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PLAYING IMPORTED DVD'S IN THE USA
The fact that the USA is a colossal producer of desirable television and movies for the English-speaking planet almost disguises the fact that the USA is running a non-standard television system (the civilised world is running PAL, not NTSC), and the fact that most of the USA's DVD players are deliberately hobbled so they can't play discs from anywhere else. There's so much choice available to the US consumer that they care little about the amazing TV shows and movies available elsewhere.
The perfect illusion of standardisation and compatibility falls apart when one of its citizens tries to buy a disc from - shock horror - overseas !
Unless the US citizen has had the foresight to set up with a multizone machine, or has the internet savvy to uncover the unlock codes for their particular model, there is a big chance that their expensive movie import could soon be relegated to the role of a shiny, pretty drink coaster.
So listen up citizens, here's my info on how to obtain a suitable machine for playing the cool stuff from England and Australia,and the weird stuff from Europe.
If you are really stuck with a region "1" machine, then in order to play discs from overseas, you need to buy a dual PAL-NTSC, multizone machine. These are no more expensive than locked machines, you just need to find them. Ring a few electrical appliance stores outlets, if they don't know what you are talking about, ring a specialist stereo store, their sales people are smarter. One good trick is to take your foreign disc into the shop, and say "here, play this !"
Suitable machines are also available on the internet, but cost a bit more. The following are some places you might try. (I am not affiliated in any way with these links, due diligence is your responsibility.) Some internet sellers are outside your country, be sure the unit has a suitable electrical plug for your country!
(Ebay rules disallow me from placing links in this guide, so the next best thing is to type these words into a search engine)
regionfreedvd
world-import
220-electronics
amazon (then search their site with multiregion dvd Look for results that include the word "PAL")
ebay.com (oops - is that a link?) - then search ebay dvd player multizone pal (and place a tick in the "search all text box") or search for dvd player region free pal
As an example, CYBERHOME DVD players are dual PAL-NTSC, they are sold locked to region 1 but then most models can be easily unlocked to multizone (especially the "300" model.)
Some brands that cannot play foreign discs are Sony, Panasonic, Emerson, Sylvania, Toshiba and Quazer. However some retailers are now "chipping" Sony's and Toshibas to be multizone (sold as "code-free").
**********************************************
Written by Darren Robinson of moviesearch.com.au
This article may be freely distributed with
this resource box included.
**********************************************
The fact that the USA is a colossal producer of desirable television and movies for the English-speaking planet almost disguises the fact that the USA is running a non-standard television system (the civilised world is running PAL, not NTSC), and the fact that most of the USA's DVD players are deliberately hobbled so they can't play discs from anywhere else. There's so much choice available to the US consumer that they care little about the amazing TV shows and movies available elsewhere.
The perfect illusion of standardisation and compatibility falls apart when one of its citizens tries to buy a disc from - shock horror - overseas !
Unless the US citizen has had the foresight to set up with a multizone machine, or has the internet savvy to uncover the unlock codes for their particular model, there is a big chance that their expensive movie import could soon be relegated to the role of a shiny, pretty drink coaster.
So listen up citizens, here's my info on how to obtain a suitable machine for playing the cool stuff from England and Australia,and the weird stuff from Europe.
If you are really stuck with a region "1" machine, then in order to play discs from overseas, you need to buy a dual PAL-NTSC, multizone machine. These are no more expensive than locked machines, you just need to find them. Ring a few electrical appliance stores outlets, if they don't know what you are talking about, ring a specialist stereo store, their sales people are smarter. One good trick is to take your foreign disc into the shop, and say "here, play this !"
Suitable machines are also available on the internet, but cost a bit more. The following are some places you might try. (I am not affiliated in any way with these links, due diligence is your responsibility.) Some internet sellers are outside your country, be sure the unit has a suitable electrical plug for your country!
(Ebay rules disallow me from placing links in this guide, so the next best thing is to type these words into a search engine)
regionfreedvd
world-import
220-electronics
amazon (then search their site with multiregion dvd Look for results that include the word "PAL")
ebay.com (oops - is that a link?) - then search ebay dvd player multizone pal (and place a tick in the "search all text box") or search for dvd player region free pal
As an example, CYBERHOME DVD players are dual PAL-NTSC, they are sold locked to region 1 but then most models can be easily unlocked to multizone (especially the "300" model.)
Some brands that cannot play foreign discs are Sony, Panasonic, Emerson, Sylvania, Toshiba and Quazer. However some retailers are now "chipping" Sony's and Toshibas to be multizone (sold as "code-free").
**********************************************
Written by Darren Robinson of moviesearch.com.au
This article may be freely distributed with
this resource box included.
**********************************************
Guide created: 10/03/06 (updated 09/14/08)
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