenav@hotmail.com thanks in advance.
I want to watch a region 2 disc on my Sony BDP-S4100 region 6. Please help!!! I really would like a solution that doesn't require me to buy a OneForAll universal remote as many people have said to do.
Hi, I want to watch dvd's I've gotten from the UK, on my region 4 Sony BDP-S4100. Is there a code I can use? Please help! I want to unlock it without having to buy a One For All universal remote, that a lot of people have said you needed, in order to make the model multi region. Thanks.
Does anybody know how to reset a JVC LT-24DD52J TV/DVD combo to play DVD's from all regions? My aunt has got one, but it's set to Region 2, and she's got Region 1 DVD's she can't play on it. Can anybody please tell me how to reset it?
how do i get a philips DVP3345V to be region free?
Could someone please help me turn my Sony BDP - S1100 player to be region-free? Thank you.
And also I have a RMT-B119P Remote control for it, so is the display button the same thing as a setup button?
Just tried this for my philips BDP 2180 in India to go from Region 5 to Region 0 and it worked.......in 2016!! Thanks a ton!
Has anyone cracked a Panasonic DMR-BWT730 ? This old novice would appreciate some help.
John
Tamborine Mountain
Qld
To the clever people out there
I recently bought a Samsung BD-J5500 DVD/Blueray player. As I am originally from South Africa and have some online purchased DVDs with diferent codes to New Zealand (region 4) where I currently reside, I cannot use any of my pre-New Zealand DVDs. I have surged and investicated but to no avail, as I cannot find a haking method to open up this new divise's regions or zones. Could some one please help?
Kind Regards
Gerrie
Hi there
Can any body help me with de-regioning my Samsung BD-J5500 DVD/Blue ray Player.
I moved from South Africa to New Zealand and have numerous dvd material from South Africa and also form USA and UK. My old DVD player broke and had to be replaced. Now I have a New Zealand (Region/Zone4) machine and are not able to find a solution to open the zone to my DVD player.
Please HELP ☺
Gerrie
Hallo Gerrie,
Great to hear an enquiry from a fellow South African. No, I cannot help you with an answer, but just today bought the same model BD-J5500 in Cape Town. Have any of the experts out there being able to help you and if so, can you please help me?
Much appreciated
Calvin
I have 4 dvd players. 1 Sony, 1 Sony Blu/ray, 1 Toshiba player & 1 Toshiba dvd recorder. I tried all the suggestions below & none work. Anybody have any ideas??
I have DVD player Toshiba SD-24VLSL. This DVD player is working only on region 2. How can I get the unlock code for my DVD player. I want to play any DVD films.
I just b ought a Insignia DVD player at best Buy - Insignia is their brand will this convert to region free so I can play my own DVD's that I make on my computer ?
Tried hack, only person on earth it didn't work for it seems. Followed all instructions & I have no idea, if or what I did wrong. Have a Phillips DVP2880.
When will they learn? If you try to stop me from watching something I want to pay for, then I'll just torrent it and you'll get nothing.
hi we have just ordered a SEIKI SE24HD01UK 24" LED TV with Built-in DVD Player for the nephew, could you tell me how to mak it region free to play all our dvd`s
thanks
james
Any body know the sequence for a Toshiba me13p1 for multi region
Not sure if my DVD Player is Sony DVP-SR-100 or SR-200, how would i use that. Plus it's my sister's DVD Player
Does anyone know how to hack the region code on a Reflexion portable DVD player ?
I really would appreciate any help.
Thanx
Tony
hello,
pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase can someone save me and tell me how you hack the sony dvp-sr760h player? I can't read my dvds and most of them are zone 1.
i have been searching everywhere and nothing.