How do you make a Dell X1 DVD drive region free?

magpie

Anyone know?

Karoma

You can get software to run in the background to automatically decrypt (RegionFree,etc.)
Or you can possibly obtain an alternative firmware and apply it (You need to get the exact model of the drive: Start->run->devmgmt.msc->Expand Cd/DVD drives ; then google.. this can potentially mess up your drive (Out of warranty consequences typically)

sceptre

If it's an rpc3 drive you might be stuck with using AnyDVD or similar rather than a firmware flash (you'll need to use something similar to get around the separate Windows region protection stuff as well). Having said that, as Karoma said, you'll need to know exactly what make it is. I don't know what drives Dell are using for the X1 and I haven't bought mine yet. When you find out, check here first as it's a handy resource (here's handy too). And usual warnings wrt warranties apply.

Oh and if you do get it working please come back. I probably wouldn't bother myself but if all works well for you I may use the same procedure myself on the same drive in a few weeks

magpie

Incidentally if you're getting an X1 sceptre you'll need a DVD player, as Media Player doesn't come equipped with one but merely offers you a link to purchase one for $30 odd (the cheek!). This one seems to work fine

http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.phpgroup_id=82303&package_id=84358

As for region-free software, anyone know of any freeware ones? The ones you guys mention are €30-40 (which is what I paid for my region-free DVD player as hooked up to my telly!)

secret_squirrel

@magpie - the X1 comes with power dvd pre-installed.

I would try DVD43 which worked pretty well when I had it - havent tried it on my X1 though - I seem to remember it prevents Windows going into standby mode so you might want to only enable it when you want to watch a dvd.

VLC media player will play dvd's regardless of region if you want to avoid flashing the firmware.

Duffman

VLC only seems to work with some DVDs though. It's been refusing to play some US DVDs for me lately.

magpie

the X1 comes with power dvd pre-installed

Not this one, the vindictive IT guy at work must've uninstalled it.

Duffman

Duffman wrote:

VLC only seems to work with some DVDs though. It's been refusing to play some US DVDs for me lately.

When I was using it in Canada it took everything I threw at it. Odd.