Can I make my Mac region - free?

[smallhog]

I searched the forum but can't find what I'm looking for so apologies if this is crossing old ground.

My Mac will only allow me to play Region 1 DVDs one more time. I live in Region 2 but not all DVDs are available in that format so is there a patch I can do to allow the DVD player to be region-free?
Also, why does the Mac have this feature anyway?!

[rumplestiltskin]

This is not a "Mac" feature. It's a DVD-drive issue. The Mac (and PCs) will permit you to change the Region code of a specific DVD drive only a limited number of times. While there are hacks that can overcome this, the easiest (and least complex) way to work around this issue is to simply purchase an external DVD drive (or make your own with an internal burner put into an external firewire case - often a cheaper route). Then you dedicate the internal drive to Region 1 discs and the external drive to Region 2 discs.

If you accidentally put a Region 1 disc into the Region 2 drive (or vice versa), your Mac will prompt you to change the Region; DON'T do this. Instead, remove the disc and put it into the correct drive. You want to leave your drives' Region codes alone because, if you change them, you might reach a point where the last change (you're only permitted a limited number) will result in an improper Region code for your purposes.

As well, if you wish to backup your lawfully-purchased DVDs, you'd use Mac the Ripper to do this; of course, you'd put the Region 1 discs in the Region 1 drive, etc., etc.

Good luck.

[smallhog]

Thank you very much for the info. This forum had been really useful since I joined.

[live4ever]

You can get a region-free firmware for you Pioneer 106 here:
http://pioneerdvd.rpc1.org/

But there is always a chance to brick your drive when updating with a non-standard firmware.

[Spoffo]

One inelegant but totally effective fix is to have two DVD drives, one set for Region 1 the other for Region 2. You can buy the Pioneer 110 or 111 for about $30 naked or $45-50 in an enclosure. If you put a value on your time, this could be an easier fix than trying to patch your one drive with region-free firmware.

[lawnman]

One inelegant but totally effective fix is to have two DVD drives, one set for Region 1 the other for Region 2. You can buy the Pioneer 110 or 111 for about $30 naked or $45-50 in an enclosure. If you put a value on your time, this could be an easier fix than trying to patch your one drive with region-free firmware.

If you get a Pioneer 110-D, then you could flash it like I did to region free.