Mac OS X dvd region

K

kilps

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hi all

On my mom's laptop she has been able to play dvd's fine for a while with the South African region - a friend of her's then lent her a set of dvds which were under another region code, and so her 5 or so region code change allowances were then used up - that being the problem in that she now can't play her South African dvds

So my question is twofold:

  1. Does anyone know a way to change the region code so that she can use the default system software and not vlc or anything like that? (when I tried vlc did not work with the last dvd - I still need to check for updates etc.)
  2. In a South African context if the computer is advertised as being able to play a dvd, and then it cannot when a person who doesn't really know what they are doing uses it does something to prevent it from working, can the supplier just say tough luck? (the claremond apple store just said use VLC...)

Thanks

kilps
 
I think she might be out of luck.

Which mac and which drive?
 
boramk said:
Try MacTheRipper
Click to expand...
If the drive is region locked it might be too late to run that on her machine - kilps will have to rip all of her dvds for her :D
 
I believe region locking has more to do with the hardware/drive in the computer than actual software. Might be out of luck, but try getting a universal region player perhaps.

and yell at the friend. ;)
 
Ideally you should change or reflash the firmware for the DVD drive. However, Apple drives do not usually have firmware available. They also have obscure model numbers.

As a last resort, change the drive. There will always be one better and faster than an Apple drive. (cr*ppy Matsush*ta hardware to start with)
 
bwana said:
I think she might be out of luck.

Which mac and which drive?
Click to expand...
Macbook Pro ... not sure on the drive - will have to check on that one...

Thanks everyone else... Do you think that there is any argument for a new drive from the apple store considering the laptop was sold as being able to play dvds? ;) (you never know... :D)

thanks
 
kilps said:
Macbook Pro ... not sure on the drive - will have to check on that one...

Thanks everyone else... Do you think that there is any argument for a new drive from the apple store considering the laptop was sold as being able to play dvds? ;) (you never know... :D)

thanks
Click to expand...
Didnt it give her warnings each time she changed the region? It does for me.
 
From what I have heard those dvd players are a PITA to try and flash and it will more than likely render the drive useless. I could be wrong but thought I should mention it.

As a side note: it is a complete disgrace that they sell you a portable machine with a region-locked dvd drive. Blood sucking scum.
 
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