Volkswagen RSN510

[kenny1]

hallo to all!
I spent a bit of time searching, but did not find any info on the following topic. Possibly, due it not even being possible ...

I just bought a brand new 2010 Touareg with the VW RSN510 Multimedia Center. As I am currently stationed in Europe, I also like to watch PAL DVDs (especially the kids). Unfortunately the DVD Player integrated in the RSN510 is only NTSC. has anyone ever attempted unblocking the region codes on a car DVD?
Thanks a million!

Kenny

[hech54]

Your terminology is incorrect. Region Codes and NTSC/PAL have nothing to do with each other. I had an RNS-510 in my 2010 Golf and although I only tried one DVD in it(NTSC)....I highly doubt a car designed in Germany and built in Slovakia will only accept an NTSC disc. Nothing is impossible.....but I highly doubt it.

[kenny1]

thanks for the quick answer. I wish it were true, but the whole RSN510 seems to be a US version that is semi compatible while using in Europe. I put in a German DVD and it clearly told me that it was the wrong region code. Moreso, the navi works more or less 90%, but for example the TMC does not work, even though I tune into a station that supports this function (had it in my old ML with the command 2.0, euro version), the Homelink does not work, as it is tuned to US FM frequency (?) . This was the explanation that the VW dealer gave me, after I spent 2 hours trying pulling my hair out Also, the navi does not support house numbers. Again, this is what the authorized dealer told me, so I am presuming that, even though the car is bulit in Bratislavia, they do indeend put in a different RSN510, compared to the Euro Market. Hence the reason I was trying to see if I could actually switch it to "region free".
Thanks!

Kenny

[hech54]

Apparently you can assign it a region....but only a dealer can make it region free. As I recall....almost all of the custom settings need to take place WITH the navi disc installed(unlike the 310 which accepts or shows you available changes while the drive is empty). I have almost no doubt that if you stick a region free PAL format DVD in there....it will play it. A simple backup copy of a verified PAL format DVD would confirm my guess.....or....many concert/music oriented DVDs sold in Europe are made region free anyway. Check your collection for one....you may have one and not know it.

[kenny1]

Please excuse my ignorance in this matter. i see where you are coming from, that I am apparently mixing apples and oranges here. I have not understood the difference between a PAL formatted region free dvd and a "normal" PAL DVD. We have tons of Italian and German DVDs (bought // originals), that play on our PAL / NTSC DVD Player at home, which I bought locally in an Italian Store. it also plays the "normal" NTSC DVDS that I buy online thru Amazon (.com , not .de or .it) etc. These will play in my car, but again, the German or Italian ones give me a "wrong Region Code DVD Error message", the same that I get on my son's Sony Portable (US bought). Now, you did mention below, that certain changes can be made with the Navi DVD inserted. Possible to get more info on this, or is this something that only the dealer can do?

thanks!

[hech54]

When I changed my RNS-510 from German to English(I'm in Germany)....I needed to have the Navi disc in the machine to do it....I'm almost 100% certain of it.....simply because I was surprised to find those options on the 310 when we didn't have the navi disc yet...

Long story short. European home DVD players can easily play both PAL and NTSC video format discs because European TVs can handle both signals whereas TVs sold in America can only handle NTSC format video....so even a region free PAL format DVD has little chance of being watchable without the right player. Region free - region coding is only half of the battle. You've also got to take video format into consideration(PAL and NTSC video formats).

If that error message in the RNS-510 is accurate(sometimes even home DVD players have their terminology mixed up as well)...and it is only complaining about a "region code"....then a region 0 - region free PAL DVD should work. If you are familiar with burning CDs and DVDs on your computer.....then you should have no problem creating a test disc to test the theory.....or I can help if you like.

[kenny1]

Great! Thanks for clearing things up, at least for now I will try the test with the navi, see if I can change any settings. if not, I will try the burning test and wil, if needed, gladly fall back on your assiatnce in this matter. What do you do in germany? Where abouts do you work / live?

Thanks again,

Kenny

[hech54]

Sent you a PM.

[hech54]

I'll also check with my neighbors. One of them may have a 510 in their cars.