Hello, (Apologies I read the rules and tried to post to the other existing thread but it says newbs are not allowed.) I just purchased a Memorex DVD drive and I would like to make it region free since I have a few DVDs from Japan. Right now Windows is set at giving me 5 more tries before the drive becomes locked. I've tried reading the other thread but forgive me, I'm a total noob - I don't understand the difference between using the software and flashing the drive or which would be better in my case. Do those only apply to the drives that are already locked (i.e. not like mine where I still have 5 tries?) If any expert out there could give me very simple instructions (noob oriented) on how to set my drive to region free, I would really appreciate it. Thanks much in advance. I'll put as much info as I can find on my drive if it helps: Memorex dual +/- format DVD recorder Double Layer Model: MRX500-L-35 Internal Interface: E-IDE (ATAPI) UDMA 33 Windows region: not yet locked, 5 changes remaining
Hi. Basically firmware updates your drive to read the latest disk codes and flashing it is the process you use to upgrade the firmware. Now, as for flashing your drive to become region free; it can be done if there is firmware for it. This is called Rpc1 firmware. There are several things you have to do to make your drive region free though. Flashing the drive is just the start. Now i couldn't seem to find any firmware for your dirve so run Nero Info tool, found here http://www.afterdawn.com/software/cdr_software/cdr_tools/nero_info_tool.cfm And then give me the info it find about your drive. Get back to me...
Thanks so much for replying so quickly. The info I get from Nero InfoTool is the following: Memorex 16X-DDL-ILO Type: DVD +/- R/RW DL Recorder Firmware Version: YWS7 Buffer size 2MB Region control: RPC II Changes Left: 5 Region Code: None Serial Number: ? Read / Write Speed: 48X There's a lot more info. Maybe if you could tell me which ones I should list that would help the most? Thanks again
Seems there is no rpc1 firmware for this drive yet as it is new. I have asked around between several members and to no avail. I should think it will be patched (made) sometime soon; just have to wait. However i will continue to look for you and post back if i find anything
Btw post all info about drive from your nero info tool EDIT: If you have box, post your model number here or what you think it might be ok - would be big help!
Hi kagetora - Here is something for you to consider. You could buy a second DVD drive and set it for the Japan region. That way you could just leave the things set one time and not worry about changing them. Another idea would be to make a backup copy of the disk in question as a region free copy which could then be played on most any Rom drive or stand alone player. Depending on the number of disks you have this could be an easy solution. For example, Decrypter (free) will remove Region settings even if you put a disk in your drive that is set for another Region. I used it on a Region 2 (PAL) disk I bought to make a region free backup that will play on my computer. My drive is set to Region 1 and I have never changed it. When you put the disk in your drive, it will say it's the wrong region. Just click cancel, do NOT change your drive settings. Leave the disk in the drive. Open Decrypter and it will give you some message about the Region. Tell it to rip anyway. It will say something about using "Brute Force". When it is done the files on your HD will be region free. Burn to a disk, shrink if necessary. You don't even need Nero as Decrypter or ImgBurn will do the burn for you. Worked just FINE for me!
The first one is allway an option, however if you do not want to or don't have the money to buy another drive then it's not rly practical (and no point cheaping out on a drive that will just break lol) But the second idea is allways something to consider, one which I had overlooked. Remeber to use quality media kagetora, such as; Verbatim or Sony and burn at speeds of 4x to 8x depending on quality. I have still had no luck finding any firmware, but I think (only think) that your drive could well be a "re-bagged" LiteOn drive. Am looking at posibilities of that firmware. But for now no firmware
Mate the reason may be the media you are using they are the worst brand ever to do any kind of back up on. Try and get your hands on Verbatim and Tayio Yuden and good media like that. Here are two websited that can help you look for a update to your firmware for your drive. The Firmaware page http://forum.rpc1.org/portal.php and Dangerous Brothers http://tdb.rpc1.org/ I hope that helps.
Here's a program that will set your pc's dvd-rw drive to region free: http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd_rippers/anydvd.cfm This program is a: Background ripper for original cds and dvds Can rip problematic dvds Makes your drive region free It worked very well on some japanese porn that a buddy I work with recieved.Wouldn't play in any of our players,so I simply enabled anydvd/ripped with dvd shrink/and autoburned with nero. Perfect copy of those vids and the backups will play anywhere. Also no need of switching the region of my drive. There's a free 21 day trial. After that,it'll cost.
Thanks all of you for the help and expertise - plus explaining it simply so I can understand. As for an extra drive I can't afford, plus can't fit in an extra drive so the second drive is unfortunately not an option (my case is a tiny shuttleX). But rulisky's second idea might work. Also borhan9, I'll look into the media you mentioned. I can't find my Memorex on those sites, but I'll try looking again, maybe I missed it. Ripper - Thanks for all of your help, I really appreciate it. The two numbers I get from the box are: S/N: CIAJ443503944 Model: MRX500-L-35 saugmon - I'm going to sound like a total newb for asking this so forgive me - the AnyDVD trial software, can I use it to set my DVD drive to region free and then use some other app like DVDDecryptor after it expires? (In other words, just use it to set my dvd to region free)
@kagetora Mate sorry for the confusion those sites do not update the media you are using. they update a kind of driver for your DVD Drive hardware. To get new media you have to go and buy new DVD's that have those manifacturers that i mentioned you will not find those manifacturers on those sites i posted. Those sites only update your DVD Drive drivers. Sorry for the confusion
You can use the free trial of anydvd to rip those originals of your japanese flicks and back them up onto dvdr media. Programs like dvd shrink can set those backup copies to region free and play most anywhere. Make sure you use quality media and a burn speed of 4x or 8x. You don't want to have to back them up again in 6 months or a year from now. Very simple program, if you see the little red fox icon in your system tray in the bottom/right corner-then it's running. Nothing extra to do.
Yes that is an option but if you want your drive to be region free regardless of how many or what disks then it's not rly practical if he has lots of disks in japan region or maybe justs want a region free drive anywho
I'm in the same boat with this guy, except I cant even recognize dual layer dvds! This is a dual layer burner ffs! This is some off the wall model number that they act like it doesnt exist. I bought it only 6 months ago. Theres barely a trace of it on the internet. It was a steal at $70 from BestBuy so it figures... what the HELL is going on?
I call that Highway Robbery. I've gotten Benq drives for under $35 at newegg.com If you could download this free program so we can get some info on your drive and discs: http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd-r_tools/dvd_identifier.cfm Insert DL disc/open up dvdidentifier/select that drive-in case you have dual drives/click identify/click clipboard/ then paste it back into your next post. Sounds more like a firmware issue,but some of the DL media out there is screwing up a lot of peeps. Verbatim DL media is the best!
