Converting Your DVD Player to Region Free

When hunting for your region free solution online the best rule (as with most things) is not to part with your hard earned money. In this article the webmaster of DVD-Unlock briefly looks over the options available.

Region Free Solution 1 - Remote Control / Key Sequence

Many low to mid-range DVD players have secret menus or "back doors", these methods can let you change things such as:

- The current region setting on your particular model (In most cases this is were the Region Free setting can be set)
- Switch between PAL and NTSC
- Modify the Macrovision setting
- Enable VCD and sometimes MP3 playback

Access to these secret menus normally requires the user to enter a sequence via the remote control, codes for particular players can be found all over the net on both free or a "paid for" basis.

Personally I would avoid subscription, one off payment or "required donation" sites because they will normally contain the same information that the free sites have.

Region Free Solution 2 - Upgrading or downgrading your players firmware

This method involves changing the software installed on your model and normally involves downloading the update from the Internet. Once the download is complete the update can be burned to a disk, (quite often in a certain way depending on your DVD model) the disk is then placed in the DVD player.

This method is one of those things that if it works, it works great. If it fails on the other hand you could be looking at a dead player.

Region Free Solution 3 - Chipped Remotes

This is a method I have never performed, but have been made very aware of.

Many sites now are offing chipped remote control units, these units are supposed to be pre-programmed to unlock your particular player normally by the touch of a button. On the face of it this seems like a great solution for DVD players that would not normally be unlocked. In reality the cost of these remotes can cost around the same price as a brand new region free DVD player. I have also been made aware of numerous sites which basically take your money and don't deliver, have poor customer support, don't answer emails, etc.

Now I am sure there are lots of reputable chipped remote dealers out there on the net, I just don't know of anyone who's found one; to be honest I could not justify the cost anyway.

Region Free Solution 4 - Purchase a Region Free Player

If you cannot find a free unlock code for your player I seriously think the best option would be to purchase a cheap region free player, you can normally pick them up locally plus take them back if you get any problems.

Tim Day
http://www.dvd-unlock.co.uk/

SLS Q Line Silver Home Audio System, QS1000

The SLS Q Line Silver Home audio system utilizes the latest cutting edge Planar Ribbon Driver speaker technology to achieve clarity and definition not found in traditional audio designs. Co-developed with 27 time Grammy award winner Quincy Jones the QS1000 Q Line system brings the technology that is used in commercial cinemas and recording studios throughout the world, right to your living room.

The new SLS Q Line Silver Surround Listening System offers amazing audio clarity and definition that is quickly becoming the system of choice among the best ears in the music production and professional cinema industry throughout the world.
The Q Line Silver System's planar ribbon driver equipped speakers deliver unprecedented detail and clarity unavailable in traditional audio packages. This razor sharp soundstage dramatically enhances all of your favorite material from DVDs to CDs and rivals system realism found previously only in commercial cinema plexes.

* MAIN FEATURES5 full range surround speakers utilizing award winning planar ribbon driver technology
* 1200 watts peak system power
* 1 500 watt 5.1 surround sound receiver with Dolby Digital DTS decoder
* One 100 watt self powered subwoofer
* audio cable package and desktop stands for all speakers.

AMPLIFIER SECTION
* Power output, stereo mode, 6 ohm, THD 0.7%, 40 Hz~20 kHz, 2 x 100 W
* Total harmonic distortion, 6 ohm, 100 W, 1kHz 0.09%
* Intermodulation distortion 60 Hz : 7 kHz=4 : 1 SMPTE, 6 ohm, 100 W 0.1%
* Input sensitivity, 47 kohm
* Line (CD, TAPE, VIDEO) 200 mV
* Signal to noise ratio, IHF "A" weighted
* Line (CD, TAPE, VIDEO) 92 dB
* Frequency response
* Line (CD, TAPE, VIDEO), 20 Hz~50 kHz +0 dB, -3 dB
* Output level: TAPE REC, 2.2 kohm 200 mV
* PRE OUT (Front, Center, Rear, Subwoofer), 1 kohm 1.0 V
* Bass/Treble control, 100 Hz/10 kHz +10 dB
* Surround mode, only channel driven
* Front power output, 6 ohm, 1 kHz, THD 0.7% 125 W + 125 W
* Center power output, 6 ohm, 1 kHz, THD 0.7% 125 W
* Rear power output, 6 ohm, 1kHz, THD 0.7% 125 W + 125 W

