Problems with "Code Free" DVD's

[Gorkat]

Recently a friend in Germany sent me some DVD's that he created with what he calls a "code free" recorder. I tried them in my Sony RDR GX-315 and got an error message on the screen that says the disc is neither playable or recordable and then the machine ejects the disc. I also tried them in a friend's Panasonic DMR-ES20S and they would not play either.

Next I tried to play them with my PC. Windows Media Player shows the menu page, but will not play the video part at all. I then tried InterVideo Win DVD5 which is also installed on my PC and they played fine.

I then tried them in my brother's inexpensive Zenith DVD player and they play fine.

Why do they play on the cheapo Zenith player but not on the Sony ? Is it just the machine itself ??? Format ??? I've played other discs in the Sony that were created on other machines and PC's with no problems. Thanks.

[waheed]

I would guess its more to do with NTSC and PAL issue than a Region issue. Germany is in PAL region, and as you are located in the USA, you're in NTSC. You would need a dvd player/tv that plays PAL. PCs dont care about NTSC/PAL which is why you could play it wth WinDVD.

You could convert the DVD from PAL to NTSC. Check out some guides on the left.