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REGIONAL CODING (NTSC & PAL)
DVD players are designed with codes that are specific to a geographic area in which it is sold. In order for a DVD to be played in a specific disc player it must be coded accordingly. This prevents the playback of DVD in one geographic region that was coded for a different geographic region.
“Regional Coding” for DVDs is entirely optional for the maker. Some DVD makers will not “Regional Code” their DVDs thus allowing the DVD to play on any player in any region, non-encrypted. Regional coding consists of one byte of information on the DVD; it is permanent and cannot be unlocked.
DVD players are identified by a “Region Number” superimposed over a world globe emblem on the player. DVDs are identified by a “Region Number” superimposed over a world globe emblem on the back of its DVD jacket. The number will either be between “1 and 8” or 0. For example “If you have a region 1 NTSC player you will only be able to play DVDs with a regional coding of 1 or 0”. Zero is free region and can play on all players.
Regional Coding
CODE 1: CANADA, US, US TERRITORIES
CODE 2: EUROPE, JAPAN, MIDDLE EAST, SOUTH AFRICA , EGYPT
CODE 3: EAST ASIA, SOUTHEAST ASIA AND HONG KONG
CODE 4: AUSTRALIA, CENTRAL AMERICA, MEXICO NEW ZEALAND, PACIFIC ISLANDS, SOUTH AMERICA, CARIBBEAN
CODE 5: AFRICA, EASTERN EUROPE, INDIA SUBCONTINENT, NORTH KOREA, MONGOLIA
CODE 6: CHINA
CODE 7: RESERVED
CODE 8: AIRPLANES, CRUISE SHIPS, SPACE VESSELS
CODE 0: REGION FREE, PLAYABLE ON ALL SYSTEMS
In addition to regional coding there are two types of incompatible television systems; the NTSC television systems and the PAL/ SECAM television systems with system specific DVD types : NTSC DVDS and PAL DVDS.
NTSC DVDS will not play on a PAL/SECAM television system and PAL DVDS will not play on a NTSC television system. When purchasing please ensure the DVD you are purchasing is compatible with your DVD player and television system.
“Code Free” DVD players are now available on the market which is able to play DVDS from any of the aforementioned regions. The “Code Free” DVD players allows flexibility for collectors who can now search the entire world for a specific title and no longer be limited by “Regional Coding”.
