Hi
my new PC has the LG GDR-8161 DVD-drive.
Quoting the Control Panel of Windows it is set as Region2 (correctly, I live in Europe) and has 4 changes of region allowed.
I have seen people asking how to make their drive region free or wondering how many times they can change the region code to their DVD-drive.

I only use VIDEOLAN to watch DVDs on my PC and SmartRipper to backup them. The question is, I never get asked by any software to change the code when I insert a Region 1 disk in there. VideoLan simply plays Region 1 and 2 disks, and SmartRipper rips whatever disk I insert.
Then, after having played a Region 1 Disk I check the Control Panel and it still says it is Region 2 and I have 4 changes of Region allowed.

It seems I have not to worry about the drive getting locked into a region or having to make it region-free, but if so, why to many people isn't is so simple? is it just because of VIDEOLAN being "clever" software?
Or maybe the 8161b I have is Region-free (came with the PC) but Windows cannot detect it and believes it is Region 2 ?
I am curious.

Thank you