If I can't play a region1, can I still rip it?

[Will Hay]

Might sound like a dumb question, but if I can't play a region 1 dvd disk can I still rip it?
I have a couple of multi-epsiode dvd's I bought from the US and whilst I can play them okay on my standalone I can't play them on my laptop.
I've had trouble region-freeing my Pioneer 105s dvd-rom Kill me, kill me now! but I want to backup my region free disks so I can play them on my laptop.
I've stuck it in the computer and not played it (I'm running out of chances to change the region coding, I'm down to two changes left!) but smartripper has trouble with it, it's keep reporting 'broken blocks' (correct term?...the red numbers on the left hand side of the screen).
Can I do anything or, as we say in Yorkshire, am I buggered?
Thanks,
Will

[Hardcoreruss]

What is it that you are trying to encode. Have you tried another program to rip it like V-Strip ?!?

[Bob W]

I would think so. Just use SmartRipper to rip it and that would make the files region free.

[Will Hay]

I would think so. Just use SmartRipper to rip it and that would make the files region free.

Smartripper won't work with the two region one disks I have, I've tried it....
..."I've stuck it in the computer and not played it (I'm running out of chances to change the region coding, I'm down to two changes left!) but smartripper has trouble with it, it's keep reporting 'broken blocks' (correct term?...the red numbers on the left hand side of the screen)".
Thanks anyway,
Will

[kevlar69]

I too have a locked drive ( Panasonic LF-311 ), if I try to rip the wrong region I get an error, change region then rip, works fine. I have 2 region changes left, but I also have an old first generation DVD Rom drive which isn't locked and can rip any region, but it is quite slow and is useless with a scratched disc.

Kevlar

[minchjp]

there are many programs which can make your drive region free

[Hardcoreruss]

As I said have you tried using v-strip, are you burning to vcd or dvd ?

[kevlar69]

there are many programs which can make your drive region free

Not Mine!

It's RC2 region locked, no firmware fix for it, and after spending ages trying to get DVD Region Free to work, I discovered that the program doesn't support RAM Drives. All the other programs like DVD Genie just fool your playing software into playing the wrong region, but only if your drive can play them in the first place.

If I've got any of the above wrong then please let me know, because I would love to make my Panasonic region free.

Kevlar

[skeets]

Hi

I have the exact same problem. Neither Smartripper or DVD Decryptor will rip 8 Mile on my Matshita DVD-RAM LF-D310, which is locked to RPC2. I've hunted everywhere for firmware & tried every region free program I can find with no luck. Is there just no way of making some drives region free, or am I missing something obvious?

[kas187]

removed

[Will Hay]

hi silky 31,

check out this link below, it might help you

http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?t=12632

Thanks, I'll check it out.
Will

[Will Hay]

removed

?????????????

[Will Hay]

I thought copying any region 1 dvd is illegal, and yet we are not allowed to post warez!

If you bother to read my post I'm not copying, I own the disk.
W.

[Will Hay]

As I said have you tried using v-strip, are you burning to vcd or dvd ?

To answer your question...
...no, I haven't tried v-strip, the name means nothing to me.
I'll do some searching, thanks.
This is a dvd to dvdr forum, therefore I'm burning to dvd.
Will

[Will Hay]

there are many programs which can make your drive region free

As kevlar69 quite rightly pointed out, these programs simply fool your drive into switching regions.
The fundamental problem is updating the drive itself with a new firmware which over-rides the region coding.
Will

[Gazorgan]

What my friend in Norway did was get a second DVDROM drive for Region1. He got an old 2x($30 US) unit and swaps them out as needed. I think in the long run this is the easiest way to save aggrevation. That or just get a new one and make it the other region you need (mark them :P ). If you are spending hours trying to do it with software/firmware, it's not worth the effort!!!

[Will Hay]

What my friend in Norway did was get a second DVDROM drive for Region1. He got an old 2x($30 US) unit and swaps them out as needed. I think in the long run this is the easiest way to save aggrevation. That or just get a new one and make it the other region you need (mark them :P ). If you are spending hours trying to do it with software/firmware, it's not worth the effort!!!

That is one good idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never thought of that plus...
...I have a pal in Sebastopol, Calif who owes me £24 ($36), time to check-out I think!
The US internal dvd-rom drives work in exactly the same way, same power etc?
They must do!
Thanks - the US saves the day again
Will

[Will Hay]

Hi

I have the exact same problem. Neither Smartripper or DVD Decryptor will rip 8 Mile on my Matshita DVD-RAM LF-D310

Hi from Yorkshire!
I have a similar burner (LF-D311, same as kevlar69's).
What media have you had most success with, and where did you get it?
Many thanks,
Will

[skeets]

I've only tried out a couple of different brands - Pioneer DVS-R47A/E & Verbatim DVD-R. Both worked fine. I've just recieved a sample pack from www.blankdiscshop.co.uk, so I'll let you know how I get on with them when I sort out this Region coding malarky!