How do I get around the 5x change limit for DVD's

[trekker2u]

Does anyone here know how to circumvent the 5 x change limit imposed on computers?
I first ripped a Region 2 DVD on my iMac and had to switch the setting from Region 1 to 2 when inserted, then at a later time I ripped a Region 1 DVD and had to switch back.
Now the message I got was that I had used 2 of the 5 possible changes and therefor only have 3 left. Both DVD's have been purchased legally by the way!
Surely there must be a way to get around this? Using an iMac, 10.6.6
Any help is appreciated.

[lowellriggsiam]

On a PC one would just use something like DVDPasskey, however being that you are on a mac you might try something like this http://download.cnet.com/DVD-RegionCode-Unlock/3000-7970_4-10906822.html

[jman98]

The only real way around this is to install a hacked firmware, if one exists for your burner, that does not enforce this limit. I've got an iMac too via work and it uses some kind of weird burner. I have forgotten who makes it, but I looked into changing the firmware and from what I read it was highly risky. I think some people reported bricking their burners. I never tried to change/update it.

If you know how to prevent DVD Player from automatically starting when you insert a DVD (I do NOT know how to do this by the way), the VLC player (freeware) does not do any region checking and will play your DVDs without making change the setting on your burner. You have to prevent DVD Player from even starting because once it starts, your Mac will just keep trying to use it to play the disc and you'll get nowhere.

Sorry, but the truth is that Macs are not really the best choice for playing DVDs from other regions. lowellriggsiam's link does not look to me like it's the answer you want.

[Case]

The only real way around this is to install a hacked firmware, if one exists for your burner, that does not enforce this limit.

Check the brand and model of the DVD drive. System Profiler > Hardware > Disc Burning should list the exact model. Post that here.
Each model has its own firmware. Some brands have firmware that is easier to alter than others, and thus it's more likely to find such firmware for some brands. Perhaps there is an RPC-1 firmware for your model drive. No guarantees, though.

Prevent DVD Player from automatically starting when you insert a DVD.

System Preferences > Hardware > CDs & DVDs > When you insert a video DVD > "Ignore".
DVDs will not trigger the DVD Player app to start playing, and the DVD will just mount as an accessible volume. You won't be prompted to change the Region at this time, as that is done by the DVD Player app, which isn't running. Ripper software should be able to work its magic on the DVD disc now.

[trekker2u]

Thanks all for responding, however

<< System Preferences > Hardware > CDs & DVDs > When you insert a video DVD > "Ignore". >> I tried but.. get the following message, using Mactheripper, "Read Error, can't open VMG file" and "I/O Error, Can't read DVD Title Set Info"

<< check the brand and model of the DVD drive. System Profiler > Hardware > Disc Burning should list the exact model. Post that here. >>
HL-DT-ST DVDRW GA11N:

Firmware Revision: KA16
Interconnect: ATAPI
Burn Support: Yes (Apple Shipping Drive)
Cache: 2048 KB
Reads DVD: Yes
CD-Write: -R, -RW
DVD-Write: -R, -R DL, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW
Write Strategies: CD-TAO, CD-SAO, CD-Raw, DVD-DAO
Media: To show the available burn speeds, insert a disc and choose View > Refresh

This is all the info re: DVD Burner on the System Profiler.
Maybe I would be better off the get an external DVD Drive? Might be safer?

[Case]

... get the following message, using Mactheripper, "Read Error, can't open VMG file" and "I/O Error, Can't read DVD Title Set Info"

Here's a quote from the VLC FAQ, which I think applies to MacTheRipper too, as I think they both use libdvdcss.
"libdvdcss is currently unable to work-around the regional codec setting on DVD drives used in newer Macintoshes. You are only able to play DVDs with the same region code as your drive is set to."

Alternate firmware would give you the flexibility to switch between regions any number of times.

HL-DT-ST DVDRW GA11N:
Firmware Revision: KA16

HL-DT-ST is Hitachi-LG. There is "RPC-2 Autoreset" firmware for the GA11N at The Firmware Page. RPC-2 Autoreset firmware should reset the counter (number of region changes remaining) with every reboot, if I understand it correctly.

Maybe I would be better off the get an external DVD Drive? Might be safer?

Simpler? Yes. Safer: Yes. Better off? That is for you to decide.