Converting a Region 2 DVD to Region 1 DVD

[DH808]

I am very new at this, so if I have committed any type of faux pas posting to the forum, I wholeheartedly apologize in advance.

I had purchased some Region 2 DVDs while living overseas, and to my demise, when I moved back to the States, I could not get the DVDs to play as my DVD player is not region free.

I downloaded DVDD 3.5.4.0 and transferred the files to my HD using the FILE MODE option(I followed the directions on the dvdshrink website using the power point slide show there).

Next, I used DVD Shrink 3.2.0.15 to open the files, clicked re-author, double clicked the main movie, and then selected backup.

While the aforementioned works fine for backing up my Region 1 DVD, when I placed in my Region 2 DVD in my player, the movie was on a perpetual H-Hold flip, and it appeared to be B&W instead of color. (Remember the old TV's with horizontal hold? If not tuned, the picture kept rolling up and down.)

Does anyone know how I can convert the DVD to Region 1 and perserve at least some of the original quality. Please be aware, I am VERY new to this, and have done nothing with any ISO options, nor do I know what they mean, or how to use them. I am only familiar with the file mode.

Thanks to anyone who can assist. DH :thanks:

[Paulcat]

If they are region 2, they may be PAL, which is also a different format as well as a different region. Take a look on the back of the case and see. If they are, you may either have to buy a cheap dvd player that will play them, or convert them to NTSC (which is a bit of a pain in the ass!)

[owlman]

hi
try puting the disc in your pc,open dvd shrink,click open disc let it run,then take the subpictures out if you want to,to improve picture quality,click backup,select your option for saving it,then clcik on dvd region ,it opens up with a tick in region free by default,if there is a tick in every box then you could be inluck,as ive been told that shrink rips to ntsc by default in region free,give it a go anyway,nothing to lose
rgds
munro

[DH808]

Paulcat & Owlman:

Thanks for the replies. I will try the tips tonight to see how it does. BTW, I did check the back of the case on the DVD and it is Pal.

DH

[xDrJx]

check also the inet for your player, theres a good chance to find a key combination to unlock a hidden menu to make the player region free.

[Paulcat]

Paulcat & Owlman:

Thanks for the replies. I will try the tips tonight to see how it does. BTW, I did check the back of the case on the DVD and it is Pal.

DH

Unless your DVD player can play PAL and NTSC, you will have to convert the files. No ripper/decrypter/shrinker will help you here I'm afraid. Some of the cheap ones at Walmart can play anything, they just don't advertise it. Keep your receipt!

[deets]

yep, i have a philips 642 which converts PAL to NTSC and im pretty sure its region free with a remote hack. only $60 odd from circuit city :)

[mpennel]

Yeah, Walmart has the Philips DVP-642 locally here in KC for $58, it's region free (with simple remote hack), plays PAL and NTSC discs, and also plays Divx AVI files, and mpg files. It's a great little player for the money. I highly recommend it. I have 2 of them! :D

[pelmen]

The other problem could be that the TV itself doesn't support both PAL & NTSC. Some DVD players have "PAL display on NTSC" or "NTSC display on PAL" (depending where in the world you are) in their description which indicates that the player converts the signal for use on the local display display format. Some also are labelled "multisystem" which usually means they can handle all the major display formats.

There are also signal converters (some cheap, some expensive) which can take any video type and convert to another. This could be a suitable option if you have expensive TV & DVD player that only do the one format.

Other than that you need a reauthoring solution to convert PAL to NTSC and rebuild a new DVD disc. Try the appropriate section of the forum for help on this (dont forget to search first :)

Good luck