Region Codes

europe is region 2.
you are allowed to change regions x5 times for your dvd player, on the fifth change the drive becomes hardware locked to that region.
we are not allowed to discuss regionfree stuff on here but if you google region free or dvdidle.com you'll get some hits.

Hi Rosely.  I recently submitted that same question to Dell.  Dell's response was as follows:

Dear Dell Customer,

Thank you for contacting Dell US On-Line Support.  In an effort to provide you with an answer to your question or concern as quickly as possible, our artificial intelligence tool, which is designed to interpret your message, will conduct this first reply to your inquiry.

Please also read the very bottom of this e-mail where you will find useful information on alternate Dell support resources.  If this response does not fully answer your question, you can reach the next available e-mail representative by replying to this response.


Dell's e-mail software interprets your message as a request for help with a Region Code error when you attempt to play a DVD movie.  This response document offers information for solving Region Code problems.

If your message is not about Region Codes, please just click [Reply] to this document, and a Dell e-mail agent will read and answer your message.

What is DVD Region Coding?
=============================
 
Region Codes allow movie producers to release a DVD in one region of the world while restricting it in another. In this way they can release a film that is no longer being shown in theaters in one region to be released to DVD only in that region.  This prevents a release to DVD in one region from interfering with the theatrical run in another region.

The DVD movie decodes the region you are in from the DVD player you are using. 

Dell DVD's are set to Region 1, the largest region and the correct one for the United States.

Additional information on Region Codes, including the countries included in each region, can be found in the following Dell Knowledge Base article:
 
      http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=FA1032447


 
Can I Change My DVD Drive's Region Code?
=============================

Yes, and doing so will allow you to play DVD's from another region. 

CAUTION: You can only change regions FIVE TIMES in the life of the player. Please be aware that changing your region setting for the fifth time will LOCK it into that region permanently!

To change the settings for the InterVideo WinDVD player:

1. Go to the Programs menu and open the DVD software while the drive is empty.
2. Click the Properties button.
3. Click the General tab.
4. Choose a region.

The Dell Knowledge Base Article below explains the steps in more detail.

http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=FA1047896

Other players will work similarly.  Check the software's Web site for more details.


If you insert a DVD from a region other than the one your drive is set for, you will receive this error message:

"Playback of content from this region is not permitted"

If you click [OK] you will be given the option to change the region.
     
See the following Dell Knowledge Base article for more information:
    
      http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=FA1047947
 
 
 
Why Can I Only Change My Region 5 Times?
=============================

The movie producers' intent was to allow travelers to change their notebook computers' regions to their destination country and still provide some protection for the studios' release schedules.

Many recent DVD releases are now set to region 0.  A region 0 setting allows the drive to play any DVD from any region.