Can I change my player to be all-region?

[Jeikobu]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum to post this in. If it isn't, feel free to move it.

I was wondering if it was possible to make my DVD player/burner able to play any region of DVD. I don't know how to get the model number (I can look if someone tells me how), but it's a TDK R/RW player/burner drive. On the front, it has "880N", if that helps. Underneath I see a "DED+880N".

[kush]

Yep, wrong forum - you'd have been better off posting in the hardware -> DVD writer forum..

Anyway, to answer your question, check rpc1.org..Did a quick search and came up w/ the following (http://tdb.rpc1.org/#TDK880N). In case you can't figure it out, you need to do a firmware flash..Not something for the faint of heart (nor if you MUST keep your warranty intact). Also, I wouldn't do it without browsing the rpc1.org forums on how to go about flashing *properly*.

[redwudz]

You computer details are interesting. How are you running OSX and WINXP on the same box? Or is that not a big problem?

But anyway, at least for the XP OS, this would be better in our DVD Writers forum. Moving you.

[Jeikobu]

I have a Mac and a PC.

[redwudz]

I thought as much. But you never know.

Several ways to find your DVD writer model if you don't see it on the front. In Control Panel>System>Hardware>Device Manager>DVD/CD-ROM drives it will tell you.

Or if you have Nero, click on 'Recorder>Choose Recorder'. Or if you have or DL Nero Info Tool, it will tell you the name of the writer and other useful info. Info Tool from Nero: http://nero.com/nero6/enu/Info_Tool.html

Or if you want a freeware tool that will tell you more about your system than you probably ever want to know, try SIW: http://www.gtopala.com/ It will even tell you the serial numbers for your installed programs and your OS serial number.

[OneSickPup]

I agree with Kush and will add that there is more to it than just flashing. May want to take a read here:

http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?t=239

Good luck!

[lawnman]

I agree with Kush and will add that there is more to it than just flashing. May want to take a read here:

http://forum.rpc1.org/viewtopic.php?t=239

Good luck!

All depends on which computer the drive is in. If it is in the Mac , he just has to flash the drive. If it's in the Windows unit then yes, there is more to do.

Flashing isn't as hard as some people make it.

[OneSickPup]

All depends on which computer the drive is in. If it is in the Mac , he just has to flash the drive. If it's in the Windows unit then yes, there is more to do.

Good point. I made the assumption the pc was an issue since the drive appears to be an external. Maybe not.

Flashing isn't as hard as some people make it.

Absolutely! Just do your research and follow directions and you should have no problem.

[Jeikobu]

It's on my Mac. So it's definitely possible to make it play all-region?

BTW, I once heard that with some players you can only switch regions so many times and then it stays on the most recently selected region. My player isn't like that, is it?

[Dv8ted2]

. How are you running OSX and WINXP on the same box?

Parallels Desktop or Bootcamp - :P

On a serious note, I recommend the dangerous brothers site. It is an offshoot of RPC1.

[redwudz]

Unfortunately most of them do have that limitation and will get stuck in the last region after so many changes. If you do find the right firmware, it may be easiest to temporarily put the player internally into the PC and flash it there. Flashing an external player is a little harder and unless you have the right Mac firmware tools, could be even more difficult.

BTW, I see that drive reported as a OEM version of a NEC-2500A, which might be easier to find firmware for. I would double check that to make sure, though.

EDIT: Dv8ted2, I get confused enough jumping from my Mac to my MS box, no thanks.

[lawnman]

I am no expert with computers. I had my mac less than a year and I flashed my external Pioneer 110-D. It was easy.

I used DVRFlash and went to http://tdb.rpc1.org/ for firmware.

[Jeikobu]

Unfortunately most of them do have that limitation and will get stuck in the last region after so many changes. If you do find the right firmware, it may be easiest to temporarily put the player internally into the PC and flash it there. Flashing an external player is a little harder and unless you have the right Mac firmware tools, could be even more difficult.

BTW, I see that drive reported as a OEM version of a NEC-2500A, which might be easier to find firmware for. I would double check that to make sure, though.

EDIT: Dv8ted2, I get confused enough jumping from my Mac to my MS box, no thanks.

Well, I do have an internal one in my PC already. Should I try that one? (not sure what model it is, or how I'd find out)