Fuddland

Talking to a couple of friends earlier this week about the solely marketing-based invention of DVD region codes, and I was slightly astounded to be told that not only do we have the R1–R5 global regions designated, but there are also sub-regions for European (region 2) DVDs:

European Region 2 DVDs may be sub-coded D1 through D4. “D1” identifies a UK-only release. “D2” and “D3” identify European DVDs that are not sold in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. “D4” identifies DVDs that are distributed throughout Europe.

Looking at the four or five Region 2 DVDs I have to hand right now, I can’t see anything on them that indicates whether they’re actually Region D1 or not, which one hopes means they’re Region D4. Still, it’d be a real annoyance for anyone moving from, say, the UK to France or Germany to discover that some of their DVDs won’t play over there, despite being in the same global region. Perhaps I’ll be more careful to check the fineprint on DVDs I buy from now on, just in case it says, “Will only play in Region 2 D1, at your mate Kev’s house, on the weekend, if he has Jammy Dodgers to offer and there’s no footie on the telly.” Or, since I play mine through my PC, I’ll just install DVD Genie and not worry about it further.

#1

meesh | 2004 / 09 / 29 – 11:48

you could, of course purchase the cheapest dvd player possible at ASDA which will play all region DVD’s without need for any of that handset unlocking gubbins that comes with the more expensive players!
saying that, i do have a dvd that only plays round a mates house on the third sunday of the month jammy dodgers and sugary dognuts permitting of course!
m x

#2

Jann | 2004 / 09 / 30 – 13:43

Sugary dognuts?
Jeez, you guys are freaks.

You should only ever eat dognuts with salt…

#3

Richard | 2004 / 10 / 01 – 23:04

I’m sure that DVDs may not, legally, be restricted to one european country or another. This being one of the benefits of the EU common market.

#4

David | 2004 / 10 / 01 – 23:12

Re #3: Re-reading the wording of the Wikipedia entry from which I quoted, I realised it implies that D1–D4 DVDs are distributed in their respective country [or countries], not that they won’t necessarily play on DVD players sold in other European countries.

As we know from other examples [such as the price of cars, so I gather], there can be quite vast differences in the price of equivalent goods from European country to country. So these sub-regions are just one more way for the producers to control the prices, not a way to cripple the discs from playing on certain Region 2 DVD players. Not quite as bad as restricting the country in which they’ll play, but still not all that fair.

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