Select regions?

[f96nini]

I just got my new Pioneer A06/(106).
Tried it yesterday with a dvd-rw and it worked excellent, BUT
before burning the first time, I was asked to choose a region and was told that this could only be done a number of times (5).
1. I wonder why it is a limitation on this ?? and
2. May I reset the counter ??
3. May I make it region-free ??

/Nisse

[freestyler]

1. To allow the monopolies to control what you watch from where you watch it (Microsoft + MPAA = Bad News). Why its set to 5 - not too sure about that...

2. You would Have to See if There is A Reset Patch, visit www.rpc1.org and look up your recorder.

3. Visit www.rpc1.org and find a Region-Free Patch for your recorder.

Hope this information is helpful

-Free

[garryheather]

Because the manufacturer doesn't know where a disc will end up, they make them region unlocked for a short while.

Just as you can "legitimately" buy only for the region you're in (I'm in the UK, so all the pressed discs, rentals and players I see in stores are Region 2), the recorder will become locked after so many changes to comply with the DVD consortium's guidelines. If you've only just found out about this, you're in for one wild ride as you try and copy stuff off.

In answer to your other questions,

No, not usually, and yes with firmware hacks which will void your warranty. Best to buy a cheap and thus disposable flashable DVD-ROM drive and leave the more expensive writer set to your home region since they burn region free in most cases anyway.

Region free is a misnomer BTW, all region is technically more accurate.

Don't forget also that if you're using the writer for everything, that your DVD playback software will also need a hack (like DVD Genie), and XP even has some region coding potential on it, although I've never set mine and the damn thing still works with DVD's perfectly !

[freestyler]

It takes a special breed of man to live on the edge and patch their DVD Recorder.

The Delicious One is among that breed.

[waheed]

Dont use firware hacks. they are dagerous and will invalidate your warranty.

Use DVD Region free (will need to pay for this, around $40) from:

www.dvdidle.com

gauranteed to work with any dvd drive and burner. can watach dvds from any region unlimited number of times.

this software works with the populer players like Powerdvd, Windvd etc and will even play the movie directly without playing all that crapy fbi warnings, etc.

[garryheather]

Bearing in mind the improved rip speed, a dedicated DVD-ROM drive, DVD Genie and doing nothing to the writer is still the best way forward, IMO.

For starters - cheapo DVD-ROM drive that can be flashed with impunity. Say a Lite-On - going for about £25 these days. That's roughly $30 to those who use Mickey Mouse money.

DVD Genie. Free. For Gratis. Complimentary. Freeware.

So there's average rip speeds of say 8 - 10x and $10 I've saved you guys straight away. I'm expecting a Christmas card !!