need to make my computer region free

[canofhumdingers]

Anyone know of any free programs that are compatible with Vista & will make my dvd drive region free? I'm looking for something like slysoft's AnyDVD (the trial version i downloaded worked great, but $50 for a version that won't expire is just ridiculous). Anyway, it needs to be a program that gets around the hardware region coding, not just the software. I'm not super computer literate & don't want anything "shady" (like many of the things on torrents). I just want a simple, easy to use program that will allow me to watch my import dvds on my new laptop. thanks!

[Tom R VanSlambrouck]

You don't have to pay for AnyDVD if you know where to look

There was one program I forgot which that worked great and it was freeware I think James Ballard might know what it is.

[Robert Saint John]

DVDGenie at http://www.inmatrix.com/files/dvdgenie_download.shtml, though with most drives these days, I believe you'll need a firmware hack for the specific drive. I use DVDGenie now on a year old PC, and never had to flash the drive. On a previous PC, though, I needed both DVDGenie and a firmware fix for the DVD drive itself.

More tips here: http://ask.metafilter.com/23129/How-to-hack-a-DVD-drive

[canofhumdingers]

yeah, i tried dvd genie, but it's only for software based region coding

[Brick Side]

:cough: BIT TORRENT :cough:

[canofhumdingers]

yes yes, i know of the torrent world. never really used it, but i know of it... Anyway, i found a program called DVD43 through the second link mechascorpio posted. It's free & seems to be working just fine. however, if it doesn't do well enough, it looks like i've got some other options.

[canofhumdingers]

oh yeah, thanks for the help everyone

[Shonokin]

I'm creaking open the coffin of this long dead topic for a reason....
I usually use VLC to play any non-region 1 DVDs on the PC, but with the newest Region 2 DVDs I've gotten, it seems the method of Region encoding has changed as it has become very difficult to run these newer discs.

Out of all the wily progs out there that claim to make your player region free, I've found that DVDFab Passkey Lite works really well. The nice thing about it is that the "Lite" version is free and it doesn't mess with firmware or anything.

Just thought I'd share my lil' discovery.
http://www.dvdfab.com/passkey-lite.htm

[Benjamin Haines]