Can I watch PAL DVDs on my computer?

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

I recently bought a Pioneer DVR-108 for my computer (first dvd player I've had for a computer), and it got me thinking: can I watch PAL discs with it? Is there some kind of patch or something I can add to be able to do so?

There are a couple of discs I'd like to buy (WRC stuff: this and this), but they were made for the European market and I can't watch them, as they're Region 2 (or Region 0, I thought, only viewable on PAL players or TVs). I've checked with the various companies and sites involved in the making of the DVDs and they have no plans to make them viewable for the thousands of WRC fans in North America. But it got me thinking that maybe I can view them on my computer, which can bypass things that regular players and TVs can't.

Any input would be much appreciated.

[JDuncan]

You should have no problem playing a PAL or NTSC disc on your computer, assuming the disc's region matches that of the drive's. If the disc's region differs from that of the drive, then you'll have to get around that.

[Michael24]

My DVD-Rom has an option where you can select which Region you want to play, but you only get a certain amount of changes, I think 5 or 6. Once you make the final change, however, the DVD-Rom stays on whatever Region that is permanently. According to my computer, not even reformatting will reset it. Man, I really should have gotten than $90 Region-less player at ComiCon back in July.

[Lord Dalek]

Yes, you can. Look up Region Encoding on the internet.

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

My DVD-Rom has an option where you can select which Region you want to play, but you only get a certain amount of changes, I think 5 or 6. Once you make the final change, however, the DVD-Rom stays on whatever Region that is permanently.

Mine has that, too. I looked in the manual and it can be changed 5 times: "The region code can be changed ONLY 5 times, including the first setting. Please be aware the 5th change will be PERMANENT, therefore, please pay attention when changing region codes."

I don't know what to believe now, though. This page says the following:

Question: "I also wouldn't mind being able to buy DVDs that aren't released on region 1 and being able to watch them here."
Answer: "(after talking about zone-free home theater players) ...Or you can watch the DVDs on your computer, with a software player, and
that's region-free as well. I'm using Xine (universal media player) or
Ogle (dedicated DVD player)":
http://xinehq.de/
http://www.dtek.chalmers.se/groups/dvd/

It also says "A software DVD player, on a computer, will play any DVD regardless of the TV standard."

But those things don't deal with that set number of changes thing. Does it mean that I have to go into the settings and change the region code, and that counts as a change, meaning I could only watch the disc a few times? Or would I just stick in any DVD and it won't count as a change because I'm using a software player?

See why I'm confused? I'm hoping someone has some experience in this and can offer some specifics. I don't wanna buy something, then only be able to watch it a couple of times, or have to make an inferior copy of it later on. Dig?

[JDuncan]

Here's a guide to modifying the firmware of your drive to make it region free. I would advise caution in doing it, because you could potentially irreversibly damage your drive in the process if you load the wrong firmware.

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

Thanks for the info. I actually did see the term 'firmware' before, but hadn't looked into it. I might not actually change it, but it's nice to know about it in case I decide to at some point.

[tinlunlau]

www.dvdidle.com

and go get the crack for it.
your problem solved.

[Matt-a-Tastic]

In England its really easy to get a region free DVD player, but importing them is harder. quite frankly though, if it wasnt for importing, I get to watch hardly any anime at all