Converting Region 2 DVDs to Region 1?

[wagegoth]

There are some old BBC videos I'd like to get, but the DVDs are only available in Region 2 format. Is there a way to convert them?

Thanks!

[Broomjockey]

I don't think you can convert the DVD itself, as it would basically require recompiling it, since region 2 is usually PAL format, and region 1 is NTSC. There's a few programs around that will let you play DVDs on your computer no matter the region, and some DVD players give you a limited number of region changes. I can't find a legit program for PC atm though.

[Pedersen]

Using one of the DVD copying programs that are out there, you can downsample to NTSC, and then burn a new copy of the DVD in region 1. That's about it for options, though.

[wagegoth]

Thank you!

[Naaman]

Have you tried a region hack on your player? Most modern equipment (over here anyway) is fully capable of both NTSC and PAL.

Just google your manufacturer and Model number along with "Remote hack" or "Region free" (This is the site I normally use http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/info/multiregion/ )

[LostMyMind]

There are quite a few region-free DVD players. If you're planning to get quite a bit of different regions, you might want to consider getting one of those.

[clowninasack]

Most stuff can play PAL on an NTSC TV, at least I've been able to with mine. What I usually do is decrypt and rip it to my computer with my RPC-1 flashed (way past the scope of this post) DVD-RW drive using DVD Decrypter (google it). Then I shrink it with DVDShrink (if needed), and burn it with DVD Decrypter again. That'll put it in region-free mode.

You might be able to find some software that will do this for you.

[Naaman]

There are quite a few region-free DVD players. If you're planning to get quite a bit of different regions, you might want to consider getting one of those.

Nearly all region free DVD players are charging you an extra $30 for a 10 minute Google and punching in a 5 digit code, very few nowadays need chipping.

[LostMyMind]

I'm talking about a DVD hardware player. Not a software one. You know those machines that connect to the t.v. and the electric outlet

jbox (or jlist if you're above 18 and want to see the twisted japanese stuff) has one. A little searching you can find some in others stores. Basically look for a region-free DVD player to connect to your t.v. and enjoy import goodness

If you're getting alot of different regions DVDs, in the long run this probably would be the best option. Avoiding to have to deal with copy protection, overrun, shrinking, lost of sub-tracks, etc....

[Yfandes]

I just had a request from a ship for a 110/240 VAC, NTSC/PAL, Region-free DVD player WITH Karaoke , and found this place. Even with shipping the costs were good, and the ship hasn't emailed me that their new toy wasn't working.

[Naaman]

I'm talking about a DVD hardware player. Not a software one. You know those machines that connect to the t.v. and the electric outlet

So was I

"Remote hack" merely refers to using the remote control to get access to the engineers menu, you can then change the region from 2 (in my case) to region 0 (unlocked - play all).

As an example my portable DVD player, a Phillips DCP850. A google search for "Philips DCP850 region free". The first result brought up a thread which contained the simple instructions;

Without a disk inserted:
press setup
go to the prefernces page.
type 9 6 5 3
select region (0 for allregions)
press ok

Total time - about 5 minutes

[wagegoth]

I'm learning such very interesting things.