Can I get a region-free DVD-ROM?

[Scarabus]

I've got a whole bunch of R1 and R2 discs. I've got a DVR-A04 set to R1 and I've been using an old SCSI DVD-ROM set to R2 but it's started giving me grief. I'm about to replace it, but before I waste my money is it possible to get a region-free DVD-ROM drive these days?

I don't want to risk trying the Region Free patch for my A04

[gooki]

Get a lite-on DVD drive.As there's a windows app which allows you to set what ever region you want, with out the need for any firmware updates etc.

[Scarabus]

I found the app you're talking about at dvdidle.com - thanks! It did the job. Unfortunately it only seems to work with players and not with SmartRipper, but that's OK - I've set my laptop DVD drive to Region 2 now, safe in the knowledge that I can play anything in it!

[OsirisMedia01]

Late 2001, poor Pioneer released a set of 6 DVD-ROMS which they didnt flash, any I brought one of them, its only a 6x so old now, but still plays and reads the movies fine, but yeah as long as I dont remove the Jumper on one part of the DVD-ROM it can never be region locked, and ive tested it, I can just keep changing and changing, none of this firmware business :)

[yodayoda]

my samsung CDRW/DVD combo has a region free firmware available for it. my previous drive, the Liteon 163 also has a region free firmware.

[gooki]

"I found the app you're talking about at dvdidle.com"

That's not the app he/she's talking about. Goto www.firmware-flash.com and there's a region free windows app for the lite-on DVD drives. Works a treat, even smart ripper/dvd decrypter detect the drive as being region free.