DVDD Region change confusion

[setarip_old]

I've created a DVD "package" that initially was set as "All regions" (1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8).

I then used DVD Decrypter v.3.5.4 to change both the "VIDEO_TS.IFO" and the "VIDEO_TS.BUP" to "Region 2".

Although the burned DVD is acknowledged by all standalone players as being ONLY "Region 2", when I load it into DVD Decrypter v.3.5.4, the program's main window indicates that the disc is "Regions 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8" (Although the Tools>Region Information indicates that both the "VIDEO_TS.IFO" and the "VIDEO_TS.BUP" are set to ONLY "Region 2").

I performed the same procedure and got the same results with the DVD "package" on my hard drive.

Any idea as to why this happens?

[bigotti5]

The region code is recorded in the Lead-in and in the Video Manager file.
Imho region code in the lead-in area cant be written with a common burner (not sure if you burn an image created directly from authoring soft such as scenarist or maestro).
It seems almost every standalone reads region code from VMG only, pc-drives from lead-in.

[blutach]

@setarip_old

For further info, please refer to byte 0x23 of VMGM_MAT in VIDEO_TS.IFO and this FAQ (http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45996).

Regards

[setarip_old]

@blutach

Please re-read my post. Byte 0x23 of VMGM_MAT is CORRECTLY changed in both VIDEO_TS.IFO and VIDEO_TS.BUP - and CORRECTLY recognized as such by all standalone DVD players.

It is ONLY DVD Decrypter v.3.5.4 that is subsequently incorrectly indicating, in its main window (only) that the disc is Regions 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 (Using its "Region Information" tool properly identifies the disc as ONLY Region 2)...

(The link you've provided offers no additional information)

[Doom9]

The evil empire called Macrovision is reading this forum as well.. and they're on the lookout for lightning_uk violating his agreement with them, which means he cannot help with anything dvd decrypter related.

[setarip_old]

@bigotti5It seems almost every standalone reads region code from VMG only, pc-drives from lead-in.Perhaps I'm missing something in what you've said but, if the DVD was burned from a hard drive source that indicated it was ONLY Region 2, what would be the source that would cause the lead-in to have "Regions 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8" written to it?

[setarip_old]

@Doom9

k...

[r0lZ]

Bigotti has already answered your question:
Imho region code in the lead-in area cant be written with a common burner (not sure if you burn an image created directly from authoring soft such as scenarist or maestro).

[setarip_old]

@r0lZ

No, that doesn't answer my question regarding what the SOURCE is for the lead-in creating the "Regions 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8", when the ONLY reference to Region in the source material is "Region 2".

Or are you both saying that EVERY DVD burned by EVERYONE will ALWAYS have "Regions 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8" burned in the lead-in?

[r0lZ]

Exactly. At least, it's what I understand. If you cannot write the code in the lead-in, it is certainly region free by default.

[bigotti5]

As far as region coding goes, the DVD Spec is very clear - on Page VIX-117, Annex U to Part 3 (Video Specifications), it says:

ONLY DVD-Video discs (ie. those replicated from DLT) can contain region info. The spec states this categorically. It goes on to specify that the Regional Code Mask must be zero for anything other than a DVD-Video.
Region info must reside on two places of the replicated disc:

In the Control Data area of the disc right after the lead-in; and
In the Video Manager (VMG).
And, crucially, those settings must be identical - no "if's", "ands" or "buts".
........
........
For DVD+/-R
The DVD-R General and DVD+R formats actually have the control area glossed over, making it intentionally unwriteable. The effective value of the regon code is therefore zero, as it should be according to the DVD Spec. So, it stands to reason that whatever the intended region code of the final product, for a DVD+/-R, the value in the VMG MUST be a zero in order to match what is in the control area and meet the requirements of the spec, and avoid any compatibility problems.




Source (http://www.dvdafteredit.com/?q=node/100)

[r0lZ]

Interesting. This means that most programs claiming to clear the region code in the VMGM but leaving the regions 7 and 8 prohibited (like DVD Shrink) are not standard compliant!

Anyway, I wonder why someone would want to protect a backup!

[setarip_old]

@r0lZAnyway, I wonder why someone would want to protect a backup!(The DVDs I referred to are not backups)

1) To help determine if a particular standalone/TV combination is capable of playing back specific region coded DVDs

2) Because some standalone DVD players won't play "region-free"/all regions DVDs