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  For those of you who haven't heard, DVD is a format for multimedia - computers, movies & music. The picture is superior to laserdisc, TV broadcasts and leaves VHS for dead. DVD's audio format is either the superior-quality DTS (Digital Theater Systems) or AC-3 (Dolby Digital 5.1). A DVD is the same physical size as a normal CD with extra features such as multiple angles, languages, subtitles, filmographies, trailers, behind-the-scenes, director's commentaries, out-takes etc.

  Have a read of the DVD FAQ or search Google for more information.

  HD-DVD is the natural successor to DVD and region-free, so it's the ideal format of choice for High Definition on both standalone players & computers. I strongly recommend boycotting Blu-Ray, due to the inherent problems with region coding (see below).

  Vale HD-DVD

  Samsung have released a new dual HD-DVD + Blu-Ray player called the Samsung BD-UP5000. The Blu-Ray section is still region-coded but this device at least provides some flexibility in the current format wars.

  Unfortunately the major studios have moved to back the region-coded Blu-Ray and HD-DVD is now officially defunct.

  Here's a link to some Blu-Ray region-coding information on individual discs.

  Ensure you buy a Multizone (RCE-free) DVD player- region coding really sucks and should be banned!! Region coding is a distribution protection mechanism whereby DVDs encoded for one region are only playable on players which are from that region (unless the DVD is region 0 - all regions). Don't blame the player manufacturers for region coding though - this is mainly the fault of the movie studios (the MPAA - Motion Picture Association of America) so they can stagger movie releases throughout the world. The movie studios are concerned about piracy, but when DVDs are fairly cheap and some countries have released only a handful of DVDs or the DVD only applies to that country (eg Japanese Animation films, BBC videos etc) why make life much harder for the poor consumer? For further information, have a look here

  Note that the transfer quality of Region 1 titles is usually superior to their region 4 counterparts. However, when a region 4 DVD is properly produced, the results can be stunning due to the increased picture resolution of PAL over NTSC. Also note that some titles have special features (eg commentaries, making-of etc) which are available in one region, but not another!! So read those DVD reviews!

  If you have a digital High Definition TV (HDTV) or a projector with progressive inputs, I would recommend buying a dual NTSC & PAL progressive-scan DVD player (eg Denon DVD-2800), rather than an interlaced player. An older analog TV is not compatible with progressive-scan DVD players. Alternatively, purchase an interlaced DVD player with a line doubler or use a PC with an internal DVD player to display DVI/VGA output.

  Anyhow, I purchased my modified multizone player way back in March 98!

  Recently, Columbia Tristar (boo!) and Warner Brothers (hiss!) have started using RCE Region Coding Enhancement protection on their latest releases, eg The Patriot (Zone 1).
  The 'enhancement' consist of a piece of script in the DVD menu that reads the region code of the player (SPRM20) and compares it with the region code of the disc. In case your player is made region free (region 0), these titles will display a warning screen and refuse to play.
  So far this enhancement is only used on region 1 DVDs. This enhancement is no problem for players where you can manually set the region code (eg through the remote control like some Pioneer DVD players).
  Have a look at this RCE page for more information. I suspect The Patriot is going to be the one of the most popular "test" DVDs of all time! :->

  This section is for purchasing modified players or installed/DIY mod kits to give you Multizone DVD playing!

  Need more help modifying your DVD player to Multizone ? Have a look at the following sites:

  DeCSS descrambles the copy protection on DVDs. The MPAA is vainly trying to stop its distribution although millions are using it already (and will freely distribute). Utilities to backup DVDs which use DeCSS can be found at: