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View Full Version : Is it relevant to set a specific region code for a new drive?

Perenista
22nd March 2025, 16:21
I just bought a new Pioneer BDR-212-BK drive. As we all know, new drives don't have any region code configured. In my old ASUS, I set R-4, which is used in Brazil, for NTSC DVDs (like the US), and we also use "A" (same from US, for Blu-rays).

What I was wondering:

- Should we define one region code at all? Or if we pick an official DVD/Blu-ray and try to play (using PowerDVD or MPC if it's just a DVD), it will work just fine?

Let's assume I am trying to play (from my drive) a REGION 4 DVD.

Will this not play at all, and ask me to set a region code? Same for region 1? (Pioneer drives can only come from the US, but as I said I didn't specify for Windows to set anything).

Another question that I always had:

- If there's no region code configured, and I open AnyDVD or Xreveal (?), will this allow me to play these official discs, and even rip them?

From what I was told, even if an app like MAKEMKV can rip most discs, if there is no region defined for the hardware, this process may fail. And trying to play an official disc would probably trigger a warning and prevent playback. Unless, of course, that DVD is region 0/ALL.
Emulgator
22nd March 2025, 19:15
Since you happen to have a virgin drive you may simply try all softwares and report.
In the past I always had to specify and burn the first instance of a DVD Region if attempting to play the first disc with an official player software
(Nero, some blue logo company (WinDVD ?), Power DVD back then)
Perenista
22nd March 2025, 19:44
Since you happen to have a virgin drive you may simply try all softwares and report.
In the past I always had to specify and burn the first instance of a DVD Region if attempting to play the first disc with an official player software
(Nero, some blue logo company (WinDVD ?), Power DVD back then)Does it matter for ripping if we set a region?

I believe a moderator from Slysoft told me to do it, otherwise this could cause a problem while decrypting. He probably said to specify this inside AnyDVD (to match the disc), and also do this for the drive itself (so, 2 settings, not just 1). The problem is, I can't find that discussion anymore.
Emulgator
22nd March 2025, 22:24
Trying does not hurt. If a mismatch occurs you will be told and then you just follow the suggestion.
For my occasions of maybe 12..15 DVD, later BD, later UHD drives) I can not remember a case where it was possible to keep a drive's virgin state (region unset).
For burning yes, for playing/ripping no.
RetsimLegin
23rd March 2025, 09:15
If you use (for example) XReveal then it doesn't matter what reqion your drive is set to. The same was true of AnyDVD. Mine is (and has been, since about new) set to R1 - despite me being in R2-land.
coopervid
23rd March 2025, 11:43
If you use (for example) XReveal then it doesn't matter what reqion your drive is set to. The same was true of AnyDVD. Mine is (and has been, since about new) set to R1 - despite me being in R2-land.
That's not absolutely correct. AnyDVD said you MUST set a region. Doesn't matter which but DO NOT leave the region of your drive unset.
Perenista
23rd March 2025, 12:48
That's not absolutely correct. AnyDVD said you MUST set a region. Doesn't matter which but DO NOT leave the region of your drive unset.What is odd is that AnyDVD asks us to inform a region code from the disc (not to be confused with the one set for the drive, something we inform Windows), yet MAKEMKV lacks such option.
coopervid
23rd March 2025, 14:26
What is odd is that AnyDVD asks us to inform a region code from the disc (not to be confused with the one set for the drive, something we inform Windows), yet MAKEMKV lacks such option.

Providing the region helps AnyDVD to decrypt the disc. If not provided a brute force attack is used which might not be always successful. Makemkv must have it's own / different method.