Just got a DVD Writer. Firmware update, and region query.

[lakeywhite]

Hi :wave: ,
I have just bought my first DVD Writer, NEC 3500A, in order to burn some documentaries I am making (not prawn before you all jump to conclusions :nono: ).
One of the research experts in the current project is from the U.S. and would like a copy.
Now can I only create a disc with the region my writer is set at? Or is that setting for reading only?
Also if I was to update the firmware to clear the region, are these firmwares stable, are there any cons, can I use the same tool to put the original firmware back?
Will I be able to burn any region if I do this? Or just region 0 discs?

Being multiregion would also help me to add DVDs to my collection in DVD Profiler.
I know that is alot of questions but I just want to be sure before I update the firmware on my 'shiny, new' toy :D

Thanks for any help.

[Harry May]

If you use the right programs, the discs you make should all be region free. I don't even know if there are any programs that allow you to region code discs you make yourself.

Check out www.videohelp.com for more info on programs and tutorials.

Firmware can screw up your hardware, especially unofficial firmware. If you just want to burn discs region free, you don't need the firmware.

[adam.mt]

Now can I only create a disc with the region my writer is set at? Or is that setting for reading only?
Also if I was to update the firmware to clear the region, are these firmwares stable, are there any cons, can I use the same tool to put the original firmware back?
Will I be able to burn any region if I do this? Or just region 0 discs?


No, any region you so select. The setting is for reading only. Your DVD authoring software will allow you to set the region of the disc. In fact, many consumer apps don't feature region setting at all so by default your disc will be region zero. Only the more professional apps tend to allow region setting, copy protection, encoding Dolby Digitial 5.1 etc.

Third-party firmwares should be fine, though always best to wait for somebody else's feedback before using a new one yourself. Check over at http://www.firmware.fr.st/
You can usually also flash back to the original/official firmware.

[Doll]

Heres a good firmware site http://forum.rpc1.org/portal.php

[adam.mt]

About firmware screwing up your drive, true it can; that's why I said best to wait for somebody else to try it first!

Anyway, as stated you don't need to change it just to alter the region of the disc you burn. In fact it sounds as though the authoring program you are using doesn't allow you to set it anyway (else you wouldn't be asking these questions?).

[lakeywhite]

Thanks for the help guys, that has cleared up a lot of questions.

adam.mt: I haven't chosen an authoring software yet, just looking through the choices. I have been editing on Avid for a while, I just haven't created anything for distribution that needed a DVD yet.

I think I will wait before doing firmware upgrade as it is not reaaly neccessary at the moment.

[Faythur]

Or you could check out http://www.dvdidle.com/

It's software only so you don't need to chance flashing your hardware :)

Works well :thumbs: My son bought a copy for his laptop as he didn't want to risk a 'bad flash' - around $40 IIRC

[Frankie Angels]

Try this excellent bit of software, it makes your drive (temporarily) region free and also takes the copyright encryption off.

http://www.slysoft.com/en/anydvd.html :thumbs: