DVD region codes is a provision in the DVD Specification that requires DVD players to be hard-coded to accept DVDs that is only meant to be played within one of six designated world regions. A Code 1 disc cannot be played in a Code 3 DVD player for example. This technique was developed to enable Hollywood companies to release movies at different times in different regions.

DVD regions are defined as:
Region 1 - 1: U.S., Canada, U.S. Territories
Region 2 - Japan, Europe, South Africa, and Middle East (including Egypt)
Region 3 - Southeast Asia and East Asia (including Hong Kong)
Region 4 - Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Central America, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean
Region 5 - 5: Eastern Europe (Former Soviet Union), Indian subcontinent, Africa, North Korea, and Mongolia
Region 6 - Peoples Republic of China

Region 0 DVDs can be played in any DVD player regardless of their Region Coding, but the system format (PAL/NTSC see below) must still be supported.

PAL/NTSC VIDEO

Most U.S. DVD players only support NTSC video while most European players supports both NTSC and PAL. In order to play a disc the player needs to support both the region and the video format. This means that most players in the USA can't play a European PAL release.  Region Free NTSC DVD players can output a PAL signal, but unless the player has an internal PAL to NTSC converter or you have a standalone PAL to NTSC converter, the video output cannot be viewed correctly.  

In order to reap the benefits of being able to play any DVD made in the world one must have a region free DVD player.  We do not sell region free DVD players, but www.220-electronics.com is a great source for region free dvd players and they have superb customer service.  Be sure to tell 'em Xploited Cinema sent ya'.

REGIONAL CODING FOR BLU-RAY DISCS

The Blu-ray Disc movie region codes are different from the DVD region codes.  The following are the region codes for Blu-ray discs:

 

Region code	Area
A	North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.
B	Europe, Greenland, French territories, Middle East, Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
C	India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mainland China, Pakistan, Russia, Central and South Asia.

Region ALL Blu-Ray discs will play in ALL Blu-Ray players. Other than those your player must match the Region Code of the Blu-Ray disc.