NEC ND-3500 series region code resets

[robertdwhite]

Looking at getting a new DVD burner and want to convert some european editions of DVDs for use here. Does anyone know if the NEC ND-3520 and 40 will take unlimited resets of the region code? I have heard some will only take 5 or so then have to be factory reset. Any advice welcome.

[robertdwhite]

I see I asked the wrong question. All new burners have the five change restriction. I guess the question should be does any software package out there get by this and give you true region free capability to in an unrestricted manner play any region DVDs without running to the five change hardware barrier?

[leezer3]

Post edited; See confus-ed's post.

[TechZ]

IF you dont want to to a firmware upgrade, seeing as its non-official and may make your drive unusable, a good alternative is DVD-Region Free software:

DVD-Genie:
http://www.inmatrix.com/files/dvdgenie_download.shtml

DVD-Region Free:
http://www.dvdidle.com/products.htm

[confus-ed]

I believe this is allowed, mods please delete if not..

The honest answer is that we are having a bit of debate on just what can & can't be said .. for here, for now, I'll settle for warning folks that re-programming your firmware to make it region free can be potentially illegal, depending on what country you are in.

[leezer3]

Post edited; See confus-ed's post.

[confus-ed]

ok, thank you for further input leezer .. so now I have to say :-
making any changes which subvert a copy protection mechanism (region locking in this case) is illegal in the USA under the DMCA, despite being contradictory to the principles of 'fair use'. (see here (even 'messing with windows' might potentially be a crime )

Perversley region locking is infact illegal under EU law (& a few other places) as it is in breach of several earlier laws about free trade.

[leezer3]

Thanks for that
I'm EU, and I have been told this on several game forums:

Under EU law of October 2003 it is illegal to break copy protection for any reason, even if you are the legitimate owner of the software. This law has been adjudged to override the conflicting "fair use" laws. Since this site is hosted in the EU, discussion of breaking the copy protection comes under the heading of piracy and, as such, is against the forum rules. Admitting to piracy is sufficient grounds to be banned from the forum.

Interested to hear any further input.

-Leezer-

[confus-ed]

You'll find conflicting info all over the place - I think I've got it the right way around - region locking is excepted here (uk & EU - some EU ruling, but I think I might need to do some checking to back this up ! ) from the various rules, as it'd be a restriction on free trade.

Where's your quote from ? they must be confus-ed as there's no fair use stuff here, that's a US law.

[leezer3]

That post was from the mod CBJ on the X2 support forums (www.egosoft.com); In response to a question on whether there was any way to get the game without Starforce; Caused my machine to become unbootable, with BSODs etc. Don't ask me, might be just game publishers opinion :P

-Leezer-

[NooNoo]

You'll find conflicting info all over the place - I think I've got it the right way around - region locking is excepted here (uk & EU - some EU ruling, but I think I might need to do some checking to back this up ! ) from the various rules, as it'd be a restriction on free trade.

Where's your quote from ? they must be confus-ed as there's no fair use stuff here, that's a US law.

I had a look for the override and couldn't find any... fair use has been pummelled into the ground. It is no longer legal to copy your vinyl to cassette to listen to it in your car according to what I have found - they really do expect you to buy a copy for every type of player apparently - but as you say, it's hard to find a definitive answer.

[confus-ed]

Thanks Bev .. so the official line is:- this is all unclear ! Lol

Arrrgh I hate copyright questions they are most confusing, Noo you made me mod in here on purpose to keep me confus-ed ! .. good call