TITLE
    Apple DVD Player: DVD-Video Region Discussion
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		60183
3/25/99
11/3/00
TOPIC

    This article discusses DVD-Video disc region codes, and how DVD Region Manager software works with the Apple DVD Player application to implement them.

DISCUSSION

    Every DVD-Video disc has a region code, which limits where the disc can be played. Region codes correspond to six different regions of the world as defined by the DVD Forum. Region 1 includes Canada and the U.S. Region 2 includes Japan, Europe, South Africa, and the Middle East, and so forth. Discs that are coded Region 0 can be played in any part of the world. DVD players--including Apple DVD Player--are generally limited to playing discs of only one region, usually the region where the DVD player was purchased. For example, DVD players purchased in Canada usually only play Region 1 DVD-Video discs.

    The Apple DVD Player is capable of playing discs from any region. Once you play a disc, the DVD drive stores the disc's region in its memory (called firmware) and limits you to playing discs from that region. For example, a customer buys an iMac in Ireland, inserts a Region 2 DVD-Video disc into the drive, and watches the movie. By doing this, the drive is now set to limit Apple DVD Player to play only Region 2 discs.

    You can change the region the DVD drive is set to use up to five times. DVD Region Manager software is what enables this. On the fifth time, the drive is permanently set to use that region, and you cannot make any more changes. For example, you have both a Region 1 and Region 2 DVD-Video disc. You insert the Region 1 disc and the Apple DVD Player is now set to play only Region 1 discs. You insert the Region 2 disc, and the Apple DVD Player is now set to play only Region 2 discs. If you continue to switch between the discs, on the fifth time the DVD drive is permanently set to use the region of that disc.

    Notes:
      1. Region 0 DVD-Video discs do not have a geographical boundary. However, your DVD player and television must be compatible with the video standard used to record the movie on the disc. You should be able to play any Region 0 DVD-Video disc with the Apple DVD Player since it is compatible with all video standards.
      2. If you have Apple DVD Player 1.0, please see article 60761: " Apple DVD Player 1.0: Limited to Region 1 DVD-Video Discs " for information about playing discs of regions other than 0 or 1.

Document Information
Product Area: Computers
Category: General Topics
Sub Category: General Topics

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