DVDs, a few questions.

[RISC OS]

My laptop came with a combo dvd/cdrw so I purchased my first dvd today.

I brought 2 disc special edition of 'The fabulous destiny of Amélie Poulain'. It was great, you get loads of extra features on the discs, like the ability to hear Jean-Pierre Jeunet's commentary throughout the whole film. There were even out takes and screen tests as well as numerous other features like cinema trailers.

I really like the DVD, I thought DVD's were only there to get people to buy their video collection again, I didn't realise they came with all these extra things :). I think I may buy a DVD player for my TV at Christmas if I can save up some money. My next DVD I will buy will be Delicatessen, my favourite film next to Amelie and Beetle Juice.



What I want to know is why my DVD player only plays one region. I can change it, but only five times, is there away around this? I guess like CDs, other countries sell DVDs for a lot less then they do in Britain, I can't think of any other reason why they wouldn't want you to watch DVDs from other regions. I bet I could buy 3 DVDs in America for the same cost as one over here. £19.99 seems to be about the average, with my dual disc version of Amelie costing £24.00.

Second, is all the extra stuff I got with the film only availble to be viewed on my PC? If I got a DVD player for my TV would I still be able to access it? If so how? I had to click on things with the mouse to select different features so how would I do this on a television?

[Rook]

Originally posted by RISC OS

What I want to know is why my DVD player only plays one region.


That's pretty normal, for any DVD player, bought anywhere in the world. It's a way for the people who make the DVDs to restrict where they are playable. It sucks, but that's the way it works.


Second, is all the extra stuff I got with the film only availble to be viewed on my PC? If I got a DVD player for my TV would I still be able to access it? If so how? I had to click on things with the mouse to select different features so how would I do this on a television?

DVD players are designed to play all the extra features. DVD remote controls allow you to select the options using arrow buttons (up, down, left, right).

Much as the special features are neat when you first start watching DVDs, the real benefit of the format is that the video and audio is MUCH better than with VHS, especially if you have a large television and a surround sound setup (5.1 speakers).

[Lithp]

There is a hack for dvd that allows players to play movies from different regions. I'll try to find out where I saw it and let you know.

[Lithp]

http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/forums/default.asp?Forum=176
This site might help. It is a forum discussing how to enable multi region playing.
Good luck

[muchod]

Also to 'customize' standalone DVD players take a look at:
http://www.vcdhelp.com/dvdplayershack.php

Regards,

[muchod]

Another warning: Not all DVD discs have all this extra stuff, some (specially oldest ones) only carry the trailer or nothing at all. Get sure what you buy if you are interested in extra contents.

Regards,

[Dmut]

Hi RISC OS.
I had the same situation one week ago: I bought DVD drive and my first DVD disk, then installed PowerDVD and try to play - the only thing I saw was corrupted image. At first I thought that was "famous" macromedia protection - and start to find "region-free" BIOS for my DVD drive, tryed many of those - nothing helps. then I tryed to use software region-free solutions: DVD geniue, DVD Region Free, etc : nothing helps again. "Very odd" say I to myself and look for another DVD player - even MS Media player can do it - and, suprise, it's start to play video OK. So it's was probs with PowerDVD and NVidia drivers me think. I found another good DVD player: WinDVD and happy with it.
If you need particular URLs, PM or email to me.
cu

[RISC OS]

Well I've decided that my DVD collection will start and end with Amélie.

I was reading about new standard in Blue Laser Optical discs that have just been developed by Sanyo - 25-30GB ber layer per side.

I think DVDs are going to be a transitional medium, like DAT between analogue cassette and CDs. If I start buying stuff on DVD I'll have to replace them agian in a year or two. I hear that they will be shipping PC drives for Blue Laser soon.

[Dmut]

Hi Stephen
I think DVDs are going to be a transitional medium, like DAT between analogue cassette and CDs. If I start buying stuff on DVD I'll have to replace them agian in a year or two. I hear that they will be shipping PC drives for Blue Can not agree with this. Remeber, DVD's tachnology was invented about 10 years ago, but only last 2 years is wide-spread around and people using it. IMHO, "blue ray" will go into IT sector as data storage devices, but movies-makers companies will not going to invent new standard of home video so soon after DVD.
just my opinion,

btw: I started with my DVD 3 month ago, and now I have 6 DVD's with my old favorite movies, and going to increase this number rapidly.

[Rook]

I must agree; DVD will be with us for some time yet. While better formats may be developed, it takes a long time for a format to "mature" to the point where it is widely accepted.

There isn't really any strong reason for the primary home-theatre format to switch from DVD to anything else for at least the next five years, likely longer.

Originally posted by Dmut
Hi Stephen
Can not agree with this. Remeber, DVD's tachnology was invented about 10 years ago, but only last 2 years is wide-spread around and people using it. IMHO, "blue ray" will go into IT sector as data storage devices, but movies-makers companies will not going to invent new standard of home video so soon after DVD.
just my opinion,

btw: I started with my DVD 3 month ago, and now I have 6 DVD's with my old favorite movies, and going to increase this number rapidly.

[MegaHertz]

I have pondered this a little and I think Dmut has hit the nail on the head. For PC market this is an incredible development. The implication for the home market is also excellent but not a real threat to the form factor. In fact I suspect you'll start seeing more DVD's that offer both the fullscreen and widescreen formats as well as more movie's like the extended edition of LOTR. The only downfall that I can see is if the manufactureers neglect to build backwards compatability into the new product, but I think that lesson has been learned for the most part. Anyhow I remember when CD's came around every one was saying how cassette tapes were doomed.

[RISC OS]

Originally posted by MegaHertz
Anyhow I remember when CD's came around every one was saying how cassette tapes were doomed.

They are dead aren't they? :D

[MegaHertz]

Originally posted by RISC OS
They are dead aren't they? :D
Well if they are somebody forgot to tell Wal-Mart. :D