DVD Region 0 / All Regions refuses to Play

[CoCoNiPs]

I can’t get a Region 0 movie to play on my pc dvd rom drive (Liteon – 163D)
The movie is a UK “Hollywood DVD” of Hercules in New York an old Arnie movie
Running Win2k

The DVD is in perfect condition no scratches etc
Whenever I try to play it with powerdvd xp 4.0 with latest updates, windvd or NVDVD the programs either say can’t play try cleaning the disk (powerdvd error code 89020003) or the dvd light just flashes and the drive spins endlessly and nothing happens
Usually I have to ctrl alt delete to close the programs
If I open some of the vobs in powerdvd in file mode 3 of them will play fine

I tried to access it with SmartRipper
When it analyses the ifo it stops on this file
“vts_01_0BUP->Win_IO locked”
I can open the dvd in windows explorer but as soon as I highlight a file the light flashes dvd spins and I usually have to physically eject the dvd to stop it

Is this a common problem with all “Region 0” DVDs, unique to just this DVD or just unique to my copy?
Are there any known fixes?
Typing in region 0 and all regions in googles results in nothing but endless hacks for region free dvd players which are obviously of no use

[damnim]

Far as I know there is no such thing as a region "0". The regions are 1-8 with region "7" being reserved.

Try using DVD Decryptor to rip the movie. Also check the region settings of your DVD Player.

[ultimax]

I've got the exact same problem! Pioneer 106 has been flashed "region free"

[damnim]

Try using a software player to unlock the movie first. Open your software player then insert the DVD and try playing it with the software.

If it works, then you will have to use the player to unlock the drive before you can rip.

[ultimax]

ah that's the problem. When I put the DVD in, PowerDVD tells me it's dirty and can't be read.

DVD Decrypt also has problems reading the DVD. I can't believe the DVD's faulty - it's new, nearly scratchless. Maybe it's the drive? Should I clean the lens?

[damnim]

Do other DVDs work in your drive?

Usually when a set top player or a drive says that the DVD is dirty it usually involves a mastering error.

You can try cleaning the lense but don't overdue it and don't use any liquids.

It's also possible your firmware needs to be corrected.

[ultimax]

Hi Damnim,

thanks for your reply.

I've only got 2 other DVDs (but part of the same set. it's a 2 DVD title). It's a Region 1 and that plays fine.

Should I flash my firmware again?

I'll probably also try a lens cleaner too

thanks!

[damnim]

I would only flash your firmware with what the manufacturer recommends. Hacked flashes can cause problems.

Personally I wouldn't use a flash that is modified for removing region codes from hardware when you can manipulate the ripped DVD itself to be regionless. To much can go wrong.

I would get the latest flash from the manufacturer and flash the drive.

Set it to whatever region your in and manipulate your ripped backups with software to make your DVD's regionless. That way they will play any where in the universe except maybe Romulus.

[ultimax]

Ok i brought the DVD over to a friends place and his Pioneer standalone player had problem playing parts of it. SO i guess it's the DVD which is faulty. But that's puzzling because the scratches aren't deep - nothing seems wrong with the DVD. Someone said it might be DVD rot.

Do you know of any DVD diagnostic tests?

thanks!

[damnim]

No I don't know of anything that will test a disk. I usually don't have any problems. When I do, I have a disk resurfacer that usually corrects the problem of the DVD not playing, ripping correctly.

I have had some that I couldn't correct simply because the data area was damaged by the scratch "knick". I have a regular buffing outfit and even that won't correct the problem if the data area is damaged.

Netflix is notorious for sending disks that need to be cleaned up especially older movies. I sent a note to them suggesting that I will start charging them for my disk cleaning services if they didn't straighten up.

Usually if the disk won't play I'll try it in other drives or set tops. That is the way I test disks.