Backup Region 2 DVD to Region 1

[Surfmaster]

I attempted to use the latest version of MacTheRipper to backup a Region 2 commercial version of "Lord of the Rings 1" DVD that I purchased from Japan. MacTheRipper seemed to be working well but when it got to the end of the process, intead of the usual complete screen, I got a screen that said the DVD has bad sectors and that it may not work. After I ejected the original DVD, I tried playing the backup files on my PowerBook. To my surprise, using Apple's DVD player, it would simply not play. I just a see a black screen, even when I try to skip chapters and hit the menu button to see the title menu. Is this a case of a bad disc?

I have an older PowerBook 15" G4 400mhz laptop with a DVD-ROM player and the latest version of MacTheRipper 2.6.6. I disabled the automatic DVD play option first before I inserted the region 2 DVD. I then launched MacTheRipper to begin the backup.

If I can't back it up, is there a way I can download the right firmware to flash my DVD-ROM drive to make it region free so I can just play the region 2 DVD? Thanks in advance for your advice.

[128commands]

You can't region code recordable media... well you can kinda but it can cause problems. Region All discs play on pretty much every player but that's when tv standards kick in,

commands[128]

[Case]

but that's when tv standards kick in

Not really: Japan has NTSC, just as North American Region 1.

[qshartle]

You can't region code recordable media...

commands[128]

...Where did you come from..just wondering. You prettymuch show up and have all the answers. you CAN region code recordable media. Hence the region change option in MTR. The region code is stored in the .ifo file of the dvd...and is not a media issue. Most of us choose to do region zero because its easier, but you have the option to change the region.

Surfmaster:

Your dvd drive probably is a region locked region 1. I have a japanese laptop, so I can play region 2 dvds. check the RPC1 forums for your drive and if theres firmware. Other than that theres not much you can do. For me to play and rip region 1 and or every regions discs other than region 2, I bought a firewire case and a pioneer DVR-108. Was a tiny bit spendy, but other than that awesome.

[markatisu]

"you CAN region code recordable media"

Well that is true in a sense, I mean in a lot of programs you actually have to find this feature and either enable it or actively attempt to put a region code on the DVDR, by default at least in authoring programs like DVD Studio Pro its usually not enabled as most users do not want to limit who can watch their discs

Also you are not region coding the media you are region coding the VIDEO_TS folder contents, media in itself cannot have a code

I have never seen anyone actually attempt to make a region coded disc which is why most people probably make the statement that it cannot be coded, I guess its a option/choice if you are a studio but its not very consumer oriented I guess

[128commands]

...Where did you come from..just wondering.

I'm not sure what you mean. I'm from the uk and have been a dvd author for years, if that makes a difference...

you CAN region code recordable media.

No you can't but you can kinda is what I said.

Originally dvd-r was a single format but then dvd-r General & dvd-r Authoring formats were developed. dvd-r(G) for home use and dvd-r(A) for pro use as well as DLT of course. Authoring (version 2.0) media supports CMF so stores DDP information in the control area and therefore can be use for replication submissions (as a DLT alternative) for Region Coded & Copy Protected titles.

If you send a dvd-r to a replication house they should send it back if there is a regions mis-match. The regions info is found in two places, in the lead-in, well control area, and the VMG (VideoManager). The dvd-r(G) lead-in is pre-written as region all, RCM 0. So if the VMG is not flagged as region all then you can run into compatibility issues. BUT if you go to a bigger rep house their verification reports should report this and they'll not continue with the run.

The reason I say kinda, is because when I tested it a few years back, I found that many players only look at the VMG flag and do not check for the mis-match so the region coding on dvd-r(G) held up ok. But some players were not happy and you'd get 'not permitted' or an 'X' etc on systems that should of been able to play the disc. The number of fails were much worse after replication...

Dvdsp and other apps show the option cause they support output for replication. When you're authoring they don't know if your project is for dvd±r or dvd-r(A)/DLT so why grey it out... plus with Sonic Spec apps region coding is an add-on (option) cause they think only people who are doing commercial work and need to control movie distribution will use it.

Case: Yep, I jus' said that's when they kick in. I didn't mean to say there would be a problem but just hinted that tv standards apply even if the disc is region all or not.

I guess I didn't realise I was stepping on regular helpers toes by posting here so sorry about that peeps. I was just not understanding why you would want to change the region code from 2 to 1 for personal use. If it's made/backed-up as region all you'll be able to play it any system...

http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#1.10
http://www.lafcpug.org/reviews/review_tfdvdedit.html

[Case]

Yep, I jus' said that's when they kick in. I didn't mean to say there would be a problem but just hinted that tv standards apply even if the disc is region all or not.

Point taken.

[Mark V]

Just make it Region 0, it will work on all players then

[128commands]

If it's made/backed-up as region all you'll be able to play it any system...

Yeah Mark that's what I said. Well I said region all cause there is no region 0 (and give or take tv standards issues) but it's the same point.