Do 'Region 2' DVDs play in the United States?

[CatWoman]

I saw this Stephen King movie last night, and want to buy the DVD off of Ebay (Night Flier).

The one I want is "Region 2".

I know nothing about this.

Anyone?

[Kellanved]

1. Nope

You need a "Region Free" DVD player (many can be reprogrammed to "Region Free" with the remote control - search the web for your player).

Also remember that most Region2 countries use PAL, not NTSC. Not all TVs can display a PAL image.

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Edit:

Region-Map




TV-standard map (replaced on 2nd edit)

[CatWoman]

3. Thanks, Kellanved

You've given me quite a lesson :D

[Kellanved]

4. My pleasure

Those Regions are one of the most idiotic things in recent years.
I can understand the idea (stop people watching a movie in countries where it is not out yet/ make sure that the correct licencee for each region makes the money), but that I have to invest in a decent multi-region player just to watch DVDs bought during a vaccation or ordered legally at US / Canadian/ Asian shops is annoying.

I know quite a few people who bought a DIVX player instead - not the intended outcome I'd think.

Well, as long it's legal to own multi-region players and half-legal to import DVDs...

[supernova]

6. How much more

are multi-region players than region 1-only players? Curious.

[Kellanved]

7. not much more (in Europe) now, but they used to be more expensive

The PS2 can play all DVDs - all it takes a small utility available for €15.
http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005MFQ7/qid=1064781392/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_26_1/302-4971352-3400812

Many players can be reprogrammed with "secret" codes via the remote-control. Especially "shady" or portable players offer this.

"Proper" Multi-region players are €50 for non-branded players, about as much as a region locked with the same features.
http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00009QH6I/ref=ac_hotlist_1_0/302-4971352-3400812

About €100-€150 for branded players (depends on where one buys them), that's 10-30% more than the same model region-locked. However there is only a handful of models to choose from, and the real "top-of-the-line" models are not among them.
http://www.amazon.de/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000CBCDG/qid=1064781372/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_10_1/302-4971352-3400812



Edit: added examples

[supernova]

12. Thanks Kellenved!

Actually, those prices aren't so bad. The bottom one (Sony, IIRC), is comparable to a single-region player here in the US.

I was asking b/c I enjoy international films and I know we don't get everthing here. And that something things are changed to make them more palatable to a US audience (read: bland). I much prefer to see the originals if I can.

[blondeatlast]

9. Thanks from me, too, I'm bookmarking this for future reference.

Great info!

[Maudlin]

2. Yes and no.

Normally, region 2 only play in Europe and Japan. As always, there are ways around it; some DVD players are regionless and will play all DVDs, while most software DVD players only make you choose after the first 5 times.

[Kellanved]

5. careful

The Region is programmed into the firmware of the DVD-Drive. After 5 switches the region becomes permanent - unless you flash the drive with a Region-Free firmware before switching you might end up with a PC only playing Region 2 discs.

[blondeatlast]

8. Nope; I found out the hard way.

Ordered my dear hubby a bunch of stuff from cricket.com after India won the World's, including a commemorative DVD. I was quite proud of myself for getting him such a wonderful gift.

My reaction? It-shay!

btw, they have a nasty habit of not telling us Merkuns BEFORE we order; like somewhere on the site . . .!

[Kamika]

10. computer dvd might

My computers dvd rom can play atleast our dvd's, european and asian(bought in korea and hong kong), i havent tested others but im sure it can play all of them.


Downside is that you actually have to sit infront of the computer to see them..

[blondeatlast]

11. Well, gee, we NEVER do that sort of thing . . .