Many Thanks LeMarchand & Dot

[waimarie]

Hi LeMarchand & Dot, My original question regarding 'The Tales of Hoffman' film is now at least two pages back and you may not check back that far, hence this separate thread!! Appreciated your comment re the R1 status of 'Tales of Hoffman'.

A closer look at the site suggested by Dot. seems to lean almost positively towards it being a Region 1. I have seen an ad on e-bay suggesting they can unlock the coding on your DVD player so it will play regions 1 through to four (or is it five?) for a nominal fee of 99p!!

Have you seen this and, do you think it may work? In the meantime, I'm still looking!!

[LeMarchand]

The eBay thing will probably work, but why pay some dodgy geezer for something that you can probably do for free? Most DVD players are unlockable by inputting a code into the remote. The exceptions are some of the "big" brands (Sony, Philips and Panasonic?) which are unlockable, but generally with difficulty (normally involves buying/hiring and engineer's disc). I doubt that the 99p covers the latter scenario, though if it does it's a bargain!

If you Google the brand and model of your player and "region hack" (or similar) you should find out if your player is easily hackable - or just post the details here and someone should be able to help. If yours is a cheapo supermarket player (the sort that go from �20 to �40 in most larger supermarkets) it may well be region free anyway.

[waimarie]

Thanks LeMarchand, There's a lot of info out there and a quick look does not name my machine which is a Samsung DVD Player/Recorder VR320. The user manual is some 92 pages and have to admit not getting any further than what's necessary to get it functioning!! I do not think it's multi-regional but will read a few more pages to find out. Whatever the present outcome, I do now know it is possible whereas before I didn't. (If you know what I mean!!)

[LeMarchand]

Test post (having difficulty posting the answer).

[LeMarchand]

Here we go again... (Trying to split it into parts, even though it's not showing as too long).

Part 1:

Try this:

1. Turn on.
2. Make sure that there is no disc in the tray (you may need to leave the tray open).
3. Press menu.
4. Enter 57538 (the region code is displayed briefly in the top left hand corner).
5. Enter the new region code quickly or 9 for all regions.

[LeMarchand]

Getting pretty p.o.'d with how difficult posting this answer is getting!

Part 2:

Dependent on the firmware (the "internal software") on your machine, this hack may only last until the machine is turned off. (You have to input each time you want to change regions). Apparently if you upgrade the firmware, this problem will be solved. If you need/want to do this and are feeling brave enough, instructions and the upgrade are available from Samsung. In case it is the link preventing this posting, Google for their site, go to the UK part and then go to "support" and search for your model.

[LeMarchand]

Part 3 (of 3):

Although it shouldn't be a problem with the B&W "Tales of Hoffman" there is an outside chance that your TV won't like the NTSC signal from an R1 disc (colours don't display properly), but most TV sets bought in the last decade or so should be fine.

Why not try the hack and then see if you can borrow a non-R2 disc from someone to check everything is hunky-dory?

[LeMarchand]

At last! *Breaks down in tears*

[waimarie]

Blimey LeMarchand!! Many thanks for that major effort. As Capt.Oates said "I may be some while", having a busy week ahead but will certainly have a go when feeling brave........

I know what you mean about colour irregularity, I had a VHS from the US, 'Taipan' and the colour was/is awful, may be the same problem.

Thanks again LeMarchand, I'm not going to put stars on all your replies but take five on each!!