I have a Pioneer DV-300-s, bought in australia, so it is region 4. Is there anyway to unlock it so that it will play all regions DVD's? The suggestion from rhozel2010 that begins by instructing me to press SETUP on the remote is not possible because there is no SETUP button on the remote ;-) ;-(

When a DVD disc is created, it is encoded with a "Region number." The disc will only play on DVD players with the same Region number - for instance, a Region 3 disc won't play on a Region 1 player.
Region 1: U.S. and U.S. Territories, Canada
Region 2: Japan, Western Europe, Middle East, South Africa
Region 3: South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast and East Asia
Region 4: New Zealand, Australia, Pacific Islands, Mexico, Central/ South America
Region 5: Russia and the former Soviet Union, Africa, Indian
subcontinent, North Korea
Region 6: China

The only way to get around the region codes, is to rip a DVD to your computer and remove the region code. Then burn the DVD to a DVD R. There are programs around on the net, but I'm not sure it is legal in all countries.
Google for the programs.
A DVD player sometimes allows you to change the region code once. But it not even would allow you to switch back after you changed it once.

the region code means the player does not support the disc your playing each country is given a region code for dvd australias is region 4 if you buy a dvd from another country it wont work you can get multi region codes for dvd players im not sure of pioneers code but try using a dvd from your country region and youl find it works just fine you can also try asking a tech on fixya for the multi region code for the model dvd player you have.


best of luck


merry christmas

goto this web sit its free

http://www.dvddemystifiziert.de/codefree_en/codefree.html

HELLO

Not if your machine is locked to Region 4! It's possible there may be a region hack for your machine, have a look on www.videohelp.com and go to the hacks section.

To see if it will play try to borrow a region 1 disc. If it does not play, then you'll only be able to play Region 4 discs only.

ALL THE BEST (:-)

Step 1) Download the pioneer firmware here http://www.pioneerfaq.info/index.php?question=Firmwares

The site says the firmware only works on region 2 players. For this model it worked for my region 4 player in Australia

Step 2) Burn this file to a CD-ROM with name PIONEER as per these instructions - http://www.pioneerfaq.info/english/burn_guide.php

Step 3) Load the CD and your DVD player with ask you to flash the firmware. It says press play to start but instead HOLD DOWN ENTER during the entire process. DO NOT switch off your DVD during this time. When the tray opens take the CD ROM out but keep the DVD on. The flashing can take up two to three minutes. During this time HOLD DOWN ENTER ON THE REMOTE. The entire time!

Step 4) The DVD player will reboot. The tray should be empty. It will then load the tray back into the player. If the signal is disorted switch on and off.

Your done! Should work.

The most complex way of region freeing a DVD I have ever endured! :)

Most DVD players I've seen are either multi-regional or one-region units. The DVD player you bought might be a one-region device. I'd check on that first. If it is, then you'll only be able to play DVD's made for that particular region. If it is multi-regional, look in the manual or go to Pioneer's website to possibly find the codes.

hi! try this one i hope it will work on your unit.
Remove any disc in the tray, Press the SETUP on the remote control. Move over
to GENERAL using the arrow keys; Select BASIC, Press DISPLAY - this will display
your region and firmware version. Press CONDITION/MEMORY (nothing is
displayed or changed on the screen). Press the REGION # required (i.e. 2 for
Region 2 etc). Press MENU to store.

Hi camonk2004,

It's interesting that your DVD player was purchased in Russia but plays Region 1 DVDs. Region 1 is North America. Does your Player also play Russian DVDs (region 5)? If so, then it has probably been modified to play DVDs from multiple regions.

Check the back side of the DVD player - the rear panel should have a Region number on it. If the region number is 1, then try playing a Region 5 DVD. If it reads the DVD, then the modification that was done in Russia will probably allow it to read any DVD. IF the Region 5 DVD won't play (or if it is ejected automatically), then your player's region control os still intact, and it will only play DVDs from the same region as the one listed on the rear panel of the player (or DVDs marked "ALL").

I hope this helps - please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

Kind Regards,
H2H

Hi Jetix,

If the DVD player is capable of playing other regions, you should be able to change the region setting through the menu section. If there isn't an option to change the region settings in the menu, then your DVD player is not able to play other DVDs from other regions.

Sincerely,

Agent Xiong

I would like to play Area 1 DVDs on our Sharp DV-SL 1200 DVD player - please help us unlock it - Many Thanks