Samsung DVD-R120

[carnivore99]

I picked up a Samsung DVD-R120 today and have been playing with it tonight. It uses the LSI DiMeNsion 2 chip which is supposed to support Xvid, and indeed there are reports that the European and Asian models play Xvid just fine. However, the feature seems to have been disabled in the North American machines (no doubt thanks to pressure from the MPAA). There are even different user manuals for the Overseas and American markets, with the Europeans and Asians getting a page that details MPEG 4 support while the American version omits it.

I'm guessing there's a region hack for this Samsung that might restore Xvid functionality while making it region-free, but I haven't been able to get the common Samsung hack variations to work. HERE is the hack that worked for somebody with a Region-2 DVD-R120, and HERE is the same hack for another Samsung model with additional info on how to make it work on a Region-1 unit, but I haven't been able to put the two together and get it to work on mine. I only get as far as the language selection screen but after that when I key in the numeric code it just selects TV channels. Does anyone know what I might have missed?

Besides the Xvid and region/macrovision annoyances, this seems like a nice machine. It records to -R/-RW and DVD-RAM, and adds +R/+RW and CD-R/RW playback, but unfortunately no VCD or SVCD support (not that I use them). Picture quality on playback is nearly identical to my LG/Zenith-made GoVideo VR3930 DVD/VHS combo recorder, better than the Cyberhome 1600 but not quite as nice as my Samsung DVD-P421 player. The front inputs include a firewire port for my DV camcorder. The cooling fan is perfectly silent. If only I can figure out the region hack, I think I'll keep it.

[akrasna]

I just got this unit, wanted to know if you have had any other learning experience in the time you have had it- including macrovision? getting Divx working on US version. Getting NTSC and PAL recording .. any other helpful clues ..


Thanks
Allen

[carnivore99]

The Region-1 version of this machine doesn't seem to be hackable.

There is a Region-2 firmware floating around that supports DiVX and can be made region-free using Samsung's common remote hack. Unfortunately loading that firmware onto a region-1 machine also changes the video input/output to PAL format, and I haven't seen any info on how to toggle it back to NTSC. If anyone knows, it would be great to hear how to do that.

[BogieV]

If this can be of any help I have Samsung DVD player that have listed codes to make it all region but that didn't work for the Japanese model.
So I found Japanese sites that had the solution and it was using a remote controller from Aiwa audio that had clock button.
Not to mention it didn't play PAL - all in all very low satisfaction from Samsung products.
They are good for chipmaker but not for finished product LOL!

[akrasna]

Hey Carnivor - If I am interested in changing my NTSC unit to PAL - can you tell me how to do that?

Thanks
Allen

[iafzal]

Any further on how to make the this DVD recorder switch between NTSC and PAL or make it region free.

Anyone found anything more?

Thanks