Zone Free DVD Players
The coding system has been developed due to the different timeframe of DVD releases around the world. For example, U.S. movies are released at different scedules in the U.S. than they are in Asia. The codes ensure that DVD movies released in the U.S. don't end up being sold in the Asian market. Because of commercial reasons, the movies are first released in the U.S. (belonging to region 1), then at the rest of the world (regions 2-6). Because of the system, region 1 discs can only play on region 1 DVD players, region 2 discs on region 2 DVD players, and so on. The regions are: USA & Canada (Region 1), Europe & Japan (Region 2), South East Asia (Region 3), Latin America & Australia (Region 4), Russia, Rest of Asia and Africa (Region 5), and China (Region 6). There are fixes to the situation, as there are all code DVD players available. These players can play discs from all six DVD regions of the world. Sometimes, these models are titled "Region 0" DVD players, or "all code" or "multi-region" players. Available Zone Free DVD Players There are several ways to get a region free DVD player. For example, there are companies that upgrade the players with their dedicated chips (and you can then buy the player as region free) and there are more than one way to "upgrade", or modify the player to be an all code player. To buy an all code DVD player with a dedicated chip, you need to either contact a shop that will make the machine region free, or you need to buy one ready-made, from shops such as codefreedvd.com. In all cases, keep in mind that modifying your DVD player will normally void the attached manufacturer's warranty. The upgrading can also be done without any new parts, with software or remote control, for example. Some players can't be upgrated without chips (or at all), but some can be.
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