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CDs and DVDs

What is a DVD Region Code?

SUMMARY: Explains DVD Region Codes and how they can impact what DVDs you can legally view.

DVD videos can (but are not required to) be embedded with a region code, regulating where the DVD can be viewed. This code must match up with the region code of the DVD player, so that, for example, movies made and sold in China cannot be played in USA DVD players, and vice-versa. The codes are generally as follows:

0: All-regions

1: US, Canada

2: Central and Western Europe, Japan, Middle East, South Africa

3: Southeast Asia

4: Australia, Central and South America, New Zealand

5: Africa (excl. South Africa), Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Asia (excl. Southeast portion)

6: China

7: Unreserved

8: Airlines, cruise ships, etc.

DVDs can be made with multiple region codes, allowing for playback in several defined areas. Also, some DVD players are "region-free", allowing for the playback of all DVDs, provided the video format (NTSC/PAL) matches the user's equipment. Although seemingly widely-available, these may not be legal everywhere.