DVD Region Codes

mynameheremynamehere
Posted:
in Genius Bar edited January 2014
A question, not a problem...



I have a large stack of (legally-purchased) Region-2 DVDs. I've been following some of the discussions here about how the new MBP's (and we can assume all the other new models) are completely locked down in this regard. The only way to read those DVDs seems to be changing the region code, which I'm not willing to do.



So now for the question...

Theoretically, only the DVD drive in the MBP is locked down, meaning if I were to buy an external drive (which I'm thinking about anyway), it shouldn't be affected, or I could change the Region Code on that drive without affecting the built-in drive. Has anyone tried this?



Also, I have Parallels installed. Could using Windows (either via Parallels or Boot Camp) to read the DVD work, or is it really baked into the drive?



And now for the usual...

"Whoever came up with the idea for Region Codes should burn in Hell."



Thanks.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 5
    ghost_user_nameghost_user_name Posts: 22,667member
    Just download VLC (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/). YOu can play DVD's without changing your region settings there if I'm not mistaken.
  • Reply 2 of 5
    maccrazymaccrazy Posts: 2,658member
    You can use a program called MacTheRipper to remove DVD region codes.

    linky
  • Reply 3 of 5
    tilttilt Posts: 396member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jdcfsu


    Just download VLC (http://www.videolan.org/vlc/). YOu can play DVD's without changing your region settings there if I'm not mistaken.



    Unfortunately VLC will not bypass region codes. I have a Mini (first generation) and a Macbook, I too have a stack of region 2 DVDs from when I used to live in Europe, cannot play them at all. Only Region 1 DVDs work.



    Cheers
  • Reply 4 of 5
    blackbird_1.0blackbird_1.0 Posts: 724member
    Mileage may vary.
  • Reply 5 of 5
    mynameheremynamehere Posts: 560member
    Tried both MTR and VLC...as well as Handbrake. None worked, which lead to my conclusion that it's somehow baked into the drive.
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