DIGITAL AUDIO SECTION
* Sampling frequency 32, 44.1, 48, 96 kHz
* Digital input level Coaxial, 75 ohm 0.5 V p-p
* Optical, 660 nm -15~-21 dBm

FM TUNER SECTION
* Tuning frequency range 87.5~108 MHz
* Usable sensitivity, THD 3%, S/N 30 dB 12.8 dBf
* 50 dB quieting sensitivity, mono/stereo 20.2/45.3 dBf
* Signal to noise ratio, 65 dBf, mono/stereo 70/65 dB
* Total harmonic distortion, 65 dBF, 1 kHz, mono/stereo 0.5/0.8%
* Frequency response, 30 Hz~15 kHz +3 dB
* Stereo separation, 1 kHz 42 dB
* Capture ratio 4 dB
* IF rejection ratio 4 dB

AM TUNER SECTION
* Tuning frequency range 520~1710 kHz
* Usable sensitivity 500 V/m
* Signal to noise ratio 40 dB
* Selectivity 25 dB

GENERAL
* Power supply AC 120 V, 60 Hz
* Power consumption 200 W
* Dimensions (W x H x D) 17-3/8 x 5-1/2 x 13 inches (440 x 141 x 330 mm)
* Weight (Net) 21.2 lbs (9.75 kg)

QS-SAT24R Speakers
* System type two-way, closed box, magnetically shielded
* Driver compliment 2x4" polycomposite cone woofer, 1.25" ribbon tweeter
* Impedence 6 ohms
* Program power handling 100 W
* Sensitivity 86 dB/2.83V/1m
* Frequency range 80Hz - 40 kHz (half space, -6dB)
* Dimensions (WxHxD) 4.5" x 15" x 4.7" (0.115m x 0.38m x 0.12m)
* Weight (net) 6.3 lbs (2.85kg)

QS-SUB100 subwoofer
* System type active subwoofer with ported cabinet
* Woofer 8" optimized long-throw design with composite paper cone and rubber surround
* Amplifier type Class AB
* Power handling 100W RMS
* Frequency range 28 Hz - 100 Hz (half space, -6dB)
* Controls Power ON/OFF, Volume (front panel), Phase (0-180 degrees), Auto/ON
* Dimensions (WxHxD) 9.6" x 1.8" x 19.5" (0.24 m x0.46 m x 0.5m)
* Weight(net) 33 lbs (15kg)

SLS advanced technologies have made us the speaker systems of choice for professional musicians and sound engineers around the world. And now you can have that same technology in your home. Pure digital sound with absolute clarity and detail.

Sony 1000 Watt 5-Disc Home Theater System, DAV-DX250

The Sony 5-Disc Home Theater System will transform your TV room into a truly amazing home theater. Featuring 1000 watts of total system power, a 5-disc slot loading DVD / CD / JPEG / MP3 changer, plus tower speakers and subwoofer, the DAV-DX250 will bring out the best in sound and film.
Sony 1000 Watt 5-Disc Home Theater System Features:

* Digital tuner w/ 20 FM + 10 AM station presets
* CD-R/CD-RW/MP3 playback
* Satellite system contains: 1 Subwoofer, Center Speaker, 2 Satellite Speakers, 2 Floor Standing Tower Front Speakers
* 5 disc DVD player/receiver
* 480p progressive output for a better-quality image
* Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output; S-Video Output; Composite Video Output
* Analog Audio Input
* Antenna Terminal: AM
* RF Connection Output: FM
* Digital Amplifier: S-Master
* Equalizer: Bass Boost function- DSGX
* Sound Mode: Dolby; Pro Logic, Dolby Pro Logic II, Dolby Digital EX and dts
* Function: CD / DVD / Tuner / Video / SAT
* Output Power --- Front (RMS 10%THD) 143 Watts x2; Center (RMS) 143 Watts; Surround (RMS) 143 Watts x2; Subwoofer (RMS) 135 Watts; Subwoofer (RMS) 285 Watts; 800 Watts total
* 5 DVD Tray with Tray Lock
* Playback: CD-R / CD-RW / DVD-R / +R / +R DL / +RW / -RW / -RW(VR) / DVD-RW(CPRM)
* Format: DVD / CD / JPEG / MP3
* DAC (D/A Converter): 108 MHz / 12 bit